Month: February 2023

AUSTIN, Minn. February 28, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Three winners of the 12th annual Hormel Foods MLK essay contest visited the company’s World Headquarters today to read their winning essays to Hormel Foods team members. The students – Ava Pigrum from Sacramento, Calif., Andre Smith from Minneapolis, Minn., and Michael Htoo from Willmar, Minn. – claimed the top honors among hundreds of entries from 12 schools this year.

The Hormel Foods Black Leaders & Allies Advancing Cultural Knowledge (BLAACK) business resource group sponsors the essay competition for elementary and middle school students across the United States. Contestants are asked to write an essay with the theme, “What Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Means to Me.”

“BLAACK is excited to bring our annual MLK Essay Contest back to our World Headquarters after several years of a hybrid format,” said Cedric Moore, BLAACK president and senior customer executive for Retail sales at Hormel Foods. “The goal of this event is to promote the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by having the top three students from across the country share what Dr. King’s legacy means to them. One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is, ‘No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.’ Today, these students are displaying the excellence of Dr. King’s legacy by sharing their stories.”

The nationwide competition promotes the value and importance of cultural differences and provides a platform for celebrating diversity. The goals of the program are to promote Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy, encourage children to aim high, give them exposure to minority professionals in business and create a lasting partnership between Hormel Foods and local schools.

These three students honored Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy by putting into words what he means to them.

“I thank my ancestors who pushed through,” said winner Andre Smith in his essay. “I thank Dr. King because he gave me and everyone the faith to become a leader and take the next step to keep his dream alive. There is still not justice for all, if it wasn’t for Dr. King we would not know how to fix today’s problems.”

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin’s®, WHOLLY®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the “Global 2000 World’s Best Employers” list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine’s most admired companies, has appeared on the “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world’s most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

CINCINNATI, February 28, 2023 /3BL Media/ – The Ohio Diversity Council will host its annual Southwest Ohio Women in Leadership Symposium (WILS) on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at 1699 Deerfield Road, Lebanon, OH 45036. The 2023 Women in Leadership Symposium theme, “Rising in Resilience: Achieving Empowerment through Advancement & Adaptability,” will focus on topics such as adaptation and flexibility to changing tides in work structure, pay equity and interpersonal relationships.

“As we embark on two decades of progress, the Women in Leadership Symposium highlights the legacy of excellence and advocacy for women’s equality in workplaces and communities,” said TyKiah Wright, Senior Director of the Ohio Diversity Council. “We invite you to join us for the Southwest Ohio WILS as we rise in resilience!”

The conference will feature moderator, Sharon Howard, System Director, Community & Government Relations and Site Communications, Premier Health and panelists, Karla Boldery, Cincinnati Market General Manager, La Mega Media, Inc; Dawn Conway, CEO, Boost Engagement; Jeanetta Darno, VP & Chief Diversity Officer, UC Health; Pushpa Manukonda, Independent Tech Leader, Manukonda; Tiana Rollinson Henry, Senior Manager of Community Partnerships, WCPO 9. Iranetta Rayborn Wright, Superintendent and CEO of Cincinnati Public Schools will also be recognized as the 2023 Woman of the Year awardee.

The Ohio Diversity Council will also partner with Dress for Success Cincinnati and attendees are encouraged to donate gently used or new blazers, pantsuits and jewelry at the event. The event is sponsored by Great Parks, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County and Public Media Connect. To learn more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact laura.grajczyk@nationaldiversitycouncil.org.

About the National Diversity Council 
A non-profit organization committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow in their knowledge of diversity. The council affords opportunities for organizations to share best practices and learn from top corporate leaders in the areas of diversity and inclusion. More information about the National Diversity Council is available at: www.nationaldiversitycouncil.org. 
 

About the Ohio Diversity Council 
The Ohio Diversity Council (OHDC) is committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow and leverage their knowledge of diversity. Through a variety of events and programs, the OHDC serves as the premier resource for diversity best practices and leadership development in the state of Ohio. It is currently comprised of five advisory boards: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo. For more information about the Ohio Diversity Council, please visit https://www.ohiodiversitycouncil.org/.

