Italian coffee company Lavazza is the top food and beverage brand on the Reputation Institute’s Corporate Responsibility report, and is ranked ninth among all companies.
Conducted annually by the reputation measurement and management service, the report showcases the top 100 companies the Reputation Institute says are most successfully driving corporate responsibility initiatives worldwide.
Lavazza says the top 10 placement is a testament to its growing commitment to global sustainability initiatives, as the brand ranked 32nd in 2018.
“At Lavazza, we are committed to the development of a sustainable future and are charting a course to provide actionable solutions that tackle the sustainability challenges of today while also looking ahead toward the challenges that may be present tomorrow,” says Davide Riboni, CEO of Lavazza North America.
“For us, the most important part of this process is actively engaging with and providing support to the individuals in local coffee growing communities.”
Lavazza’s commitment to sustainability is managed through the Lavazza Foundation, which promotes and implements economic, social, and environmental sustainability projects in coffee producing communities across the globe.
Lavazza says more than 94,000 coffee producers have benefited from Lavazza Foundation activity, through 25 projects in 17 countries.
The roaster singles out the ¡Tierra! Project, a Lavazza Foundation initiative which has boosted economic growth, combated environmental damages caused by deforestation and climate change, and helped producers develop programs that align with the criteria for sustainable agricultural practices set forth by the Rainforest Alliance.
In addition to its work with the ¡Tierra! Project, Lavazza is one of the founding members of Coffee&Climate, an initiative that aims to study the effects of climate change on coffee and provide growers with the technical tools they need to respond effectively to it.
Coffee&Climate also aims to close the gender gap in coffee production. Lavazza says strengthening women’s rights, supporting their participation in household decision-making, empowering their knowledge, and enhancing the adaptation of climate-resilient practices are among the most impactful ways to promote sustainable development.
For more information, visit www.lavazza.com/en/sustainability
