Starbucks intends to raise $500m to fund sustainable projects, as well as programmes to support farmers in coffee-cultivating regions.

The US-based coffee chain intends to sell ten-year bonds to fund these projects.

It stated that it will source coffee only from those suppliers that have been verified by a third-party as complying with Starbucks ethical sourcing verification programme, called Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFÉ).

"We intend to continue to finance initiatives that will make a positive social and environmental impact."

Additionally, it will operate farmer support centres in coffee-growing regions. The company will also provide short and long term loans through its global farmer fund.

Starbucks CFO Scott Maw said: "Coffee is at the core of our business, and we intend to continue to finance initiatives that will make a positive social and environmental impact in our coffee supply chain as well as other areas across our business.

"Issuing a bond focused on sustainable sourcing, demonstrates that sustainability is not just an add-on, but an integral part of Starbucks, including our strategy and finances."

Starbucks operates a network of eight farmer support centres, which are located in China, Costa Rica, Rwanda, Tanzania, Colombia, Indonesia, Guatemala, and Ethiopia.