NORTHERN COFFEE SCHOOL · COURSE MODULE · SUSSCA CERTIFIED · MANCHESTER · 2026
SUS · coffee sustainability · at heart & graft

coffee &
conscience

The environmental, economic and social realities of coffee - a Foundation, then deep dives into climate, economics and governance.

01 · foundation

Foundation

MIN 8 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
02 · programme

Climate & Coffee

MIN 16 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
03 · programme

Coffee Economics

MIN 16 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
04 · programme

Compliance, Governance & Reporting

MIN 12 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
01
SCA · SUS-FND

Sustainability
Foundation

MIN 8 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
£295

The key environmental, economic and social challenges facing the global coffee industry, and the major sustainability models and supply-chain issues that shape people, communities and the planet.

who it’s for
  • Professionals adding sustainable principles to current roles.
  • Individuals moving into sustainability-focused coffee roles.
prerequisites
  • None.
note - An SCA Introduction to Coffee course is recommended but not required.

What you’ll learn

Models & Systems Thinking

  • Study definitions of sustainability and how they change.
  • Explore the three pillars - environmental, social, economic - and their links.

Supply Chain Actors & Trade-Offs

  • Identify production-side and consumption-side groups.
  • Practise deliberate trade-offs for better decisions.

Environmental & Climate

  • Trace greenhouse-gas emissions from farm to brewing.
  • Differentiate mitigation from adaptation.

Economics & Market Systems

  • See how value is shared from farm to retail brand.
  • Understand why commodity prices don't reflect farmer costs.

Social Issues & Labour

  • Examine poverty, weak labour protections and seasonal hunger.
  • Differentiate a living wage from a living income.
what’s included
Instructor & live training feesCourse handouts and reference manualsOfficial digital certification (on passing the exam)All registration & testing fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically
● LIVE
Check dates & bookAsk a question
See all dates on the calendar →
02
SCA · SUS-CLI

Climate & Coffee

MIN 16 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
POA

A deep dive into environmental sustainability - climate-smart farming, carbon accounting basics, and the links between climate change and global supply chains, for long-term resilience.

who it’s for
  • Sourcing managers, roastery operators and supply-chain pros.
  • Sustainability coordinators and leads on adaptation and reporting.
prerequisites
note - Several exam questions require a basic calculator to evaluate data.

What you’ll learn

Climate Change & Adaptation

  • Study how shifting weather alters harvests and farming zones.
  • Explore climate-smart practices for soil and resilience.

Water, Forests & Biodiversity

  • Track water use and simple wastewater treatment.
  • Compare shade vs full-sun for soil, aquifers and wildlife.

Carbon Footprints & Accounting

  • Learn GHG Protocol scopes for direct vs indirect emissions.
  • Convert fuel and electricity use into carbon equivalents.

Circular Economy & Reporting

  • Compare linear production with circular models.
  • Spot greenwashing - buzzwords and unrealistic net-zero claims.
what’s included
Instructor & professional training feesCase-study toolkits & exercisesPrinted study handouts and guidebookOfficial digital certification (on passing the written exam)All registration & standard testing fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically
● LIVE
Check dates & bookAsk a question
See all dates on the calendar →
03
SCA · SUS-ECO

Coffee Economics

MIN 16 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
POA

The financial realities, pricing systems and market structures of the global trade - from commodity contract mechanics to profit-sharing models. Evaluate how pricing affects farm security and map alternatives.

who it’s for
  • Green buyers, importers, exporters and sourcing professionals.
  • Sourcing directors, finance managers and roastery owners.
prerequisites
note - Basic comfort with business logic and financial calculations is assumed.

What you’ll learn

Markets, Pricing & Risk

  • Differentiate farmgate, FOB and CIF and their transparency.
  • Use futures, differentials and options to protect a portfolio.

Farm Profitability & Costs

  • Map farm costs and why they are hard to track.
  • Examine climate, labour and regulatory challenges.

Value Distribution & Benchmarks

  • Analyse why profit concentrates with retail brands.
  • Evaluate cost-of-living gaps via the Anker methodology.

Alternative Sourcing Models

  • Evaluate direct trade, contract farming and forward booking.
  • Build a case using profit-sharing and Doughnut Economics.
what’s included
Instructor & professional training feesCase-study toolkits & exercisesPrinted study handouts and guidebookOfficial digital certification (on passing the written exam)All registration & standard testing fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically
● LIVE
Check dates & bookAsk a question
See all dates on the calendar →
04
SCA · SUS-GOV

Compliance, Governance & Reporting

MIN 12 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
POA

The changing landscape of mandatory sustainability law, corporate oversight and transparent reporting - how decisions are made, where power sits, and the move from voluntary programmes to binding due diligence.

who it’s for
  • Sourcing directors, compliance officers and buyers.
  • Sustainability managers and leads creating honest impact reports.
prerequisites

What you’ll learn

Due Diligence & Regulation

  • Differentiate voluntary responsibility from mandatory legal action.
  • Analyse how trade law shifts authority to government systems.

Governance & Power Dynamics

  • Distinguish direct product owners from indirect support actors.
  • Study how social bias limits power and access for women producers.

Alternative Ownership Models

  • Study cooperatives and benefit corporations balancing profit and purpose.
  • Learn 'mission lock' mechanisms protecting ethical goals.

Transparency & Impact Reporting

  • Run a materiality assessment to rank impact areas.
  • Counter greenwashing - imagery, buzzwords and net-zero claims.
what’s included
Instructor & professional training feesCase-study materials & sourcing frameworksReference manuals and reading guidesOfficial digital certification (on passing the written exam)All registration & testing fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically
● LIVE
Check dates & bookAsk a question
See all dates on the calendar →

Find your pathway

Tell us where you are - total beginner, working barista, or aiming for Q - and we’ll map the right pathway through the school.

See upcoming datesTalk to a trainer

NORTHERN COFFEE SCHOOL · AT HEART & GRAFT COFFEE ROASTERY · MANCHESTER
SCA AUTHORISED TRAINING · CERTIFICATION ON SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT