Analysis: Why ‘responsibly sourced’ could become a thorny problem for the coffee industry

Two more major coffee companies have made 100% ‘responsibly’ sourced coffee claims. But what does the term actually mean?

Two highly respected coffee companies, both with strong environmental credentials, delivered on their 100% ‘responsibly’ sourced coffee pledges within the last week.

But with no universal, legally binding definition or scientific methodology to underpin ‘responsible’ sourcing, are coffee businesses presenting a singular definition for a hugely variable reality?

Ethical sourcing and sustainability have been high on the coffee industry agenda for years. As consumer awareness of these issues has grown, the term ‘responsibly sourced’ has arguably become as much a commercial imperative as an ethical one.

The term is also typically favoured by vast coffee businesses with complex supply chains. Nestlé, Starbucks and JDE Peet’s have all made responsible sourcing claims over the last few years.

On the surface, that’s great for coffee farmers and ethically minded consumers. The problem? The term ‘responsibly’ is a single word with many interpretations.