Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture: Toward Living and Prosperous Incomes
The global coffee industry generates over 40 million tonnes of biomass annually through coffee processing. This biological material is an underutilized resource full of potential for sustainable value addition and waste reduction. By enhancing resource efficiency through circular economy and regenerative agriculture, we can create new products, improve and diversify incomes, and protect our environment.
The latest Coffee Development Report by the International Coffee Organization, “Beyond Coffee: Toward a Coffee Circular Economy,” explores the transformative potential of a circular economy in coffee. This 4th edition of the CDR is co-created in partnership with the International Trade Centre, Lavazza Foundation, Politecnico di Torino, and the Center for Circular Economy in Coffee and informed by a global multi-stakeholders working group.
In this panel discussion, we explore the policy recommendations for collective sector action outlined in the CDR toward a coffee circular economy, with a special focus on supporting coffee producing countries. How can a coffee circular economy with regenerative agriculture not only be environmentally sustainable, but also contribute towards a living and prosperous income in coffee producing countries? And what is the role of coffee stakeholders globally in addressing the challenges to promote widespread adoption of these practices?
Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 3:15 - 4:15
Location: Room W
This lecture is free to attend with a World of Coffee entry badge. Register to attend World of Coffee Geneva here.
Moderator
Hernan Manson (he/him)
Head of Inclusive Agribusiness Systems, International Trade Centre
Hernan Manson manages the Inclusive Agribusiness programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and World Trade Organization. His team achieves impact in competitiveness, market linkages, mobilised investment, and sustainability in the coconut sector, cocoa and coffee value chains worldwide.
Hernan is a steering committee member of The Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network since 2019 and a co-author of ITC’s publication “The Coffee Guide, 4th Edition.’’ He received his MA in International Public Affairs and Governance at the LUISS Guido Carli School of Government, Italy and holds a degree in Business Management from the Universidad de San Andres, Argentina.
Panelists
Vanúsia Carneiro Nogueira (she/her)
Executive Director, International Coffee Organization
Vanúsia Nogueira comes from a family of coffee producers, and started her career at PwC Consulting, where she was a partner and worked for 15 years. She started working directly with coffee in 2002, always focusing on niche markets.
She served as Executive Director at BSCA from 2007 through April 2022 and took over as Executive Director at the International Coffee Organization in May 2022.
Vanúsia holds a PhD in Administration/Marketing from Rosario National University in Argentina, a BS in Systems Engineering and Administration from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RJ) and MBAs and post-MBA focusing on Management, Marketing and Advanced Project Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro.
Natalia Fernandes Carr (she/her)
ESG Manager, Cooxupé
Natalia Fernandes Carr is an agronomist (UEL) with a Master’s in Plant Nutrition (IAC), an MBA in Business Management (Esalq-USP), and a Ph.D. in Sciences (CENA-USP). As ESG Manager at Cooxupé, she leads efforts to build a more equitable and resilient coffee value chain rooted in shared responsibility and sustainability’s three pillars. Grounded in a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, she has long advocated good agricultural practices, blending the wisdom of traditional farming with innovative technologies. She values existing sustainability on the ground and works to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, driving meaningful impact for coffee families and the sector.
Wasibi Rogers (he/him)
General Manager, Mount Elgon Coffee And Honey Cooperative Society limited
Wasibi Rogers is a visionary agricultural entrepreneur leveraging environmental science, circular economy principles, and cooperative models to transform rural livelihoods. With a focus on the coffee sector and smallholder systems, he empowers farming families to move from surviving to thriving. Wasibi promotes regenerative agriculture, impact investment, and inclusive value chains that boost productivity while protecting ecosystems. Through strong cooperative networks, he fosters community cohesion and economic resilience. His work bridges sustainability and entrepreneurship, creating scalable pathways for social and environmental impact—making him a key voice in Africa’s next-generation agricultural transformation.
Dario Toso (he/him)
Circular Economy Manager, Center for Circular Economy in Coffee
With a Ph.D. and over 15 years of professional experience in product and packaging sustainability, I am dedicated to crafting strategies that advance the Circular Economy across both products and processes. My journey with Lavazza Group began in 2019, focusing on sustainable packaging and the practical application of Circular Economy principles. In 2023, I took on a pivotal role as the coordinator for the Coffee Circular Economy Center and assumed leadership of the Scientific Board.