Month: April 2023

For many breastfeeding moms, finding a comfortable and clean place to pump and store breastmilk can be hard. Even harder for those who spend their workday behind the wheel of a massive haul truck at an oil sands mine, which continues to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, much like the role of a mother.

For breastfeeding moms at our Millennium Mine at Base Plant operations, collecting valuable breastmilk is a lot easier thanks to a new lactation room at the mine, designed specifically to provide a safe, private, and hygienic space for heavy equipment operators (HEOs) and others who need it in the mine.

Jennifer Burke, a Mine Operations Manager who provided feedback on the lactation space before going on a parental leave herself, believes Millennium Mine’s new addition is a positive sign that anyone is welcome to work anywhere at Suncor. “To me the lactation room signifies that no matter what your situation is, you can feel comfortable here. There are many mothers making incredible lives for their families while working in the mine. It’s nice to give them a space to do the things moms need to do,” says Jennifer Burke, a manager at the mine who is on parental leave herself.

The recent creation of a lactation room at Millennium Mine has made collecting valuable breastmilk a lot easier for women returning to the workplace after parental leave.

Bringing the idea to life

Tina Markovic, Vice President, Mining Business Improvement, was doing a ride-along with her team in the field when the idea of a lactation room was suggested from a HEO.

“I spent time with a female operator who flagged an important issue about supporting breastfeeding moms returning to work after parental leave,” says Tina. “She got me thinking: What if our workplace could provide a private and hygienic facility to express milk? This would help eliminate a barrier for some women in our workforce, or potentially aid in their decision-making process about returning to work.”

Tina shared the idea with a couple of Mine Operations Leaders, Amanda Bona and Neal Tattrie, and the rest is history — or herstory. Under Amanda and Neal’s direction, the Infrastructure Production Team made the Diversity Facility at Millennium Mine a reality. One area of the facility is a devoted quiet space for meditation or prayer; the other room is the site’s first lactation room for nursing mothers.

Amanda, an Infrastructure Production Day Leader, wanted to ensure the space is peaceful but also has important amenities such as hot water and a comfortable chair for those using the space. Swipe access is required to enter the lactation room to ensure it is kept private, secure and quiet.

“I asked pregnant colleagues what they would need in the space to make expressing milk as easy as possible for our operators, who typically spend the majority of their 12-hour shift in the cab of their heavy hauler,” says Amanda, who is currently pregnant herself. “This project really embodied the Stronger Together mentality, to support the ever-changing needs of our diverse workforce, and in this case, women specifically.”

While the lactation room at Millennium Mine is the first in the field, it’s not a first for Suncor. In 2019, a lactation room was added to Suncor’s headquarters in Calgary, Alta., with a second space created in 2022. Suncor also proudly supports many inclusion and diversity programs and initiatives throughout our operations including smudge-friendly spaces and prayer and meditation rooms.

Originally published on 3M News Center

Imagine a heart surgeon who doesn’t have the technology to monitor your heart.

A similar situation is happening right now with U.S. electrical grids: Many grid operators have limited visibility to critical information about what’s happening in their networks.

Fortunately, 3M developed a technology to help solve this problem more than a decade ago. It first caught on in Europe but is now gaining traction in the U.S. amid a sharp increase in extreme weather events and new energy demands.

The innovation is an easy-to-install sensor that can transmit real-time data about vital parameters in underground medium-voltage networks. “It’s like a heart-rate monitor for your electrical system,” said Terry Collier, vice president of R&D for 3M’s electrical markets.

3M captured the attention of Powering Chicago, an electrical industry labor-management partnership that featured the technology in a recent video.

“Having this technology will show the customer that there might be some problems in their system, and they can repair that before a catastrophic failure,” said Jerry McGlynn, vice president of field operations for McWilliams Electric, in the video.

The executive director of Powering Chicago, Elbert Walters III, visited 3M’s innovation center in Austin, Texas, to see the product first-hand and talk with in-house experts.

“This technology has proven to be a difference maker for those clients that have been using it in Europe for years now,” he said in the video. “It will allow projects in the U.S. to maximize efficiency and safety.”

3M first entered the electrical industry in the 1940s with the invention of electrical tape, and now has more than 75 years of experience providing proprietary technologies to the market segment.

“As we look to better manage our electrical infrastructure, the ideal business case for grid modernization is one that combines extending the life of current assets in a cost-effective manner, while preparing for future grid opportunities,” said Collier.

