Month: June 2024

International Olympic Committee news

Paris 2024, with the first Olympic Games fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020, promises to deliver spectacular Games that are more responsible, more sustainable and more inclusive. The organisers have laid out a cutting-edge plan to halve the Games-related carbon footprint compared to previous Games, with innovative solutions for energy, food, venues, transport and digital services.

To celebrate Earth Day 2024, we are sharing five ways in which Paris 2024 is working to do more with less while creating a lasting legacy.

1. Thinking ahead: anticipating and avoiding impact

Already at the candidature phase, Paris 2024 committed to reducing the Games carbon footprint by half compared to previous editions. A carbon budget was set which includes all Games planning and operations – from construction to energy and transport, catering and procurement.

Targeting a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to the average of London 2012 and Rio 2016, Paris 2024 has addressed the broadest category of emissions, also covering the indirect footprint of the Games (scope 3 emissions) such as spectator travel. This means that Paris 2024 will offer the first Olympic Games aligned with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, adopted in 2015.Paris 2024 also proactively calculated its “material footprint” – a first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Venue by venue, the organisers created a detailed map of required resources, aiming to minimise them and control their life cycle before, during and after the Games. From spectator seating to tents, beds, chairs, tables and even tennis balls – every asset has been meticulously planned.The Paris 2024 organisers have also avoided generating carbon emissions thanks to an innovative energy model. In addition to using 100 per cent renewable energy during the Games, Paris 2024 is minimising the use of diesel generators. The few generators that will have to be used will be powered by biofuel, H2 or batteries. All venues will be connected to the grid to avoid the use of temporary energy solutions.In addition, Paris 2024 developed a unique methodology for analysing and reducing the Games’ impact on biodiversity and translated this into the design of more sustainable temporary venues.

2. Reducing, renting and reusing

Integrated into every level of the organisation, Paris 2024’s circular economy strategy is based on three key principles: organising the Games with fewer resources, making better use of these resources and ensuring the second life of resources after the Games – before the event even starts.

A total of 95 per cent of the Paris 2024 competition venues will be pre-existing or temporary. The rest have been built using low-carbon construction methods.The Aquatics Centre –is designed to serve the local Seine-Saint-Denis community long after the Games. The Centre will largely rely on energy provided by 4,680 square metres of solar panels installed on its rooftop. All seats in the Centre are made from recycled local plastic waste. Wood is at the heart of the building, helping to reduce emissions from construction.The principle of reduction also applies to the interior design of the venues. Tents, chairs, computers and sports equipment – Paris 2024 has reduced and encouraged shared use whenever possible. This approach has made it possible, for example, to reduce the amount of furniture needed for the Games from the initially estimated 800,000 items to 600,000.Out of two million pieces of sports equipment, three-quarters will be rented or provided by sports federations. More than three-quarters of the electronic equipment such as screens, computers and printers are also rented. The same is true for all the stands, tents and bungalows.Thanks to their innovative sourcing strategy, the organisers confirm that 90 per cent of the six million assets will be taken back and reused by partners and The organisers are now defining the second-life plan for the remaining 10 per cent of goods.

3. Regeneration

In line with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020, the French authorities aim to leverage the Paris 2024 Games to achieve long-term improvements in the living conditions of the local community, particularly in the northeastern suburb, Seine-Saint-Denis.

The Aquatics Centre will provide a multi-sports hub for the local community, where currently one in two 11-year-olds does not know how to swim. It will include swimming, climbing and fitness facilities, and areas for individual and team sports.Conceived as an eco-neighbourhood, the Olympic Village will be transformed after the Games into a new residential and business district, providing workplaces for 6,000 people and apartments for an additional 6,000. A quarter of these residences will be reserved for public housing, catering to 40 per cent of the current residents in Saint-Denis who rely on it. Another third will be rented out as affordable housing, managed by government-affiliated agencies and offered to students and low-income workers. The addition of restaurants, shops, and leisure centres will rejuvenate the district, where the unemployment rate currently exceeds 20 per cent.The installation of underground electricity lines and the redevelopment of the Canal Saint Denis, which borders the Olympic Village, are expected to improve the quality of life for residents.The construction of a noise barrier to the south of the A86 motorway, which traverses the suburb from east to west, is aimed at providing relief to residents affected by traffic noise.The Games are also serving as an accelerator to clean the River Seine, with significant investment allocated for pollution remediation, with the aim of enabling all Parisians to enjoy the river from 2025 onwards. The initiative is part of the city’s future climate resilience planning.

