Month: April 2026

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) has quickly become one of the most significant developments in sustainability reporting globally. However, recent regulatory updates from the European Union—particularly the Omnibus Simplification Package—have reshaped the landscape.

These changes have created both relief and uncertainty for companies. While the scope of CSRD has narrowed and reporting requirements have been simplified, many organizations are now asking the same questions:

• Does CSRD still apply to us?
• If we fall out of scope, should we continue reporting?
• What standards should we follow moving forward?

During a recent webinar hosted by Inogen Alliance, sustainability experts discussed the new CSRD reality and what companies should focus on in 2026 and beyond. Below are the key takeaways.

 

Find the full on-demand webinar recording and materials here!

 

Why CSRD Was Revised

When CSRD was first introduced, it significantly expanded the number of companies required to disclose sustainability information using the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

However, many organizations raised concerns about the complexity and administrative burden associated with implementation. In response, the European Commission introduced the Omnibus Simplification Package, designed to:

• Reduce regulatory burden on companies
• Improve EU competitiveness
• Streamline sustainability reporting frameworks

As a result, the scope of CSRD has been significantly reduced, and reporting requirements have been simplified.

 

New CSRD Scope: Who Must Report Now?

Under the revised rules, the threshold for companies required to report under CSRD has increased.

Companies must now meet both of the following criteria:

• €450 million or more in net revenue
• More than 1,000 employees

This simplified threshold now applies to both listed and non-listed companies.

Reporting Timeline

The implementation timeline also changed:

Company Type	First Reporting Year	Report Published
Large listed companies already subject to CSRD	FY2024	2025
Large non-listed companies (>1000 employees)	FY2027	2028
Non-EU companies meeting revenue thresholds	FY2028	2029

The Omnibus package also introduced a “stop-the-clock” delay, giving many companies additional time before reporting requirements begin.

 

Major Changes to the ESRS Reporting Standards

Along with narrowing the scope, regulators also introduced simplified ESRS standards (ESRS Set II).

The goal is to make sustainability reporting more practical and user-friendly.

Key Improvements

The revised standards include:

1. Simplified structure and language
Reporting standards have been rewritten to improve clarity and usability.

2. Fewer data points
Data disclosure requirements were reduced by approximately 60%, primarily by removing overlapping narrative requirements.

3. More flexibility for companies
Companies now have greater flexibility in determining how to disclose sustainability information.

4. Greater focus on decision-useful information
Instead of reporting everything possible, organizations must ensure their reports provide a “fair presentation” of sustainability performance.

This principle—borrowed from financial reporting—means companies must disclose information that is relevant and meaningful for stakeholders and investors.

 

What Has Not Changed

Despite these simplifications, several core elements of CSRD remain unchanged.

Metrics Are Still Required

Key sustainability metrics remain central to reporting, including:

• Greenhouse gas emissions (including Scope 3)
• Energy consumption
• Water usage
• Waste generation
• Workforce metrics

These metrics require robust data collection and management systems, which remain one of the most challenging aspects of implementation.

 

Double Materiality Remains Critical

The double materiality assessment (DMA) continues to be the foundation of CSRD reporting.

This process requires companies to assess:

• Impact materiality – how their operations affect the environment and society
• Financial materiality – how sustainability issues affect financial performance

Organizations must identify their material sustainability topics and disclose relevant data accordingly.

Increasingly, companies are integrating DMA results with enterprise risk management systems, aligning sustainability risks with broader corporate risk frameworks.

 

Assurance Requirements Still Apply

Companies subject to CSRD must still undergo limited assurance audits of their sustainability reports.

While earlier plans called for transitioning to more rigorous reasonable assurance, that requirement has been removed.

However, organizations should still expect detailed scrutiny of sustainability data and documentation.

 

What Happens If Your Company Falls Out of Scope?

One of the biggest impacts of the Omnibus package is that many companies previously preparing for CSRD are no longer required to report.

However, this does not mean sustainability reporting will disappear.

Companies may still choose to report voluntarily for several reasons:

• Customer requirements within supply chains
• Investor expectations
• Competitive positioning
• Access to sustainable finance

For these organizations, a new voluntary framework has emerged.

 

Voluntary Sustainability Reporting for SMEs

The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) introduced the Voluntary Sustainability Standard for SMEs (VSME).

This framework is designed for companies that are not subject to CSRD but still need to provide sustainability information, especially within supply chains.

Key Features

The VSME framework includes:

• Around 100 data points, significantly fewer than ESRS
• No requirement for a double materiality assessment
• Simplified ESG metrics and disclosures
• Optional publication (reports can be shared privately with stakeholders)

The framework also supports companies supplying larger organizations that must report under CSRD.

 

Why Companies May Continue ESG Reporting Anyway

Even with regulatory relief, most companies are not abandoning sustainability reporting.

Global surveys consistently show that organizations see ESG reporting as valuable for:

• Risk management
• Investor relations
• Access to capital
• Brand reputation
• Supply chain transparency

In addition, sustainability reporting regulations continue to expand globally in regions such as:

• Canada
• Australia
• Japan
• China
• The United Kingdom
• The United States

As a result, many companies are continuing to build ESG reporting capabilities regardless of CSRD scope.

 

Practical Steps for Companies in 2026 for CSRD

Organizations navigating the new CSRD landscape should focus on the following priorities.

1. Determine Your Regulatory Scope

Confirm whether your organization falls within the updated CSRD thresholds or qualifies for voluntary reporting.

