We are at a pivotal moment of transition on so many levels. The solstice reminds us that after the longest night, the light returns, bringing new beginnings and fresh perspectives. Despite the holiday frenzy we have all been in, this time of year calls us to pause, get still, and listen deeply—both to ourselves and to the world around us. It's a time for reflection on the past and preparation for the future.

Otto Scharmer, founder of the Presencing Institute, teaches that our capacity to sense and respond to what is emerging is significantly enhanced when we bring together diverse parts of a system. In our context, this means that when we gather different stakeholders from the grocery industry—from producers to retailers—each brings unique insights that contribute to an increased capacity to sense what is emerging. It's in these moments of collective presence that we can truly "design from the emerging future." As we find ourselves in the deep quiet of one of the darkest days of the year here in the Pacific Northwest, I am particularly moved to honor the powerful partnerships and collaborative efforts of 2024.

This year, there have been a number of impactful partnerships that have inspired and informed our work: OSC’s Pack Pact, the Sustainable Herbs Initiative, the Pacific Coast Collaborative, reNourish Studio, the Regenerative Transition Community of Practice, and our Aligned Sustainability Disclosure Initiative, to name just a few. These partnerships exemplify the spirit of collaboration and the shared commitment to working across company lines in support of the greater good that defines our community. They inspire us to continue our work, deepen our connections, and expand our impact as we step into the new year.

Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary community. Your dedication and collaboration are the light that guides us forward. 

As a side note, we are still working to close our end-of-year funding gap, and we deeply appreciate any support you can offer at this crucial time.

Wishing you a reflective solstice and a transformative new year,

In collaboration,
Courtney

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Courtney Pineau
Executive Director
Climate Collaborative

2025 Climate Collaborative Partnership Offerings

As we look ahead to 2025, the Climate Collaborative is thrilled to share our partnership opportunities designed to maximize your impact and visibility as a climate leader. Your partnership fuels the critical work of advancing climate action across the grocery industry while aligning your organization with bold, forward-thinking solutions.

• Download the 2025 Partnership Offerings

Here’s how you can engage with us in 2025:

• Organizational Sponsorships
• Project-Specific Underwriting
• Bespoke Partnerships
• Service Provider Membership

Email us to learn more! We look forward to finding just the right fit for your company to accelerate your climate goals.

Session Recording: Effective Strategies for Communicating, Measuring, and Reporting Retailer Climate Action

Join us for the final session in our Retailer Climate Action Education Series focused on empowering retailers to lead in climate action through effective communication, robust metrics, and transparent reporting. This session will feature insights from Kayalin Akens-Irby, Head of Growth at Planet FWD, and Athena Petty, Senior Sustainability Manager at New Seasons Markets, exploring how to track emissions across Scopes 1–3. Learn best practices for sharing progress through reports, websites, and in-store messaging.

• Watch the recording and download the slides

Save the Date: Climate Day 2025!

March 4th, 2025; 8 am - 6 pm PST

We're excited to kick off Expo West in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, March 4th! This event brings together over 600 attendees from the grocery industry. This year's program will cover critical topics in aligning sustainability disclosure reporting, regenerative agriculture, nutrient density, and so much more! There will also be some new projects revealed and opportunities to learn more and engage in a number of partnerships.

• Register for Expo West

Partner Event: Sustainable Foods Summit

January 22 - 23rd; San Francisco, CA

The Sustainable Foods Summit will delve into sustainability schemes, regenerative agriculture, and ecological & packaging impacts. What is the future of third-party sustainability schemes? What can be done to raise the adoption rates of regenerative agriculture? How are operators measuring their ecological impacts? These questions will be addressed during the conference! 

Partner Event: GreenBiz 25

February 10 - 12th; Phoenix, AZ

Climate Collaborative is proud to be a Community Partner at GreenBiz 25 (Feb. 10-12, Phoenix, AZ) — the premier event for sustainability professionals. Join GreenBiz 25 to connect with peers and trailblazers and master the skills essential to face your company’s unique challenges. Register by Nov. 17 to save $750, and use code GB25CC for 10% off — totaling over $1,100 off the Final Rate for the All-Access Pass.

No Longer Startups, These 5 Brands Are Moving Into Growth Mode

These growing brands, including Simple Mills, have built identities that resonate deeply with their audiences while continually adapting to the challenges of their industries. Simple Mills is redefining better-for-you foods that nourish people and the planet. 

• Read more here!

In 2024, Sustainability Professionals Were Shaken But Resolute. The Year Ahead Will be More Challenging

It’s been an interesting year for corporate sustainability professionals. Regulatory mandates, both current and anticipated, have led corporate sustainability departments to focus on reporting and accountability, often detracting from the actual work of improving a company’s sustainability impacts. And a succession of announcements has revealed the steep uphill climb companies face in meeting their goals and commitments. 

• Read the article to learn more

Share Your Good News With Us!

In this new section of our newsletter, we want to share out climate-related progress, announcements, and good news from our community in action. Send us an email at [email protected] to contribute to next month's section.

If you haven't already made a commitment to Climate Action please visit the Climate Collaborative website and check out the nine areas in which your company can make a commitment to bold climate action.