Month: August 2024

Every day, we make small decisions to lead more sustainable lives. These choices reflect a growing awareness of the impact humans have on the planet. Yet when it comes to banking, many overlook the influence our choice of financial institution can have on the environment and in our communities. Where we choose to save and invest our money can align with—or work against—our personal values. This is where Walden Mutual Bank comes in, offering an opportunity to make a more conscious and positive impact through everyday financial choices.

Walden Mutual Bank is driven by a mission to support the sustainable growth of local communities. The bank offers consumer savings accounts, grow local accounts, and CDs which fund loans for local sustainable food, farm, and community businesses across New England and New York, enabling customers to contribute to a healthier, more resilient regional economy.

We invited Charley Cummings, Founder and CEO of Walden Mutual Bank, to share his insights on building a reputable banking institution in a mutual structure and how it has successfully funded underrepresented borrowers—all while supporting a sustainable regional economy

Listen for insights on:

How traditional business can implement a mutual structureHow this funding approach enables businesses with distinct ecological priorities to secure specialized loansServing underrepresented businesses and borrowers

Listen to this and other episodes of Purpose 360 Podcast here.

Purpose 360 Podcast is a masterclass in unlocking the potential of purpose to ignite business and social impact. Hosted by Carol Cone, CEO of Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, Purpose 360 illuminates the impact of purpose, from engaging employees and fostering deeper consumer loyalty to inspiring product innovation and increasing market share.

Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP) is a pioneering social impact consultancy helping companies, brands, and nonprofits harness the power of purpose to advance their business and societal impact. CCOP’s proven approach, developed over decades and hundreds of purpose assignments, meets clients at any point on their purpose journey to unlock opportunities to build reputation, inspire and engage employees, ignite organizational culture for innovation and growth, while supporting the greater good.

Originally published on August 5, 2024 on LinkedIn

Sysco is proud to be a long-standing partner of the American Red Cross, donating nearly $2 million dollars since 2001 to aid their efforts. As disasters continue to increase in frequency and severity, individuals and families are depending on the Red Cross’s essential services even more.

We recently donated another $10,000 to help aid their efforts following Hurricane Beryl in Houston. Sysco’s purpose of “connecting the world to share food and care for one another” guides our actions and the organizations we support to make a positive impact in our community. Together, we’re continuing to make a difference by providing essential support to those in need.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 74,000 colleagues, the company operates 334 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 725,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2023 that ended July 1, 2023, the company generated sales of more than $76 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2022 Sustainability Report and 2022 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

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Grant will help fund 40-mile transmission line rebuild in Wake, Johnston and Wayne counties to improve reliability for an estimated 14,000 customers

RALEIGH, N.C., August 27, 2024 /3BL/ – U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm today announced the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Grid Deployment Office has selected the North Carolina Innovative Transmission Rebuild project to receive $57 million in cost-share funding to enhance the power grid’s ability to deliver affordable, resilient energy. The project – a partnership between Duke Energy, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and State Energy Office – aims to reconstruct the 230-kV Lee-Milburnie transmission line to improve reliability for customers and meet growing electricity demand in eastern North Carolina.

“The grant announced today by the Department of Energy is a win for the communities Duke Energy serves, and signals North Carolina’s leadership in the energy transition,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy North Carolina state president. “This project will help reduce outages, enhance the power system’s resilience against extreme weather, enable the connection of more clean energy sources to the grid and create job opportunities and new partnerships with community organizations.”

The Lee-Milburnie transmission line spans from the Greater Raleigh area to outside Goldsboro, N.C., including portions of Wake, Johnston and Wayne counties. The line rebuild will take place in the existing right of way to minimize the impact to nearby communities.

“Supporting our customers by helping ensure they have reliable service and restoring that service safely and quickly when we need to is our No. 1 job,” said Scott Batson, senior vice president and chief power grid officer at Duke Energy. “The generous grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy for this transmission line reconstruction work will improve the reliability of the grid while delivering affordable, clean energy to our customers.”

The funds are part of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, the federal government’s single largest direct investment into critical grid infrastructure. Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, the GRIP program leverages federal and private investments to support a reliable grid that is prepared for extreme weather while also delivering affordable, clean energy and creating local economic opportunities.

“This funding will help support North Carolinians’ efforts to invest in grid resiliency, improve reliability, and meet electricity demand,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in the most crucial component of the nation’s infrastructure, expanding and hardening the grid to allow more resilient, clean power to reach more household, and support the ongoing manufacturing boom—all while creating thousands of local jobs.”

This North Carolina Innovative Transmission Rebuild will create robust opportunities for local economic development, including significant investments in workforce development programs at Nash Community College and North Carolina A&T State University.

“North Carolina A&T State University and STEPs4GROWTH are proud to be partners in developing a skilled workforce in support of Duke Energy’s efforts to deliver reliable, affordable energy to its customers,” said Balu Gokaraju, Ph.D., principal investigator for the STEPs4GROWTH program. “This project represents a significant investment that will not only enhance the grid but also benefit the community by creating good jobs with family sustaining wages.”

