THIRST

Who should the sustainability team report to? I've spoken with 100s of sustainability teams and seen sustainability reporting into nearly every function. Here’s a critical look at the options—and which one we believe is needed to ensure sustainability’s full potential is realised. Marketing: Risks becoming superficial—focused on campaigns, not strategy. Operations: Keeps it practical but limits influence to internal processes. Finance: Narrow focus on ROI misses broader value creation. HR: Shapes culture but lacks strategic reach. R&D: Innovates for the future but often neglects immediate impact. Legal: Focuses on compliance, not opportunity. The only reporting line that enables sustainability’s full potential is direct to the Board. This elevates sustainability to a strategic priority, ensuring it drives resilience, growth, and long-term value across the entire business. Do you agree? Repost and follow Gus Bartholomew (Leafr 🌿) for more insights on embedding sustainability into business strategy.

"Typhoo Tea has fallen into administration as the 120-year-old brand's sales slump, losses widen and debts rise. Advisory firm Kroll has been appointed to handle the administration and find a buyer for the tea business.Vape and battery maker Supreme is front runner to buy Typhoo, but it said there was "no certainty" a deal will go ahead." https://lnkd.in/eidRkWzH

"Two tea factories have just opened in India, one in Kumaon in the northern state of Uttarakand and anoher in Kotagiri in the Nilgiris mountains of southern India. Both of them are described as "farmer-owned", indicating a shift in emerging models in the Indian tea industry..., “It would ensure that the farmers have an incentive to stay in tea. It is equitable and involves them in tea production where they are part of the whole chain... they have the satisfaction of owning the factory".... If this works, it will be the reason for youth to remain in the hills and pursue farming. “I strongly believe that a lot of the younger generation want to be here. But farming needs to provide adequate income,” says Harish.” (Stir, Dec 24/Jan25 Edition) https://lnkd.in/eBi6-PWJ

And in what feels like a mere flash, we've arrived at our last webinar of 2024! What a way to end, with a collaborative effort between ETP, ActionAid and Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, coming together to discuss our Empowering Tea Communities project. An all star cast - Tiphaine Valois, Liberal Seburikoko, Heather Economou-Li, Susan Turner, Peter Kangacha Ndungu and Kitasi Wanga - will take us through the impact the programme has achieved to date, the value of the partnerships behind this, an update on the status of the Kenyan tea sector currently, and a look to the future with our shared ambitions for a next phase in the project. Sign up for all of this fascinating insight and conversation on 4th December, 13:00 GMT: https://bit.ly/496BpSu

Why the Chinese tea industry is leaving the RoTW in the dust.

"District Industries & Commerce Centre (DICC) in Silchar has launched a comprehensive programme to assist small tea growers with irrigation and mechanisation advantages and subsidy programmes to help increase Cachar’s tea production. This program promotes sustainable growth and production among the region’s co-ops, self-help groups and individual growers." (Times of India, November 26th) https://lnkd.in/ez-f77gj

"Kapila Koswatta earned the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) recognition for his spice farm....the majority of his yield comes in the form of tea and pepper. He earns over 75,000 rupees (approximately $260) from tea every month." (The Phnom Penh Post, November 27th) https://lnkd.in/eyfw2wnm

Vietnam: "...the improper use of pesticides also caused the death of a few ancient tea trees... Recently, the commune has stepped up propaganda work, advising households not to sell any ancient tea trees in the area to preserve the source of seeds and area. The commune government also hopes that purchasing enterprises and specialized units will actively guide tea-growing households in the area on techniques and standards so that the production process ensures quality as well as increases the value of tea products when harvested." (Vietnam.vn, November 25th) https://lnkd.in/esdSaFJ9

"A leader of the tea labour union in Darjeeling has asked India’s central government to stop the import of Nepali tea, claiming that it has harmed the Darjeeling tea brand. For the last few years, the demand to ban or impose an import duty on tea from Nepal has been growing louder in Darjeeling... Sarangi [director general of India’s foreign trade] said it was not possible to ban the import of Nepal tea due to geopolitical reasons. (The Kathmandu Post, November 26th) https://lnkd.in/ekQ4d87H

"Bubble tea giant Chatime has been fined just over $120,000, after the retailer's Australian arm was found to have paid its "vulnerable workers" as little as $7.59 an hour to make hot and cold takeaway drinks." (ABC News, November 26th) https://lnkd.in/ex_hwgax