Month: May 2025

• $10,000 awarded to the City of New Port Richey for its Youth Scholarship Assistance program
• Program provides summer camp and swim lessons through scholarships for low-income families

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., May 29, 2025 /3BL/ – In recognition of the May 15 designation as International Water Safety Day, Duke Energy Foundation announces a grant to the City of New Port Richey for swim lessons and summer camp scholarships.

“Safety is central to how we operate at Duke Energy. Providing water safety education through swim lessons is a fun but important way to keep children in our community safe this summer,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We thank the City of New Port Richey for providing programming to families throughout the year and are happy to make these programs available to more children this summer.”

The City of New Port Richey is offering summer day camp to residents June 2-Aug. 8 this summer. Registration is available by calling the Recreation and Aquatic Center at 727.841.4560 or visiting www.citynpr.org. Limited spots are still available.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Duke Energy Foundation for supporting our efforts to keep kids safe and active all summer long,” said Kevin Trapp, assistant parks and recreation director. “This funding helps remove barriers for families and ensures more children can enjoy swim lessons and camp experiences that build confidence and lifelong safety skills.”

Below are the top water safety tips from the American Red Cross, as an important reminder to all of us, on how to keep yourself, your family and friends safe in and around the water every day.

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
   
• Always swim with a buddy.
   
• If you go boating, wear a life jacket.
   
• Install and use barriers around your home pool or hot tub.
   
• Actively supervise children whenever around the water.
   
• Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions.
   
• Reach or throw aid to distressed swimmers – don’t go.
   
• Keep toys not in use away from the pool and out of site.

For more information on water safety, please visit American Red Cross’ water safety resources here.

Duke Energy Foundation

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 (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 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

About Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.  

About City of New Port Richey:

With a strong local government, an attractive historical downtown, and a unique riverfront landscape, New Port Richey is one of Florida’s best walkable, waterfront, historic hometowns. For more information, visit www.cityofnewportrichey.org.

Media contact: Laitin Sterling
Media line: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom

NEWARK, N.J., May 29, 2025 /3BL/ – PSE&G today announced that it is amending its May 7, 2025 filing with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide additional short term relief for mitigating the impact of recent significant increases in electric supply costs caused by PJM’s high capacity market prices. In the filing, PSE&G is responding to requests for temporary solutions from Gov. Phil Murphy issued in a press release yesterday, in addition to a one-time waiver of carrying costs for credits that might be issued this summer, pending BPU action.

“As Gov. Murphy said yesterday in his press release, utilities are not the cause of the unexpected rise in utility rates, but we have a role to play in providing options to assist our customers,” said Kim Hanemann, president and COO, PSE&G. “PSE&G works closely with our customers and communities to help ensure they have access to programs that fit their needs to manage their bills. We will continue to work with policymakers on short term solutions to assist our customers while working with the state on long term solutions, including the need for more generation.”

For decades, PSE&G has worked with customers, and with non-profits and community organizations who work with utility customers, to raise awareness, educate and inform customers about energy assistance options. In recent years, PSE&G has participated in hundreds of events across the state and communicated directly to customers through the mail and online about the programs and support available to help manage bills.

Short Term Solutions Filed with the BPU

In response to requests made in Gov. Phil Murphy’s May 14 press release, and as they relate to the May 7 BPU filings he noted in his press release, PSE&G requests the BPU approve:

• The implementation of an expansion of the Winter Termination Program, which provides utility shut-off protection to low-income and vulnerable individuals.
• The suspension of reconnection fees.
• The voluntary removal of its carrying charges for a temporary credit beginning on July 1, 2025 to offset the electric bill increases that will occur this summer. Carrying charges are the cost that the company will incur when delaying collection of the supply cost increase PSE&G pays to the suppliers.

PSE&G is proud of its track record of maintaining customer affordability and award-winning reliable service. PSE&G bills are nearly equivalent to 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation. PSE&G workshard to keep customer bills as low as possible and this has resulted in PSE&G being a top performer nationally in affordability.

