Growing the Coffee of the Future in Vietnam
Biodiversity and Climate Responsible Coffee (BiC)
What if enjoying a coffee also supported better soils, biodiversity and climate resilience?
In Vietnam’s Central Highlands, this vision is becoming reality. The Biodiversity and Climate Responsible Coffee project brings together committed partners to transform how coffee is grown, making it more resilient, more transparent and more in harmony with nature. Supported by Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG as the project funding organisation, and strengthened through close collaboration with strong Vietnamese coffee partners, the project further enhances its ability to drive meaningful, on‑the‑ground impact.
At the heart of the initiative are 5000 smallholder farmers, who are being supported in adopting practical, climate-smart and biodiversity-friendly farming methods that deliver real, measurable impact
At the heart of the initiative are 5000 smallholder farmers, who are being supported in adopting practical, climate-smart and biodiversity-friendly farming methods that deliver real, measurable impact
Turning Sustainability into Action
This project demonstrates a different path
Coffee production that protects forests instead of driving deforestation
Farms that store more carbon and support richer biodiversity
Supply chains that are fully traceable, transparent and compliant with evolving regulations such as EUDR
- Regenerative Foundations: Farmers adopt practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity
- Resilient Ecosystems: Healthier landscapes become naturally resistant to climate-related stresses
- Social Stability: Stable production leads to secure livelihoods and long-term economic gains for local communities
- Verified Integrity: 4C’s independent certification ensures every gain is measurable and credible
Every gain accelerates the next — creating a continuous, upward cycle of impact
Every gain accelerates the next — creating a continuous, upward cycle of impact
Farmers introduce shade trees and diverse crops, creating habitats for wildlife while improving soil health
Natural vegetation buffers are protected and restored to safeguard water sources and prevent erosion
Farms are monitored using satellite data and field assessments, ensuring that progress is visible and credible
Climate-smart practices, such as optimised fertiliser use and improved soil management, help reduce emissions
Instead of one-size-fits-all solutions, farmers receive hands-on training and tailored support, enabling them to apply these practices directly on their farms and see the benefits for both productivity and the environment
Farmers introduce shade trees and diverse crops, creating habitats for wildlife while improving soil health
Natural vegetation buffers are protected and restored to safeguard water sources and prevent erosion
Farms are monitored using satellite data and field assessments, ensuring that progress is visible and credible
Climate-smart practices, such as optimised fertiliser use and improved soil management, help reduce emissions
Instead of one-size-fits-all solutions, farmers receive hands-on training and tailored support, enabling them to apply these practices directly on their farms and see the benefits for both productivity and the environment
Technical Project Overview
A Strong Partnership for Real Impact
This initiative is powered by a unique collaboration between Lidl as the project funder and 4C leading project implementation. 4C’s sister companies, Global Risk Assessment Services (GRAS) and Meo Carbon Solutions GmbH (MCS), are supporting the initiative with their expertise in biodiversity mapping and satellite-based measurement of deforestation risks, as well as in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project begins by establishing local partnerships through cooperation agreements, creating a strong foundation for meaningful, long‑term impact.
Project Partners
Technical Partners
Exploring Project Overview
Project title: Biodiversity and Climate Responsible Coffee
Objectives: The project aims to establish and implement a robust framework that enables smallholder coffee farmers in Vietnam to adopt climate‑smart and biodiversity‑positive practices, supported by measurable indicators, continuous monitoring and capacity building.