4. Sustainability on the plate: more plant-based, more local, less plastic

During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 13 million meals will be delivered in a more responsible manner. Some 120 organisations including farmers, producers, caterers and nutritionists, as well as 200 athletes, were involved in the creation of the Paris 2024 Food vision.

Among other commitments, the organisers are pledging to deliver meals with half the carbon emissions of an average French meal by:

doubling the proportion of plant-based ingredients and increasing the plant-based options for everyone, including spectators and the workforcesourcing 80 per cent of ingredients from local agriculture production, with a quarter produced within 250km of the respective venuecutting food waste by better estimating quantities, redistributing, composting or transforming all unconsumed foodcutting single-use plastic used in catering by half while reusing 100 per cent of catering equipment and infrastructure after the Games. Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola will install 700 water and soda fountains across all Paris 2024 sites, and the organisers will install free drinking water points. Spectators will be allowed to enter all venues with their own reusable bottles, a notable exception to existing French regulations.

5. Transport: shorter distances and lower carbon

The Paris 2024 organisers have structured the Games to leverage an extensive existing public transport network, to be reinforced by more than 400km of new bike lanes.

More than 80 per cent of the Olympic venues are situated within 10km of the Olympic Village, minimising travel time for athletes.All venues are accessible by public transport. Public transport operators plan to expand the bus, metro and train services in the Paris region by 15 per cent compared to regular summer traffic.The vehicle fleet catering to athletes and the accredited participants is set to include electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles provided by Worldwide Olympic Partner Toyota. In an effort to further reduce impact, the fleet used will be optimised, with about 40 per cent fewer vehicles compared to previous Games.

For more information click here.

International Olympic Committee news

Paris 2024, with the first Olympic Games fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020, promises to deliver spectacular Games that are more responsible, more sustainable and more inclusive. The organisers have laid out a cutting-edge plan to halve the Games-related carbon footprint compared to previous Games, with innovative solutions for energy, food, venues, transport and digital services.

To celebrate Earth Day 2024, we are sharing five ways in which Paris 2024 is working to do more with less while creating a lasting legacy.

1. Thinking ahead: anticipating and avoiding impact

Already at the candidature phase, Paris 2024 committed to reducing the Games carbon footprint by half compared to previous editions. A carbon budget was set which includes all Games planning and operations – from construction to energy and transport, catering and procurement.

Targeting a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to the average of London 2012 and Rio 2016, Paris 2024 has addressed the broadest category of emissions, also covering the indirect footprint of the Games (scope 3 emissions) such as spectator travel. This means that Paris 2024 will offer the first Olympic Games aligned with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, adopted in 2015.Paris 2024 also proactively calculated its “material footprint” – a first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Venue by venue, the organisers created a detailed map of required resources, aiming to minimise them and control their life cycle before, during and after the Games. From spectator seating to tents, beds, chairs, tables and even tennis balls – every asset has been meticulously planned.The Paris 2024 organisers have also avoided generating carbon emissions thanks to an innovative energy model. In addition to using 100 per cent renewable energy during the Games, Paris 2024 is minimising the use of diesel generators. The few generators that will have to be used will be powered by biofuel, H2 or batteries. All venues will be connected to the grid to avoid the use of temporary energy solutions.In addition, Paris 2024 developed a unique methodology for analysing and reducing the Games’ impact on biodiversity and translated this into the design of more sustainable temporary venues.

2. Reducing, renting and reusing

Integrated into every level of the organisation, Paris 2024’s circular economy strategy is based on three key principles: organising the Games with fewer resources, making better use of these resources and ensuring the second life of resources after the Games – before the event even starts.