May 7 Filing with the BPU

In compliance with the BPU’s order dated April 23, 2025, PSE&G’s May 7 filing describes options for the creation of a Temporary Supply Offset Clause (“TSOC”), a temporary credit beginning on July 1, 2025 to offset the electric bill increases that will occur this summer, bill increases that largely stem from the July 2024 PJM Base Residual Auction. As indicated in the May 7 filing, the three options included a 100% offsetting credit, a 50% offsetting credit, and a 25% offsetting credit, which were based on guidance from BPU Staff.

Long-term Solutions Needed

While PSE&G has been warning for several years about the supply and demand imbalance in the PJM region, we remain committed to working with stakeholders in government regarding long-term solutions to these significant rate increases, including policy and legal changes to encourage the development of new generation.

PSE&G Customer Assistance

PSE&G works directly with its customers, and with non-profits and community organizations who work with utility customers, to inform them about energy assistance options. These efforts are designed to provide access to information on a range of energy efficiency and affordability offerings – from rebates and discounts to programs for small businesses and corporations.

PSE&G’s energy efficiency programs provide free assessments to help make customer’s homes or businesses more efficient, and lower energy use year-round. As of this past February, over 415,000 customers benefitted from programs that reduced energy consumption and lowered bills. On an annual basis, participants saved nearly $640 million.

Last year, PSE&G made improvements to better identify and reach customers who are most likely eligible for energy assistance programs and affordability options. In the end, approximately 226,000 customers received more than $265 million in support and assistance from these and other outreach initiatives. We estimate that another 100,000 customers are eligible for these programs but have yet to reach out.

PSE&G provides information regarding affordability options that customers may qualify for based on certain criteria like income eligibility (i.e. the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or SHARES for customers who may be experiencing a temporary financial crisis).

There are also additional bill payment tools to help customers manage costs including PSE&G’s Equal Payment Plan and Deferred Payment Arrangements. PSE&G’s Equal Payment Plan estimates annual energy costs, and divides bills into 12 equal monthly payments, which allows customers to levelize their monthly spend expectations. Deferred Payment Arrangements allow customers to pay a portion of past-due balances over an agreed-upon period.

PSE&G is promoting affordability and bill management programs in person through its customer service centers and call center, while also educating customers through a multi-channel communication that includes bilingual emails, social media, newsletters, bill inserts, direct mail, media interviews, and webinars and events with our community partners. Customers can also find valuable energy assistance information at pseg.com/saveenergy and bizsave.pseg.com.

###

PSE&G

Public Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation’s largest utilities. PSE&G has won the ReliabilityOne® Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 23 consecutive years. For the third consecutive year, PSE&G is the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category. In addition, in 2024 J.D. Power named PSE&G number one in customer satisfaction with residential electric service and gas service in the east among large utilities. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 17 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding anticipated or expected energy savings, cost saving and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance. There can be no assurance that such energy and costs savings and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance will be realized in the amounts described and / or in the timeframes anticipated. Such statements are based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management but are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that may cause actual results to differ include, without limitation: the ability to implement our energy efficiency business strategy, and customer adoption of our energy efficiency offerings. All forward-looking statements made in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements The forward-looking statements contained in this Report are intended to qualify for the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Media Relations:
Marijke Shugrue
862-465-1445

When Emma was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, she didn’t let it define her. There are so many ways cancer steals possibility, but at Gilead, we’re helping take it back. We’ll continue working to transform how cancer is treated — and we look forward to sharing our research at ASCO25.

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. 

Originally published by Gilead Sciences

International Olympic Committee news

As the 2024-25 winter season draws to a close, athletes worldwide are setting their sights on the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Over 400 athletes vying for a spot at the Games are receiving crucial support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through Olympic Solidarity scholarships. The transformative impact of this support has enabled athletes, including freestyle snowboarder Taiga Hasegawa (JPN), skeleton athlete Nicole Silveira (BRA), luge duo Roberts Plūme and Mārtiņš Bots (LAT), and many others to train at elite levels and achieve remarkable successes throughout the season.