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CNH Industrial is committed to growing its tech stack to keep bringing groundbreaking solutions to market. The company knows that with each strategic acquisition, its Research & Development capabilities grow. And better R&D means better results for customers.

One of CNH Industrial’s latest additions is ShiVa Technologies – an exciting innovator who deliver market-leading advanced graphics engine technology.

ShiVa’s software boosts efficiency to bring more innovation inside the farmer’s cab. In this interview, Jason Shildt, Director of Core Technologies at CNH Industrial, discusses how the company is leveraging it to rebuild the farm virtually.

For him, CNH Industrial is effecting change. A meaningful change that drives the company – and agriculture – forward.

Read the full article here.

And visit to discover more highlights of CNH Industrial living its purpose every day.

About CNH Industrial 
CNH Industrial is a world-class equipment and services company. Driven by its purpose of Breaking New Ground, which centers on Innovation, Sustainability and Productivity, the Company provides the strategic direction, R&D capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its global and regional Brands. Globally, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture supply 360° agriculture applications from machines to implements and the digital technologies that enhance them; and CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment deliver a full lineup of construction products that make the industry more productive. The Company’s regionally focused Brands include: STEYR, for agricultural tractors; Raven, a leader in digital agriculture, precision technology and the development of autonomous systems; Flexi-Coil, specializing in tillage and seeding systems; Miller, manufacturing application equipment; Kongskilde, providing tillage, seeding and hay & forage implements; and Eurocomach, producing a wide range of mini and midi excavators for the construction sector, including electric solutions. Across a history spanning over two centuries, CNH Industrial has always been a pioneer in its sectors and continues to passionately innovate and drive customer efficiency and success. As a truly global company, CNH Industrial’s 37,000+ employees form part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, focused on empowering customers to grow, and build, a better world.

As fleet managers stare down the energy transition, the various factors at play can seem overwhelming. Over the next several decades, they’ll need to balance upfront costs associated with transitioning to alternative fuel vehicles, chronic lack of clean energy transportation infrastructure, range anxiety, new maintenance and repair protocols and more.

To complicate matters further, they’ll need to structure their new solutions and protocols carefully, ensuring they support the success of fleets that abate each pillar of the energy trilemma.

What is the energy trilemma?

The energy trilemma refers to the challenge of balancing the interdependent needs of energy security, environmental sustainability, and affordability. These three priorities often conflict with one another, making it difficult to strike the appropriate combination. For example, securing energy supply in the current market may require fossil fuels, which puts environmental sustainability goals at risk.

It is important to consider each pillar in isolation as well as in tandem with the others to build equity and longevity into our changing energy models. As the U.S. continues to pursue the clean energy transition, policy, market structures, infrastructure development, and capital investment must all be made with the balance of the energy trilemma in mind.

How does the energy trilemma affect fleets?

Because the transportation sector consumes significant energy and contributes nearly a third of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, fleet operators are pressured to adopt sustainable fueling practices. Whether swapping for sustainable fuels or transitioning to electric vehicles, each fleet’s unique energy transition will require careful consideration of the trilemma’s pillars.

A small fleet relying primarily on diesel, for example, may lack the upfront capital investment capacity to adopt electric vehicles at this time. To make progress toward sustainability while keeping operations affordable, this fleet might be best suited to renewable diesel, which offers up to 85% lower lifecycle emissions than traditional diesel ICE vehicles. But renewable diesel is rarely offered at gas stations, so this fleet may choose to work with a mobile fueler like Booster® to secure a reliable supply of the renewable fuel.

Similar multi-pronged solutions scenarios abound within the transportation sector as fleets find new and creative ways to adapt to the changing market.

How can you balance the energy trilemma with your fleet fueling?

Put simply: the major way fleets meet with the energy trilemma is in fueling and fuel burning. In response, fleets can improve energy efficiency while keeping costs low and maintaining a secure fuel supply by switching to sustainable alternative fuels, using fuel-efficient or zero-emission vehicles, optimizing fuel economy, monitoring and analyzing data, and adopting mobile fuel delivery.

