Month: April 2024

MIAMI, April 10, 2024 /3BL/ – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, today released its 14th annual sustainability report detailing meaningful progress in its six sustainability focus areas, including toward its highest-priority goals supporting climate action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting a circular economy model to reduce waste. The company achieved several 2030 environmental goals well in advance and is tracking ahead of schedule on a number of other key targets, including GHG intensity reductions. Details are outlined in the full report, titled “Sustainable from Ship to Shore,” and available on the company’s website at www.CarnivalSustainability.com.

“Thanks to our 160,000 remarkable team members who show up every day with passion and dedication, 2023 was a year of significant accomplishments across the board,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO and chief climate officer for Carnival Corporation. “We achieved record-breaking financial performance, welcomed three stunning new ships, expanded our global presence to over 800 incredible destinations and communities, and delivered unforgettable happiness to 12.5 million guests by providing them with extraordinary cruise vacations.”

Added Weinstein: “We also demonstrated our continued commitment to leading the way in making cruising more sustainable, marked by amazing progress toward reaching – and in many cases, exceeding – our vital 2030 environmental performance targets. Since we’re so aggressively tracking toward all our 2030 sustainability goals, we’re evaluating new interim targets along our pursuit of net zero GHG emissions by 2050.”

Carnival Corporation Achieves Key 2030 Goals in Advance

As outlined in the 2023 Sustainability Report, Carnival Corporation has reached several key 2030 environmental performance targets years ahead of time in its climate action and circular economy focus areas – major priorities in the company’s sustainability roadmap. For example, through decisive and longstanding climate action, the company is producing 10+% less absolute GHG emissions today than in 2011, its peak historical year, despite increasing capacity by roughly 30% since that time. Additionally, reinforcing a circular economy model has led to significant reductions in the volume and impact of waste produced overall. Highlights from the company’s 2023 report include:

GHG Intensity: Tracking toward its 2030 goal four years ahead of schedule, the company formally committed to reducing its GHG intensity by at least 20% by 2026 (versus 2019 levels; measured on a lower berth capacity basis). The company expects this performance to put it ahead of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 carbon intensity reduction timeline.Shore Power: Surpassing its 2030 goal in 2023 – seven years early – the company now leads the industry with 64% of its fleet shore power-capable, meaning it has twice as many ships able to “plug in” than there are ports equipped to provide shore power. The company is now working closely with port authorities worldwide to foster increased adoption of this important technology.Particulate Matter: Recording a 68% reduction in absolute particulate matter emissions (versus the 2015 baseline), the company continued accelerating well beyond its 2030 goal to reduce particulate matter emissions by 50%.Food Waste: Achieving a 38% reduction in food waste per person (versus the 2019 baseline), the company came within two percentage points of reaching its 2025 goal to reduce food waste by 40% and continues efforts toward achieving its 50% food reduction goal by 2030.Single-Use Items: As of 2023, the company had cut down enormously on single-use items and plastics, eliminating ~500 million single-use items from the fleet by the end of last year (compared to 2018) – outpacing its 2030 50% reduction goal, which it initially surpassed in 2021, nine years early.Advanced Waste Water Treatment Systems: Finishing the year just a few points shy of its 2030 goal to outfit 75% of its fleet capacity with AWWTS, in 2023, the company had completed installation of systems covering 70% of the company’s fleet capacity, purifying even more water used onboard to municipal-water quality before releasing it back to nature.

On top of these highlights, Carnival Corporation is marching strongly toward meeting or exceeding its remaining 2030 climate action and circular economy goals. Important updates on the company’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) program, as well as its Advanced Air Quality Systems (AAQS), Air Lubrication Systems (ALS), and biofuels initiatives, and more, are available in the full report.

In addition, the company is also committed to inclusivity across its diverse global team of 160,000 strong, and fostering a positive workplace environment for all employees. As part of its sustainability strategy, it is also focused on promoting sustainable tourism and creating shared value, mutual growth and goodwill with its destination partners and the local communities it visits, as outlined in the report.

Carnival Corporation’s 2023 sustainability report was developed in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Universal Standard 2021 and incorporates the company’s third annual disclosure in line with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). For more information on the company’s long-term sustainability vision and progress under its six focus areas – climate action; circular economy; sustainable tourism; good health and well-being; diversity, equity and inclusion; and biodiversity and conservation – visit Carnival Corporation’s dedicated report website, CarnivalSustainability.com.

