Developing a specific tea typology for the Cool Farm Tool
As the tea sector faces rising expectations for climate disclosures, stakeholders need accessible, effective tools that can accelerate their progress on carbon accounting.
Collaborating for progress
The solution must go beyond generic agricultural calculators. Farmers, agronomists, and supply chain stakeholders require a typology that accounts for the unique growing conditions, regional diversity, and management practices of the tea sector.
To meet this challenge, we played a key role in the creation of a specific tea typology for the Cool Farm Platform: a globally recognised, science-backed calculator to help industry measure and manage the impact of agricultural practices.
The UK Teas & Infusions Association (UKTIA) and the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada led the Carbon Consortium that convened industry peers and coordinated the development of the tea-specific typology within the Cool Farm Platform. LIPTON Teas and Infusions contributed critical datasets and agronomic expertise, partnering with Cranfield University and the Cool Farm Alliance for academic and technical support. Further support and funding came from a consortium of leading tea sector organisations. This industry-wide cooperation, combining technical expertise and on-the-ground insights, ensures that the new typology is scientifically robust and practical for tea producers worldwide.
Upgraded capabilities
This typology represents the most comprehensive integration of tea-specific agronomic data into such a platform. With this greater precision and functionality, stakeholders can more accurately measure emissions from tea farming systems, model the impact of agricultural practices and land use, track progress towards their climate commitments, strengthen their sustainability reporting, and compare the impact of best practices across different farms and locations. Having reached this milestone, the tea industry is now in a stronger position to meet its sustainability goals at every stage of the supply chain.