Mobile fuel delivery, in particular, helps fleets balance the complex needs of the energy transition by cushioning a customer-centric service model within a flexible, clean, efficient delivery structure to support fleet sustainability while enhancing overall fleet productivity.

1. Energy Affordability

Despite widespread desire to make fleets cleaner and greener, the vast majority of fleet managers are constrained first and foremost by budgets. Unfortunately, many new energy sources for fleets are capital-intensive, requiring infrastructure investment or vehicle upgrades, and this is an affordability barrier for many.

Mobile fueling helps by providing cost-effective and convenient fueling solutions to a range of fleet types. By eliminating the need for fleets to travel to and from fixed fueling infrastructure, mobile fueling reduces fueling costs and unproductive labor time. In fact, mobile fueling by Booster offers higher productivity and lower emissions while saving fleets an average of $1600 annually per vehicle.

2. Environmental Sustainability

Mobile fueling helps fleets reduce their environmental impact by enabling the adoption of sustainable fuels. By providing on-site fueling for low- and zero-emissions fuel vehicles, mobile fueling supports the transition to a more sustainable transportation system by enabling easy adoption of clean technologies.

The mobile fuel delivery model also lowers emissions and improves air quality by reducing vehicle miles traveled to fueling stations or infrastructure, which minimizes the fuel burn and associated emissions and environmental impact of fleet operations. Booster’s mobile fuel delivery service reduces fleet emissions by 525 lbs of GHG emissions per vehicle annually, on average.

3. Energy Security

When it comes to adoption of sustainable fleet technologies, access to energy sources and fueling infrastructure presents a major barrier. But security of supply is a crucial element to a successful fleet transition.

Mobile fuel delivery enhances energy security by providing on-site fueling for fleets, reducing the risk of fuel shortages or disruptions. By eliminating a fleet’s reliance on fueling stations or infrastructure, mobile fueling can improve the resiliency and reliability of fleet operations, especially in remote or infrastructure-sparse areas.

Mobile fueling also secures energy supply by enabling access to alternative fuels that may be more secure and resilient than traditional fossil fuels. For example, fleets can use mobile fueling to adopt renewable fuels like renewable diesel, which can be produced domestically from abundant waste feedstocks. Similarly, fleets can use mobile fueling to adopt electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which can be powered by domestically sourced electricity or hydrogen.

Mobile Fueling for Balanced Fleets

The key to balancing the energy trilemma for fleet fueling lies in resiliency, reliability, and re-imagination of our current fueling systems. Mobile fueling offers the ability to shepherd adoption of sustainable fueling technologies with a reliable, affordable solution. By working with mobile fueling providers, fleets can develop customized fueling plans that meet their specific needs and priorities across their energy transitions while contributing to a more sustainable and secure energy future.

Development. Connection. Education. Engagement. Recruitment. Mentoring. Inclusion.

These are just a few of the many benefits inherent in Aramark’s growing network of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which give voice to the diverse members of the company’s workforce, create a more inclusive workplace, and help shape company culture. Aramark was recognized in 2022 as being one of the Top 10 Companies for ERGs by DiversityInc.

“The DEI team greatly appreciates all of the LEAD members who contributed to an amazing Black History Month celebration. Our ERGs help us develop and engage people across the company, but they do so much more than that,” said Fenimore Fisher, Vice President, Aramark Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). “ERGs help us align workplace practices globally, invest in strategic partnerships, and strengthen our ties to clients, local businesses, and people in the communities where we live and work.”

As one ERG focused on the development and advancement of its members, LEAD (Leaders and Employees of African Descent) comprises team members who self-identify as Black, African American, West Indian, or of African descent, as well as allies.

To commemorate Black History Month this year, LEAD team members organized, led, and participated in a series of programs and events designed to cultivate Black leaders at Aramark, support community projects, and foster a spirit of belonging.

2023 LEAD Summit and Awards

About 100 Aramark employees and guests participated in the third annual LEAD Summit held February 22-24 at Temple University in Philadelphia. The summit theme this year was “LEADing the Way: Fostering Dynamic Leaders That Are Connected, Protected, and Respected.”

