Month: September 2024

MIAMI, September 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, today announced solar panel installations are underway for two of its Port of Barcelona cruise terminals. The roof-mounted solar panels, a first for the port, are capable of supplying more than 100% of the energy needed to power daily operations and will reduce overall electricity consumption.

Carnival Corporation and the Port of Barcelona teamed up with a Catalonia-based solar provider to install the 1,350 panels at Palacruceros (Terminal D) and Helix Cruise Center (Terminal E), which will collectively produce 866,000-plus kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. Work to install the solar panels began in July at Palacruceros and the full project across both terminals is slated for completion by the end of 2024.

Additionally, the surplus power generated by the solar panels, estimated at 32% for Helix Cruise Center alone, can be routed back into the local energy grid to improve the overall utilization of renewable energy generation in the port. In total, over 245,000 kWh of surplus power will be fed into the grid each year – equivalent to the average annual consumption of 60 households.

This transformative project builds on Carnival Corporation’s development of a new solar panel farm unveiled earlier this year at its Amber Cove Cruise Center in the Dominican Republic, one of eight leading port destinations and exclusive islands owned and operated by the company. Together, these projects mark the beginning of the company’s wider efforts to integrate renewable energy across its entire ports and destinations portfolio.

“The shift to renewable energy is an integral part of our global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize our environmental footprint at the beautiful destinations we visit,” said Karin Plettner Rutishauser, vice president of global ports and destinations strategy for Carnival Corporation. “By partnering with Port of Barcelona, the solar panels at our terminals will significantly contribute to the production of clean energy, benefiting both the local community and our over one million cruise guests who enjoy this vibrant city each year.”

“Through this latest project with Carnival Corporation, we are laying the foundation for our new energy model based on renewable energy, energy storage and a smart electricity grid,” said Lluís Salvadó, president of Port of Barcelona. “Sustainability has always been our main driving force and these efforts have proudly put us at the forefront of generating environmental and economic prosperity in our great port, city and region.”

As one of the most important trade ports in the Mediterranean for more than 2,000 years, the Port of Barcelona has long positioned the city as a leader for the future of environmental innovation. This includes being the first cruise port in the Mediterranean with facilities to supply cruise ships with liquefied natural gas and implementing air quality improvement plans to effectively reduce emissions from port activities.

Carnival Corporation and eight of its cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and P&O Cruises (UK) – visit Barcelona throughout the year, with all brands operating full or partial homeporting.

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This release may include 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.

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:

Jody Venturoni, Carnival Corporation, jventuroni@carnival.com

Ellie Beuerman, LDWW, ellie@ldww.co

Port of Barcelona Media Contacts:

Press Office, comunicacioport@portdebarcelona.cat

On this inaugural 988 Day (9/8), and in recognizing National Suicide Prevention Month, we encourage all to learn more about the 988 Lifeline, a national network of 215+ local crisis centers that provides 24/7 emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress via phone, text, and chat to help individuals when, where, and how they need it.

Since 2023, Regency Centers and ten of our industry peers have partnered with 988 Lifeline, Vibrant Emotional Health & Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to install “Signs of HOPE” across 1,600 shopping centers, reaching more than 272M visitors making 4.6B visits annually.

Interested in joining this initiative? Reach out to signsofhope@brixmor.com for an implementation kit. Together, we can make an impact in our communities by emphasizing the importance of mental health — this month and every month.

About Regency Centers Corporation (NASDAQ: REG)

Regency Centers is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics. Our portfolio includes thriving properties merchandised with highly productive grocers, restaurants, service providers, and best-in-class retailers that connect to their neighborhoods, communities, and customers. Operating as a fully integrated real estate company, Regency Centers is a qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) that is self-administered, self-managed, and an S&P 500 Index member. For more information, please visit RegencyCenters.com

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Each scientific discovery gets us one step closer to our shared goal of ending the HIV epidemic. As a leader in HIV treatment and prevention, we’ll continue to build on our legacy and create innovative solutions to address the diverse needs of all people affected by HIV.