A total of 95 per cent of the Paris 2024 competition venues will be pre-existing or temporary. The rest have been built using low-carbon construction methods.The Aquatics Centre –is designed to serve the local Seine-Saint-Denis community long after the Games. The Centre will largely rely on energy provided by 4,680 square metres of solar panels installed on its rooftop. All seats in the Centre are made from recycled local plastic waste. Wood is at the heart of the building, helping to reduce emissions from construction.The principle of reduction also applies to the interior design of the venues. Tents, chairs, computers and sports equipment – Paris 2024 has reduced and encouraged shared use whenever possible. This approach has made it possible, for example, to reduce the amount of furniture needed for the Games from the initially estimated 800,000 items to 600,000.Out of two million pieces of sports equipment, three-quarters will be rented or provided by sports federations. More than three-quarters of the electronic equipment such as screens, computers and printers are also rented. The same is true for all the stands, tents and bungalows.Thanks to their innovative sourcing strategy, the organisers confirm that 90 per cent of the six million assets will be taken back and reused by partners and The organisers are now defining the second-life plan for the remaining 10 per cent of goods.

3. Regeneration

In line with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020, the French authorities aim to leverage the Paris 2024 Games to achieve long-term improvements in the living conditions of the local community, particularly in the northeastern suburb, Seine-Saint-Denis.

The Aquatics Centre will provide a multi-sports hub for the local community, where currently one in two 11-year-olds does not know how to swim. It will include swimming, climbing and fitness facilities, and areas for individual and team sports.Conceived as an eco-neighbourhood, the Olympic Village will be transformed after the Games into a new residential and business district, providing workplaces for 6,000 people and apartments for an additional 6,000. A quarter of these residences will be reserved for public housing, catering to 40 per cent of the current residents in Saint-Denis who rely on it. Another third will be rented out as affordable housing, managed by government-affiliated agencies and offered to students and low-income workers. The addition of restaurants, shops, and leisure centres will rejuvenate the district, where the unemployment rate currently exceeds 20 per cent.The installation of underground electricity lines and the redevelopment of the Canal Saint Denis, which borders the Olympic Village, are expected to improve the quality of life for residents.The construction of a noise barrier to the south of the A86 motorway, which traverses the suburb from east to west, is aimed at providing relief to residents affected by traffic noise.The Games are also serving as an accelerator to clean the River Seine, with significant investment allocated for pollution remediation, with the aim of enabling all Parisians to enjoy the river from 2025 onwards. The initiative is part of the city’s future climate resilience planning.

4. Sustainability on the plate: more plant-based, more local, less plastic

During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 13 million meals will be delivered in a more responsible manner. Some 120 organisations including farmers, producers, caterers and nutritionists, as well as 200 athletes, were involved in the creation of the Paris 2024 Food vision.

Among other commitments, the organisers are pledging to deliver meals with half the carbon emissions of an average French meal by:

doubling the proportion of plant-based ingredients and increasing the plant-based options for everyone, including spectators and the workforcesourcing 80 per cent of ingredients from local agriculture production, with a quarter produced within 250km of the respective venuecutting food waste by better estimating quantities, redistributing, composting or transforming all unconsumed foodcutting single-use plastic used in catering by half while reusing 100 per cent of catering equipment and infrastructure after the Games. Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola will install 700 water and soda fountains across all Paris 2024 sites, and the organisers will install free drinking water points. Spectators will be allowed to enter all venues with their own reusable bottles, a notable exception to existing French regulations.

5. Transport: shorter distances and lower carbon

The Paris 2024 organisers have structured the Games to leverage an extensive existing public transport network, to be reinforced by more than 400km of new bike lanes.

More than 80 per cent of the Olympic venues are situated within 10km of the Olympic Village, minimising travel time for athletes.All venues are accessible by public transport. Public transport operators plan to expand the bus, metro and train services in the Paris region by 15 per cent compared to regular summer traffic.The vehicle fleet catering to athletes and the accredited participants is set to include electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles provided by Worldwide Olympic Partner Toyota. In an effort to further reduce impact, the fleet used will be optimised, with about 40 per cent fewer vehicles compared to previous Games.

