Sustainability lessons from the Coffee Belt
European farmers’ climate revolt vs. Costa Rica’s Green Coffee Revolution
Introduction: Farmers’ Protests and Climate Change Measures
In recent months, European farmers have taken to the streets in protest across cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, and Bucharest. Their grievances span a range of concerns, including competition from cheaper imports, rising energy and fertilizer costs, and environmental regulations. Some media outlets have dubbed this as a “net-zero revolt,” suggesting that farmers are rallying against climate-related rules.
But how much does agriculture impact climate change and what seems to be the European farmers’ discontent with relation to climate change policies? How does this reaction compare to Costa Rican coffee farmers’ climate change endeavor and how does financial support differ for these two sides? How are coffee farmers facing climate change policies worldwide?
Impact of Agriculture on Climate Change: Emissions and Land Use
Agriculture plays a significant role in climate change, both directly and indirectly. Here are two large sources of emissions:
Direct Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Agriculture is directly responsible for 14% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally, while in the EU, it represents 10% of emissions. The primary contributors are nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄), which together constitute over half of the emissions from agriculture. These gases are released during processes like fertilizer application, manure management, and rice cultivation.
Land Use Changes: Deforestation and conversion of non-agricultural land (such as forests) into agricultural areas also impact climate change. 18% of emissions result from deforestation, which releases stored carbon from trees and soil. Large-scale changes like deforestation and soil erosion contribute to increased carbon concentrations in the atmosphere.
Given the above, it is evident that agriculture would have to have its share of responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Challenges Faced by European Farmers: Climate Change Discontent
European farmers find themselves caught in a complex web of challenges, and one of them (arguably the main one), relates to climate change. In concrete, European farmers are voicing discontent over the European Union’s sustainability policies, particularly those related to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). These policies include allocating a portion of arable land to non-productive features, crop rotations, and reducing fertilizer use, reflecting ambitious climate change mitigation objectives within the CAP, aiming to reduce emissions and enhance resilience.
Additionally, the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy drive sustainable food systems, where farmers play a crucial role in climate mitigation. Farmers argue that these measures make their sector less competitive and reduce the value of direct payments.
Costa Rica’s Coffee NAMA: Pioneering Sustainable Progress
Contrast this with Costa Rica, a country that has taken a proactive stance in its coffee sector. Through its Low Carbon Coffee Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA), Costa Rica has achieved remarkable milestones. Let’s delve into the specifics:
- Reduced Emissions: The NAMA Café project has positioned Costa Rica as a producer of sustainable coffee. By adopting practices such as agroforestry, efficient water use, and composting, the coffee industry has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- Digitization and Metrics: The Costa Rican coffee sector now boasts digitization and robust greenhouse gas metrics, previously unheard of. Institutions collaborate toward a common objective, creating a sustainable product.
The implementation phase of the project ran from January 2016 to February 2019, with a total funding commitment of EUR 7 million. Through this support, the Costa Rican coffee sector has made significant strides in sustainability, digitization, and greenhouse gas metrics, positioning itself as a producer of a sustainable product.
The project has successfully reduced approximately 38,000 tons of CO2e in coffee production and processing, demonstrating its commitment to climate action. By investing in low-carbon practices, Costa Rica sets an example not just for other coffee-producing regions worldwide, but also for producers of other agricultural crops.
Financial Support Comparison: EU Farmers vs. Costa Rican Coffee Producers
Critics may argue that Coffee NAMA has received non-refundable financial support and that’s how they have achieved its feat. But as we compare Coffee NAMA’s finance to the EU’s agricultural subsidies, we find that the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides various subsidy schemes, which accounts to about 72 billion US dollars a year. By any means this is evidently a large amount, and that is putting it mildly.
On average, this translates to every farmer in the European Union receiving a subsidy of 260 euros per hectare of agricultural land if they meet all environmental and sustainability requirements. Additionally, if farmers take steps to enhance biodiversity on their farms, they receive an additional 115 euros in greening premium per hectare.
Clearly, these subsidies by far dwarf the support received by the Coffee NAMA project.
Costa Rica’s Holistic Climate Efforts
But it’s not just the coffee industry who is doing their part in Costa Rica. The whole country is in a strife to improve the world’s climate.
