That sounds awesome. Have you heard of Humanity Insured? They provide premium subsidies to farmers so that they can purchase the insurance
Q2. From my international development background at the nexus of climate change, I wanted to share an example of a business in Kenya. One of Africaâs leading telecommunications companies, Safaricom integrates sustainability into its core operations. Through its sustainable business strategy, Safaricom supports community-driven climate solutions. Their âDigifarmâ initiative helps smallholder farmers access climate-smart agricultural practices, boosting food security and livelihoods while fostering economic resilience. More specifically, DigiFarm provides âdigital solutions and services tailored to the needs of farmers, providing access to farming loans and insurance, access information on weather and farming practices, access to markets and other services including soil testing, mechanization and irrigation.â https://www.safaricom.co.ke/media-center-landing/frequently-asked-questions/digifarm-faqs#:~:text=DigiFarm%20provides%20a%20variety%20of,leverage%20technology%20to%20benefit%20farmers%3F
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As a leader in the field of Insurance and Takaful in South East Asia, and a key funder of the National Cancer Society of Malaysiaâs(NCSM) Mobile Cancer and Health Screening Clinic (Truck), Etiqaâs sustainability efforts include investments in green technologies for the truck, such as green and renewable energy initiatives, alongside social initiatives that address healthcare access and cancer and health education. NCSM has demonstrated how CSO and business can integrate human well-being into climate action by ensuring its contributions reduce environmental impacts while improving public health access(screening and early detection of cancer and HPV vaccination). Their involvement in the breast cancer and other cancer screening initiative complements their broader mission of providing comprehensive life insurance coverage while ensuring equitable access to critical services, addressing both social and environmental vulnerabilities. By supporting NCSM, this allows Etiqa to extend its commitment to underserved populations with no healthcare access in Malaysia, such as the Orang Asli and Orang Asal, marrying health equity with sustainability goals.
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There a number of business that are doing notable work on putting people at the center of their climate action planning. A few notable examples that I have seen include:
- De Beers Group biodiversity and conversation programme across South Africa which partners with local actors to conserve wildlife and biodiversity as part of the climate adaptation approach.
- The UK based climate Group is as a nonprofit drives climate action by building influential networks of businesses and governments all while encouraging businesses to keep people at the center. Their initiatives include RE100 which is a global initiative uniting companies committed to 100% renewable electricity.
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@laura, I love that youâve referenced the importance of time to truly measure impact. Iâve seen some powerful examples of businesses that are beginning to prioitize people in their climate strategies, but I think the intended positive impact (and any potential unintended negative or neutral impacts) will take time and require consistency and partnership. @N.Hare, I agree that Unilever is a good âbig companyâ example. Specifically, I think the work that Unilever is doing on living wage is important, both because of the size and influence it has. Paying a living wage is a way that a business can fully influence contributing to a human-centered approach to supporting the rights of people - including the most marginalized - which then supports them to address climate change equitably.
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I think all businesses have a great potential to help improve the communities in which they operate through their technical and specialised knowledge. This applies to banks, energy companies, and law firms, as long as the objective of the business is aligned with purpose. Banks can help with financial inclusion, energy with transition, and so on. I also have the privilege of daily listening to stories of impact entrepreneurs who come up with a way of dissolving harmful chemical waste with mushrooms and turning them into compost, creating waste accounting systems, extracting moisture from water in areas without access, and re-inventing the technology.
However, I believe the real power is when both of this world meet each other and redefine the meaning of business beyond generating revenue.
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Hi Verity @Verity - yes, hoping to have the article out in Jan/Feb. Happy to share the lit review that is helping inform the interview protocol and the article - please send me an email (yaquta@umich.edu)
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The businesses that I have worked with that have powerful strategies to implement climate change have always evolved around 1. Self sufficiency, equipping people with the tools, skills to have agency over climate action themselves. 2. Self sufficiency is built into their models from day one. 3. Businesses match their strategies to human impact on the ground.
They do not have a top down approach but bottom up and are typically both agile and ethical.
