As of 2014, Starbucks Corporation has met 96% of this goal. Furthermore, Starbucks opened its first Farmer Support Center in San Jose, Costa Rica in 2004 in order to expand their high-quality standards to the root of their business; beginning with the farmer cooperative. Since then, they have established several other support, conservation, and agronomy centers all over the coffee producing regions of the world. These centers aid in improving farming and coffee quality, developing sustainable farming practices and encouraging long-term health and stability with an overall intention to reduce the corporate and subsidiary effect on climate change. Additionally, Starbucks has steadily increased the amount of funds made available for farmer loans in order to encourage and aid the individual farmer and cooperative to participate in Starbucks standards. In 2014, Starbucks farmer loans increased to $16.3 million with a projected goal of $20 million in 2015. In 2015, Ethisphere Institute named Starbucks as one of 132 other most ethical companies. This is Starbucks’ 9th year as an honoree (“World’s Most Ethical Companies – Honorees,” …show more content…
In order to receive this certification, the building must be in rated according to Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) specifications governed by the US Green Building Council. Over the last decade, Starbucks’ LEED-certified locations exceeds 750 stores in 19 countries around the world. As these locations also assist with conservation practices, each store saves an annual average of 25,000 gallons of water. This has helped Starbucks reduce their water usage globally by 23% in 2014; their goal is 25% by 2015. Starbucks Corporation energy efficiency has only improved less than 5% however, they purchase over half of its electricity through renewable sources like wind power. Locations have added recycling bins in their store fronts and the company offers discounts to customers that bring reusable cups when purchasing beverages. Newsweek rated Starbucks’ green score at 23.7% which placed it at rank 376 of 484 companies worldwide in 2014 (“Newsweek’s Green Rankings – 2014,”