To understand this, consider that Costa Rica has successfully captured 14.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide through its forests. Meanwhile, the EU is only recently looking to capturing 280 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2040. The extent of Costa Rica’s efforts can be appreciated even better when we acknowledge that it has done this in a country of only 51,100 km2. For comparison, the EU’s land expands far more, to 4,422,773 km², which equates to more than 85 times Costa Rica’s size.
Costa Rica’s road to such great success is worth reviewing. Costa Rica faced severe deforestation in the mid-1900s due to unplanned logging and agriculture, resulting in the loss of two-thirds of its forest cover by the 1980s, and thus reaching a low of 40% forest cover in 1986. In response, the government implemented crucial measures: illegalizing unauthorized forest clearance and introducing Payments for Ecological Services (PES).
PES provided financial incentives for over 18,000 families between 1997 and 2019, fostering forest conservation and restoration. This initiative led to a significant rebound in Costa Rica’s natural landscape, earning the country the inaugural Earthshot prize in 2021. Today, lush forests cover 59% of Costa Rica’s land, marking a remarkable transformation from decades ago.
It’s clear that Costa Rica’s success isn’t an accident, but a result of conscious effort by its people. Due to its location in the tropics, Costa Rica can capture so much carbon dioxide in its forests. The EU in the north, despite its much greater extension, cannot program to emulate Costa Rica’s level of capture. Costa Rica knows its advantages, and has exploited them optimally.
The EU can do so too, and one of the venues is by reducing the emissions by its vast agricultural sector. For European farmers to do it is also to fulfil its duty as citizens who enjoy all the benefits that our common planet grants us all.
EUDR Challenge: Impact on Global Coffee Farmers
If European farmers are facing challenges to continue in business, so do coffee farmers not just in Costa Rica, but all over the world. One of these challenges is actually brought by the European Union itself, which is increasingly asking not only its farmers, but also farmers outside its boundaries to do more for the climate.
The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to ensure that products consumed by EU citizens do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide. By promoting the consumption of “deforestation-free” products, the regulation seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
It covers commodities like cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and their derived products. Operators and traders placing these commodities on the EU market must demonstrate that they do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation. The EUDR replaces the EU Timber Regulation and is part of broader efforts to address deforestation and forest degradation.
The EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) presents both opportunity and challenge. It encourages coffee farmers worldwide to update their value chains, aligning with climate goals. However, compliance comes at a cost.
On the other hand, although commendable in principle, the EUDR could unintentionally give rise to perceptions of double standards. Coffee farmers may view with concern the possibility of European farmers being discharged of more stringent climate regulations while more rigorous measures are expected in coffee-producing regions.
Role of Farmers in Upholding European Climate Policies Worldwide
Let’s set the record straight. Europe has led the charge to rescue the world from climate change, and it has done so hand by hand with its agricultural sector. Between 1990 and 2017, the EU’s agricultural sector managed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 19%. Notably, emissions from methane due to enteric fermentation (from cattle digestive systems) decreased by 21% during the same period.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a key tool through which the European Commission has aimed to ensure that agriculture contributes significantly to the EU’s climate policies. And we need this to continue.
In conclusion, this article delves into the multifaceted challenges faced by European farmers, particularly their discontent with climate-related policies. The comparison with Costa Rican coffee farmers highlights diverse approaches to climate change mitigation, showcasing both struggles and successes.
While European farmers voice concerns over competitiveness and reduced direct payments, Costa Rica’s proactive measures, such as the NAMA Café project, exemplify a path toward sustainable agricultural practices.
To bridge the gap between protest and progress, it is crucial for stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and environmental advocates, to engage in constructive dialogue. Balancing the needs of the agricultural sector with ambitious climate goals necessitates collaborative solutions.
European policymakers can consider tailored support mechanisms, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by farmers and aligning incentives with sustainable practices. Similarly, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange between regions can lead to more effective climate initiatives in the agricultural sector.
Ultimately, the world needs to recognize the pivotal role farmers play in achieving climate standards. As Europe has shown leadership in reducing agricultural emissions, continued commitment to sustainable practices is essential. Let’s ensure our actions speak louder than words by supporting policies that strike a balance between environmental responsibility and the livelihoods of those who cultivate our shared planet.
