We were just about to send out this newsletter when breaking news stopped the press. Senator Manchin and Senator Schumer just announced they have reached agreement on a budget reconciliation bill called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes what could be historic investments in climate change! One week ago, it was believed that the bill was dead. A one-page summary indicates that the bill includes a record $369 billion for energy and climate. While details have not yet been released, and the bill still has to make its way through the Senate and House, we are cautiously ecstatic. If this bill passes, it will be the largest investment in climate in our nation's history.
While we are not yet familiar with the details, as the 725-page bill was just released last night, the bill includes investments to help our nation achieve emissions reductions of 40% by 2030. We expect it to help your businesses with investments in clean energy and transportation. There are red flags as well, including a call for permitting reform legislation to be passed before the end of the fiscal year. This could very well make permitting fossil fuel infrastructure easier at a time when the scientists have made it clear that we must immediately cease fossil fuel extraction. We know that there will be some disagreeable aspects as this bill is the result of months of arduous negotiations. We will be watching closely to determine if they are too egregious.
This giant step, and hopefully soon victory, is the result of the hard work of many, including hundreds of you in the Climate Collaborative network. Sometimes when we sign a letter to our elected officials as you did weeks ago with Businesses for Climate Action, or when you post on social and have a dialogue with your stakeholders as many of you did last year with Call4ClimateNow, we don't feel that we are having an impact. But I promise you it DOES matter. Every action contributes to the whole. When businesses speak out, we are changing the norm of silence on climate. We don't know exactly what changed Senator Manchin's mind and caused him to include climate in the bill, but we know there was enormous pressure from many fronts, including the business community, for him to act. More than 40% of Americans live in counties that were hit by climate disasters in 2021 and more than 80% of Americans experienced a heat wave. We have all be hearing the news in recent weeks of record-breaking heat around the world. This bill comes none too soon.
In the coming weeks, we will be keeping you informed on how YOU can help get the bill over the finish line. But for now, embrace this hopeful moment. We really CAN solve the climate crisis, and we will do it together.
Thank you for all of your work that led us to today. I am grateful for our community.
In collaboration,
Courtney
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Courtney Pineau
Executive Director
Climate Collaborative
WEBINARS & RESOURCES |
Once a year the Climate Collaborative asks companies to provide us a report on the progress they have made with their Climate Commitments over the past year. This survey is a vital way to maintain accountability in our program, to assess the climate progress of the food industry, and to determine how we can best support your work. However, more importantly, this survey is a tool for you to assess your organization’s climate action efforts. If your organization hasn't yet done so, please fill out the survey by August 26th.
Webinar Invite: Clean Creatives - How Your Marketing Team Can Accelerate Climate Action
Wednesday, August 10, 1 PM ET // 12 PM CT // 11 AM MT // 10 AM PT
Earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change named fossil fuel advertising and PR as one of the biggest barriers to climate action. Fossil fuel companies use marketing campaigns to mislead the public into thinking their products are green, or that the climate transition is too expensive or difficult to achieve.
To help put an end to this, the team at Clean Creatives has built a framework that gives brands like yours a platform to steer the creative industry away from working for fossil fuels. Join us August 10th to hear from Clean Creatives and Thinkshift Communications on how your business can be a part of a growing campaign to put an end to oil industry greenwashing. Register for the webinar here!
Don't miss this recording to hear from the Ratio Institute on the climate impact at retail, and strategies for increasing efficiencies that are low cost and high reward. Ratio Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating measurable sustainability and viability in food retail through collaboration, industry resources, and practical tools. Listen to the recording now!
Partner Event: Renewable Energy Markets 2022
September 14-16, 2022, Minneapolis, MN
The annual Renewable Energy Markets™ (REM™) conference convenes a broad spectrum of industry professionals who are rapidly transforming the global clean energy marketplace. REM™ brings corporate leaders, policymakers, and suppliers together to collaborate and guide the rapidly expanding market. Attendees explore emerging trends in policy, exchange best practices in renewable energy procurement and marketing, review the latest technology and market innovations, and help shape the future for renewable energy. Learn more and register here!
October 25-27, 2022, San Jose, CA
VERGE 22 convenes thousands of leaders working together to address the climate crisis across six strategic areas: clean energy, sustainable transportation, carbon removal, regenerative food systems, net-zero buildings and the startup ecosystem.
Register today and use the code CLIMATECOV22 at registration for 10% off of the pass type of your choice.
There are only a small number of product climate certifications, and their primary focus is on emissions reductions and the use of offsets to mitigate emissions. In the absence of a more holistic climate seal, the best climate practices for businesses require making a bold commitment, being transparent in reporting and engaging in climate advocacy. Read more here!
INDUSTRY UPDATES |
These companies are taking bold action to preserve our most precious resources. With planet-friendly practices and environmental initiatives, these companies consider the impact of their everyday footprint, including energy usage, materials, facilities, supply chain, and more. Congratulations to the many Climate Collaborative committed companies on the list!
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.
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.
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.