Todd Corley's perspective emphasizes the importance of inspiring and developing individuals across all levels of an organization. Rooted in a career shaping social, philanthropic, sustainability and belonging initiatives in corporate workplaces, he now holds one of the most distinctive roles in the industry as Chief People and Impact Officer at Carhartt. From that vantage point, he builds strategy bottom-up, and asks a different question: What happens when you treat people and culture not as a support function to your people and impact strategy, but as its foundation?
 
Integrating this strategic framework within global organizations requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to accept that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a purpose-driven culture.

In this webinar, we explored:

- How Todd's journey to Chief People and Impact Officer shapes his approach to sustainability
- What it looks like to structure teams and governance for real impact, and why capacity building is a strategic investment
- Carhartt's people-first approach in practice: examples of community connection, skilled trade development and accessible circularity
- Making the internal business case: navigating pushback and keeping purpose at the core
- Reasons for optimism, and what the industry needs to do next to act on them

And, Ian talks with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell about the key themes from the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference in Amsterdam, including the desire for regulatory certainty, the push for inclusive circularity and why heat stress and governance emerged as the standout topics for attendees.

Host: Ian Welsh

Continue the conversation in New York City for the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference USA on 3-4 June. Registration information can be found here.

Tune into our partnered episode on the Supply Chain Revolution podcast with Christine Goulay, focusing on the state of apparel in North America. You can listen as a podcast or as a video interview.

And, at the 2025 Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum USA Ian spoke about extended producer responsibility regulation with Jason Bergquist from RecycleMe.

Plus: at the previous future of food event, Ian talks with US farmers Jocelyn Schlichting and Carla Schultz about the barriers to adopting regenerative agriculture practices and the importance of farmer voice in corporate sustainability programmes.

Host: Ian Welsh

And, Ian talks with Innovation Forum's Lia Da Giau about how reuse, material innovation and waste management solutions are beginning to work together for packaging.

Plus: report estimates €25.4tn lost annually through linear economic processes; and, Indian packaging sector reduces dependence on fossil fuel-derived materials, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Hannah Oborne talk about emerging themes in the food sector, including how sustainability is being reframed around resilience and long-term value.

And, Nike's chemical recycling breakthrough for World Cup kits; chemical recycling versus mechanical methods for elite sportswear; and, debate over whether leather should remain in scope of EUDR, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

And, Ian talks with Innovation Forum’s Lia Da Giau about emerging packaging sector trends and best practices more generally. 

Plus: why electrical infrastructure shortfalls may impede data centre development and growth of EVs, and cocoa sector price volatility continues, in the news digest. 

Host: Ian Welsh 

It’s a system-level approach that builds resilience from farm to brand and helps future-proof raw material sourcing.

This webinar, held in partnership with COTTON USA™, will explore how organisations are building on regenerative standards and frameworks (such as the U.S Cotton Trust Protocol) to embed regenerative sourcing into their core business strategy.

Drawing on insights from leaders working across regenerative materials, we’ll examine the practical challenges and opportunities of scaling these textiles. From climate resilience and social impact to supply chain stability, we’ll discuss how brands can move beyond initial pilot programs, and what must shift in purchasing practices, supplier relationships, and aligning incentives across the value chain.

• System thinking in action: How regenerative sourcing influences soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and farmer livelihoods, while supporting business strategy
• Evolution of the supply chain: Moving beyond material sourcing to align farming practices, partnerships, and internal operations for long-term impact.
• Shared incentives & financing: Exploring incentive structures and financing mechanisms that support farmer transitions.

• Filippa Blomander, raw materials lead, Inter IKEA Group
• Liz Hershfield, executive director of COTTON USA™ and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol​​​​​​
• Katherine O’Hare, vice president, sustainability, J. Crew Group 
• Larkin Martin, president, Turnrow Farm Services

The discussion was moderated by Ian Welsh, co-founder and chair, Innovation Forum

Niamh also speaks with Ian Welsh about natural fibre use and innovation on water impacts in the apparel sector. 

And, Nestlé's 410,000 KitKats heist; why language on climate change and business sustainability is ever more important; and, why environment and ethical choices are becoming mainstream for consumers, in the news digest. 

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah chats with Liz Hershfield, executive director of COTTON USA™ and the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, ahead of an upcoming webinar on regenerative sourcing.

And, Innovation Forum's Natasha Bodnar takes a look at how companies are moving from scope 3 commitments to real-world action, and how decarbonisation is increasingly linked to energy security and supply chain resilience.

Plus: at the recent sustainable packaging innovation forum, Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh spoke with Caroline Elms from Pladis Global about how collaboration, innovation and clearer priorities can unlock scalable sustainable packaging solutions.

And, Innovation Forum’s Hanna Halmari talks with Ian about how sustainability in food and beverage is ever more a core driver of resilience and business value.

Host: Ian Welsh

This webinar explored how companies are responding to changing consumer demand and utilising innovation to deliver products that meet both sustainability and nutrition expectations. We looked at how organisations are adapting and reformulating products, developing innovation levers, and balancing food functionality and sustainability – all whilst creating business value.

In conversation with:

• Dorothy Shaver, global food sustainability director, Unilever
• Caroline Reid, senior sustainability director, Oatly
• Alex Skidmore, head of market intelligence Europe, Griffith Foods

Plus: In conversion with Ian, Innovation Forum's Hannah Oborne talks about how climate risk, changing consumer expectations and regulation are pushing companies to adapt supply chains and embed sustainability into core strategy.

And, EU moves to ban meat names for plant foods; Yangtze river fishing ban revives freshwater life; and, Tesco trials low carbon potatoes in UK stores, in the news digest.

Host: Ellen Atiyah

Plus: Talking with Ian Welsh, Niamh shares some of the key trends in the apparel and textiles sector, such as regulatory pressure on waste and growing recognition of worker heat stress as an occupational health risk.

And, M&S launches solar support for cotton farmers; EU scales back corporate sustainability reporting rules; and, investors urge overhaul of GHG electricity rules, in the news digest.

Host: Ellen Atiyah

This webinar explores the potential of winter camelina, an oilseed crop advancing through research, innovation, and on-farm trial, as part of a broader push for crop diversification and low-carbon fuel feedstocks.

Planted in the fall and harvested in early summer, camelina provides living cover through the off-season while also being harvested and sold as a cash crop – an uncommon combination that creates a new incentive for farmers to keep soil covered longer.

• How crop innovation and R&D are supporting more resilient and profitable farming systems
• The role of winter camelina in crop diversification, soil health, and lower-carbon outcomes
• The importance of farmer engagement, partnerships, and on–farm trials in driving adoption
• What lessons from camelina can be applied to broader climate–smart agriculture strategies

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Emilia Colman shares emerging trends in responsible sourcing and ethical trade, including the rise of worker voice initiatives and overlap between climate and human rights risks.

And, Boohoo faces investor trial over labour abuses; just transition guidance targets net zero investors; EU deforestation rules may expand as details shift; Uzbek cotton reforms leave farmers vulnerable; and, Etsy sells Depop to eBay for $1.2bn, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Helmersson’s long-term vision at H&M was clear: sustainability had to be embedded at the heart of the business. Building on work initiated in the 1990s, she helped advance a strategy that increased supply chain transparency, while also expanding textile collection and recycling programmes. Under her leadership, initiatives such as the H&M Conscious range were debuted, reinforcing the belief that sustainable fashion must remain accessible while serving as co-chair of The Fashion Pact.

A consistent theme throughout Helmersson’s leadership has been the need for structural transformation. Sustainability, she argues, should be a mindset that is woven into every part of the organisation. In times of external turbulence, however, delivering on that ambition becomes harder. Helmersson is clear that progress cannot be achieved through brand commitments alone; new systems need to be built, and deep, cross-industry collaboration is essential.

Since stepping down as CEO of H&M in January 2024, Helmersson has continued to shape the industry. She has joined the boards of MANGO, Quizrr and On, and serves as Chair of Circulose.

• What leadership looks like when driving structural change within large organisations
• What enables, and inhibits, CEO action on sustainability, including navigating the tension between profitability and sustainability
• Collaboration in practice: how deep coalitions can work for business
• Where the industry goes next, and the role each stakeholder must play in delivering change

Plus: Innovation Forum's Lia Da Giau about some of the emerging themes and corporate innovations that are working to advance circular packaging initiatives.

And, polypropylene coffee cups now widely recyclable in US; Unilever P&G L’Oréal join Ottawa reuse trial; sustainability reporting rises despite policy uncertainty; and, fashion risks losing third of profits by 2030, in the news digest.

