Month: April 2023

According to the United Nations, 14% of crops—that’s 56 million tons—are lost worldwide between harvest and retail. Likewise, the energy, fresh water, and land required to grow those crops are wasted.

But a high school junior may have the solution.

Nitya Jakka of Aurora, Illinois, has developed a way to ensure more produce makes it to store shelves. Her company, Terraclu, uses sensors to track crops’ output of ethylene, the gas released as they ripen.

By comparing sensor data to baseline ethylene measurements, taken over the lifespan of a crop, companies can predict the speed at which crops are ripening—and adjust temperature and humidity levels during transportation and storage to slow down maturation.

As a result, more produce will survive the journey and reach grocery shelves at the ideal ripeness, which means less is wasted during the farm-to-table process.

The teen developed her idea in her Grade 11 year at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). Founded in 1986, IMSA is ranked the No. 1 college prep public high school in the state, with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects targeted to about 650 enrolled students in Grades 10 through 12.

“(Jakka’s) story gives you an idea of how IMSA students are already changing the world and how it all starts by focusing on science and math,” says Cesar Patino, IMSA’s major gifts and campaign senior manager.

To expand its educational offerings, the academy developed the PROMISE program (Providing Opportunities for Mathematics and Science Enrichment). Held over spring break, on weekends, and in the summer, PROMISE is open to students in Grades 7, 8 and 9 from culturally, linguistically and economically diverse backgrounds, allowing them to experience STEM enrichment the IMSA way at little or no cost.

PROMISE is used as a feeder program to attract strong students to the boarding school; in 2023, nearly one in four PROMISE students earned enrolment to IMSA.

To help PROMISE meet its goals of developing the potential of underprivileged and BIPOC youth, Enbridge has awarded IMSA a pair of $5,000 Fueling Futures grants since 2021.

Enbridge’s success is built on a diverse, respectful and inclusive workforce. We want to see people of all backgrounds represented in STEM, and we recognize the importance of helping diverse students advance their education in the field.

From diverse backgrounds come diverse ideas, Patino adds.

“Some of the world’s big problems can be solved by developing the future of these kids, who bring different perspectives, different ideas, into the classroom,” he explains. “They’re in that stage of life where anything is possible.”

Within IMSA’s academic programs are embedded the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The goals remind students that the world is facing challenging times—climate change, world hunger, international conflicts, the energy crisis, sustainability issues, and racial injustices.

They are problems that every IMSA student strives to solve.

“Our future as a species is going to depend on encouraging these highly competent, scientifically and creative-minded kids,” Patino says. “There’s so much they can achieve. By developing and nurturing them in the fields of science and math, they’ll reach that goal of really changing the world.”

Guided by our purpose to help people save money and live better, Walmart aims to operate in a more regenerative way – making a net positive difference for people and the planet in all we do, including sourcing products for our customers. Our teams are hard at work with suppliers, NGOs, policymakers and others to address issues related to climate change, nature, waste and people working in global product supply chains.

As we celebrate Earth Week, here are just a few examples of how we are working with our partners on more sustainable product, packaging and waste reduction innovations:

Built for Better

We launched Built for Better as an online shopping destination, making it easy for customers to identify and shop for products that are built better for them, communities and the planet. Earlier this year, we added our Clean Beauty shop to it, offering customers an easy and accessible way to find beauty products made without ingredients they may not want.

Cleancult

We welcomed Cleancult into more than 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide earlier this year. Aiming to eliminate single-use plastic waste from the home cleaning category, Cleancult uses innovative carton technology to power their paper-based refillable hand soaps, dish soaps, all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergent.

OLAY, now in recycled jars

Walmart has collaborated with OLAY North America to offer the latest innovation in more sustainable skincare packaging solutions: 100% recycled jars for their Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer and Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer. These jars offer the same great benefits to customers while reducing virgin plastic use. Made with recycled waste from sources including Walmart facilities, OLAY’s limited-run jars are expected to save up to 10,000 pounds of plastic waste from entering landfills.

More U.S. states eliminate single-use bags and bag opt out rolls out nationally

We’re expanding our efforts to reduce single-use bags to four more states in line with local regulatory changes: As of this week, Walmart stores in Delaware, Oregon, Washington D.C. and Washington state will not offer single-use bags at the frontend or pickup. By eliminating single-use bags in a total of 10 states in the U.S. as well as Walmart Canada and Mexico, we anticipate avoiding the use of almost 2 billion single-use plastic and paper bags every year. And by the end of this year, we aim to allow most Walmart customers to opt out of bags for their pickup orders nationwide.

Walmart Restored

Through Walmart Restored, we’re offering customers access to thousands of professionally inspected, tested and cleaned restored items from a curated list of top sellers and suppliers. The program, available online and in select stores, offers top-quality products at a fraction of the typical cost and allows customers to extend the life of a product.

Walmart+ InHome x Loop

We teamed up with circular reuse platform Loop and a number of brands to launch Walmart+ InHome x Loop, a pilot program that aims to provide a convenient way to eliminate single-use packaging and reduce plastic from many everyday purchases. Walmart+ InHome customers in Northwest Arkansas can now place online orders to receive delivery of some of their favorite brands in reusable and returnable packaging.

Through expanding sustainable choices, helping reduce waste and introducing new circular business models, we’re continuing to advance sustainability across Walmart. Our hope? To make the sustainable choice the everyday and affordable choice for our customers.