Educational sessions at the summit included a panel discussion of what it is like to be a Black leader in corporate America post-pandemic and breakout sessions about building voice and confidence in work culture, professional financial acumen, and the importance of health and well-being.

John Graham, Jr., Vice President of Employer Brand, Culture and Diversity at Shaker Recruitment Marketing, and author of the book Plantation Theory: The Black Professional’s Struggle Between Freedom and Security, gave the keynote address.

The first day ended with an awards dinner during which the following Aramark LEAD ERG members were recognized:

Indiana ERG HUB, HUB of the Year Award, for actively working to recruit new members, hold events, and connect with the community;Kamilah White and Arianne Phillips, Committee Chairs of the Year Award, for exemplifying strong leadership within a LEAD committee and always willing to go above and beyond;Joel Hernandez, Ally Award, for being involved or showing leadership in other ERGs while embodying the true meaning of being an exemplary ally; andMichelle Smith, Dynamic LEADer Award, for being an “up and coming” leader demonstrating outstanding leadership skills and excellence while demonstrating the vision and mission of LEAD.

A vendor expo was also held during the summit at which multiple minority-owned businesses shared information about their products and services and interacted with the Aramark participants and other invited partners.

Aramark HBCU Emerging Leaders

Earlier in February, Aramark announced a partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to launch the Aramark HBCU Emerging Leaders Program.

Through the program, 15 students enrolled in qualifying majors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were selected to participate in an immersive experience at the Aramark headquarters in Philadelphia in late February to learn more about Aramark’s organization and culture. Travel, lodging, and meal expenses were covered.

Emerging Leaders participated in simulated work activities to help them better understand Aramark and job functions related to their majors, networked with executives, and learned about internship and employment opportunities post-graduation. They were also invited to participate in the LEAD ERG Summit.

“This program was named Emerging Leaders because we look to these students as the future of our industry and Aramark,” said Jack Donovan, CEO and President of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to HBCU institutions and the students that they serve. We can’t wait to see how our program participants leverage their potential, and we hope that this experience supports their pathways to success.”

Other Black History Month Events

LEAD members organized and led several educational and community events during the month.

Employees took part in a virtual book discussion concentrated on The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama on February 2 and in an online culinary discussion and exploration February 16. 

On February 9, LEAD organized a virtual tour of Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle, one of about 40 slave castles built by Europeans on the Gold Coast of West Africa.

Starting on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day January 16, LEAD teamed up with the Aramark Young Professionals (AYP) ERG and Aramark Community Relations to host a month-long book drive.

The books all meaningfully address DEI, meet school reading criteria, and align with Dr. King’s vision and passion. ​​​​​​

More than 600 books were donated and will be delivered to school students in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Philadelphia.

It’s Black History Month! Today we begin the month-long celebration of the past, present, and future change agents and accomplishments Black Americans contribute, every day. It is with great pride that we honor the progress we have made as a people and as a country and commit to continue the work that still lies ahead.

It is important to acknowledge the leaders who relentlessly focused their efforts, and often sacrificed their lives, to engage in the hard work of advocacy and progress throughout our nation’s tumultuous history.

It is also important to celebrate the contributions of our own dedicated Leidos employees who are committed to not only making our company a great place to work but are also applying their expertise in countless fields to shape the future of our business, industry, and the world.

Next week, we will join in recognizing twenty Leidos employees as Modern-Day Technology Leader award winners, and one noted as the Most Promising Engineer in Industry, at the Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) 37th Annual National Convention. These innovators in STEM are making major technological advances impacting our healthcare systems, enhancing national security, innovating air travel, and ultimately improving our way of life.

Black history in America has deep, embedded foundations of resistance, resilience, redemption, and restoration. The struggles and the setbacks that preceded the successes serve a great purpose, not just for Black Americans but for all Americans. The lessons we all learned throughout the journey has cultivated a resolve beyond our positions, gifts past our experience, and strength that surpasses training. This resolve is the fuel that keeps us moving forward, embracing every obstacle as an opportunity to make lasting change that benefits us all.