Host: Ellen Atiyah

We’ve asked the panel to explore:

• Where digital tools and AI are already delivering tangible value in the energy transition

• How digitalisation can help address system bottlenecks such as grid integration, storage optimisation and demand flexibility

• The key barriers to adoption, including upfront costs and organisational or cultural challenges

• How partnerships between energy companies and technology providers can accelerate scale while sharing risk

• Which digital breakthroughs could have the biggest impact over the next decade

Speakers:

Carsten Sonne-Schmidt, managing partner, Digital Energy AI

Adele Ara, group chief technology officer, Lightsource bp

Dr Gianna Huhn, Group Strategy, Innovation Strategy & Technology Foresight Lead, SSE

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Natasha Bodnar highlights how the energy transition is shifting from ambition to delivery, with companies focusing on infrastructure, energy security, capital discipline and system-wide innovation as 2026 unfolds.

And, UN warns water crisis threatens fashion supply chains; researchers say ultra processed foods should face tobacco-style laws; and, Oatly and McCain push deeper food decarbonisation, in the news digest (compiled by Ellen Atiyah).

Host: Ian Welsh

This webinar, the third in the Sustainability Communications and Engagement series, explored how NGOs can build credibility through transparent storytelling, evidence-based communications, and accountable engagement. Hear practical insights from leading sustainability communicators on balancing compelling narratives with accuracy, navigating partnerships, and meeting evolving stakeholder expectations.

• How NGOs are communicating impact, progress, and setbacks more transparently

• Using data, evidence, and verification to strengthen credibility without overcomplicating messaging

• Balancing compelling storytelling with accuracy, nuance, and accountability

• Managing communications around corporate partnerships while maintaining trust and independence

• Evolving expectations of NGO communications across donors, communities, and business audiences

From improving crop resilience and reducing environmental footprints to building healthier communities and more sustainable supply chains, bioscience innovations have become critical tools in tackling global sustainability challenges. This webinar, hosted by Innovation Forum in partnership with the Iowa Economic Development Authority explored how some of the latest bioscience breakthroughs are addressing these pressing issues. We look at emerging trends shaping the next wave of sustainable innovation, the technologies driving impact, and how organisations are applying bioscience.

As a case study, we examined how Iowa is emerging as a key hub for the biosciences, bringing together agriculture technology, medical innovation, and industrial biotechnology in one ecosystem.

• Which bioscience breakthroughs from the past year are driving measurable sustainability impact, and how they came about
• What to watch for in 2026: scaling technologies, new applications, and the role of advanced technology in enabling sustainable innovation
• What drives success in biosciences: fostering innovation internally, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging ecosystems to deliver sustainable solutions

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell discusses emerging apparel and textile sector trends, including the growing focus on tier two decarbonisation, supplier equity, resale expansion, water stewardship and performance material innovation.

And, UK grocers warn Amazon soy rollback risks deforestation; scientists warn climate research locked behind language barrier; and, Vinted enters US market targeting unworn fashion clutter, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Recent policy signals now offer clearer direction, including a narrower scope, removal of the mandatory climate transition plan requirement, and a higher applicability threshold of around 5,000 employees and €1.5bn in annual turnover. While formal endorsement is pending, clarity is returning.

This allows attention to shift from regulatory interpretation back to action. This webinar explores the business case for holistic due diligence beyond compliance, showing how better data, improved visibility and coordinated approaches can reduce duplication, ease supplier fatigue, strengthen sourcing relationships and support long-term resilience.

This session explored:

• What are the real business risks of limited supply chain visibility, and how do these risks translate into financial, operational and reputational impact?
• How can evolving compliance expectations be framed in CFO-level terms that support investment decisions, prioritisation and long-term value creation?
• Which data actually matters in a simplified regulatory landscape, and how can companies ensure it reflects workers’ rights and on-the-ground risks without creating unnecessary reporting burden?
• How can brands and suppliers collaborate in shared supply chains to improve transparency, reduce duplication and enable effective, pre-competitive problem-solving?

Plus: greenhushing erodes trust as consumers hear less; Carrefour rolls out environmental scores for clothing; and, climate friendly beef claims face WRI reality check, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Sarah Whittaker, head of sustainability communications, Primark
• Ozlem Senturk, senior partner, global sustainable transformation practice, Kantar
• Katja Seidenschnur, global head of sustainability nutrition, Nestlé 
• Wendy Savage, senior director, social impact and transparency, Patagonia

Plus: Amazon soy moratorium at risk as more traders withdraw; EU carbon border levy sparks trade tensions worldwide; study warns climate mandates can backfire politically; and, the world produces more food per person than ever, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: recycled polyester under fire as UK bans fashion adverts; EU backs major rollback of corporate ESG obligations; and, Microsoft leads peers on nature positive data centres, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Hanna Halmari introduces the upcoming 2026 conference series, highlighting themes in food, apparel, tech, and energy transition, focusing on sustainability as a driver of resilience, innovation and long-term business value.

Host: Ian Welsh

Click here for information on how to get involved in Innovation Forum’s 2026 events.

• A look back at how the Sustainable Coffee Challenge has built momentum and trust across the sector, highlighting ‘green shoots’ of collaborative action 
• Forward-looking insights on what (more) is needed to truly address the dual crises of climate change and nature loss impacting coffee’s long-term resilience
• Discussion on tackling supply chain risks and unlocking innovative finance through landscape transition, supporting producers and meeting industry and government commitments, as we approach 2030
• A meeting point for stakeholders across the coffee value chain to connect on the next chapter of collaborative action

• Daniela Raik, interim CEO, Conservation International
• Laurent Sagarra, vice president, engagement, JDE Peet’s
• Michael Kobori, former chief sustainability officer for major food, beverage, and apparel brands (Starbucks, Levi Strauss & Co.) and board director, Bunge Global SA (keynote)
• Niels Haak, director, sustainable coffee partnerships, Conservation International
• Olivier Laboulle, global head of coffee sustainability and social impact, Louis Dreyfus Company
• Tessa Meulensteen, director global Markets, IDH 
• Ruchira Joshi, director global coffee and cocoa Sustainability, Starbucks
• Raina Lang, senior director, sustainable coffee, Conservation International
• Wenceslao Apan Salcedo, director of conservation and sustainability, FONCET

Plus: Intel retreats from climate goals amid mounting financial strain; US Plastics Pact sets limits on advanced recycling; Lawsuit claims Apple still linked to conflict minerals; and, AFi guidance outlines measurable pathways beyond 2025 deadline, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Carlsberg backs regenerative farming and urges unified metrics; new deals speed up West Balkans move to solar and storage; black friday’s record sales hide a growing waste crisis; and, recycling workforce overlooked despite critical role in supply chains, in the news digest.

Host: Diana Kim

We'll be continuing the discussion on scope 3 and climate action at the scope 3 innovation forum in Amsterdam on 16-17 June 2026. Join alongside senior representatives from the likes of Arla Foods, The HEINEKEN Company, SBTi, Cisco, Li & Fung, Made2Flow, the European Commission, Holcim, Kraft Heinz and Ørsted. Click here for information on how to get involved.

For more information on the Cargill and Solidaridad partnership in Columbia, click here.

Stay up-to-date on our podcasts by following us on PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

• Nikki Barber, head of corporate communications, ofi
• Hannah Rizo, director of sustainability communications, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
• Enda Buckley, head of sustainability, Carbery Group
• Sara Neame, sustainability communications lead, Givauda

• Sarah Whittaker, head of sustainability communications, Primark
• Ozlem Senturk, senior partner, global sustainable transformation practice, Kantar
• The session will be moderated by Tanya Richard, chief operating officer and head of stakeholder engagement & sustainability communications, Innovation Forum
• with more panellists to be announced

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne previews the key forces set to define the 2026 future of food conference, from resilience as a core business strategy to the convergence of personal and planetary health. She explains why farmer engagement remains a non-negotiable priority and how technology and product design are accelerating supply-chain decarbonisation.

Host: Ian Welsh

Join the conversation at the future of food and beverage forum, taking place in Amsterdam on 12-13 May. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: US shutdown threatens vital food assistance; UK supermarkets hit by new revelations of forced labour in global tuna supply chain; AI’s soaring energy demand fuels scramble for carbon-removal credits; and, COP30 ends with weak compromise as fossil-fuel roadmap blocked, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Innovation Forum's Anamya Anurag introduces the upcoming future of food and beverage forum, taking place in May 2026 in Minneapolis.

Host: Ian Welsh

Click here for information on how to get involved in the future of food and beverage forum USA.

Plus: clean-energy mineral boom strains justice; Tesco pushes unified farm data framework; and, US shutdown threatens vital food assistance, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

The 2026 sustainable packaging innovation forum series is now live, taking place in Amsterdam on 10-11 March 2026. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: cocoa shortages drive rise in chocolate alternatives; luxury brands unite to decarbonise Italian supply chains; Denmark plans world’s first circular fish farm; and, SBTi updates corporate net-zero standard draft, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

And at this week’s Critical Minerals Innovation Forum, Ian Welsh spoke with co-COO of mining sector group ICMM Aidan Davy.

Plus: Exxon accused of funding climate denial groups in South America; brands call for stronger plastic waste rules; £100bn wind power dividend in UK; and, the cost of cheap food.