For more information click here.

CHICAGO, June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Today the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI), together with Calculated Genius, awarded approximately $100,000 in scholarships to 40 deserving students from underserved and underrepresented Chicagoland communities who are pursuing degrees in technology and engineering.

The Bright Minds, Bold Futures scholarship allows students to receive $3,000 during their first year of college and an additional $2,500 each subsequent year throughout their college education up to four years. In addition to the scholarship, students will be matched with a technology me

“I am so honored to receive this scholarship. When I received the award notification, I was stressing about paying for the upcoming year of college, trying to plan out a budget, and looking for jobs. Then the notification arrived – What a great gift at just the right time,” said Saliyah, Bright Minds, Bold Futures scholarship recipient. “I am honored to be a part of this cohort of recipients, mentors and professionals as I pursue my engineering degree.”

Scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide range of degrees covering computer science, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering and information and data science. A majority of the recipients are both women and first-generation college students.

Recipients were recognized for their accomplishments during a special ceremony hosted at Motorola Solutions’ Experience Center in Chicago, Ill., supported by their parents, teachers, mentors and volunteers.

“Calculated Genius is thrilled to partner again with the Motorola Solutions Foundation to strengthen diversity, inclusion, access and representation in the fields of engineering and technology,” said Brian Biederman, executive director at Calculated Genius. “Scholarships like the Bright Minds, Bold Futures program are critical in ensuring that deserving students from underrepresented communities can pursue higher education and have access to mentorship opportunities to foster their growth and development.”

“We’re tremendously proud of all of the well-deserved Bright Minds, Bold Futures scholarship recipients who represent the next generation of diverse and tenacious innovators,” said Karem Pérez, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Motorola Solutions. “My fellow Motorolans and I enthusiastically congratulate these inspiring students who remain dedicated to their education in the face of some of the most challenging obstacles, and we look forward to supporting them every step of their college years.”

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation 
As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the world to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company is solving for safer communities. For more information on Motorola Solutions corporate and foundation giving, visit our website: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

About Calculated Genius 
Calculated Genius is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underrepresented youth explore and connect to engineering, to inspire and support a brighter future. Founded in 2016 by engineer and entrepreneur, Kimberly Moore, Calculated Genius provides STEM + programming, scholarships and mentorship, demonstrating through example a pathway to sustainable, rewarding, and essential careers in STEM. Learn more at calculatedgenius.org. Follow CG on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact

Rebecca Benson 
Media Contact 
Send an email 
+1 312-919-1645

VIEW ALL PRESS RELEASES

CHICAGO, June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Today the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI), together with Calculated Genius, awarded approximately $100,000 in scholarships to 40 deserving students from underserved and underrepresented Chicagoland communities who are pursuing degrees in technology and engineering.

The Bright Minds, Bold Futures scholarship allows students to receive $3,000 during their first year of college and an additional $2,500 each subsequent year throughout their college education up to four years. In addition to the scholarship, students will be matched with a technology me

“I am so honored to receive this scholarship. When I received the award notification, I was stressing about paying for the upcoming year of college, trying to plan out a budget, and looking for jobs. Then the notification arrived – What a great gift at just the right time,” said Saliyah, Bright Minds, Bold Futures scholarship recipient. “I am honored to be a part of this cohort of recipients, mentors and professionals as I pursue my engineering degree.”

Scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide range of degrees covering computer science, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering and information and data science. A majority of the recipients are both women and first-generation college students.

Recipients were recognized for their accomplishments during a special ceremony hosted at Motorola Solutions’ Experience Center in Chicago, Ill., supported by their parents, teachers, mentors and volunteers.

“Calculated Genius is thrilled to partner again with the Motorola Solutions Foundation to strengthen diversity, inclusion, access and representation in the fields of engineering and technology,” said Brian Biederman, executive director at Calculated Genius. “Scholarships like the Bright Minds, Bold Futures program are critical in ensuring that deserving students from underrepresented communities can pursue higher education and have access to mentorship opportunities to foster their growth and development.”

