This newsletter is chock full of upcoming events and resources, so I am going to keep my intro short. The Climate Collaborative has a robust schedule of programming through the summer. Please remember that our events are open to anyone. We encourage you to share events with relevant people in your organizations, including R&D and other folks in operations.
I also want to highlight some big updates on the Farm Bill. After a long pause, there has been some exciting activity in the past few weeks. In early May, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released the Senate's farm bill. Champions of regenerative agriculture were thrilled to see a number of their marker bills reflected in the Senate bill. Then, last week, the House released its bill. There were some wins but also significant concerns about cuts to critical programs. We will be sharing more details in the coming weeks on how our Climate Collaborative community can continue to engage to ensure that critical climate, nutrition, and regenerative programs are protected. As a first step, we encourage you to sign Regenerate America's petition before June 10th. They will be delivering the petition and their specific asks related to regenerative agriculture to DC on June 12th.
With 2024 being an election year, it is critical that we continue to engage our lawmakers in the imperative of climate action. For those of you who have not already done so, I encourage you to make a Policy Commitment through the Climate Collaborative. This will ensure you are kept up-to-date on time-sensitive policy engagements and news.
In collaboration,
Courtney
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Courtney Pineau
Executive Director
Climate Collaborative
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
Can You Take Our Two Minute Survey on Challenges Related to Sustainability Reporting?
In partnership with Sensiba LLP, the Climate Collaborative is interested in understanding the challenges CPGs face due to the different sustainability reporting requirements of retailers and distributors, and conversely the impacts that different reporting approaches have on retailers and distributors.
We would be deeply grateful if you would take 2 minutes to answer a four-question survey to help us understand the challenges and to inform how we might be able to support a solution.
Underwriting Opportunities Available for Climate Communications & Disclosure Education Series
Starting this September, we are excited to launch our four-month Climate Communications & Disclosure Education series. This program is designed for businesses looking to enhance their climate communication and engagement strategies. Over the course of four 90-minute sessions, attendees will learn how to create communications that resonate with consumers, are legally defensible, and align with the shifting regulatory landscape.
We have found that these underwriting opportunities are very high visibility. Please reach out if you're interested in learning more!
TOOLS TO SUPPORT YOUR WORK |
Don't Miss Our Updated Regenerative Agriculture Certscape!
Are you looking to understand the difference between the leading regenerative agriculture certification programs? Check out our updated Regenerative Agriculture Certscape for answers to the most common questions the industry has about these emerging programs.
Are you looking to understand the difference between the leading regenerative agriculture certification programs? Check out our updated Regenerative Agriculture Certscape for answers to the most common questions the industry has about these emerging programs.
CLIMATE COLLABORATIVE EVENTS |
Upcoming Webinar: Navigating the Cool Transition - Reducing the Climate Impacts of Refrigerants
June 4th, 2024; 1 pm ET // 12 PM CT // 11 AM MT // 10 AM PT
Join us for our second session of our eight-part series where we delve into the crucial topic of reducing the climate impact of refrigerants. Danielle Wright, Executive Director at the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council, will share updates on regulatory developments and industry trends shaping the refrigerant landscape. Lauren Scott, Sustainability Coordinator at BriarPatch Food Coop, will share insights into how they are progressing against their goal to reduce emissions related to refrigerants by 50%. She will also share resources she has found useful in this critical work. Andy Ryan, Facilities Manager at Jimbo's Natural Foods Grocer, will provide a company case study highlighting their strategies for optimizing equipment performance and implementing leak detection measures.
Join us for our second session of our eight-part series where we delve into the crucial topic of reducing the climate impact of refrigerants. Our deep thanks to Dr. Bronner's and Planet FWD for supporting this work!
Operationalizing Your Climate Action Roadmap - Tackling Scopes 1 & 2
June 12th, 2024; 1 pm ET // 12 PM CT // 11 AM MT // 10 AM PT
Join UNFI and the Climate Collaborative for session three of our five-part series on the steps you can take to accelerate your climate action. This session will guide attendees through actionable steps to manage and reduce your carbon footprint, specifically Scopes 1 & 2.
