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Filter by Track: 
  • All Food Tracks
  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
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  • Shifting Diets
See the Full VERGE 22 Program

Supply Chain Decarbonization

Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
9:00am to 12:00pm
More Details

Impossible? How Alternative Proteins Will Become a Mainstream Staple

Tutorial
210A

Alternative proteins — meat, dairy and eggs made from plants and cultivated from cells — are one of climate tech’s biggest sources of optimism. They have lower carbon, water, energy and land footprints than animal-based equivalents, are more affordable than many other climate technologies, and can plug seamlessly into people’s lives. No wonder alternative protein companies have gone through a staggering growth period. Still, it’s not a given that the industry will reach its full potential in transforming the global food system. Critical aspects ranging from science and technology to consumer demand, public policy and funding are still in flux.

This tutorial will help explore what it will take for the alternative protein industry to move beyond current roadblocks and seek answers to some of the most pressing questions:
Are plant-based foods replacing meat consumption, or are consumers merely increasing their total protein intake?
How can companies expand their sales beyond climate- and health-conscious consumers?
What are the biggest technological and policy challenges being worked on today that will enable the industry to scale?
How would a large-scale shift away from conventionally produced meat and dairy products affect the livelihoods of farmers and workers in those supply chains?
How can larger food companies best integrate these innovative foods into their existing product portfolios and leverage them for ESG impact and strategies?

Co-hosted by the Good Food Institute, the Breakthrough Institute and GreenBiz, this interactive tutorial will clarify where the field stands today and reflect on where it should go. It will allow entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders to dig into the industry’s inflection point and collectively workshop strategic paths forward.

Tracks

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Shifting Diets

Speakers

  • Daniel Blaustein-Rejto
  • Max Elder
  • Ron Shigeta
  • Anthony Kingsley
  • Udi Lazimy
  • Theresa Lieb
  • Emma Stein
  • Caroline Bushnell
  • Priera Panescu
  • Allyson Fish
  • Sarah Sha
  • Anne Greven
  • Karuna Rawal
  • Liza Schillo

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3:30pm to 4:30pm
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What Do Farmers Want? Strategies to Unlock Enrollment in Regenerative Programs

Panel
210B

The pilots have been done, the evidence collected, the white papers written. Now it’s time to engage farmers at scale.

There are as many types of farmers and ranchers as there are people, so there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for convincing farmers to participate in carbon markets and other regenerative agriculture programs. Still, regenerative trailblazers have learned valuable lessons while implementing pilot programs and conducting research. What outcomes should you highlight in your communications? Who is best positioned to conduct outreach? And how do you turn initial interest into actual program enrollment? Our experts will answer these questions and more, helping you kick-start your farmer engagement efforts.

Tracks

  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Supply Chain Decarbonization

Speakers

  • Nicole Buckley Biggs
  • Russ Conser
  • Jesse Klein
  • Derek Azevedo
  • Artees Vannett

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Why Emily Ma Pursues the Most Unsexy Work at Google

Workshop
210 A

Dry problems such as proprietary programs and data silos are slowing down food systems reform. Can companies embrace open approaches, turning competitors into collaborators?

As public awareness of our climate and social justice crises rises, food organizations — large and small, nonprofit and for-profit — rush to transform their operations and supply chains. This momentum has resulted in a countless array of regenerative agriculture programs, food rescue platforms and imperfect produce marketplaces. It’s a dream come true, right?

Not for Emily Ma, who leads Google’s Food for Good work. She views the current landscape of climate-friendly food technologies as a maze of confusing standards, expensive integrations and destructive competitions. And she’s not the only one struggling. Farmers faced with an overwhelming number of potential carbon markets to enroll in report decision paralysis. Food manufacturers can’t keep up with their buyers' diverging data disclosure requirements. Corporate cafeterias get overrun with surplus food donation requests, each one requiring a different integration process.

What can we do to streamline these well-meaning efforts and accelerate impact? This workshop led by Emily and other transdisciplinary leaders will unlock a new era of sustainable food practice.

Tracks

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Food Loss and Waste

Speakers

  • Emily Ma
  • Stephanie Lepp

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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022
9:00am to 10:00am
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Happening Now: Science-based Targets for Food, Ag and Forestry

Workshop
210A

What you need to know about setting an emissions reduction goal, using SBTi’s new sector guidance.

The Science Based Targets initiative has now defined how quickly and by how much food, agriculture and forestry companies need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. It’s time for companies to get up to speed. This tutorial will help businesses without preexisting targets get started and advise those with targets on how and when to update existing ones. It will explore key issues including accounting for Scope 3 emissions, meeting zero deforestation requirements and using carbon removals.

