The American Sustainable Business Network's monthly member newsletter highlighting news on policy, business, capital, and more. 

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ASBN is excited to share what we have in store for May 2023 and our highlights from April with members, partners, business leaders, investors and allies across the nation as we build a more equitable economy. ASBN is committed to working with and alongside our network to develop and elevate the policy solutions needed for inclusive and long-lasting systems change -- thank you all for your part in advancing our mission.

ASBN STATEMENTS

An Important Message From Our CEO, Jeffrey Hollender

"After careful consideration, I have decided to accept the position of Permanent Executive in Residence at the New York University, Stern Business School. This is a dream opportunity for me that fulfills my passion for coaching and mentoring sustainability-focused business school students. As a result of this decision, I will be stepping down as CEO of ASBN, effective July 1st.

I am proud of the progress we have made as an organization in promoting sustainability and social responsibility, and I am confident that ASBN will continue to thrive and excel under new leadership.

I also want to take the opportunity to share the exciting news of several new additions to ASBN hires including:
* Jaye Graham, Controller
* Gina Baranski, Vice President of Membership Marketing
* Stephanie Erwin, Vice President of Strategy, Impact, and People (formerly the Director of Circular Economy Policy)

I know they all look forward to making an impact and leading ASBN towards future growth."

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The American Sustainable Business Network Releases “Unearthly Promises: ASBN’s Guide to Greenwashing”

Greenwashing is the act or practice of making a product, service, organization, or policy appear more environmentally-friendly or less environmentally harmful than it actually is. When companies greenwash their products and reputations, they’re creating the false or misleading impression that the use of such products and/or support of those businesses makes a meaningful contribution to environmental progress and ecological sustainability. Sometimes this perception is inadvertently created. More often, it’s a deliberate attempt to exploit public concerns for the purpose of enhancing profits and/or deliberately direct attention away from ongoing crimes against the planet.

ASBN’s Guide, using real world examples, highlights in-depth how greenwashing is bad for business, human health and the environment. Readers will learn that though environmental messaging has become an essential marketing tool, the temptation to exaggerate or manufacture green product claims and company bona fides comes with grave risks to bottom lines, corporate reputations, and other essential things. Additionally, as detrimental as greenwashing is for businesses, it is even harder on the environment. When it comes to critical issues like the climate crisis, solid waste production, and toxic pollutants, making things look better when they are actually making things worse than they already are. Greenwashing’s deleterious effects on the environment extend to its impacts on the health of communities and the people who inhabit them.

ASBN acknowledges that members of our organization and the business community in general have an important role to play in reining in greenwashing. By providing key takeaways and calls to action we can make the crucial difference to end today’s greenwashing scourge.

Read the full guide HERE ([link removed]) .

ASBN was presented with this award for helping Alianza Nacional de Campesinas with their Fly-In.

As a part of ASBN’s ongoing effort to engage with policymakers, the Regenerative Agriculture and Justice campaign partnered this Spring with a number of organizations for three fly-in advocacy events in Washington, DC.

In March, ASBN allied with dozens of groups led by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Farm Aid for the Farmers For Climate: Rally for Resilience to encourage Congress to provide resources, assistance, and incentives that allow farmers to lead the way in addressing the climate crisis. Joined by ASBN members King Arthur Baking and Latino Farmers and Ranchers International, over 500 farmers and farmer advocates came into DC for a rally, a march, and Capitol Hill lobby visits.

Next up, ASBN joined the Coming Clean coalition for a fly-in
to urge policymakers to prioritize farm bill policies that support a transition away from harmful synthetic chemicals in farming, advance environmental justice, and support food sovereignty and environmental justice.

ASBN brought the business voice to the coalition of environmental, farmworker, and family farmer groups. ASBN’s final spring fly-in was with the Alianza Nacional de Campesinas (National Alliance of Farmworker Women), where nearly 100 farmworker women came to DC to share their stories with policymakers and ask for policies that improve pesticide regulations, make immigration reform, and improve labor and health protections for farmworkers. ASBN helped guide one of the groups of these courageous women around Capitol Hill and plans on continuing working with them in their fight for justice.

