Roasteries play a central role in the coffee supply chain and significantly influence the carbon footprint of coffee. On one hand, roasteries select green coffee, which accounts for approximately 60% of emissions in the supply chain. On the other hand, the roasting process itself contributes to around 20% of these emissions.
Why did we measure emissions?
Over recent years, we have developed tools to measure emissions throughout the supply chain. Our goal is to better understand where and why emissions arise in our processes. The carbon calculator played a central role in this. Now we can make this calculator available to other roasteries as well, so they can track their emissions too.
The carbon calculator helps validate self-assessments, uncover emissions "hotspots," and invest strategically in sustainable measures.
Developed specifically for roasteries, the calculator provides a cost-effective way to keep track of emissions without needing to hire external agencies or consultants.
Our goals with the calculator
We pursue two main objectives with this calculator. First, we want to enable the roasting industry to assess their current emissions with minimal effort. Second, the calculator serves as a foundation for knowledge exchange and the collection of best practices.
We see a great opportunity here for an exchange between roasteries on topics that we're all familiar with, but often difficult to grasp. By making emissions visible with the calculator, we can discuss the results together and explore industry-specific solutions in a targeted way.
Feel free to contact us if you're interested in working with the calculator.
Life Cycle Assessment: Gate-to-Gate
This carbon calculator is based on the gate-to-gate approach. This means only the emissions that occur within the roastery or are directly attributable to its activities are considered. In other words, it captures all emissions from the moment green coffee enters the roastery until it leaves as roasted coffee.
The production of green coffee is a significant contribution to the overall carbon footprint and must be carefully analyzed. Currently available databases provide inconsistent data on coffee cultivation. To address this problem, we are developing a separate cultivation calculator that offers sample calculations from farms using different cultivation methods (conventional, organic, regenerative, biodynamic).
Each of these calculators is based on a gate-to-gate assessment, but can be combined to create a complete life cycle assessment of a specific coffee.
If you plan to include general green coffee data in your calculations, you can use the CarbonCloud database for green coffee and our transport calculator for logistics to your roastery. Be sure to account for roasting loss when calculating green coffee consumption.
- Link to the CarbonCloud database: https://apps.carboncloud.com/climatehub/search?q=coffee&gate=Farm
- Link to our logistics calculator: https://www.kaffeemacher.ch/blog/transport-rechner/
CO₂ Data
Our tool primarily uses datasets from ecoinvent (v3.8, retrieved in July 2023). Our data was also verified by Carbotech to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Note: This tool does not replace a Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) assessment and cannot be used as a basis for offsetting with carbon credits. However, it is a cost-effective tool for roasteries to assess their emissions themselves and reflect on them. For a complete carbon accounting, you should consult a certified expert.
Our carbon calculator on Notion
We have built our carbon calculator on Notion">Notion and made it available as a customizable template. Your data remains with you and is stored in your own Notion account.
Note: The automation features require a Notion Plus account. However, this account can be cancelled monthly, so costs are around €10 per month.
You can find Notion's privacy policy
Feel free to contact us if you're interested in working with the calculator.
Get in touch
