BY RAYE MOCIOIU
Inspiring Positive Change: Starbucks Sets Planet-Friendly Targets WHEN they’re not providing coffee lovers with artfully-crafted drinks, Starbucks is working to become more environmentally f riendly! Since 2015, Starbucks has taken great strides to improve the sustainability behind their business processes - and they’ve been completely transparent about how they plan to continue making positive changes. In a public letter explaining the Starbucks’ mission to inspire positive change, chief executive officer Kevin Johnson announced a “multi-decade commitment to be a resource-positive company.” Through 38
sustainable and climate-friendly initiatives like targets for reducing carbon emissions and waste, Starbucks aspires to give more than it takes from the planet. Starbucks has already taken strides to make its processes more environmentally friendly and ethical. In partnership with Conservation International, they achieved the milestone of sourcing 99 percent of their coffee through C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices. By implementing those standards, they effectively halved their carbon footprint! Starbucks is also part of the L.E.E.D. program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), partnering with experts at the U.S. Green Building Council to bring sustainable practices to life in their stores. As well, Starbucks has been
publishing its Global Social Impact Reports since 2001, “one of the longest-running and most transparent reporting commitments of any public company.” These public reports show that Starbucks is committed to upholding their promises, and allows the public to hold them accountable as well. The letter also outlined five major ways that Starbucks plans to achieve its climatefriendly goals. Starbucks plans to expand its plant-based menu options, migrating toward an environmentally friendly menu. They also plan to shift to reusable packaging, removing single-use plastic from their stores. Starbucks also intends to invest in innovative and regenerative agricultural practices, including reforestation, forest conservation,
