Canopy at Climate Week NYC 2024

Last month, Canopy had the privilege of participating in New York Climate Week 2024, a flagship global event focused on accelerating climate solutions through collaboration and innovation. Held from September 22–29, Climate Week brought together leaders from around the world to discuss actionable strategies for tackling the climate crisis.

At Canopy, our commitment to transforming global supply chains and scaling lower-carbon Next Gen alternatives aligned perfectly with the event's mission. Canopy's presence at New York Climate Week showcased our efforts to drive the adoption of forest-friendly, circular solutions that protect forests and ecosystems while keeping carbon in the ground.

Key Highlights from Climate Week:

Nicole Rycroft’s Tides of Change Roundtable at the Pratt Institute

Nicole Rycroft took part in the Tides of Change | Unlocking the potential of sustainable solutions to shift fashion industry roundtable, a significant event hosted by Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco and the Pratt Institute. The roundtable brought together prominent voices from the sustainability sector to discuss the fashion industry’s role in addressing climate impacts.

Nicole delivered a compelling address, highlighting the enormous opportunity Next Gen materials offer to decarbonize the fashion industry. Nicole emphasized the need for industry-wide collaboration to grow sustainable solutions by moving away from traditional fibres that are resource-heavy, like wood pulp, to alternatives made from textile waste and agricultural residues. She also discussed the economic and environmental benefits of circular innovation, calling on brands, policymakers, and investors to align their strategies with the climate action agenda, to, as she said “believe in the art of the possible.” 

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Advancing Next Gen Materials at Vogue Business x GXO Fashion Futures event 

Canopy’s attendance at Vogue Business Fashion Futures reflects our commitment to driving sustainability in the fashion industry through cutting-edge innovation. This interactive event, hosted by Vogue Business, brought together changemakers and technology leaders to explore how brands are reshaping the future of fashion through tech-driven solutions and sustainable practices.

Discussions centered around possible industry transformation, and Canopy was excited to spotlight how Next Gen materials and circular solutions are addressing critical challenges like reverse logistics and carbon reduction. By highlighting alternative fibre feedstocks and regenerative practices, Canopy promotes real solutions that can help brands meet sustainability targets while protecting climate-critical forests.

Fashion Futures provided a unique platform for Canopy to connect with innovators, engage in intimate discussions, and showcase our role in building a more sustainable and forward-thinking fashion industry. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and equipping the sector with the tools needed for lasting change.

Investing for the future at the Fashion Pact’s Financing Fashion’s Decarbonization Initiatives event 

Canopy’s attendance at the Fashion Pact’s co-hosted session was crucial as it provided a platform to engage with finance and sustainability leaders working to drive decarbonization in the fashion industry. The event, featuring opening remarks by Paul Polman and a panel moderated by Vogue Business’s Rachel Cernansky, highlighted innovative finance models and the critical role corporate financial teams play in transitioning to net-zero operations. 

For Canopy, this session reinforced the importance of collaboration in scaling Next Gen Solutions and reducing the environmental impact of fashion supply chains. 

North America Spotlight from Climate Week

Canopy covered a significant amount of ground at other Climate Week events, with a focus on expanding Canopy’s network, furthering partnerships, and catalyzing the Next Gen North America Hub strategy. 

At New Standard Institute’s Fashion Act Monday event, held at Oases in Manhattan, Canopy’s North America Hub Strategist, Joshua Katcher, met with other coalition members to plan passage of the Fashion Act. The Fashion Act is a critical piece of New York legislation that aligns with Canopy’s mission to transform unsustainable supply chains into models of sustainability. The proposed law reached critical momentum at the end of the last legislative session. Canopy, along with stakeholders like GANNI, Studio 189, Reformation, EILEEN FISHER, Another Tomorrow, Patagonia, Stella McCartney, Faherty, Everlane, and other brands, suppliers, and innovators understand the domestic and global importance of such legislation, especially as it pertains to making Next Gen manufacturing more viable in North America.

At events organized by Alante Capital, SOSV’s IndieBio New York, TED’s Audacious Project, and Nike, Canopy met with mission-driven financers and innovators working to protect climate and biodiversity and scale Next Gen Solutions.

Finally, Canopy sat down with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to build short-term and long-term engagement that empowers CFDA members to leverage and grow Canopy’s pipeline of Next Gen innovators and strengthen access to, and manufacturing of Next Gen fibres to make textiles here in North America.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact and Collaboration

Canopy’s participation at New York Climate Week reinforced the critical role that material innovation plays in driving the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy. As we look ahead, our work with brands, policymakers, and investors remains focused on scaling Next Gen Solutions globally.

By collaborating with forward-thinking partners and leveraging new technologies, we can accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable future‌ — ‌one that protects the world’s forests, reduces carbon emissions, and fosters circular economies.

Join us as we continue to lead the way in advancing Next Gen materials and circular innovation for a sustainable future.