Month: April 2024

Employees exceed previous year’s volunteer hours

At the top of 2023, Entergy Mississippi set a big goal for itself. With April marking 100 years since the utility began serving the state, ‘the power of 100’ became the backdrop for its volunteerism and community-centered efforts. The company kicked off the centennial celebration by partnering with local organizations to provide nutritional meals to families in need, and energy efficiency kits to help customers lower their power usage and bills.

A year later, employees proudly exceeded their goal of providing 100,000 meals to families across its service area, in partnership with Extra Table. Volunteers eagerly bagged red beans and rice meals at two significant events for both Entergy Mississippi and the non-profit organization; collected non-perishable items and supplies for customers who were impacted by the devastating March tornadoes in the Mississippi Delta; and gathered nearly 500 jars of peanut butter to stock food pantries across the state.

‘The power of 100’ also touched communities across Mississippi with the help of Boss Lady Workforce Development Inc. New Horizon Ministries, Southwest Mississippi Opportunity, Mississippi Food Network, Gateway Rescue Mission, Stewpot Community Services, and We Will Go. Employees worked alongside these community action agencies to serve more than 3,150 meals.

“We believe in taking care of our customers and the communities we serve – where our employees also live and work. We must give back to our neighbors, in order to power Mississippi for generations to come,” said Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi.

In 2023, Entergy Mississippi employees dedicated 18,792 hours at 120 volunteer events within communities across the service area – surpassing the previous year’s record by more than 800 hours. The amount of time serving in the communities equates to $597,596 of hours on the clock.

With 2023 being the hottest year recorded, the company was able to provide customers who would be using more power to keep cool, tools to help lower their energy bills. Entergy Mississippi distributed more than 25,000 energy efficiency throughout the centennial. These free kits include easy-to-install money-saving products; and combined with online savings tools, can save up to $300 annually on energy bills.

“I can’t thank our employees enough for the enthusiasm they have for volunteering,” said Valarie Mabry, public affairs analyst. Mabry manages Entergy Mississippi’s volunteerism efforts. “Our 100th anniversary will be remembered as a remarkable year for the company because of the collaborative spirit our employees brought to the organizations in which we partnered. That attitude is what made all of this possible!”

April 30, 2024 /3BL/ – Ceres Roadmap 360º equips companies with what they need to embed sustainability across their operations and future-proof their business 

Ceres launched a new sustainability assessment tool designed to help small to medium-sized companies assess and improve their sustainability performance.

Developed by Ceres in-house experts, the Ceres Roadmap 360º equips businesses with user-friendly, self-guided learning modules covering a range of topics – from clean energy to risk management to community engagement – that are most important to their sustainability journey. The tool produces customized reports that include a scorecard, best practice recommendations, and useful resources to help companies integrate sustainability across their operations.

Inspired by the foundation laid by the Ceres Roadmap 2030 – a 10-year action plan for sustainable business leadership that outlines the actions large companies must take by 2030 to stabilize the climate, protect water and natural resources, and build a just and inclusive economy – the new Ceres Roadmap 360º provides expert insights to guide smaller companies and those lacking the resources of their larger, public company counterparts.

“In a world where sustainability is non-negotiable in business strategy, Ceres Roadmap 360º is a valuable resource for small to medium-sized companies, offering the guidance they need to thrive in the transition to a cleaner, more just and sustainable economy,” said Mindy Lubber, Ceres CEO and president. “Integrating sustainability in decision-making to address material financial risks will ensure long-term value and competitiveness in the ever-changing market.”

The Ceres Roadmap 360º comes at a critical time for business action. The regulatory landscape for corporate transparency has shifted, characterized by important developments like the new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule, requiring all U.S. public companies to disclose climate-related financial risks. California’s new robust disclosure laws require companies that do business in that state to report this information. While risks grow more urgent, unprecedented investment in clean energy projects, incentivized by the Inflation Reduction Act, provides timely economic opportunities for businesses across the U.S. Over time, the impacts of these requirements and incentives are expected to cascade down through the supply chains of large companies. Smaller companies risk reputational damage and loss of market share if they fail to scale their sustainability progress.

“At this pivotal moment, U.S. companies must act decisively to prepare for the future, mitigate financial risks, and maintain relevance in evolving economic, social, and regulatory landscapes,” said Dan Saccardi, program director of the Ceres Company Network at Ceres. “Becoming better prepared to meet the increasingly rigorous disclosure and performance expectations that larger companies already face will not only position these companies for success but enable them to meet mounting demands from their large corporate customers who will require this information to both achieve their sustainability goals and fulfill new regulatory requirements.”

In addition to Ceres in-house experts, the Ceres Roadmap 360 was informed by feedback from dozens of other practicing corporate sustainability professionals and external consultants. This input strengthened alignment with industry standards and practicality for businesses aiming for sustainability excellence.

“For small to medium-sized businesses looking to set up a long-term strategy for sustainability, the Ceres Roadmap 360º is invaluable,” said Michelle Benavides, executive director, International Society for Sustainability Professionals (ISSP). “The tool provides feedback on where companies are meeting their sustainability targets, and I hope to see it used not just for measurement, but also as a way to reflect on where companies can actively reduce their negative impacts.”

The Ceres Roadmap 360º empowers companies with essential insights, resources, and recommendations to future-proof their business. The tool will continue to evolve with new modules and enhanced content to support the unique needs of small to medium-sized businesses in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Explore the Ceres Roadmap 360º at roadmap360.ceres.org. 

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.

Media Contact: Vivian Melody, vmelody@ceres.org