“We’re tremendously proud of all of the well-deserved Bright Minds, Bold Futures scholarship recipients who represent the next generation of diverse and tenacious innovators,” said Karem Pérez, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Motorola Solutions. “My fellow Motorolans and I enthusiastically congratulate these inspiring students who remain dedicated to their education in the face of some of the most challenging obstacles, and we look forward to supporting them every step of their college years.”

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation 
As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the world to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company is solving for safer communities. For more information on Motorola Solutions corporate and foundation giving, visit our website: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

About Calculated Genius 
Calculated Genius is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underrepresented youth explore and connect to engineering, to inspire and support a brighter future. Founded in 2016 by engineer and entrepreneur, Kimberly Moore, Calculated Genius provides STEM + programming, scholarships and mentorship, demonstrating through example a pathway to sustainable, rewarding, and essential careers in STEM. Learn more at calculatedgenius.org. Follow CG on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact

Rebecca Benson 
Media Contact 
Send an email 
+1 312-919-1645

VIEW ALL PRESS RELEASES

On June 12, Cascale and Worldly co-hosted “Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index: Higg BRM with CSRD & More,” a webinar where industry experts discussed the importance of legislative frameworks such as the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) in shaping the future of corporate sustainability reporting and accountability. The webinar focused on how the Higg Brand and Retail Module (Higg BRM) can support Cascale members and Worldly customers in meeting their reporting obligations under CSRD. This is the second webinar in the Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index webinar series.

Cascale’s Gabriele Ballero, policy and public affairs officer, moderated the webinar. Speakers included Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director, policy and public affairs at Cascale; JR Siegel, vice president, sustainability at Worldly; Maravillas Rodriguez Zarco, senior director, Higg Index strategy and operations at Cascale; and Adrián Branco, senior manager, Higg Index brand and retail at Cascale.

Sustainability specialists, ESG managers, directors, public affairs professionals, sourcing and supplier traceability managers, buyers, consultants, and analysts tuned in live, raising many thoughtful questions about the intersection of the Higg BRM and reporting compliance.

During the webinar, von Reitzenstein explained CSRD, an EU directive aiming to enhance transparency in companies’ sustainability practices by requiring detailed disclosure of environmental and social impacts and related risks and opportunities. She outlined the adoption timeline, discussed the complementary relationship between CSRD and CS3D, and highlighted Branco’s expert contributions to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to support the development of textile-specific European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

Siegel emphasized the importance of leveraging primary data for measurable impact, including emissions, energy consumption, water, waste, chemistry, and working conditions — all of which are included in CSRD. He emphasized that these topics align with CSRD requirements, which will serve as the roadmap for corporate sustainability teams over the next decade. Essential tools for supporting compliance include the Higg BRM, the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) for annual environmental data, and the recently launched Facility Data Manager (FDM). Worldly’s FDM tool enables monthly tracking of GHG emissions, waste, and water data from supply chain partners.

Rodriguez Zarco and Branco unpacked the potential of the Higg BRM, providing insights on how the tool can support Cascale members and Higg Index users in their reporting obligations under CSRD. They structured their technical discussion following the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), reviewing the most relevant topics and explaining how the Higg BRM is useful in each specific context. Topics included double materiality; entity-specific disclosures; governance; impact, risks, and opportunities; minimum disclosure requirements; topical standards; and more.

In exploring ESRS 1 and 2, they highlighted how the Higg BRM enhances sustainability reporting and compliance practices. The Higg BRM serves as a vital tool, supporting efforts that are compliant, impactful, measurable, and continuously improving. The tool aligns closely with the ESRS, covering more than 65 percent of its disclosure requirements.

Branco stressed that these pieces of legislation prioritize governance in a company’s sustainability reporting, underscoring that this shift towards holistic integration is crucial for building trust with stakeholders who are increasingly focused on a company’s commitment to ESG goals.

