We are getting so excited to see many of you in-person at Climate Day on March 8th! Every year this event brings together thought leaders and leading edge companies to inspire and activate climate action, and this year will be no exception. Keep an eye on your inbox, because we will be releasing more information about the program in coming weeks. But here are a few teasers...
- Conversations with leading distributors about how they are helping drive climate action in the supply chain
- Insights on how you can accelerate (or initiate) meaningful net-zero commitments
- Centering justice in the work to build a regenerative agricultural system
- Case studies on packaging innovations that advance climate commitments
- Taking care of ourselves and others as we tend to the climate crisis
- Policy actions we can all take to drive big impact in 2022
- Building a consumer driven movement through climate communications
Yes! There is a lot there, and more to come. Plus, there will be plenty of time to explore the Resource Fair, and network and connect with your industry peers. We are so excited, and I can't wait to share our full program.
Please reach out if you are going to be at Expo. I would love to connect with you!
Looking forward,
Courtney Pineau
OPPORTUNITIES |
EDF CLIMATE CORPS FOOD WASTE FELLOWSHIP
ReFED has launched a Climate Corps® Food Waste Fellowship in 2022 in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund.
This food waste fellowship program is an exciting opportunity for leading food businesses to have a dedicated, custom-matched, graduate student to help advance its food waste reduction and climate goals! For more details, click here to see a one-page overview of this new fellowship.
The host application takes ~20 minutes to complete and is due on February 1st. To access the application, follow this link. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Angel Veza.
FOOD WASTE FUNDER CIRCLE
ReFED and The Upcycled Food Association recently launched the Food Waste Funder Circle (FWFC) for capital providers who are interested in funding solutions to food waste. There are over 55 funder members, including Village Capital, Closed Loop Partners, Cultivian Sandbox, The Posner Foundation, and The Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation.
Every month, FWFC members receive a Deal Flow Report, which lists active fundraising opportunities from food waste solution providers. Food waste solution providers who are fundraising also have the opportunity to pitch to the FWFC network.
If you're actively fundraising and would like to share your information with the network, please fill out this survey and reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
2022 DIVERSITY BENCHMARKING SURVEY
One Step Closer's J.E.D.I Collaborative in partnership with New Hope Network and Informa is conducting an industry-wide diversity benchmarking survey.
As we all continue to drive the kind of systemic change that is necessary to ensure a vibrant regenerative economy, we all need to reflect on how issues related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion can negatively impact our industry and individual well-being. This short survey is designed for organizational leaders to complete and provides us with relevant industry indicators that can help grow and strengthen the natural products industry.
IN THE NEWS |
Tesco deploys UK’s first commercial electric heavy freight trucks
The HGVs could play a key role in accelerating the haulage industry’s transition to net zero transport in the next few years.
Record number of Americans are “Alarmed” about climate change
The George Mason Center for Climate Change Communication released the publication of a new Climate Note: “Global Warming’s Six Americas, September 2021.” Their prior research has found that Americans can be categorized into six distinct groups—Global Warming’s Six Americas—based on their beliefs, attitudes, policy support, and behavior about climate change. There has been substantial change in the distribution of the Six Americas over the past five years. Read their summary to learn more!
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions jumped 6.2% in 2021-report
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose by 6.2% from 2020 levels last year as the use of coal-fired electricity jumped 17% and drivers returned to the roads after the first year of the coronavirus pandemic. The projected emissions increase shows the U.S. is now further off the target set by the Biden administration under the Paris climate agreement to slash emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030.
INDUSTRY IN ACTION |
With nearly 20 years of food retail experience, holding roles in merchandising, account management, and category management, Laura brings her extensive experience into her current role by ensuring KeHE is driving sustainability through its retail and supplier partners as well. Click here to read Laura's insights!
Smithfield Foods Accelerates Progress Toward Achieving Sustainability Targets by Joining the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance
Smithfield Foods Inc. is the latest food company to join the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA), a collaborative movement to boost food waste reduction and recycling, and expand renewable energy production across America. The Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, founded in 2020 by Vanguard Renewables, Unilever, Starbucks, and Dairy Farmers of America, aims to avoid or eliminate food waste first and repurpose what can’t be eliminated into renewable energy via farm-based anaerobic digesters. Read their release here!
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS |
PARTNER EVENT: GreenBiz 22
February 15-17, 2022, Scottsdale, Arizona
Amidst challenging times, the sustainability profession is evolving--with new concerns, opportunities, and concepts emerging faster than ever. Join the dynamic GreenBiz 22 community of more than 1,000 professionals to explore the latest trends, learn from your peers and form valuable connections in Scottsdale, Arizona, February 15-17. Register here for 15% off your GreenBiz 22 All-Access Pass with code GB22PARTNER.
CLIMATE DAY AT EXPO WEST
March 8, 2022, Anaheim, California
Don't miss out on the best day of the year – inspiring speakers, real-world advice you can use, and the connections you need to make climate action possible. RSVP now to let us know you can make it!
Join industry leaders for inspirational keynotes, executive roundtables, workshops, networking, a reception, and more. Climate Day events are free with your exhibit hall badge but space is limited! If you haven't registered for Expo West yet, you can do so here.
PARTNER EVENT: 2022 Food Waste Solutions Summit
May 10 - 12, 2022, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Presented by ReFED, the Food Waste Solutions Summit is the premier food waste event of the year, bringing together food businesses, funders, solution providers, innovators, policymakers, nonprofits, and more to drive the adoption of solutions to reach our collective goal of a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030.
Food waste is a problem that can be solved, and that's what the Food Waste Solutions Summit is all about. Featuring panels, working sessions, field trips, networking events, innovator demos, and more, this is our chance to align efforts and get motivated for the work ahead! Register here.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Have you had any climate impact successes you think we should know about? Send them our way and we’ll make sure that your lessons learned benefit the whole community.
Send us any blog or social media posts your company publishes about your experience reducing your impact on the climate and we'll spread the word!
Twitter: @climatecoll Instagram: @theclimatecollaborative Facebook: /climatecollab
COMMIT TO CLIMATE ACTION |
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.