This week: In Colombia, Cargill and Solidaridad are partnering to help smallholder palm oil growers build more sustainable and climate-resilient supply chains. Leticia Kawanami and Joel Brounen talk with Ian Welsh about how farmer-led action plans, shared investment, and collaborative data tools are driving measurable progress – and how these lessons can scale across Latin America.

Plus: at the Chicago packaging conference, Ian spoke with Jason Bergquist from RecycleMe about the rapid rise of Extended Producer Responsibility laws for packaging the US.

And, climate inaction driving global health crisis; no economic sector on track for 1.5°C; court rules TotalEnergies guilty of greenwashing; and, EU parliament rejects rollback of sustainability rules, in the news digest.

Host: Ellen Atiyah

For more information on the Cargill and Solidaridad partnership in Columbia, click here.

This week: Barry McGeough, group vice president of innovation and strategy at AmeriCo Group, talks with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell to discuss why applied innovation will be key to tackling fashion’s waste crisis. From biotech to AI, they discuss how lessons from other industries can help apparel move from talk to tangible action.

Plus: At the sustainable commodities and landscapes forum this week, Ian Welsh spoke with Luke Sussams at Jefferies about why the key to unlocking investment in natural capital may not be regulation or technology, but language.

And, EU tweaks EUDR rules amid controversy; EU carmakers unite to dodge emissions fines; PepsiCo expands regenerative farming across Europe; and, banks criticised for funding Amazon oil expansion, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Diana Kim

• How to position regen ag as a business advantage, not a cost burden
• Making the internal investment case to decision-makers
• Why regenerative agriculture is key to risk-proofing future UK and global supply chains
• Lessons from companies leading the way in climate-smart sourcing

• Erin Hermsen, sustainable business and program lead, Unilever
• Robert Gerlach, CEO and co-founder, Klim
• Emma Keller, head of sustainability UK and Ireland, Nestlé 
• Lissy Smit, global head of sustainability at Rabobank Wholesale and Rural, Rabobank

Stay up-to-date on our podcasts by following us on PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Plus: New Zealand scales back its methane reduction targets; Silicon Valley startup Lilac Solutions launches a $250m lithium extraction project in Utah; Spain delays its textile EPR scheme amid industry backlash; and Nestlé exits the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Click here to watch the webinar recording with Nestlé 

Join us in Chicago on October 28–29 for the Sustainable Packaging US conference

This week: Once dismissed as greenwashing, carbon markets are now being reframed as a vital part of corporate decarbonization strategies. David Antonioli, former CEO of Verra, explains how integrity standards, market transparency, and long-term thinking could help rebuild trust and ensure carbon credits drive real climate impact.

Plus: Innovation Forum's Hannah Oborne explains how companies are shifting from offsets to real value chain reductions, building trust through data standardisation, and investing in collaboration to turn ambition into measurable progress.

Host: Ian Welsh

We'll be continuing the conversation at the scope 3 innovation forum (Washington DC, 3-4 December 2025). Listen to the full episode to reveal an exclusive discount. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: EAT-Lancet warns food systems breaching limits; Net-Zero Banking Alliance disbands; UN plastics treaty chair resigns; and, TerraCycle urges UK action on reusable packaging, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

We’ll be launching our 2026 apparel conference series shortly. Click below to register your interest:

• Amsterdam (29-30 April 2026)
• New York City (3-4 June 2026)

Plus: from EUDR uncertainty and climate resilience to regenerative agroforestry and AI-enabled traceability, Innovation Forum’s Anamya Anurag shares how companies are moving beyond compliance toward real system change. She discusses how tools such as blockchain, remote sensing, and payments for ecosystem services are driving more transparent and resilient supply chains.

Host: Ian Welsh

We’ll be in Amsterdam later this month for the Sustainable Commodities and Landscapes Forum to continue the conversation. Listen to the episode for an exclusive discount. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: SBTi launches training to boost green skills; climate change displaces Bangladesh garment workers; Nespresso to launch regenerative certified coffee; and, why the Paris Agreement goals are slipping away, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation on sustainable packaging, we will be in Chicago on 28-29 October for the upcoming sustainable packaging innovation forum. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell unpacks the latest findings from Textile Exchange’s annual Materials Market Report. She highlights the drivers behind polyester growth and the emerging role of recycled fibres and regenerative practices.

And, another delay proposed for the EU deforestation regulation; Collective Fashion Justice highlights fashion’s methane footprint; and, report finds greenwashing fears undermine corporate sustainability, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Join the complimentary webinar ‘Food, fashion, and farmers: finding common ground on regenerative agriculture’ on Wednesday 15thOctober at 4pm CEST / 10am EDT. Hear from Canada Goose, McDonalds, Bowles Farming Company and the Almond Board of California. Click here to join.

• Whitney Johston, director of ocean sustainability, Salesforce
• Yihan Wang, strategy and climate impact, Terraformation
• Amy Schmid, global blue carbon project lead, Conservation International
• Ledama Masidza, founder and marine conservationist, KindWorld Project

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Emilia Colman highlights key emerging themes ahead of the Critical Minerals Innovation Forum in London this November from supply chain transparency and ESG pressures to shifting corporate strategies as demand accelerates.

Host: Ian Welsh

Click here for the recording of the recent streamlining standards webinar with ICMM and ZF Group, organised in the lead up to the Critical Minerals Innovation Forum on 5th-6th November. Join Anglo American, ICMM, Glencore, BHP, Vale Base Metals, Airbus, BASF, LG Energy Solutions, Ørsted, Standard Chartered Bank, and many more. Click here for more information on how to register, or contact emilia.colman@innovationforum.co.uk.

This week: Florent Bouguin, chief technology officer at Optel, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the top and bottom line benefits and opportunities of supply chain traceability, particularly in the context of a shifting regulatory landscape.

Plus: Mars, PepsiCo, and ADM unite to boost Polish regenerative farming; CEOs prioritise sustainability action as competitive edge; report finds European wild fish heavily contaminated with toxic PFAS; and, clean energy set to replace 75% of fossil fuel demand, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Innovation Forum's Lia Da Giau shares insights on the trends reshaping packaging, from regulatory deadlines and circular models to breakthrough material and infrastructure solutions.

Host: Ian Welsh

Join us on Wednesday 17 September at 4pm CEST / 10am EDT for a complimentary webinar on the potential for blue carbon in net-zero strategies. Hear from Salesforce, Terraformation and Conservation International. Click here to reserve your spot.

To continue the conversation on sustainable packaging, we will be in Chicago on 28-29 October for the upcoming sustainable packaging innovation forum. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: EU sets binding targets for food and textile waste; M&S commits to UK-sourced sustainable produce; nature loss risks cost industries trillions; and, the need for durable carbon removal, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation, SmartSolve Industries will be attending the upcoming sustainable packaging innovation forum in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne talks about the disconnect between corporate sustainability progress and public communication, including the rise in greenhushing, and internal alignment towards scope 3 integration in decision-making.

Host: Ian Welsh

We’ll be continuing the conversation at the scope 3 innovation forum USA (Washington DC, 3-4 December). Join the likes of Colgate-Palmolive, Ulta Beauty, Mondelēz International, KFC, Mars, Michelin, eBay, Danone, IKEA, Verra and many more. Click here for information on how to get involved.

This interview was recorded at the recent future of food and beverage forum in Minneapolis. We’ll be continuing the conversation on farmer collaboration and climate resilience at thesustainable commodities and landscapes forum in Amsterdam on 21-22 October. Join the likes of Henkel, Mars, Danone, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Diageo, Nestlé, HSBC, NatWest, Standard Chartered, Ferrero, Asahi and many more. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Anamya Anurag talks with Ian Welsh about the emerging challenges in soft commodities, from climate shocks to geopolitical disruptions. They explore latest corporate innovations in creating supply chains that are both adaptive and sustainable.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: UK supermarket Asda launches sustainable supply chain finance; WHO, WMO warn extreme heat threatens workers; and, Nestlé unveils full-pod cocoa processing innovation, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation and dive deeper, join us for the Sustainable Commodities and Landscapes Forum, taking place in Amsterdam on 21-22 October. This leading business conference brings together 250+ supply chain and sustainability professionals to address the greatest risks - and opportunities - in commodity supply chains. Industry leaders and experts will further explore these vital themes and drive nature-resilience throughout the entire supply chain. Click here for information on how to get involved.

This week: Beth Jensen, chief impact officer at Textile Exchange talks with Innovation Forum's Tanya Richard about key conversations and takeaways from the recent sustainable apparel and textiles conference in New York. They discuss nature-positive strategies and how brands can better align with farmers and growers.