The joint effort will create an estimated 550 new jobs that can be filled through partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and local community colleges.

“We have been a proud partner of Duke Energy for many years and are truly excited about this new initiative to enhance power grid reliability in North Carolina,” said Lew K. Hunnicutt, President of Nash Community College. “We look forward to doing our part to support this important project, which will benefit our community through new job opportunities for skilled workers.”

To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office’s website.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Logan Stewart 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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NEW YORK, August 27, 2024 /3BL/ – KeyBank and The Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN) continue to work together to increase Black homeownership throughout New York City with a new $20,000 grant from KeyBank Foundation to support the organization’s Black Homeownership Project (BHP), which aims to preserve and increase the number of Black homeowners in the city by providing high quality services, advocating for policies that support Black homeowners, and organizing around issues related to Black homeownership.

The latest grant follows a two-year, $150,000 foundation grant made in 2022 to launch CNYCN’s Savings Accelerator and Pathways to Tenant Purchases programs. This new funding will support program staff who work across CNYCN’s five pilot BHP initiatives including the Savings Accelerator and Pathways to Tenant Purchases programs, which offer outreach, educational workshops, and direct, one-on-one services to homeowners.

“Homeownership is a crucial asset for building generational wealth and equity and for stabilizing neighborhoods and communities, but a history of racist housing practices has made acquiring and maintaining a home more challenging for many Black families in the city,” said Kevin Wolfe, Deputy Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs at The Center for New York City Neighborhoods. “We’re grateful for KeyBank’s partnership and support in helping the Black Homeownership Project advance its mission of growing affordable homeownership opportunities and preventing displacement for New York’s Black communities who have systematically been excluded from the system.”

Founded in 2008 as a response to the loss of Black homeowners in Queens following the 2008 foreclosure crisis, CNYCN meets the complex and diverse needs of tens of thousands of middle- and working-class families by administering, coordinating, and funding a network of more than two dozen community-based nonprofits across New York City who deliver legal and housing counseling services to low- to moderate-income (LMI) homeowners. The Center and its partners have helped more than 250,000 low- and moderate-income (LMI) families keep their homes and gain financial stability, preserving over $10 billion in neighborhood property value across New York.

“As a community-minded bank, KeyBank is committed to providing access to capital and support to neighborhoods and neighbors who have often faced financial barriers,” said KeyBank’s Hudson Valley and Metro New York Market President, John Manginelli. “We are pleased to support the efforts of the Center for NYC Neighborhoods in implementing innovative programs that are driving affordable homeownership for all.”

About The Center of New York City Neighborhoods 

The Center for NYC Neighborhoods promotes and protects affordable homeownership in New York City so working- and middle-class families can build strong, thriving communities. We carry out our mission to promote and protect affordable homeownership through the lenses of racial equity and climate change. Established by public and private partners, the Center meets the diverse needs of homeowners throughout New York state by offering free, high-quality housing services. Since our founding in 2008, our network has assisted over 250,000 homeowners, and provided more than $60 million in funding to community-based partners. Visit cnycn.org to learn more.

About KeyCorp/KeyBank 

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at June 30, 2024. 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 Member FDIC.

KeyBank Media Contact: Karen Crane | karen_crane@keybank.com | 203-789-2752

Eastman

MIAMI, August 27, 2024 /3BL/ – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, is teaming up with sustainable serveware provider Drinique to introduce a simplified in-room breakfast experience using a new line of reusable bento box-style serveware made with 50% certified recycled materials.* The new serveware provides a compact and convenient way for guests to enjoy their breakfast without the weight and bulk of porcelain plates while also eliminating the need for plastic cling wrap, making for a more sustainable experience.

Offering an innovative product made from durable and long-lasting sustainable reusable materials, Drinique’s bento box-style serveware is made with Eastman Tritan™ Renew, a durable plastic powered by Eastman’s innovative molecular recycling technologies that sources hard-to-recycle waste to keep it out of landfills. This new serveware, designed to work well in fast-paced food service environments, will replace traditional porcelain dishes for in-room breakfast service. The reusable serveware is being used for in-room breakfast service aboard Norwegian Prima® and Norwegian Viva® first and will be rolled out across NCL’s entire 19-ship fleet before the end of the year.

“We are excited to help companies like NCL drive change to meet their environmental goals,” said Andrew Elliott, President of Drinique. “By leveraging the sustainability and durability of Tritan Renew, we aim to help our partners innovate and continue to provide guests with an effortless dining experience while reducing single use plastic waste across the globe.”

This new initiative is just one of the many ways Norwegian is showing it’s committed to driving a positive impact on society and the environment through its global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain™. In 2018, NCL became the first major global cruise line to eliminate single-use plastic straws across its fleet and private destinations as well as single-use plastic water bottles in 2020. To date, these efforts have resulted in the elimination of more than 27 million single-use plastic water bottles and 77 million plastic straws.

