Month: February 2024

Originally published by The Clean Fight.

By Semira Rose.

With a new year upon us, The Clean Fight team has hit the ground running with the fourth edition of our Accelerator Program, focused on decarbonizing the food service industry in New York State. Today, we are delighted to announce Albertsons Companies as a stellar addition to our group of Customer Collaborators. Albertsons Cos. joins our anchor collaborators Walmart, Carrier, and Con Edison, and pilot partner NYC/EDC, announced late last year.

Albertsons Cos. is a leading food and drug retailer with over 2,200 stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and ACME. In New York state, shoppers will find Safeway, ACME, Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market.

Albertsons Cos. is committed to sustainability across their operations and has implemented an ambitious goal of reaching a 47 percent carbon reduction in its own operations by 2030. We are delighted to be working with their sustainability team to identify and deploy cleantech solutions in New York State that will help to achieve this goal.

“Reducing our carbon footprint and nurturing the environment is a key priority for Albertsons Cos., and we’ve made significant progress in reaching our 2030 goal of reducing carbon emissions from our operations by 47 percent,” said Suzanne Long, Chief Sustainability and Transformation Officer for Albertsons Cos. “We are thrilled to partner with The Clean Fight team to develop long-term solutions and strategies to decarbonize the food supply chain in New York State.”

About The Program

The fourth edition of our flagship accelerator program is focused on tackling the issue of decarbonizing the food service supply chain in New York State: the storage, distribution, and retail of food, a segment of the market that remains in critical need of innovations that provide lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, better cost efficiency, and a path to scalability in a tight-margined industry. 

Although attention is paid to the significant environmental impacts of the agricultural system, the GHG emissions of the post-farm food supply chain are often overlooked. However, according to the EPA, the typical grocery store releases a total of 1,383 metric tonnes of CO2 annually through energy consumption, in addition to another 1,556 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions resulting from refrigerant leaks. That’s roughly equivalent to the emissions from 635 passenger cars. 

This Program will bring together our Customer Collaborators with cutting edge cleantech companies from around the world in order to scale decarbonization technologies in this critical industry in New York State. 

We are excited to have the support of Albertsons Companies, as well as Walmart, Carrier, Con Edison, and the NYC/EDC for this Program.

See original post by The Clean Fight and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

RESTON,Va., February 21, 2024 /3BL/ – CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that Fortune magazine has recognized it as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies in 2024, commemorating its seventh consecutive year on the list and its 13th appearance since the list’s inception.

CACI received notable results in Fortune’s survey criteria for the quality of its expertise and technology, long-term investment strategy, financial soundness, and social responsibility. CACI was chosen from among approximately 1,500 global companies considered by Fortune.

“We are grateful to be acknowledged once again with this prestigious distinction, which denotes that all aspects of our business — from talent to operations to financial execution — are performing with excellence,” said John Mengucci, CACI President and Chief Executive Officer. “With steadfast commitment and ingenuity, CACI’s highly-skilled workforce delivers the winning combination of deep expertise and exceptional technology to support the critical missions of our customers and our nation. Our employees, who drive our culture of character and innovation, continue to position us for growth and make a positive impact each and every day. I am extremely proud to be the leader of such a phenomenal team.”

Fortune, in partnership with the global management consulting firm Korn Ferry, surveyed 3,750 executives, directors, and securities analysts to compile the Most Admired rankings. A company must score in the top half of its industry group to be named Most Admired.

As a leading national security company, CACI continues to expand its footprint in the federal government with impactful career opportunities that allow employees to provide ground-breaking solutions for customers around the globe.

ABOUT CACI 
At CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI), our 23,000 talented and dynamic employees are ever vigilant in delivering distinctive expertise and differentiated technology to meet our customers’ greatest challenges in national security and government modernization. We are a company of good character, relentless innovation, and long-standing excellence. Our culture drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company. CACI is a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index. For more information, visit us at caci.com.

