Innovation Forum Podcast

Vayda's CEO Mike Shoemaker talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh on the company's focus on designing and executing regenerative management plans to help growers protect yields while reducing input requirements. The buzz surrounding regenerative practices in the agriculture sector is seen as critical for addressing climate change. However, the industry is still in early stages, needing to transition from pilot programs to meaningful scale. They also discuss why we need to shift the mindset away from perceived trade-offs between environmental benefits and farm profitability and how regenerative agriculture will demonstrate its ability to meaningfully impact climate change at scale.

US Farmers and Ranchers in Action's CEO Kevin Burkum talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the critical role USFRA plays in uniting stakeholders across the value chain to address major global challenges. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in agriculture, and addresses the financial pressures on farmers and the need for profitability to ensure the long-term sustainability of farming practices.

On May 21st, IF hosted a free webinar in partnership with Cargill Food and agriculture industries are facing more pressing and interconnected challenges in their ability to feed the world. Advances in data and technology are one tool to help to transform how farmers grow and produce food through sustainable and regenerative practices.  Additionally, cross-commodity and cross-supplier sustainability data and insights are enabling better traceability and more sustainable sourcing of commodities in agricultural supply chains; making it easier for brands and customers to understand the journey of their food, from farm to fork. In this webinar, our panel of experts discussed:  How can aligning methodologies and sharing of data and insights across supply chains facilitate greater transparency outcomes? How can digitalization enhance sustainable sourcing efforts, and how can we ensure all stakeholders are supported in the digital transition? How can digital transformation empower farmers to embrace regenerative a

This week: At the recent future of food and beverage forum in Amsterdam, Ian Welsh spoke with Unilever’s global food sustainability director Dorothy Shaver about how the company prioritises sustainability within its business strategy. They discussed some causes for optimism to deliver resilient food systems.   And Innovation Forum’s Emily Heslop talks about what to expect at the future of food and beverage USA forum in Minneapolis this week. Click here to view the agenda.

This week: Patrick Mallet, director for innovations at ISEAL Alliance, and Rachel Wall, project manager for landscapes and collaboration from Proforest, talk with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about how companies can put into practice landscape approaches to environmental and social challenges. They discuss why investing in landscape initiatives is important and how they can benefit from it.   Plus: the International Energy Agency warns of insufficient investment to meet critical minerals demand for renewable energy; one fifth of Shell's shareholders back stronger emissions reduction targets; UK supermarkets Co-op, Tesco and Sainsbury’s among the retailers looking to partner with Fairtrade Foundation on ethical sourcing ; and, Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches the Fashion ReModel initiative to scale up circular fashion business models, in the news digest.   For more on ISEAL Alliance's position papers, click here.

Raviv Turner, founding member of the Nature Tech Collective and member of the nature data working group at the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about current trends in nature-based disclosure and highlights best practices the transition from non-disclosure to disclosure. They discuss key regulation coming up such as the EU deforestation regulation and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. They also talk about how business engagement on biodiversity could develop in future.

Lisa Spicka de Bevacqua, global director of sustainability consulting at auditor and certifiers NSF, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the rise in impact of sustainability-related regulation on business in Europe and globally. They discuss practical steps companies should take to engage on the new and increasingly due diligence-related legislation, and how quality assurance processes can help.

This week: Mars Petcare's chief sustainability officer, Marika McCauley Sine, provides some reflection on the future of food and beverage, speaking at Innovation Forum’s recent conference in Amsterdam with Ian Welsh. They talk about the importance of absolute reduction and understanding carbon and biodiversity impacts as regenerative agriculture is put into practice.   Plus: Innovation Forum's Catie Ball shares further updates about the upcoming sustainable apparel and textiles conference taking place in New York on 25th-26th June. Register now and save $200 on your conference passes, click here for more information.

This week: Niamh McCarthy, director of climate-related risk at Orbitas, shares findings from a recent report on the impact of climate transitions on Brazil's soy sector with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh. They discuss the current state of Brazil's soy sector and the potential drivers of positive change in future.   Plus: Kevin Burkum, CEO of US Farmer and Ranchers in Action talks with Ian about the importance of farmer voices in developing sustainable food systems. They discuss how the US agriculture sector is adapting to the shift to regenerative agriculture.   For information on Orbitas' cattle report, the podcast interview is available here.

John Murphy, technical director for Europe at Hohenstein Laboratories, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the benefits of certification systems for the apparel sector and how they protect companies and consumers. They discuss the risks within the sector such as fraud, and the current trends in material certification amid incoming legislation.

