Sustainability Resources

Explore the latest trends and challenges in sustainability for the food industry

From the regulatory landscape to innovative approaches to reducing environmental impacts, these resources provide in-depth analysis and practical guidance for companies looking to improve their sustainability performance.

EXPLORE OUR COLLECTION OF

White Papers

Our white papers cover a range of topics, including the role of industry organizations and certifications, the use of technology to drive sustainability, and the importance of supply system transparency. Whether you are a food company looking to improve your sustainability practices, or simply interested in learning more about this important issue, these resources provide valuable insights and best practices.

A Guide to Future-Proof Scope 3 Reporting for Food Brands & CPGs

Learn more about how CPGs can measure and manage their Scope 3 impact from the ingredient level to the portfolio level without having to be experts in carbon accounting.

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Making Meaningful ESG Claims in the Age of Greenwashing

Explore how businesses can leverage ingredient-level impact data to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and win over the loyalty of eco-conscious consumers.

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The Business Case for Granular Emission Factors

Gain greater insight into your greenhouse gas emissions impact accounting and design more effective carbon reduction strategies.

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Product Sustainability to Improve Impact & Grow Sales

Find proven strategies on how to drive sales, grow margins, appeal to retailers, and build loyalty, while accelerating progress toward company sustainability goals.

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State of Sustainability Marketing in Retail

Find out how to meet ESG commitments, reduce scope 3 emissions, and utilize the most effective communication tools for engaging consumers.​

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Has your company set a science-based target? Companies that have, or plan to set science-based targets will be required to follow FLAG guidance and set a FLAG target, pending the release of the GHG Protocol’s LSR Guidance in 2024.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SBTI FLAG

Podcasts

The global food supply system is responsible for a tremendous amount of impact from greenhouse gas emissions to water impact, labor risk to biodiversity loss. The Carbon& podcast features conversations with leaders in the food industry and sheds light on comprehensive sustainability strategy beyond solely carbon footprint.

All Carbon& podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts​

Deepening Supplier Partnerships

Chipotle & Niman Ranch, two trailblazers in ethical sourcing, reflect on their thriving supplier partnership 20 years in the making.

LISTEN

Sourcing Biodiverse Ingredients

Simple Mills & Alpha Food Labs discuss how sourcing biodiverse ingredients and building flexible formulas can strengthen the supply system and the environment.

LISTEN

Leaders in Climate Reporting

Symrise and Ingredion, two lighthouse organizations in climate reporting, discuss the direct relationship between a company's sustainability efforts and its financial performance.

LISTEN

Scaling Regenerative Supply

Leaders from Cargill, one of the largest and oldest agribusinesses in the world, share strategies for achieving the ambitious goal of converting 10 million acres of agricultural land to regenerative practices.

LISTEN

The Power of Green Claims in the Consumer Market

HowGood's Director of Growth & Innovation joins us for a Q&A about the power of green claims in the consumer market and the importance of truthful and impactful messaging.

LISTEN

Preventing greenwashing

Dr. Bronner's & GoodSam Foods talk about the importance of transparency in building consumer trust and loyalty by avoiding greenwashing.

LISTEN

Leaders in Impact Labeling

Airly Foods & JustSalad discuss how they have integrated carbon labeling initiatives into their operations and the results they've seen.

LISTEN

White Leaf Provisions & Hive brands

White Leaf Provisions and Hive Brands discuss the mutual benefits of partnerships between mission-driven brands and retailers.

LISTEN

Q&A: Innovating for Sustainability in Plant-Based Products

HowGood discuss the latest trends and innovations in the plant-based industry, and explore how we can create products that are not only good for our health but also good for the planet.

LISTEN

True Cost Accounting in the Food Industry

TCA Accelerator and Sustainable Food Trust cover the basics of True Cost Accounting, how it applies to the food industry, and why it's becoming increasingly important in today's rapidly changing CPG landscape. ​

LISTEN

Double materiality: capturing impact in financial reporting

Antea Group and GRI discuss how true cost accounting can be used to consider both sets of materiality in the food industry. ​

LISTEN

Investing in a sustainable future

VanEck and Unovis Asset Management discuss how they make investment decisions and predict sustainability trends in the food and agriculture sectors.

LISTEN

Videos

Our webinars and deep-dive videos present overviews of different aspects of sustainability in the food industry and steps companies can take to improve their overall impact and meet ESG goals.

Regulatory Trends in Sustainability: How Food Brands Should Prepare

Stay up to date on coming regulations governing impact reduction, supply chain transparency, and marketing communications.

WATCH

From CSR to ROI: The Business Case for Sustainability

Bring next-level insights into the business case for sustainability to your next board or C-level meeting.