Plus: global plastics treaty talks collapse again; fashion emissions rise despite brand progress; water insecurity flagged as a major financial risk; and, US makes moves to secure critical minerals, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Diana Kim

To register your interest for the 2026 sustainable apparel and textiles conference series:

• Amsterdam (April)
• New York City (June)

We’ll be continuing the conversation at the Scope 3 Innovation Forum USA, taking place in Washington DC on 3-4 December 2025. Join the likes of Ulta Beauty, Colgate-Palmolive, KFC, Mars, BIC, eBay, Volvo Group, IKEA, Verra, United Airlines and many more. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Host: Diana Kim

To continue the conversation and dive deeper, join us for the Critical Minerals Innovation Forum, taking place in London on 5th-6th November This two-day business conference connects the full critical mineral value chain from mining, processing and refining to automotive, electronics and renewables. Industry leaders and experts will further explore these vital themes and drive forward the transition to a low-carbon minerals sector. Click here for information on how to get involved.

And, French bottled water brands face “natural”| label controversy; UK supermarket chain partners with food waste apps for real-time discount alerts; and, researchers update open-source framework to spot greenwashing, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation, SmartSolve Industries will be attending the upcoming sustainable packaging innovation forum in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

And, Innovation Forum’s Lia Da Giau share latest updates in sustainable packaging, from the global plastics treaty to corporate innovation toward packaging circularity.

Host: Ian Welsh

We’ll be continuing the conversation at the sustainable packaging innovation forum, taking place in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

And, carbon markets expert and former CEO of Verra, David Antonioli reflects on the evolving role of the markets at the 2024 scope 3 innovation forum USA.

Plus: Barclays next bank to quit net-zero alliance; Barry Callebaut develops lab-grown cocoa; no safe level of processed meat, major study warns; and, global plastic crisis fuels major health risks, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Ian Welsh is joined by John O’Brien, managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP, to discuss how EUDR requirements can unlock new value. From building trust with consumers and de-risking supply chains to accessing new markets and premium pricing opportunities, they explore how aligning compliance efforts with broader sustainability goals can deliver competitive advantage.

Key themes include:

• Why EUDR is more than a regulatory requirement
• The role of traceability and reliable data in understanding supply chain resilience
• How nature-related risks are evolving, and why businesses should prepare now
• What companies at different stages of readiness should prioritize next

Whether you’re just getting started with EUDR or are looking to build on existing systems, this episode offers strategic insights for transforming compliance into impact.

And, Innovation Forum's Hannah Oborne discusses how companies are moving compliance to build supplier partnerships that integrate social and environmental goals alongside carbon reduction, featuring innovations such as IKEA’s investment in clean delivery fleets and Unilever’s climate and nature fund.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: A landmark UN ruling opens the door to legal accountability for climate damage; climate change drives food price spikes; Wales deposit return scheme faces industry pushback; and new research reveals gaps in US insurance sector climate risk disclosure, all in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation with TerraCycle, join the sustainable packaging innovation forum in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

And, Innovation Forum’s Anamya Anurag discusses some of the emerging themes and innovation from companies sourcing tropical forest commodities.

Plus: a snippet of a recent critical mineral mining webinar with Arend Van Der Goes, senior sustainability manager at metals mining group Eramet.

And, US corporates take charge in sustainability investments; UN warns of AI’s energy toll; UK retailer M&S tracks milk bottle recycling; and, Mars launches $250m fund for supply chain sustainability, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Click here for full recording of the critical mineral mining webinar with Arend. This webinar was hosted in the lead up to our inaugural critical minerals innovation forum. For information on how to get involved, click here.

And, in an extract from a recent webinar, Vale Metal’s Christian Spano outlines the differences between circularity and recycling.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Wales to join UK deposit return scheme; North Atlantic nano-plastics prevalence; fashion waste regulated; and, EUDR benchmarking system rejected, in this week’s news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

• The practical steps to prepare for compliance in a growing patchwork of EPR regulations
• How leading brands are reconciling local packaging and waste management compliance with global targets and supply chain consistency
• Innovation through compliance? How to determine where and when to invest in new packaging solutions that may, or may not, align with future EPR rules
• Examples of effective cross-industry collaboration that can help to bring clarity and alignment in response to packaging EPR

• Sarah Paleg, director of sustainability at Amcor
• Jordan Girling, head of extended producer responsibility at WRAP
• Alex Chan, US and Canada EPR expert in producer fees, eco modulation, program planning and operations.
• Tanya Richard, Innovation Forum's COO and head of stakeholder engagement, moderated the conversation.

Plus: younger shoppers push for greener packaging; Mondelēz International urges EUDR delay as rivals push back; China powers ahead on renewables as Europe hits key coal tipping point; and, dairy milk sees a revival as plant-based market cools, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Diana Kim

• See how companies like Reckitt are unlocking financial gains through decarbonisation 
• Learn more about the launch of CO2 AI Agents and what it means for Scope 3 emissions 
  
  

Plus: Amcor’s Jeremy Blake share reflections from the recent sustainable packaging innovation forum in Amsterdam about why the economics of packaging still favour the linear model. In conversation with Ian, they discuss what it will take to make circular packaging viable at scale

Host: Ian Welsh

Join the conversation at the sustainable packaging innovation forum USA in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: Nearly 200 organisations urge EU policymakers not to weaken sustainability rules; why rising temperatures could sharply reduce global crop yields; and the dismantling of the US Inflation Reduction Act, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh 

Plus: EU scraps greenwashing crackdown plans; H&M leads fossil-free fashion rankings again; CGF unveils common data framework for supply chains; and, climate change threatens gin’s signature flavour, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Click here to read how companies such as Reckitt are achieving measurable financial benefits from decarbonisation
• Click here to learn more about the launch of CO2 AI Agents

Plus: at the recent food conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota state director for the US Department of Agriculture Troy Daniel talks with Ian Welsh about the government's facilitative – not directive – role in supporting farmers and how partnerships can reconnect consumers with agriculture.

Host: Ian Welsh

• How to manage 2025 target dates and any remaining gaps towards meeting commitments
• How to convey clear and credible ambitions, milestones, and plans post-2025
• How to communicate performance and progress

• Hillary Fenrich, global manager: nature and water strategy, McDonald’s
• Jeff Milder, director, the AFi
• Róisín Mortimer, global sustainability and stakeholder engagement manager, COFCO International
  
  

Plus: some quick fire insights from the recent packaging innovation forum  in Amsterdam with Bayer’s head of packaging sustainability, Keiko Tago, talking with Ian about the complex realities of flexible packaging.

And, Nescafé achieves regen ag target; World Refill Day spotlights reuse gaps; and, France targets fast fashion with new law, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Join the conversation at the sustainable packaging innovation forum, taking place in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: Ulla Hueppe, vice president of sustainability at Henkel, talks with Ian at the recent scope 3 event in Amsterdam, about engaging suppliers on emissions reduction, creating transparency in supply chain data, and balancing the cost of change versus inaction. 

And: major food firms fall short on real emissions cuts, and consumers want sustainable fashion but high price hinders, in the news digest. 

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: at the scope 3 innovation forum this week, Ian talked with Kim Schoppink from the Science Based Targets initiative about the core challenges and emerging solutions around scope 3 emissions data.

And: EU nations push to ease EUDR rules, while EU companies resist to dilute CSRD; deposit schemes slash litter as Pepsi pull reuse target; and, beanless blends brew up a buzz, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Diana Kim

This interview was recorded in May 2025.

We’ll be continuing the conversation at the sustainable packaging innovation forum in Chicago on 28-29 October. Join alongside the likes of Amcor, Kraft Heinz, Amazon, TerraCycle, Estée Lauder, Ameripen, Lush and many more. Click here for information on how to get involved. 

Plus: Bertrand Conquéret, chief procurement officer at Henkel talks with Ian Welsh about how Henkel is leveraging procurement to lead cross-functional change and embed sustainability in product development. They highlight how to build supplier partnerships, particularly through coalitions such as Together for Sustainability — a now 50+ company coalition driving transparency and carbon data sharing across the chemical industry.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: at the Future of Food and Beverage conference this week, Ian talks with farmers Jocelyn Schlichting and Carla Schultz about the need for deeper partnerships between growers and food manufacturers. They explore risks in regenerative agriculture, the importance of regional nuance and how marketing decisions shape practices on the ground.

And, major brands may be exiting the US Plastics Pact; EU nears 2030 climate goal, doubts remain; Italian fashion brands act on labour abuse; and, AI mineral demand threatens South American ecosystems, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Diana Kim

To continue the conversation, join the sustainable apparel and textiles conference, taking place in New York City on 24-25 June. Click here for information on how to get involved.

• The key hurdles businesses face in achieving sustainability compliance
• Strategies for moving from outdated, manual processes to more scalable, data-driven solutions
• An overview of Geospatial AI and how it is changing the landscape of supply chain transparency and monitoring
• The role of geospatial monitoring in identifying high-risk landscapes and improving compliance
• The future of AI in sustainability: opportunities, concerns and limitations

• Alicia Sullivan, product manager – Earth Engine sustainability solutions, Google
• Pierrick Poulenas, CEO and Co-founder, Picterra
• Andrew Wilcox, associate director for sustainability – procurement strategy & insights, Unilever

• Urishani Govender, chief sustainability officer, Harmony Gold Mining Company
• Arend Van Der Goes, senior sustainability manager, Eramet
• Reza Rahmaditio, critical minerals project lead, WRI Indonesia
• Moderator: Ian Welsh, publishing director, Innovation Forum

Plus: gen Z and millennials demand purpose and sustainability; dairy giants lag on methane action; and, Hyundai Motor Group expands mineral tracing amid scrutiny, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Julie and Michelle will be at the future of food and beverage forum next week in Minneapolis (28-29 May). To continue the conversation, you can find full details on how to get involved.

