Month: August 2023

International Olympic Committee news

There is no health without good mental health 

The Mental Health Action Plan emphasises the importance of recognising that athletes’ mental health needs are as important for their performance and well-being as their physical health needs, and that good mental health means much more than the absence of a mental health symptom or disorder.

Key targets for 2026

Guided by the principles of human rights, equity, evidence-based practice and working collaboratively, the Mental Health Action Plan is a comprehensive strategy that will serve as a roadmap for the IOC to promote mental well-being across its four spheres of responsibility – the IOC as an organisation, the IOC as the owner of the Olympic Games, the IOC as the leader of the Olympic Movement, and Olympism in society.

Across the four spheres, there are five thematic focus areas, with corresponding key objectives and actions, to be achieved by the end of 2026:

1. Culture and leadership

Demonstrating leadership in the field by championing a policy environment that recognises the importance of mental health and well-being.

2. Measurement and research

Contributing towards more thorough and reliable mental health epidemiology in elite athletes and under-researched groups, with attention to cross-cultural differences – recognising that evidence-based approaches are critical for impactful initiatives.

3. Reduce prevalence and improve well-being

Encompassing the continued development of expert-led tailored tools and initiatives to improve mental health literacy, reduce stigma, build mental resilience and reduce sport-specific stressors that impact mental health and well-being.

4. Improve care

Encouraging the fostering of psychologically safe athletic environments which reduce the barriers to help seeking, including through supporting early recognition of when further support may be needed, and establishing pathways to care.

5. Improve access to sport

Promoting and supporting the mental health benefits that people and communities experience through accessing sport and Olympism in Society, especially in resource-limited settings, contributing to Olympism365.

Discover the Mental Health Action Plan

Athletes’ well-being remains a top priority for the IOC

The focus on the protection and promotion of elite athlete mental health commenced in 2019 with the publication of the IOC Consensus Statement on mental health in elite athletes and the set-up of the IOC Mental Health Working Group.

More recently, Recommendation 5 of Olympic Agenda 2020+5 calls for increased mental health support for elite athletes and their entourages. Additionally, Recommendation 10 looks beyond the Olympic Games, at the use of sport to create a better, healthier world by contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This has helped to significantly increase the resources available through Athlete365, including the dedicated #MentallyFit section and the IOC Mental Health in Elite Athletes Toolkit. Such resources, in addition to the Certificate and Diploma in Mental Health in Elite Sport, remain vitally important in helping provide leadership to the Olympic Movement in this area and in raising awareness among National Olympic Committees and International Federations.

The Mental Health Action Plan signals the IOC’s intent to integrate expert-led support for athletes’ well-being across multiple IOC programmes, working on complementary topics such as gender equality and safeguarding, with the support of Olympic Solidarity.

The plan also draws on the principles of Olympism365, the IOC’s strategy aimed at strengthening the role of sport as an enabler of the UN SDGs, with particular emphasis on encouraging even more partnerships with organisations around the world that aim to bring individuals and communities together to experience the immense mental benefits of physical activity and sport.

Investors in ESG-labeled bonds expect well-structured issues with strong green or social credentials to command higher prices than the same issuer’s conventional bonds. This price premium, known as the “greenium,” seems to have been shrinking over time (Display). But factor in metrics such as quality and volume of issuance per vintage year, and a more nuanced picture emerges.

Although it’s common knowledge that the average greenium across major bond indices has decreased in recent years, the significance of issuance year (vintage) for greeniums is less well understood. But vintage year is important, because both the issuance levels of ESG-labeled bonds and the quality of their ESG proposition have varied significantly over time.

The decline in average greeniums has been driven primarily by two related factors: the increased issuance of ESG-linked bonds and the coinciding decline in quality of the ESG proposition across many of the newer issues. We can see the changes in both factors more clearly when we analyze vintage years.

We find that many older ESG-labeled bonds issued in the 2018–2019 era have maintained their greeniums over time. These include issues from pioneering financial institutions and best-in-class European names.

By contrast, issuers who more recently jumped on the ESG bandwagon generally issued less-well-structured bonds that command negligible greeniums.