SHANGHAI, April 4, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987, “Yum China” or the “Company”) today announced that it has published its 2022 Sustainability Report on March 31. This report outlines the progress the Company has made, as well as the commitments the Company is making, towards the Company’s ESG goals in three focus areas: Environment, Food, and People.

“Yum China continued to make progress on its ESG commitments and priorities throughout the pandemic. We also stayed true to our purpose by supporting our employees, serving our customers effectively, and giving back to our communities,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. “Although many uncertainties still lie ahead, I believe that with our key capabilities and competitive moats, Yum China is uniquely positioned to thrive both as a business and a responsible corporate citizen. We will continue to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration as we work towards our ESG goals with our partners.”

Key highlights from this year’s report include:

Supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy and contributing to a circular economy: In 2022, the Company’s science-based emissions reduction targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This represents an important milestone in the Company’s journey towards achieving net-zero value chain GHG emissions by 2050. The Company is committed to contributing to a circular economy by improving the efficient use of natural resources through initiatives to reduce, reuse, recycle and replace. In 2022, Yum China initiated pilot projects such as fueling its logistic fleets with biodiesel, and recycling packaging waste generated in daily operations.

Deepening efforts to offer safe and nutritious food to customers: The Company continued to invest heavily in building an industry-leading, intelligent, digitalized food safety and quality management system. Utilizing AI, IoT, and real-time monitoring and analysis, the Company has established rigorous control measures across the value chain to ensure food safety and quality. In addition to offering customers safe and high-quality food, Yum China is committed to offering a wide range of nutritious choices to customers. The recently released Yum China Nutrition and Health Policy highlighted the Company’s commitment to promoting balanced diets.

Firmly adhering to the ‘People First’ philosophy: The Company provided job security to its employees even during tough times, refrained from layoffs, increased medical coverage for eligible staff and their families, and provided them with food and medical supplies during the pandemic related lockdowns. In 2022, the Company further upgraded its employee benefits plan and established the “Yum China Employee Mutual Aid Fund” to offer financial assistance to employees in need.Serving the communities where we live and operate: Through their heroic efforts during the pandemic, Yum China’s employees continued to live out the Company’s core values. In 2022, over 4 million hours of volunteer time was recorded to support local communities. Meanwhile, Yum China’s flagship One Yuan Donation program celebrated its 15th anniversary. Through it, the Company contributes to poverty alleviation and rural revitalization by improving the diet and nutrition of children in remote areas and enhancing their access to digital education.

Yum China continues to receive recognition for its sustainability efforts and progress. The Company achieved a ‘Top 1% Global ESG Score’ in S&P Global’ s Sustainability Yearbook 2023, the only company in the Restaurants & Leisure Facilities industry to receive this recognition.

The 2022 Sustainability Report, Yum China’s sixth annual Sustainability Report, was prepared in accordance with global ESG and sustainability reporting guidelines and frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). It also outlines Yum China’s contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure the Company’s efforts align with the 2030 Agenda.

To learn more about Yum China’s ESG efforts, please visit: http://www.yumchina.com/respIndex.

Read the full 2022 Sustainability Report here.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as “expect,” “expectation,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “intend,” “belief,” “aim,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “predict,” “project,” “likely,” “will,” “continue,” “should,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “look forward to” or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company has over 400,000 employees and operates nearly 13,000 restaurants under six brands across 1,800 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee shop concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world’s most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7556 / +852 2267 5801

IR@YumChina.com

Media Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7510

Media@YumChina.com

2022 Sustainablility Highlights.pdf

Leaders of businesses, trade groups, and institutions in Arizona are gathering today in front of the Arizona State Capitol to highlight their efforts to incorporate innovative clean energy and clean transportation solutions into their operations. As representatives of major Arizona employers, participants will showcase new technologies and call on policymakers to take action to attract more clean energy investment to the state.

Organized by Ceres in partnership with the Arizona Technology Council and Plug In America, the Lawn Day event brings together more than 20 organizations that are leaders in unlocking clean energy investment, jobs, and innovation in Arizona. Participating companies include: Arizona State University, Array Technologies, American Solar and Roofing, Honeywell Aerospace, Nikola, REI Co-Op, Schneider Electric, and Siemens. Company representatives and state lawmakers will also have the opportunity to partake in a “Ride and Drive” hosted by Plug In America, to explore the latest electric vehicle models on the market.

