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


** MAKING AN IMPACT
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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.

Sustainable Pathways: Building Inclusive Supply Chains: The next ASBN Live event is March 20 at 12:00 pm ET. Join ASBN leaders and partners for a discussion on the challenges faced by BIPOC businesses in the supply chain and how to advocate for supplier diversity, environmental justice, and social impact. Register HERE ([link removed]) .

Victory for Clean Air: The EPA updated its National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter, which will improve air quality, especially in communities near power plant pollution. 170 ASBN members fought back against the false claim that soot regulation creates business hardship, telling the EPA that protecting public health and the environment is aligned with business success. Read our press release HERE ([link removed]) .

ASBN on The Hill: Michael Green, ASBN’s Director of Climate & Energy Policy, testified at a Feb. 14 hearing of the Congressional Committee on Small Business, where he welcomed environmental protections, noting that “healthier communities translate to reduced sick days, increased productivity, and a stronger consumer base.” Watch highlights from the hearing HERE ([link removed]) .

Michael Green, ASBN’s Director of Climate & Energy Policy, testifies at a Feb. 14 Congressional hearing on the impact of EPA rules on small business.

Business Voice for Democracy: ASBN VP of Policy and Government Affairs Mia Woodard was a featured panelist at the 2024 Together for Democracy Conference. Mia examined the opportunities and challenges faced by businesses in a climate that is increasingly hostile to DEI and ESG efforts; she urged advocates to listen to business leaders trying to navigate this current backlash.

Mia Woodard, ASBN’s VP of Policy and Gov’t Affairs (left), presents the business perspective at the Together for Democracy conference.

Engaging Young Adults in Climate-Smart Agriculture: ASBN celebrates the USDA’s new Working Lands Climate Corps ([link removed]'s%20historic%20American%20Climate%20Corps%20initiative,ranchers%20across%20the%20country%2C%20now) (WLCC), part of the Biden Administration’s American Climate Corps initiative to support young farmers and climate-smart agricultural practices. Organizations interested in hosting WLCC members can submit proposals ([link removed]) by March 22.

“‘A new economy': Meet the Appalachian Sustainable Business Network, a coalition looking to find its lane ([link removed]) :” In-depth feature in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “When [Director Lou Tierno] looks at the industrial carcasses rusting along the banks of the region’s rivers, he sees sites that once powered an economy, and an entire nation. And he sees them doing that again — in a new economy."

“Republicans call EPA regulations 'burdensome,' despite their public benefits ([link removed]) :” ASBN’s Director of Climate & Energy Policy Michael Green says, “For far too long, we've been fed by a false narrative that environmental and public health regulation hampered our economic growth. Experience shows the exact opposite is true.”

“New proposals threaten Wisconsin’s environmental and economic progress ([link removed]) :” In his opinion piece for the Wisconsin Examiner, ASBN leader John Imes says the state must invest in environmental compliance, which has “...a proven track record of enhancing environmental performance, reducing costs, and fostering competitive advantages.”

“SCOTUS Is Considering A Deregulation Bomb ([link removed]) :” Referring to ASBN and partners’ amicus brief representing small businesses, Skye Perryman says, “This case could have profound implications for the nation’s small businesses and the country’s economy.”

“Does this packaging contain recycled plastic? Inside the mass balance debate ([link removed]) :” ASBN advisor Martin Wolf explains when “mass balance” in recycling makes sense and when it’s just greenwashing.

Please take a few minutes to take action on the two key issues below:
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Protect Climate Action & Shareholder Rights: The U.S. House Judiciary Committee is trying to stop advocates from securing climate action from corporations by accusing advocates of “antitrust” violations – another example of the oil and gas industry’s grip on our government. Click HERE ([link removed]) to send a message to your representative and the Judiciary Committee by March 25.

Support Small and Speciality Crop Farmers: Current USDA policy incentivizes large-scale conventional commodity farming at the expense of small, organic, and specialty crop farmers. Click HERE ([link removed]) to add your name to ASBN’s letter supporting regenerative agriculture for small and specialty producers in the USDA’s Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative by 12:00 PM ET on Friday, March 8. Read more on our blog post HERE ([link removed]) .

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.

King Arthur Baking Company ([link removed]) was named a finalist for Natural Products Expo West 2024 NEXTY Awards for their Regeneratively Grown Climate Blend flour. Learn more about the awards HERE ([link removed]) .

EcoPlum ([link removed]) , a sustainable promotional products company and certified B Corporation, was awarded EcoVadis Silver Medal ([link removed]) sustainability rating in recognition of the company's performance in environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

Please welcome our newest ASBN members:

Zanjero ([link removed]) advises clients on complex issues, manages resources and projects, and solves challenges facing private entities, public agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry Company ([link removed]) produces Maine wild blueberries, with a mission to preserve and share the Tribe's blueberry harvest tradition and Native cultural heritage.