# # #

Corporate Communications and Media: 
Lorraine Corcoran 
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications 
(703) 434-4165, lorraine.corcoran@caci.com

In 2018, seven motivated employees in a 7,500-square-foot warehouse began valve modification work for the oil and gas industry.

Fast forward to 2023, and Alexander Valve and Supply is Canada’s first Indigenous community-owned valve and supply company—with $45 million in inventory, a strong track record of Indigenous employment, and hard-won expertise in the oil-and-gas, mining, refining, pulp-and-paper, and petrochemical markets.

A fantastic success story, to be sure . . .with plenty more training opportunities on the way.

In recent weeks, Enbridge officials made a joint announcement with leadership from Alexander First Nation, which holds a significant ownership stake in Alexander Valve and Supply, during the Nation’s Treaty Week gathering and celebrations near Morinville, AB.

At the Aug. 21 event, Enbridge announced a donation of 120 surplus valves to Alexander Valve and Supply. The donated valves will be used to train new or future employees, including members of the Alexander First Nation, in valve servicing and refurbishment.

“As CEO of ABC and also a member of the Nation, I want to thank Enbridge for their generous donation to our Valve company and ultimately to our Nation’s continued growth,” says Ian Arcand, President and CEO of the Alexander Business Corporation, the economic arm of Alexander First Nation.

“We started ABC in 2018, and with the support and guidance from Chief George Arcand Jr. and his council, we certainly are reaching our goals of creating long-term sustainable businesses on the Nation that meet our four main TIER business pillars—Training members, Investing back into our community, Employment. and generating own-source Revenue,” adds Ian Arcand.

“I look forward to working with Enbridge into the future based on a true business relationship that benefits both parties.”

Alexander Valve and Supply is an approved vendor for the likes of Enbridge and international manufacturer Valvitalia, and in 2022 produced the first Indigenous-made ball valve in Canada on First Nations land.

Enbridge’s donated valves range in diameter from ¾ inch to 42 inches, and create an opportunity for Alexander First Nation members and Alexander Valve and Supply employees to learn basic skills such as working with hand tools, cleaning, machining and painting.

“With every valve that Alexander refurbishes and sells, 100% of the profit goes to supporting community initiatives or putting community members through post-secondary school,” said Matt McPherson, manager of Enbridge’s Edmonton Terminal facility, during the Aug. 21 event.

“So, as (Alexander Valve and Supply President and CEO) Ken Braget has said, what might look like scrap to some people can actually be a way of helping to change an entire community forever,” he added.

“We at Enbridge commend Ken and the team at Alexander Valve for their vision in approaching us with the idea and making this donation a reality. It’s a real win-win for all involved, and we are happy to support such a great cause.”

A $10,000 Fueling Futures grant from Enbridge helped to support Alexander First Nation during its Treaty Week celebrations.

Taco Bell blog

February in the U.S. is dedicated to acknowledging and honoring the history of Black Americans and celebrating their contributions to the economy, culture, arts and society. At Yum!, we are committed to making room for all people and voices at our tables, because we are most relevant when our people – at all levels – represent the customers and communities we serve.

Black History Month started off as a one-week celebration founded by Carter G. Woodson in February 1926. Fifty years later, the week was extended into a month dedicated to honoring Black American history.

This year’s nationwide Black History Month’s focus is African Americans and the Arts, detailing African American artistic and cultural movements.

To celebrate our Black team members and these communities, we will share some of their stories. Get ready to be inspired, get involved and continue learning and celebrating the culture and achievements of the Black community.

John H. (He/Him) – Designer, International Development

John H., Designer, International Development, found his way to Southern California from Louisville, Kentucky, with his partner and two pups in 2021 after accepting a position with Taco Bell.

Before moving to Los Angeles, John grew up in Kentucky for the most part. While obtaining his B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Louisville and simultaneously creating artistic window displays for a local furniture store on the side, John discovered a passion for branded buildings.

“Creating window displays was the most fun and challenging work I did. Since I had to come up with the concept and have it viewed by the public, it taught me to endure through tough installations and self-critical thinking, while building my confidence for more demanding design tasks.”

