Last week, an airport in coastal Iran recorded a heat index of 152 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly intolerable for human or animal life. They are not alone. Countries around the world are experiencing record-setting temperatures challenging the capacity of infrastructure and the limits of livable conditions. A crisis at this level of magnitude feels insurmountable, even to those of us that do this work every day, and yet we DO have the capacity to shift the direction of the crisis. So we take a collective deep breath, we fortify ourselves, and we keep going...
Several months ago, our team went through strategic planning with our Board, and there was deep alignment that one of the keys to unlocking climate action is through pre-competitive collaboration. In September, we will be unveiling the Climate Action Catalyzer, a new tool to help facilitate connections between companies. Then in October, we are launching a Community of Practice to support CPGs working on organic and regenerative transition.
In case you missed it, earlier this month, we sent out our sixth annual Tracking Progress Survey for companies that have made Climate Commitments through the Collaborative. Your completion of the survey provides accountability in our program, tracks your climate action, and assesses the climate progress of the grocery industry. New this year, companies that complete their Tracking Progress Survey are also eligible for UNFI's Climate Action Partnership. This provides you with more tools and visibility for your climate work. The deadline to submit your organization's update is August 18th. Please reach out if you have any questions about the Commitments your company has made.
Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant community. We deeply appreciate your engagement in this work.
In collaboration,
Caitlin
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Caitlin Oleson
Director of Operations & Programming
Climate Collaborative
RESOURCES |
Upcoming Webinar: Transforming Food Waste - Unleashing the Power of the Upcycled Food Movement
August 16, 1 PM EST // 12 PM CST // 11 AM MST // 10 AM PST
Join the Climate Collaborative for our August webinar as we hear from leaders in the upcycled food movement. Magenna Brink from Upcycled Food Association will ground attendees in the climate impacts of wasted food and opportunities for companies across the supply chain to get involved. Christina O'Keefe from Kerry will share how they are working with customers to accelerate the adoption of upcycled ingredients and innovation in the space. Lastly, Emily Lafferty from Seven Sundays will join as a case study to highlight how companies can integrate upcycled ingredients into product design.
Don't miss this conversation!
Save the Date: Climate Programming at Natural Products Expo East
Friday, September 22nd, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Summer is speeding by and Expo East will be here before we know it! We're planning a fantastic day of climate programming with New Hope on September 22nd. Check back regularly for updated speaker and event information!
Forest Summit:
10:30 am - The Business and Climate Case for Assessing the Deforestation Risk in Your Supply Chain
11:00 am - The Climate and Trade Imperative of Making a Zero Deforestation Commitment
11:30 am - Unlocking the Power of Forests in Your Climate Strategy through Insetting, Reforestation, and Zero Deforestation Initiatives
1:30 pm What's Your Climate Action Blueprint? Align Your Strategy and Goals for Greater Impact
2:30 pm Critical Farm Bill Updates and How Companies Can Engage to Advance Climate and Ag Solutions
Webinar Recording: The Climate and Consumer Opportunity of Blue Foods
Interested in the growing Blue Foods movement? Then don't miss this recording to hear from leaders in this space: GreenWave, Food for Climate League, and AKUA to learn more about aquatic farming and its benefits from a climate and economic perspective. This session also covered topics ranging from how companies outside the blue foods space can include blue foods in their formulations to increase beneficial product attributes, insights on consumer adoption of blue foods, and the latest research on messaging.
Climate Day Submission Form
The Climate Collaborative team is in the early planning stages for Climate Day 2024 on Tuesday, March 12th. New this year, we've created a way for you to share ideas on keynotes, panels, roundtables, and more! Have a case study to share? Who do you look to as a leader in the climate space? Do you want us to cover a specific topic? What company is doing amazing work engaging their suppliers on climate? Let us know and we may feature your proposed topic or speaker(s) on stage in Anaheim!
PARTNER RESOURCES |
Sign On Before August 8: Tell the EPA to Cut Carbon Pollution From Power Plants
The American Sustainable Business Network is collecting comments for the EPA's proposed plan to cut climate pollution from existing coal, existing gas, and new gas power plants. The proposed rule provides a clear end point for where the industry needs to get to as well as pathways to modernize how we produce power in this country. Send a comment to your legislator urging them to protect our communities and businesses from harmful pollutants.
March to End Fossil Fuels
September, 17th, New York City
The United Nations is calling on world leaders to take real steps to lead us off fossil fuels to protect people and the planet. This September, the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York will gather world leaders to commit to phasing out fossil fuels. Thousands of concerned individuals will take to the streets of New York to demand President Biden take bold action to #End Fossil Fuels.
VERGE 23
VERGE 23 (Oct. 24-26, San Jose, CA) is the leading climate tech event accelerating solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time. It is the center of gravity for the climate community — leaders from business, government, solution providers and startups — working together to address the climate crisis across the six key programs that comprise the event: Buildings, Carbon, Energy, Food, Startups and Transport.
IN THE NEWS |
Get Ready: Amazon Will Ask Supply Chain to Report Emissions Starting in 2024
The biggest revelation from Amazon's latest sustainability report? The $525 billion company wants to know more about its supply chain's decarbonization goals and progress.
Is It Hot Enough Yet For Politicians to Take Real Action?
The latest record temperatures are driving, again precisely as scientists have predicted, a cascading series of disaster around the world.
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.
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.