The first scholarships for Milano Cortina 2026 were awarded in autumn 2023, and there are currently 423 athletes (245 men, 178 women) from 87 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) benefitting from the programme.

Discover the list of scholarship-holders

Reaching new heights

Japanese freestyle snowboarder Taiga Hasegawa is aiming high in his sport following a silver medal at the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships 2025. The scholarship-holder believes the support he receives will lead to even greater achievements, and he is setting his sights on the top of the podium for the Olympic Winter Games next year.

“At Milano Cortina 2026, I will win both big air and slopestyle and become the Olympic champion,” he hopes. “Thanks to Olympic Solidarity, I can train in a good environment, go on overseas tours and achieve good results in competitions,” he adds.

Italian freestyle skier Flora Tabanelli has also had remarkable success this season. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “It was a great season. I have grown so much and I am very happy with what I have achieved. Now I’m ready to work as hard as I can to achieve my big goal: Milano Cortina 2026. A memorable result was definitely coming first with my brother Miro in the Big Air World Cup in Tignes, and also winning the overall Park & Pipe Crystal Globe.”

Tabanelli also emphasises the importance of the Olympic Solidarity scholarship in her preparation: “It allows me to train both on snow and on the artificial structures we use for dry training. This will help me to be fully prepared for the Games.”

Historic success in skeleton

The ability to train abroad has been a key factor in the historic success of skeleton athlete Nicole Silveira, who became the first Brazilian athlete to win a World Cup medal in any winter sport.

“For me as an athlete from a tropical country in a winter sport, the Olympic Solidarity scholarship has had a massive impact on my ability to prepare properly for the Games. It allows me to train in Europe and North America with the best equipment, coaches and support team,” she explains.

As well as winning two IBSF Skeleton World Cup bronze medals, Silveira finished fourth at the World Championships, won the Asia Cup title and was crowned Pan American champion. “Each one of these achievements feels like a step forward, not just for me, but for my country and every young athlete who dreams big,” she adds.

Podium dreams

At the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, 10 medals (three gold, two silver and five bronze) were won by athletes with Olympic Solidarity scholarships. The programme helped Latvia secure a bronze medal in the luge team relay event, and has also enabled Roberts Plūme and Mārtiņš Bots to reach new levels of performance in the sport since.

Together, they recorded several World Cup victories last season and took a historic silver medal at the 2025 World Championships. “This achievement is the highest in Latvian luge doubles history in a world championship,” Plūme reveals. “I believe that Olympic Solidarity has been the cornerstone to our recent success. It gives us more opportunities to train at the highest level possible.”

His team-mate agrees it has been “instrumental” in helping them push their limits. “Our goals for Milano Cortina 2026 are ambitious, and we are fully committed to achieving them,” Bots adds.

Achieving excellence

Oriol Cardona Coll (ESP) won gold in the men’s sprint race at the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championships, one highlight of an impressive season. “It’s thanks to the scholarship that I am where I am today,” he explains. “I’ve been able to train in a much better way, to optimise my training conditions. This shows in my competition results!”

Cardona Coll also enjoyed success in the mixed relay, where he took silver with another scholarship-holder, compatriot Ana Alonso Rodriguez. The pair can now look forward to representing their fast-growing sport when it makes its Olympic debut next year.

“The moment when Oriol crossed the finish line in second place in the World Championships, securing our place for the Olympic Games, was super nice and emotional,” Alonso Rodriguez reveals. “I was very excited when I realised what we had just achieved, because the road has been very hard and difficult.”

She acknowledges that the Olympic Solidarity support has been a “key element” of her success. “It has allowed me to focus fully on my training and competitions without constantly worrying about the financial burden of life as a top athlete,” she says.

