In this episode of the Innovation Forum podcast, host Ian Welsh speaks with Jonathan Sullivan, vice president of commercial sustainability, and Shai Sela, chief Scientist at Agmatix. They discuss Agmatix's role in digitising solutions for the agricultural sector, highlighting their commitment to using credible science and practical agronomy to drive innovation.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Hanna Halmari share latest updates on the upcoming sustainable packaging innovation forum (Philadelphia, 29-30 October). They discuss agenda and speaker highlights including industry-focused roundtable and regulation-focused discussions.

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.

This week: Roel van Poppel and Christopher Stewart from food ingredients supplier ofi talk with Innovation Forum’s Toby Webb about their recent sustainability strategy launch. They explore how it will shape the company’s collaboration with farmer suppliers and customers across diverse sourcing landscapes, as well as the role of stakeholder engagement in gathering positive and constructive feedback during the strategy launch.

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

Krishna Manda, vice president of sustainability at sustainable cellulose textiles manufacturer Lenzing Group, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the complexities in achieving net zero emissions in the textile industry. They discuss the critical role of science-based targets in aligning organisational efforts and the innovative strategies needed to tackle significant challenges, particularly in decarbonising heat demand.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Emily Heslop and Ian Welsh share the latest updates on the upcoming sustainable commodities and land use forum in Amsterdam, 22nd-23rd October. They talk about agenda and speaker highlights coming up, specifically focusing on discussions around regenerating nature and biodiversity. Click here for information on how to get involved. And do listen out for a special podcast listeners discount. 

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. 

This week: Nathan Truitt, executive vice president for climate and funding at the American Forest Foundation, talks with Ian Welsh to discuss the crucial role of family-owned forests in North America's carbon sequestration efforts. They explore how effective forest management can significantly increase carbon absorption, the complexities faced by small landowners, and the potential of voluntary carbon markets in financing sustainable forest practices.

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

Laura Satkowski, senior product manager at CIBO Technologies, talks with Ian Welsh about how innovative financing models can support farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices. They discuss challenges and opportunities in blending public and private sector programmes to provide long-term financial support and technical expertise for growers. They also highlight the importance of creating streamlined processes and leveraging data to enhance programme accessibility and impact.

This week: Ian Welsh talks with Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne about this year’s scope 3 innovation forum USA (in Washington DC, 3rd-4th December), which will focus on how business transformation, supply chain innovation and low-carbon solutions can deliver scope 3 reduction on the road to net zero. Click here for information on how to get involved.

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.

This week: Shai Sela and Jonathan Sullivan from agriculture sector data solutions business Agmatix talk with Ian Welsh about the future of regenerative agriculture, the challenges and opportunities it presents. They discuss the new data-driven RegenIQ framework for promoting sustainable farming practices.

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