** IN THIS ISSUE
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* NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
* TAKE NOTE & TAKE ACTION
* NEWS, STORIES & OPPORTUNITIES
* MEMBER NEWS & UPDATES
* GROWING GRASS UPDATES
* ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
* INVESTORS CIRCLE CORNER



** NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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** TAKE NOTE & TAKE ACTION
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** Take Note
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A New Look; An Even Stronger Commitment to a Sustainable Future 🌍

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new website ([link removed]) ! With a refreshed design and up-to-date resources, the new site is here to better support sustainable business leaders.

Here’s what’s new:
* 🌱 Clear areas of impact: Learn about the top areas that are important to us, the work that we do in each space, and how you can get involved.
* 📚 Knowledge hub: ASBN members can access a wealth of both public and members-only resources designed to educate and inspire.
* 🔑 Member portal: Members can use this space to update their information and stay tuned for more exclusive features to come.
* 📅 Expanded events: Members can engage with our new event lineup designed to help you stay informed and ready to make an impact.

Explore how we’re leading the way towards a stakeholder-driven regenerative economy.
View The Site ([link removed])
Learn About Membership ([link removed])

CASE UPDATE

On February 17, Harris County, Texas, filed a motion for leave to file an amicus brief in support of motion for summary judgment filed last month. The proposed amicus brief explains that Texas officials do not have sovereign immunity due to their significant role in enforcing SB 13 with regard to contracts that counties enter into, and that SB 13's vagueness leaves counties unable to determine which contractors are on or off limits.

There has not yet been a determination by the court as to if they will accept Harris County’s amicus.

On August 29, 2024, the American Sustainable Business Council ([link removed]) (ASBC), acting on behalf of members including Etho Capital ([link removed]) and Sphere ([link removed]) , challenged the constitutionality of SB 13 for violating the free speech and association rights protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments ([link removed]) . The lawsuit filed in the Western District of Texas’ Austin Division contends that SB 13 discriminates against companies that speak out against fossil fuels ([link removed]) , including those that use environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) metrics in their investing and business practices. The businesses are being represented by Democracy Forward
([link removed]) , Emery Celli Abady Brinckerhoff Ward & Maazel LLP, and Guerrero & Whittle PLLC.

View the Complaint ([link removed]) , see the Press Release ([link removed]) and past updates ([link removed]) .

Immigrant-Know-Your-Rights Cards

Ensuring all workers, regardless of immigration status, have access to vital resources is essential for fostering a just and sustainable economy. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has created wallet-sized Know-Your-Rights cards ([link removed]) that help individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - outlining legal rights, ensuring that individuals do not inadvertently waive their constitutional protections. If applicable, please distribute these cards to your employees to safeguard their rights in the workplace and beyond.

Member Exclusive - New Monthly Policy Forum Webinar Series

Our first session in the new monthly series, The Policy Forum, was a success! Noah Oppenheim, ASBN National Policy Coordinator for Business for Conservation and Climate Action (BCCA), spoke on the topic “Making Sense of the Chaos in Washington.”

Topics covered include Project 2025, an overview of some of the most significant executive actions to date, and a look at congressional activity.

ASBN members received exclusive access to Policy Forum webinars, recordings and more! Become a member before March 26th and join the next one!
Learn About Membership ([link removed])


** Take Action
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ASBN Urges the EPA to Protect the Safer Choice Program

ASBN continues to receive support and media attention for our coalition campaign to protect the EPA Safer Choice program in partnership with the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA), Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (ISSA), Change Chemistry, the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), and the Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition (AFCC).

The letter expressing united support for the EPA Safer Choice program has received over 273 business, organization and investor signees as of March 3, 2025, and growing. The letter has been shared with EPA Administrator Zeldin and we plan to share the letter with Congress soon.

