ORANGE, MA - March 6, 2007 - Dean's Beans, a 100% Fair Trade, 100% Organic coffee roaster and long time advocate for corporate transparency, is paving the way in the coffee industry with its Global Warming strategy. Dean’s Beans released its second annual carbon dioxide audit during the first week of March, 2007. The audit, which covers calendar year 2006, reveals a 15% net decrease in annual CO2 emissions as compared to 2005 data. The company drove down emissions while growing more than 20% in 2006. In addition, the audit includes significant indirect emissions, illustrating the company’s commitment to identifying its environmental impacts up and down its own supply chain. The inclusion of such a broad and comprehensive range of indirect emissions makes Dean’s Beans a corporate leader in CO2 reporting.

The audit takes into account a wide scope of carbon generating activities, covering both Dean's Beans direct emissions, and its indirect emissions related to the freight and shipping of its coffee, travel to the coffeelands, and employee commute; in 2006, 112 metric tons of CO2 were produced by business operations, compared to the previous year’s 131 metric tons. The most significant reductions have resulted from a decreased reliance on propane and the installation of a 10 kW solar panel system in July of 2006.

Dedicated to environmental stewardship, Dean's Beans has committed to a diverse carbon reduction and off-sets portfolio. In 2006, the company hired Pioneer Photovoltaics to install a 10 kW solar power system on its roof, which accounts for 65% of the company’s electricity consumption; the business's delivery van runs on cleaner burning bio-diesel and the facility is kept warm by the use of radiant heat. In addition, through its People-Centered Development work, Dean’s Beans has partnered with the Pangoa Cooperative in Peru to reforest the Ashininkas indigenous community's sacred lands. To date, 500 native hardwood trees have been planted; they will sequester 11 metric tons of CO2 annually.

In 2007, Dean's Beans plans to further reduce its emissions by increasing energy efficiency and by utilizing its new solar panel system. In addition, the company is actively pursuing new tree planting opportunities with its coffee farmer partners worldwide.

To learn more about Dean's Beans Carbon-Neutral Program, or the 2006 CO2 report, contact Phoebe: phoebe@deansbeans.com or visit www.deansbeans.com to read about Fair Trade and People-Centered Development.

Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company

Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company

Dean’s Beans is a family-owned, 100% Organic, Fair Trade, specialty coffee roaster. We are dedicated to providing reasonably priced, great tasting coffee in a manner that supports and exemplifies our belief in peaceful social change. Recognized by the United Nations and the Specialty Coffee Association of America for our dedication to sustainable development, Dean’s Beans is a business managed as a vehicle for social and environmental justice, transforming the lives of small coffee farmers across the globe and ensuring greater care and respect for the earth at home and abroad. Designing and funding direct, grassroots development projects, we partner with coffee farmers to bring meaningful change to their communities.

More from Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company