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About Carnival Corporation & plc 
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.aida.de, www.carnival.com, www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.pocruises.com, www.princess.com, and www.seabourn.com.

For information on Carnival Corporation’s industry-leading sustainability initiatives, visit www.carnivalsustainability.com.

Carnival Corporation Media Contacts:

Amber Hastings, Carnival Corporation, amhastings@carnival.com

Ellie Beuerman, LDWW, ellie@ldww.co

This release includes claims related to our greenhouse gas emissions reductions, goals, initiatives, accomplishments, and progress reports. Supporting data for such greenhouse gas emissions claims, including data verification information, is published in our Sustainability Reports on carnivalcorp.com/sustainability on an annual basis.

Editors’ Note:

An executive summary of the company’s 2023 Sustainability Report is available here.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

Click here or watch Grant’s Story above. 

Grant Gossling was a vibrant child with a “cheeser” smile that he shared with everyone who was in his orbit. But in a moment, the smile turned to tears — an immediate signal that something was wrong.

Grant was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered his cancer and immediately referred him to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for treatment.

As the hospital became a new normal for the Gossling family, Grant’s “cheeser” smile remained, and he carried the same vibrant energy throughout his cancer journey.

“They do such a magnificent job of taking the attention off the fact that these kids are going through treatment and just giving them an opportunity to smile, to be kids,” said Grant’s father, Michael Gossling.

“They not only care for your child and their health needs and getting them the best treatment possible — they’re caring for their hearts and the whole heart of your family,” Grant’s mother, June, added.

Grant sadly passed away at just 4 years old, and to honor his precious life and those who provided care during his journey, his family wanted to give back to the community that poured so much into them. As they share his story, they hope his legacy will inspire others to help children facing cancer in the future.

How you can help make a difference

In honor of Children’s Hospital Week April 8-11, consider making a donation to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center or visiting the Children’s Miracle Network website to find others ways of giving back. Your gift can help fund research, treatments, equipment and other resources that help young patients and families — like the Gosslings — move through their own cancer journeys.

Ancestry®, the global leader in family history, published its third annual Impact Report, outlining the company’s corporate responsibility approach and highlighting progress in three core areas: ethical business practices; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and community impact. Aligned with Ancestry’s mission to empower journeys of personal discovery to enrich lives, the company is committed to enhancing its products and leveraging its resources to build a more connected, resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.

“We recognize that the actions we take today have a profound impact on future generations, and we are committed to ensuring we operate our business in a manner that is good for both people and the planet,” said Deborah Liu, Ancestry President and CEO. “While we are proud of our progress, we know more work is ahead. We remain steadfast in ensuring our corporate responsibility efforts not only meet but exceed the goals outlined in our report.” 

Building on the goals set in the previous two annual reports, the 2023 Impact Report reaffirms Ancestry’s commitment to transparent, equitable, and inclusive business practices, including:

Launched a new AncestryDNA kit made of recycled materials to cut waste-to-landfill.Reduced carbon emissions by 21% across Ancestry’s scope 1, 2, and largest scope 3 contributors.Embarked on our second HistoryMakers National College Tour and Scholarship at four HBCUs, TCUs, and HSIs across the United States.Added four new DNA ethnicity regions and 910 new DNA communities to serve more diverse customers globally.Made 3.3M records available for free as part of Ancestry’s $3M pledge through 2025 to preserve history that is at-risk of being forgotten or overlooked.Provided 10.5M+ students across five countries access to Ancestry records through AncestryClassroom at no cost, surpassing the 2025 target.

To read the full report, view Ancestry’s SASB metrics and UN SDG goals, and learn more about the key initiatives within each impact area, visit https://www.ancestry.com/corporate/annual-impact-report.

About Ancestry
Ancestry®, the global leader in family history, empowers journeys of personal discovery to enrich lives. With our unparalleled collection of more than 60 billion records, over 3 million subscribers and over 25 million people in our growing DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Over the past 40 years, we’ve built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families. 