Tracks

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization

Speakers

  • Christa Anderson
  • Martha Stevenson
  • Tetyana Pecherska
  • Noora Singh

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How the World’s Largest Soy Companies Can Stop Deforestation in Brazil

Panel
210B

Halting deforestation and other illegal land-use changes is imperative for a livable future on this planet. To turn the tide in high-risk areas, agriculture companies must work individually as well as collectively with peers, producers, governments and other sectors.

In Brazil, challenges to sustaining vital natural ecosystems have extended beyond the boundaries of the canopied Amazon rainforest. Brazil’s Cerrado, a vast tropical savannah, has become one of the country’s most watched regions. Over the past decade, global demand for soy, beef, leather and mined metals has skyrocketed increasing pressure on nature and traditional and indigenous land stewards.

The commodity processors handling soy supply chains have long worked to change business practices and promised to incentivize suppliers to follow suit. In the Cerrado, soy buyers have increased traceability and reduced deforestation within their supply chains, but recognize that more needs to be done for the sake of people and the planet. Where must these companies collaborate pre-competitively on improved agricultural practices, technology solutions and financial investments? What additional strategies are needed to accelerate progress?

Tracks

  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Emerging Technologies

Speakers

  • Lucie Smith
  • David Bennell
  • Alison Taylor
  • Joel Makower
  • Michel Santos

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1:30pm to 2:30pm
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Own Your Influence to Shape Consumer Food Choices

Panel
210 A

It’s time to use product portfolios and marketing channels to proactively shape sustainable demand.

The average consumer lacks a clear understanding of climate and nutrition science. Even if they tried to adjust their eating habits to address these issues, they would most likely fail. The challenges of navigating accessibility, personal and cultural preferences and the pressure of advertising are simply too great. Food companies, in return, play a much more significant role in shaping demand than they often admit. It’s time to own up to that responsibility. Learn how to redirect consumption to nutritious and low-carbon meals by redesigning your product portfolios, leveraging marketing channels and supporting consumer education campaigns.

Tracks

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Shifting Diets

Speakers

  • Gesina Beckert
  • Julia Collins
  • Sara Burnett
  • Rebecca Chesney

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2:45pm to 5:15pm
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Food Tank Summit: Putting DEI Into Practice

Summit
210 B

2:45 pm: Welcome

 

2:50 pm: Is a Better Blue Food System Possible?

3 billion people around the world depend on aquatic foods as their primary source of protein. But fisheries and aquaculture are rife with challenges, including fraud, overfishing, and worker exploitation. Chefs, companies, and other food system advocates are working to make a more sustainable blue food system that is better for people and the environment. What will it take to produce foods more sustainably while maintaining equitable access?

 

3:20 pm: Just BIPOC Sourcing in Corporate Supply Chains 

BIPOC producers have long faced challenges accessing mainstream markets. But food service companies, distributors, food hubs, and restaurants can change this dynamic by leveraging their purchasing power as a force for good. Strategic partnerships between food businesses and BIPOC producers can help to ensure mutual economic success while supporting practices that serve people and the planet. Speakers will share case studies to underscore the influence of purchasing agreements and how technology can help these agreements reach their full potential.

 

3:50 pm: Where Innovation Meets Food Security and Resilience

Technology and innovation are changing how we produce and eat food. They are helping companies and organizations grow fresh produce, keep excess food out of landfills, and ensure that everyone can access healthy meals. Speakers will discuss the unique adaptation strategies their organizations are implementing to mitigate the climate crisis, prevent food waste and develop more just food and agriculture systems.

 

4:20 pm: Fireside Chat with Impossible Foods’ Founder Pat Brown

It’s well known that the adoption of plant-based proteins around the world, especially so in high-income countries, is a critical climate solution. But the social and economic implications of this transition are less discussed. How does the rise of plant-based meat, dairy and egg consumption affect consumer nutrition and health, rural communities and supply chain workers? During this fireside chat, Impossible Foods’ founder Pat Brown will reflect on how alternative protein companies can ensure that their efforts foster equitable and just food systems, in addition to improving environmental outcomes.

 

 

Tracks

  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Shifting Diets

Speakers

  • Jennifer Bushman
  • Imani Black
  • Jim Leape
  • Rebekah Moses
  • Heather Frambach
  • Patricia Carrillo
  • Patrick Brown
  • Eve Birge
  • Denise Osterhues
  • Claire Turner
  • Theresa Lieb
  • Deonna Anderson
  • Paul Schiefer

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2:45pm to 3:45pm
More Details

What if? Skilling Up on Scenario Analysis for Climate Risk Disclosures

Workshop
210A

How can your company use this essential tool to understand and disclose its climate-related transition risks and opportunities?

The climate crisis poses novel transition risks to the operations and business models of companies that rely on food, agriculture and forest products. The technological, regulatory and economic changes unfolding over the next decade to reach mitigation goals will profoundly impact this sector. Scenario analysis has been an underused sustainability tool. But its ability to identify, understand and manage risks makes it ripe for use in this decisive decade.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed climate-disclosure rules would require companies to report their resilience to climate risks in more detail. To help companies prepare for these changes, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has developed a new set of climate transition scenarios for food, agriculture and forest product companies. Attend this workshop to understand why they matter and how to include them into your strategic planning.

