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.
Last Thursday, Camilla Taylor, ASBN Executive Director, shared a post-election message confirming, among other important messages, that “we are prepared to work across party lines, as we always have, on policy and advocacy to ensure that the policies that might lead to economic ruin for sustainable businesses and brands, small to large, do not get implemented.”
Thank you to our members, friends, and partners who donated in a show of solidarity, as well as to all who wrote emails with notes of support. Your contributions and kind words give vital strength to our efforts in this time of disconnect. If you missed it, we encourage you to read the post-election message and share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn.
The American Sustainable Business Council’s suit challenging SB 13 continues to garner media interest, now with a New York Times Letter to the Editor from ASBN’s President and Co-Founder, David Levine. See the latest highlights (from over 65 articles):
America Is All In is organizing a sign-on letter to release at COP29. The letter, which reaffirms commitment to the Paris Agreement, underscores the need for continued implementation of federal climate policies and investments, and calls for all-of-society collaboration in addressing climate change, will come at a critical time for climate advocacy. It’s critical that organizations from ASBN/C are represented – learn more, and please sign on today!
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a new proposed rule in the federal register called the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings standard. This proposed rule will ensure that employers take measures to protect workers from excessive heat conditions. The standard establishes requirements for rest breaks, available drinking water, and training to detect the signs of heat-related illness, among other requirements, to enhance workplace safety. Our partners at Climate Action Campaign (CAC) created a form to submit comments to OSHA on the proposed rule, calling on President Biden, Acting Secretary Su, and Assistant Secretary Parker to show strong support for the proposed OSHA rule. Submit a comment here by December 2nd.
Provide Feedback on Draft Circularity Strategic Framework
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) recently announced a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit public comments on its draft strategic framework on Circularity for Secure and Sustainable Products and Materials by 5 PM ET on December 16, 2024. Learn more about the RFI and how to respond.
Don’t miss out on the latest news! Join us by following ASBN across social media. Like and share some of our recent posts to voice your concerns and show your support for a more just and sustainable economy! It’s never been more important to stand together. We hope to see you there!
NEWS, STORIES & OPPORTUNITIES
COP29 opened on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, providing a vital platform for US businesses to showcase their leadership in global climate efforts. Our Senior Advisor on Climate & Energy, Michael Green, is on the ground with a delegation of ASBN member businesses. Check out ASBN’s blog for insights from the first days of COP29.
Key topics include:
The impact of the political shift in the US on climate negotiations. US leadership is absent, but heads of state from Europe and Central Asia have been on the offense with their own national policies and public commitments.
Early talks on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and carbon credit trading. With carbon market language finally operationalized, countries seem inspired to move forward with new domestic policies. Countries from Kenya, Oman, Brazil and Indonesia are moving forward with their own domestic carbon pricing schemes
The ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal aiming for $1 trillion in climate finance by 2030. The COP will spend the next week negotiating and deciding this in late-night sessions.
Discover what this means for US businesses and how we can all drive meaningful change!
Over the last century, supply chains in the U.S. agricultural sector have experienced extreme concentration as small and mid-sized slaughterhouses, grain mills, and other processing and aggregation businesses closed across the country. This “missing middle” severely limits market access for independent farmers and ranchers, while also hindering opportunities for businesses creating new markets. Read our latest blog post by ASBN’s RegenAg Fellow, Claire Duncombe, for insights into how initiatives like the Colorado Grain Chain and Growing GRASS are paving the way for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural landscape.
ICYMI, listen in to Everything Co-op’s podcast interview with David Levine, ASBN/C President and Co-founder
MEMBER UPDATES, REQUESTS & OPPORTUNITIES
New Report from member Forum for the Future: Learnings from the first-ever application of regenerative cotton protocols in the US
How can the transition to a regenerative cotton system in the US equitably and effectively support cotton growers and contribute to ecosystem regeneration and just outcomes for producers and their communities?
In this newly released report, Forum and the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) share how their on-farm, producer-centric pilot project in the Southeastern US tested how best to finance the transition to regenerative production practices in the cotton sector. Read the report here.
Member Business Legacy Fund: Apply to the Cohort!
Are you a retiring business owner seeking to secure your legacy and protect jobs? The Business Legacy Fund (BLF) is now accepting applications for its next cohort! BLF helps you transition your company to employee ownership, ensuring a fair-market value sale, tax advantages, and long-term stability. In this 3-month program, you’ll explore if worker ownership is right for your business, evaluate potential structures, and identify the operational changes needed for success. You’ll also receive a business valuation opinion and priority access to BLF capital for selling to employees. Apply by November 15 to be considered! Visit their website to learn more.
Don’t Miss Member Green America’s Climate Smart Insurance Directory!
Looking for an insurer that isn’t driving the climate crisis? Check out Green America’s Climate Smart Insurance Directory to connect consumers with insurance companies that do not underwrite fossil fuel projects or invest heavily in the fossil fuel industry while leaving homeowners in the lurch when climate disasters strike. With options in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, this first-of-its-kind directory lists local and regional home and auto insurance providers that offer competitive pricing and opportunities for policy-bundling, but without contributing to the climate crisis that is raising rates and limiting coverage options nationwide. Read more.
