Month: August 2025

ATLANTA, August 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Globally, more than 3.6 billion people lack access to facilities and infrastructure to safely dispose of human waste, with dire consequences for public health as well as privacy concerns. To accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, focused on ensuring access to sanitation and clean water for all, CARE is partnering with iDE and IDinsight—two mission-driven global organizations—to test and scale innovative market-based models that promote sanitation.

The new partnership aims to increase access to safe and durable household toilets by harnessing private sector solutions, government investments, community-led financial mechanisms, and rigorous evidence to measure success. While effective sanitation technologies already exist, systemic barriers—including weak sanitation supply chains, limited household access to finance, and low public investment—have stalled progress towards universal household sanitation, particularly in rural Sub-Saharan Africa.

The partnership will launch this month with a 1-year pilot program in Zambia , connecting sanitation entrepreneurs and public officials with Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) —CARE global flagship initiative that enables women to save and borrow money in the absence of a formal bank —to reinforce demand for sanitation, increase access to finance, and foster a new generation of sanitation entrepreneurs.

While government commitment and community awareness are key to bridging the sanitation gap, sanitation entrepreneurs and businesses are critical in ensuring that rural households have affordable sanitation options they will use and maintain. By increasing household sanitation access, CARE and partners seek to promote individual dignity and improve public health as diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition in many parts of the world.

This new partnership leverages the organizations’ collective resources and brings together each organization’s distinct strengths:

• CARE’s extensive on-the-ground presence and expertise in community engagement and institutional strengthening,
• iDE’s proven track record of developing and scaling market-based solutions for low-income communities, and
• IDinsight’s rigorous data analytics and evaluation capabilities.

CARE sees this partnership as a powerful opportunity to leverage its VSLA network and accelerate progress towards global sanitation. “By combining iDE’s market-driven sanitation expertise with CARE’s deep community relationships and financial inclusion platforms, we can unlock faster, more sustainable access to improved sanitation products and services,” said Rod Beadle, Director of CARE’s Water Team.

For Elise Mann, Global WaSH Director at iDE, the partnership is an opportunity for rural sanitation entrepreneurs to build their customer base, starting with early adopters who influence the wider community. “We know that VSLA members can play this early adopter role and accelerate investments in other households. Success means that more households will have safe toilets more quickly – improving their own health and security, and the health of their wider communities.”

IDinsight, a global leader in empowering decision-makers with data and evidence, will rigorously assess the model’s outcomes on improving people’s lives. “The partnership between CARE and iDE on market-based sanitation can leverage organizational complementarities as well as existing assets, footprints, and relationships to drive innovation, cost-effectiveness, and scalability,” said Rico Bergemann, Associate Director at IDinsight.

In Zambia, the partnership is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, District and Ward governments, and other public sector institutions. There is urgency to this issue. “Currently, only half of Zambian households have safe sanitation, but the Government of Zambia has set a 90 percent household sanitation coverage target by 2030. There is a lot to do to increase sanitation uptake.” said Moses Mumba, Program Manager at CARE Zambia. “This pilot will help inform national and local government approaches to scaling sanitation and help achieve those ambitious targets.”

This partnership is designed to test a model that can be reproduced anywhere market conditions and community-led platforms are amenable. While the partnership aims to create accelerated pathways to close the sanitation gap in Zambia, in so doing, it will unlock complementary benefits across health, nutrition, education, and the economy—advancing opportunities and dignity for millions. “At a time when funding for foreign aid is increasingly scarce, solutions that are cost-effective, lifesaving and scalable are more important than ever,” said Anita Akella, CARE’s Director of Impact at Scale.

For media inquiries, please email usa.media@care.org

Note to editors:

About CARE: Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. In 2024, CARE worked in 121 countries, reaching 53 million people through 1,450 projects. To learn more, visit www.care.org 

About iDE: iDE’s mission is to end global poverty. The organization believes that catalyzing the power of local markets is the best way to do this. iDE works with local entrepreneurs who connect underserved, last-mile markets with products and services that enable people to move up the economic ladder. iDE works in the sectors of agriculture, WaSH, and nutrition across 12 countries and has impacted more than 44 million people to date. To learn more, visit www.ide.org

About IDinsight: IDinsight is a global non-profit research, data analytics, and advisory organization that helps development leaders maximize their social impact. To learn more, visit: www.idinsight.org

Verizon

What you need to know:

• Today, in partnership with Hyfi and the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Verizon launches floodwater sensors in the city of Chicago to provide city managers and emergency preparedness officials with an unprecedented level of information to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of flooding.
• The 50 high-tech, low cost sensors, distributed across flood-prone areas in Chicago and made possible by startup Hyfi, operate on Verizon’s 5G network.
• Verizon rolled out the floodwater sensors in New Orleans last year, which provided critical data during Hurricane Francine. Verizon will roll out the sensors in additional cities over the next year.