“Thanks to this support I have been able to follow a professional training plan, investing in recovery and performance tools that are essential to keep me at the top. It has been a key element in helping me grow as an athlete and achieve my Olympic dream,” she adds.

Training for success

By providing access to elite training facilities, Olympic Solidarity aims to create a level playing field for athletes. Short track speed skater Stijn Desmet (BEL) won a silver medal in the Men’s 1,500m at the ISU World Short Track Championships in Beijing, China, this season and is pushing himself to be even better.

“Next year I want to reach my highest level and be able to compete for medals in multiple Olympic events,” he says. The support he receives is crucial for his preparation, “I can train at the highest level, in ice rinks that offer great levels of safety, together with my team-mates and with the support of a dedicated staff.”

Making their mark

In alpine skiing, Zrinka Ljutić (CRO) is yet another scholarship-holder who has been making her mark this season. Ljutić celebrated a major milestone by securing the FIS Alpine World Cup slalom Crystal Globe for the 2024-2025 season.

“All the hard work is paying off as I prepare for Milano Cortina 2026,” the 21-year-old enthuses, while crediting the role her scholarship has played. “With this support, I’ve been able to attend key training camps and continue improving my skills, which has been essential to my success this season.”

Empowering athletes globally

The aim of Olympic Solidarity is to provide assistance to all NOCs for athlete development programmes, in particular those with the greatest need of it. Ahead of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, a total of 429 scholarships were awarded to athletes from 80 NOCs. Over 50 per cent of those scholarship-holders, 236, qualified for the Games, winning 10 medals.

Learn more about Olympic Solidarity

SWORDS, Ireland, May 29, 2025 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, is continuing to set the pace for decarbonizing buildings, industry and the cold chain by reducing energy use and carbon emissions for customers and in its own operations – while consistently delivering leading business and sustainability performance.

Trane Technologies’ 2024 Sustainability Report highlights the company’s consistent execution, focused sustainability strategy and continued investment in innovation.

“We continue to advance sustainability by reducing energy use and emissions through our innovative thermal management systems, electrification and digital enablement for our customers and in our own operations,” said Dave Regnery, chair and CEO of Trane Technologies. “Our customer solutions are green for green – good for the planet, and good for our customers’ bottom line.”

Trane Technologies has reduced customer carbon emissions by 237 million metric tons since 2019, on track to meet its Gigaton Challenge goal to reduce one gigaton (or, one billion metric tons) of customer carbon emissions by 2030. In 2024, the company launched 190 new products including a significant portfolio refresh with lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. With high customer demand for sustainable solutions, the company delivered a fourth consecutive year of more than 20% adjusted EPS growth.

“We’re setting the standard for what’s possible in sustainable innovation. While demand for our sustainable solutions and manufacturing needs have increased, we’ve simultaneously reduced carbon emissions and environmental impacts in our operations,” said Mauro Atalla, Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer of Trane Technologies. “We are proving that by embedding sustainability into our purpose, strategy and culture, it is possible to be a growth company, meet ambitious sustainability commitments and add value to customers by helping them meet their goals.”

Trane Technologies’ 2024 Sustainability Report includes a comprehensive set of data, aligned with leading sustainability frameworks, that showcases how centering sustainability in business generates positive outcomes for customers, investors, employees and society.

Notable advancements made in 2024 toward Trane Technologies’ 2030 Sustainability Commitments include (compared to 2019 baseline unless otherwise noted):