This is the legacy. This is the celebration. This is Black history. This is our American history.

I encourage everyone to find ways to celebrate and acknowledge the many contributions of Black Americans—those we know, those we read about, and the legends in the making, not just this month but all year long.

Inclusion is all of us. Everyone. Every day.

Applied employees across the United States and Canada once again gave generously during our 2022 Fight Against Hunger campaign. This annual tradition is a meaningful (and fun!) expression of Applied Purpose — connecting what matters to our employees and the community with who we are and what we stand for as a company. Employee donations, along with a match from the Applied Materials Foundation, totaled nearly $3.3 million provided to 54 food banks throughout North America.

Impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and job and housing uncertainty, our neighbors need support more than ever. In fact, 1 out of 7 people across the U.S. rely on food banks to put nutritious food on their table.

“Thank you to all Applied employees — long-timers and newcomers — who joined me in this year’s Fight Against Hunger. I have participated in this incredible effort since my early days at Applied, and I am proud to have led the charge this year,” said Tim Deane, Group Vice President of Applied Global Services and the campaign’s Executive Champion. “It’s good fun for a great cause!”

Employees — as they have done for decades — brought creativity, energy and a competitive spirit to the fundraising effort. Favorite events included workout classes, bingo nights, a cricket tournament, cooking competitions, and of course, the traditional Hoopla basketball shooting competition.

To address food insecurity in Applied communities around the world, Singaporean employees volunteered to prepare and deliver meals for the Willing Hearts organization while employees in Taiwan packed food at the People’s Food Bank. In India, Greece and Korea, employees raised funds for local charities that are combatting hunger and helping to feed those in need.

Activities in China included food packaging workshops, a farm tour and an online quiz to raise hunger awareness among employees. Applied Japan collected food for distribution to hungry families. Earlier in the year, Israel colleagues participated in their annual Passover Fight Against Hunger program donating funds and fresh fruit and vegetable parcels to economically disadvantaged families and Ukrainian refugees in the country.

Thank you to the volunteer leaders, event planners and donors who made all the campaigns and activities possible!

Get inspired by visiting Applied’s corporate responsibility webpage and follow us on Twitter @Applied4Good to see how we’re engaging in other community efforts around the globe.

“You have to have a bias for action in the world if you want to do your part to make it a better place.” – Jake Wood

Jake Wood’s “bias for action” is indisputable: After graduating from college, he joined the Marine Corps and served two years overseas. His return to civilian life wasn’t easy. Like many veterans, Jake was faced with a loss in structure, purpose, and sense of impact. After a close friend and fellow veteran committed suicide, Jake founded non-profit Team Rubicon with a dual purpose: (1) to serve global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises and (2) to reintegrate veterans into civilian life through opportunities to utilize military training for communities in need.

Ten years later, Jake welcomed his second daughter, who required surgery shortly after she was born. The experience sparked a new idea to empower more people to have a greater impact and sense of purpose. In 2021, Jake co-founded Groundswell, a corporate philanthropy platform that allows you to “give like Gates, be taxed like Warren Buffet, and be recognized like Rockefeller.”

We invited Jake to lead us through his purpose journey, from creating social entrepreneurship ventures to the impact your company can make through them.

Listen for insights on:

What to expect from venture investorsHow companies can support and enable employees in their philanthropic givingHow employee-driven corporate donations drive better business outcomesAdvice for pursuing greater impact through social entrepreneurism

To listen to this episode and others, visit Purpose 360 Podcast.

Lenovo unveiled its latest commitment to fighting climate change by pledging to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, validated by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

As a global tech leader, it is important that we leave a positive impact on our planet for the next generation. What we do today, determines what comes next. That is why Lenovo is determined to provide smarter technology that builds a brighter, more sustainable future for our customers, colleagues, communities and the planet.

Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with the Founder of Pur Plant and one of our Lenovo Innovators, Quentin Brouhon, about his passion for environmental sustainability. Read on to learn what net-zero means to him and how others can make a difference to reduce their carbon footprint.

What does net-zero mean to you?