On 30th April, IF hosted a virtual event in partnership with Orbitas, a Climate Advisers Initiative, to discuss the financial risks and emerging opportunities that current actions to transition to a low-carbon future will bring. We focused on Brazil and the effects on the country’s key agricultural sectors, cattle and soy, and to wider global value chains. We heard valuable insights from:  Niamh McCarthy, director of climate-related risk, Orbitas, a Climate Advisers Initiative   Dr Gracie Verde Selva, executive sustainability manager, Minerva Food Wei Peng, Global head of sustainability - grains & oilseeds, Louis Dreyfus  Yara De Gues, Brazilian farmer   Vicente Bissoni, Brazilian farmer   Martha de Sá, founding partner, VERT Capital  Veronica Valentini, sustainable innovation manager, Santander This discussion was moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director, Innovation Forum. Click here to listen to Niamh McCarthy talk with Ian Welsh about the launch of Orbitas Initiative's new report on the Brazilian

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh further reflects with expert participants at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam. He is joined by Hasan Uz Zaman from Aldi Sud and Mauro Scalia from Euratex, and they discuss the human rights risks in the apparel sector and what’s coming up in policy terms to shake up fast fashion for the future.   Plus: Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne shares some final updates about the future of food and beverage conference in Amsterdam, and what attendees can expect this week.

This week: Lisa Spicka de Bevacqua, global director of sustainability consulting at auditor and certifiers NSF, talks with Ian Welsh about the trends in sustainability regulation in Europe and beyond. They discuss challenges in reporting and taking action, and how the impact differs for larger companies and SMEs.   Plus: Mike Shoemaker, CEO of farm data analysts Vayda talks with Ian about the ever-increasing importance of regenerative agriculture and what's driving this transition. Mike discusses the trend of over-focussing on carbon and how to appropriately put regenerative farming into practice.   And, Waitrose to support 2,000 UK farmers to adopt regenerative and low carbon farming practices; renewables account for 30% of global electricity generation in 2023; and, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market says Verra's updated Verified Carbon Standard means the high-integrity Core Carbon Principles, in the news digest.

Kaley Roshitsh, editorial director at Cascale, formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about major apparel industry trends including challenges of compliance with incoming regulation and the regenerative transition. They discuss what companies should look out for, the opportunities they should grasp and what best practice looks like.   Cascale is the knowledge collaborator for this year’s sustainable apparel and textiles conference series. Kaley will be at the New York event on 25th-26th June to continue the conversation. Click here for full registration details.

On 25th April, IF hosted a webinar in partnership with Yara International to discuss sustainable crop nutrition Regenerative agriculture is an evolving, science-based and outcome-focused approach to farming, and has a significant role to play in safeguarding food security and sustainable nutrition. Central to this approach is the strategic utilisation of fertilizers.  While fertilizers have historically been associated with environmental harm, when strategically integrated within regenerative practices, they can foster soil health and bolster nutrient cycles, leading to resilient yields and food security. In this webinar, we discussed:  Which fertilizers can be employed within a regenerative farming approach, and how?  The ecological benefits that a sustainable use of certain fertilizers can help to achieve  The role of fertilizers in enabling sustainable crop nutrition through robust and regenerative food systems  Hear valuable insights from:  Marina Ettl, Director for Funded Projects and Regenerative A

This week: Raviv Turner, founding member of the Nature Tech Collective and member of the nature data working group at the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the dangers of being too carbon focused when thinking about impacts. They discuss how companies can move towards biodiversity and nature disclosure and, ultimately, action.   Plus: on the spot reflections from the sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam with Kresse Wesling from recycled luxury accessories brand Elvis & Kresse. She talks about how apparel brands can best respond to the incoming regulations, particularly in the EU.

While in India, Innovation Forum’s Toby Webb spoke with CottonConnect’s CEO Alison Ward and global supply chain director Dawa Dorje about their sustainable cotton programme that focuses on delivering a supply chain with end-to-end transparency. They discuss the importance of smallholder inclusion and how they benefit from a transition to a more regenerative approach such as through reduced input costs and improved yields. To learn more about the cotton value chain in India, watch this documentary created in partnership with CottonConnect.

Amanda Archila, executive director at Fairtrade America, and Anna Mann, associate director of responsible business at Fairtrade Foundation, discuss the food price and value gap, and highlighting the root cause of the issue from the producer's perspective. In conversation with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh, they talk about what constitutes fair pricing and how to evenly distribute costs along value chains.   Fairtrade Foundation and Fairtrade America will be at Innovation Forum’s future of food and beverage conference series in Amsterdam (13th-14th May) and Minneapolis (29th-30th May). Click for registration details to join us.

Decathlon's chief sustainability officer, Anna Turrell, reflects on the recent Innovation Forum sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam with Ian Welsh. They discuss growing resale business models within the industry and the power of consumers in unlocking the potential from circular economy models.   Plus: Innovation Forum's Natasha Bodnar shares the latest updates for the upcoming scope 3 innovation forum, taking place in person this year in Amsterdam on 12th-13th June. Click here for more information and register now to benefit from the €200 early bird discount.

This week: John Murphy, technical director for Europe at Hohenstein Laboratories, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about certification standards for the apparel sector and the supply chain reassurances they can provide. They discuss the current apparel sector's approach to material certification and what the future of the sector can look like.   Plus: Christine Goulay from Sustainabelle Advisory Services and Amy Nguyen from Sustainable & Social highlights key takeaways from this week's sustainable apparel and textiles conference with Ian. They talk about the continued significance of circularity and innovation in implementing extended producer responsibility.   Host: Ian Welsh