The Glasgow-based coffee roastery will contribute an estimated £1.5m Fairtrade premiums in 2022 to provide training and resources to help coffee farmers adapt to the climate emergency through training and access to resources
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Matthew Algie Managing Director Ewan Reid (right) | Photo credit: Matthew Algie
Matthew Algie has pledged to contribute an estimated £1.5m in Fairtrade premiums to coffee farmers in 2022. The funds will be used to provide training on sustainable practices, crop diversification and new equipment to producers battling the effects of global heating.
The roastery has also teamed up with UK retailers John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, and 25 other businesses, to sign a pledge ahead of COP26 urging leaders to take action to protect farmers’ livelihoods.
The initiatives form part of new sustainability targets announced by the Glasgow-based roaster as it highlights its involvement in the COP 26 summit, where it is providing over 25,000 cups of carbon neutral-certified coffee during the two-week climate talks.
As a long-time proponent of sustainability in the coffee industry and the first coffee roaster in the world to achieve the Carbon Neutral International Standard, Matthew Algie will also be featured as a key case study for One Carbon World’s COP 26 webinar 'How Your Business Can Save the Planet' on 8 November.
“COP26 is arguably the most important climate event in our lifetime so it is hugely encouraging to see our coffee being used as a symbol of how responsible businesses can rise-up to the challenge of climate change,” said Ewan Reid, Managing Director of Matthew Algie.
“Sustainability has been at the heart of everything we do for more than three decades, and we continue to strive to find ways to reduce our impact on the world around us, while also working with our partner farming communities to understand and help mitigate against the climate crisis,” added Reid.
The company is also actively seeking a charitable partner for 2022 in a bid to support more environmental initiatives in the UK. In additional to an annual donation, it aims to use its network of café customers to drive awareness of the cause and deliver extended fundraising.
The two-week UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) brings world nations together to accelerate action towards the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Matthew Algie, which has been in business for more than 150 years, was the first roaster to introduce Fairtrade espresso beans to the UK. It was also the first roaster to offer triple certified coffee approved by the Fairtrade Foundation, Rainforest Alliance and Organic Food Federation.