Innovation for Climate Change Adaptation in Costa Rican Coffee Production: A comparative analysis of cooperatives in the coffee regions Guanacaste & Tarrazú

Abstract: Latin America is predicted to experience losses of almost 90% of land suitable for coffee production due to climate change by 2050. Simultaneously, worldwide coffee demand is increasing steadily and is expected to grow continuously due to new emerging niche markets. This highlights the urgency of and the need for innovations for climate adaptation in coffee production. This thesis examines the role of coffee cooperative innovations in two regions of Costa Rica and how they contribute to climate change adaptation. Using the MLP and transformative adaptation framework, this thesis explores whether climate change is inducing or accelerating cooperative innovations in Guanacaste and Tarrazú. The findings suggest that climate change acts as an innovation accelerator and not as an innovation inducer. Surprisingly, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is seen as the main driver of certain cooperative innovations such as organic fertilizers. In terms of value-added products and process innovations, climate change can be viewed as an indirect driving force. In sum, coffee cooperatives in Costa Rica display different innovative potentials depending on the region, but they are greatly contributing to the sustainability transition of the coffee sector in Costa Rica.