Even as we settle into the new year, we can remember the multiple challenges that 2022 presented us with. From geopolitical conflicts to a looming financial crisis and the fears that we may have crossed the threshold to reverse climate change. It was a tough year but it also held promise like the COP27 conference: it was a mixed bag. With that said, the main task at hand is still the regeneration of our planet.
The new year is not a magic wand; meaning that all our challenges did not suddenly vanish. Instead, the new year gives us the opportunity to reset our priorities and align them with the current global trends. Fortunately, our chief strategy officer, Dr. Simon Schillebeeckx has compiled a list of regeneration trends to look out for in 2023.
We believe these trends will not only focus our actions on the right direction, but they will also inspire us to be more creative in our collective mission of regeneration. Without much ado, here are the top 6 regeneration trends you should watch out for in 2023:
1. Regenerative Banking
The banking industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, as consumers and businesses demand more socially and environmentally responsible financial services. In response, the concept of regenerative banking has emerged, which seeks to align the financial system with the needs of people and the planet.
In the words of Ken LaRoe – CEO of First Green Bank: “the word regenerative is just so much more impactful [than sustainability] and takes it to the realm of not just status quo or maintenance all the way to something that actually revitalizes, or cures, or heals”. Yes you heard right, regenerative banking solutions can heal the planet. We are saying that money spent in service to the planet can move us away from the brink where we currently stand.
That is why Handprint is partnering with global payment card provider, Idemia, to launch Handprint Banking by April 2023. Handprint Banking will enable banks across the world to offer regenerative payment cards to their customers. Now you can tie as many personal transactions as you want to the impact you want to see on the planet.
2. Regenerative Food and Beverage (F&B)
Reality check: You are what you eat. We cannot change that. However, the planet does not have to bear the cost of your food preferences. Recently, the term “regenivore” has appeared; describing a person who eats in a way that regenerates and sustains our planet.
We are in an age where people are very interested in where their food comes from and what is in it. Kim Severson from the New York Times puts it this way: “A new generation wants food from companies that are actively healing the planet through carbon-reducing agriculture, more rigorous animal welfare policies, and equitable treatment of the people who grow and process food”.
Regenerative food and beverage trends are expected to become more popular in 2023, as consumers look for ways to improve their health and the environment simultaneously. Regenerative food and beverage options include; plant-based meat substitutes, dairy alternatives, plant-based snacks, organic products, fermented foods, foods with eco-friendly packaging etc.
3. Regenerative Marketing
As businesses adopt more environmentally-friendly practices, regenerative marketing is becoming increasingly important in 2023. Regenerative marketing goes beyond simply promoting products and services, but also focuses on creating a more positive impact on the environment, society, and the economy. Here are some aspects of regenerative marketing to take note of in 2023;
- Purpose-Driven Marketing: As companies focus on incorporating their purpose into their marketing efforts, consumers will continue to look for brands that align with their values.
- Sustainability-Focused Campaigns: Sustainability-focused marketing campaigns will become more frequent in 2023. Handprint’s partnership with Teads is just one example of how companies will make their marketing campaigns more sustainable.
- Emphasis of Regenerative Practices: In 2023, look for marketing campaigns that are sustainable in appearance but also those that show the regenerative side of the company.
4. Regenerative Finance
Investors and financial institutions are looking for ways to create a more sustainable and equitable financial system. That is what regenerative finance is all about. Regenerative finance like other decentralized movement relies on blockchain technology and web3 applications for the coordinated pooling, financing, governance of common resources. It is not enough to have enough capital in the system, there has to be equitable distribution as well.
To transfer control of capital to communities most affected by racial, economic, and environmental injustices, investors rely on concepts like “impact investing” and “community investing”. Impact investing is an investment technique used to deliver both financial returns along with positive, social and environmental impact. On the other hand, community investing is a method used by investors support underserved communities and help drive economic growth in these areas.
Other concepts related to regenerative finance include Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing, Circular Finance, Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI). We are predicting that these types of investments will become trendier in 2023.
5. Regenerative Policy
Governments, regulatory bodies and policy makers are the most important stakeholders on climate and environmental issues. The direction these stakeholders lean to in 2023 can be decisive to the achievement of regeneration goals on the planet.
Climate change continues to be a growing concern for policymakers, and in 2023, we expect to see an increased focus on climate action. This could include the development of new policies and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions or large-scale adoption of renewable energy technology.
We also expect to see more monumental milestones like the one reached during last year’s COP15 conference, where almost 200 countries signed up to the 30X30 initiative to protect 30% of the earth’s oceans and lands by 2030 by turning them into national reserves. In addition, developed countries committed to mobilize $30 billion for biodiversity assistance for developing countries by 2030.
6. Regenerative Ecommerce
We live in peculiar times. Customers have never been this proactive in seeking out sustainable products. This same trend is popular in the ecommerce sector. This means that companies have to prove to customers that sustainability is more than a synonym of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Through regenerative ecommerce, online sites and stores can prove their commitment to regeneration mission and to the planet by linking their KPIs to regenerative targets. We have an example of this relationship at Handprint. Australian retail chain Ultra wanted to integrate regenerative sustainability into their online platforms. After partnering with Handprint, they recorded that their sustainability-themed merchandise sold up to 5 times more than their usual merchandise. Their conversion rate leapt by 16% and in three months this success helped plant 10,000 trees!
Generation Regeneration 2023
In conclusion, the world of regenerative trends is constantly evolving and 2023 promises to bring exciting ideas to the forefront. From adopting regenivorous diets to getting a regenerative payment card, these trends are focused on providing consumers with healthier and more sustainable choices.
As consumers continue to seek out products that are better for them and the planet, these trends are sure to gain even more momentum in the coming year. So, be sure to keep an eye out for these 6 regenerative trends in 2023, and make sure that you’re taking advantage of all the exciting new options available.