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SUPA BUG Limited is a standout example of a business that prioritizes people while addressing climate challenges. The company transforms organic waste into high-quality insect-based protein for livestock and fish feed. This approach directly benefits farmers and communities in several ways as listed below;
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Reducing Production Costs for Farmers:
One of the biggest challenges for fish farmers in Kenya is the high cost of feed, which accounts for over 70% of production expenses. We provide a more affordable alternative to traditional fishmeal and soybean meal, reducing feed costs by up to 30%. This makes fish farming more profitable, especially for small-scale farmers who often struggle to make ends meet. -
Creating Livelihood Opportunities:
By sourcing organic waste from local communities, we create job opportunities for waste collectors and suppliers. The production of insect protein also generates employment in processing and distribution, supporting local economies. -
Improving Food Security:
The high cost of fish has made it inaccessible for many Kenyan families. By lowering the cost of feed, we enable farmers to produce fish more affordably, increasing the availability of this nutritious food source in local markets. This directly addresses food security challenges in Kenya, where access to affordable protein remains a major issue. -
Empowering Farmers Through Knowledge:
we work closely with farmers, providing training on sustainable farming practices and the benefits of using insect-based feed. This not only helps farmers adopt climate-friendly solutions but also empowers them to be part of the fight against climate change. -
Reducing Environmental Impact:
By diverting organic waste from landfills and using it to produce insect protein, we help communities manage waste more effectively. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing waste and helps create cleaner, healthier environments for people to live in.
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At AXA EssentiALL our focus is on developing tailored insurance to the realities customers face, to match the product with on the ground realitiesâ an example is our INES (insurance safety net for smallholder farmers) with LâOreal in Burkina Faso covering women shea nut collectors with health, personal accident and weather index insurance. This bundled solution is now in its third year, operating through cooperatives within the shea nut value chain. By bundling risks we aim to smooth income volatility for both catastrophic risks, such as drought, and everyday challenges- hospitalisation, accidents at work, which still can devastate lives.
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In Kenya, initiatives like the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) empower communities with funding for grassroots adaptation projects, while the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) supports businesses creating green solutions like biofuels and clean cooking. Over 80% of the countryâs energy from renewables also shows a commitment to people-centered, sustainable progress.
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Hi all, Iâm from ISEAL, which is a global membership organisation that supports sustainability standards. These standards help businesses create positive social, environmental, and economic impact by ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in their practices. By adopting credible standards, businesses can address climate change while improving social outcomes, like fair wages and better working conditions, and protect vulnerable communities.
One great example of businesses prioritising people in their climate strategies is the Hybrid Community-Based Monitoring System (HCMS) project, led by Rainforest Alliance in Ghana (2020â2022). In this project, cocoa companies worked closely with local communities to monitor deforestation, improve traceability, and build resilience to climate change. Through a mobile app, local farmers became active participants in collecting data on land cover changes and forest restoration. This approach not only helped companies meet sustainability goals but also empowered local communities to take control of their climate adaptation efforts.
Another inspiring example is the Forced and Bonded Labour Rapid Assessment Tool project (2021â2022) by GoodWeave International, in partnership with Rainforest Alliance and Better Cotton. This initiative developed tools to better assess the risk of forced labour in supply chains, helping businesses improve working conditions in the carpet and textiles sectors across India, Nepal, and Afghanistan. Itâs a great example of how integrating social issues into climate strategies can lead to more ethical, sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet.
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Q1: There are many powerful examples across Build Changeâs work of ways that businesses can prioritise, and contribute to, climate action strategiesâincreasing access to the financing, materials, and technical skills required to make homes more resilient, while at the same time increasing homeownerâs wealth, building the local economy, and leading industry transformation through the use of low carbon materials.
Build Change has worked in the Philippines for over a decade. Across the country, 2.9 million out of 25.2 million occupied homes are in need of major repair and, according to the 2023 World Risk Index, the Philippines is the most risk-prone country in the world, making the need for resilient housing urgent and acute. In response to this, Build Change partnered with the Holcim and ASKI, a local microfinance instutition, on a pilot project to increase access to affordable, resilient housing for low-income Filipino families.
Providing building materials (low carbon cement products) and investment for technical assistance in the project, so that Build Change can provide technical assistance through the use of our BCtap (Build Change technical assistance platform), which provides all stakeholders in the process with visibility and inputs into the resilient housing building process. This has supported ASKI in the deployment of co-developed loan products to low-income households.
