What financial, regenerative, and sourcing opportunities lie in a bio-based economy, and how can your company support a sustainable transition?

Transitioning to a renewable, circular, bioeconomy is crucial. This transformation could help address climate change and biodiversity loss, avoid reliance on harmful and non-renewable materials, divert financial risk and create economic opportunity,with a market for bio-based products projected to grow to $7.7 trillion by 2030. But shifting from finite and often petroleum-derived materials to a renewable, biobased economy brings not just new solutions, but also new challenges. With competing biomass demand between food, fuel, fiber and other applications, finding the right balance to sustainably manage natural capital while remaining within planetary boundaries will be key. Join this session to explore the opportunities and limitations of biobased solutions across sectors, and how your company can support a sustainable, regenerative transition.

How can the transition to a circular economy support the preservation of biodiversity?

With more than one million species under threat of extinction, the natural world is facing threats from every direction. Among numerous, staggering repercussions loss of biological diversity represents a significant business risk as over half of global GDP depends on natural resources and services. Can a circular economy help mitigate risk and reverse this trend? While circular principles will not solve this problem alone, they do have the power to alleviate pressure on biological sources while regenerating living systems. What role does the circular economy play in preserving biodiversity, and what strategies can your company employ to protect the natural world? Join this session to hear from experts and practitioners tackling this question. 

What are some of the most groundbreaking innovations in upcycled food?

More than a third of the food produced in the United States — valued at roughly $408 billion — is never eaten. Enter: a new class of innovators focused on upcycled food. Sourcing food surplus, “ugly” produce and manufacturing byproducts, these companies are hacking the food system to reduce waste, save carbon emissions, feed our communities and generate profit. Come be inspired by this showcase of upcycled food innovations.

Connect with like-minded participants in this interactive virtual discussion around a hard question or hot topic within the circular economy. Select your topic of interest to join a group discussion led by a moderator. The group will then be split into breakouts — allowing for deeper conversation around the topic you care about most. Bring your own challenges, questions and ideas to these interactive discussions. Cameras on!

What does a regenerative, just food system look like, and what will it take to bring it to scale from farm to factory to fork, and back?

What does an effective national composting system look like, and what will it take to bring it to scale?

Less than 10 percent of food waste in the United States finds its way into the compost. Given the lack of composting infrastructure for food waste in many parts of the United States, it’s not hard to imagine why. There are numerous hurdles to clear in order to scale composting across the nation. From contamination and consumer confusion to facility siting and lack of a national composting policy, the list of challenges goes on. To divert food waste from landfills, recapture value and save both money and carbon emissions, things need to change. Join this session to learn what it will take to scale progress and our national organics diversion rate.

How can an interconnected food system effectively minimize waste, and what points in that system should be leveraged to avoid spoilage?