“States are rushing to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the once-in-a-generation economic opportunity of the clean energy transition. In Arizona, leading businesses are already at the forefront of this shift, but they are limited without strong state policy to support their efforts,” said Alli Gold Roberts, senior director of state policy, Ceres. “Businesses are making these investments to optimize their operations, reduce energy costs, and provide public health benefits to their communities. We hope their leadership inspires Arizona policymakers to take equally ambitious action.”

“Supporting, investing in, and developing strong public policy initiatives for clean energy is imperative to the future of Arizona from both an environmental and economic perspective,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “The Arizona Technology Council is proud to partner with Ceres and Plug In America in organizing Lawn Day and voicing our support for stronger state policies around attracting and growing clean energy and clean transportation solutions.”

“With billions of dollars in federal funding available for Arizona clean energy investments, this is a crucial opportunity to grow Arizona’s economy in a secure way and improve quality of life across the state,” said Ingrid Malmgren, Plug In America’s director of policy. “Arizona’s decision-makers have the opportunity today to experience the products of the growing clean energy economy in Arizona. Lawmakers are able to explore and drive electric vehicles that will drive job creation and economic development in Arizona, as well as protect Arizona’s energy security and reduce transportation costs. As electric vehicle drivers find, with instant acceleration and a smooth ride, EVs are also a thrill to drive. Through state support, we hope all Arizonans have the opportunity to ride and drive electric.”

In addition to demonstrating their own ambitious clean energy initiatives to lawmakers, the diverse group of businesses will also voice their support for supportive state policies that help Arizona take full advantage of federal investments through the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The two laws include hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for clean energy, clean transportation, and other cutting-edge technologies and practices, and are already fueling a nationwide wave of investment in domestic clean energy manufacturing.

In Arizona, for example, Lawn Day participant Siemens is serving as the lead investor and infrastructure partner for KORE Power, Inc.’s battery cell production facility in Buckeye. Now Arizona has an opportunity to seize its role as a leader in the clean energy transition by approving state policies that further harness this momentum.

“Siemens is committed to achieving net zero emissions in our own global operations by 2030 and is devoted to helping our customers along their own sustainability journeys. In order to make true progress, strong partnership between the public and private sectors is critical,” said Jim Taylor, vice president of business solutions for Siemens USA’s Grid Software division. “Now is the time to set the foundation for critical supply chains here in the U.S. while simultaneously ensuring our transportation, energy, and manufacturing infrastructure is reliable, resilient, and efficient. Available federal funding, paired with a foundation of effective clean energy policy, will create jobs and manufacturing opportunities here in the Grand Canyon State.”

State lawmakers, policymakers in the Governor’s Office of Resiliency, and officials in the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Arizona Corporation Commission have been invited to the event to meet and network with company representatives. The Lawn Day’s “Ride and Drive” program will feature demonstrations of popular passenger electric vehicle models, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Tesla Model 3, Rivian R1T, Kia EV6, and the Hyundai Genesis G80, as well as Nikola and Lucid vehicles that were each manufactured in Arizona.

About Ceres 

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

About Arizona Technology Council 

The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Comprised of a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, visionaries and community members to make an impact on the technology industry. These interactions contribute to the Council’s culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org.

About Plug In America 

Plug In America is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information to consumers and dealerships about EVs through various programs, including National Drive Electric Week, Drive Electric Earth Day, PlugStar.com, and other public outreach events. With Plug In America’s coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, policy experts, and technical advisors, their expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience in driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization’s motto: “We drive electric. You can too.” Learn more at PlugInAmerica.org.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin

We’re helping solve our customers’ big challenges by innovating and delivering solutions that are better for their business – and for the environment.

Project At-a-Glance:

The opportunity: Help Derby College (UK) decarbonize its Broomfield Hall campus as a part of the United Kingdom’s Public Sector Decarbonization Scheme.

The solution: Replacing existing fossil-fueled boilers with a thermal system of cascading Trane air- and water-source heat pumps.

Sustainability outcomes:

790,000 kWh in annual energy savingsAnnual reduction of 160 tons of CO2 emissionsA People’s Choice Award from the European Heat Pump Association

When the United Kingdom’s Derby College Group (DCG) was awarded significant government funding to improve the efficiency of its buildings and reduce its carbon emissions, the network of public colleges looked for strategic, tangible ways to make operations on its four campuses more efficient, more sustainable, and healthier for the nearly 20,000 students served by its programs.

