Climate protection along the entire supply chain

Tchibo is focusing on many specific measures to achieve its climate targets. The following measures are among the key initiatives.

The "Future Supplier Initiative" with non-food factories

Around 98 per cent of Tchibo's emissions are generated in the supply chain. 32 per cent of these are generated in the production of textiles, such as the dyeing of fabrics and the sewing together of the finished textile. As a new member of the "Future Supplier Initiative", Tchibo is working with other textile companies to support collective decarbonisation in its own supply chains. The initiative develops and finances measures that support textile brands and their supply chain partners in achieving their climate targets. This is realised by increasing energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy in non-food production facilities. Through cooperation within the initiative, the factories also gain access to attractive loans that facilitate the implementation of decarbonisation measures. The initiative was launched in Bangladesh, one of the most important manufacturing countries for Tchibo and the textile sector. The programme is to be expanded to other countries in the future.

The Tchibo coffee programme

Tchibo is strongly committed to sustainable coffee cultivation in order to improve the living and working conditions of farmers and promote environmental protection. Climate protection is also part of this initiative, with Tchibo implementing comprehensive programmes to reduce emissions. Around 73 percent of emissions in coffee cultivation come from the production and use of fertilisers. As part of the Tchibo coffee programme, farmers are trained on site to optimise the use of fertilisers and switch to organic alternatives. In addition, coffee farmers are trained to reduce irrigation - and therefore energy consumption - and to reduce methane emissions from wastewater through innovative wastewater treatment techniques. In addition to reducing emissions, Tchibo also focuses on carbon removals, i.e. the binding of greenhouse gases through reforestation, the introduction of agroforestry systems and the use of biochar. Tchibo is already active in six countries with its own programmes (Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Tanzania and Vietnam) and also works with partner initiatives. By 2027, all countries from which Tchibo regularly sources coffee are to follow suit.

Sea freight initiative ZEMBA in logistics:

90 per cent of global trade is transported by sea. Maritime transport is also the backbone of Tchibo's logistics network and at the same time a major driver of emissions. 100 per cent of all Tchibo coffees and around 80 per cent of Tchibo non-food goods are transported by container ship. As a member of the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), Tchibo is working together with other leading companies such as Amazon and Patagonia to create access to emission-free transport solutions for sea freight.

ZEMBA is a unique buyer community that aims to promote the most sustainable, scalable and economically viable solutions for the maritime sector. This means accelerating the commercial deployment of zero-emission shipping, enabling economies of scale and helping shippers maximise their emissions saving potential beyond their own capabilities.

"We still have some way to go, but we are not at the beginning and have already initiated important measures in our direct emissions and in our supply chains," emphasises Kristina Kölling, Head of Environment & Circularity at Tchibo.

Tchibo will consistently continue on its climate protection course - for a more climate-friendly future along the entire supply chain.