Outlining the next steps for the tool, Rodriguez Zarco said Cascale will publish a white paper on the Higg BRM, delving into how the tool supports companies in their reporting obligations under CSRD and including a detailed mapping between ESRS and the Higg BRM content. Additionally, Cascale plans to update the Higg BRM to improve its alignment with ESRS, set for release in 2025. This update will maintain the comparability of the questionnaire and scoring with previous versions to allow for tracking progress.

Working in close partnership over the years, Cascale and Worldly continue to align on the Higg Index suite of tools and resources that members and users need to address compliance. The co-hosted Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index webinar series is one of many resources with a timely and educational value proposition. It aims to guide over 24,000 Higg Index users through their compliance journeys with current and upcoming EU and national legislation by leveraging the Higg Index suite of tools.

To receive updates on upcoming webinars in the series and other Cascale news, subscribe to our newsletter.

On June 12, Cascale and Worldly co-hosted “Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index: Higg BRM with CSRD & More,” a webinar where industry experts discussed the importance of legislative frameworks such as the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) in shaping the future of corporate sustainability reporting and accountability. The webinar focused on how the Higg Brand and Retail Module (Higg BRM) can support Cascale members and Worldly customers in meeting their reporting obligations under CSRD. This is the second webinar in the Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index webinar series.

Cascale’s Gabriele Ballero, policy and public affairs officer, moderated the webinar. Speakers included Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director, policy and public affairs at Cascale; JR Siegel, vice president, sustainability at Worldly; Maravillas Rodriguez Zarco, senior director, Higg Index strategy and operations at Cascale; and Adrián Branco, senior manager, Higg Index brand and retail at Cascale.

Sustainability specialists, ESG managers, directors, public affairs professionals, sourcing and supplier traceability managers, buyers, consultants, and analysts tuned in live, raising many thoughtful questions about the intersection of the Higg BRM and reporting compliance.

During the webinar, von Reitzenstein explained CSRD, an EU directive aiming to enhance transparency in companies’ sustainability practices by requiring detailed disclosure of environmental and social impacts and related risks and opportunities. She outlined the adoption timeline, discussed the complementary relationship between CSRD and CS3D, and highlighted Branco’s expert contributions to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to support the development of textile-specific European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

Siegel emphasized the importance of leveraging primary data for measurable impact, including emissions, energy consumption, water, waste, chemistry, and working conditions — all of which are included in CSRD. He emphasized that these topics align with CSRD requirements, which will serve as the roadmap for corporate sustainability teams over the next decade. Essential tools for supporting compliance include the Higg BRM, the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) for annual environmental data, and the recently launched Facility Data Manager (FDM). Worldly’s FDM tool enables monthly tracking of GHG emissions, waste, and water data from supply chain partners.

Rodriguez Zarco and Branco unpacked the potential of the Higg BRM, providing insights on how the tool can support Cascale members and Higg Index users in their reporting obligations under CSRD. They structured their technical discussion following the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), reviewing the most relevant topics and explaining how the Higg BRM is useful in each specific context. Topics included double materiality; entity-specific disclosures; governance; impact, risks, and opportunities; minimum disclosure requirements; topical standards; and more.

In exploring ESRS 1 and 2, they highlighted how the Higg BRM enhances sustainability reporting and compliance practices. The Higg BRM serves as a vital tool, supporting efforts that are compliant, impactful, measurable, and continuously improving. The tool aligns closely with the ESRS, covering more than 65 percent of its disclosure requirements.

Branco stressed that these pieces of legislation prioritize governance in a company’s sustainability reporting, underscoring that this shift towards holistic integration is crucial for building trust with stakeholders who are increasingly focused on a company’s commitment to ESG goals.

Outlining the next steps for the tool, Rodriguez Zarco said Cascale will publish a white paper on the Higg BRM, delving into how the tool supports companies in their reporting obligations under CSRD and including a detailed mapping between ESRS and the Higg BRM content. Additionally, Cascale plans to update the Higg BRM to improve its alignment with ESRS, set for release in 2025. This update will maintain the comparability of the questionnaire and scoring with previous versions to allow for tracking progress.

