Cooxupé has its sustainability protocol recognized by GCP

The Global Coffee Platform (GCP), an international association with more than 140 members from all links in the production chain, has recognized Cooxupé’s “Gerações” Protocol as equivalent to its Coffee Sustainability Reference Code. This recognition by GCP is a 2ª party assurance. With more than 19,000 cooperative families and operations in more than 340 municipalities in the South of Minas Gerais, Cerrado Mineiro, Matas de Minas and Média Mogiana in the state of São Paulo, Cooxupé is the first cooperative in the world to have its sustainability protocol recognized by the GCP.

Sustainability protocol

According to the organization, its Code of Reference was developed as a parameter for the coffee sector to align itself with the fundamental practices and principles of sustainability. It covers the economic, social and environmental dimensions.

In addition, for a sustainable program to be recognized (2ª party assurance) by the GCP, there is the Equivalence Mechanism, which involves the evaluation of a set of operational criteria. This guarantees a reliable and effective system for implementation in coffee growing.  It also includes governance requirements, standard setting, assurance, data and claims.

At first, to guarantee the integrity of the process, GCP partners with the International Trade Center (ITC), which rigorously evaluates the programs.

Sustainable path

According to Natalia Fernandes Carr, Cooxupé’s ESG manager, the GCP is one of the main platforms where the global grain chain can come together to discuss. And build a path towards sustainability.

“It’s a place where producers have an active voice, bringing their challenges and contributing with their perspectives on how we can support them. Ensuring, moreover, that they thrive in coffee growing and stay in the business. For Cooxupé, having our ‘Protocolo Gerações’ recognized by the GCP Equivalence Mechanism is a moment of joy and awareness,” She says.

Natalia then explains that Cooxupé’s program was developed by a technical team of Brazilians totally focused on coffee plantations in tropical climates. Thus, taking into account all of our diversity, preserving the uniqueness of each farmer in each biome and aiming for the next generation.

“After all, our actions today guarantee future generations. Being able to present our ‘Generations’ equivalent to the GCP Coffee Sustainability Reference Code brings greater transparency to our procedures. It makes it possible for everyone, inside and outside the coffee value chain, to understand the values of our protocol,” She adds.

Efforts

In summary, for Luiz Fernando dos Reis, Cooxupé’s commercial superintendent, being a member of the GCP and equivalent to the Code keeps the cooperative up to date. And aligned with global efforts towards true sustainability, from the plantation to the coffee cup.

“It is extremely important that we move forward based on the three pillars of sustainability. This recognition reinforces our dedication to collaborating with the sector. And to continuously improve our practices to support a more sustainable future in coffee production,” he says.