4.25.2005 ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, DC - The World Environment Center (WEC) is pleased to announce that the President of Guatemala, Oscar Berger Perdomo, will be the honored presenter of the WEC's 21st Annual Gold Medal at the Award Ceremony on May 13, 2005, in Washington, D.C. The 2005 Gold Medal Award for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development will be presented to Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ:SBUX) for international leadership within the specialty coffee industry. This leadership is clearly demonstrated in the Company's development of Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, a set of environmentally, socially and economically responsible coffee buying guidelines created in conjunction with Conservation International that are designed to contribute positively to the livelihoods of coffee farmers while placing an emphasis on environmental conservation and supply chain transparency. Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman, will accept the award on May 13 on behalf of the Company's nearly 100,000 partners worldwide.

Starbucks has been able to leverage its position in the global marketplace and demonstrate that innovation in corporate social responsibility and business strategy can lead to long-term economic and environmental sustainability. Guatemala in particular is one of the largest direct suppliers of coffee to Starbucks, and is highly involved with Starbucks sustainable development programs.

"We are thrilled to award our 21st Gold Medal to Starbucks for their immense contributions to coffee purchasing worldwide," said John Mizroch, President of WEC, "and we are honored to have the distinguished President of Guatemala presenting the award. We believe this is testament to Starbucks positive contributions to the communities and countries in which they work."

The WEC Gold Medal Award will be presented at a formal gala on Friday, May 13, 2005, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. A complete list of Jury members, the Citation for the 2005 WEC Gold Medal Awardee, and a list of previous recipients are available at the WEC website http://www.wec.org/.

About the World Environment Center

The World Environment Center is an independent, not-for-profit, non-advocacy organization. Working with the private sector, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and academia, the WEC promotes sustainable development by encouraging leadership, improving health and safety practices worldwide, and fostering the efficient use of natural resources to protect the global environment. The WEC supports its mission through three central programs: the International Environment Forum (IEF); the WEC Gold Medal Award; and Capacity Building for the Environment. For more information about the WEC, please visit http://www.wec.org/ or email info@wec.org.

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