Recent media highlights:
* Cleaning & Maintenance Management | Safer Choice Label Threatened as Trump Plans EPA Cuts ([link removed]) | February 18, 2025
* Building Services Management | ISSA Joins Coalition to Support EPA’s Safer Choice ([link removed]) | February 14, 2025
* Facilities Management Advisor | Coalition Calls on EPA to Protect Safer Choice Program for Cleaning Products ([link removed]) | February 13, 2025
* Chemical Watch News and Insight | American businesses rally support for Safer Choice program ([link removed]) | February 5, 2025

Sign The Letter ([link removed])
Use The Toolkit ([link removed])

Stay Connected & Make an Impact! Follow ASBN on social media for the latest updates and opportunities for sustainable business to drive a just and regenerative economy. Engage with our posts, share your voice, and help amplify the movement. Now more than ever, collective action matters—join us today!
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** NEWS, STORIES & OPPORTUNITIES
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** ASBN Spotted
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Camilla Taylor, ASBN Executive Director, Featured at ReImagine Appalachia’s Fifth Annual Virtual Strategy Summit Debrief
This past January, ReImagine Appalachia held its fifth annual Virtual Strategy Summit. This event united thought leaders from across the region to discuss how sustainable initiatives can move forward and continue to create job opportunities amidst a shifting political climate. The complete recap is now available on ReImagine Appalachia's blog here ([link removed]) . And don’t miss a clip from the summit of ASBN Executive Director, Camilla Taylor speaking about greenwashing and greenhushing:
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Celebrating ASBI Board Member Vicki Lee Parker-High’s 2025 Black History Month Honor!

ASBN is thrilled to celebrate our ASBI Board Member and partner, Vicki Lee Parker-High, Executive Director of the North Carolina Sustainable Business Council, for being recognized at the 2025 Black History Month Event hosted at the Governor's Executive Mansion! This special event honored entrepreneurs and executives in North Carolina for their outstanding contributions to our state and for helping to support and grow businesses across the state.


** ASBN in the News
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Go Green Radio | Responsible Business & Investing: The Case for ESG ([link removed]) | February 28, 2025 | Go Green Radio discusses responsible business and investing with David Levine, Cofounder & President of ASBN, along with ASBN members Alex Wright-Gladstein, Founder and CEO, Sphere; Amberjae Freeman, Board Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Etho Capital; and Josh Zinner, CEO, Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility.
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Ambrook Research | Everyone Loves Regenerative Agriculture — But No One Agrees on What It Is ([link removed]) | February 21, 2025 | Liza LaManna, ASBN Manager of Agriculture Policy was quoted in a recent article about the lack of a well-defined standard for regenerative agriculture. Liza explained how a unified framework can help the private sector support the practice: “Businesses play a critical role in driving demand, shaping supply chains, and influencing consumer perception.”

The Charleston Gazette-Mail |Appalachian sustainable economy advocates feel momentum going into Trump regime ([link removed]) | January 18, 2025 | (Paywalled) Camilla Taylor, ASBN Executive Director, was quoted during a two-day strategy summit held virtually by ReImagine Appalachia. Camilla on Trump’s administration’s attacks on sustainability funding.


** New ASBI Board Member Spotlight: Meet Rajiv S. Joshi!
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Rajiv Joshi is an activist, economist, and business leader serving as Founder of Bridging Ventures and President & Executive Director of Project Regeneration. He helped to establish Columbia University’s Climate School as the inaugural Associate Dean for Climate Action and continues part-time as a Professor at Columbia’s School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA) where he teaches Climate Technology & Regenerative Entrepreneurship. He helped to start and run The B Team serving as its Managing Director, spearheading a not-for-profit initiative formed by Richard Branson and a group of the world’s most influential CEOs to redefine the role of business in society.

He served as a Founding Board Member of the We Mean Business coalition mobilizing companies to drive bold climate action. Prof. Joshi also served as Special Advisor to former UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres, where he was a Lead Author of the Decisive Decade Inquiry into the Future of Climate Action. Rajiv is a Visiting Fellow of the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship and has also been an Executive-in-Residence at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. He previously Directed the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, founded by Nelson Mandela, was a Trustee of Oxfam and CIVICUS, and was elected for two terms as Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament from 2005-2007. He lives in New York with his son Avi and his wife Shalini.

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** MEMBER NEWS & UPDATES
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** Highlighting State Affiliates
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** New Site Spotlight: Our State Affiliates are Spreading the Word!
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We were excited to see this post from one of our fiscally sponsored state affiliates, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council (NJSBC)! If you are a state or industry affiliate and would like to also spread the word about ASBN's new site launch, check out the State and Industry Affiliates Sharing Kit here ([link removed]) .