Plus: Dries Van Aerde from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners talks with Ian at the recent Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum about how the company is navigating complex investment decisions, scaling refill and reuse models and responding to shifting regulatory and consumer expectations.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Anna-Karin Dahlberg, chief sustainability officer at Swedish fashion brand Lindex, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about how the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is transforming the way businesses conduct reporting. 

And, indigenous rights ignored amid logging; only four nations deemed high-risk for EUDR; online marketplace Vinted tops French fashion sales; and, plastic recycling claims alleged to mislead consumers, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation, USFRA will be at the future of food and beverage forum in Minneapolis on 28-29 May. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: Pierrick Poulenas, CEO of Picterra talks with Ellen Atiyah about how geospatial AI helps verify sustainability claims. Ahead of a complimentary webinar on 20th May, they discuss how to turn remote sensing into real supply chain insight.

Host: Ian Welsh

Join the conversation at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference USA in New York City on 24-25 June. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Join our complimentary webinars:

• Click here to join the webinar on geospatial AI with Picterra on 20th May.
• Click here to join a webinar on critical minerals decarbonisation on 15th May.

Plus: pushback against US rollback of climate-focused policy; new BNP Paribas fund for indigenous people-led forest conservation projects with Everland; Coca-Cola and Lavazza UK respond to greenwashing claims; and, circular fashion continues to grow in Europe, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: UK food sector urged to adopt AI; US secures Ukraine minerals access deal; B Corp overhauls standards to fight greenwashing; and, Brazil launches indigenous climate leadership circle, in the new digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: reflections from last year's apparel conference with Amy Nguyen from Sustainable & Social and Christine Goulay from Sustainabelle. In conversation with Ian, they share their key takeaways, such as the evolution of circular business models, scope 3 challenges, and the growing importance of better data and regulation.

Plus: Apple slashes emissions and boosts recycling; EU deforestation law sparks enforcement fears; new Suntory water spinoff to tackle groundwater loss; and, the Guardian gives silent climate majority a voice, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation, USFRA will be at the future of food and beverage forum in Minneapolis on 28-29 May. Click here for information on how to get involved.

To continue the conversation, Sebastian will be at the sustainable packaging innovation forum (Amsterdam, 6-7 May). Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: vegetable oil prices surge amid instability; rare earths weaponised in US-China trade war; global shipping strikes weak emissions deal; and, leaked PR campaign sparked diet backlash, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Thomas Gent, regenerative farmer, Gentle Farming
• Reineke Van Riemsdijk, sustainability lead and technical quality manager, Nespresso
• Claire Petit, climate lead for pet nutrition Europe, Mars
• Simon Haldrup, co.founder and CEO, Agreena

Plus: insights from Arohi Sharma at the Natural Resources Defence Council. In conversation with Ian at the Future of Food and Beverage USA forum in 2024, she talks about the critical need for agricultural policy reform to address climate change and promote sustainable farming practices in the US.

To learn more about food innovations, join us at the future of food and beverage forum USA (Minneapolis, 28-29 May) . Click here.

Plus: why tariffs may hinder Brazil's climate finance efforts; UK food execs warn of looming crisis; expert warns against blanket bans on all PFAS; and, new EU and UK packaging laws shift recycling costs to producers, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: insights from the 2024 food forum with Dorothy Shaver at Unilever. In conservation with Ian Welsh, they talk about the importance of innovative product development, regenerative agriculture practices, and supporting farmers for long-term food security.

Host: Diana Kim

Plus: UK faces surge in plastic bag waste; historic drought threatens global food security; US farmers suffer $20 billion in losses; US funding cuts threaten global conservation efforts; and, Dutch NGO sues ING over climate inaction, in the news digest.

Host: Ellen Atiyah

Plus: Dieuwertje Nelissen, chief program officer at Enviu, talks with Lia about the Mission Reuse Coalition’s efforts to transition from a disposable economy to a circular one, emphasising the importance of reusable and refillable packaging solutions. They highlight latest progress, including new legislation and successful pilot projects, plus factors needed for broader adoption.

Host: Ian Welsh

Hear from:

• 00:59 – Duncan Warner, senior responsible sourcing and human rights manager, ASDA
• 05:22 – Lise Smit, business and human rights adviser, Norton Rose Fulbright
• 12:46 – Andrey Sawchenko, regional vice president forced labor programs, Asia Pacific, International Justice Mission
• 17:21 – James Sinclair, director of human rights, Verisk Maplecroft

• Anna Fleming, consulting project manager, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• Caroline Avan, head of just transition and natural resources, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
• Jonathan Horrell, group head of sustainability, The Weir Group

To continue the conversation, secure your place at the inaugural critical minerals innovation forum (London, 5-6 November). Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: companies drop “ESG” term but sustain green efforts; US farmers struggle as USDA funding freeze hits; companies raise climate targets but struggle with scope 3; and, nutri-score gains support despite EU rejection, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: at the 2024 apparel conference, CottonConnect’s Alison Ward and Ian explored how to deliver climate resilience in cotton farming. They discussed sustainable practices, the role of technology, local adaptation, and government influence in shaping a more resilient and regenerative cotton supply chain.

Host: Ian Welsh

Alison, Niamh and Ian will be at this year’s sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam on 29-30 April. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: at the responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum in London this week, Lise Smit from Norton Rose Fulbright talks with Ian Welsh about the EU’s evolving regulatory landscape. They discuss the omnibus regulation proposal and its implications for corporate due diligence and supply chain responsibilities.

Host: Ian Welsh

And, another chance to hear Peter McAllister, Ethical Trade Initiative, and Sam Ludlow-Taylor from John Lewis Partnership reflecting on key discussions at the 2024 conference. In conversation with Ian Welsh, among the topics they explore include the effectiveness of social audits in manufacturing versus agriculture, highlighting the unique challenges each sector faces.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Brazil's highway sparks outrage before COP30; Ghana's cocoa crisis fuels illegal gold mining; rising biodiesel demand threatens palm oil supply; and, California revises plastic rules amid cost concerns, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Continue the conversation with Willemijn at the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum in Amsterdam (6-7 May) to explore practical solutions and innovations in sustainable packaging. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus, Ian discusses Scope 3 supply chains emissions with Natasha Bodnar. Key challenges include financing decarbonization and improving emissions data transparency. Initiatives such as green supply chain financing and AI-driven lifecycle assessments are emerging to help companies tackle these challenges.

For more insights on Scope 3 and supply chain decarbonization, join Innovation Forum’s Scope 3 Innovation Forum in Amsterdam on June 3-4.

Host: Ian Welsh

To read the report mentioned in this episode, click here: https://tranfin.com/home/resources 

Stay up-to-date on our podcasts by following us on PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Plus: major migrant worker abuse issues in food supply chains; the European Commission goes cold on nutri-score food labelling; EU omnibus regulation; successful reusable cup trial in California; and, how greenhushing is going mainstream, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Sajeev Mohankimar will be at the Future of Food and Beverage USA in Minneapolis on 28-29 May. To continue the conversation, secure your spot here.

To discover further analysis from the FAIRR initiative, view the full report here.

Plus: Agreena’s CEO and co-founder Simon Haldrup talks with Ellen Atiyah about how technology is revolutionising approaches to climate-smart agriculture and the importance of verified data.

And, a preview of the recording of Innovation Forum’s recent next-gen packaging materials webinar. Hear from ex-Just Eat Takeaway.com Robin Clark, talking about how their partnership with Notpla has developed.

Host: Ian Welsh

To join the conversation on the latest food innovations and partnership, secure your place at the future of food and beverage forum in Amsterdam on 13-14 May. Click here for full registration details.

Click here to join a complimentary webinar with Agreena, discussing how technology can power data-driven sustainability in food systems. Register here.

Plus: Kresse Wesling from Elvis and Kresse speaking at the 2024 sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam about upcycling and driving sustainability in fashion, and the urgent need for better industry practices and regulation.

And, the EU sets new food and textile waste targets; the US nears mineral deal with Ukraine; the European Commission shifts agri-food policy away from strict environmental goals; UN biodiversity talks kick off in Rome; and climate change worsens bird flu outbreaks, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

• Carmen Gama, director of circularity, Eileen Fisher
• Dr Hakan Karaosman, associate professor at Cardiff University and co-founder of FReSCH
• Paul Kerssens, COO and co-founder, United Repair Centre

Plus: a preview of the recording of Innovation Forum’s recent apparel sector circularity webinar. Hear from Carmen Gama at Eileen Fisher, talking about the brand’s take back programme. 