As always with ESG-labeled bonds, it’s important to appraise each issue individually, because these securities’ characteristics vary so much, both within each sub-category and from bond to bond. The only way to determine whether an ESG-labeled bond deserves its greenium is by thorough fundamental analysis.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams. Views are subject to revision over time.

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T-Mobile’s emergency teams continue to restore connectivity in Maui and support first responders, agencies, officials, customers and communities. Over the weekend, they:

Restored sites in Kaanapali and Haleakalā, with teams continuing to evaluate impacted sitesArrived at the Maui Emergency Operations Center to support first responders and agenciesExtended concessions to all Maui customers through August 21Added additional organizations to the text-to-give campaignsProvided evacuees and emergency personnel on Oahu with supplies; team traveling to Maui today

Network Update 
T-Mobile’s Emergency Management team restored sites in Kaanapali and Haleakalā to provide critical connectivity in the area, including covering the FEMA center in Kaanapali. The team deployed generators and VSATs (Very Small Aperture Terminals) — portable satellite solutions — to restore connectivity where the fire damaged local fiber connections and commercial power outages are impacting permanent cell sites.

Additional microwave and satellite equipment is expected to arrive in Maui today, and the team is focused on providing connectivity to Maui’s west coast.

First Responders Update 
Our Emergency Response Team is at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Maui, working with the Maui Emergency Management Agency, police, firefighters, emergency medical services and search and rescue as well as FEMA and other federal agencies to identify network priorities that will provide critical communication for first responders and other frontline personnel.

Concessions Update 
We are extending concessions to all Maui customers who aren’t already on unlimited plans — all T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Assurance Wireless and Magenta Prepaid customers with Maui addresses will get unlimited talk, text and data through August 21.

Text to Give Donations Update 
We’ve added additional organizations to the “text-to-give” options previously announced. T-Mobile customers can “text-to-give” $10 donations simply by texting the organization’s keyword to the number below to have a one-time $10 donation added to their T-Mobile bill. T-Mobile will also 2:1 match donations from employees to the American Red Cross through August 31.

American Red Cross: Text HAWAII to 90999Hawaii Community Foundation: Text WILDFIRES to 501501The Salvation Army National Corporation: Text WILDFIRES to 52000Information Technology Disaster Resource Center: Text CONNECT to 20222

Community Support Update 
T-Mobile’s Community Support team is in Oahu to support evacuees and emergency response personnel in Maui with essential supplies including device charging, portable battery packs and charging cables. The team will be in Maui today.

Update: August 11, 2023

We continue to send our heartfelt condolences to those impacted by the devastating wildfires that swept through the west side of Maui. This is a challenging and dynamic situation, and our teams are working rapidly to respond in support of this community.

“It has been heartbreaking to see the wildfires sweep through the island and across historic Lahaina, especially now that we know the immense damage and devastation this tragedy has left behind,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “As with other natural disasters, in situations like this, connectivity is critical. That’s why we have teams ready to respond when disaster strikes, as was the case here. Homes and businesses have been destroyed as people, including our own employees, have been displaced. But I know we’re all grateful to have teams focused 24/7 on doing everything they can to show up for this amazing community.”

Network Update 
Fires destroyed local fiber and took out commercial power in many areas, which has impacted our service. While access to our sites is extremely limited and conditions are exceedingly challenging, we continue to closely monitor the situation and partner with local authorities on our plans to provide shorter-term temporary measures and longer-term restoration of critical communication just as soon as conditions safely allow.

We have Emergency Management teams and engineers getting critical temporary wireless equipment set up as quickly as possible.We have emergency teams, heavy-duty trucks and generators on the ground in Maui ready to deploy equipment and set up and refuel generators at sites without commercial power as safety allows.Portable cell equipment (a COW or “cells on wheels”) has arrived in Maui from Hawaii. We are working with local emergency agencies to determine the best location for placement. And we’ve redirected one of our wireless sites on Lanai to provide coverage for calling and texting in the hardest hit area on Maui.VSATs (Very Small Aperture Terminals) and fastback equipment, portable and agile solutions that provide wireless service, are on their way and should arrive this weekend.We’ll also have additional microwave and satellite solutions arriving over the weekend along with long-range microwave assets arriving next week.

