In fact, a photovoltaic system was installed in the production plant with a power of 93 kWp and an energy production of 122,000 kWh/year. Thus, 45,078 kg of CO2 that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere will be avoided every year.

The provision of photovoltaic panels is in addition to the sustainability actions implemented by Danesi Caffè, and follows the installation of charging stations for electric company vehicles. 

 “We are very pleased with the collaboration with Enel X, which allows us to contribute to the ongoing transition process and achieve significant energy savings. Our company, which has always offered quality products all over the world, has been very attentive, for several years, to the efficiency and sustainability of production processes, adopting the most innovative technologies on the market”, said Roberto Danesi of Danesi Caffè.

 “Enel X’s commitment to the energy transition is always maximum, for the benefit of the environment, the regions and the community. Supporting family businesses such as Danesi Caffè, now in its fourth generation, which have understood the value of innovation in favour of sustainability, is a source of pride for us because only by joining forces do we obtain concrete benefits”, said Ermanno Prosperini, Enel X Italia B2B Key Account Manager.

Danesi Caffè has relied on Enel X Global Retail, a global player in advanced energy services and the development of innovative solutions to support the energy transition, to take this important step in the context of sustainable production.

During 2016 Danesi Caffè S.p.A. joined the National Cluster Agrifood CL.A.N. – a partnership of significant enterprises, centers of research, local representatives and stakeholder in the agro industrial business – with the purpose of promoting a sustainable economic growth based on research, development and innovation technology and to be the single interlocutor of national and European Institutions.

The National Technological Cluster (8 in total) have been promoted by MIUR (Ministry of Education, University and Research) with the aim of generating permanent dialogue platforms between public research system and enterprises, being consistent with “Horizon 2020” priorities.

Nowadays they represent an important intermediate infrastructure to which is delegated the task of promoting the cooperation of public/private research in terms of technological development and innovation and rebuilding national policies in areas of strategic interest as well as to encourage smart territorial specialization.

Therefore DANESI CAFFÈ after joining from its creation the Consortium For The Protection Of The Traditional Italian Espresso Coffee, decided this year to support also FAI – Italian Environmental Fund becoming part of the corporate membership as Corporate Golden Donor.

Along side of FAI we want in fact to contribute to the creation of a larger protection project , this is an ambitious cultural challenge aimed to make Italy a place more beautiful, where to live, work and raise our children. The cultural and landscaping heritage that FAI is safeguarding and promoting, represent in fact a unique heritage in this world, this is the fundamental resource on which to invest for the rebirth, development and to revalue of our beautiful Country.

Thanks to the support of its numerous members, both private citizens and companies, FAI for over 40 years manages and protects over 50 assets on the whole national territory. Important artistic and historical settlements saved from neglect have been restored and protected and now open to the public.

Every Day FAI is committed to safeguard and make accessible to everyone splendid artistic, cultural and natural treasures spread in the countryside, in the cities and on the shores of our Country: to educate and sensitize people to understand and to respect and protect art and nature and to become the spokesman of the values of a civil society, by being vigilant and becoming a positive forces for the environment.

The result is the guarantee of the most extensive and reliable supply of sustainably coffee product, high- quality features. The influence of climatic change on coffee production is no longer a questionable matter. As the ICO (International Coffee Organization) says, between 2008 and 2009, a production decrease linked to climatic changes has been registered in Middle America and Mexico. Emblematic, in this sense, is the case of Colombia, which lost 50% of its production.

The situation in El Salvador is even worse: those phenomena which occurred in a five year time frame, are now not that sporadic. Drought and flood happen almost every year, with huge consequences on coffee fields, such us the decrease of plant performance and, in general, the decrease of product quality.

Even Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, the last three seasons of harvest has faced important challenges related to the occurrence of severe drought phenomena. Suffice it to say that at the beginning of 2014, the drought that hit on Brazil has been among the most severe historically recorded, while the almost lack of rain that is coming down for over a year in the eastern areas of the country has resulted in a reduction harvest of those areas by more than 30 % compared to previous levels.

No exception, in this sense, for the production situation in Asia. In fact, for countries like Vietnam or India, affected by drought and arid lands, in 2017 we do not expect a particularly fruitful year in terms of production.

Not different is the African situation: last Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) report, about export activities in January 2010, shows that the total exportations of Robusta quality coffee, between October and January 2009/10, had a 17% volume decrease. This condition has grown worse due to the drought, which damaged the plant in its embryonic delicate phase.

So, the progressive decline of produced and exported coffee is attributable to critical climatic conditions (high temperature and sporadic rainfalls) and to the growing diffusion of Coffee Wilt Disease, topic on which they do not invest. In addition, according to the 2009 FAO report, the harvest performances are mostly influenced by climatic changes and by the competition among people, livestock and means of transport into the access to alimentary resources, in a place in which land and water run low. Perhaps the horizon there is only a possibility and a way forward.

