 | | |  | | | ASBC Advocates Financing for Climate-Friendly Energy Giving voice to the responsible business community, ASBC has recently endorsed several game-changing bills on climate and energy, including the bi-partisan Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act, led by Sen. Coons, Graham and Lujan, to establish a Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation. The foundation would raise funds to address energy challenges by supporting the creation, development and commercialization of innovative technologies. “The U.S. continues to need the federal government to support and attract private investment into the clean energy sector, and we applaud any and all efforts for non-partisan partnerships to help pave the way to achieving net-zero goals,” said ASBC Director of Strategy Carolyn Pincus. “With the ever-mounting challenges that continue to emerge in mitigating climate change, improving social equity, and spurring economic innovation, the creation of FESI would be a welcome initiative.” Read the full press release. ASBC and SVC have also endorsed Financing the Future of Energy along with ASBC member JSA Wealth Management. This legislation would give investors in a range of clean energy projects the ability to organize as a master limited partnership (MLP), a publicly traded partnership structure that combines a private partnership's tax advantages with a stock's liquidity. This longstanding corporate structure’s tax advantage is currently available only to investors in fossil fuel-based energy projects. Opening it to clean energy would reduce U.S. power plant emissions by more than six percent. Endorsements provided with the release from Senator Coons included the statement by ASBC Director of Strategy Carolyn Pincus, who said, “In the interest of continuing to ensure U.S. energy sovereignty, accessibility, affordability and continuity, it is imperative that the MLP business structure be made available to all businesses in the energy sector. Renewable energy and energy efficiency have enormous innovative potential in the marketplace, and without the ability to compete freely, investors, business owners and consumers are unfairly burdened with absorbing additional costs of capital which fossil-fuel energy companies are not. ASBC thanks Senator Coons for re-introducing this bill and looks forward to advocating its passage for the benefit of our members, their customers and all of our stakeholders.” President Biden has urged new problem-solving efforts on the scale deployed to win WWII, and in that spirit, ASBC and SVC are working with Green America to have Clean Energy Victory Bonds bills reintroduced in Congress. Led by Sen. Merkley and Reps Lofgren and Matsui, the legislation would have the U.S. issue up to $50 billion per year in Clean Energy Victory Bonds that all Americans could purchase for as little as $25 per bond. We also have signed onto a letter to Senator Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Manchin and Chairman Pallone, calling on Congress to enact a Renewable Energy Standard. Read the letter here. | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Time for Tax on Excessive CEO Pay, Tax Haven Transparency A 2019 study by ASBC ally Economic Policy Institute (EPI) found that CEOs make, on average, 278 times the average worker’s salary, using the options-exercised formula; up from 58 times in 1989 and 20 times in 1965. In many cases today, CEO compensation is not affected by the firm’s success or failure, further eroding accountability and incentivizing short-term thinking. This spring, ASBC was proud to endorse the Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2021 (S. 794/H.R. 1979) introduced by Sen. Sanders and Reps Lee and Tlaib, to address these severe pay inequities that too often have little connection to achievement. Previously offered in 2019, this bill increases the current 21% income tax rate of corporations whose ratio of compensation of their principal executive officers or other highest compensated employees to median worker compensation is more than 50 to 1, in which case the increase is 0.5%. The pay ratio disparity extends from 100 to 1 to 500 to 1, in which case the increase is 5%. The impact of right-sizing top executive compensation and its current Gilded Age-like differential from other employees’ pay is discussed in this release and in this article that includes ASBC as an endorser. As an organization of responsible, high-road businesses, we continue to advocate for this common-sense bill and monitor its progress. Addressing another angle that gives big firms unfair advantage over small ones, ASBC, with Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance, sent this letter of support for the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act (H.R. 3007 / S. 1545). We also endorsed the CEO Accountability and Responsibility Act, introduced May 18 by Rep DeSaulnier, who had previously offered it in 2016 as H.R. 6242. “If legislation looks familiar, remember that bills not passed in the Congressional session in which they’re introduced must be re-introduced in a subsequent Congress. ASBC is always on the lookout for opportunities to again speak up for responsible solutions with a new and hopefully more receptive group of legislators,” explained ASBC Executive VP Thomas Oppel, who served in the Obama Administration. We also sent a letter to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs leaders Crapo and Brown, which we issued with Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance. | | | |  | Support Administration’s Goal to Protect Oceans and Make "America the Beautiful” ASBC is a proud advocate of the White House's goal to protect 30% of U.S. ocean waters by 2030 and supports measures outlined in the new "America the Beautiful" report issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The report offers steps to restore biodiversity, curb climate change and increase access to natural areas in the great outdoors. In a recent Soundbites story, “Ocean-Protection Goals Build on Conservation Efforts by Alaska Fishermen,” ASBC joined Indigenous community representatives and members of the Alaska fishing industry in explaining the importance of these interrelated measures. “A healthy environment is critical for the well-being of the economy and diverse business sectors, from the fishing and tourism industries