WATCH

Sustainability Claims: Reflections from the Legal Perspective

Get a deep-dive into food companies making sustainability marketing claims in the US.

WATCH

Innovating for Sustainability in Plant-Based Products

Learn why not all plant-based products are created equal when it comes to sustainability.

WATCH

Green Claims: How to Prevent Greenwashing

Learn more about how your company can substantiate green marketing claims and prevent greenwashing.

WATCH

The Business Case for Using Granular Scope 3 Emission Factors​

Learn about the risks you may be introducing to your business by using bad data for your Scope 3 Reporting and how it could be impacting your business’s bottom line. ​

WATCH

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Find the answers to the most common questions when it comes to improving the carbon impact of food products.​

WATCH

Introduction to Corporate Sustainability Regulations

Discover how you can leverage regulatory trends to drive positive impact.​

WATCH

Introduction to Food Ecolabels

Understand and compare over 10 food ecolabeling systems.​

WATCH

INDUSTRY-LEADING RESEARCH & METHODOLOGY

With a hyper-focus on the global food system, our team of researchers and data scientists brings 3rd party verified impact data to our customers’ daily workflows with unparalled granularity and precision.

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WHITE PAPER

A Guide to Future-Proof Scope 3 Reporting for Food Brands & CPGs

87% of a food company’s total GHG emissions are Scope 3 - meaning they’re outside of a company’s direct control.

Meanwhile, mounting pressure from consumers, investors, and regulators makes it more important than ever for CPGs to commit to reducing their carbon footprints.

guide to future proof scope 3 reporting

Learn more about how CPGs can measure and manage their Scope 3 impact from the ingredient level to the portfolio level without having to be experts in carbon accounting. ​

  • Why brands and CPGs are facing mounting pressure to report on Scope 3​
  • How Scope 3 impact is measured in the industry​
  • The best way to measure Scope 3 emissions for food supply systems​

WHITE PAPER

Making Meaningful ESG Claims in the Age of Greenwashing

As concerns regarding climate change and sustainability become increasingly influential in consumer decision-making, many are turning to organic products and other environmentally-friendly or health-conscious options

However, with the rise of greenwashing and misleading green claims, consumers are becoming more skeptical about the authenticity of on-pack declarations, even government-regulated ones like USDA Organic.

This white paper covers:

  • Consumer skepticism and the organic appeal
  • Case Study: Using Data-Backed Sustainability Claims
  • Key strategies for mitigating reputational and regulatory risk

WHITE PAPER

The Business Case for Granular Emission Factors

Many food and beverage companies are using common emission factor databases, delivering generalized data, which can introduce a wide array of risks to their business. Instead of such generalized emission factors, companies using granular emission factors have greater insight into their GHG impact accounting and, consequently, can design more effective carbon reduction strategies.

Granularity in this realm can lead to positive business impacts including direct cost reduction, lower costs of capital, and greater sales opportunities.

This white paper covers:

  • What kinds of emission factors are commonly used for on-farm GHG impact?
  • Risks associated with inaccurate reporting from generalized emission: Three CPG Scenarios
  • Exercise: Assessing your current emission factor data granularity

PLAYBOOK

Product Sustainability to Improve Impact and Grow Sales

The number of food products on the market with publicly-available carbon footprints increased by more than 800% over the last 2 years.

Whether it’s due to consumer demand or government regulations, a growing number of brands are beginning to measure and communicate the environmental and social impact of their products.​

For proven strategies on how to drive sales, grow margins, appeal to retailers, and build loyalty, download HowGood's Product Sustainability Playbook.​

  • Why product sustainability matters​: the business case
  • How to measure product sustainability through sustainability metrics
  • How to accelerate progress toward company sustainability goals

WHITE PAPER

State of Sustainability Marketing in Retail

Less than 20% of retailers say they are on track to meet their scope 3 targets–which account for 93 percent of their total emissions.

The majority of retailers’ environmental and social impact is determined by the many thousands of products they carry, each of which has any number of ingredients from all over the world.​

Learn about how you can meet ESG commitments, reduce scope 3 emissions, and utilize the most effective communication tools for engaging consumers.​

  • How sustainable product portfolios build consumer loyalty and increase margins
  • How product sustainability ratings and attributes are effective methods for consumer communication
  • Why certain ratings and attributes are gaining more traction with consumers than others

Deepening Supplier Partnerships: Chipotle & Niman Ranch

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

Carlos Londono
VP & Head of Supply Chain, Chipotle
Chris Oliviero
General Manager, Niman Ranch

From the early days of their collaboration to the present, these two companies have consistently demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility in their sourcing practices. Hear firsthand how they have navigated the challenges and opportunities of their long-term partnership and how they continue to innovate and drive positive change in the food industry. Don't miss this valuable conversation with two industry leaders on the importance of ethical sourcing and building strong supplier relationships.

