Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Is Morning Coffee Climate Friendly?
Coffee isn't the biggest climate polluter, but it does produce greenhouse gases.
The biggest emissions come from growing the beans, including cutting down trees and using fertilizers.
The EU tried to ban coffee from deforested land, but postponed the rule due to backlash.
You can look for certifications like Rainforest Alliance to help the environment.
Shipping coffee isn't as bad for the climate as farming or brewing it at home.
Brewing only what you need and using less dairy can help reduce your coffee's carbon footprint.
Surprisingly, single-use coffee pods aren't much worse than other methods, but they do create waste.
A kilogram of roasted coffee can produce 40 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Major emissions come from growing coffee beans, including land-use changes and fertilizers.
The EU postponed a law banning coffee from deforested land due to global backlash.
Certifications like Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade USA promote environmentally responsible practices.
Transportation emissions are relatively low compared to farming and home brewing.
- Who
- Coffee consumers and environmental experts
- What
- The environmental impact of coffee production and consumption
- When
- Ongoing, with recent focus on EU regulations and studies
- Where
- Global, with emphasis on coffee-producing and consuming regions
- Why
- To understand and mitigate the climate impact of coffee
- Carbon Emissions per Kilogram of Coffee
- 40 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (high end)
- Major Emission Sources
- Growing coffee beans, land-use changes, fertilizers
- EU Law on Deforestation
- Postponed implementation for a second consecutive year in 2023
- Coffee Certifications
- Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade USA
- Transportation Emissions
- Relatively low compared to farming and home brewing
- Single-Use Coffee Pods
- Similar environmental impact to drip-filter and French press coffee
- Milk in Coffee
- Can generate twice as much emissions as the coffee itself