First Responders 
Our Emergency Response Team is in regular direct communication with officials in Maui to support emergency personnel and the community, and to restore wireless service as quickly as possible. We’ll continue to work with FEMA, the State of Hawaii and other critical agencies.

Community Support Update 
T-Mobile’s Community Support team is headed to the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu, which is serving as an assistance center to help Maui residents and visitors. The team will work closely with the American Red Cross to offer evacuees and personnel critical supplies including device charging, portable battery packs and charging cables. They will be moving to Maui as soon as it is safe to do so.

Concessions Update 
T-Mobile’s prepaid customers — including Metro by T-Mobile, Assurance Wireless and Magenta Prepaid — in Maui will have unlimited talk, text and data through August 14.

Text to Give 
Emergency organizations in Maui need help, and T-Mobile customers can support their relief efforts with a simple “text-to-give” to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. Simply text “HAWAII” to 90999 and a one-time donation will be added to your T-Mobile bill. All funds will go directly toward critical and needed services including opening shelters and providing evacuees with food, safe lodging and emotional support. And we’ve extended 2:1 matching for employee donations to the American Red Cross.

Employees 
We are partnering with our teams to understand any direct impacts on our local employees. Our focus will be to ensure we provide support to employees during this very difficult time, particularly those who have been displaced from their homes. We are also ensuring we have measures in place to provide compensation coverage for our retail teams.

August 9, 2023

We are saddened by the devastating wildfires currently burning across the island of Maui in the Lahaina, Kihei and Kula areas. We are holding those who have been impacted in our thoughts and working rapidly to show up for the customers, communities and first responders in these communities.

Network Update 
Our Emergency Management Team is closely monitoring the fire and will be prepared to deploy portable satellite and microwave solutions to restore service in impacted areas when it is safe to do so. Travel in and around the island and impacted areas is restricted at this time, but we’re ready to respond as quickly as possible.

At this time, our cell sites are holding up well during the fires. However, commercial power outages may be impacting service for some customers. As soon as conditions allow, our priority is to deploy teams with portable generators that will bring temporary power back to our sites.

As an alternative, customers who still have a home Wi-Fi connection may be able to use Wi-Fi calling.

Helping First Responders 
T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Team is working with FEMA and the state of Hawaii to support firefighters and other first responders, organizations and communities. We’ll continue to engage with state and local officials and others and offer support. Agencies needing communications assistance can reach out to our 24-hour emergency hotline at 888-639-0020 or email ERTRequests@T-Mobile.com.

Customer Concessions 
While the majority of our customers are on plans with unlimited talk, text and data, for those who aren’t we are offering unlimited talk, text and data starting August 10 through August 14 in the following zip codes:

967089675396761967679676896790

Retail Stores 
Our T-Mobile retail store in Lahaina is currently closed. Please check if your local store is open here.

More Information 
As the fires spread, evacuations may continue. Please follow any orders that may be issued by local authorities to stay safe. Above are a few more things you can do.

Biodiversity loss also represents a serious risk to business. Mining, oil and gas, forestry, agriculture, fishing and tourism are exposed to nature-related risks of nearly $1.9 trillion, according to Moody’s Investors Service. Yet business is often cited as one of the main culprits of the biodiversity crisis, and with good reason. According to The Royal Society, biodiversity loss is being driven primarily by land use change (especially from agro-industrial agriculture, accounting for 30% of declines), and overexploitation of resources for food, medicines and timber (20%). Climate change and pollution account for a further 14%.

Business is clearly the villain, but can it also be the hero in this story? There are market investment opportunities of up to $93bn by 2030, according to the Paulson Institute. Here are seven business strategies that can contribute to a nature positive future. They fall on a spectrum from ad-hoc, incremental actions to systemic, transformational change.

Strategy 1: Donating. The $10 billion Bezos Earth Fund is typical of the philanthropic approach of many businesses. Donations are channelled through a foundation, often set up and funded by its wealthy founders or owners. In the case of the Bezos Earth Fund, $2 billion has specifically been earmarked for conserving and restoring nature in places like the Congo Basin. While the benefits for nature are clear and substantial, donations usually fall short of changing the company’s core business impacts on nature, and if taken in isolation can be viewed as greenwashing.