This will be an interactive webinar, so please bring your questions! You will hear from:
- Annie Rowell, Environmental Sustainability Manager, King Arthur Baking Company
- Kayalin Akens-Irby, Head of Growth, Planet FWD
- Nate Lapides, Senior Project Manager, UNFI
In this session, you will hear how companies are tackling Scopes 1 & 2, including:
- Navigating a shift to renewable energy when you don’t own your facilities
- Incentives and opportunities to reduce freight emissions
- How employee engagement can be a critical lever in revealing emissions reductions opportunities
- How service providers and certifications, like Science Based Targets, can inform a strategic approach to Scopes 1 & 2 emissions reductions
- The most common pitfalls in this work and how you can avoid them
Session Recording: Developing Your Climate Action Roadmap
Don't miss the recording from the first in our five-part series in partnership with UNFI on the steps you can take to accelerate your climate action. During this session we:
Don't miss the recording from the first in our five-part series in partnership with UNFI on the steps you can take to accelerate your climate action. During this session we:- Outlined how to craft a comprehensive climate action roadmap tailored to your business needs
- Gained clarity on the essential elements of a roadmap, successful engagement strategies, and practical steps towards implementation
- Learned innovative approaches to secure buy-in across all levels – from executives to frontline employees.
- Heard case studies from leaders who have successfully developed and implemented their climate action roadmap
Session speakers included:
- Pete Dignan, Adjunct Professor, CU Boulder Leeds School of Business
- Autumn Fox, Global Sustainability Director at Mars, Inc.
View the recording and download the slides
Session Recording: The Case for Climate Action at Retail
This session highlighted the climate impact of retail, pinpointing where retailers can achieve the greatest cost savings and environmental benefits and offered tangible examples of in-store initiatives spanning renewable energy, refrigeration, packaging, and tackling food waste.
This session highlighted tSession speakers included:
- Peter Cooke, Co-Founder, Ratio Institute
- Melissa Elkins, Sustainability Manager, Community Food Co-op
View the recording and download the slides
Webinar Recording: Tackling Your Company's Financial Footprint
Don't miss this recording as we dove into the climate emissions of a company's corporate spend with Topo Finance, Premiums for the Planet, and Seventh Generation! Our speakers shared practical steps to integrate climate considerations into your spending decisions, ensuring alignment with your sustainability objectives.
Don't miss this recording as we dove into the climate emissions of a company's corporate spend with Topo Finance, Premiums for the Planet, and Seventh Generation! Our speakers shared practical steps Session speakers included:
- Paul Moinester, Founder and Executive Director, Topo Finance
- Kate Ogden, Head of Advocacy and Movement Building, Seventh Generation
- Brad Stevenson, CEO, Premiums for the Planet
View the recording and download the slides
PARTNER EVENTS & RESOURCES |
Mandatory Disclosures in California: A Critical Stepping Stone for our Future
May 30th; 3:00 PM ET // 2:00 PM CT // 1:00 PM MT // 12:00 PM PT
In 2023, the California legislature passed, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and the Climate-Related Financial Risk Disclosure Act (SB 261). Together, the two laws will require corporate emissions data and climate-related risk disclosures from large companies. During the second half of 2024, companies will have an unprecedented opportunity to help shape how these laws are put into practice.
Ensuring their effective and timely implementation is critical for the future of climate disclosure and climate action in California. Join this session for a virtual briefing moderated by former Salesforce Global Head of Sustainability Patrick Flynn to discuss the latest updates out of California - and how you can get involved.
ReFED Happy Hour in Partnership with the Smart Kitchen Summit
June 5th; 4:30 - 6:30 pm PT
Seattle WA
Join ReFED for a fun evening of socializing with other leaders in the food and climate space. This is a great opportunity to:
- Meet other leaders in the food waste space, including members of the Food Waste Action Network Funder Circle
- Continue conversations and collaborations around disruptive technologies influencing food waste reduction, climate change, and sustainability across the supply chain.
Enjoy food and drinks (2 beverages on us!) at Hatch Cantina (across the street from Block 41).
The Sustainability Consortium: CommodityMap Tool and Program
Use geospatial analytics to predict environmental and social priorities in agricultural supply chains with CommodityMap! Commodity Map gives you insight on environmental and social sustainability issues with your agricultural sourcing regions. You can perform an analysis today even if you only know the country into which your commodity is imported!
Update from Wolfe Neck Center and Zero Foodprint
Following a series of fruitful connections at the 2024 Climate Day and the Natural Products Expo West, several brands and wholesale companies are engaged to leverage USDA funds to support regenerative agriculture on US farms and ranches. Through a collaboration with Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, Zero Foodprint, and several other partners, these companies are able to unlock matching funds through a USDA Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities grant awarded in 2023. Funding will support the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices for producers of several commodities and provide valuable technical assistance support and reporting on the farm project outcomes.
Currently, nearly $1 million of the available $7.275 mil has been earmarked for farm projects focused on wheat, dairy, and specialty crops. Brands and wholesale companies are optimizing the unique opportunity to support the transition of farms in their supply shed while engaging additional valuable resources offered through the program. Additional support is available for underserved producers in supply networks and those operating smaller operations.
- Companies who are interested in participating still have an opportunity to engage and can connect with the program by filling out this form.
IN THE NEWS |
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.