Working in close partnership over the years, Cascale and Worldly continue to align on the Higg Index suite of tools and resources that members and users need to address compliance. The co-hosted Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index webinar series is one of many resources with a timely and educational value proposition. It aims to guide over 24,000 Higg Index users through their compliance journeys with current and upcoming EU and national legislation by leveraging the Higg Index suite of tools.

To receive updates on upcoming webinars in the series and other Cascale news, subscribe to our newsletter.

Las Vegas Sands

On June 8, the United Nations observes World Oceans Day 2024, which aims to raise global awareness of the benefits humankind derives from the ocean and individual and collective responsibility to use its resources wisely.

The observance underscores the importance of ocean health in preserving the Earth’s environment and essential resources for all life. According to the UN, the ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, is home to most of the Earth’s biodiversity, and provides the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Moreover, the UN notes that the ocean is key to the world economy, with an estimate that 40 million people will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.

“Protecting ocean health is an essential component of our global sustainability program,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “Our initiatives are focused on both conservation, as well as education, with our resorts leading the charge to reduce our impact and promote greater understanding of the need to address ocean health.”

World Wide Fund for Nature Partnership

One of the central components of Sands’ efforts to protect ocean health is Marina Bay Sands’ work with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the leading organization focused on wildlife conservation and endangered species. Since 2015, the partnership has helped ensure the resort’s supply chain addresses ocean health through guidance from WWF on seafood sourcing, supplier engagement, verification of data and traceability, and chef education.

In 2017, Marina Bay Sands extended its work with WWF further into the supply chain by investing more than $400,000 in WWF’s efforts to strengthen ocean resiliency and champion responsible seafood production in the Asia-Pacific region. Through this effort, Marina Bay Sands has underwritten the participation of nine farms and one fishery in WWF’s aquaculture and fishery improvement programs, with Sankina Aquaculture becoming the first shrimp farm in Malaysia to receive Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification.

In Macao, Sands China also has fostered partnerships to protect ocean waterways in its region. Since 2020, Sands China has been a member of and participated in the working group for the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC), which works to increase sustainable seafood availability and improving traceability.

Responsible Seafood Sourcing

Another of Sands’ strategies around ocean health is procuring seafood responsibly, which includes promoting sustainable sourcing to chefs and eliminating or reducing certain types of seafood from company-owned restaurants and food service operations. For example, Sands has established internal policies to eliminate sourcing of shark fin and restrict offering of bluefin tuna in its restaurants and catering operations. The company also targets sourcing of seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and ASC. With more than 200 restaurants in its resorts around the world, Sands’ sourcing policies can make a significant impact, while increasing awareness about responsible procurement among its Team Members and restaurant partners.

Ocean Health Education

Sands’ regions also have taken an active role in promoting ocean health by leveraging art and science exhibits at its resorts as platforms to educate visitors and residents. Last year, Sands China sponsored the University of Saint Joseph’s Sea of Plastic: A Recycled Art Exhibition, which harnessed the power of plastic-based art installations to demonstrate the impact of plastics on the ocean, marine life and human lives. The exhibition featured 3D displays created by students and local artists who composed their art pieces from recycled plastics and materials collected at beach cleanups and other sources. The exhibition culminated a year-long effort to educate about plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices.

At Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum™ has featured the Sensory Odyssey exhibit, which gave visitors the rare opportunity to intimately explore in 4D some of the natural world’s most extraordinary environments, including the world’s oceans, and the living creatures and organisms that inhabit them. Natural habitats featured in the exhibit came to life in stunning original footage shot around the world by natural history filmmakers, and the exhibit culminated by having visitors collectively create a mangrove installation that grew as they contributed to the display. Leveraging its partnership with WWF, Marina Bay Sands donated a portion of exhibit ticket prices to support the planting of 20,000 mangrove trees in the Rajang Belawai-Paloh Delta in Sarawak, Malaysia, an important habitat for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin.

To learn more about Sands’ work in the areas of water, biodiversity and sustainable sourcing, read the company’s latest ESG Report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.