CHICAGO, August 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Today, in partnership with Hyfi and the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Verizon launches its floodwater sensors in the city of Chicago to provide city managers, emergency preparedness officials and affected communities with a groundbreaking level of information to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of flooding. The 50 high-tech, low cost sensors, which operate on Verizon’s 5G network, are distributed across flood-prone areas in Chicago, and are made possible by startup Hyfi.

Hyfi’s platform combines its wireless, solar-powered water level sensors and its web-based app to provide a real-time map of flood conditions in surrounding areas, informed by the sensors’ observations of the water level. Use of the app also minimizes or eliminates the need for stormwater professionals or emergency responders to manually calibrate the sensor in the field or in the midst of a major weather event. Eventually, the app will also be available to local residents to monitor data in their own neighborhoods.

This cutting-edge solution has led to Hyfi joining the Verizon Frontline Innovation Program as its newest partner. This program, launched in 2024, was instituted to further the design and development of response-ready solutions, like Hyfi’s sensors, that help improve emergency response, preparedness, recovery or mitigation efforts in communities like Chicago.

Heavy rainfall and urban flooding are recurring issues in Chicago. The city has combined sewer systems, which can overflow during major rain events and lead to basement backups and street flooding. There is a pressing need for real-time monitoring solutions, which Verizon sought to address via Hyfi’s floodwater sensors and app.

Community input is a vital component of the project. Verizon has worked with local partners to provide flood-disaster response education and make residents aware of the real-time data that Hyfi sensors gather . In Chicago, the Center for Neighborhood Technology is facilitating community meetings in partnership with community-based organizations including The Greater Chatham Initiative on the South Side and Grassroots Empowerment Mission and North River Commission on the Northwest Side, with several more planned for this year.

Verizon rolled out the floodwater sensors in New Orleans last year, and they provided critical data during Hurricane Francine. In partnership with Hyfi, this is the first coordinated multi-city flood warning system of its kind and sensors will be deployed in additional cities over the next year.

“Flooding has been in the headlines more than ever, and the impact can be devastating, said Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer at Verizon. “We’re pleased to launch these flood sensors in Chicago and we’ll continue to invest and innovate to bring game-changing technologies to communities that need it most. Verizon is committed to helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, and these sensors are just one way we are demonstrating that commitment.”

“Chicago is leading the way in using data to tackle urban flooding head-on. We’re proud to partner with Verizon and CNT to bring this technology to neighborhoods where timely information can prevent flooding from becoming a crisis,” said Brandon Wong, CEO of Hyfi. “By delivering real-time insights into neighborhood flooding and the underlying causes, we’re focused on helping crews and communities get ahead of floods—up to an hour before a flood hits.”

“Urban flooding—when the local sewer system cannot cope with the amount of rain during a storm—is getting worse as severe storms are on the rise. Plus, increased development is creating more impervious surfaces,” said Nina Idemudia, CEO of Center for Neighborhood Technology. “Our research has found the problem is worse in places where people with fewer resources live, so we’re excited to play a role in creating a new data source to help pinpoint flooding hot spots and find new ways to help communities address them.”

The Center for Neighborhood Technology and Verizon are working together to educate communities to make informed decisions and stay safe in emergencies during severe weather season. Meetings have been held in Chatham and Belmont-Cragin. The public is encouraged to register for the upcoming disaster preparedness workshops. Learn more at cnt.org/verizon.

Media contact
Hope Arcuri Armanus
hope.arcuri.armanus@verizon.com

NEW YORK, August 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Governance & Accountability Institute (G&A), a leading sustainability consulting and research firm, has released an Issue Brief on newly proposed changes to the double materiality assessment (DMA) process that is a central feature of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), the group responsible for simplifying and streamlining the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), has launched a public consultation on the ESRS Exposure Drafts that include the proposed DMA revisions.

“Stakeholder feedback will be vital to ensure the DMA will remain both realistic for companies and a useful tool for raising the bar on corporate accountability,” said Louis Coppola, CEO & Co-Founder at G&A Institute. “The insights in our Issue Brief can help all interested parties understand the proposed revisions as they prepare to respond to the public consultation.”