Sourcing Biodiverse Ingredients: Simple Mills & Alpha Food Labs

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Christina Skonberg
Director, Sustainability & Mission, Simple Mills
Mike Lee
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Alpha Food Labs

These two companies are leaders in sustainability, innovation, and their approaches to ingredient sourcing and product development. Join us to learn how they have incorporated biodiverse ingredients into their products and how this has benefited their supply chain and the environment. We also explore the role of flexible formulas in driving sustainability and how these companies are using technology to optimize their supply chains and reduce their environmental impacts.

Leaders in Climate Reporting: Symrise & Ingredion

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Brian Nash
VP, Corporate Sustainability, Ingredion
Filomena Rinaldi
Senior Sustainability Consultant, Symrise

Symrise and Ingredion, two lighthouse organizations in climate reporting, discuss the direct relationship between a company's sustainability efforts and its financial performance. They also share their perspectives on the benefits of coordinating sustainability and ESG reporting across an organization. We explore real-world examples of tangible financial lifts as a result of sustainability initiatives and get insights on how other organizations can follow suit.

Scaling Regenerative Supply: Cargill

OCTOBER 14, 2021

Ryan Sirolli
Global Environmental Markets, Inset Lead, Cargill
Gurneesh Bhandal
Guneesh Bhandal, Customer Sustainabiltiy Leader, Global Partners, Cargill.

Leaders from Cargill, one of the largest and oldest agribusinesses in the world, share strategies for achieving the ambitious goal of converting 10 million acres of agricultural land to regenerative practices.

The Power of Green Claims in the Consumer Market

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

João Brites
Director, Growth & Innovation, HowGood

In this Q&A, we dive into the topic of green claims with Director of Growth & Innovation, João Brites. Green claims have become increasingly important to both consumers and brands in recent years. To learn more, watch the full webinar on Green Claims and Preventing Greenwashing (link). We’ll discuss the different standards and guidelines set by organizations like ISO and industry bodies, as well as those passed down by governments like the FTC and EU. We’ll talk through examples of companies that have faced regulatory repercussions for greenwashing, as well as cases where companies successfully defended their green claims.

Preventing Greenwashing: Dr. Bronner's & GoodSam Foods

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Darcy Shiber-Knowles
Director, Operational Sustainability & Innovation, Dr. Bronner's
Heather Terry
Founder & CEO, GoodSam

Dr. Bronner's & GoodSam Foods talk about the importance of transparency in building consumer trust and loyalty by avoiding greenwashing. We explore topics such as the need to broaden sustainability reporting, and how the private sector, non-profits, and regulatory bodies can work together to create transparent supply chains.

Leaders in Impact Labeling: Airly Foods & JustSalad

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

Jennifer McKnight
Co-Founder, Airly Foods
Sandra Noonan
Chief Sustainability Officer, JustSalad

Airly Foods & JustSalad delve into the world of carbon labeling and its impact on consumers and businesses. Our experts share their insights on the challenges of educating the average person about the meaning of terms like "kg of CO2e". We also hear from businesses that have integrated carbon labeling initiatives into their operations and the results they've seen. Finally, we discuss the role of carbon labeling in driving research and innovation for more environmentally friendly products.

White Leaf Provisions & Hive Brands

JUNE 30, 2022

Annika Gacnik
Sustainability & Social Impact Manager, Hive Brands
Keith Rowe
Co-Founder & Co-Owner, White Leaf Provisions
Meghan Rowe
Co-Founder & Co-Owner, White Leaf Provisions

White Leaf Provisions and Hive Brands discuss the mutual benefits of partnerships between mission-driven brands and retailers. We explore the impact of transparency and data provision, the role of e-commerce platforms in curating a sustainable marketplace, and the challenges facing regenerative brands in a world where sustainability is becoming the norm.

Q&A: Innovating for Sustainability in Plant-Based Products

MARCH 21, 2023

Emma Yates
Growth & Innovation, HowGood
Leah Wolfe
Head of Regenerative Education & Content, HowGood

Emma Yates & Leah Wolfe at HowGood discuss the latest trends and innovations in the plant-based industry, and explore how we can create products that are not only good for our health but also good for the planet.

