Lifestyle

The Businesses Championing Climate Change Legislation

Avocado is proud to be a member of Ceres, an organization that uses its powerful networks to transform the economy to build a just and sustainable future for people and the planet.

On May 12, six people logged on to a Zoom call. They represented an enormous commercial impact in the state of New Jersey: PSEG, the largest utility company in the state, Unilever, DSM North America, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Avocado Green Brands. They were all united in their message to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez: We need ambitious climate policy action that will build a more resilient, equitable, and inclusive net-zero emissions future — now.

That day, Avocado joined more than 80 of the largest U.S. businesses and investors, including Amazon, DSM, Danone, Dow, Pepsi Co., and McDonald’s, among others, to call on the Biden administration to support a robust infrastructure package that will address the climate crisis and advance environmental justice. Collectively, the businesses represented all 50 states and had combined annual revenues of more than $1.2 trillion, $310 billion in assets under management, and more than 2.9 million U.S. employees.

The businesses supporting LEAD On Climate represented all 50 states and had combined annual revenues of more than $1.2 trillion, $310 billion in assets under management, and more than 2.9 million U.S. employees. Graphic courtesy of Ceres.

The event, called LEAD on Climate 2021, came as Congress considers an infrastructure package that has the potential to be one of the biggest investment opportunities in the clean energy future. Avocado met with the offices of five legislators in New Jersey (home of our headquarters) and California (home to our factories) to make the case for an economic package that will put the U.S. on the path to net-zero emissions, invest in sustainable infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and deliver justice to communities most harmed by climate pollution.

“Businesses like Avocado are powerful voices on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across the country. We need businesses of all sizes and across sectors to speak out in support of ambitious climate policy action that will keep the U.S. competitive and protect the health and well-being of communities across the country.”
Anne Kelly, vice president of government relations at Ceres

LEAD on Climate was organized by Ceres, a nonprofit that uses its powerful networks to transform the economy (Avocado has been a member of Ceres since January 2021). Ceres believes the business sector is essential for instituting change. They connect members with opportunities to advocate for legislation that would facilitate a shared vision to build a just and sustainable future for people and the planet.

“Corporate commitments and corporate advocacy must go hand in hand as we work to build a more resilient and equitable net-zero future,” says Anne Kelly, vice president of government relations at Ceres. “Businesses like Avocado are powerful voices on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across the country. We need businesses of all sizes and across sectors to speak out in support of ambitious climate policy action that will keep the U.S. competitive and protect the health and well-being of communities across the country.”

For Avocado, addressing the causes we care most deeply about, including the climate crisis and environmental racism, requires systemic change. And advocating for legislative overhauls, in addition to our net-zero achievement with Climate Neutral and our commitment to safe, non-toxic, organic products, is at the core of our mission.

Ceres believes the business sector is essential for instituting change. They connect members with opportunities to advocate for legislation that would facilitate a shared vision to build a just and sustainable future for people and the planet. Photo courtesy of Avocado Green Brands.

But it’s not just because Avocado wants to do the right thing. A theme among the business representatives on the congressional calls for LEAD on Climate was that an erratic climate is bad for business. Increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters — for example, the recent wide-scale power outage in Texas — affects supply chains, revenue, and jobs.

“Good climate policy is good business policy,” says Avocado Sustainability Manager Bri Decker, who spoke with lawmakers about the urgent need for Congress to address the climate crisis. “The time is now to establish clean energy standards that will help stabilize our supply chains and create a more resilient economy and healthier planet for all.”

In addition to LEAD on Climate, Avocado has worked with Ceres and the American Sustainable Business Council to protect voting access and support the Justice In Policing Act, the For the People Act, and many other bills that align with Avocado’s vision for a fair and sustainable planet for all.

John is the Brand Editorial Director at Avocado and a longtime outdoor journalist. He lives in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos, New Mexico.