ASBN Invites Members to Support Indigenous-Led Economic Development
ASBN invites businesses, foundations, impact investors, Indigenous-led businesses, Indigenous-led foundations, Native-led financial institutions, and Tribal Leaders to participate in our DOI Public-Private Partnership Working Group. If you're interested in learning more, please complete the interest form. Contact David Levine at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or Terrius Harris, at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) if you have additional questions.

Please note, this is a member-only working group
Member News

Member News
ASBN member organization, SocialLab is the change partner that communities need in order to create positive social and environmental impact.

Their recent efforts include:
* Assisting RSF Social Finance in exploring regional avenues to reduce Gender and Racial Inequality in the US.
* Phase 2 of a safe water project reaching 2 million Cambodians. Their role is to approve about 100 sub-projects where they co-invest with local entrepreneurs (female & male) to cover the extra cost of reaching remote communities with safe, piped water.
* Updating the SociaLab website content and Capability Statement to reach a wider audience that will allow them to focus on smaller, more intimate communities in need.

Please follow SocialLab on their journey as they help drive positive change locally and globally.

Learn more here:
Website: [link removed]
Capability Statement: [link removed]

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We are thrilled to welcome the following new members to ASBN!

Just Transition Alliance ([link removed]) (Association)
The Just Transition Alliance brings the perspective of just transition, circular economies, and environmental justice and workers to the table. They believe that a sustainable economy and a just environmental and economic system are compatible.

We Are Neutral ([link removed]) (Association)
We Are Neutral is an environmental nonprofit that has 15 years of experience helping businesses and individuals understand, track, reduce, and offset their comprehensive carbon footprints, giving them the opportunity to take responsibility for their environmental impact to achieve carbon neutrality and/or Net Zero.

The nonprofit's carbon offset and reduction projects support providing energy upgrades for low-income families, indigenous tree plantings, invasive species removal, urban agriculture, soil regeneration, composting, landfill diversion, landfill methane capture, vehicle fuel efficiency tuneups, climate change victim relief, environmental policy advocacy, and massive amounts of environmental education.

Native ([link removed]) (Business)
Native believes every penny in your sustainability budget can be invested to create meaningful, measurable change, produce quantifiable emission reductions, build resilient supply chains, and drive exclusive, uniquely positive stories that inspire your customers and peers. Since 2000, NativeEnergy has worked with hundreds of organizations to develop authentic solutions to their sustainability challenges and implement community-scale projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen businesses, and contribute to progress around the world. Their diverse team of strategists, project developers, environmental scientists, engineers and legal counsel are devoted to strengthening the people, companies, and places at the heart of these initiatives. Native is proud to be a certified B Corp.
Upcoming Events

The following event is open to ASBN Members-Only:

White House Climate and Environmental Justice Briefing ([link removed]) on Wednesday, May 3rd at 2:00 PM ET
Hear from senior Biden-Harris Administration officials about recent announcements that will strengthen environmental justice, expand the clean energy economy, and foster conservation and forest resilience to climate change.

Speakers include:
* Ali Zaidi, White House National Climate Advisor
* Stephenne Harding, Senior Director of Lands, White House Council on Environmental Quality
* Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, Senior Director for Environmental Justice, White House Council on Environmental Quality

Email us (mailto:[email protected]?subject=White%20House%20Climate%20%26%20Environmental%20Justice%20Briefing) for more information and to receive registration link.

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The New York Sustainable Businesses Council's (NYSBC) Businesses for Climate Justice
Tuesday, May 9th from 10am to 4pm
Albany, New York

New York has made incredible progress on climate action this year. NYSBC is optimistic that the state budget will include several key climate bills and invites you to join fellow business leaders for this important day of climate action.

More information and registration linkhere ([link removed]) .

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For more on member's only and upcoming in-person and virtual events, visit ASBN's 2023 events calendar ([link removed]) .
Please contact Thulasi Sivalingam at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=ASBN%20Events) with any questions.

Download Your Member Badge to Display Your Proud ASBN Affiliation on Your Website Below.

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(for .eps files to add to printed materials and product logos, email [email protected])

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