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It's Time: New York Climate Week 2024

Published by

  • Cara Eaton Head of Sustainability - Consumer Care
Published on:
Tuesday 1st October 2024

Climate Week NYC, organised by the Climate Group, has just wrapped up another packed agenda in New York for 2024. Here we discuss some sustainability news that what we found particularly interesting for the beauty and personal care industry.

This annual climate event was even bigger than the last, with organisers claiming a 50% increase compared to last year. That’s more than 900 events held in person, virtually or as hybrid sessions across New York City.

With an event this large, we were not able to attend everything, but we were able to attend several events in person as well as viewing content shared by the Climate Group, via their on demand livestream recording.

It's Time – to change direction and take action
(- Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group)

The theme for 2024 was “It’s Time” with the call for action based on five principles:

  • It’s Time to put people first
  • It’s Time to pay up
  • It’s Time to listen to citizens
  • It’s Time to be honest with ourselves
  • It’s Time to have the difficult discussions about fossil fuels

These calls for action were part of the Opening Ceremony with numerous discussions connecting to this call for action. The Climate Group has released its highlights and announcements on their website.
 
Photo of a city seen from a park. In the foreground is a river with a bridge and trees. In the background are skyscrapers.

Here are some ideas we identified and found exciting from personal observations.

Positive new research on tipping points provides hope

 

Tipping points are a key area for review in sustainability research and one of concern for all, as they are the point where, should we cross them, we can see permanent and irreversible change in the Earth’s systems. In basic terms, a tipping point is the point where one more action could mean there may be no coming back from negative environmental impact. With the severe consequences these points foretell, discussions on tipping points can sometimes feel discouraging, with the sheer size of the issues to address being overwhelming.

So, it was very encouraging to hear new research from Professor Tim Lenton at the University of Exeter, launched in partnership with Climate Group, about “Positive Tipping Points”. This work identifies drivers to accelerate reductions in carbon emissions, showing that mandates for clean energy were found to be the most effective in accelerating a positive change for the sectors analysed.  Some Positive Tipping Points are already being observed with potential for others to be implemented.

These Positive Tipping Points offer a message of hope in a conversation where this can be lacking and brought excitement and enthusiasm into the discussion. Professor Lenton’s report is now available.

 

One black woman who appears to be in her 20s with large natural hair looking to the left and smiling

Connection with consumers still key? A resounding yes!


During the morning Flagship presentation on the Monday, a robust discussion between corporate brands and government brought to mind the continued need for connection with our audiences. Whether our customers or our constituents, the resonance for how climate action (or inaction) affects people’s lives is still the key point. When the conversation departs from the personal, the discussion becomes more difficult; it can lack relevance for the receiver of the message.

 

Both a leader from government and a business executive shared remarks that prompted the thought of how the ability to make a connection to their audience helped them resonate, using terms of relevance to form this link.

 

For the Beauty industry, we know consumers care about the effect that the products they use have on their bodies and the planet, but the connection to climate change can become too complex or technical – or seem too disconnected from their daily routine. By keeping the consumer at the centre, and considering their views and needs when contextualising, we can create a powerful pathway to protect and restore the planet.

When we consider effects from climate change, like:
  • Impact on natural raw material sources and biodiversity which impact the ingredients consumers value in their products;
  • Severe weather events that can disrupt supply chains, creating potential delays, product shortages and price increases;
  • Warmer temperatures from global warming, last summer having the hottest temperatures on record, changing grooming routines where different products may be required as our bodies react to varying temperatures;
  • Greater need for products that protect us from pollution and UV rays as the atmosphere changes.

Do we consider how we can connect these concerns to the products our consumers need (and love) as part of their daily grooming routines? If we are, can we make this connection even stronger to benefit people and the planet?

More details and ideas about how to address this can be found in our Geoskincare blog from earlier this year, which ties into this continuing issue.

One White woman with brown hair who looks to be in her 30s or 40s looking at one White child with brownish blonde hair.

Data and reporting – from mandatory compliance to meaningful action


Sustainability reporting and non-financial disclosures have been increasing, becoming more comprehensive and extensive. While the drivers of this are important, in needing to understand where companies (as well as governments, NGOs, and others) stand, how they are progressing towards their sustainability goals and – importantly - how entities can work together to limit global warming to within 1.5 C, the reporting can be resource intensive. Without careful management, these resources can be diverting efforts from the actions needed to combat climate change.

A panel during the Monday morning Flagship presentation shared an interesting thought. While the view on reporting has been around the concept of “what you can measure, you can manage”, this seems to be evolving to a new perspective. With many companies claiming the challenge of reporting, the “burden” of being transparent (with its effect on resources and other business areas), the question was raised of “how can you balance the burden of reporting with its benefit”? Although described as a burden, the benefit is clearly recognised, with the balance in the alliterative phrasing being key.

Some suggestions on the benefit from the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP), a non-profit who manages the reporting for thousands of businesses and municipalities across areas like climate, forests and water disclosures (where Croda reports) were the following:
  • Provides access to capital
  • Improves business efficiency
  • Ensures compliance
All of which are strong business case elements for investing into the transparency of data around sustainability.  They can also be used to create credible transition plans where the same data, with the idea of “write once, use many”, becomes an action as well as an auditable history.

For our data, we offer numerous sustainable data points to assist our customers in their reporting – as well as for their product innovation, claims support and performance efficacy.

We have Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data on c. 1500 products now available, providing tangible information on our decarbonisation journey. These are available upon request.

We also feature information on compliance with certifications and standards, % natural content per ISO 16128, ingredient origin, % renewable content and biodegradability status on our product summary pages.

Some recent launches with strong, transparent sustainability positioning include:

  • NatraFusion™ SL HA – an ultra-mild sophorolipid biosurfactant produced via biotechnology to deliver exceptional cleansing
  • Crodamol™ GTS – a bio-based emollient, showing exceptional improvement for the smoothness and shine of damaged hair
  • Luceane™ – a biofermentation-based active, helping to preserve marine biodiversity as was sampled only once via authorised route and has been preserved in multiple locations.  It can combat pollution induced hypoxiageing.
  • Cytokalmine™ EC – using upcycled waste from the fruit juice industry, helps to protect the skin from oxidative stress and shows demonstrated soothing effects
  • Phytessence™ Osmanthus – produced by Eco-sound™, a cold extraction technology, ideal ingredient for geoskincare routines
  • Phytessence™ French Rose EC – obtained from organic and local cultivated rose flower, a perfect ingredient for trendy skin-flooding rituals
  • Phytessence™ Wassai – a 100% naturally derived extract of acai berries from responsible and transparent supply chain, for preventive skin ageing

And lastly, we have a modernised range of biopolymers for our hair care portfolio, free of phenoxyethanol, harnessing the power of natural peptides to meet consumer demands for results and align with eco-conscious values.  Includes:

A wave with the sunset shining on it.

The time is now – our collective action

New York Climate Week shared a number of exciting discussions, new research and insights alongside an invigorating atmosphere to help charge the continued work on reducing climate impact. As the work continues long after Climate Week ends, and we all return to our offices, labs or manufacturing sites, how can we continue this conversation all year round?  We can support your sustainability journey from multiple entry points – from data to innovation to product efficacy - in a sustainable way. Let’s connect to collaborate on climate, seeking a benefit for all.

Products mentioned in this blog