Media contact:
mediarelations@ancestry.com

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Authored by Mallory Thomas and Brianna Hardy

At the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Great Audit Minds (GAM) conference, Baker Tilly risk advisory partner Mallory Thomas discusses the business impacts of climate-related risk and reporting requirements for environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability.

ESG and sustainability-related pressures 

ESG and sustainability-related regulations ramp up the pressures many organizations face today. Regulations such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), California Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Proposed Rule, and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) have resulted in new reporting requirements and processes that organizations are only now beginning to address.

Importance of disclosure 

Whether companies and organizations are subject to ESG and sustainability-related regulations or not, disclosure is important for both internal and external stakeholders. ESG and sustainability-related disclosures assist organizations in identifying and managing risk, fostering transparency and accountability throughout the organization, ensuring compliance with regulations and supplier code of conducts and enhancing the organization’s positioning in the market.

Differentiating regulatory requirements 

Two ESG and sustainability frameworks are emerging as the leaders for disclosure guidance, which include the greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). These frameworks assist organizations in gathering the appropriate data and information that various stakeholders request.

For companies subject to the SEC’s rules for climate-related disclosures, adherence to the TCFD will aid in complying with the non-financial statement disclosures (Regulation S-K) but will fall short in complying with the financial statement disclosures (Regulation S-X).

Another key component of the SEC’s rules for climate-related disclosures is GHG emissions reporting. Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reporting is required for specific publicly listed companies under the SEC ruling. However, for those companies and organizations not subject to the SEC rules, GHG emissions will likely become a disclosure that various stakeholders are inquiring about, if they haven’t already.

Preparing for sustainability compliance 

Conducting a climate risk assessment is a great next step for any organization ready to move forward with its disclosures, whether subject to the SEC’s rules for climate-related disclosures or not. This assessment allows an organization to systematically identify, evaluate and quantify climate-related risks. The internal audit function has the skills, knowledge and experience to assist with the development and enhancement of governance and risk identification processes, quantification of potential impacts and strategies for risk management. As a leading practice, climate risk assessments should be integrated into the organization’s enterprise risk management processes to ensure the identification, evaluation and quantification of risks is coherent and streamlined.

Get started now 

Remember that reporting on ESG and sustainability is a journey and will yield continuous improvement year over year. For that reason, it is important for organizations to get started now to identify the data sources, develop the reporting processes and identify and solve the gaps and pain points. With each reporting cycle, companies and organizations learn more about their internal processes and their reporting requirements, further maturing their disclosures.

Connect with an ESG specialist at Baker Tilly.

CLEVELAND, April 10, 2024 /3BL/ – KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) has earned its 11th consecutive “Outstanding” rating from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exam. KeyBank has maintained a rating of “Outstanding” from the OCC for 11 consecutive review periods since the Act’s passage in 1977.

“KeyBank’s purpose is to help our clients and communities thrive. Through lending, investing, philanthropy, and volunteerism, we work together to serve our neighbors and revitalize our neighborhoods,” said Chris Gorman, KeyCorp Chairman and CEO. “Our long record of ‘Outstanding’ CRA ratings is a testament to our enduring commitment to being both a responsible bank and responsible citizen. As we approach our 200th anniversary, we look forward to continuing to work with our clients and within our communities to improve access and opportunity for all.”

“This most recent ‘Outstanding’ rating reflects the work done by our teammates and partners in the communities we serve,” said Eric Fiala, KeyBank’s Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer. “We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to working together to continue to make impactful investments in the places we work and call home.”

KeyBank’s recent exam period covered January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2021. Significant investments to support low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities during the exam period include:

KeyBank’s quick response to support both clients and communities through the pandemic was highlighted in the rating decision. In 2020 and 2021, KeyBank processed 69,000 loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), providing more than $11.2 billion in critical funding to small and mid-size businesses.KeyBank invested over $900 million in tax credits and provided $7.5 billion in loans to support affordable housing and Community Development Financial Institutions, fostering economic growth throughout the communities we serve.KeyBank awarded more than $43 million in grants in transformative philanthropy to support stronger communities and improve the quality of life for our neighbors and neighborhoods.

For more information about KeyBank’s community investments, visit our corporate responsibility page: https://www.key.com/about/corporate-responsibility/cr-overview.html.

ABOUT KEYBANK

KeyBank’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, KeyCorp is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.