In less than a month from now, the Climate Collaborative staff and our Board will be coming together to engage in strategic planning. So much has changed in the climate landscape since the Climate Collaborative was first founded in 2017 and we are energized to explore how we can be of the most service to this community now and in the years to come. We would love to hear your thoughts!
- Drop me a note and help us answer the question: How can the Climate Collaborative best support the climate action of this community into the future?
I also wanted to flag our upcoming course. Over the past year, we have heard from many of you that there is a need for beginner- to intermediate-level climate education to support your staff in deepening their understanding of the landscape of organizations in the climate space and company climate action. In May, we will be offering a two-half-day course in partnership with CU Leeds School of Business that will provide a deep dive into the essentials of climate action. The course is informed by Project Drawdown’s framework for climate action and does an awesome job of exploring everything from commitments, actions, reporting, and disclosure. It is fast-moving, engaging, and actionable.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Climate Day and at Expo West. This community is thriving and doing incredible work. I was struck by the overarching theme of collaboration that came through in so many sessions and the bold steps companies are taking in their climate work. In closing, here is a wonderful quote from Leah Thomas that sums it up perfectly:
"If we can collectively, radically imagine new futures we have a better shot at protecting both our planet and our people at the same time".
In community,
Courtney
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Courtney Pineau
Executive Director
Climate Collaborative
RESOURCES |
Webinar Invite: Ensuring Employee Incentives Align With Your Climate Values
This April, we're hosting a special webinar with Drawdown Labs, Canopy, and Sphere to share opportunities for your organization to engage employees in climate action.
Jamie Alexander of Drawdown Labs will share how employers can embed climate action into every job within an organization, Lauren Fraser of Canopy will share how companies can unlock greater employee engagement by offering incentives for climate action, and Alex Wright-Gladstein of Sphere will provide information on how companies can offer climate-friendly retirement funds. Learn more and register here.
Virtual Course: Climate Action for Business
Join the Climate Collaborative in partnership with CU Boulder Leeds School of Business for Climate Action for Business. This fast-paced virtual two-day course will be held on May 9th and 10th (half-days) and is perfect for people seeking to understand the essentials of climate action. After two days you'll be equipped to lead your organization through a climate strategy from data gathering to emissions reporting in support of your climate goals.
You will leave class conversant in the vocabulary, frameworks and models that are essential for effective climate action. You will also receive a digital badge with a verifiable micro-credential from the University of Colorado Boulder for completing the course.
Event Recordings: Climate Day 2023 at Natural Products Expo West
In case you missed part or all of our sessions at Climate Day at Expo West, you can access the recordings on the Natural Products Expo Virtual Platform. You will need to have the virtual conference upgrade to access the recordings.
2023 Tracking Progress Update
Once a year, the Climate Collaborative asks companies to provide us with 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, assess the climate progress of the food industry, and 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. We will be sending out the survey in early June, so keep an eye on your inbox!
PARTNER RESOURCES |
Partner Invite: Naturally Network Sustainability Summit
Wednesday, April 12th 10:30 am - 3:15 pm CST
Naturally Network's annual Sustainability Summit brings together members, advocates, experts, brands, solution seekers, and consumer product industry professionals interested in building a more sustainable and equitable consumer products industry.
This session will cover important topics and updates on the state of sustainability, packaging innovation, waste, circular economy, and upcycling, and foster ideas that create better outcomes for ALL people and the planet. Join us for 4 exciting sessions and connect with like-minded brands and professionals, like the Climate Collaborative, in the natural products industry.
Deadline: Share Your Comments on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Green Guides
The deadline to share comments on the FTC's Green Guides is April 24th. In December, the FTC announced it was taking a look at its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. The FTC is asking for feedback on the continued need for Green Guides, their economic impact, and their interaction with other environmental regs. They are also interested in research about consumer perception of green claims—both claims currently addressed in the Guides, as well as others in the marketplace. Learn more about the feedback requested here.
Pure Strategies Offers Nature Action Forum for Business
A new Global Biodiversity Framework for nature was established at the end of 2022. Business-specific targets were included in the framework for the first time.