• Gigaton Challenge: Reduced 237 million metric tons of carbon – equivalent to the emissions generated from using nearly 27 billion gallons of gasoline – toward the Gigaton Challenge, a pledge to reduce one billion metric tons of carbon from product use emissions by 2030.
• Carbon Neutrality: Reduced operational emissions by 44%, on track toward reaching science-based target of 50% reduction by 2030.
• Absolute Energy: Reduced absolute energy use by 3.2% toward 10% goal, even as manufacturing and production demands increased in support of company growth.
• Renewable Energy*: Met global operational electricity demands with 68% renewable energy sources.
• Water and Waste: Reduced total water usage by 49% and by 27% at facilities in water-stressed regions and achieved zero waste to landfill at 80% of global manufacturing sites.
• Embodied Carbon: In 2024, announced an industry-first, precedent-setting commitment to reduce embodied carbon in our products by 40% by 2030.
• Culture and Workforce Development*: Achieved employee engagement score of 82 (out of 100), ranking in the top quartile among benchmarked companies. Increased participation in tuition advancement program by 28% compared to prior year with nearly 600 global employees receiving an aggregate value of $2.5 million dollars in tuition assistance.
• Volunteerism: Completed more than 92,000 employee volunteer hours*, totaling more than 329,000 total volunteer hours since 2019.

A series of prominent awards, ratings and listings also recognized Trane Technologies for its industry-leading sustainability performance and company culture:

• Dow Jones Sustainability Index (14th consecutive year listed on North America Index, 4^th consecutive year on World Index)
• Just Capital’s JUST 100 List (ranked 1^st in Buildings Materials & Construction industry and 6^th overall)
• CDP Climate Change ‘A’ List (3^rd consecutive year)
• Corporate Knights (ranked 26^th on the 2025 Global 100)
• Ethisphere® Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies (2^nd consecutive year)
• Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies (13^th consecutive year)

Alongside its Sustainability Report, Trane Technologies published its Climate Transition Plan that outlines the company’s forward-looking climate strategy, including its plans for managing physical and transition climate risks and opportunities, reducing carbon emissions in alignment with international climate agreements and preparing for future policy, market and technological changes.

To read Trane Technologies’ full 2024 Sustainability Report, visit www.tranetechnologies.com/sustainability-reports.

About Trane Technologies
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. Visit tranetechnologies.com.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our 2030 Sustainability Commitments; our pathway to net-zero by 2050; our sustainability targets, goals, commitments and programs and their anticipated impacts; our product and service innovations; and other business plans, initiatives and objectives. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

* Calendar year 2024 metric

BONN, Germany, May 29, 2025 /3BL/ – Fairtrade is making significant contributions in critical sustainability areas, including economic security, climate resilience, and gender equality, according to a new, independent analysis of studies.

The analysis, carried out by independent international development researchers David Jodrell and Willemijn de Bruin, resulted in the report, “Evidence Map 2021 to 2024: Evidencing the Theory of Change.” Jodrell and de Bruin reviewed 122 different studies and Fairtrade’s program and monitoring data and conducted focus groups with staff to reveal a comprehensive look at the organization’s actions and impacts over the last four years.

The study found that financial interventions, such as the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium, coupled with strong Standards and hands-on support for farmers are essential in the effort to make trade fairer – the organization’s primary goal.

“This ‘study of studies’ is a large undertaking that helps us understand our impact across a range of areas from environmental effects to livelihoods to inclusion to trust and satisfaction,” said Dr. Arisbe Mendoza, Director of Global Impact, Fairtrade International. “It’s important to carry out this kind of work so that we have an evidence-based guide to lead us forward and also make it easy for anyone to see the difference that Fairtrade makes and to have confidence in choosing Fairtrade.”

Key findings include:

Sustainable, resilient and fairer supply chains. (19 studies analyzed) More than half of the studies on this topic show that Fairtrade has a positive long-term impact on supply chains and trade relationships in some sectors, including higher incomes for farmers, decentralized governance, and greater collaboration between farmers and other supply chain actors.

Economic benefits. (60+ studies analyzed) Fairtrade provides farmers with greater price stability and resources, primarily through mandatory minimum pricing and extra funds from the Fairtrade Premium. Nearly 90 percent of studies that examined long-term economic gains found positive contributions from Fairtrade, including higher incomes for farmers, improved farm revenues and higher net returns, and greater income stability. 