It’s no doubt that designing restaurants for Taco Bell’s global markets is fitting for John. In his role, John works with franchise partners to achieve the best Taco Bell asset for their market, not only in terms of aesthetics, but also on digital accommodations, customer’s dining experience and operations’ efficiency.

“I find developing a physical reality representative of the brand’s created self-perception to be some of the most exciting parts of my work. When doing this, I’m transferring customers into a Taco Bell reality, to which I hope can be more uplifting and colorful.”

John uses this same approach in his role as communications officer for Taco Bell’s Business Employee Resource Group, Live Más T.A.A.C.O.S (Thriving African American Communities, Opportunities and Sponsorship) through the visual tools and newsletters he creates. Since joining Live Más T.A.A.C.O.S, John has furthered his connection with the Black community.

“Being a transplant to the area, Live Más T.A.A.C.O.S has provided me with the opportunity to build a sense of community with some of my colleagues. It has also helped me feel impactful in the office by influencing the group’s programming and outreach in the area. Being embraced and heard by those in this group has made my move to California easier.”

When it comes to Black History Month, John believes that this is a time to showcase the diverseness of the Black and African American culture within the nation, while also addressing generational trauma together.

“Black History month is an opportunity to reassure myself, my community, and our common identity of our appreciated existence. Being a Black man, who is bi-racial, in America can be a tiring and an exhausting experience. This includes anything from noticing how I enter a building, to how I walk behind someone, or to how I present myself. Having a dedicated month recognizing the community for what it offers to the nation provides a momentary sigh of relief.”

If he had to choose one person in Black history that inspires him, it would be Paul Revere Williams.

“During college, I had to research a historical figure on the same career path as I was pursuing. Although I’m not an architect, I had chosen Paul Revere Williams. His ability to focus on his life’s mission, to create beautiful and outlasting buildings, while facing so many adversities, including not being able to enjoy some of the buildings he had designed due to his race, showed me that through determination and adaption anything could outlive racism.”

Be open-hearted and receptive to our perspectives.Be genuine and drop biases at the door.Stay present with us and be willing to learn and to have fun with life!

Remaining informed about new trends and innovations in environment, health, safety, (EHS) and sustainability is crucial for industry professionals dedicated to continuously enhancing their company’s processes and initiatives.

There are a multitude of upcoming EHS and Sustainability events across the globe that can serve as invaluable resources for gaining fresh insights, identifying new trends, and ultimately contributing to a safer and more environmentally friendly workplace and planet. From interactive sessions to inspirational presentations and networking opportunities, here is a brief compilation of global EHS and sustainability conferences and events that should be on your radar for 2024.

Asia

Sustainability Week Asia

Date: 11-13 March

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Event Details: In its third year, Sustainability Week Asia will connect sustainability changemakers, purpose-driven consumers and business leaders to gain the tools needed to transition to net-zero, faster. Join us in Bangkok for case studies, in-depth panels, private roundtable discussions and networking opportunities, that support your journey to rapid business transformation.

Website: https://events.economist.com/sustainability-week-asia/

2024 Shanghai Climate Week

Date: week of April 22

Location: Shanghai, China

Event Details: SHCW‘s mission is to respond to climate change and implement the SDGs. Shanghai Climate Week aims at “China Action, Asia Voice, Global Standard”, pushing social forces of engagement in China’s Commitment of Carbon Peaking & Carbon Neutering Goals, telling the Chinese story with action plan for climate change, delivering Asia voice for green transformation, enhancing international communication & collaboration on climate change, and participating in layout & implementation of international rules.

https://www.climateweekshanghai.org/

EREE 2024 – 2024 6th International Conference on Environment, Resources and Energy Engineering

Date: 7-9 November

Location: Bali Indonesia

Event Details: With increasingly serious environmental pollution, developing an economic, simple and efficient technology of Resources, Environmental & Energy Engineering has now become a hot topic. EREE 2024 is an optimal platform for academic communications, exchange of ideas and inspirations between specialists and scholars in the fields of Environment, Resources and Energy Engineering, including hot issues such as solar energy, natural environment and renewable resources. The event will encourage the exploration of the potential synergies that may arise from pooling the different perspectives.