Host: Ian Welsh

To join the conversation on the latest textile innovations and partnership, secure your place at thesustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam on 29-30 April. Click here for full registration details.

Click here to join a complimentary webinar tomorrow, discussing the future of alternative packaging materials in driving circularity. Hear from Notpla, Mondi Group, traceless and ex-Just Eat Takeaway.com. Register here.

• Angela Jorns, head of impact innovation, Fairphone
• Shahila Perumalpillai, human rights principal, Anglo American
• James Nicholson, head of corporate responsibility, Trafigura
• Haajarah Ahmed, manager, International Council Mining and Metal

Plus: more food price volatility in 2025; Brazil opposes UN shipping levy on cost; global south urges EU to uphold corporate due diligence law while France considers rollback; Indonesia rethinks Paris Agreement commitment, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: a short preview of a interview coming up in the Innovation Forum podcast with palm oil company Musim Mas, social business Livelihood Ventures and impact NGO SNV, discussing regenerative agriculture in Indonesia. Hear from SNV’s Rizki Pandu Parma talk about how farmers are being empowered by region ag projects.

Host: Ian Welsh

Click here for more information on upcoming complimentary webinars.

To learn more about food innovations, join us at the future of food and beverage forum USA (Minneapolis, 28-29 May) . Click here.

Plus: more calls for delay in EU sustainability regulations; soy sector companies back threatened soy moratorium; why renewable energy's rise is unstoppable; and, EUDR  may threaten Scandinavian forestry, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: an interview preview with Andrew Wallis, CEO of UK anti-modern slavery charity Unseen, on the key drivers for corporate action on human rights.

Host: Ian Welsh

To learn more about innovative responsible sourcing initiatives, join La Isla Network, Sainsbury’s, Fairtrade and many more at the responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum (London, 19-20 March). Click here.

Click here for more information on upcoming complimentary webinars.

Plus: EUDR tightens paper packaging rules; the EU's omnibus regulation raises supply chain risk concerns; and, microplastics found in 99% of seafood, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

To continue the conversation on packaging solutions, join us in Amsterdam at the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum on 6-7 May. Click here for more information.

Click here for more information on upcoming complimentary webinars.

And  Lia Da Giau and Ian take about innovation in sustainable packaging. They highlight examples of material innovation and post-consumer waste management.

Host: Ian Welsh

For information on how to get involved at the sustainable packaging innovation forum in May in Amsterdam, click here.

Click here for more information on upcoming complimentary webinars.

Plus: World Economic Forum demand urgent cooperation with global risks; UK's deposit return scheme excluding glass sparks debate; South Korea cuts biomass subsidies; and, Bloomberg steps in to cover US Paris climate funding, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

This interview was originally released in two parts in Innovation Forum’s weekly podcast. 

Plus: Hannah Oborne and Ian Welsh talk about latest exciting innovations in the food sector, such as dairy alternatives and recyclable food packaging.

And, continuing the conversation on supply chain decarbonisation, Ian is joined by Natasha Bodnar to highlight emerging themes in 2025. They discuss the importance of industry alignment and partnership for net zero success, and ongoing issues of data and reporting fatigue.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: the US bans some Chinese apparel imports over alleged forced labour in Xinjiang; JBS aspires, not commits, to net-zero by 2040; carbon credits initiative aims to raise $1.5bn to protect the Amazon; the US EPA warns that PFAS in biosolid fertilisers may pose health risks; US withdraw from the Paris Agreement, again, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Please note: this interview was conducted in late December.

Plus: some insights from the 2024 apparel conference from Aldi Sud’s Hasan Uz Zaman, who discusses the company's approach to addressing human rights risks within a global supply chain. He highlights Aldi Sud's commitment to consumer accountability and ethical sourcing, through social auditing and transparency.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: alleged child labour in cotton sourced by major apparel brands, such as Adidas and H&M; Danish biologists reveal the effective use of ants in combating climate-change-induced crop diseases; nearly 90% of Norwegian new car sales now fully electric vehicles; 2024 was the hottest year ever; and, BBC investigation reveals inhumane working conditions in Shein factories in China, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Join Tom Szaky and other packaging innovators at the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum in Amsterdam on 6th-7th May. Full details here. https://www.innovationforum.co.uk/conferences/sustainable-packaging-eu

Plus: Kansas farmer Dwane Roth speaking at the 2024 future of food and beverage  forum in Minneapolis. He covers the farming challenges on-the-ground and the importance of farmer inclusion in improving agri-food systems, and highlights innovative solutions and collaborate water management efforts to sustain farming for future generations.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Wayne Jordash, managing partner at Global Rights Compliance, talks about the challenges for business in changing regulatory climates. In conversation with Ian, they discuss the importance of getting risk assessments right (listen from 01:17).

And, Brazil halts Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD’s factory construction due to labour law violations; UK Business and Trade Select Committee question big brands such as McDonald’s and Shein on their labour rights policies and sourcing practices; UK generated its cleanest electricity ever in 2024, with renewable energy supporting 45% of the country's electricity; and, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil expands its certification scope through a jurisdictional approach, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah (listen from 16:29).

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: a preview of Ian’s conversation with Wayne Jordash, managing partner at Global Rights Compliance. They discuss how companies face challenges in demonstrating compliance with human rights legislation, requiring comprehensive and adaptable risk assessments to meet regulatory demands. The full interview will be in the Innovation Forum podcast on 10th January.

• Heleen Van Den Hombergh, senior policy advisor at IUCN NL, coordinator at Collaborative Soy Initiative 
• Michelle Desilets, executive director, Orangutan Land Trust
• Mansuetus Darto, founder and national board, Indonesia's Palm Oil Smallholder Union (SPKS)
• Ruben Brunsveld, deputy director EMEA, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
• Susanne Fromwald, board member of The Collaborative Soy Initiative, general secretary of Donau Soja  
• Wei Peng, global head of sustainability - grains & oilseeds, Louis Dreyfus Company
• Will Schreiber, representative of the Retail Soy Group, director of 3Keel

This week, Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne and Ian Welsh reflect on some of the conversation in Washington DC a at the recent Scope 3 Innovation Forum. And, speaking at the conference, Altruistiq CEO Saif Hameed shares some thoughts on what makes for good supply chain engagement and procurement practices.

Plus: details about the next in the Scope 3 Innovation Forum series, coming up in Amsterdam on 3rd and 4th May 2025.

This webinar examined the effects of the newly-proposed December 2025 and June 2026 deadlines, how the delay will affect cocoa and coffee supply chains and the potential win-win outcomes for people, profit and planet. This session focused specifically on the impact of EUDR on coffee and cocoa supply chains, putting these sectors under the spotlight.

Panellists included: 

• Antonie Fountain, managing Director and co-founder VOICE Network
• Josephine Ndikwe, founding chairperson, Association of Women in Coffee
• Julia Christian, forests and agriculture campaigner, Fern
• Miguel Gamboa, coffee sector lead, Rainforest Alliance
• Olivier Laboulle, global head of sustainability for coffee, Louis Dreyfus Co
• Pomasi Ismail, council chairman, Cocoa Abrabopa Association (farmer representative)
• Raina Lang, senior director sustainable coffee, Conservation International

The conversation was moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director, Innovation Forum. 

• Jodie Roussell, global public affairs lead – packaging & sustainability, Nestlé
• Richard Wielechowski, lead analyst on petrochemicals and plastics, Planet Tracker

Plus: Ian talks with Imogen Fanning from the Zoological Society of London about the latest SPOTT research into the palm oil sector, and in particular the challenges in supporting smallholders and addressing deforestation and biodiversity loss. 

And, Mars promotes regenerative agriculture to meet sustainability goals with global partnerships; the European Union proposes reforms to strengthen farmers' rights, fairness and sustainability in agriculture; Microsoft introduces waterless cooling system, aiming for water-positive operations by 2030; and, the Philippines and Bangladesh urge court to declare climate harm a violation of international law, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: reflections from the recent US packaging forum with Cheryl Baldwin from Pure Strategies. In conversation with Ian Welsh, she talks about the role of R&D in sustainable packaging development.

Plus: quick fire insights from Kevin Rabinovitch at Mars recorded at the scope 3 innovation forum in Washington DC. In conversation with Ian Welsh, he discusses embedding climate goals into strategies and how to balance ambitious climate targets with actionable strategies.

And, the European Union Deforestation Regulation delay continues to spark mixed reactions; Christmas shopping consumption habits shift towards pre-loved items in the UK; the fifth round of negotiations for the global plastics treaty ends without agreement; and, Italy mandates climate risk insurance for companies starting 2025, in the news digest.

Host: Ellen Atiyah

Please note: this interview was recorded before the European Union Deforestation Regulation was officially postponed. 