True Cost Accounting in the Food Industry

MARCH 16, 2023

Jenn Yates
Director, TCA Accelerator
Patrick Holden
Founding Director, Sustainable Food Trust

TCA Accelerator and Sustainable Food Trust provide an overview of True Cost Accounting and its relevance to the food industry. We cover the basics of True Cost Accounting, how it applies to the food industry, and why it's becoming increasingly important in today's rapidly changing CPG landscape.

Double Materiality: Capturing Impact in Financial Reporting

APRIL 6, 2023

Sara Rowland
ESG Advisory Services Lead, Antea Group
Matthew Rusk
Head, GRI North America at GRI

Sara Rowland, ESG Advisory Services Lead at Antea Group, and Matthew Rusk, Head, GRI North America at GRI explore double materiality and true cost accounting in the food industry. Sara and Matthew share their insights on how true cost accounting can help companies understand the full environmental and social impacts of their products. We also discuss how it can support consumers and governments in making more informed decisions.

Investing in a Sustainable Future

APRIL 25, 2023

Ammar James
Deputy Portfolio Manager, VanEck
Dan Altschuler
Managing Partner, Unovis Asset Management

Ammar James, Deputy Portfolio Manager at VanEck, and Dan Altschuler, Managing Partner at Unovis Asset Management, discuss their experiences as transformational investors in food systems and share their insights on sustainable investing and predicting trends in the food and agriculture sectors.

WEBINAR

Regulatory Trends in Sustainability: How Food Brands Should Prepare in the Next 6-12 Months

HowGood's General Counsel provides an overview of some of the upcoming key global sustainability regulations that should be top-of-mind for food industry professionals, with a focus on what and how to best prepare

Stay up to date on coming regulations to ensure your company is well-positioned for new laws governing impact reduction, supply chain transparency, and marketing communications.

WEBINAR

From CSR to ROI: The Business Case for Sustainability

HowGood's Director of Growth & Innovation presents a framework to help you develop a business case for sustainability that is unique to your company, your supply system, and supply sheds, to help illuminate areas where sustainability initiatives can drive revenue, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and support differentiation for your company and products.

Bring the business case for sustainability to your next board or C-level meeting.

WEBINAR

Sustainability Claims: Reflections from the Legal Perspective

HowGood's General Counsel delivers a review of FTC guidelines outlined in the Green Guides and practical guidance for how to make claims on your brand that are backed by data and avoid unintentional greenwashing.

Get a deep-dive into food companies making sustainability marketing claims in the US.

WEBINAR

Innovating for Sustainability in Plant-Based Products

We'll explore strategies for sustainable ingredient sourcing, navigating complex supply systems using granular data, and the business case for plant-based products that can prove climate-friendliness.

Learn why not all plant-based products are created equal when it comes to sustainability.

WEBINAR

Green Claims: How to Prevent Greenwashing

This session covers the regulatory guidelines from the European Union, United Kingdom, United States and Canada on how to substantiate green marketing claims and recent cases.

Learn more about how your company substantiate green marketing claims and prevent greenwashing.

WEBINAR

The Business Case for Using Granular Scope 3 Emission Factors​

CPGs introduce serious risk to their business by not using the most granular, accurate, crop and location-specific emission factors data in their Scope 3 reporting. Using global average emission factors for crops or using general databases can lead to drastic accounting differences in your business’s carbon footprint.

Learn about the risks you may be introducing to your business by using bad data for your Scope 3 Reporting.

FOOD INDUSTRY IMPACT

Greenhouse Gas Emissions​

Brands are facing mounting pressure to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and resulting carbon footprints. Agricultural and food production is responsible for more than a third of global emissions, so choosing better ingredients is critical for meeting ESG commitments and slowing climate change - but how can companies get started?

Find the answers to the most common questions when it comes to improving the carbon impact of food products.​

WEBINAR

Introduction to Corporate Sustainability Regulations​

Let's take a look at the broader, underlying patterns in 25 current and upcoming corporate sustainability regulations in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Singapore.

Discover how you can leverage regulatory trends to drive positive impact.​

WEBINAR

Introduction to Food Ecolabels

Ecolabels are on the rise, and this trend is set to continue with the European Commission proposing a mandatory font-of-pack food sustainability labeling framework by 2023.

Understand and compare over 10 food ecolabeling systems.​

STEP TWO

Upload ingredient form

Get discovered by SMEs & FMCGs and/or enhance your customer relationships by adding your ingredients to HowGood's Supplier Portal for the Big Food Redesign Challenge.

WEBINAR

Regulatory trends in sustainability: How food brands should prepare in the next 6-12 months

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 | 12 – 1 PM EST
Join HowGood’s General Counsel for an overview of some of the upcoming key global sustainability regulations that should be top-of-mind for food industry professionals, with a focus on what and how to best prepare.
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