Strategy 2: Offsetting. The science and accounting of carbon offsets need to improve, but they are a crucial catalyst for biodiversity protection and restoration. For example, Apple has partnered with Conservation International to protect and restore the 27,000-acre mangrove forest in Cispatá Bay, Colombia. The project is expected to sequester a million metric tons of CO2 over its lifetime. According to Morgan Stanley, the market for carbon offsets is expected to grow from $2 billion in 2020 to around $250 billion by 2050.

Strategy 3: Greening. Living walls and living roofs are a great way for any business with a building to create habitats that attract biodiversity. For instance, IKEA’s award-winning living roof in Greenwich, UK, covers 3,500 square metres, with different biodiverse zones, including sedum covered areas, a wildflower meadow and raised urban farming beds for use by local schools and community groups. The potential is even greater when a company owns land that can be turned into biodiverse green space.

Strategy 4: Sourcing. Every company has a supply chain that impacts on biodiversity, whether through its canteen (e.g. are ingredients organic and menus plant-based? is the coffee and tea Rainforest Alliance certified?), or furniture and office supplies (e.g. are wood products and paper from sustainably managed forests?). In December 2022, the EU agreed a new law that bans the importation of commodities like beef, soya, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, rubber, charcoal and paper, unless they can prove that they were produced without increasing deforestation. Estée Lauder, a 2023 winner of an EcoVadis Sustainable Procurement Leadership Award, is developing specific biodiversity and social action plans for its ‘sensitive supply chains’, besides its No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation policy.

Strategy 5: Innovating. Changing a business’s core products and services to be inherently good for biodiversity, relative to prevailing market offerings, is an exciting space for innovation. A life cycle assessment by Quantis of Impossible Foods’ plant-based burger as compared with a standard beef burger suggests that it uses 96% less land, 92% less aquatic eutrophication potential, 89% less global warming potential and 87% less water consumption – all of which could dramatically increase the space for nature restoration. Other to watch in the plant-based protein sector are Beyond Meat, Quorn, Lightlife Foods and Tofurky.

Strategy 6: Transforming. To halt and reverse biodiversity loss, we will need to go beyond individual company changes. We need whole industry sectors to transform. Foremost among these, for biodiversity impacts, is agriculture, and there are signs of an appetite for change. Danone France has committed to source 100% of ingredients produced in the country from regenerative agriculture by 2025, while General Mills aims to advance regenerative agriculture on 1 million acres of farmland by 2030. Nestle wants to source 20% of their key ingredients through regenerative agriculture methods by 2025 (versus 6.8% in 2022) and 50% (14 million tonnes) by 2030.

Strategy 7: Tipping. These are significant and important commitments, especially for the production the world’s grains. But radically reducing our dependence on livestock farming – through cultured meat (also called cell-based or lab-grown meat) and precision fermentation – may be where the true revolution happens. Researchers have called this a global super-tipping point, while George Monbiot has found scientific evidence that precision fermented protein may use between 138,000 and 157,000 times less land than beef and lamb. Leaders in cultivated meat include Memphis Meats, Mosa Meat, JUST, Inc., Aleph Farms and Future Meat Technologies, while pioneers in precision fermentation are Perfect Day, Geltor, Clara Foods, Motif FoodWorks and Air Protein.

Integrating. All seven business strategies can contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss. And the best companies will try to integrate all seven. Outdoor wear company Patagonia, for example, has, since 1985, along with other companies, pledged 1% of sales (over $89 million to date) to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. In 1996, they were one of the first to commit to 100% organic cotton and they regularly run awareness campaigns on the impacts of overconsumption. In 2012, they launched Patagonia Provisions to champion organic regenerative food. And in 2022, founder Yvonne Chouinard transferred all the voting stock of the company into a trust, which requires that company profits must be distributed as dividends to protect the planet.

This is what we know: unless the high impact companies and sectors transform their approach, the goal of becoming “nature positive by 2030” will be impossible to achieve. And business can and will be a key source of the investment, innovation and scaling of solutions that is needed to turn the crisis around.