Climate resilience. (33 studies analyzed) The majority of these studies indicate that Fairtrade’s training and support programs increase farmers’ knowledge and awareness of related issues, such as improved farm management and agrochemical application, disaster risk management training and planning, and sustainable farming practices. For example, farmers are using fewer fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, are practicing soil, water, and forest conservation, and using energy efficient technologies, like solar panels.

Trust and satisfaction. (31 studies analyzed) Farmers and workers value Fairtrade, particularly for the financial benefits, social investments, and training. Nearly 90 percent expressed satisfaction with the services they receive from Fairtrade producer networks. Additionally, the studies show that consumer trust in Fairtrade remains high, and that businesses also value Fairtrade because it aligns with their sustainability goals and strengthens their credibility.

Inclusiveness and representation. (21+ studies analyzed) Most of the studies conclude that Fairtrade certified cooperatives have higher female participation and have made gains in gender-focused capacity building, skill acquisition and workforce inclusion, and women’s leadership opportunities, increased economic status, and successful capacity strengthening efforts.

Better working conditions. (26 studies analyzed) Nearly two-thirds of the studies confirm workers employed by Fairtrade certified cooperatives are most likely to benefit from fairer contracts, greater health and safety protection, improved labor rights, and legally binding working hours.

The analysis also disclosed areas where Fairtrade’s influence is less measurable, such as progress toward living wages for employees of large-scale farms, due to external factors limiting the impact of Fairtrade’s wage-related standards. While Fairtrade has implemented new measures in the past few years, including setting base wages and developing voluntary living wage reference prices for bananas, further analysis is needed to understand results and impacts.

In terms of meaningful progress toward women’s inclusion, the analysis found that Fairtrade improves women’s opportunities and skills and increases representation within cooperatives. However, some studies still find that women’s participation and ability to influence decisions – for instance within their cooperative – can be limited by broader social norms.

Finally, the analysis found that there is not enough existing research about Fairtrade in some areas to draw valid conclusions about its influence, including farmers’ data ownership and ability to effectively use their data, freedom of association, and achieving public policies that support broader societal change.

“Fairtrade is one of the most researched ethical certifications out there, which is good for us because it means academics and students are putting their skills to work to measure if we’re having the impact we want, and where the gaps are,” said Dr. Mendoza. “We update our research agenda annually and really value the collaborations with researchers and other like-minded organizations – as well as our own monitoring and evaluation staff across our global network – so we can all know more and do better.”

This analysis, conducted every four years, helps Fairtrade reassess its Theory of Change, which spells out how its interventions create change in the short and medium term, to create long-lasting impact. The findings will also contribute to Fairtrade’s future research agenda, program development, and strategic planning to refine its next global strategy.

###

Media Contact:

Liz Davis, ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org

About Fairtrade America: 

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It’s about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade certification program —part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtradeamerica.org, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

From Netscape Navigator to Google Chrome: 30 Years of Browser Evolution 

Thirty years ago, Netscape went public and helped launch the internet era. Its browser, Netscape Navigator, led the way and laid the foundation for how billions of people would access the web.

As the internet grew, so did the competition. Internet Explorer soon surged ahead, at one point holding over 90% of the market share and becoming the default gateway to the online world. But as applications became more dynamic and interactive (with digital platforms like Gmail, Facebook and Google Maps), IE struggled to keep up. These apps ran slowly and fell short of expectations.

Then, Chrome emerged. It wasn’t just incrementally better; it delivered 10 times the leap in performance for JavaScript-heavy applications. The improvement was undeniable. What seemed impossible — taking market share from IE — became inevitable, simply because Chrome made life 10 times better for the new internet experience.

Fast forward to 2024, I joined Gen with a clear vision: Generative AI will redefine how consumers enter the digital world. Fittingly, my team has been working in the same office building where Netscape Navigator team made history, and it’s here that we’re carrying the torch to re-invent the browser for the AI era.