Guided by the long-term, legally binding environmental targets outlined in the UK’s Climate Change Act of 2008, DCG had already committed to taking urgent action to reduce the use of carbon and carbon embedded products and resources on its campuses. With new funding in place from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonization Scheme (PSDS), DCG chose to partner with Trane® to make its bold commitments a reality. The top priority was replacing antiquated coal-burning boilers at Broomfield Hall, a public college offering a variety of land-based programs such as agriculture, equine, and horticulture.

A thermal system of cascading heat pumps

DCG and Trane recognized that a comprehensive, state-of-the-art upgrade of the heating system was essential for preserving the efficiency and sustainability of the Broomfield Hall campus. Trane’s innovative and efficient solution was to install a combination of six air-source and three water-source heating pumps in cascade configuration. The project also provided new centralized plant and distribution pipework, upgraded controls, and thermal storage, allowing for optimized energy use and providing buildings with low-carbon heating and hot water.

In total, the new Broomfield Hall thermal system, part of a wider project that also included the installation of solar panels and new LED lights at the college, will produce 600kW of heating while saving 790,000 kWh in energy consumption and 160 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Award-winning partnerships for a sustainable future

The positive impacts of Trane’s system upgrades to Broomfield Hall have garnered significant attention. In January 2022, the project was included in the UK government’s decarbonization summary report. And in September of that year, the Broomfield Hall project and Trane Technologies received the People’s Choice Award at the European Heat Pump Awards in Brussels.

Broomfield Hall’s sustainable upgrades highlight the far-reaching benefits of strategic partnership and alignment. Programs like the UK’s PSDS help fund capital energy efficiency and decarbonization projects with the goal of helping the UK reach its 2050 net-zero commitments. Trane Technologies’ innovative solutions advance its bold, industry-leading 2030 Sustainability Commitments.

“The quality of our estate, and the efficiency with which it is operated, can have real and measurable social, economic and educational impact,” affirms Derby College Group’s Director of Estates Iain Baldwin. “This installation is a step in the right direction for DCG and is a great example of how green, clean energy provision can be utilized on a greenfield site.”

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., April 4, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Verizon announced it will host the inaugural Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Summit, an all-day experience for small business owners to network and participate in live events designed to help them grow their businesses, in San Diego on April 13, 2023, at the FEMX Quarters. In partnership with the global professional education and networking platform Luminary, the summit aims to bring valuable business insights and strategies to small business owners.

Participants of the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready: San Diego Summit will have the opportunity to engage in robust workshops and educational sessions, with the goal of building connections and learning from subject matter experts, including local small business owners. To learn more about the event and to register, visit WeAreLuminary.com/VerizonBusinessSummits.

“The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Summit will showcase our passion for digital inclusion and commitment to the San Diego small business community,” said Dominique Cano-Stocco, Executive Director of External and Government Affairs in Southern California at Verizon. “The event will harness the power of Verizon’s comprehensive digital resources and match it with insights from some of San Diego’s most innovative entrepreneurs.”

Launched in 2021, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a free online resource designed to give small businesses the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital economy. Small businesses can access personalized learning through over 40 courses, mentorship, peer networking, 1:1 expert coaching and incentives such as grant funding. In partnership with LISC and Next Street, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready portal was created with and for small businesses, with a specific focus on helping diverse and under-resourced business owners. Spanish language course offerings, coaching from experts and community events are also available.

Now through May 12, 2023, small businesses can unlock an application for the new round of grant funding by registering for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, at www.verizon.com/smallbusinessdigitalready, and completing at least two of the following, in any combination: courses, live coaching or community events. Small businesses that complete the application will be eligible to receive a $10,000 grant.

“The grant I received will support my business growth through a visibility and marketing campaign, a retreat this summer with my clients, job creation, and tools to continue to cultivate community,” said Pam Covarrubias, founder of Spread Ideas Move People, a small business based in San Diego, CA. “Having access to the Digital Ready tools that Verizon offers allowed me to get more clarity about important steps for my business.”

This initiative is part of Verizon’s goal to support 1M small businesses by 2030 with the resources to thrive in the digital economy, as part of its responsible business plan: Citizen Verizon. Visit CitizenVerizon.com to learn more about the company’s responsible business efforts.

Media contact(s)

Bernadette Brijlall
bernadette.brijlall@verizon.com

Herbert Nyarko
herbert.aidoo-nyarko@verizon.com