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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
5.14.2008 - 03:01am ET
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Starbucks Increases Commitment to Supporting Coffee Farmers and Communities; Announces New Environmental Initiatives
New Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report Highlights Initiatives that will
(CSRwire) SEATTLE, WA - May 14, 2008 – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX)
today reaffirmed its commitment to supporting coffee farmers, communities
and the environment with the launch of its Fiscal 2007 Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) Annual Report. Starbucks seventh CSR report, which is
now online at Starbucks.com/csr, openly shares
Starbucks progress in several areas important to the growth of the
business and to its unwavering commitment to ethical coffee sourcing,
environmental responsibility, community involvement and workplace
practices.
In his letter to stakeholders in the report, Starbucks chairman, president
and ceo Howard Schultz said, "Even during this time of change for our
company, one thing that will never change is our long-standing commitment
to conducting business in a responsible and ethical manner. Going forward,
we will only deepen our approach by continuing to integrate social and
environmental responsibility into every aspect of our business."
The report highlights key strategic CSR initiatives and tracks Starbucks
progress in several areas including:
Leading in ethical sourcing
Starbucks continues to be a leader in the ethical sourcing of coffee.
Accomplishments include:
Sustainable coffee: Purchasing 65 percent of its coffee in
fiscal 2007 through Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices,
Starbucks program for sustainable coffee, with a goal of purchasing 80
percent of coffee from C.A.F.E. Practices-approved suppliers by fiscal
2013.
Paying higher prices: Purchasing only high-quality arabica
coffee beans and paying higher prices that premium quality commands.
Starbucks paid an average price of $1.43 per pound ($3.16 per kilogram) in
fiscal 2007.
Fair Trade Certified(TM) coffee: Continuing to be the largest
purchaser, roaster and distributor of Fair Trade Certified(TM) coffee in
North America and amongst the largest worldwide, purchasing 20 million
pounds (9 million kilograms) in fiscal 2007.
Conservation International (CI) collaboration: Announcing a
five-year commitment to CI to address climate change by supporting farmers
and communities who are preserving forests in coffee regions.
Being a leader in environmental responsibility
Starbucks outlined a bold global environmental strategy that will help
achieve a meaningful reduction in the company’s environmental footprint.
Starbucks is working to accomplish the following goals by 2010:
Renewable energy: Aspiring to have 50 percent of store energy
come from certified renewable sources.
Green building: Incorporating green building standards into all
new building construction.
Less waste: Reestablishing ceramic serveware as the global
standard for customers who enjoy their beverages in Starbucks stores.
Making each Starbucks store the heart of the local neighborhood
Starbucks works to build lasting, personal relationships with customers
and neighbors. The CSR Annual Report includes information and data about
our ongoing efforts in the communities in which we do business:
Starbucks economic footprint in local communities: A study
commissioned by Starbucks found that Starbucks stores contribute to local
economic growth, create new jobs and add to local tax revenues. For every
dollar spent at a Starbucks store, on average, $2.23 is put back into the
local economy through employee wages and benefits, taxes, and payments to
local vendors that provide some of its goods and services.
Customer attitudes: Eighty-six percent of customers surveyed
responded that they were extremely or very likely to recommend Starbucks
to a friend or family.
Community investments: Starbucks contributions to local
communities in the U.S. and around the world, through in-kind and cash
donations, including partner volunteerism and company-matched gifts, were
valued at $18 million in fiscal 2007.
About the Report
External verification: The data and statements in the report
are independently verified by Moss Adams LLP, the 12th largest accounting
and consulting firm in the U.S.
Stakeholder voices: The report includes candid feedback from 14
experts about Starbucks CSR efforts through a special "Stakeholder Voices"
feature. Their unedited comments identify the areas where they think
Starbucks is doing well, and where there are opportunities to improve.
Customer brochure: Customers can pick up a brochure entitled
"Of Coffee and Community" summarizing the highlights of the report in
Starbucks North American stores.
Continuing the conversation: Readers of the report are invited
to share their ideas for Starbucks CSR at the company's new online
community: www.mystarbucksidea.com.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): A listing of GRI G3
indicators and a description of how Starbucks applied the GRI principles
is included in the report.
United Nations Global Compact: Also included in the report is
Starbucks "Communications on Progress" towards the 10 principles of the UN
Global Compact, a voluntary UN initiative relating to upholding principles
of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption.
Translations: An excerpt of the report focused on Starbucks
commitment to ethical coffee sourcing will be available at Starbucks.com/csr
in early June in the following languages: Spanish, Japanese, simplified
Chinese, traditional Chinese and Arabic.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically
sourcing and roasting the highest quality Arabica coffee in the
world. Today, with over 16,000 stores in 44 countries, the company is the
premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our
unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring
the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through
every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or
online at www.starbucks.com.
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