Month: June 2024

WILMINGTON, Del., June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – The Chemours Company (“Chemours”) (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company, recently announced that the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) has approved Chemours’ near-term science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. This includes the Company’s existing goal of an absolute 60% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 and a new Scope 3 target to reduce emissions by 25% per ton of production by 2030.

“Receiving approval for our near-term science-based emissions reduction targets from the SBTi marks a critical milestone in Chemours’ sustainability journey. We are committed to making a meaningful impact in the global fight against climate change, including through our sustainable offerings and responsible manufacturing practices,” said Dr. Amber Wellman, Chemours Chief Sustainability Officer. “Since Chemours established its Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals in 2018, we have strived for continued progress and improvement. This validation signals we are moving in the right direction, and we are proud to be a leader in our industry. Working together with our partners, we will continue to create a better world through the power of our chemistry.”

Chemours is among a small group of chemical companies to have their near-term emissions reduction targets approved by SBTi—a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. The initiative is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the United Nations Global Compact, which Chemours signed in 2018. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.

This announcement follows the release of Chemours’ 2023 Sustainability Report, which details the Company’s action against its Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals. This year’s report, titled “Partnering for Progress,” demonstrates Chemours’ significant work towards reaching its Scope 1 and 2 targets by achieving a 52% reduction from its 2018 baseline.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical or current fact. The words “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify “forward-looking statements,” which speak only as of the date such statements were made. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, our near-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, our commitments on climate change, and our progress against our Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals, all of which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that may not be accurate or realized, such as full year guidance relying on models based upon management assumptions regarding future events that are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties that are beyond Chemours’ control. Matters outside our control, including general economic conditions, geopolitical conditions and global health events and weather events, have affected or may affect our business and operations and may or may continue to hinder our ability to provide goods and services to customers, cause disruptions in our supply chains such as through strikes, labor disruptions or other events, adversely affect our business partners, significantly reduce the demand for our products, adversely affect the health and welfare of our personnel or cause other unpredictable events. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Chemours is unable to identify at this time or that Chemours does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Chemours assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Certifications are a key tool for organisations to use when conducting supply chain due diligence. However, with dozens of standards to choose from, and more emerging each year — all of which approach sustainability differently — it can be difficult for organisations to know which schemes to trust.

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) benchmarks third-party sustainability auditing, monitoring, and certification standards against industry-developed criteria to provide trusted guidance on which standards cover key sustainability topics and operate responsibly. The SSCI currently operates a social sustainability benchmark and has been working with members since 2022 to expand its scope to environmental sustainability.

Following a four week public consultation, the we are excited to share our response to comments on the draft Environmental Benchmark Criteria across three scopes including Manufacturing & Processing, Primary Production, and Forestry.

Download the Report Here

We extend our sincere gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the consultation process. Your insights and feedback have been invaluable in shaping the criteria to ensure they are comprehensive, credible, and effective.

The final environmental benchmark requirements will be published on 20 June 2024. To provide an introduction to these requirements, we will be hosting a webinar with industry experts from 4-5pm CET. We welcome all stakeholders and interested parties to join us for this informative session. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the updated criteria and how they will impact sustainability standards within our industry.

Register for the Webinar

With the new environmental sustainability benchmark criteria, the SSCI Benchmark will be able to recognise independent environmental sustainability certification, auditing, and monitoring schemes and programmes that meet the industry’s expectations for the kind of sustainability topics standards should cover and how assessments should be carried out.

Similar to the Benchmark’s scope-based approach to social sustainability, the Environmental Benchmark Criteria will apply to schemes and programmes working in the Manufacturing & Processing; Primary Production; and Forestry sectors. The topics covered by the Benchmark Criteria are:

Environmental Management SystemCompliance, transparency and complaintsPollution preventionManagement of potentially hazardous substancesPest ControlSoil HealthEnergy Use and GHG emissionsWater ProtectionWasteLand use and biodiversityAnimal welfare (Livestock only)Forest practices (Forestry Only)Ecodesign

We look forward to your continued engagement and support as we strive to enhance social and environmental sustainability standards.

If you have any questions about the consultation or criteria, please do not hesitate to email us.

By Kim Borges

“The Lord is going to put me where I need to be when I need to be there.”

Those words anchored Miranda Walker Jones when a flood swept nearly everything away.

Walker Jones had joined The Little Bit Foundation as its CEO just eight months before historic rains fell on St. Louis in July of 2022, extensively damaging the nonprofit’s office and a warehouse filled with clothing and education supplies for children they serve.

The organization dedicated to supporting families in need found itself in need of support.

Then, the phone rang.

“I got a call from Eric Madkins, who said, ‘We heard about what happened; Regions wants to help,’” said Walker Jones. “It was the first call I received.”