Browsers Were Due for a Revolution. This is it. 

Today, we face a new, equally urgent pain point. The internet is no longer only a collection of websites. It’s a fragmented universe of emails, documents, messages, meetings, tabs and cloud and web services scattered across tabs and accounts. We’re drowning in information and switching contexts all day, yet struggling to get to what really matters fast.

We don’t need more information. We need fewer barriers. Less friction. Less cognitive overhead. More clarity. More outcomes.

It’s time for a new leap.

Introducing Norton Neo 

That leap begins with Norton Neo — the world’s first Safe AI-native browser.

Norton Neo is built for a world where information is abundant, but focus is scarce. Where apps multiply, but time doesn’t. With Neo, AI works seamlessly within your browser — no app switching, no tab overload. Just a proactive assistant powered by ChatGPT-level intelligence you can trust.

 

Neo doesn’t just respond — it anticipates.

Today’s launch is more than a new product. It’s a statement:

That the browser, one of the most-used apps on every computer — is overdue for reinvention, and that meaningful innovation can come from an S&P 500 company like Gen. Our goal here is simple: to build technology that helps people live more freely and confidently online. During this early access phase of Norton Neo, we’re excited to hear what people think — your feedback will help shape what Neo becomes. We’re listening, we’re learning and we’re focused on creating a smarter, safer digital world for everyone.

This is just the beginning — not only of a new product, but a new category. Here’s what you can expect with Norton Neo in the future.

A New Vision for the Way We Browse 

1. AI-Native: Empowering You Behind the Scenes 

Most AI tools today feel disjointed. You jump between apps. You paste prompts. You reword questions.

Neo plans to change that.

Neo will bring you the intelligence of ChatGPT — but no heavy prompts, no friction, no effort. It works in the background, offering proactive support when you need it.

2. Reinventing Search: A Browser That Connects Your Entire Digital World 

The traditional browser searched the public web. The new browser searches and helps manage your entire digital world.

Looking for a document you saw last week? Neo retrieves it. Need a meeting summary? It’s already parsed and ready to go. Why leave the tab open when your AI can remember and find everything for you? Why juggle 100 tabs like it’s still the last decade?

This isn’t just about finding faster as Google Chrome has been doing it for more than a decade. It’s about discovering smarter. Neo turns chaos into clarity by being more proactive and more personalized.

3. More Than a Browser but a Doer 

The next browser isn’t a tool. It’s a partner, an agent or a personal assistant. It can take action, finish tasks and bring you clarity. The more capable your AI, the more powerful your experience.

Need to cancel a reservation, send a follow-up email or fill out a form? Neo handles it or prepares for you.

From routine tasks to complex decisions, it’s the browser that works with you — quietly, intelligently and safely.

It’s not just faster browsing; it’s smarter living.

4. Built-in Protection from the Start

Neo is built on Chromium, so it works with the extensions you already rely on. But what makes it different is what’s built in: always-on protection, free ad blocking and trusted safe browsing — all powered by Norton’s decades of security expertise.

As AI becomes more powerful, trust matters more than ever for everyday people like you and me. That’s why Neo brings intelligence to your browser with protection built in from the very start. Backed by a brand known for putting people first, Neo is designed to help you explore what’s next with confidence.

You don’t have to trade intelligence for security or speed for peace of mind. With Neo, smart is secure and your protection is always on.

A Paradigm Shift in the Making 

Just like Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome defined their generations, Norton Neo is here to define the next one.

This isn’t about another upgrade. This is about a complete reinvention of how you live and work online. A shift from reactive browsing to anticipatory companionship. From clutter and fragmentation to clarity and flow. From Information to Intelligence to Outcome.

It’s about breaking down the barriers between you and your potential. It’s about trust, intelligence, simplicity — and yes, a little bit of magic.

The age of reactive browsing is ending. The age of the browser ahead of you is just beginning.

Learn more about the First Safe AI-native Browser here: https://neotoday.ai.