To me, the solution to net-zero is under our feet. The way we currently grow most of our food is harming our planet’s ecosystem through topsoil and biodiversity loss, desertification, habitat destruction, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United Nations, about a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food. We need to adopt regenerative practices like not tilling the soil, planting trees, covering crops, planned grazing or installing wind turbines and solar panels as an energy source. More carbon in the ground is good for our planet. We also must call on companies to implement sustainable solutions and make pledges towards a net-zero future.

Lenovo, as an example, is one of just a few hundred global companies that has committed to not just to achieving net-zero, but also to use its global platform to make a positive social and environmental impact. Providing communities and companies with educational information on the simplicity of making a difference is crucial to saving our planet and achieving net-zero.

Based on your work, how has climate change impacted our ecosystems?

I have noticed climate change affect my region of Spain primarily during the summer and winter. Over the past few years, we’ve experienced warmer winters, which directly impacts our orchards and plants, and there is a noticeable lack of water during the summer. This is something that really worries me, especially as it relates to the future of my work. The drought ruins productivity, as well as vegetable and fruit harvests. The result of these weather changes have led to increased product prices, which negatively impact local producers and consumers.

What practices can anyone adopt to lessen their environmental impact?

Whether you live in an urban area or the countryside, composting waste is a practice that anyone can do. Composting is a complex biological process that uses microbes, and occasionally worms, to break down everyday food waste. This creates an incredible organic fertilizer for your urban micro-jungle or extensive gardens. You don’t need a big space to make a huge difference – you can compost easily at home. Another easy practice to adopt is reducing the use of plastic. This can be as simple as bringing your own shopping bags to the store or packing things in reusable containers versus one-time-use plastics.

When you envision a more sustainable future, what does that look like?

I imagine a future in which we take care of nature and, in return, nature takes care of us. A society where we are surrounded by plants, and communities are growing the organic foods they consume. Furthermore, I envision a future where we are using the most innovative, sustainable technology. Sustainable technology is not just designed to be reused, but also serves as the foundation for transformative thinking, ideating and educating. A place where we connect through our devices and prioritize technology that creates a brighter tomorrow.

What role do you think companies can and should play when it comes to sustainability?

Without a doubt, companies have a responsibility to use green energy, reduce the use of plastics and decrease carbon footprints. Going digital and cutting back on unnecessary paper use is crucial to achieving these goals. Additionally, companies need to understand the importance of using local suppliers. By prioritizing the use of local suppliers, companies can have a large impact on local ecosystems and reduce their carbon footprint through reduced travel. Additionally, setting specific, measurable commitments, such as Lenovo’s net-zero targets, demonstrates that companies are serious about making an impact.

Follow Quentin’s #LenovoInnovators journey and learn more about his mission to save our planet on Instagram @quentin_brouhon

NEW YORK, February 28, 2023 /3BL Media/ – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announces a partnership with climate tech company CHOOOSE as part of its ongoing focus on sustainability and advancing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By visiting https://jetblue.chooose.today, JetBlue customers will now be able to join JetBlue in championing SAF adoption through a dedicated climate platform powered by CHOOOSE. The platform enables customers to estimate the CO2 emissions of their flights and then address these emissions by contributing to a fund dedicated to covering the cost premium of SAF as compared to conventional jet fuel.

JetBlue views SAF as the most promising avenue for addressing aviation emissions in a meaningful and rapid way – once cost-effective SAF is made available commercially at scale. Produced from a wide array of renewable sources such as agricultural wastes and used cooking oils—not fossil fuels— SAF is a type of renewable fuel that exists today and drops directly into existing aircraft and infrastructure with no impact to safety or performance. SAF can lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 80% compared to traditional petroleum-based fuels while reducing particle and sulfur pollution.

In 2022, roughly 0.3% of JetBlue’s fuel consumed was SAF. Supporting and growing SAF availability is critical to increasing this volume and reaching the aviation industry’s emissions reduction goals. By contributing toward the purchase of additional SAF through CHOOOSE, JetBlue customers and can now send a critical signal of consumer demand for more sustainable air travel options and help grow the emerging SAF market.