BECOME A NEW MEMBER!
WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE FEATURED HERE AND REACH THOUSANDS OF ALIGNED BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS? CONTACT OUR MEMBER TEAM TODAY.
JOB POSTINGS
The Buffalo Nation Grasslands Alliance (BNGA), one of our valued members, is expanding its team and currently has four job openings: Program Director, Grants Manager, Outreach & Engagement Program Officer, and Grasslands Specialist. If you’re interested in learning more and reviewing the full job descriptions, please visit BNGA Careers.
GROWING GRASS UPDATES
In conjunction with Other Half Processing, the American Sustainable Business Institute is the grantee and administrative home of the Growing GRASS project. Growing GRASS is a five-year, $35 million project funded by the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant program, dedicated to improving the beef and buffalo byproduct supply chain. Contact Anna Straus.
To facilitate an autumn of outreach, the Growing GRASS team has developed materials to help stakeholders understand the project’s value.
The Growing GRASS project team and partners have really been on the move! To get the word out about the launch of farmer/rancher, processor, and brand engagement, partners have been attending conferences and meetings around the country this fall, including a USDA meeting in Hershey, PA; the Sustainable Brands conference in San Diego, CA; the Western Sustainability Exchange conference in Billings, MT; Land to Market’s Covering Ground conference in Asheville, NC; Regenerate in Denver CO, and the Textile Exchange conference in Los Angeles, CA.
To maximize the effectiveness of all this outreach, the team has developed print and digital informational materials so any stakeholder, no matter where they are on the byproduct supply chain, can easily understand how they fit into the project. As the project officially begins engaging with livestock producers, the team is conducting community outreach to close established contacts with the newly-launched screener survey; meanwhile, market partners in the pet food and apparel sectors will receive informational fliers to guide their procurement toward verified regenerative raw materials.
WORKING GROUP UPDATES
ASBN’s Working Groups and Task Forces allow members to shape and engage in policy work organized around significant issue areas and specific campaigns. Contact our Member Team to learn about working groups, how to get involved and other membership benefits.
ASBN-BizNGO Chemicals Policy
We engage in public policy initiatives for safer chemicals and sustainable materials
Business for Democracy
Believes that a strong democracy is essential for a vibrant entrepreneurial economy. Business for Democracy Collaboratives have been established in eight states to raise the voice of small businesses to protect democracy.
Circular Economy
Emphasizes recycling, reuse, sharing, repair, and remanufacturing, and the reduction of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions throughout the economy; meets the third Wednesday of each month.
Clean Water is Good For Business
The Clean Water is Good For Business: Delaware River Watershed Steering Committee works with businesses based in the Delaware River watershed to advocate for cleaner water.
Climate and Energy
Identifies key problems, solutions, and strategies to address our planet's climate and energy crisis.
Livable 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.
Regenerative Agriculture and Justice
Working with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, we advocate for sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and support for underserved and BIPOC farmers
To find out what you missed in recent calls and to get involved, contact our Member Team.
INVESTORS CIRCLE CORNER
Investors Circle News
Investors Circle (IC) has an over 30-year legacy connecting angels and other investors with early-stage and for-profit impact companies focused on providing social and/or environmental impact and financial returns, fostering a community where profit meets purpose.
We encourage members of the ASBN family and community to consider being members of both ASBN and also to join IC's community of investor-members who have deployed over $275 million in over 350 companies over the years. Join our community to participate, providing time, treasure and talent in service to businesses for good.
All upcoming Investors Circle events are posted online. Please contact [email protected] to attend or for any questions.
National Monthly Virtual Meeting: Held first Thursdays. November’s focus is on philanthropic Investing with an expert speaker and pitches from some early-stage opportunities. November’s speaker is Deb Parsons, Managing Director at Impact Assets on the topic: How Anyone Can Be a Philanthropic Impact Investor.”
NYC: Unlock Capital’s National Investors Showcase: Founder pitches, keynote speaker & networking. Investors Circle friends are invited to Unlock Capital's First National Investor Showcase, an invitation-only event organized by The Community Development Venture Capital Alliance. Unlock Capital is an accelerator focused on helping businesses traditionally overlooked by venture capital investors secure capital for growth.
(NYC Impact Investing Breakfast and Learning Session hosted by Fordham University's Family Stewardship Council/Responsible Business Center)
OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST
Newsweek is hosting a panel discussion event about the future of plastics on the evening of Wednesday, December 4, at its offices in the World Trade Center in New York. Newsweek’s panel of experts from industry and academia will explain the treaty’s impact and how some companies and communities are moving beyond plastic waste and toward a circular economy that keeps plastics in their proper place. Click here to register for in-person attendance (free) or to view the livestream broadcast. https://newsweek.swoogo.com/beyondplastics
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