Website: https://www.eree.org/

Africa

14th Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development Forum

Date: 28 Feb to 2 Mar

Location: Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

Event Details: The three-days forum will cover the three factors of ESG separately. The first day will focus on “Environmental Governance” through tackling a number of relevant topics, topped by establishing a link between the long-term national strategies and the executive strategies of the business community to protect the environment. It will also thrash out risk management files and disclosure related to climate and biodiversity issues as well as Sustainable Finance. The second day concentrates on “Social Governance”, through tackling the most general concepts, companies’ citizenship practices and means of highlighting the social dimension while preparing sustainability reports and linking it to the other two dimensions. It also focuses on the characteristics and importance of social investment as well as methods and tools for preparing social impact reports, and assessing the social impact and the social return on investment (SROI). The third day discusses “Governance and its role in ensuring sustainable growth” alongside the regulatory frameworks governing disclosure, divulging data transparently, effective internal control (COSO Framework) and integrating sustainability communication into business strategy. The gathering will also review the most important “ESG Framework” reports.

Website: https://www.egyptcsrforum.com/

Inogen Alliance Associates HPC Germany and Integral Egypt will be presenting at this conference, find us there!

Accelerating Nature-Based Solutions Conference

Date: 11-15 March

Location: Zambia

Event Details: The Global EverGreening Alliance, the Government of Zambia, AFR100, African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA), FSD Africa, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, is hosting the world’s largest land restoration programming conference, bringing together NGOs, governments, the private sector, technical and scientific experts, and community representatives

Website: https://www.acceleratingnbsconference.org/

2024 Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

Date: 23-25 April

Location: TBA

Event Details: Organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Forum will provide the space for an in-depth review of the Goals to be reviewed by the HLPF in 2024: SDG 1 (no poverty); SDG 2 (zero hunger); SDG 13 (climate action); SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions); and SDG 17 (partnership for the Goals). The Forum will also support presentation of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) at the 2024 HLPF.

Website: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/2024-africa-regional-forum-on-sustainable-development/

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Africa Conference

Date: 1-2 October

Location: South Africa, Sandton Convention Centre

Event Details: The conference’s core theme, “Sustainable Future Through Leadership,” underscores the essential role that leaders play in ensuring their organizations align with ESG principles and integrate them into their overall strategy. The founders of the event have done extensive research and developed a programme which is both unique and relevant for an African audience. The conference looks at answering a number of question – How do you make ESG both relevant and applicable in an African context? How do you drive a sustainability mindset within organisations to help embed ESG principles? How do you ensure that people have the adequate knowledge and training as to what ESG is, why it is important and how to make sure organisations drive the change needed to create a more sustainable future?

Website: ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Africa Conference

Europe

ESG Europe

Date: February 28-29

Location: London, England

Event Details: CeFPro is excited to announce the launch of the 3rd Annual ESG Summit in London on February 28-29, 2024. Over the past year, new challenges have arisen within ESG for banks in Europe and globally. This highly anticipated Summit aims to address these challenges through an impressive speaker faculty of a diverse range of global large and medium-sized institutions. Join senior experts as they discuss their experiences and insight on a range of key topics impacting the industry. If you want to learn how current ESG and climate risk challenges impact firms and wider stakeholders, this event may be a must-attend for you and your colleagues.

Website: https://www.cefpro.com/forthcoming-events/esg-europe/

EHS Congress

Date: May 22-23

Location: Berlin, Germany

Event Details: Flagship health & safety conference in Berlin since 2017 with the latest thinking on safety culture and leadership.

Website: https://ehscongress.com/

Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Global Water Stewardship Forum

Date: 5-6 June

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Event Details: The AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum is one of the key events in which our community of members, implementers and stakeholders share knowledge and learning on the evolution of water stewardship practice and forge new directions through dialogue and partnerships. Held annually since 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland, it has become the must-attend event for the international water stewardship community.

