Climate change and the state of the world’s environment are concerns shared by people around the world, in every industry, and at every level. During the recent United Nations Climate Week (UNCW) event, stakeholders from all corners of the planet convened to tackle environmental issues. The attendees' list bears a host of familiar names, including:

• Mark Ruffalo, actor and founder of The Solutions Project
• Activist and Oscar-winning actor Jane Fonda
• Johnson & Johnson CSO Paulette Frank
• ABB President/CEO Morten Wierod

Beyond the high-profile presenters, companies across myriad businesses also get involved, including food-focused organizations like Kerry. 

To find out more about the event and the impact food firms have on the planet, we checked in with Christina O’Keefe, Kerry’s regional head of sustainability, North America.

Jenni Spinner: What is UNCW, who participates, and what are the goals?

Christina O’Keefe: As someone deeply committed to advancing sustainability in the food system, I see UNCW as a pivotal moment each year. It’s when leaders from across the globe, business, technology, academia, politics, and civil society come together to accelerate climate action. For me, it’s about driving real change, not just talking about it. At Kerry, our goals for Climate Week 2025 were clear: we wanted to elevate our role as a leader in sustainable nutrition, engage our customers in meaningful ways, and connect the dots between nutrition and planetary health. It’s about showing how our work can help others grow their business while making a positive impact on the climate.

JS: What role do companies like Kerry contribute?

CO: Companies like Kerry have a responsibility and a unique opportunity to lead by example. I believe our greatest impact comes from collaboration: working across the food, beverage, and pharma industry, sharing insights, and co-creating solutions that address climate change head-on. During Climate Week, we didn’t just talk; we listened, learned, and partnered with global leaders to spark innovation. 

Our expertise in food and beverage allows us to help major brands mitigate climate risks and build a more sustainable future. This commitment to a safer, more sustainable food system is central to Kerry’s goal of reaching over two billion people with healthier, more nutritious food by 2030.   For me, Kerry’s presence at UNCW 2025 was about demonstrating our commitment to transforming the global food system and inspiring others to join us on this journey.

JS: Tell us about the Smart Bites Showdown: Nutrition & Nature event.

CO: At Kerry, we are passionate about making sustainability engaging and accessible, so the Smart Bites Showdown was a highlight for me. Hosted by the Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute (KHNI), it was a lively, game-show-style event that brought together leaders, regulators, partners, and innovators. We tackled hot topics like GLP-1 trends, commodity challenges, and future food solutions. I loved seeing our experts break down complex trends, while attendees sampled innovations like our low-salt tortilla chip, protein coffee beverage, and gut health stick pack. The big takeaway? Nutrition and nature must work together to build a resilient, equitable food system. We spotlighted trends in weight management, policy shifts, and accessible nutrition, which have become growing concerns in America.

JS: What was Kerry's Real World Future of Food Edition, and how did it bring key conversations to life?

CO: We are always looking for ways to make data and insights tangible, so Kerry’s Real World of Food was especially exciting. This immersive activation showcased our consumer intelligence through six detailed confessionals, each rooted in our proprietary research. We explored how climate change disrupts supply chains, the tension between regulation and market-driven choices, and the challenge of making sustainable choices in busy lives. Personal stories about food waste, media influence, and personalized nutrition made these issues real for attendees. Attendees were also encouraged to provide their own confessional. For me, it was about future-proofing our partners and reinforcing Kerry’s role as the essential reformulation partner in sustainable nutrition.   

Reformulation is the biggest lever that we take immediately to reduce carbon, optimize nutrition, and reduce costs, meeting these consumer insights at an accessible cost. We leverage this through our industry-leading portfolio and scientific capabilities, for instance, our TasteSense Salt solutions, which enable sodium reductions of up to 60% in certain snack applications without compromising the desired salty flavor, directly helping customers meet public health and taste targets. We also utilize advanced tools like our proprietary Bakery Shelf-Life Model and natural preservation technologies to forecast mold-free shelf life. This clean label approach is accepted by 82% of consumers and yields significant sustainability gains across the supply chain.

JS: How does this fit into Kerry's overall mission and messaging regarding sustainability?

CO: Sustainable nutrition is at the heart of everything we do at Kerry. As regional head of sustainability, North America, I’m proud of our commitment to creating healthier, tastier, and more sustainable products, solutions that radically reduce food waste, enhance supply chain sustainability, and optimize nutrition with tangible, actionable, and accessible solutions. 

 As mentioned previously, our goal is ambitious: to reach over two billion people with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030. To achieve this, we’re cutting absolute emissions from our own operations by 55% by 2030 and aim to reach net zero before 2050. Our experts have already helped reduce sugar by 30% in leading beverages, minimize food waste, extend shelf life, and cut CO₂ emissions for snack brands, all while improving taste and reducing costs. Events like Climate Week allow us to share these successes and inspire others to join us in making a difference at scale. Do you have any such events or campaigns planned for the future?

We’re always exploring new ways to engage with industry leaders and the wider community. While I don’t have specific events to announce right now, I can say that we’re developing several initiatives focused on innovation, taste, and ongoing efforts to create products that are better for the planet. In the meantime, Kerry has a lot of educational webinars on our website, Kerry.com and through our LinkedIn account. 

JS: Anything to add?

CO: Climate Week NYC 2025 was a powerful platform for Kerry to showcase our commitment to transforming the global food system. By blending science, innovation, storytelling, and sustainability, we elevated the conversation about our opportunities and responsibilities. As we move forward, I’m focused on turning insights into impact, working alongside our partners to shape a food future that’s more nutritious, sustainable, and inclusive. The message is clear: sustainability is everywhere, and innovation is more possible than ever. From source to shelf, we have the opportunity to implement the change consumers want to see.

Related: Kerry launches Smart Taste