This project, which concluded at the end of 2023, resulted in 185 safer people, 37 safer homes, the creation of 120 jobs in the construciton industry and 3,026 people trained in resilient housing. We have been working in the Philippines for over 10 years, and are confident that this project can be scaled upâin partnership with industry leaders like Holcimâto continue bringing climate resilient housing to vulnerable families in the Philippines.
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Wildlife Worksâ Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project is a flagship example of a business that places people at the centre of its climate action strategies. Located in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, the KCRPâs core business lies in generating verified carbon credits by protecting over 200,000 hectares of dryland forest, directly offsetting emissions, while positively impacting more than 120,000 lives. By creating over 400 direct local jobs, the project has provided stable income, empowering communities to shift away from unsustainable practices such as charcoal burning and poaching.
However, its influence extends far beyond its operational footprint, engaging local communities, regional economies, and global markets in a collaborative ecosystem.
A large number of women have benefited through initiatives like micro-enterprises and eco-factories, supported by the project. Community-led governance structures ensure that decision-making is inclusive and reflects the priorities of the people. Revenue generated from carbon credits is reinvested into socio-economic empowerment projects, such as improving healthcare services, increasing access to clean water, and enhancing educational infrastructure.
The project also focuses on climate-smart agricultural practices, having established a demonstration farm to teach adaptive farming techniques and a greenhouse that grows locally adaptable seedlings, including indigenous and fruit-bearing plants. Additionally, it protects critical biodiversity by preserving a wildlife migration corridor, essential for maintaining ecological balance.
The Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project exemplifies how businesses can prioritize people in climate strategies while creating tangible environmental and economic benefits. By addressing the root causes of deforestation, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and reinvesting in community resilience, KCRP demonstrates that acting beyond the value chain is not only a responsibility but a strategic advantage. It presents a replicable model for global businesses looking to align profitability with purpose, ensuring that climate action uplifts those who need it most.
In the broader context of combating climate change, KCRPâs approach urges businesses to think holisticallyâaddressing not just their emissions but the socio-economic ecosystems that enable their operations. This is how businesses can truly move beyond their value chains to drive meaningful, lasting impact.
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I work with a Tembea Futures Institute, social enterprise organization in kenya, and this has exposed me to see and experience businesses such as kenya commercial bank and equity bank that runs quite human centred programs while considering the aspects of climate change
Yes we see more appetite for long time thinking on climate/nature initiatives so try and work with businesses to mirror this thinking for social outcomes too and to think beyond the life span of a project. Early days but we remain positive
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Iâm sharing these on behalf of partner who canât make it today â Climate Activist â Centre for Green Growth in Ghana
Ellen MacArthur Foundation - Circular Economy Collaborations
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation partners with businesses like H&M, Google, and Danone to promote circular economy models. These efforts help reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and engage local communities in sustainable practices.
Key Insight: Companies can work together to create scalable, industry-wide change through shared goals and open innovation.
We Mean Business Coalition
This coalition of companies, including giants like Nike, IKEA, and Unilever, collaborates on climate policies and initiatives, focusing on renewable energy, zero-carbon supply chains, and resilience-building for local communities.
Key Insight: Aligning corporate goals with global climate targets fosters accountability and amplifies impact.
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In Kenya again, businesses like Koko Networks promote clean bioethanol cooking to reduce deforestation, while Safaricom uses renewable energy and supports climate resilience. Twiga Foods improves farming sustainability, and KEPSA drives private sector climate strategies through partnerships and SME support.
Starbucks is working to scale an interesting learning and innovation model for climate adaptation for its employees in commodity sourcing countries, focusing on employees getting education and training to focus on scaling solutions â theyâve just kicked this off in Costa Rica: https://about.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-to-open-sustainability-learning-and-innovation-lab-in-costa-rica/
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Qu 1 Our recent report has some examples of efforts including by Anglo American, Cemex, Clean Cookstove ALliance, Visa, GSK, Millers 4 Nutrition and Primark - i think this range of examples also shows that whichever sector you are in there are opportunities to align social and environmental goals. Although i think companies with agricultural supply chains are finding more obvious opportunities - so Primark, LâOreal, Twinings, Waitrose - are all trying to ensure women smallholders benefit from regenerative and climate smart agriculture opportunities. PARTNERSHIPS AND BUSINESS - Business Fights Poverty
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