Plus: hear Alison Ward and Ian Welsh speaking from 2024's sustainable apparel and textiles conference about driving climate resilience in cotton supply chains. They discuss adaptation needed on-the-ground to catalyse this transformation and the importance of a localised approach in delivering each project.

And, Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne shares final updates and what to expect at this week’s scope 3 innovation forum in Washington D.C. She shares agenda highlights and greater networking opportunities across the two days at this year's conference.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: discussions of cutting plastic production at INC-5 for the global plastics treaty; collaboration between fashion rental service and food delivery company to deliver clothing to customers; the European Council adopts a ban on forced labour-linked products; and, the European Commission shares plans to streamline ESG regulation, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: speaking following attendance at COP29, Owen Bethell from Nestlé, gives final reflections on the discussions at the meetings. In conversation with Ian Welsh, he highlights disappointment over the climate finance agreement, while acknowledging the importance of maintaining multilateral discussions.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: the European Council pushes back on the “no-risk” amendment to the European Union Deforestation Regulation; US apparently backtracking on limiting plastic production as the INC-5 global treaty talks in Busan loom; the Welsh government to not take part in the UK’s deposit return scheme; and, a concerns raised at the number of industrial agriculture lobbyists present at COP29, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Dr Julian Oram, policy director, Mighty Earth
• Anastasiya Timoshyna, director of the European programme office, TRAFFIC
• Issifu Issaka, cocoa farmer, national president of the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Association
• Niels Wielaard, founder and CEO, Satelligence
  
  

Plus: speaking from COP29, Owen Bethell, global public affairs lead for environment at Nestlé, gives some on-the-ground reflections. In conversation with Ian, he discusses the limited progress in the first week but also highlights key breakthroughs such as carbon market agreements and optimism surrounding the broader economic transition toward decarbonisation.

Plus: Innovation Forum has just launched the 2025 Future of Food and Beverage USA conference, coming up in May in Minneapolis. At the 2024 event Ian Welsh spoke with Dwane Roth, a fourth generation farmer from western Kansas about the challenges of water stewardship amid climate change.

And, COP29 opens in Baku amid controversial statements; Nestlé highlights "fourth wave" of coffee trends; two-thirds of smaller businesses risk falling behind CSRD, according to EcoOnline; and, delay on the European Union Deforestation Regulation implementation confirmed, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

And, speaking at the 2024 conference, KFC’s Nivera Wallanni, chief development officer, and Nira Johri, chief sustainability officer, talk with Ian about how the brand has developed sustainability strategy in lock-step with other business development strategy.

Plus: quick fire insights from Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Elvis and Kresse, at the 2024 sustainable apparel and textiles conference. She discusses what good sustainability practices look like and how companies can respond to incoming regulation.

And, biodiversity COP16 fails to resolve conservation funding, targets unmet; study suggests natural regeneration outperforms tree planting for biodiversity; and, Swiss consumers favour paying extra for dairy with better animal welfare, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Registrations for the 2025 sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam is now open. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: insights from the previous conference with Christine Goulay and Amy Nguyen about latest industry trends and the importance of circularity and transparency in the supply chain.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: at the sustainable packaging innovation forum in Philadelphia this week, Ian spoke with David Clark, chief sustainability officer at packaging manufacturer Amcor, about how industry and regulatory actions can transform packaging to reduce waste and foster environmental responsibility.

And, Oxfam urges taxes on wealthy to reduce carbon emissions; WRAP and Primark launch initiative to boost textile circularity and reduce waste; Kering, GSK and Holcim set first-ever science-based targets for freshwater and land conservation; and, Mighty Earth links UK chicken supply chains to South American deforestation concerns, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Click here for more information on Orbitas’ climate transitions research.

Plus: Ian Welsh also speaks with Innovation Forum's Hanna Halmari about what to expect at this week's sustainable packaging innovation forum in Philadelphia (29-30 October). Click here for information on how to get involved, registrations are closing soon.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Martin Huxtable, global sustainable sourcing director, Unilever.
• Emily Kunen, senior director, positive agriculture capabilities & forest risk, PepsiCo.
• Michal Zrust, founder and CEO, Lestari Capital.
• Andika Putraditama, director, Rimba Collective.

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Tanya Richard share some reflections from this week’s sustainable commodities and land use forum in Amsterdam. They discuss the challenges and potential benefits from a delay in EUDR’s full implementation, and the importance of aligning value chain sustainability efforts with biodiversity and long-term incentives.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Dina Esposito, the assistant to the administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security
• Imam Suharto, head of cocoa sustainability Indonesia, PT. Olam Indonesia
• Jean Luc Ramahavelo, monitoring and evaluation officer, Ocean Farmers
• Elizabeth Daut, natural resources specialist, USAID.

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Emily Heslop discusses with Ian what to expect at this week’s sustainable commodities and land use forum in Amsterdam. Registrations is still possible, click here for details.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Starbucks acquires more innovation farms to develop climate-resistant coffee; glass bottles will be excluded from the England's deposit return scheme; 225 NGOs urge the European parliament to reject the EUDR delay proposal; and, why natural carbon sinks are no longer effective, in the news digest, with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

And, Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Hannah Oborne introduce the future of food and beverage forum, returning to Amsterdam on 13th and 14th May 2025. They discuss some of the new agenda points and confirmed speakers so far. Click here for information about how to get involved.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: supermarkets' recycling schemes fail to deal with soft plastics; UK pledges £21.7bn for carbon capture initiatives; climate change impacts water availability and agriculture globally; and, EUDR enforcement delay remains likely, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: ahead of the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum USA in Philadelphia on 29th and 30th October, another chance to hear Ian Welsh talking about prospects for a Global Plastics Pact with Llorenç Milà i Canals, head of secretariat of the Life Cycle Initiative at the UN Environment Programme at the 2023 conference in Amsterdam.

Plus, updates on the potential delay of the EUDR,  criticism of the Common Agricultural Policy, and ASDA’s expanding partnership with Too Good To Go to combat food waste, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Stay up-to-date on our podcasts by following us on PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Plus: some reflections from last year’s sustainable commodities forum, CEO of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm oil, Joseph D’Cruz, shares with Ian on the impact of EUDR for the palm oil sector and the persistent importance of certifications to respond to the rigorous regulatory requirements.

Host: Ian Welsh

There’s still time to join us at the sustainable commodities and land use forum (Amsterdam, 22-23 October). Click here for information on how to get involved.

Plus: packaging waste expert John Kotlarczyk, formerly of Walgreen Boots Alliance, shares sustainable packaging trends on the rise as business prioritise sustainability. He also shares persistent challenges with material trade-offs such as paperisation and carbon emissions.

And, California sues Exxon Mobil for misleading practices on plastic recycling; California bans all plastic shopping bags, closing previous loopholes; and, South America’s forest fires surge, driven by drought and illegal deforestation, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: some reflections from last year’s packaging conference in Amsterdam, when Daniel Katz from the Overbook Foundation talked with Ian about the reality of deposit return schemes and how to align incentives across stakeholders.

Plus: delay or no delay tug-of-war continues for EUDR in the EU and beyond; and, over 500 financial institutes calls governments to strengthen climate and nature policies ahead of COP29, in the news digest by Innovation Forum’s Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Belinda Borck, global public policy coordinator, Tony’s Open Chain
• Pallavi Sharma, agricultural commodities sector lead, Global Rights Compliance
• Felipe Carazao, head of public sector engagement & alliance management, Tropical Forest Alliance

Plus: insights from Golden Agri-Resources’ chief sustainability and communications officer Anita Neville, speaking with Ian at last year’s forum. She discusses what the implementation of EU deforestation regulation could look like at the end of 2024 and consequences business should be looking out and prepare for. 

Plus: most companies fall short on climate targets, according to the Transition Pathway Initiative; two in five UK companies now prioritising net zero transition; investors urged to protect biodiversity-rich areas; and, Verra reinstates Cambodian REDD+ project after human rights review, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: insights from Henkel’s chief procurement officer, Bertrand Conqueret at the scope 3 innovation forum in Amsterdam earlier in 2024. He discusses how procurement's leadership in sustainability requires collaboration, data transparency, and an integrated all-systems approach.

Join the adaptation to regulation webinar on Thursday 12th September with Tony's Open Chain, Global Rights Compliance and Tropical Forest Alliance.

Plus: NGOs challenge EU climate targets in court; Capri Sun criticised for opposing plastic straw ban; push for consensus as plastics treaty deadline nears; Nestlé unveils recyclable packaging for Nescafé and Vital Proteins; and, eBay hosts runway show for pre-loved fashion, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Ikea trials second-hand online marketplace; India's sugar industry faces scrutiny; major Japanese bank under fire for loans linked to deforestation; and, World Water Week draws to a close, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: US shifts to support plastic production limits in global treaty; UK supermarket Tesco's F&F clothing introduces digital passports for supply chain transparency; AI causing a surge in water use in Virginia; and, UK sets base fees for extended producer responsibility for packaging, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: cocoa giants including Mars Wrigley, Ferrero and Tony’s Chocoloney back EUDR amid calls for delay; Nestlé's cocoa plan expands to Ghana to boost yield and farmer incomes; Adidas, PVH, Zalando join Fashion for Good’s circular footwear initiative; and, global wind targets fall short of tripling goal, according to an environmental group Ember, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh 

IDH will be at the upcoming sustainable commodities and land use forum in Amsterdam (22nd-23rdOctober). If you’d like to continue the conversation, click here for more information on how to get involved.

