RTRS in Climate Week New York 2024
It was the first time RTRS participated in this global initiative, which brings together experts on climate change from around the world and includes several key events.
For the first time, the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) took part in Climate Week NYC 2024, a global initiative that convenes climate change experts from around the world. This event, held in various venues across New York, included key sessions on the pressing challenges and opportunities in the fight against climate change.
Luiza Bruscato, the RTRS Executive Global Director, participated as a speaker in the session titled “Mobilizing Finance and Science: Nature-Based Climate Solutions for the Brazilian Amazon” on September 26, hosted by The J.M. Kaplan Fund in New York, organized by Woodwell Climate Research Center and ECCON.
Bruscato joined forces with prominent experts, including Wayne Walker, Chief Scientific Officer, Ludmila Rattis, Assistant Scientist and Glenn Bush, Associate Scientist from the Woodwell Climate Research Center; Yuri R. Marinho, Founder, and Marcelo Stabile, Carbon Manager, from ECCON; and Liège Correia, Sustainability Director at JBS Brazil.
The session focused on the challenges climate change poses to agricultural productivity in tropical forests and the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Expert presentations and case studies explored how scientific research and private sector involvement can align agricultural production with conservation goals, vital for the future of ecosystems like the Amazon.
In her presentation, Luiza Bruscato highlighted the role of certification in achieving conservation goals, stressing that “the RTRS certification scheme is a robust and reliable solution, chosen globally by companies committed to sustainability goals. Agricultural practices that promote this certification adhere to the highest environmental standards, including zero deforestation and zero conversion, while promoting the maintenance and protection of biodiversity through the preservation of native vegetation”.
Additionally, Bruscato emphasized, “The next great transformation for RTRS will be the transition towards a more digital and data-driven approach for verifying sustainable practices, reducing costs for producers, and increasing accuracy in measuring environmental impacts. RTRS is already working on this transformation, including the development of a regenerative incentives program.”
This presentation was just one of the several activities Luiza Bruscato participated in during Climate Week NYC. Among other events, she engaged in discussions and meetings with RTRS members and key stakeholders, focusing on how RTRS can further drive the sustainable soy agenda. Additional engagements included:
September 23:
- “Fireside CEO Chat” – An Intimate discussion with the CEOs of Whole Foods Market and HowGood hosted by Regen House.
- “Scaling Regenerative Agriculture”, hosted by General Mills, Danone, Kerry, and Ahold Delhaize in Regen House.
September 24:
- “The Sustainable Landscapes Partnership” hosted by The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and IPAM
- “Tackling the Impacts of Brazil’s Food Systems”, hosted by New York University Law School.
September 25:
- “Climate Resilience through Agriculture”, hosted by Food Tank.
- “Scaling Regenerative Agriculture: Financing Models for Land-Based Action”, hosted by Bayer and WBCSD.
Through these engagements, RTRS continues to solidify its role as a key player in the global dialogue on sustainable agriculture and climate change.
About Climate Week
Climate Week 2024 was one of the most important annual events on the global climate agenda. It brought together political, business, and activist leaders from numerous countries. Participants discussed new approaches to reducing carbon emissions, driving the energy transition, and promoting resilience in the most vulnerable communities.
This year, there was a focus on collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to accelerate progress towards the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement. The commitments made during the week were expected to help shape the global agenda for COP29, which took place in November and December in Azerbaijan.
