The American Sustainable Business Network's monthly newsletter highlighting news on policy, business, capital, and more. 


** MAKING AN IMPACT
------------------------------------------------------------

ASBN is committed to working with and alongside our network to develop and elevate the policy solutions needed for inclusive and long-lasting systems change -- thank you all for your part in advancing our mission.

Methane Campaign Victory: After two years of advocacy by ASBN members and partners, the EPA last week finalized a new rule on methane reduction, a huge win for both our climate and public health. During the campaign, ASBN released our Business Case for Methane Emissions Reduction ([link removed]) and organized the ASBN community, resulting in business leaders sending 240 comments ([link removed]) in favor of the methane rule. Click HERE ([link removed]) for our full press release.

Fighting for Regenerative Agriculture: Last week, ASBN sent Congressional leaders our policy priorities for the next Farm Bill. These priorities were developed by the Regenerative Agriculture and Justice Working Group, and endorsed by over 200 businesses, investors, farmers, environmental groups, and other stakeholders. Read the full letter HERE ([link removed]) .

Changing National Food Policy: Just in time for Thanksgiving, ASBN endorsed the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act ([link removed]) , which requires the USDA – the largest food purchaser in the federal government — to use its purchasing power to promote climate mitigation, fair markets for producers, equity & inclusion, worker wellbeing, conservation, and animal welfare.

Investing Responsibly: ASBN’s newly-formed Responsible Business and Investing Advisory Council met for the first time in November to advocate for the freedom to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts in business practices and investing decisions. The council is working with our policy team to develop a “Business Case for ESG,” and provided resources to a key witness who testified in favor of ESG at a recent Congressional hearing. To learn more, contact ASBN’s VP of Policy & Government Affairs, Mia Woodard (mailto:[email protected]) .

Highest honors: Dr. Christina Clamp, ASBN co-coordinator of our Catalyzing Community Well-Being Initiative and co-editor of “Humanity @ Work & Life ([link removed]) ”, was selected for induction into the U.S. Cooperative Hall of Fame ([link removed]) , the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. cooperative community. Congrats, Dr. Clamp!

ASBN Awards and Grants:
* Thehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/pasbn/Pennsylvania Sustainable Business Network ([link removed]) and American Sustainable Business Institute have been named as Phase 1 winners of the Dept. of Energy “MAKE IT” Prize ([link removed]) . The team will drive innovation for sustainable manufacturing, and create a clean energy hub in Appalachian lands devastated by extractive industries.
* ASBI /ASBN won a $250,000 award from the Heinz Endowments to further develop the Pennsylvania Sustainable Business Network. The grant will help create an Appalachian regional manufacturing and industrial plan (including a pipeline for brownfield development), and increase opportunities for sustainable businesses to utilize federal funds.

HAVE AN UPDATE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE ASBN COMMUNITY?
CONTACT SHANTI HOLLOWAY (mailto:[email protected]?subject=NEW%20MEMBERSHIP&body=null) , DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICES, TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program, which provides resources for responding to changing environmental conditions, is hosting a series of webinars on the findings of the Fifth National Climate Assessment. Topics include energy, agriculture, food systems, and blue carbon, as well as events for regional participants. Click HERE ([link removed]) for the full listing of events (available through March 2024).

For more information on upcoming events, visit ASBN's 2023 events calendar ([link removed]) .

ASBN’s Working Groups and Task Forces provide members with an ongoing opportunity to shape and engage in policy work that is organized around major issue areas (e.g. energy/environment, tax reform, safer chemicals, responsible workplace, etc.) and to support specific campaigns.

To learn more about working groups and other benefits of ASBN membership, contact Shanti Holloway (mailto:[email protected]) , ASBN Director of Membership Success

Working Group: Livable Planet

In November, the LPWG featured longtime member Susan B. Eirich, who discussed her new book, Whispers from the Wild: An Invitation ([link removed]) . The book features stories from the Earthfire Institute, a sanctuary for rescued wildlife native to the Yellowstone to Yukon Wildlife Corridor.

Working Group: Democracy
* Thanks to ASBN’s Business for Democracy campaign and its partners, voters in three Michigan cities approved ranked choice voting in November’s election.
* The working group meeting on Dec. 6 featured Bo Harmon, Campaign Advisor at RepresentUs ([link removed]) , a nonpartisan organization that aims to end political corruption by advocating for reforms to voting rights, gerrymandering, lobbying, and campaign finance.
* The Business for Democracy Collaboratives have been established in eight states to raise the voice of small businesses to protect democracy. The Collaborative is working to establish a chapter in the Maryland/DC area. If you live in that region, please contact Frank Knapp (mailto:[email protected]) to get involved.

Working Group: Circular Economy

The Circular Economy working group discussed the White House Office of Science and Technology’s proposed definition of “sustainable chemistry,” and how ASBN can provide feedback to the Biden Administration. See ASBN’s original comment on Sustainable Chemistry HERE ([link removed]) .

Working Group: Climate and Energy
This working group will not meet in December due to the holiday schedule. January’s meeting will feature ASBN members that attended the COP28 Climate Conference, with a discussion about achievement and issues coming out of the conference. Contact Abby Maxwell (mailto:[email protected]) to get involved with our Climate and Energy working group.

Working Group: Regenerative Agriculture and Justice

After several months of deliberation, the working group sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging their support for regenerative agriculture in the 2023/2024 Farm Bill. Read the full letter HERE ([link removed]) . On Dec. 19 at 3pm ET, ASBN will host an information session about the Growing GRASS initiative, a five-year, $35 million project funded by the USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant program that seeks to increase the value and use of byproducts from meat processing that come from regeneratively raised beef cattle and buffalo. To learn more, please contact ASBN’s Manager of Regenerative Agriculture and Clean Water, Liza LaManna (mailto:[email protected]) .

Seeking Impactful Ventures - Apply to Present

Investors Circle welcomes seed stage startups focused on making social and/or environmental impact. Apply here ([link removed]) to present to our group of impact investors.

The IC team leadership are currently meeting with stakeholders and investors to make plans for 2024. Meetings will start up again in the new year.

If you are an investor and would like to join a meeting, please email ASBN Interim Executive Director Nancy Green (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) to be included in the next meeting.

Are you a current active ASBN Member and receiving this email?

If so, please contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Update%20member%20email) so we can move your email address to receive our new members-only newsletter.
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed]

Copyright (C) 2023 American Sustainable Business Network. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email as someone who registered for an ASBN event or service, you have been a member, or you have communicated with ASBN previously.
Our mailing address is:
American Sustainable Business Network
712 H Street NE
PMB 42
Washington, DC 20002
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can
update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])