Watch the video to learn more about our work.

Gilead Sciences 
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

On this episode of Healthy Outcomes, host Mark Ross interviews Kevin Holloran, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings, an international credit rating agency based out of New York and London. Together, they discuss the ongoing challenges in the industry and other topics affecting the credit ratings of hospitals and health systems.

Topics of discussion include:

Challenges faced by healthcare systems in the past 12 months and those expected to persist in the next 12 monthsCore credit drivers for healthcare systemsPrimary causes of healthcare system rating downgradesImpact of physician practices on credit ratingsImportance of financial ratios (margin, liquidity, capital structure) and those most relevant to healthcare systemsOutlook for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity and its impact on the ratings processKey strategies healthcare systems plan to execute in the next three to five years

Connect with a member of the Baker Tilly healthcare team or visit bakertilly.com to learn more!

Abbott’s 2023 Global Sustainability Report tracks progress towards the global healthcare company’s 2030 Sustainability Plan goals to deliver strong sustainability performance across its operations – supporting the company’s central focus of helping more people in more places to live their healthiest possible lives.

Innovating for Access in Health

Innovation is meaningless if it doesn’t reach the people who need it. That’s why expanding access and affordability of care is central to Abbott’s goal to improve the lives of one in every three people on Earth each year by 2030.

The company’s Access and Affordability Design Principles, which have been integrated across Abbott’s businesses since 2022, help identify opportunities to expand the reach of Abbott’s life-changing technologies. Abbott also works across its businesses and in partnership with others to remove the barriers that stand in the way of good health, in communities around the world. A few examples of this work:

Because more than 80% of people who need a pacemaker require pacing in two chambers of the heart, Abbott introduced the world’s first device to offer beat-to-beat wireless communication and synchronization between two leadless pacemakers, each of which is smaller than a triple-A battery – opening access to leadless pacing for millions of people.We announced an agreement that will provide greater access to biosimilar medicines for more people in key emerging markets, together with global biotech leader mAbxience.In Tanzania, Abbott and Abbott Fund worked with the government to expand the reach of emergency medicine to nearly 1.3 million people – the latest results from more than 20 years of partnership. The cover of this year’s report features the program’s 2023 graduates in emergency medicine, reflecting our ongoing commitment to building local healthcare capacity.

Sustainability in Everything We Do

To innovate for greater access and affordability in health, we’ve integrated sustainability principles across our business. This is helping us make solid progress toward the goals outlined in our 2030 plan – from protecting a healthy environment, to building the workforce of tomorrow. A few examples of this work:

In the past year, Abbott achieved a 7% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, making good progress toward our goal of a 30% reduction from our 2018 baseline, and established a $15 million annual environmental sustainability capital fund to support energy efficiency projects. We reduced our water use by 3% overall, and four sites achieved Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification. We also increased the number of sites sending zero waste to landfill to 53 globally.In our 2030 plan, we set a goal to create 1 million development and job opportunities for current and future employees and to create opportunities in STEM programs and internships for 100,000 young people. In 2023, we were already exceeding our expected progress – so we’re now doubling those goals for 2030.

See Abbott’s full 2023 Global Sustainability Report for more details on these areas – and to learn more about how we responsibly connect data, technology and care, strengthen our global supply chain and deliver product quality.

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The KeyBank Foundation is investing $250,000 in the United Way of Central New York’s Thrive at Work Program. This new, innovative initiative is meant to help individuals who are employed but face challenges meeting basic financial needs due to limited access to financial resources and support.

Thrive at Work will focus on employees in entry-level or lower-income positions at small- to mid-sized companies in Central New York. Following a six-to-nine month build phase, the program will offer financial education, low-interest loans, one-on-one financial coaching, and free tax preparation services, empowering employees to better manage their finances.