that rely on high biodiversity to the agriculture and beverage-production industries that require clean water and more,” said ASBC President David Levine. He noted that, to speak to legislators on behalf of companies that value a clean environment, ASBC has launched the Businesses for Conservation and Climate Action, coalescing a range of our long-advocated priorities. Levine is enthusiastic about the recent Administration initiatives he believes “could accomplish multiple things: protecting our environment, addressing the climate crisis, and helping communities and sustainable business thrive as a part of it.” Click to Tweet: @ASBCouncil urges protection of U.S. ocean waters for the hardworking Americans in the fishing, tourism, beer production and other businesses that need a clean environment: Make America the Beautiful Again! | | | |  | Adopt-A-Meter to Help Regenerate Farmland On May 6, ASBC joined with The Carbon Underground (TCU) on a tangible, fresh way to help businesses and members of the general public fight climate change. In TCU’s Adopt-A-Meter program, people can “adopt” a square meter of soil for $5, which goes to organizations helping farmers restore their land and move to regenerative practices. This May, to honor Mother’s Day and Mother Earth, proceeds from this campaign supported four groups representing female farmers around the world: American Farmland Trust (U.S.), Navdanya International (India), Co-op Las Amazonas (Costa Rica), and Coopecuna (Costa Rica). To learn more about the program, visit adoptameter.org, or contact Colton Fagundes, ASBC Policy Manager (cfagundes@asbcouncil.org or 530-613-3551). | |  | ASBC Joins with Responsible Elected Officials On May 18, David Levine represented ASBC at a press conference organized by Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA), an organization of current and former public officials who advocate for better public policy, especially on the environment. ASBC Marketing Communications Director Mary Wynn Ryan, a former City Council Alderman and a former Park District Commissioner, is a member of EOPA. | | | | | | | | ASBC Working Groups Hear from Experts: Representatives from ASBC members Land Core and Earthjustice presented to our Regenerative Agriculture and Justice working group on several recent bill introduced in Congress over the last month. Rajani Prabhakr (Earthjustice) presented on Rep. Spanberger’s Healthy Soils, Resilient Farmers Act and Aria Mclaughlin spoke about an array of bills covered in Land Core’s recent blog post. Our working group discussed how it could support these bills and which provisions from these bills we should advocate for in the infrastructure package negotiations and in the next farm bill. The group determined that its next step will be to create a memo of collective funding priorities for the American Jobs Plan and American Family Act infrastructure package negotiations. | | | | Circular Economy
On May 20, ASBC’s Circular Economy Working Group hosted a special session with multiple guest speakers on topics ranging from business procedures to policy solutions. Alyssa Harding from OSC2 shared a campaign to promote a circular economy model and good recycling practices. Susan Collins, president of the Container Recycling Institute, and Maureen Kline, VP of Public Affairs & Sustainability at Pirelli, gave presentations on how businesses are leading important initiatives in the larger recycling effort. Former EPA member Judith Enck shared her substantial observations about current bills regarding extended producer responsibility at the local, state and federal levels. | | | | Nexus Infrastructure
As a convener of the infrastructure working group at Nexus, ASBC will be hosting a conversation about the Climate Bank Act with Charles Gertler, a fellow at Senator Markey’s office. Previously, this group has hosted other relevant players in the field, such as former IMF economist Alphecca Muttardy. During our last meeting we had the pleasure to host a conversation with Cornell University - Law Professor Saule T. Omarova, on the policy proposal that seeks to create a new federal agency, the National Investment Agency (NIA), which would be responsible for allocating investments in infrastructure.
| | | | Always Open: Problem-Solving Resources You can count on ASBC sending you timely action tips on legislative issues affecting your business, but we also offer busy leaders a wealth of in-depth guidance you can access any time on our website. Want the details on how famous companies of all sizes provide a high-road workplace – and how it boosts their business? Need to make a big media impression (or lots of them) with your firm’s sustainability news? Want to persuade your market why safer, greener products matter? Need to make your responsible business case for better laws to your elected officials at local, state and national levels? ASBC’s online library of resources can help with these and more. Check out the Research & Data and Policy & Action sections on the ASBC website and contact us with your questions or suggestions. | | - David Levine of the American Sustainable Business Council: How To Take Your Company From Good To Great - On May 10, ASBC co-founder and president David Levine was the subject of an in-depth profile in Authority Magazine about his career journey and his thoughts on how to take your organization from good to great. One of David’s observations was: “A truly great organization has those attributes [of a good one] plus a holistic understanding and coordinated actions which benefit all of its stakeholders, including the environment, in a just and equitable way. Not just its shareholders. I’d call that organization sustainable for generations.”
- On May 6, in a story at Common Dreams, America the Beautiful': Biden Administration Aims to Protect 30% of US Lands and Waters by 2030, included mention that ASBC Co-founder and President David Levine welcomed the report as "an important step forward in protecting our environment, addressing the climate crisis, and helping communities and sustainable businesses thrive."
- In a recent Soundbites story, “Ocean-Protection Goals Build on Conservation Efforts by Alaska Fishermen,” ASBC joined Indigenous community representatives and members of the Alaska fishing industry in explaining the importance of these interrelated measures. (See more in story above).