ASBN’s Working Groups and Task Forces provide members with an opportunity to shape and engage in policy work that is organized around major issue areas and 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: Climate and Energy
Identifies key problems, solutions, and strategies to address the climate and energy crisis facing our planet.

Next meeting: March 28th at 1:00 p.m. ET

Contact Abby Maxwell (mailto:[email protected]) to get involved.

Working Group: Regenerative Agriculture and Justice

Working in cooperation with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, we advocate for sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and support for underserved and BIPOC farmers.

Next meeting: March 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Join us for an update on our 2024 Farm Bill priorities as well as several guest speakers.
* The USDA has released the 2022 Agricultural Census. Read our blog post ([link removed]) on key takeaways.
* The working group submitted a comment to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service on the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative. Click HERE ([link removed]) to add your name.
* If you are a business in the Delaware River Watershed (DE, PA, NJ, NY), please join the Clean Water is Good for Business Delaware River Watershed Steering Committee by contacting Liza LaManna (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Regen%20Ag%20Working%20Group&body=) .

Working Group: Democracy

Believes that a strong democracy is essential for a vibrant entrepreneurial economy.

Next meeting: April 3 at 3:00 p.m. ET (REGISTER) ([link removed])
* “Protecting Election Workers is Protecting Democracy:” Jonah Minkoff-Zern from Public Citizen’s Democracy Campaign shares information on how they are tracking state legislation to protect election workers. Watch the webinar HERE ([link removed]) .
* Legislation introduced in Ohio would effectively prevent municipalities from choosing ranked-choice voting by withholding state funds. Mayda Sanchez Shingler, executive director of the Ohio Sustainable Business Council and leader of Ohio Business for Democracy, testified against the bill. Watch a clip HERE ([link removed]) .
* Business for Democracy Collaboratives have been established in eight states to raise the voice of small businesses to protect democracy; we are 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

Emphasizes recycling, re-use, sharing, repair, and remanufacturing, and the reduction of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions throughout the economy.

Next meeting: March 20th at 3:00 p.m. ET

Contact David Levine (mailto:[email protected]) to get involved.

Working Group: Safer Chemicals

Promotes policies for more robust chemical safety in workplaces, homes, communities, and the natural environment.

Next meeting: March 8th at 12:00 p.m. ET (second Friday of each month)
Contact David Levine (mailto:[email protected]) to get involved.

Living Planet Working Group

Dedicated to the shared mission of protecting and renewing life on planet Earth. LPWG is a place for learning, collaborating, and amplifying the good work happening in the world; meets the first Thursday of each month, 1:00-2:15 p.m. ET. Visit our website HERE ([link removed]) .

Next meeting: March 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET (Register ([link removed]) ).

We’ll hear from Gustavo Angulo, co-Founder of The Jungle Project ([link removed]) .

Restorative Investing Taskforce

The goal of the Taskforce is to move money to reduce the racial wealth gap, bring together leaders to collaborate and reinforce each other’s work, and to share thought leadership and best practices to restoratively invest in BIPOC entrepreneurs and communities.

With support from the Serena Foundation, the Task Force is convening BIPOC fund managers to join forces for restorative investing. The final convening will take place at the WE WIN Together Week in St. Louis from April 22-25, and will include an invite-only session for BIPOC fund managers, as well as an open panel which all ASBN partners are welcome to attend. Register HERE ([link removed]) .

Appalachian Sustainable Business Network

The Appalachian Sustainable Business Network and Pennsylvanian Sustainable Business Networks are dedicated to fostering sustainable innovation, economic resilience, and community wellbeing throughout the Appalachian region. Click here ([link removed]) for more information.

Meetings are held every 4 weeks starting on March 14.

Contact Lou Tierno (mailto:[email protected]) to join the meetings or to provide information for our PA Clean Energy Manufacturing Playbook.

Seeking Impactful Ventures - Apply to Present

Since 1987, Investors Circle (IC) has invested nearly $300 million into more than 350 early-stage businesses working to solve major social and environmental problems. IC welcomes seed-stage startups focused on making social and/or environmental impact. Apply here ([link removed]) to present to our group of impact investors.

Investors Circle’s next meeting is March 21st from 12:00-2:00 pm ET. If you are an investor and would like to join a meeting, please contact ASBN Interim Executive Director Nancy Green (mailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20am%20interested%20in%20Investors%20Circle&body=) to be included.

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.
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