“We applaud the United Way of Central New York for their innovative approach to helping working people in our community overcome challenges and access resources and support that can help them grow financially,” said Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President. “KeyBank’s purpose is to help the communities we serve thrive. Thrive at Work is a program we are proud to help build and support. We look forward to seeing the ways this will help people and communities in Central New York grow.”

“KeyBank Foundation’s investment makes it possible for us to launch this critical program to assist hardworking families who are striving yet struggling to get by,” said Nancy Kern Eaton, United Way of Central New York President. “Far too many people in our community are one financial emergency away from a downward spiral. Helping people manage financial and other crises will keep people focused on work while they continue to move forward in efforts to achieve their dreams and build a more stable future.”

Specifically, Thrive at Work will provide financial stability and resilience for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) individuals in Onondaga County, who represent 25% of the county’s households. The United Way of Central New York anticipates participants will show significant improvements in financial literacy, credit scores, debt reduction and savings. Additionally, it expects enhanced workplace engagement, reduced absenteeism due to financial stress, and increased job satisfaction.

“We are excited about the resources and education Thrive at Work will bring to our community, said Tamika Otis, KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer in Central New York. “This initiative will help working people in our region access the tools they need to help them reduce debt, save money and build wealth.”

Since 2017, KeyBank has made more than $700 million in investments in Syracuse and Central New York, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philanthropy.

ABOUT KEYCORP

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.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

United Way of Central New York, Inc., is an innovative and collaborative local nonprofit organization that drives solutions to the most pressing human service community needs of Central New York. Through our advocacy and relevant leadership, we provide options for impactful giving and we fund programs and initiatives that help create a thriving community. We are guided by our values of compassion, empowerment, collaboration, leadership, and inclusion. For more information, visit www.UnitedWay-CNY.org United, we do more.

Originally published by Sustridge

“I’m really excited about the potential of AI to really help accelerate our ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change, both in terms of tracking, reporting it, as well as actually helping through initiatives like I just mentioned with our Sustainability Accelerator Program, for example. We’re past the tipping point. The time is yesterday in terms of how we need to act on this stuff. We all need to do our part. So it really excites me. That’s why I’m at IBM.” 

– Jonah Smith, Vice President, Environmental Social Governance Strategy and Programs at IBM

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Grants will support 15 economic development organizations working to attract businesses to the state

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., September 12, 2024 /3BL/ – The Duke Energy Foundation is investing $200,000 in grants to support 15 economic development organizations working to attract business to the state and bolster Florida’s vibrant economy.

“Companies often consider establishing, expanding or relocating their operations to Florida because of the state’s economic strength,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “It’s a privilege to support innovative strategies that will build on that success and help ensure our economy continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.”

The Orlando Economic Partnership will use a $20,000 grant to develop a tool that will compare Orlando’s key business location factors to those of the 30 most populous large regions in the country.

“The Duke Energy Foundation’s grant will allow us to have a tool designed to generate new business development leads, create jobs and drive investment in the Orlando region,” said Neil Hamilton, Orlando Economic Partnership vice president of market intelligence. “Having access to this data will be invaluable to our economic development efforts, and we are confident it will attract new business opportunities and elevate Orlando’s standing as a top metropolitan area.”

Another grantee, the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation, will use $12,500 to increase awareness of the city as a business location – highlighting the Historic Gas Plant District – among site consultants.

“The Duke Energy Foundation grant will help the St. Pete EDC capitalize on this inflection point in our community’s growth,” said Mike Swesey, St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation president and CEO. “We are poised to become one of the most desirable cities in the country for businesses, and this grant allows us to tell our story to key decision-makers. We are so fortunate to have the backing of Duke, who continually supports the economic growth that benefits our residents.”

A complete list of grant recipients can be found below, with additional details available here.

