Cooxupé leads innovative initiative in Brazil and enables sales of credits of carbon from coffee

Cooxupé has just reached an unprecedent milestone for Brazilian agribusiness: the production and commercialization of carbon credits at coffee farming, generated within the value chain from afforestation of coffee plantations. The initiative integrates the project Regenerative Coffee Farming, structured by the co-op, and it places Brazil at the forefront of a productive model that allies sustainability, innovation and generation of value to the producer.

The pilot project has brought 12 Cooxupé’s members together, encompassing an area of 43.27 hectares (106.9 acres), with the insertion of regenerative systems and rows of trees in the plantations. As a result, 649.94 tons of carbon have been sequestrated, and R$ 104,601.59 (nearly US$ 21 thousand) have been distributed to the participating co-op members. A total of 5 thousand seedlings have been donated, strengthening the biodiversity in the farms.

The operation has been enabled by means of a partnership with one of Cooxupé’s clients that acquired the credits in the insetting model. It means that the production chain itself invested in the reduction of emissions at origin. The resources have been passed to the co-op members, consolidating a new income source linked to sustainability.

“The project proves it is possible to integrate productivity, quality and environmental responsibility in the same system, with direct benefits to the producers”, highlights Natália Fernandes Carr, Cooxupé’s ESG Manager.

Science and innovation push carbon credits in coffee

The Regenerative Coffee Farming Project was structured during 2024 from solid technical basis, and from the search for feasible solutions for Brazilian coffee farming. Cooxupé has established partnership with the researcher Madelaine Venzon, from EPAMIG (Agricultural Research Enterprise of Minas Gerais), incorporating scientific knowledge to the use of outer-nectary plants (ex. Ingá, Erva-baleeira, Fedegoso, Fedegosinho and Eritrina) aiming to attract natural enemies for plagues and to increase biodiversity.

Other organizations also integrate the initiative. GrowGrounds is in charge of structuring and commercializing the carbon credits. Clima Café recommends species of trees with better potential for the sequestration of carbon and greater economic value, besides offering technical support for management.

Monitoring and certification rely on technologies such as satellite images, drones and georeferencing, which ensure accuracy for measurement of carbon sequestration. Field sampling validates the results each five years.

New model for coffee farming

The initiative represents a structural change in productive model, integrating trees to the plantations through regenerative system. It promotes environmental gains, enhances ecological equilibrium and strengthens the resilience of farms in face of climatic challenges.

Producers from different regions within Cooxupé’s action area are involved (namely: South of Minas, Cerrado Mineiro, and Matas de Minas). This scenario spots the potential for replication in diverse production conditions.

Expansion and new markets

The project is about to enter the next phase. A notice has been issued, aiming to gathering more producers. Meanwhile, Gold Standard, an internationally recognized certification enterprise, has just joined. As a result, carbon credits will be enabled for trading in offsetting mode, widening the reach of the initiative beyond the coffee chain.

“Cafeicultura Regenerativa stresses the role of the producer as key agent in the construction of sustainable solutions. Besides meeting international market demands, the initiative creates concrete opportunities to generate income, and strengthens Brazilian coffee competitiveness. It is all about the first project in Brazil to generate units of carbon from the afforestation of coffee plantations. It is an advance that connects field, science and market, and points at the future of coffee production,” Natália concludes.