Tracks

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization

Speakers

  • Ryan Whisnant
  • Amy Senter
  • Shally Venugopal
  • Anjali Marok
  • Josh Fettes

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4:15pm to 5:15pm
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Goodbye Fertilizers, Hello Smart Inputs

Lightning Talks
210A

Reducing reliance on industrial fertilizers and pesticides has never been more urgent. These innovators are making it happen.

The Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted supply chains and sent the price of fertilizers and pesticides sky-high. One side-effect is that this may finally reduce the use of these chemicals, long after it has become clear that the inputs are detrimental to farm workers, ecosystems and the climate. How can we shift to a more sustainable and equitable system of farm inputs while protecting productivity? Get to know the new input ecosystem's leading data-driven, biological and technological solutions, and understand what role you can play in promoting adoption and accelerating the transition.

Tracks

  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Emerging Technologies

Speakers

  • Jane Franch
  • Nicolas Pinkowski
  • Anne Greven
  • Shalen Kumar
  • Poornima Parameswaran
  • Graeme Herring

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Thursday, October 27th, 2022
9:00am to 10:00am
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The Great Debate: Can Soil Carbon Sequestration Deliver on its Promise?

Panel
210A

Interest in scaling carbon drawdown on agricultural lands is at an all-time high. But markets may be outpacing their scientific and technological foundations.

Can agricultural lands securely and permanently draw down carbon? If so, which companies should have the right to attribute the sequestration toward their net-zero targets? It’s easy to assume that these fundamental questions have been answered given the speed at which soil carbon markets have grown. But the reality is different. Some soil carbon developers claim to operate a robust sequestration approach and advocate for open markets. Other industry players want to restrict the circulation of soil carbon credits within agricultural supply chains. Meanwhile, scientists aren’t yet confident in our ability to sequester carbon in soils and warn companies from relying on them for any form of emissions reduction. Why do these stakeholders disagree?

Tracks

  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Supply Chain Decarbonization

Speakers

  • Jocelyn Lavallee
  • Jesse Klein
  • Emma Fuller
  • Jack Jeworski

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1:30pm to 2:30pm
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Repurpose and Recycle: Building the Right Infrastructure for Food Waste

Panel
210B

How can you identify, fund and build systems to deal with your waste — all without undermining food waste reduction efforts?

Despite food waste reduction efforts across the value chain, food and agricultural waste remains abundant and causes significant methane emissions in landfills. In response, a suite of strategies to repurpose and divert waste is emerging, from upcycling and composting to anaerobic digestion. How can you engage at local, regional and national levels to scale the infrastructure needed for your waste stream? What measures should companies take to respect the needs and rights of marginalized communities when planning and operating recycling plants? And how can we ensure that diversion investments won’t stand in the way of ultimately getting rid of waste?

Tracks

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Food Loss and Waste

Speakers

  • John Hanselman
  • Sarah Savage
  • Olympia Yarger
  • Suz Okie

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Greener by Default: How to Halve Your Kitchen’s Scope 3 Emissions

Case Study
210A

New research shows that nudging diners to eat climate-friendly food is easier than you think.

Can something as simple as shifting the default option from meat-heavy to plant-rich meals really influence consumer choice? Isn’t that too good to be true? Let LinkedIn and Greener by Default — the non-profit behind the new menu concept — convince you otherwise. They will share best practices and lessons from recent pilots, including how to garner buy-in from stakeholders, implement strategies inclusively and measure success. Learn why this shift presents a potent opportunity to decrease Scope 3 emissions in food service while preserving freedom of choice, improving the inclusivity of food offerings and increasing diner satisfaction.

Tracks

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Shifting Diets

Speakers

  • Katie Cantrell
  • Anna Bohbot
  • Alicia Jenish-McCarron
  • Andrea Learned

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3:00pm to 4:00pm
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Beyond Seaweed: Activating a Holistic Methane Reduction Roadmap

Panel
210A

How can you support promising but often overlooked technologies for cutting methane emissions?

Seaweed feed additives used to reduce methane emissions from cow burps have rightly been embraced as an exciting climate tech innovation. But the quest to reduce methane emissions, which was elevated to a global priority at COP 26, doesn’t stop there. Companies also need to address methane emissions from sources such as manure, rice cultivation and food waste. Gain a holistic understanding of how to build a methane reduction roadmap and discuss opportunities for incorporating them into your sustainability strategy.

Tracks

  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Supply Chain Decarbonization
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Food Loss and Waste

Speakers

  • Judy Lai-Norling
  • Sarah Nolet
  • Katie Anderson
  • Karen Scanlon

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