Join Pure Strategies in 2023 at the Nature Action Forum for Business. This limited-size cohort of peers in corporate sustainability will meet monthly to learn about critical topics, discuss challenges, and progress their nature programs. Other experts and thought leaders will be contributing to the Forum. Learn more and register here.
Eat the Change #incrEDIBLE Planet Challenge
Food choices represent our single biggest opportunity to reduce our environmental footprint. Eat the Change’s #incrEDIBLE Planet Challenge, an annual Instagram campaign for Earth Month, nudges people toward more planet-friendly diets. From April 1st to 21st, this campaign encourages participants to complete simple daily swaps, like making a meal out of leftovers, to see how their food choices can make a quantifiable impact in reducing CO2 emissions. How can you or your organization participate?
- Step 1– Visit our website and select your Earth Month challenge(s).
- Step 2– Enter your email to make a pledge and receive reminders and updates. Enter your phone number to get Earth Month inspiration
- Step 3– Follow @eatthechange on Instagram for giveaways and recipes. Share your progress on stories as you complete the challenge by tagging us and using #incrEDIBLEplanetchallenge.
The 2023 Biochar Academy is your chance to immerse yourself in all things biochar. Led by IBI Board Chair Kathleen Draper and other Upstate NY biochar experts and practitioners as well as world-renowned experts from around the globe, this two-week, in-person program will be held from June 19-June 30th, 2023. It will provide a unique opportunity to quickly connect with and contribute to scaling the biochar industry. Applications will be accepted until March 31st, 2023.
In the most recent newsletter, the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication identified that about 1 in 4 (26%) Americans are Alarmed. They outnumber the Dismissive (11%) by more than 2 to 1. Since the last Six Americas report, the Alarmed segment has decreased by 7 percentage points (from 33% in September 2021), however, the majority of Americans (53%) are still either Alarmed or Concerned, while fewer than half that number (22%) are either Doubtful or Dismissive. The increase in the number of Alarmed Americans tracks closely with the increase in the percentage of Americans who understand that global warming is a present-day problem that is already harming communities across the nation. In other words, Americans are increasingly coming to understand that climate change impacts are happening here and now.
Regenerative Industry Landscape
The original Regenerative Agriculture Landscape (RAL) was designed to evolve over time. Starting in 2021, HowGood collaborated with Kiss the Ground to update the data-this refreshed version is the result, and demonstrates the rapid growth of the term through the end of 2022.
IN THE NEWS |
New Hope Community Purpose And Impact Awards Honors 8 Industry Members
Continuing its history of recognizing individuals and organizations who are directly aligned with New Hope Network's mission, the company presented eight Community Purpose and Impact Awards in six categories during Natural Products Expo West. The Climate Collaborative was thrilled to be a recipient of the Ecosystem Award alongside our collaborators at One Step Closer. Julia Collins, Climate Collaborative Board Member, was a recipient of the Joy Award. Congratulations to all the winners!
7 Ways Natural Products B Corps Go Beyond
B Corps show and share regenerative and inclusive innovations at Natural Products Expo West 2023.
3 Sustainability Takeaways From Expo West
At Expo West, leaders from some of the most sustainable brands shared lessons on communication and collaboration.
The Biden Administration Approves the Controversial Willow Drilling Project in Alaska
The Biden administration has approved a massive new oil drilling project in Alaska, over the objections of environmental advocates who have said greenlighting the plan would violate the president's climate goals.
Proponents have suggested that the so-called Willow project will lower oil prices and bolster national security, but the announcement drew ire from environmental advocates who've called the proposal a "carbon bomb" and argue it could worsen climate change, harm biodiversity and slow a transition to cleaner fuels.
The I.P.C.C. Report Offers a Clear Message From Science
Climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health. There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all. An international panel offers a warning about the dangers of fossil fuels, and also a blueprint to change course.
Kim Stanley Robinson: Science Fiction Offers Roadmap For Our Planet's Future
Science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson says we must do more to draw down carbon and prevent us from breaking planetary boundaries.
Environmental Justice Activist Wants to Change the Climate Discussion
Environmental justice activist Leah Thomas argued that infusing fear into the climate change discussion prevents hope that could inspire worthwhile actions.
The financial sector holds huge potential to help build a more sustainable food and farming system worldwide, according to a new report.
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.
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