This podcast explores the efforts of Kenyan company Sian Flowers to create a low-carbon rose by shipping them around the world by sea. It discusses the carbon footprint in the horticulture industry in Kenya, compares carbon footprints of different transportation methods, explores the challenges of shipping by air and ocean, and examines the marketing opportunities and risks of selling low-carbon products.
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Quick takeaways
Cion Flowers, a Kenya-based company, is exploring strategies to reduce its carbon emissions and costs by shipping roses globally by sea instead of air, highlighting the potential benefits of shipping by ocean such as cost advantages and the ability to even out growing cycles.
The podcast raises questions about marketing opportunities for low carbon roses and consumer perception of their freshness, acknowledging the challenges of consumer perception and the need to overcome skepticism about the freshness of flowers that have been in transit for longer periods.
Deep dives
The Carbon Footprint of the Flower Supply Chain
The podcast explores the carbon footprint associated with the global flower supply chain. It highlights the fact that the majority of cut flowers sold in the United States and Europe are imported from other countries, resulting in a significant carbon footprint due to transportation. The podcast discusses a case study on Cion Flowers, a company based in Kenya that grows and exports roses globally. The company is exploring strategies to reduce its carbon emissions and costs by tackling supply chain challenges. The case prompts students to compare the carbon footprint of air transportation versus ocean shipping.
Challenges and Opportunities of Shipping Flowers
The podcast delves into the challenges and opportunities of shipping flowers, particularly the requirements of maintaining the cold chain and optimizing the vase life of cut flowers. It discusses the techniques used in preparing flowers for shipment, including chilling them to preserve freshness and using controlled atmosphere shipping containers. The podcast compares the carbon emissions between air transportation and ocean shipping, highlighting the significantly higher carbon footprint associated with air cargo. It explores the potential benefits of shipping by ocean, such as cost advantages and the ability to even out growing cycles.
Marketing Low Carbon Roses and Consumer Perception
The podcast raises questions about marketing opportunities for low carbon roses and consumer perception of their freshness. It discusses the motivation behind Cion Flowers' exploration of different shipping methods, driven by increased costs and limited availability of air cargo. The podcast also examines the possibility of gaining preferential access to markets and obtaining price premiums by positioning low carbon roses as a more sustainable choice. However, it acknowledges the challenges of consumer perception and the need to overcome skepticism about the freshness of flowers that have been in transit for longer periods.
This bonus episode of Climate Rising features Harvard Business Review’s Cold Cast podcast with Brian Kenny interviewing HBS professors Willy Shih and Mike Toffel about their teaching case about Kenya-based Sian Flowers. They discuss the company’s efforts to create a “low-carbon rose” by shipping them to their clients around the world by sea instead of by air without eroding their quality, and the effects this has on its production process.