SDG-9 Spotlight
“The process resulted in a straightforward list of sustainability criteria that connects our products to SDGs and creates a method for applying the criteria to current and future Valent products.” “With our third-party review complete, we are now positioned to integrate the criteria within our R&D platform to increase innovative and sustainable solutions within our product pipeline.” She’s proud of Valent parent company Sumitomo Chemical’s legacy and commitment to sustainability. “Consistent with SCC’s philosophy of JIRI-RITA, we’re operating our business in harmony with society and nature.” Leslie Garcia, associate director, regulatory, sustainability, and stewardship, who co- leads the team with Mike Riffle, senior director, field R&D.
The Science of Defining Sustainability Criteria
to the appropriate sustainability pillars. They evaluated products objectively, documenting the credibility of science in the sustainability score. At the center of Valent’s classification system are the easily distinguishable icons that highlight key sustainable practices and attributes of products. The company will use these symbols in a variety of materials — tools the sales representative can use to assist growers and customers in attaining a more sustainable ag operation. To get a third-party review of the criteria, the team partnered with SCS Consulting , a global firm with expertise in helping organizations implement credible sustainability strategies and solutions. Several members of the Valent U.S.A. Sustainable Solutions team have completed SCS Global’s Sustainably Grown training to support the Sustainably Grown Certification among users of Valent products. SCS Consulting completed its review in June and has provided Valent with feedback and recommendations.
Over the past two years, a cross-functional team at Valent U.S.A. has been scrutinizing sustainability from a product and practice perspective. This intricate examination has created an evaluation process with specific criteria to help define “sustainable” solutions across the company’s broad ag product portfolio. The project started by simplifying the three standard pillars of sustainability — social, environmental, economic — into people, planet, productivity. Using the U.N.’s relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as a guide, the experts then examined an extensive library of regulatory reviews by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and peer-reviewed scientific literature, as well as field evaluations by agricultural extension and research services, to identify key product qualities grounded in science. Valent products support many different sustainable agricultural practices for a variety of growing operations. The team scored products across eight distinct criteria, assigned
Leslie Garcia
Associate Director, Regulatory, Sustainability and Stewardship
Mike Riffle
Senior Director, Field R&D
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