To translate this objectives into practice, the project will focus on:
- Enhance biodiversity on coffee farms through better land management, diversified production, and ecosystem protection
- Reduce the carbon footprint of coffee production by promoting more climate‑resilient agricultural practices
- Support responsible, verified coffee production, backed by reliable evidence and improved sustainability standards
- Empower at least 5000 Vietnamese farmers through targeted capacity building on biodiversity and climate‑responsible practices
- Provide transparent, monitored data on environmental improvements to support sustainability reporting and future planning
Partnership Ecosystem
Project Donor and Beneficiary: Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG
Project Lead and Management : 4C Services GmbH
Technical Partner: Global Risk Assessment Services (GRAS) and Meo Carbon Solutions GmbH (MCS)
Find out more about GRAS’s role on this project
- Biodiversity risk mapping and deforestation risk analysis
- Monitoring of regenerative coffee cultivation and enhanced biodiversity via remote sensing and satellite time series
Find out more about MEO’s role on this project
- GHG emission calculation at farm level – emissions from cultivation, processing, transport and distribution
- Technical advice for Improvement Plans for farmers to reduce emissions via climate-friendly farming practices throughout the project duration
Key Expert:
Marion Hammerl is a subcontracted key expert, working independently from Bodensee Stiftung.
She is the former long-term managing director of Bodensee Stiftung and is currently a board member of Fundación Global Nature and Food for Biodiversity, as well as being the honorary president of Global Nature Fund. Marion Hammerl advices on key biodiversity indicators and monitoring and the development of a biodiversity action plan.
Local companies: Simexco Daklak Ltd. Vietnam, Vinh Hiep Co. and LDC in Vietnam
About Simexco
Simexco Dak Lak Ltd (SMC), a state-owned company founded in 1993, is recognized as one of the leading coffee exporters of Vietnam, the largest Robusta producing country in the world. Annual exports of SMC range from 1,3 to 2 million bags (60 kg) of coffee, representing 8% of coffee production in Vietnam. Since joining 4C in 2010, SMC has involved 50000 farmers whose farms were selected for improvement of agricultural and fair trade practices and to create a sustainable coffee community.
About Vinh Hiep Co.
Vinh Hiep was established in 1999 working in the field of manufacturing, purchasing, processing and exporting coffee-pepper-roasted coffee. Vinh Hiep together with its supplying farms is certified under the 4C certification standard since 2013. Currently, Vinh Hiep manages around 1,400 4C certified farmers with a total area of 3,200 ha. After 20 years of operation in the field of purchasing and processing agricultural products, annual export of coffee and pepper reached 70,000 tons, export turnover reached over $ 150 million.
About LDC in Vietnam
LDC Vietnam operates through two processing factories, two centralised buying stations and a joint venture dedicated to producing the final product. Since 2012, the company has worked with 6000 4C certified farmers cultivating both Robusta and Arabica. With long‑standing experience in initiatives aimed at strengthening climate‑change resilience in Vietnamese coffee regions, LDC continues to foster responsible production practices and support a more sustainable future for farming communities.
Project Roadmap and Timeline
The project spans three years and consists of three phases
Phase 1
BASELINE
Laying the Foundations for Lasting Change
The project begins by building strong partnerships and creating a clear picture of the landscape, setting the stage for meaningful transformation and long‑term impact.
- Baseline Assessments for carbon emissions and biodiversity performance with selected supply chains
- Development of improvement measures and initiation of training activities
- Achievement of 4C certification
Phase 2
IMPLEMENTATION
Supporting farmers on their journey
As the work progresses, farmers are empowered with guidance, inspiration, and hands-on support to embrace new practices that enable their land, crops and communities to flourish.
- Continuous Implementation and extension of improvement measures across all certified supply chains
- Documentation of results with the first project report
- Completion of First Annual Audit
Phase 3
SCALABILITY
Turning Progress into a Shared Success Story
After improvement measures have been successfully implemented and expanded they are scaled and consolidated among all participating farmers to ensure long-term supply chain sustainability.
- Final data collection and evaluation, results sharing and project partner discussion via Project Workshop
- After successful completion, this project might serve as a best practice example and be transferred to other regions or farms to drive the inclusion of more regenerative practices globally
Looking Ahead
Over the next three years, the project will build a model for climate-resilient and biodiversity-positive coffee production that can be scaled beyond Vietnam.
Proving that sustainability and productivity can go hand in hand sets a new benchmark for the coffee sector and shows that the future of coffee can be both profitable and regenerative.
Interested in developing a similar project?
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