FWD Focus: Carbon Compliance Decoded for Consumer Companies

Welcome to this month's edition of "FWD Focus," Planet FWD's newsletter dedicated to advancing sustainability in the consumer goods industry. In this issue, we're excited to launch our new series: "Carbon Compliance Decoded for Consumer Industries."

As we look forward to a more sustainable future, understanding and navigating the complex world of carbon regulations is crucial. This series aims to sharpen your focus on the evolving regulatory landscape, equipping you with the knowledge to move your sustainability efforts forward with confidence.

Key Insights: The Changing Regulatory Landscape

Before we dive into the specifics, let's look at the big picture. Our analysis reveals that regulations are rapidly intensifying across the board for the food and beverage industry:

1. Broadening Scope: Regulations are expanding beyond direct emissions to encompass entire value chains. For instance, the new California climate laws (SB 253 and SB 261) require reporting on Scope 3 emissions, pushing companies to engage with their suppliers and customers on sustainability.
2. Increasing Granularity: Reporting requirements are becoming more detailed. The EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) demands comprehensive disclosures on sustainability matters, including specific metrics and targets.
3. Focus on Science-Based Targets: Frameworks like SBTi's FLAG guidance are gaining prominence, emphasizing the need for companies to align their sustainability goals with the latest climate science.
4. Accelerating Timelines: Implementation deadlines are getting shorter. Many of these new regulations will come into effect within the next 2-3 years, leaving companies with limited time to prepare.
5. Converging Global Standards: While regional differences persist, we're seeing a trend towards more harmonized global reporting standards, as evidenced by initiatives like the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

These trends underscore the urgency for food and beverage companies to stay ahead of the curve in their sustainability efforts. Now, let's explore how our guide can help you navigate this complex landscape.

This Month: Food & Beverage Industry

In this inaugural installment of our series, we're putting the spotlight on the food and beverage sector. As an industry at the forefront of sustainability challenges and innovations, it's facing a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. Our comprehensive guide helps you navigate this complex landscape, covering over 12 key GHG regulations and reporting frameworks specific to the industry.

Here are some of the critical mandatory and upcoming regulations and reporting frameworks we cover:

• California Climate and Packaging Laws: New legislation (SB 253, SB 261, SB 54) requiring large companies to disclose emissions, report climate-related financial risks, and meet ambitious recycling targets for packaging, with implementations starting from 2026.
• EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): Expands sustainability reporting requirements for large companies operating in the EU, with phased implementation from 2024 to 2028.
• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) FLAG Guidance: Specialized framework for Forest, Land, and Agriculture sectors, crucial for food and beverage companies to set science-based targets that account for land-based emissions and removals.

Our guide goes beyond the basics, helping you not just meet compliance but drive innovation within your organization. We provide in-depth analysis of these regulations, along with practical advice on implementation, including specific considerations for the food and beverage industry such as agricultural emissions and supply chain tracking.

What's Inside Our Guide?

Our comprehensive guide offers valuable insights for the food and beverage industry, including:

1. In-depth checklists and timelines for compliance with key EU directives, US regulations, and global standards
2. Expert analysis on navigating complex sustainability reporting landscapes, including CDP, SBTi, and industry-specific guidance like SBTi's FLAG
3. Guidance on which regulations apply to your company based on size, geography, and industry
4. Preparation strategies for upcoming regulations such as CSRD and California's new climate laws
5. Actionable steps and insights into proposed legislation, helping you stay ahead of the regulatory curve

Whether you're a startup CPG or a multinational corporation, this guide provides the essential information you need to navigate the complex landscape of carbon compliance in the food and beverage sector.

How Planet FWD Can Help

At Planet FWD, we're not just observers of the regulatory landscape – we're your partners in navigating it. Our comprehensive decarbonization platform is designed to support consumer companies in the food and beverage industry through every step of their compliance journey:

1. Carbon Measurement: Our advanced tools help you accurately measure your Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, providing a solid foundation for regulatory reporting.
2. Data Management: We simplify the complex task of collecting and managing emissions data across your value chain, ensuring you have the right information at your fingertips when it's time to report.
3. Regulatory Alignment: Our platform is continually updated to align with the latest regulations, helping you stay compliant with evolving standards like CSRD, CDP, and SBTi.
4. Reduction Planning: Beyond compliance, we help you identify opportunities for emissions reduction, supporting your journey towards ambitious sustainability goals.
5. Reporting Support: Planet FWD can create reports that meet the requirements of various regulatory bodies and frameworks, saving you time and reducing the risk of non-compliance.
6. Expert Guidance: Our team of sustainability experts is always available to provide personalized support and insights as you navigate the complex world of carbon regulations.

By partnering with Planet FWD, you're not just preparing for compliance – you're positioning your company as a leader in sustainable business practices.

Take Action Now

Don't let complex regulations slow you down. Master carbon compliance with Planet FWD as your guide:

1. Download Our Free Guide: Get your comprehensive guide to carbon compliance in the food and beverage industry at PlanetFWD.com.
2. Get a Free Regulatory Preparedness Consultation: Our team of experts is here to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation to assess your company's readiness for upcoming carbon regulations.

At Planet FWD, we believe that knowledge is power. By arming yourself with the insights from this comprehensive guide, you'll be better equipped to meet your compliance obligations and drive your company's sustainability efforts forward.

Looking Forward

As we continue our "FWD Focus" on sustainability, upcoming editions of this series will decode carbon compliance for other consumer industries, including:

• Fashion and Textiles (coming next month)
• Beauty and Personal Care
• Home Goods

Each installment will provide industry-specific insights, helping consumer companies across various sectors navigate their unique regulatory landscapes and move forward in their sustainability journey.

Stay tuned for our next edition of "FWD Focus," and in the meantime, download your free regulatory guide for the food and beverage industry today. Take the first step towards mastering carbon compliance and leading the charge in your industry's sustainability efforts.