Scaling Agroforestry For Resilient Coffee Landscapes

Scaling Agroforestry for Resilient Coffee Landscapes: PUR x Nespresso

As global demand for coffee continues to grow, so too do the pressures on the landscapes and communities that produce it. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation are increasingly threatening the long-term viability of coffee farming. Addressing these challenges requires more than incremental change; it calls for systemic, nature-based solutions that strengthen both ecosystems and livelihoods.

At PUR, this is exactly where we focus our efforts. Our long-standing partnership with Nespresso offers a powerful example of how agroforestry can deliver tangible environmental and social impact at scale, while
building resilience across the coffee supply chain.

A decade of partnership and impact

Since 2014, PUR and Nespresso have worked together to integrate agroforestry into coffee production systems across key sourcing regions. Over the past decade, this collaboration has led to the planting of more than 9 million trees – a milestone that reflects not just scale, but sustained commitment to long-term transformation. But tree planting is only part of the story.

Our work is rooted in designing and implementing agroforestry systems that are tailored to local contexts, farmer needs, and ecological conditions. By embedding trees into coffee farms, we help transform monoculture plots into diversified, resilient ecosystems, often described as ‘mini-forests’.

These systems bring the functions of natural forests directly into agricultural landscapes, creating a powerful synergy between productivity and restoration.

Why agroforestry matters

Agroforestry sits at the intersection of climate action, biodiversity restoration, and sustainable agriculture. In coffee systems, its benefits are both immediate and long-lasting:

Climate resilience and carbon removal
Trees naturally capture and store carbon, contributing to climate mitigation efforts. At the same time, they help farms adapt to changing weather patterns by stabilising microclimates and reducing exposure to extreme heat.

Improved soil health
Tree roots enhance soil structure, prevent erosion, and increase organic matter. This leads to more fertile soils that can sustain productivity over time without reliance on intensive inputs.

Water security
Agroforestry systems play a critical role in regulating water cycles. Trees improve water infiltration, reduce runoff, and help maintain soil moisture — essential benefits for coffee farmers facing increasingly unpredictable rainfall.

Biodiversity and pollination
By reintroducing habitat complexity, agroforestry supports a wide range of species, including pollinators that are vital for crop yields. This contributes to healthier ecosystems and more stable production systems.

Enhanced farmer livelihoods
Beyond environmental benefits, agroforestry provides farmers with diversified income streams and more resilient production systems, reducing vulnerability to climate and market shocks.

From concept to practice

While agroforestry is widely recognised as a promising solution, its success depends on effective implementation at the farm level. This is where PUR’s approach is critical. We work closely with local partners, cooperatives, and farming communities to design and deploy agroforestry systems that are both
technically robust and locally relevant. This includes:

• Selecting appropriate tree species based on ecological and economic value
• Supporting nurseries and seedling production
• Providing training and ongoing technical assistance to farmers
• Monitoring and verifying outcomes over time

Importantly, our work goes beyond short-term interventions. Agroforestry requires patience; trees take years to mature, and benefits accumulate over time. That’s why we focus on long-term engagement, ensuring that farmers are supported throughout the transition and beyond.

In Colombia, for example, farmers participating in PUR and Nespresso’s agroforestry programmes are already experiencing the benefits firsthand. By planting trees across coffee plots and along waterways, farmers are helping to retain soil moisture, protect water sources, and improve overall farm productivity. These changes not only enhance resilience at the farm level but also contribute to stronger, more sustainable communities.

What makes these outcomes particularly powerful is that they are not theoretical. They are visible, measurable, and rooted in the daily realities of farmers who are adapting to a changing climate.

Scaling responsibly

As interest in nature-based solutions continues to grow, scaling these approaches in a credible and responsible way becomes increasingly important. At PUR, we place strong emphasis on robust methodologies (to ensure environmental integrity), transparent monitoring and reporting (to track progress and outcomes), and community-centred approaches (that prioritise farmer engagement and long-term benefits).

Our partnership with Nespresso reflects this commitment. Together, we are not only expanding agroforestry programmes but also continuously improving how they are implemented and measured.

Looking ahead

The challenges facing coffee production are complex, but the path forward is clear: building resilience requires working with nature, not against it. Agroforestry is no longer a niche practice, it is becoming a central pillar of regenerative agriculture and sustainable sourcing strategies. By integrating trees into coffee landscapes, companies like Nespresso are helping to secure the future of their supply chains while supporting the communities at their core. For PUR, this partnership exemplifies what is possible when long-term vision, technical expertise, and strong collaboration come together.

As we look ahead, our focus remains on scaling high-quality, nature-based solutions that deliver lasting impact – for farmers, for ecosystems, and for the global value chains that depend on them. Because ultimately, the future of coffee depends on the resilience of the landscapes where it is grown, and the
people who care for them.

Check out Nespresso’s take on the story