“The call from our customers for more sustainable air travel has only gotten louder and louder. We are proud of our industry-leading commitments and actions but recognize reaching our aggressive goals will require the partnership and support of multiple stakeholders,” said Sara Bogdan, director of sustainability and environmental social governance, JetBlue. “With this new platform, customers are now able to measurably reduce the environmental impact of air travel, as well as join their voices with JetBlue and our growing list of partners as we work and advocate for a more sustainable future of aviation.”

While proven effective, additional support for SAF is still needed to grow the market and encourage the economies of scale necessary to make SAF more widely available and cost competitive with traditional fuel sources. JetBlue continues to do its part, securing immediate as well as future supplies of SAF on its path to convert 10% of the airline’s total fuel to be SAF by 2030. JetBlue has been flying regularly using SAF from its California airports in San Francisco and Los Angeles, partnering with both currently available SAF suppliers in the U.S., Neste and World Energy. To further encourage a vibrant and competitive market, in 2022 alone, JetBlue signed agreements with three additional SAF producers for future supply: Aemetis, AIR COMPANY, and Fidelis New Energy.

Today’s announced partnership with CHOOOSE builds upon the airline’s previously announced JetBlue Sustainable Travel Partners program for JetBlue Corporate Travel customers. JSTP enables organizations to directly and meaningfully reduce their reported carbon footprint through the purchase of JetBlue issued SAF certificates and address their “Scope 3” indirect emissions that exist within the value chain, such as those produced through corporate travel. Since launching the program in 2022, a growing list of sustainability-focused organizations have taken advantage of JetBlue issued SAF certificates to help source over 1.6 million gallons of SAF combined.

Together with CHOOOSE, individual customers will now be able to join JetBlue and these leading sustainability-minded organizations in their call for greater availability of lower carbon solutions within the aviation industry. All customer contributions through https://jetblue.chooose.today/ are used to help cover the difference in cost between SAF and conventional jet fuel — allowing the airline to ‘upgrade’ more conventional jet fuel to SAF and sending a powerful signal that demand for SAF exists.

“CHOOOSE is thrilled to support JetBlue’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions by making it easy and accessible for JetBlue customers to take action on the emissions associated with their flights and to join JetBlue in its efforts to transition to SAF. Airlines, governments, NGOs and travelers alike must come together to scale the production and use of SAF and other low-emission alternatives,” said Andreas Slettvoll, CEO at CHOOOSE. “This is how we change the emissions at their root cause, by giving passengers the opportunity to opt for alternatives to fossil fuel. We are excited to be a part of JetBlue’s journey to becoming a more sustainable business. Together we will make SAF much more accessible to travelers across the world”

Advancing the Future of Flight

JetBlue continues to focus on the future of sustainable aviation through partnerships and advocacy. As a launch member of the Aviation Climate Taskforce, the airline, along with its subsidiary JetBlue Ventures (JBV), nine other airlines and the Boston Consulting Group launched the non-profit organization to accelerate breakthroughs in emerging technologies to decarbonize aviation.

JetBlue Ventures also continues to invest in and partner with early-stage startups improving travel and hospitality, including those in the sustainable travel space. JBV has invested in seven direct and three adjacent sustainability companies to date. The team explores advanced methods of measuring and reducing emissions, technologies that improve environmental protections and encourage sustainable tourism, and game-changing transportation powered by alternative propulsion systems like electric or hydrogen powered commercial aircraft. Most recently, JBV announced an investment in Rubicon Carbon, a next generation carbon solutions provider also backed by TPG Rise Climate.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and United Kingdom. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

About CHOOOSE

CHOOOSE™ provides the leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform empowering businesses to integrate climate action into customer experiences. Enterprise partners in sectors like aviation, travel and logistics deploy CHOOOSE to build, manage and report on customer-centric climate programs that embed climate action wherever they interact with their consumer or corporate customers. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, CHOOOSE has enterprise partners and employees around the world. Learn more at www.chooose.today.

Media Contact 

JetBlue Corporate Communications
corpcomm@jetblue.com