Key findings of the Issue Brief include:

• the practical application of double materiality is being revised by EFRAG after public feedback following the first wave of CSRD reporting showed the DMA process had become overly burdensome.
• proposed changes to the DMA include adding clarity on the concept of information materiality and on what is and is not expected for a DMA.
• the revised draft includes a particular emphasis on “fair presentation” and how it relates to materiality, in alignment with the approach under the ISSB Standards – IFRS S1 and IFRS S2.
• the three topics levels would be reduced to two, significantly reducing the granularity of topics to consider during the DMA and giving companies more flexibility in reporting.
• EFRAG has drafted new guidance on some of the more technical and nuanced aspects of assessing impact materiality to help companies clarify how they approach the DMA process.

Coppola added, “G&A will continue to monitor the public consultation processes and we are available to help organizations navigate the evolving EU sustainability reporting standards.”

About G&A Institute, Inc.

Founded in 2006, Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A) is a sustainability consulting and research firm headquartered in New York City. G&A helps corporate and investor clients recognize, understand, and develop winning strategies for sustainability and ESG issues to address stakeholder and shareholder concerns. G&A’s proprietary, comprehensive full-suite process for sustainability reporting is designed to help organizations achieve sustainability leadership in their industry and sector and maximize return on investment for sustainability initiatives.

Since 2011, G&A has been building and expanding a comprehensive database of corporate sustainability reporting data based on analysis of thousands of ESG and sustainability reports to help steer strategy for our clients and improve their disclosure and reporting. More information is available on our website at ga-institute.com.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES & INTERVIEWS, CONTACT
Louis D. Coppola
CEO & Co-Founder 
Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. 
Tel 646.430.8230 ext 14 
Email lcoppola@ga-institute.com

LINCOLN, Neb., August 11, 2025 /3BL/ – On the two-year anniversary of the deadly wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, the Arbor Day Foundation launched its effort to help replant lost tree canopy. The Foundation distributed more than 580 trees alongside its local planting partner The Outdoor Circle, in collaboration with Treecovery Hawaii and The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

“Recovery from a wildfire of this scale can take years, but the Arbor Day Foundation is committed to being here for the long haul. We’re proud to work alongside the passionate advocates at The Outdoor Circle to help regrow a flourishing community canopy,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We know trees won’t replace all of what’s been lost in Lahaina, but they can help grow new roots of resilience and nurture hope for the future.”

“The Outdoor Circle is honored to help re-tree Lahaina after the tragic fires of 2023. The support from United Airlines and the Arbor Day Foundation has allowed our organization, in conjunction with Treecovery and the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, to be able to provide hundreds of free trees to the Lahaina community as part of the ongoing recovery. Partnerships like these are essential to keep Hawaii green and beautiful and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these trees will have throughout the local community for years to come,” said Dr. Myles Ritchie, Programs Director, The Outdoor Circle.

“To have a chance to work with The Outdoor Circle and The Arbor Day Foundation on replenishing the loss of fruit trees in Lahaina is amazing. Partnerships like this make long term recovery efforts possible,” said Duane Sparkman, Founder and President of Treecovery Hawaii, Chief Engineer at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

Trees were distributed to community members and families affected by the wildfire that struck on August 8, 2023. The disaster remains one of the deadliest in Hawaii’s history, claiming more than 100 lives. The wildfire also caused approximately $5.5 billion in damage and destroyed more than 2,200 structures on the island of Maui.

Friday’s event at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows was also designed to help address local food insecurity. According to the Hawaii Foodbank, 30% of households in the state are food insecure — approximately twice the national average. As part of the effort to increase the availability of fresh, healthy food, 94% of the trees distributed Friday were fruit or food producing trees.

The Arbor Day Foundation has been heavily invested in assisting disaster-affected communities and forestlands since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005 and has planted and distributed millions of trees as a result. The work has aided recovery efforts following wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.

Restoring tree cover after a wildfire isn’t quick or easy. Fire damages the land so severely it can take years before trees are ready to be planted. Visit arborday.org to learn more about the long road to recovery after a wildfire and what it takes to replant a forest.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About The Outdoor Circle

The Outdoor Circle is Hawaii’s oldest environmental nonprofit, having advocated for the planting and protection of trees across the state since 1912. Since then, The Outdoor Circle has planted and given away hundreds of thousands of trees across Hawaii and works closely with the community to ensure that trees continue to be a major feature throughout the state. To learn more, please visit outdoorcircle.org.

About Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows is one of Maui’s first resorts, unfolding across 27 acres of sun-kissed, tropical gardens on the world-renowned Ka’anapali Beach. The intimate property, once the preferred retreat for Hawaiian royalty, remains independently owned and curated by locals who share the values of the islands. With stunning panoramic views of neighboring islands, Lanai and Molokai, and premier access to over a mile of secluded Ka’anapali Beach, the intimate oasis offers 333 guest rooms and 127 private bungalows, exquisite open-air dining, the dazzling Myths of Maui Luau, The Spa at Royal Lahaina, two serene pools, recreational and tennis/pickleball courts, an adjacent golf course, and above all, its hallmark warmth of personalized hospitality with aloha. The resort invites guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and rich culture of Maui, offering a restoring and re-energizing blend of relaxation and adventure. For more information, please visit www.royallahaina.com | @royallahainaresort or call 808-661-3611.

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DAVIDSON, N.C., August 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Trane®–by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, is expanding its thermal management system portfolio for data centers with a modern Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) solution. The cooling solution helps maintain optimal air circulation and temperature levels for servers and other electronic equipment, to promote uptime while reducing power consumption and energy demand.

“We take a customer-centric approach to innovation, design, and services to create precise, custom solutions for unique operating needs and conditions.” said Steve Obstein, Vice President and General Manager, Data Centers, Trane Technologies. “Expansion of our airside offer gives our colo and hyperscale customers greater flexibility for configuring custom systems and addresses the growing trend toward a single-source solutions provider.”

Trane unifies and integrates thermal management systems through smart controls. Equipped with the Symbio® controller, Trane’s CRAH solution offers a broad capacity range and customizable options to help meet the specific needs of data centers, including reduced power consumption, exceptional cooling, and dependable performance. Symbio allows for flexible leader designation and dynamic reassignment for up to 32 units, providing continuous operation and access to a suite of digital solutions for ongoing lifecycle management.

Trane supports operations throughout the lifecycle of data centers with thousands of local service experts across North America, and smart service options for proactive monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved thermal management systems. Integrating thermal management systems as an infrastructure design cornerstone allows the system to act as a performance multiplier that helps drive energy savings, uptime, and return. Over the past six months, Trane has invested in its comprehensive thermal management systems portfolio for data centers with innovations that include scalable liquid cooling platforms, an efficient fan coil wall platform, and larger capacity and higher ambient temperature air-cooled chillers, engineered for AI workloads, sustainability, and future growth.

The addition of the CRAH unit to Trane’s data center portfolio enhances its position as a complete thermal solution provider and streamlines business processes for greater efficiency. Trane’s unified control system across all portfolios helps provide a seamless and integrated customer experience, reinforcing Trane’s commitment to supporting the future of the planet and the goals of our customers.

About Trane 
Trane®–by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator–creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments through a broad portfolio of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and controls, services, parts, and supply. For more information, please visit www.trane.com or www.tranetechnologies.com.

© 2025 Trane. All Rights Reserved.​​​​​​​ 
All trademarks referenced in this document are the trademarks of their respective owners.

AEG’s LA Galaxy recently partnered with The Rainbow Connection to create a truly unforgettable experience for 11-year-old Greta from Michigan, who is bravely battling Osteosarcoma. Greta’s heartfelt wish — to watch a professional soccer game in California — came true in a memorable way.

Upon arriving at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, Greta and her family were treated to a VIP behind-the-scenes tour. From the first-team gym to the TV studio and other exclusive matchday areas, the experience offered a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a Major League Soccer club.

As the players warmed up on the field, Greta was invited to exchange high-fives with the team. The highlight of her day came when LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus surprised her with a personalized jersey featuring her name, favorite number, a handwritten message, and his autograph — a moment of pure joy and connection.

“Moments like these remind us that the power of sports goes far beyond the field — it brings people together, lifts spirits, and makes dreams come true,” said Mariah Rodriguez, Community Relations Manager for the LA Galaxy.

The celebration continued with Greta watching warm-ups from field level, receiving a special shoutout on the stadium’s big screen, and enjoying the match from premium seats alongside her family. It was a day filled with hope, happiness, and lifelong memories.

Greta’s story is a reminder of the impact that compassion, community, and collaboration can have. It also reflects the LA Galaxy’s continued commitment to making a meaningful difference both on and off the field.

The Rainbow Connection is a Michigan-based nonprofit that has been granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses for over 40 years. Beyond wish fulfillment, the organization provides ongoing support through emergency financial assistance, educational scholarships, and family engagement programs — all designed to uplift and empower children and their families during challenging times. To learn more about The Rainbow Connection and how you can support their mission, visit rainbowconnection.org.