UK Pact’s Shade Coffee Saves Mexican Farmers from Climate Crisis
Climate Change Threatens Veracruz Coffee Farms
Rising temperatures in Mexico’s Veracruz state are hitting coffee growers hard. With 30,000 hectares of coffee fields at risk, experts warn that by 2040, 58% of production might vanish. The community of Amatlan de los Reyes faces the dire threat of losing 100% of their coffee crops—and their yearly income.
UKPACT Steps In with Shade Coffee Revolution
The UK’s Partnership for Accelerated Climate Transitions Programme (UKPACT) is backing Veracruz farmers to fight climate change. Their secret weapon? Shade coffee. Planting trees to provide a cool canopy protects coffee from heatwaves and pests like coffee rust, which is spreading fast thanks to the warming climate.
Shade trees do more than just cool. They capture harmful carbon emissions, offer extra income through fruits, medicinal products, and sustainable timber, and help preserve precious forests and wildlife habitats.
Science and Community Join Forces
Scientists from Mexico’s National University (UNAM) and the UK’s Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew examined nearly 2,000 tree species to find the best shade providers. They picked 50 promising species, then worked hand in hand with local coffee farmers in Huatusco and Teocelo to narrow them down further.
Women and men shared feedback on tree usefulness—from cooking to crafts to cultural significance. The final seven tree species chosen soak up around 6 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year—cleaning the air while boosting coffee quality and prices.
Farmers Embrace New Green Future
“This project has changed the way we think about the relationship between trees and our coffee plants. Before, deforestation was common. Now we know that trees are essential and must be preserved. Trees with more foliage provide more shade and reduce pests. I want my grandchildren to benefit from the trees I plant. This makes me proud, especially as a woman producer,”
– Lili Alicona Paes, project participant
UKPACT has released guides and videos to help coffee communities worldwide adopt shade coffee farming. With ongoing UK-Mexico cooperation, Veracruz farmers stand to protect their livelihoods and the environment for generations to come.
