Climate Day

Marriott, Marquis Center

Conference Programming

Business ResourcesClimateSustainability

Information

Connect with innovative leaders at Climate Day to find the information, inspiration, and community your company needs to take meaningful climate action. We’ll discuss key action areas for the natural products industry in 2023 to help you begin or elevate your climate journey.

Agenda

12:30pm Welcome

Courtney Pineau, Climate Collaborative
Carlotta Mast, New Hope Network

12:35pm Science Fiction as a Roadmap for Designing Our Future

Kim Stanley Robinson, Author

1:05pm Climate Action in an Uncertain Economy: The Macroeconomic Info & Consumer Trends Data You Need to Know to Make Informed Climate Decisions in Your Business

This session will weave together data insights from four organizations to ensure you have the information you need to make informed and strategic climate action decisions. You will walk away with a stronger understanding of the macroeconomic picture, the trends at retail and for CPGs, and what we are learning about consumers and climate.

Andrew Criezis, NielsenIQ
Paul Giudice, CoMetrics
Eric Pierce, New Hope Network
Courtney Pineau, Climate Collaborative

1:50pm The Climate Impact & Untapped Power of Your Corporate Cash

Join journalist and climate activist Bill McKibben as he reveals how corporate cash is helping to fuel the climate crisis. Research shows that for some businesses, the money they keep in the banking system does more climate damage than the products they sell. Bill will be joined by Paul Moinester, founder and Executive Director of TOPO, who will share information on what you can do to decarbonize your corporate and individual cash and how the business community can hold banks accountable for fueling the climate crisis. Charlie Bischoff, Treasury Director at Patagonia, will join the Q&A to discuss their work to decarbonize corporate cash.

Charlie Bischoff, Patagonia
Nancy Hirshberg, Hirshberg Strategic
Bill McKibben, 350.org
Paul Moinester, The Outdoor Policy Outfit

2:35pm Radical Imagination: Moving From Crisis Mode to a Creative Revisioning of Our Future

It is time we move beyond the fear, anxiety, and overwhelm of the climate crisis to actively reimagine a future that is healthy and just for all. To do this, we need radical imagination and action. Don't miss this keynote from Leah Thomas on how we can create climate action plans that engage our hearts and minds, resonate with consumers, and center environmental justice. Leah brings a unique and informed voice to the climate movement drawing from her experience in CPG, role as an influencer, and thought leadership on the need for environmental intersectionalism.

Leah Thomas, Intersectional Environmentalist

3:05pm Break & Community Resource Fair

3:20pm OSC Zero Waste Announcement

Lara Dickinson, OSC
Jake Hebert, OSC

3:30pm Lightening Round: Innovative Approaches to Building Circularity in our Food System

Circularity provides a wholistic lens that informs how we can design food products in support of nature. This framework includes regenerative agriculture, upcycling, diversity, packaging, and impact. This session will include short presentations from brands and organizations that are doing cutting-edge work to build a more circular food system.

Elysa Hammond, Clif Bar & Company
Danielle Gould, Food+Tech Connect
Claire Schlemme, Renewal Mill
Jyoti Stephens, Nature's Path Foods
Philip Taylor, Mad Agriculture
Bri Warner, Atlantic Sea Farms

4:00pm Increasing Consumer Adoption of Plant-Based with Climate-Centered Innovation

According to the IPCC report, eating a plant-based diet is one of the most impactful things individuals can do to reduce their climate impact. This session will address how the natural products industry can drive climate-friendly innovation in the plant-based category and how we can increase consumer adoption and engagement along the way.

Rachel Dreskin, Plant Based Foods Association
Julie Kunen, Oatly
Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank
Emma Stein, Miyoko's Creamery

4:45pm C-Suite Session: The Imperative for Climate Action, Even in a Down Economy

Hear from c-suite leaders at Whole Foods, Banza, Quinn, and Ancient Nutrition on why it is essential for companies to prioritize climate action, even during difficult economic times. The discussion will focus on how they have integrated climate action into their business strategy, what they are prioritizing in their climate work at this time, and how they are investing in long-term solutions like regenerative agriculture. They will also share the work they are engaged in to help transform how food is grown, made, and sold. Whether you are in the c-suite or need to make the case for climate action to leadership this session will support you in developing a climate action strategy that is impactful and engaging for your internal and external stakeholders.