City of ApopkaCareerSource Polk/Haines City Economic Development CouncilCitrus County Board of County CommissionersCORE Business CenterCity of DelandCity of EustisFlorida’s Great NorthwestHernando County Board of County CommissionersHighlands County Board of County CommissionersNature Coast Business Development CouncilOrlando Economic Partnership/Foundation for Orlando’s FuturePasco Economic Development CouncilPinellas County Board of County CommissionersSt. Petersburg Area Economic Development CorporationTeam Volusia Economic Development Corporation

For more information about the Duke Energy Foundation, please visit duke-energy.com/community/duke-energy-foundation/Florida.

Duke Energy Foundation 
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Florida 
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

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.

Media contact: Aly Coleman Raschid 
Media line: 800.559.3853

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There are endless possibilities to what a lawn can be, and we believe that caring for it responsibly is essential. Expanding beyond the backyard, the definition of what a modern city can be is also changing. There are walkable cities, 15-minute cities and our personal favorite, sponge cities.

Sponge cities are starting to make headlines in places such as The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. It’s a concept that is fairly straightforward.

A sponge city addresses the effects of climate change through land use planning and design. It relies on expanding the use of plants, green spaces and natural turfgrass in place of concrete, asphalt and impervious surfaces. Much like a sponge, turfgrass and living plants help absorb rainfall and heat. This helps to retain storm water and enable it to be repurposed. It’s a natural-based solution.

Why are sponge cities getting so much attention? 

As climate change and persistent drought impact regions of the country, people and communities are rethinking how they use water and whether they can take steps to help preserve it. This has led some communities to look at lawns not as a benefit to the environment but rather as a threat. This thinking centers on an unsupported notion that water resources can be better preserved if you remove turf and other living things.

Some communities have gone as far as restricting the use of turfgrass and green spaces, thinking such actions will save water resources. Others have even launched programs that incentivize homeowners to remove their lawns in favor of hardscapes.

The reality is sponge cities are a better approach to dealing with climate change and its impacts.

Why are sponge cities a better alternative? 

Living things bring many more benefits than non-living things, and this is critically important to remember when it comes to dealing with the effects of climate change ranging from excessive flooding to drought. Plants and turfgrass absorb water, while hard surfaces create more water runoff. Sponge cities further support the buildup of groundwater.

Sponge cities also reduce the urban heat island effect that happens when cities replace natural land with streets and other hard surfaces that actually absorb and retain heat. Heat islands can in some cases be 15 to 20 degrees warmer than rural areas at peak times of the day. A sponge city approach can help reduce those temperatures.

What are other benefits to turfgrass beyond the sponge city effect?

There are additional environmental benefits to turfgrass that are less overt. Specific functional benefits of turfgrass include soil improvement and CO2 conversion. In fact, a well-fed lawn removes two times the amount of carbon from the air in a single year than a tree captures in 10 years.

What’s the big takeaway for individual homeowners? 

Consumers should keep in mind that the very definition of a lawn is changing, and there are ways to care for it in a responsible way. Removing turfgrass and plants, and then replacing them with artificial turf and other hardscapes is not environmentally friendly.

How can people do their part to contribute positively to the environment and the sponge city effect?

People can do their part by planting, growing and supporting living things around their homes and yards. You can fill your yard with all types of plants to promote sustainability and biodiversity while reducing flooding and heat island effects.

There are more turfgrass options than ever for people to do this no matter where they live, even if they are in drought areas of the country.

Clover is an alternative ground cover option that requires less maintenance, water, mowing and fertilizer compared to traditional turfgrass varieties. Buffalograss, blue grama, sheep fescue and dichondra are additional ground cover options that can also provide low maintenance, less water or drought tolerant benefits.

Using living things and varieties of plants in people’s yards helps to create a mini version of a sponge city right at home.

Sponge cities, for the win

If it wasn’t clear, sponge cities are clear winners in our book, though we love walkable and 15-minute cities, too.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro 
With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.

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