Originally published by Sustainability SmartPod

If you’ve flown on American Airlines recently, there’s a chance your plane was fueled by a small amount of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Jill Blickstein, Vice President of Sustainability at American Airlines, joins the show (18:27) to talk about the latest advancements in SAF, fleet upgrades the airline has made to enhance its sustainablility and an AI-enabled system called ‘Smart Gating’ that conserves fuel and saves time for travelers.  American Airlines is undertaking numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. As Jill explains, many of those efforts come in places passengers might not notice, but certainly lead to more sustainable air travel.

Highlights from Jill Blickstein

Update on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – (20:10)
American Airlines’ goals for SAF usage – (23:56)
Using SAF to attract business travelers – (26:36)
Creating a SAF certificate for all travelers – (30:22)
The potential for zero-emission hydrogen-electric aircraft – (30:47)
Partnering with the Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy Catalyst – (33:24)
Other sustainability initiatives at American Airlines – (35:10)
‘Smart Gating’ – (39:47)
Powering operations with renewable energy – (42:20)
Validation from the Science-Based Targets initiative – (43:02)

Other Show Segments

Sustainable or Suspicious – (1:54)
E-liability

Top Headlines from SmartBrief on Sustainability – (6:53)
Sustainable precast concrete products made with locally sourced recycled materials
Comcast boosts its energy efficiency
Electrifying roads to cure electric vehicle ‘range anxiety’

Here and There – (13:04)
3 ways to make data centers more sustainable

Sign up for the SmartBrief on Sustainability newsletter

NEW YORK, April 20, 2023 /3BL Media/ – The lessons learned from the pandemic will undoubtedly impact how businesses deal with future crises, which is the topic of a new research project led by Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) for release in late 2023. The inquiry will investigate how COVID-19 is influencing corporate change management. The work is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

While crisis management focuses on the preparation for, response to, and recovery from an event, most change management approaches are designed to address a situation over a much longer timeframe. ​The pandemic has characteristics of both crisis and change management. For example, the pandemic first created acute crises that needed to be addressed such as the shortage of PPE, overcrowded hospitals, business interruptions, and the need for essential businesses to stay in operation. But over the long term, the pandemic has impacted home learning, supply chains, mental health, and more. 

“This study will look at areas where companies are riveting or pivoting in response to necessary changes over the past three years due to the pandemic, such as remote work,”, said Nandika Madgavkar, Senior Director, Strategic Engagement and Growth, CECP. “The result will be a framework for company leaders to use when considering their change efforts today and in the future.”

Key questions include:

What is needed to change, and manage that change overtime? ​How do companies need to engage stakeholders, listen to their POV, and prioritize needs to determine the best path forward? ​Once a path is determined, how do leaders best integrate change across the business?​How can companies accelerate change and adopt an agile culture with a solid foundation? ​How can companies create levers of change through engagement and integration of new goals? 

Project milestones include: 

May 24 CECP Summit session on The Power of Crisis: A Change Management Investigation a breakout session on Embracing Change through the Lens of Agility, Engagement, and Integration. CECP-affiliated companies register here. June 27, 2023 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 p.m. p.m. ET: virtual roundtable. CECP-affiliated companies register here. November 14, 2023: CECP Board of Boards: sharing findings with CEOs. CEOs register here. November: Public launch of report 

Companies interested in learning more can contact Kate Stobbe at kstobbe@cecp.co. 

CECP Media Contact

Katie Leasor

kleasor@cecp.co

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About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)
Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is a trusted advisor to companies on their corporate purpose journeys to build long-term sustainable value and tell their impact stories. Working with CEOs and leaders in corporate responsibility, sustainability, foundations, investor relations, finance, legal, and communications, CECP shares actionable insights with its CEO-led coalition to address stakeholder needs.

Founded in 1999 by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and other business leaders, CECP is a movement of more than 225 of the world’s largest companies that represent $7.7 trillion in revenues, $37.4 billion in total community investment, 14 million employees, 22.5 million hours of employee engagement, and $21 trillion in assets under management. CECP helps companies transform their strategy by providing benchmarking and analysis, convenings, and strategy and communications in the areas of societal/community investment, employee engagement, environmental social governance/sustainable business, diversity equity inclusion, and telling the story. For more information, visit http://cecp.co.

We’re thrilled to be welcoming Gloria Mirrione to Acre today as our new Executive Director and Head of Sustainable Finance & Impact Investing, Americas. 

Based in New York, Gloria will be driving our growth in sustainable finance & impact investing in the U.S. Gloria has an extensive background in guiding c-suite executives across financial services to integrate ESG and create additionality for clients through increasing their focus on sustainability and impact. 

“Sustainability is transforming the way companies prioritise talent – particularly in financial services, where companies have a unique opportunity to impact meaningful change. Acre is leading that transformation,” Gloria said. “By expanding its sustainable finance team of leading experts, Acre is demonstrating its strong commitment to creating systemic change for the planet and society and activating people’s potential.” 

Most recently, Gloria served as Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry, where she was focused on asset management and co-led the ESG & Impact Investing practice. Broadly, she brings more than 20 years of experience in professional services – eight of which focused on sustainability – having worked in global executive recruitment and broadly on financial services at all levels. She has worked with many global, commercial, and investment banks, as well as asset owners and investment managers, with a focus on private markets. 

“Gloria’s standout track record of identifying Chief Sustainability Officers, Heads of ESG, and impact investing leaders within this sector make her an extremely important addition to Acre’s growing team in the U.S,” said Richard Wright, CEO here at Acre. “It is our ambition to shape a future where sustainability, impact and diversity are embedded in every organization’s operations and value systems.” 

We are delighted that Gloria has joined our Acre family. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in driving growth in the U.S. and advancing our goal of equipping businesses with the people they need to build resilience, adapt and manage the risks involved in tackling climate change.

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.