Plus: a recap of last year’s sustainable commodities and land use forum, when Ian Welsh spoke with some expert participants about the how businesses are reacting to the incoming EU deforestation regulation. Hear from Anita Neville from Golden Agri-Resources and Musim Mas’ Olivier Tichit.

Plus: apparel brands and retailers lagging on emissions targets says Fashion Revolution; palm oil is commodity most ready for EUDR; and, UK pledges DRS scheme for PET bottles, steel and aluminium cans, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: UK beaches are getting cleaner, major airline scraps its 2030 SBTi target, Walmart's innovative food waste  solution and First Solar's breakthrough in technology, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah. 

Plus: a recap of last year's scope 3 innovation forum, when Ian Welsh spoke with some expert participants about progress on the finance sector's climate and nature disclosure requirements and what good data tools look like. Hear from Rabobank's Terryn Lawrence and Saif Hameed from Altruistiq.

Plus: PepsiCo and Yara partner to decarbonise European crop production; Paris Olympics 2024 to halve carbon footprint; Valencia dairy farm gets Europe's first B Corp; and, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Starbucks test reusable cups in California, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus, hear the latest updates on upcoming events: Sustainable Commodities and Land Use in Amsterdam (23-24 October), Sustainable Packaging in Philadelphia (29-30 October), and Scope 3 Innovation in Washington DC (3-4 December).

Plus: UK supermarket chain Asda to discontinue in-store refill stations; Kraft Heinz brands switch to 100% recycled plastic; EUDR could cost consumers $1.5bn says GlobalData research; and, the Science Based Targets Network updates resources, in the news digest, compiled by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Major companies are revising their ambitious 2025 packaging sustainability goals amid industry challenges; why climate change and EU regulations are driving up coffee prices; the UK government's new clean energy initiative; and Mighty Earth accuses  Spain's main supermarket chains of not doing enough to fight deforestation, in the news digest by Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah. 

Plus: Innovation Forum's Hanna Halmari shares a preview of the upcoming autumn conference season, featuring forums on sustainable commodities and land use, sustainable packaging, and Scope 3.

Plus: TNFD sees 30% rise in nature impact disclosures; study shows plastic bottles emit harmful volatile organic compounds when exposed to sunlight; industry resists plastic production cap, pushes for recycling focus; and, number of companies setting science-based targets doubled in 2023, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Plus: Innovation Forum’s Emily Heslop shares launch details about the upcoming sustainable commodities and land use forum, taking place in Amsterdam on 22-23 October. Click here to register at early-bird pricing.

Plus: Better Cotton in the spotlight again over sustainability claims; people's climate vote supports stronger climate action and support for global south; UK retail chain John Lewis launches a 20-piece circular economy home and fashion collection; ISSB shares guidelines to align sustainability reporting; UK delivery company Evri increasing its electric vehicle fleet as part of a £19m investment; and, Denmark to introduce the world's first carbon tax on agriculture, in the news digest by Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

• How technology and data can support farmers to deliver efficiency gains, emissions reductions, and carbon sequestration.
• How effective Measurement, Reporting, and Verification can ensure compliance and progress for food value chain actors.
• How Bayer's digital solutions can empower carbon farming and effective data sharing throughout the value chain.

• Valeria Forlin, policy officer, European Commission (DG CLIMA)
• Juan Palomares, managing director EU, Trinity AgTech
• Kiera Holland, EMEA digital solutions science manager, Bayer Crop Science 
• Lionnel Alexandre, head of carbon science EMEA, Bayer Crop Science 

Plus: Innovation Forum's Hannah Oborne announces the scope 3 innovation forum USA, returning to Washington DC on 3rd-4th December this year.  Click here for more information.

And, Catie Ball shares the latest updates ahead of the sustainable apparel and textiles conference USA this week. CottonConnect will be continuing the conversation in New York, click here for registration details.

• The imperative to drive positive change across the food system, to enable prosperous farmers, thriving communities, climate action and a regenerated living world  
• The role of data and digital tools in generating actionable insight to inform more efficient interventions for real and measurable impact
• The intensive technical process involved in aligning definitions, methodologies and metrics to create an integrated, ambitious strategy at scale

• Roel van Poppel, chief sustainability officer, ofi
• Christopher Stewart, global head, sustainability impact, ofi
• Burcu Turkay, global head of sustainability for nuts, ofi 
• Alastair Child, chief sustainability officer, Mars Wrigley
• Stephanie Daniels, senior program director, Sustainable Food Lab
• Jeffery P. Cohen, mission director Indonesia, USAID

Plus: Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah the discusses the Nature Restoration Law, why EV sales growth has slowed in the US and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest report on the importance of producer responsibility policies (EPR) to achieve a circular economy for textiles.

• What does regenerative transformation entail for growers? 
• What are the biggest obstacles for scale according to farmers?
• How can farmers and companies best collaborate to de-risk and scale regenerative practices?  
• How can the food and agriculture industry maximize the impact of regenerative practices?  

• Michael Shoemaker, CEO, Vayda  
• Gregory Bohrer, Director, Natural Capital, Walmart 
• Jon Griffel, Illinois-based farmer 
• Bill Parks, Mississippi-based farmer 

The webinar was moderated by Tanya Richard, COO and Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Innovation Forum

You can find more information about Vayda via their website or LinkedIn. 

Plus: Bayer Crop Science's EMEA digital solutions science manager, Kiera Holland, talks with Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah about the next webinar in the 'Beneath the surface' series, which will focus on carbon farming and farm-level resilience. Click here to join us live on June 20th at 3 PM CEST.

And, hear what ofi and partners plan to do in delivering prosperous farming communities, climate action, and a regenerated world on June 18th at 2 PM CEST. To join us live, you can click here.

Regenerative sourcing has shown significant promise for the cotton industry; helping to regenerate soils, support ecosystems, and improve farmer livelihoods all whilst increasing yield. With initial pilots showing the potential for transformative impact, how can this approach now be implemented at scale?

In this webinar, we used CottonConnect's work with cotton farmers in Gujarat as a case study to discuss:

• The challenges that remain in the cotton industry, and the potential for regenerative agriculture as a solution
• How best to work with local partners on the ground to implement regenerative programmes
• What are transferable lessons for regenerative transformation in the cotton sector globally

We heard valuable insights from:

• Alison Ward, CEO, CottonConnect
• Hardeep Desai, global head – farm programmes, CottonConnect
• Prakash Philip, senior director – monitoring evaluation & learning, CottonConnect

This discussion was moderated by Toby Webb, founder, Innovation Forum.

To learn more about CottonConnect's work with cotton farmers in Gujarat you can watch this film, and for more information on CottonConnect click here.

Also, Innovation Forum’s Natasha Bodnar discusses with Ian what to expect at the upcoming scope 3 emissions innovation forum in Amsterdam on 12th and 13th June. Click here for full registration details. 

Hear from Innovation Forum’s Sarah Jackson about the sustainable packaging innovation forum taking place in Philadelphia on October 29th and 30th, which will focus on the opportunities and benefits from sustainable packaging solutions. Full registration details can be found here.

Plus, Innovation Forum’s Savanna Razzaque chats with Vayda's CEO Mike Shoemaker about the company's direct work with growers to drive regenerative transformation and preview of their upcoming farmer-led discussion on 11th June. Sign up here. 

Finally, hear about the upcoming Innovation Forum webinar hosted in partnership with ofi. Chief sustainability officer Roel van Poppel discusses with Savanna the launch of the company’s Choices for Change sustainability strategy.

• What are the existing criticisms and hesitancies towards biologicals – and are these useful?  
• The role of biological crop protection in modern agriculture, with concrete examples of potential solutions.  
• How collaborative partnerships and initiatives within the food and ag industry can accelerate the commercialisation of the next generation of biological solutions 
• The current regulatory barriers for scale, and the outlook for the development of an enabling legal landscape 

• Benoit Hartmann, Head of Biologicals, Bayer Crop Science
• Christophe Breitenstroeter, Head of Crop Strategy, Bayer Crop Science
• Philippe Guerret, CEO, M2i Group
• Eirini-Christina Spanouli, Farmer

Plus: new president of Mexico at crossroads in delivering the country’s energy transition and economic interests; Google to eliminate plastic from its consumer electronics packaging before their plastic-free 2024 deadline; Edinburgh city council sets to ban fossil fuel companies and advertising of high emission modes of transport; global efforts fall short of meeting 2030 targets for renewable electricity generation, says the International Energy Agency; and, climate change is set to be the central focus of UK labour party’s general election campaign, in the news digest.