Coffee’s ‘contribution to climate change' is just the ‘tip of the iceberg,’ study says

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Canadian researchers analyzed coffee's "contribution to climate change" in a piece published in early January and suggested people moderate their consumption of the popular drink as a part of the solution.

Researchers Luciano Rodrigues Viana, Charles Marty, Jean-François Boucher and Pierre-Luc Dessureault wrote in an analysis published in The Conversation that pollution from preparing coffee was "just the tip of the iceberg."

"Limiting your contribution to climate change requires an adapted diet, and coffee is no exception. Choosing a mode of coffee preparation that emits less GHGs (greenhouse gases) and moderating your consumption are part of the solution," the researchers at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi wrote. 

The study also found that using coffee pods to brew coffee contributed less to the carbon footprint than brewing coffee with a traditional filter. 

Direct above view of roasted coffee beans, white coffee cup with black coffee, dark brown colored napkin with one white spoon full with blended coffee on dark brown background. (iStock)

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"Our analysis clearly showed that traditional filter coffee has the highest carbon footprint, mainly because a greater quantity of coffee powder is used to produce the amount of coffee. This process also consumes more electricity to heat the water and keep it warm," the researchers wrote. 

The researchers compared brewing with coffee pods, brewing coffee the traditional way in a coffee maker, brewing coffee with a French press and using instant coffee.

"Our analysis clearly showed that traditional filter coffee has the highest carbon footprint, mainly because a greater quantity of coffee powder is used to produce the amount of coffee. This process also consumes more electricity to heat the water and keep it warm," the researchers wrote. 

They found that instant coffee was the most environmentally sound. 

Cup of espresso  (iStock)

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Coffee production contributed more to contributed to total emission than coffee preparation, according to the analysis. 

"This mechanization, irrigation and use of nitrous oxide-emitting fertilizers — the production of which requires large quantities of natural gas — greatly contribute to coffee’s carbon footprint," the researchers said. 

The researchers also added that the convenience of coffee pods might lead people to double their coffee consumption and in turn make the environmental advantage "redundant."

A cup of black coffee sitting on a table. (iStock)

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Studies released last year found that drinking one to two cups of coffee a day may benefit heart health. 

The American College of Cardiology found in a study released in March 2022 that coffee was associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and dangerous heart rhythms.