Implementation of the Advanced Clean Truck policy under threat in New Jersey

The Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) policy is one of New Jersey’s strongest tools for achieving the state’s clean air and climate goals while simultaneously realizing billions of dollars in economic, environmental, and public health benefits. But this policy is under attack as part of a nationally coordinated disinformation campaign, and a bill that calls for delaying ACT's implementation in the state.

The New Jersey Sustainable Business Council (NJSBC) joined with over 100 organizations in signing and sending a letter ([link removed]) to state governors in support of ACT. Subsequently, Governor Murphy and other Governers have responded to industry groups ([link removed]) to set the record straight about ACT and its benefits.

In its latest newsletter ([link removed]) , NJSBC sent a call to action to its members asking them to contact their state legislators ([link removed]) and urge them to vote NO on the Delay ACT bills A4967 ([link removed]) and S3817.

Advocating for a Greener, Healthier New York: The GAP Fund

The New York Sustainable Business Council (NYSBC), an ASBN fiscally sponsored state affiliate, is working to advance a budget bill that stands to improve public health, housing, the economy, and climate. The Green Affordable Pre-electrification (GAP) Fund (NY-A.2101 Kelles / S.3315 Gonzalez) achieves this by addressing a decades-old barrier to building weatherization and electrification.

The GAP Fund creates the workforce development needed for mitigating common hazards such as mold and asbestos, lead paint, and other health hazards in roughly 10,000 homes, which can then qualify for existing weatherization and electrification programs. This holistic solution is long overdue. To learn more or lend your support, contact NYSBC executive director Bob Rossi (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) .

ASBC Board Member Sandra McCardell, and Dr Eric Griego, Co-founders of ASBN State Affiliate SEEDNM Testified as Bernalillo County Revises Economic Development Policy

The County of Bernalillo, New Mexico, held a work session on February 26th to revise its Economic Development Policy and Procedures.

Dr. Eric Griego and Ms. Sandra McCardell, two of the co-founders of ASBN State Affiliate the Sustainable Equitable Economic Democracy New Mexico (SEEDNM), provided comments on behalf of SEEDNM, small businesses, and communities. A University of New Mexico Economics Professor provided his vision of New Mexico as being "Not the 50th State but the First Emerging Economy."

Dr. Montoya's slide on how NM can fit into the global economy


** ASBN Members Go Further
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Did you know our newsletters reach over 25,000 like-minded subscribers?! Interested in having your updates, articles, or opportunities highlighted here? Become a member today! ([link removed]) Contact our team at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .


** GROWING GRASS UPDATES
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In conjunction with Other Half Processing, the American Sustainable Business Institute is the grantee and administrative home of the Growing GRASS project. Growing GRASS ([link removed]) is a five-year, $35 million project funded by the USDA, dedicated to improving the beef and buffalo byproduct supply chain. Contact Anna Straus (mailto:[email protected]) .

On February 13th, Growing GRASS held an open house to showcase the voices of the livestock producers, processors, and companies working in partnership with the project to build supply chains for the byproducts of regenerative beef cattle and bison. The event gave attendees the chance to connect with new and familiar folks, and share collective enthusiasm for hides, bones, organs, and regenerative ranching.

Missed the meeting but want to know more? We’ve got you covered: head over to YouTube ([link removed]) to watch a recording, and view or download a copy of the slide deck here ([link removed]) .


** ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Our newly reformatted engagement opportunities ensure that wherever you are in your advocacy journey, there’s a place for you.

Join a policy brief, steering committee, or quarterly call to amplify the collective voice of business and boost your advocacy impact! Become a member ([link removed]) to get involved!

Policy Briefs (Formerly called Working Groups)

Members are kept informed with policy updates, expert insights, and engagement opportunities through issue-specific discussions. These meetings provide deeper analysis, helping you stay involved in key policy conversations without requiring extensive policy knowledge. Members have the opportunity to work side by side with our topical experts to expand their knowledge.

Steering Committees

By serving on the Steering Committee, members and partners play a pivotal role in shaping ASBN’s advocacy efforts, amplifying business voices in policy discussions, and fostering a coordinated, action-driven coalition for sustainable business practices. The steering committee is perfect for members who are looking to shape policy initiatives and be in the conversation around impact area strategies and priorities.