That of an ethical economy and the construction of an increasingly close and correct relations between the different industry players, since it is only through cooperation and mutual respect that will be able to face the complexity of the issues involved and the future challenges of this as all other agricultural sectors.

The major element of innovation, today, is the centrality of the concept of “diversity” together to create value in the direct relationship between the producer and the roaster, fully aware that the success of any organization and of each product is also measured through the kind of relationship and dialogue that are established with its suppliers, in a continuous process of improvement, support and mutual growth.

One of the positive consequences of this report will be to gradually improve and/or increased efficiency in coffee production and processing conditions for the producer, whereas globally the caffeicola production is largely carried out by small producers. In this way, they will be adopted in the most advanced process technologies and cultivation techniques, which are to be regarded as instruments and means for an economically sustainable caffeicola production. At the economic level, the increase in productivity and quality of coffee means higher revenues for producers, without this resulting in increased productivity that lead to lower global prices.

“Gutta Cavat lapidem” (The drop digs the stone), stated an ancient Latin proverb. The meaning is simple but profound: every little gesture, if repeated and shared, can lead to great results. Or, in other words: one step at a time allows you to get really far towards a desired destination.

And if I told you even with “one cup of coffee at a time” one can get important results and a better future? Yes, it is exactly like that. The choice of our daily coffee can make a huge difference, not only for ourselves, but also for the environment, the communities and for the people in need.

How? I will explain it shortly, first let’s take a step back. 

Crisis and Challenges

In the era of globalization (since the end of the 1980s), profound changes have taken place in the global coffee sector, radically mutating the role of coffee in the economies of many producing countries.

These economies have been severely affected by the fall of prices in international markets, by the reduction in income from coffee exports and by the widespread corruption in public institutions. Still today, the volatility of international prices, climate change, the lack of manpower and the need for profit are all factors that press unceasingly on the coffee producers so to use new techniques and employ more technologies.

The objective? Minimize production costs and, at the same time, maximize returns while maintaining quality standards.

In the search for a solution

The decline in coffee prices must in fact be compensated by an increase of productivity, if we want that coffee cultivation is to remain a sustainable activity for small business and that larger and more specialized companies can survive in the future.

Increasing productivity levels requires the introduction of innovative technologies, improvements in agronomic practices and a greater control in the administrative and financial management of the plantation.

However, this does not mean that implemented technologies necessarily represent sustainable cultivation models in the long run. It must also be said that the technology transfer cannot be possible unless the farmers have direct access to credit and receive a constant support from their native countries. In short, this situation is anything but simple. 

Investing in the future

What can be done to ensure sustainability of coffee plantations with a low environmental impact in the long term? In order to meet this challange, the transfer of technological, financial and administrative know-how is essential.

In several producing countries, various systems for the transfer of technologies and innovations have been implemented, these systems on one hand take into account the needs and necessities of the growers and on the other they aim to improve the efficiency of their crops and lead to increase the net profits.

It is a long road to achieve a satisfactory social impact.  We need a continuous and constant commitment. 

Danesi Caffè made its choice

Danesi Company chooses to select and buy green coffee that will employ in its blends from those groups of small farmers and those medium-size companies employing new technologies not to produce higher yields, but to grow a better quality product while respecting the environment where they work and live.

Danesi also chooses to support directly small farmers in order to promote their development, their capacity and self-sufficiency to grow sustainable coffee in the long term. In short, we commit ourselves to make our contribution.

And you, what do you choose?

So, does it really make sense to continue to rely on certain multinational companies or companies with few scruples, indifferent to any social issue, perhaps to save a few cents per coffee? Or is it better to choose (thankfully we are more and more!) who decided to invest with effort and passion in today, thus ensuring a better future? Danesi Caffè for a long time has been moving in this direction, so as to become one of the distinguishing traits of the Company.

I want to state loud and clear that there cannot be quality without responsability and vice versa. This is why we have decided to untie ourselves from downward price logics, which would damage primarily the farmers and the local producers. This is why we have never betrayed our “first commandment”: quality and respect, always. 

One coffee at a time

It is clear: each person can contribute to a better future, favoring those producers who have chosen to follow the path of sustainability. If it will be so coffee beside being good will also have a very special aftertaste, that of ethics and respect.

Because even the simple choice of coffee to be poured into your cup can make the difference and contribute to a better future: for the environment, the people and the whole planet. Yes, “gutta cavat lapidem”: small gestures can lead to great results.  

Ilaria Danesi