Madkins confirmed Regions Bank in St. Louis would provide a $5,000 donation, followed by several more companies committing contributions, too. It was an easy call for Madkins given the organization’s impact and reach.

The work The Little Bit Foundation does to help break the cycle of poverty for families across St. Louis is transformational. 
Eric Madkins, Community Development manager for Regions Bank in Missouri

“The work The Little Bit Foundation does to help break the cycle of poverty for families across St. Louis is transformational,” explained Madkins, Community Development manager for Regions Bank in Missouri. “Their outreach across 50 schools provides thousands of students with access to essential supplies while empowering them through educational support and helping them build self-confidence. Regions is proud to lend our support to elevate their mission.”

Meaning, when the bank’s Big Bike recently rolled into St. Louis for its latest weeklong celebration of activities, it stopped at Laura’s Run 4 Kids, a 5K run and one-mile family walk benefitting The Little Bit Foundation. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

“We had perfect running weather, it could not have been a more beautiful day,” said Walker Jones. “And the kids and I loved that Big Green Bike.”

The kids – 200 served by The Little Bit Foundation – joined 400 adults from the community to run in support of the cause.

“We had students from 10 different schools we serve, all united in the excitement of being in the park and their love for running,” said Walker Jones. “These kids were pushing us. The adults seemed to really enjoy running with them (see below for more about Regions’ runners). That day showed the best of our children.”

Walker Jones can always find a silver lining – not just on good days like race day, but even amid natural disasters.

These kids were pushing us. The adults seemed to really enjoy running with them. That day showed the best of our children.

“People said they never saw me sweat,” she recalled of the weeks following the flood. “I had people ask, ‘How much can you endure in a given moment?’ For me, it’s higher than many. I credit that to growing up in East St. Louis, a tight-knit yet extremely under-resourced community. It helped me build my resiliency muscle.”

Walker Jones knows the challenges youth served by The Little Bit Foundation face; but more importantly, she knows their ability to overcome them.

“I resonate with children growing up in neighborhoods like I did,” Walker Jones said. “Our kids aren’t always seen as the potential scholars and future leaders they are. But I know our future is secure when I talk with them. There are so many things I get to witness every day that convince me of it.”

And Walker Jones and team are doing everything in their power to ensure those good things continue.

Last year, The Little Bit Foundation created a Wellness and Family Support division. Earlier this year, they brought on a case management team to offer therapy services and they’ll expand to six more schools by the end of 2024.

Oh, and they’re moving into their new permanent headquarters this summer, too.

“I’ve been here two-and-a-half years and there’s never been a dull moment,” Walker Jones said. “Every day, I’m living the dream.”

And in the most difficult moments, she’s learned valuable lessons.

“I’m a bit of a hoarder and a nester,” Walker Jones said. “When everything is gone in an instant, it makes you think about things as things. The fact that my staff was safe, they were OK … the people are the things that drive us. As long as the people stay intact, and we keep our mentality in a positive space, we can make it through anything.”

People including the team at Regions Bank.

“You were the first ones to help us get back on our feet, unprompted,” Walker Jones said. “You knew the work. You can’t ask for any better partnership.”

Running for – and with – the Kids:

Several Regions associates laced up their sneakers to support The Little Bit Foundation, a bank customer. “The Clayton and Jennings teams are part of what I call my personal financial team,” said Walker Jones. “They’re like family.”

We connected with Scott Hartwig, Commercial Banking leader and Greater St. Louis Market Executive, and Amanda Bridwell, Consumer relationship banker-team lead at the Creve Coeur West branch, to ask about their 5K experience.

How many races have you completed?

Bridwell: I’ve been a regular runner and walker for 12 years. I’ve run 25 to 30 5Ks and a handful of half marathons.

Hartwig: I completed seven half marathons between 10 to 15 years ago and have done 15-plus 5Ks.

Tell us about your race day experience.

Bridwell: I participated in the 5K with my husband, Matt, and my dog, Roxie. The highlight for me was the kids. Many walked up and asked if they could pet Roxie. They would then bring a friend who was maybe afraid of a dog and show them how friendly she is.

Hartwig: Seeing all the fun the kids were having just being kids was also fun for us as adults. They took off and were all over the place! You don’t often see that at a 5K. It was funny to watch since kids don’t pace themselves with running.

Why was it important for Regions to support this event?

Bridwell: It’s important because we talk about financial education and helping our customers. It starts here by serving younger kids.

Hartwig: The work The Little Bit Foundation does to fight poverty through education aligns with our community pillars and goes hand in hand with what we’re teaching through financial education.

Originally published by TED Conferences on LinkedIn

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