Amplifiers

A quarterly cross-issue meeting, amplifying advocacy efforts, spreading awareness, and taking action when possible. This is the perfect opportunity for businesses that want to use their voice and take action but aren’t able to commit large bandwidth to shaping impact strategies.

The Clean Water is Good For Business Delaware River Watershed Steering Committee works with businesses to advocate for cleaner water. Sign up here ([link removed]) to receive the Clean Water Newsletter.

Next meeting:

April 14th, 1 PM ET

Want to help shape the future of our clean water work? Join us as we discuss the next phase of the steering committee!

Climate & Energy Policy Briefs identify key problems, solutions, and strategies to address our planet's climate and energy crisis. Calls focus on policy updates, expert insights, and engagement opportunities.

Next meeting:

March 27th, 1 PM ET

Want to dive deeper with our policy experts? Join our next Policy Brief to get your questions answered!

The Regenerative Agriculture Steering Committee is working to advocate for sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and support for underserved and BIPOC farmers.

Next meeting:

March 13th, 1 PM ET

Want to help shape the future of our regenerative agriculture work? Join us for our next steering committee session!

Safer Chemicals & Circular Economy Policy Briefs engage public policy initiatives for safer chemicals and sustainable materials, emphasizing restricting hazardous substances and transitioning to circular materials and systems for a regenerative economy.

Next meeting:

March 19, 3 PM ET

Learn more about the Safer Choice program, urging the EPA and Trump administration to preserve the voluntary scheme here ([link removed]) .

Small Business, Social Enterprise & Local Economies Steering Committee focuses on bBuilding a collective voice and power to advance campaigns and public policy efforts at the local, state and national level in support of small businesses, social enterprises and local economies. Together, we will shape the overall goals, key priorities, and strategies we want to pursue.

What you missed: In the last call, we covered Immigration and an overview on the efforts to undo the Federal freeze on funds via the courts. Join us for the next call – we will have an update on immigration, do a deep-dive on Resilience with Richard Seline, Future Proofing, and have a short overview on Tariffs from Adam Hersh, Senior Economist, Economic Policy Institute.

Next meeting:

March 20th, 2 PM ET

Want to help shape the future of this work? Join us for our next steering committee session!

Contact the Member Team (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) to learn more. Ready to join?.
Become A Member ([link removed])


** INVESTORS CIRCLE CORNER
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** Investors Circle News
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Pictured left to right: IC Board Member, Jonathan A. Scott, lead the panel discussion, IC Board Members Diane Keefe and Babbie Jacobs (far right), featuring Brett Isaac, Founder & CEO of Navajo Power.

On February 25, 2025, a team from Investors Circle held a breakout session at the Environmental Grantmakers Association Federal Policy Briefing Conference in Washington D.C. The panel focused on Navajo Power as an example of how and why foundations and philanthropy-minded individuals and family offices should do more investing of this type.

Investors Circle ([link removed]) (IC) has an over 30-year legacy connecting angels and other investors with early-stage entrepreneurs leading companies focused on providing social and/or environmental impact and financial returns, fostering a community where profit meets purpose.

IC’s community of investor-members has collectively deployed over $275 million into more than 350 companies. You can be part of both ASBN and IC, expanding your impact for good in the world. Becoming a member of both ASBN and IC is even easier and more affordable than before. IC has opened up its IC Associate ([link removed]) Membership at a discounted price for members of ASBN and other great sister impact organizations. The Associate Membership is for future investors, current investors, “retired” impact investors who want to stay connected or anyone looking to learn more about the angel investment and impact investment community.

Experiencing the Investors Circle Community is the best way to help you decide if you would like to join us. We welcome investors and other potential members to "Be Our Guest" and visit before making a membership decision. Please go to our events page ([link removed]) and register if you would like to visit one of our gatherings.
* National Monthly Virtual Meeting: Held monthly on first Thursdays at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. In February’s meeting, we will hold our monthly virtual networking mixer and hear about compelling impact financing opportunities with a handful of early-stage companies that are gaining impressive traction.


Explore the newly redefined Member Benefits ([link removed]) page for exciting updates and become a member today!
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