Starbucks Commits to a Resource-Positive Future, Giving More than It Takes from the Planet – Sustainable Brands

In a public letter to all company stakeholders, CEO Kevin Johnson sets 2030 science-based targets for carbon, water and waste as part of a multi-decade aspiration.

Hot on the heels of a similarly groundbreaking, industry-leading announcementlast week fromMicrosoft,Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson outlined today, ina publicletter,a multi-decade commitment to become a resource-positive company aspiring togive more than it takes from the planet. The announcement included science-basedpreliminary targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, water use and wasteby 2030; and outlined five strategies the company has identified to move towardthem.

As we approach the 50thanniversary of Starbucks in 2021, we are looking aheadwith a heightened sense of urgency and conviction that we must challengeourselves, think bigger and do much more in partnership with others to take careof the planet we share, Johnson said.

Our aspiration is to become resource positive storing more carbon than weemit, eliminating waste; and providing more clean, fresh water than we use.This aspiration is grounded in Starbucks mission. By embracing alonger-term economic, equitable and planetary-value proposition for ourcompany, we will create greater value for all stakeholders.

With the help of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Quantis, acomprehensive, data-driven environmental footprint of carbon emissions, wateruse and waste in Starbucks global operations and supply chain informed the fivestrategies to prioritize work:

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Expanding plant-basedoptions,migrating toward a more environmentally friendly menu.

Shifting from single-use to reusable packaging a transition its alreadybegun through its fueling of Closed Loop Partners NextGen CupChallenge.

Investing in innovative and regenerative agriculturalpractices,reforestation, forest conservation and water replenishment throughout itssupply chain.

Investing in better ways to manage waste both in Starbucks stores and inits communities to ensure more reuse, recycling and elimination of foodwaste.

Innovating to develop more sustainable stores, operations, manufacturing anddelivery.

Johnson also outlined three preliminary targets for 2030:

A 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions in Starbucks direct operationsand supply chain.

50 percent of water withdrawal for direct operations and coffee productionwill be conserved or replenished with a focus on communities and basins withhigh water risk.

A 50 percent reduction in waste sent to landfill from stores andmanufacturing, driven by a broader shift toward a circular economy. Tounderscore its commitment to a circular economy, Starbucks has signed ontotheEllen MacArthur Foundations New Plastics Economy GlobalCommitment,setting ambitious circular targets for its packaging.

On Starbucks 50thanniversary in 2021, the company will formalize its 2030environmental goals based on learnings between now and then. Specifically,Johnson noted, the coming year will involve comprehensive market research andtrials to better understand consumer behavior and incentives to encourage moreuse of reusable containers.

Johnson noted the importance of Starbucks partnerships with others on itsjourney to be a more sustainable company. Advisors to the company have providedthe following comments:

Sheila Bonini, SVP of Private Sector Engagement at WWF, said:Asthe global climate crisis is fueling a new set of challenges for the planet,Starbucks has set an ambitious vision to give more than they take from ourplanets finite natural resources. This is exactly the kind of leadership weneed to see from businesses an opportunity to invest in their own future whilemaking their global customer base a partner in this sustainability journey.

Sander Defruyt, Lead of the New Plastics Economy initiative at the EllenMacArthur Foundation, said:The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment unitesbusinesses, governments and others behind a clear vision for a world whereplastic never becomes waste or pollution, and the ambitious targets required toachieve it. Creating this circular economy for plastic will be a challengingjourney, but by signing the Global Commitment, Starbucks is joining forces withmore than 450 signatories to make it possible. We urge others to join them. Bycoming together, we can eliminate the plastics we dont need and innovate, sothe plastics we do need can be safely and easily circulated, keeping them in theeconomy and out of the environment.

Mark Lee, Executive Director at SustainAbility, said: It isencouraging to see Starbucks embrace a data-driven and team-driven approach tocreating a resource-positive future. Given their proven ability to tap into thepassion and expertise of their partners around the globe, I am confident thatthey will succeed and that this will have a huge impact. Starbuckssustainability commitment is deeply embedded in their enterprise-wide strategiesand in the hearts and minds of their leaders. Their most senior leadership wasdirectly involved in the creation of this plan, and they did an outstanding jobconvening experts in the field in the course of its development, inviting themto help Starbucks dream big on whats possible for the planet. This putsStarbucks in the vanguard of corporate sustainability leaders, and we hope morebusinesses will be inspired to develop similarly robust approaches to addressingthe worlds most pressing sustainability challenges.

Published Jan 21, 2020 1pm EST / 10am PST / 6pm GMT / 7pm CET

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Starbucks Commits to a Resource-Positive Future, Giving More than It Takes from the Planet - Sustainable Brands