Starbucks

Sector: Corporate

TARGETS

> 3-year (2005-2008) climate change mitigation strategy that includes:
- Purchasing renewable energy certificates
- Focusing on energy conservation measures
- Advocating the need for collaborative action.

Achievements

> 20% renewable energy mix for company-operated stores in USA and Canada.

Benefits

> Not documented

Low Carbon Solutions

Background

Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffees and sells them along with fresh, rich-brewed, Italian style espresso beverages, a variety of pastries and confections, and coffee-related accessories and equipment—primarily through its company-operated retail stores. Since climatic conditions strongly influence the yield and quality of annual coffee crops, Starbucks is committed to better understanding the risks and implications climate change may have on its business, and identifying how it can minimize its own contribution to climate change.

Starbucks is researching and evaluating retrofits of emission control equipment in coffee roasting plants with more energy efficient technology. It has replaced lighting fixtures and equipment with more efficient products.

Starbucks has been working with US Green Building Council since 2001 and in 2005 built its first store in accordance with LEED interior standards. The store was designed to capture as much natural light as possible and energy efficient lightbulbs were installed throughout.

Project green BELT is expected to commence in 2006. It will collect data on equipment and operational processes from a representative cross section of 20 stores. It will monitor electrical, natural gas and water usage and determine the best opportunities for maximizing efficiencies and lowering costs.

Starbucks became a member of The Climate Group in 2005 and is actively collaborating with a number of organisations to learn more about how the company can reduce its climate impact and encourage others to do the same.  As a member of the World Resource Institute’s Green Power Market Development Group, Starbucks has joined with other leaders to develop a market for renewable energy.  The company has also committed support to Global Green USA’s campaign to help put a human face on climate change.  Global Green USA is the US affiliate of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Green Cross International.

In 2006 the company is purchasing renewable wind energy certificates to cover 20% of the energy needed to power its stores in the USA and Canada. This equates to 56.3 million tonnes of CO₂. The US Environmental Protection Agency has ranked Starbucks the 6th largest purchaser of renewable energy in the USA as of April 2006.

Starbucks is committed to identifying how it can minimize its own contribution to climate change.

In 2005, Starbucks built its first store in accordance with LEED interior standards in Hillsboro, Oregon.