SoS #33: Data, Farmers, and Product Innovation: Maia Reed on Scope 3

As 2025 approaches, the landscape of climate data management is evolving rapidly. In this episode, we unpack two big bets and two red herrings that sustainability professionals need to know about:Big bets for 2025:Emission factors will become commoditised: Expect new databases to emerge as EF providers overprice their offerings.Data security will drive siloes: As accuracy improves, stricter data sharing policies will fragment data access.Red herrings to avoid:Generative AI will fix everything: Don’t buy the hype.Real-time data is a must: Weekly or monthly data is far more practical.Shownotes:State of Sustainability Food & Bev Summit Chicago, March 19th 2024: Register here.

In this episode, we sit down with Maia Reed, Global Climate Data Lead at Mars Petcare, to explore how one of the world's largest companies is tackling carbon reduction within agriculture supply chains.What you’ll learn:Setting Up Carbon Reduction Projects: Insights into leveraging supplier relationships to overcome implementation challenges.Bridging Data Gaps: Tackling data scarcity with tailored management approaches and grassroots solutions.Balancing Compliance vs. Impact: Navigating the trade-offs between inventory and intervention strategies.Empowering Farmers: Using carbon insights to improve livelihoods and inform sustainable sourcing.Innovation in Action: Embedding sustainability into R&D, with a focus on alternative proteins.

Saif Hameed explores the biggest announcements, trends, successes and failures of 2024. He breaks down:The explosive growth of Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) and their impact on supply chainsWhy PCF exchange is lagging behind PCF generation and what this means for businessesThe return of secondary data in emissions reporting and how to balance it with primary dataPackaging as the new zone of collaboration for emissions reductionsWhy procurement teams need more support to meet increasing sustainability requirementsTune in to get to grips with these trends and learn how to get ahead for 2025.Related resources: How to Set Up a Useful Product Carbon Footprint (Guide)

In this episode, Saif Hameed explores how businesses can credibly deploy and account for Scope 3 emission reductions. He breaks this down into five key steps:Setting up dataIdentifying interventionsImplementing projectsMeasuring and tracking progressValidating and verifying resultsAlong the way, we tackle challenges like mass balance measurement, avoiding double counting, and preparing for frameworks like Land Sector Removals Guidance (LSRG). Tune in for actionable insights to navigate Scope 3 reductions with confidence.

Join Saif Hameed and John Lee, Director of Nature and Mission Sustainability at Danone, as they discuss the best approach to prioritising and scaling farm-level reductions for carbon and crucially, nature. In this episode, we explore:Empowering Procurement: How to effectively engage procurement teams and align behind shared sustainability initiativesCollaborating with Suppliers: The role of Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) and supplier-centric emission sharing in fostering collaborative partnerships.Accelerating Innovation: The process of testing pilot programs and prioritising those with the greatest potential for scale-up.Leveraging Customer Demand: How to harness growing consumer interest in sustainability to reduce emissions through collaborative efforts.

Paul Goff, Traceability and Sustainability Product Manager at H&M shares how the fashion giant is using technology to unlock transparency, decarbonise its supply chain, and set a new standard for sustainability in the apparel industry. From navigating global supply chain complexities to fostering lasting partnerships with suppliers, Paul dives deep into the practical steps H&M is taking to drive change. In this conversation, we discuss:Managing apparel supply chain complexities: How H&M manages the complexities of a global supply chain and what companies can learn from their approachSupply chain engagement: The key to successful supply chain engagement—what works for both H&M and their suppliers, and how to make these partnerships lastProduction decarbonisation: How to approach decarbonisation at the factory level and on a larger scaleDigital tech: How H&M is using technology to increase supply chain transparency, improve traceability, and hold suppliers accountable for sustainability goalsInnovation: How H&M prioritises finances and scales innovation to meet their sustainability goalsLinks & resources:Early-stage innovation at H&MGreen investment in a low-carbon textile industryGet the transcript here: https://altruistiq.com/state-of-sustainability/resource/h-ms-big-bet-on-sustainable-supply-chains-and-why-its-working

Where does the result of the US election leave corporate sustainability? In this episode, we cover:Big bets: How the Trump administration will impact corporate sustainability effortsPolicy Shifts: Key policy changes to watch and their implicationsBudgets: Tips for managing sustainability budgets amidst shifting prioritiesTeam Dynamics: Changing structure and priorities for corporate sustainability teamsGlobal Perspectives: New emerging global hubs driving sustainability innovationExpert Advice: Strategies for maintaining ambition and commitment to sustainability goals despite political uncertainty.Transcript here: https://www.altruistiq.com/state-of-sustainability/resource/what-does-trump-mean-for-corporate-sustainability

Who is the "sustainable consumer," and what drives their choices? In our first-ever consumer insights survey, we uncover:The profile of the sustainable consumerHow consumers prioritise what they put in the shopping basketWhat “sustainability” means to themThe most trusted sustainable brands—and why they stand outIn this episode, we reveal the key findings and share actionable strategies for professionals to incorporate these insights into their sustainability efforts.Who were the respondents? Our survey spanned a diverse demographic:Age: 50% were aged 25–34, followed by 28% aged 35–44Gender: 58% male, 42% femaleGeography: The majority hailed from the US (23%) and UK (23%), with representation from India (10%), France, Canada, and Australia (6% each), and others (26%)Living Environment: 70% resided in urban areasIncome: 70% reported household incomes between $40–99kDietary Habits: 65% had no dietary restrictions, while 19% identified as vegetarianWe'll be scaling this survey in 2025. Keep an eye out!

We’re joined by Fran Haycock, Head of Sustainability at Greencore, to discuss the key considerations when leading a successful sustainability transformation.We cover:Strategy alignment: How to ensure your sustainability transformation aligns with the broader business objectivesSustainability team set-up: The priority qualities and skills to consider when recruiting and developing your sustainability team.Leadership style: How to evolve your leadership style as your sustainability program matures.Budget management: Effective strategies for developing, securing and scaling a sustainability budget.

Collaboration may not be a silver bullet for solving sustainability challenges, but when executed effectively, it becomes a powerful tool. In this episode, we cut through the buzzwords and focus on practical steps for scalable collaboration, exploring:Types of collaboration: Challenges and opportunities associated with within-value-chain collaboration, across-value-chain collaboration, and pre-competitive collaboration.When, where and who to collaborate with (and not): How to identify the right opportunities and partners—and when it’s best to go solo.Creating collaborative initiatives that scale: Key components for setting up partnerships that can scale (not just multiply).Who takes the credit? Innovative tools and accounting practices like differentiated product carbon footprints to verify reductions in collaborative efforts.Budgeting, resources and incentives: Monetary (price premiums, 3rd party financing) and non-monetary incentives (long off-take agreements) to sustain collaboration.Links/ resources :A guide to supply chain engagement