Foundation · 1 day
Foundation
Sustainability is more than the environment. Start with the three pillars, people, planet and profit, and see where every actor in coffee fits.
- Level
- Foundation
- Duration
- 1 day
- Format
- In person · Online
- Teaching
- Theory
- Certificate
- SCA certificate
- Materials
- Theory handout
- Before you start
- No experience needed
The SCA Coffee Sustainability Program
Foundation first, then any order.
Four theory courses. Foundation is the prerequisite for the three specialist courses.
What you’ll learn
By the end of the course, you can:
- 01
Explain the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic.
- 02
Map the coffee value chain and the role each actor plays in sustainability.
- 03
Describe how climate change affects coffee production and coffee communities.
- 04
Understand how coffee prices and the C Market shape farmer livelihoods.
- 05
Compare voluntary sustainability standards and third-party certifications.
- 06
Recognise the basics of due diligence and responsible sourcing.
- 07
Spot vague or misleading sustainability claims.
- 08
Choose the right next course: Climate & Coffee, Coffee Economics, or Compliance, Governance & Reporting.
Who it’s for
- Producers, exporters, importers and green coffee buyers.
- Roasters, café owners and baristas who want to source and talk about coffee responsibly.
- Trainers and managers building a sustainability plan for their business.
- Anyone who wants to understand the bigger picture behind the cup.
Before you come
- None. No prior sustainability knowledge needed.
- Required before Climate & Coffee, Coffee Economics, and Compliance, Governance & Reporting.
Taught by
Maryam Tabatabaei
Authorized SCA Trainer, licensed Q Arabica Grader and Q Instructor, and the UAE’s first SCA Coffee Sustainability Program trainer. Judge at the UAE National Roasting Championship, January 2026.
Small groups, in Persian or English. You learn on the floor, not just from slides.
Her story and certificatesQuestions
Before you book.
Who teaches this course?
Maryam Tabatabaei, the UAE’s first SCA Coffee Sustainability Program trainer. She teaches it in person in the UAE and live online for learners anywhere in the world.
Is this a practical course?
No. Sustainability Foundation is a theory course. There is no brewing or roasting; the day is spent on concepts, discussion and real examples from the coffee sector.
Can I take it online?
Yes. Maryam teaches it live online to learners worldwide, or in person in the UAE.
Do I get an SCA certificate?
Yes. Pass the written exam and you receive the SCA Coffee Sustainability Foundation certificate.
What comes after Foundation?
Three specialist courses: Climate & Coffee, Coffee Economics, and Compliance, Governance & Reporting. Foundation is the prerequisite for all three, and you can take them in any order.
Something else? Ask Maryam on WhatsApp.