Four organisations are joining forces to help make coffee procurement more sustainable, with new guidance designed to encourage purchasing practices that better support farmers and strengthen supply chains. Announced on 30 September 2026, the initiative brings together the Global Coffee Platform (GCP), Germany’s development agency GIZ, sustainable trade organisation IDH and international civil society organisation Solidaridad to develop a common approach to responsible procurement across the coffee sector.
At the heart of the initiative is the recognition that the expectations placed on suppliers need to be supported by the commercial arrangements under which they operate. Coffee farmers face a combination of rising production costs, volatile market prices and increasing climate pressures, all of which can make it difficult to maintain viable businesses while investing in more sustainable farming practices. Where purchasing decisions prioritise short-term costs over the long-term needs of producers, the responsibility for delivering sustainability improvements can fall disproportionately on those with the least financial flexibility.
For businesses sourcing coffee, this creates a clear link between procurement and supply chain resilience. The prices paid to suppliers, the length of commercial agreements and the way costs and risks are shared can all influence whether producers have the resources and confidence to invest in their operations. By considering these factors alongside environmental and social requirements, buyers can help create more stable relationships that support both responsible production and the continuity of supply.
The initiative builds on existing procurement principles developed through collaboration across the coffee sector, with 18 companies supporting the development of the new guidance. The organisations are also seeking input from producers, exporters and civil society groups to ensure that the framework reflects the practical challenges experienced throughout the supply chain, rather than focusing solely on the expectations of companies purchasing the final product.
Further development is expected to continue into the second quarter of 2027, with a public consultation planned as part of the process. While the guidance is still taking shape, its development reflects a wider shift towards understanding sustainability as a shared responsibility, requiring action not only from producers but also from the businesses whose purchasing decisions influence how supply chains operate.
These challenges are not exclusive to coffee. Across logistics and wider supply chains, procurement teams play an important role in determining which suppliers businesses work with, how contracts are structured and whether sustainability commitments are reflected in day-to-day commercial decisions. Even where organisations have clear environmental ambitions, progress can be limited if purchasing practices continue to reward short-term savings without accounting for wider environmental and social impacts.
Making procurement a meaningful driver of change therefore requires closer collaboration between sustainability, procurement and commercial teams, alongside stronger relationships between buyers and suppliers. By aligning purchasing decisions with longer-term sustainability objectives, businesses have an opportunity to strengthen supply chain resilience while helping ensure that the transition towards more responsible practices is commercially viable for those involved.
At Sustainable Logistics LIVE 2026 on 10 November, our theme, Collaborate to Accelerate, reflects the importance of working together to turn sustainability ambitions into practical progress. Our dedicated procurement panel will explore how purchasing decisions can support this transition across logistics and supply chains, bringing industry perspectives together to examine the challenges, opportunities and changes needed to move forward. Register for Sustainable Logistics LIVE 2026 and join the conversation. Sustainable Logistics LIVE 2026 London Tickets, Tuesday 10 November • 9 AM – 4:30 PM | Eventbrite