- ASBC-SVC earned continued visibility for our principled stance on the Barclays prison financing deal in a May 4 story in Business Times: What history can teach banks about making change. ASBC’s Policy Update in April highlighted the numerous other significant media mentions our Barclays action produced.
- ASBC’s Policy Associate, Maya Fano-Caroti, was quoted and our partner SVC’s event was linked in a Green Queen story this month: European CPG Group Orkla SA Invests In Cultured Meat Pet Food Startup Because, Animals. The article noted that, “At a recent industry event, Maya Fano-Caroti of the American Sustainable Business Council asked an important question: ‘What do we do about the pet industry’s participation in the meat industry, which is often very unsustainable? What we know is that about 25% of the proteins raised in the United States goes to feed pets, so that’s a big impact.’”
| | | | Chicory Wealth (Business – Impact)
Chicory Wealth, originally founded in 2002 as the private wealth advisory practice Maggie Kulyk & Associates, is a fee-only, all-virtual practice that provides holistic Financial Life Planning services to individuals and nonprofit organizations nationwide. Planning engagements cover cash flow management, insurance analysis, education planning, tax planning, estate planning, investments, retirement distribution planning, and charitable giving. Investment strategies are centered on sustainable and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) screened investments. Dalrada Corporation (Business – Impact)
Dalrada Corporation is a global innovation company that tackles the humanitarian challenges of today and tomorrow with perseverance, valor, dedication and vision. It operates under the tenet of Corporate Social Responsibility, producing disruptive alternative solutions that bridge the gap of accessibility and accelerate positive change for current and future generations. Established in 1982, the company has grown to include the business divisions Dalrada Health, Dalrada Precision, and Dalrada Technology. Each subsidiary actively produces affordable, accessible, world-class solutions to global problems. Nature’s Fynd (Business - Core)
Nature’s Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Its novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world’s expanding population grows, the mission of Nature’s Fynd is to create amazing foods that both nourish people and nurture the planet. Find Your Grind (Business - Core)
Find Your Grind is a learning platform preparing GenZ for the future of work. They’re creating new, technology-backed services based in learning science to revolutionize how users discover new skills, mentors, and opportunities so they can find where they fit in the new world of work. The firm’s educational products, online discovery platform, and virtual events are accelerating connections to purpose and lifestyle discovery, worldwide. Native Conservancy (Business – Community)
Native Conservancy was established in 2003 to empower Alaska Native peoples to permanently protect and preserve endangered habitats on their ancestral homelands. The Native Conservancy strives to maintain and secure titles to Native lands in conservation trusts to strengthen Native peoples’ inherent rights of sovereignty, subsistence and spirituality. Plant Based Products Council (Association)
Plant Based Products Council is an association of like-minded organizations which are advocating for a shift toward a more circular bioeconomy through greater adoption of renewable, plant-based materials. They educate stakeholders and advocate for programs and policies that will support growth of the plant-based products industry, helping to harness its environmental and economic potential to deliver a more sustainable future. | | Member & Staff News -
National Stewardship Action Council The National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 343 (Allen) in California, which would prohibit the use of the “chasing arrows” symbol on products that are not actually recyclable in the State. This will help to significantly reduce costs by reducing consumer confusion and contamination in the system. Email jordan@nsaction.us for more info, to get involved, or pass something similar in other states. To sign on to support SB 343, please complete this form. -
Public News Service ASBC member Public News Service published a widely seen story on Break Free from Plastic Pollution and quoted ASBC President David Levine, who said: “federal legislation is needed to spur companies to create truly recyclable products and packaging. We can overhaul how we design, manufacture, distribute our products, transitioning from single-use and toxic chemicals to a circular economy, a sustainable economy that creates new business opportunities and more jobs.” The story cited the escalating crisis of plastic pollution, especially in the ocean, and the lack of genuine, adequate recycling for this virtually eternal, omnipresent material. -
ASBC Welcomes Intern Asha Romaine ASBC is pleased to introduce Asha Romaine, our new policy intern focusing on Business for Democracy and ASBC’s Race & Equity Working Group. A rising junior at Vassar College majoring in Media Studies, Asha has a passion for social justice. She spent two semesters volunteering at a non-profit, grassroots organization located in the Hudson Valley and is interested in public policy encouraging and supporting sustainability. | | ASBC Members, Let Us Help You Share Your News! Your ASBC membership is a valuable networking opportunity to share your news with other mission-driven companies and supporters nationwide. Please send us your product and service introductions, personnel and facility changes, awards, charitable events and other news in your press releases, blogs, captioned photos and videos. We’ll include them in ASBC’s monthly Policy Update newsletter and social media outlets. AND....Show your customers, prospects and vendors your values right upfront: display the “Proud Member of ASBC” logo on your website and marketing materials. ASBC appreciates your support for our work and we’re proud to support you all the way! | | Upcoming Events Next Economy Webinars
Webinar | Watch when you want
ASBC and SVC co-sponsor this line-up of thought-provoking discussions and case histories from businesses around the globe on today’s challenging problems, important missions and innovative solutions: building resilience, community investment, finance and social justice, BIPOC access to capital, customer engagement, mentoring, demographics in a digital world, and much more. | | | | | | | | | | American Sustainable Business Council
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