SCA Sustainability Awards

SCA Sustainability Awards

Status: Active annual program since 2004

Geographic Scope: Global

Overview:
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Sustainability Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and business models demonstrating leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in advancing sustainability across the global specialty coffee industry. The awards celebrate approaches that address pressing challenges facing the coffee sector, from climate change to gender equity, while demonstrating commitment to collaboration across geographies, cultures, and throughout the value chain.

Categories:

For-Profit Category

Non-Profit Category

Focus Areas:

Climate change and climate resilience

Gender equity and women empowerment

Sustainable agriculture and reforestation

Food security and clean water access

Equitable value distribution across the supply chain

Community-led development projects

Climate-adaptive coffee varieties research

Racial equity in coffee

What They Fund/Recognize:

Business models integrating sustainability into core operations

Direct reinvestment in coffee-growing communities

Long-term sourcing relationships and above-market pricing

Evidence-based approaches to sustainability challenges

Strong networks and collective action

Relationship-driven, trust-based models

Inclusive business models

Eligibility:

For-profit companies and organizations

Non-profit organizations

Individual projects and initiatives

Both established and emerging organizations

Scoring Criteria (Updated 2024):
The awards use a weighted scoring system incorporating elements of Doughnut Economics including:

Purpose

Networks

Governance

Judging Process:

Two-step process: staff review of submissions meeting requirements, then external panel review

Panel composed of previous SCA Sustainability Award Winners plus expanded evaluation team including:

- Leading researchers from recognized institutions
- Voices from producing countries
- 12 external experts plus 2 SCA staff members (as of 2025)

Recognition:

Formal recognition at World of Coffee events (San Diego in April, Houston)

Featured in SCA publications and webinars

Case studies published in second half of calendar year

Opportunities to share expertise with the sector

Contact:
SCA Sustainability Director: Andrés Montenegro

Address:
505 Technology Drive Suite 340
Irvine, California, 92618, USA

Website: https://sca.coffee/sustainabilityawards