what’s on: Who is Sustainability Really For?
As you may have seen from our other blogs, there’s lots happening on our mainstage this year, with panel discussions and demonstrations from all around the world of coffee covering all sorts of interesting topics.
Right now, we’re going to focus on a panel that covers one of the most pressing issues in coffee today: sustainability.
The ‘problem’ with sustainability
Having become a bit of a buzzword over the last couple of decades across many industries, coffee and the wider hospitality industry are no exception. Overused and uninterrogated, the term is often presented simply as a catch-all term, but its mechanics are far more complex, resulting in efforts that are often unevenly distributed, shaped by competing priorities - not always with pure motives.
As a result, there is an overriding feeling among experts that, as the term becomes more diffuse, it becomes more anodyne in its influence and in its power to shape positive change for industries in strong need of it. With factors such as rising costs, shifting consumer expectations, environmental instability, and workforce challenges, business owners have less time and funding than ever to deliver on sustainability. Despite these challenges, sustainability is arguably more popular among consumers, with 73% of EU consumers indicating that it’s an important factor in their purchasing decisions. So what’s the solution?
Panel: Who is Sustainability Really For?
To discuss the matter, we’re bringing a panel of voices on the matter from across coffee, dairy, food production and hospitality who are pushing sustainability to the forefront of their practice:
Bryce Cunningham - Mossgiel Organic Dairy
Lisa Lawson - Dear Green Coffee Roasters
Mark Taylor - MOMA
Hannah MacDonald - Company Bakery
In this panel led by Grace Talbot of Mio Cafe, our experts will identify and interrogate the issue of where responsibility really sits, how businesses can act effectively in the current financial climate, and uncover the reality of what sustainability in business looks like in practice. Diving deep beyond the cliches and assumptions on the matter, the aim is to offer practical advice on what sustainability should look and feel like going forward.
Whether you’re seeking perspectives on how to carry out sustainable practices for your business or you’re someone who subscribes to its ideals in your personal life, this panel is a must-see! Tune in at 3.30 pm on the Saturday afternoon session to see Who is Sustainability Really For? for yourself!
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