Website: https://a4ws.org/aws-global-water-stewardship-forum-2024/

Inogen Alliance is an official sponsor and will be attending this event, we hope to see you there!

World Biodiversity Forum

Date: 16-21 June

Location: Davos Congress Centre, Switzerland

Event Details: Under the theme From Science to Action, the third World Biodiversity Forum brings together researchers across all disciplines of biodiversity science with practitioners and societal actors to explore how to move from science to actions and solutions to conserve biodiversity and set us on a path towards transformation for sustainability. The third World Biodiversity Forum will be held as an in-person event, once again at the Congress Centre in Davos, Switzerland. The WBF will start with a day of workshops, training sessions and networking meetings on 16 June 2024 and end with excursions in the beautiful surroundings of Davos and its mountains on Friday, 21 June 2024. They will organise satellite events in the lead up to the forum, to broaden the reach and to capture regional perspectives, views and visions.

Website: https://worldbiodiversityforum2024.org/

COP29

Date: 11-22 November

Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

Event Details: The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention. All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at the COP, at which they review the implementation of the Convention and any other legal instruments that the COP adopts and take decisions necessary to promote the effective implementation of the Convention, including institutional and administrative arrangements. A key task for the COP is to review the national communications and emission inventories submitted by Parties. Based on this information, the COP assesses the effects of the measures taken by Parties and the progress made in achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention. The COP meets every year, unless the Parties decide otherwise. The first COP meeting was held in Berlin, Germany in March, 1995. The COP meets in Bonn, the seat of the secretariat, unless a Party offers to host the session. Just as the COP Presidency rotates among the five recognized UN regions – that is, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe and Others – there is a tendency for the venue of the COP to also shift among these groups. Inogen Alliance will have a presence again at COP, check out the article on COP28 here with our key insights.

Website: (will update with an official website)

North America

Reuters Responsible Business USA 2024

Date: March 26-27

Location: New York, USA

Event Details: Sustainable business is now the imperative. Rising pressures for immediate sustainable action and leadership, increasing legal risks, and complex financial realities are making the effective integration of sustainability across all functions fundamental to long-term business success. This event brings together CEOs, senior sustainability, legal, communications and finance executives to share their actionable ideas and insights on how to collaborate, communicate, and comply to ensure your organization leads on sustainable action. Join to gain the tools to successfully integrate sustainability across core functions, master reporting efficiently and effectively, and engage with key stakeholders for maximum impact.

Website: https://events.reutersevents.com/sustainable-business/responsible-business-usa

Climate Week NYC

Date: 17-24 September

Location: New York, USA

Event Details: Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind, bringing together over 500 events and activities across the City of New York – in person, hybrid and online. Each year, business leaders, political change makers, local decision takers and civil society representatives of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world, gather to drive the transition, speed up progress, and champion change that is already happening. Climate Week NYC is hosted by Climate Group, an international non-profit whose purpose is to drive climate action, fast. Climate Group hosts the official program during the week that brings together the most senior international figures from business, government, civil society and the climate sector. 29

Website: https://www.climateweeknyc.org/

Forum24: NAEM EHS & Sustainability Management Forum

Date: October 28-30

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Event Details: NAEM’s EHS & Sustainability Management Forum is the largest annual gathering for environment, health and safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) decision-makers. Join your peers from leading companies, get exposed to new ideas, and come away energized and ready to implement what you’ve learned.

Website: https://www.naem.org/events/read/2024/10/28/conferences-events/forum24-ehs-sustainability-management-forum

Latin America

2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference

Date: 21 October–1 November 2024

Location: Colombia

Event Details: Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. Conceived as a practical tool for translating the principles of Agenda 21 into reality, the Convention recognizes that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals and micro organisms and their ecosystems – it is about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live.

Website: https://www.cbd.int/article/colombia-host-cop16

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.