“As part of our commitment to reduce the use of single plastic on board, we continuously search for opportunities to implement new environmentally friendly practices, while keeping our mission of delivering more experiences so our guests can vacation better with us top of mind,” said Mark Kansley, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations at Norwegian Cruise Line. “We’re excited to continue to work with Drinique to introduce these new reusable bento boxes across our fleet and continue doing our part to protect and preserve the environment.”

To learn more about on NCL’s Sail & Sustain™ program, click here.

For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line’s award-winning 19-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

For more information about Drinique and their bento boxes made with Tritan Renew, please visit www.eastman.com/tritanrenew.

*Recycled content is certified through ISCC PLUS mass balance allocation.

About Drinique

Drinique is a leading provider of durable, sustainable drinkware solutions for hospitality and foodservice industries. With a focus on innovation and quality, Drinique offers a wide range of products designed to elevate the guest experience while reducing environmental impact.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 57 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 19 contemporary ships sail to 450 of the world’s most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveler staterooms, club balcony suites, and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company’s ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Eastman and Drinique media contact

Jacob Teetzmann
1-423-494-3673
jteetzmann@tombras.com

NCL Media contact

publicrelations@ncl.com

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, August 27, 2024 /3BL/ – DP World, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, has secured validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its ambitious commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

The global trade and logistics firm commits to reduce scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 42% by 2030 from a 2022 base year*. DP World also commits to reduce scope 2 GHG emissions 62.2%, and reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 28% within the same timeframe.

The SBTi is a world leading authority in advancing private sector progress to reduce GHG emissions, helping prevent the impacts of climate change. Its validation underscores the strength of DP World’s ‘Our World, Our Future’ sustainability strategy, recognising its progress-to-date and ambitious plans, which focus on slashing its own emissions and empowering its customers to meet their own Scope 3 reduction targets.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World said: “DP World is committed to leading the supply chain industry towards a more sustainable and efficient future, and ultimately achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The SBTi’s validation confirms the strength and ambition of our plans as we remain committed to playing a pivotal role in uniting our industry for a better tomorrow.”

DP World has made notable progress on its sustainability strategy in recent years, announcing a 13% reduction in emissions since the 2022 base year. Its new 42% reduction target and increased commitments on Scope 3 reductions build on the success to date.

Piotr Konopka, Group Vice President at DP World, Global Decarbonisation & Energy, said: “We are delighted to have achieved SBTi validation and we will continue to drive progress in a range of areas, including equipment electrification, renewable energy, efficiency, and low carbon fuels. Furthermore, we look forward to driving increased collaboration through industry-wide initiatives such as green trade corridors and portside electrification as seen with our Zero Emissions Port Alliance.”

DP World’s ambitious decarbonisation plans and achievements include, but are not limited to, the following:

The Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA), an industry-wide strategic coalition led by DP World in partnership with APM Terminals to accelerate progress towards zero emissions for container handling equipment (CHE) in ports.Entered a strategic partnership with Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (the Center) in 2022, whereby DP World committed to long-term strategic collaboration and contribution to the development of zero carbon technologies and solutions for the maritime industry.DP World’s membership of the World Economic Forum and the US Government-led First Movers Coalition, which aims to address the decarbonisation challenges of seven hard-to-abate sectors, including shipping.DP World’s work to advance fuel efficiency and alternative fuel adoption, as well as the introduction of new, more efficient vessels across its network, including an agreement for methanol-capable container feeder vessels in Europe by 2026, and the introduction of hybrid-electric Ro-Pax ferries in the UK.DP World has won a series of sustainability awards for its work, including the EKOenergy ecological label for the installation of the first photovoltaic plant in the deep-water port of Posorja, and two 2024 SEAL Awards for the use of waste for energy and its BOXBAY offer.As of 2023, 60% of DP World’s electricity consumption comes from renewable sources, with an aim to increase this to 70% by 2030 and 100% by 2040.

Sarah Mourino, Senior Director of Sustainability, DP World Americas, said: “The SBTi validation is a monumental step in DP World’s journey to lead our industry to a low carbon future. It highlights our deep commitment to environmental stewardship and sets a benchmark for our ongoing efforts to significantly reduce our carbon footprint across the Americas. Our ‘Our World, Our Future’ strategy is not just about meeting global targets, it’s about leading by example. From Canada to Chile, we are investing in renewable energy solutions, alternatively fueled equipment, and operational efficiency improvements. DP World’s commitment to SBTi fuels our resolve to drive sustainable change throughout our operations and empower our partners and customers to change what’s possible.”

To find out more about DP World’s ‘Our World, Our Future’ sustainability strategy please visit www.dpworld.com/sustainability

* The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications 
M: (+1) 704-605-6159 
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World 

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 113,000 employees from 160 nationalities, spanning 78 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses — Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW 
TO CHANGE WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.