2. Strengthen Sustainability Data Systems

Reliable ESG data collection and documentation remain essential—especially for metrics related to emissions, energy, and workforce indicators.

3. Align Sustainability With Risk Management

Integrating sustainability risks into enterprise risk management systems can improve governance and reporting consistency.

4. Consider Voluntary Reporting

Companies outside CSRD scope may still benefit from adopting:

• VSME standards
• Simplified ESRS frameworks
• Other global sustainability reporting standards

5. Prepare for Ongoing Regulatory Evolution

Sustainability reporting frameworks are still evolving. Companies should monitor upcoming developments such as:

• Finalization of simplified ESRS standards
• Non-EU reporting standards (NESRS)
• Additional voluntary reporting frameworks

 

The Bottom Line

The Omnibus Simplification Package has changed the scope of CSRD—but it has not eliminated the importance of sustainability reporting.

Instead, the EU is moving toward a more focused, flexible approach that emphasizes meaningful sustainability insights over excessive disclosure.

For companies operating globally, the message remains clear:

Sustainability transparency is becoming a business expectation, not just a regulatory requirement.

Organizations that invest now in strong ESG data systems, governance processes, and reporting frameworks will be best positioned to navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.

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If you would like support understanding how CSRD changes affect your organization—or how to implement voluntary ESG reporting frameworks—Inogen Alliance experts across our global network are ready to help.

 

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of over 70 of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates, listen to our podcast and follow us on LinkedIn.

Published by Las Vegas Sands on April 9, 2026

LAS VEGAS /3BL/ – Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has released its latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, highlighted by the accomplishment of its 2021-2025 ambitions in the areas of workforce development, community volunteerism and carbon emissions reduction. The company’s goals align with its People, Communities and Planet corporate responsibility pillars.

At the close of 2025, Sands had spent more than $270 million on workforce development initiatives since 2021, surpassing its People pillar ambition to invest $200 million by 2025. In 2025, the company invested nearly $53 million in programs to advance job skills and career training for Team Members, hospitality industry professionals and the local labor pool in its regions.

Sands also surpassed its Communities pillar target of contributing 250,000 Team Member volunteer hours by 2025, with more than 290,000 hours amassed between 2021-2025 and nearly 35,000 volunteer hours logged for 82 nonprofit organizations in 2025.

Under the Planet pillar, Sands reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 54% in 2025 from a 2018 base year, achieving its Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-validated 17.5% reduction target as well as its 1.5°C-aligned 30% reduction target in line with the United Nations Paris Agreement. The company supported accomplishment of these targets by accelerating renewable energy use and increasing energy attribute certificate purchases from 8% to 31% during the reporting cycle.

In addition to these primary ambitions, Sands made advancements in other People, Communities and Planet priorities.

People – Beyond its 2021-2025 workforce development investment, which encompassed 235 partnerships with universities and 116 new Team Member development programs, Sands continued to place priority on working with local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in support of its regions’ economic health. In 2025, the company procured $2 billion in goods and services from local businesses in its regions, including $437 million from diverse businesses and SMEs. During the full 2021-2025 reporting period, the company spent $1.7 billion with SMEs in Macao alone.

Communities – Along with its priority on community volunteer service, Sands provided $11 million in philanthropic contributions to nonprofit organizations in 2025 and $53 million in sponsorships to support its regions’ cultural events and programs during the 2021-2025 reporting cycle. Helping nonprofits build their capacity through funding and mentorship remained a top priority, headlined by the Sands Cares Accelerator, which incubates the strategic goals of nonprofits over three years and graduated its sixth member at the end of 2025.

Over the five-year reporting period, helping regions navigate the pandemic and other crisis situations was a primary focus, with Sands contributing substantial Team Member volunteer time, emergency-response supplies, in-kind donations and funding for COVID-19 support around the world. The company’s regions also continued their long-standing tradition of aiding people facing hardships by assembling and donating more than 300,000 hygiene and emergency kits through the Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World and other local emergency preparedness initiatives.

Planet – In addition to maintaining achievement of its emissions-reduction target, Sands achieved other milestones in its priority areas of waste diversion, incorporation of sustainable materials and resources, and water stewardship led by the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program. By the end of 2025, the company had increased operational waste diversion by 10% over a 2019 base year, surpassing its 5% target. Sands’ properties also prevented, rescued or diverted 36% of food waste in 2025, well above the company’s 25% target. In support of its global commitment to reduce food waste, Sands donated 52 metric tons of unserved food to local hunger relief organizations during the five-year reporting period.

In line with its focus on increasing use of sustainable materials and resources, Sands successfully transitioned all company-branded water bottles to reusable solutions or sustainable materials as of August 2025. The company also set a target to procure 100% cage-free eggs by 2028 and made strong progress by achieving 40% sourcing at the end of 2025. Finally, Sands reduced potable water use intensity by 8% in 2025 from the 2019 base year, surpassing its 3% reduction target.

“The 2021-2025 reporting period was a time of resilience and sheer determination to reach our targets with the significant challenges the pandemic brought to the hospitality industry in the early part of the cycle,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “We remained committed to our goals throughout every stage, and the credit for achievement of our ESG targets goes to our Team Members around the world.”

Underscoring Sands’ ESG performance in 2025, the company was included on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list, Newsweek’s 2026 America’s Greenest Companies and 2026 America’s Most Responsible Companies lists, and CDP’s 2025 A-List for Climate Change.

To read the company’s 2025 ESG Report, visit: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

# # #

About Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Sands is the leading global developer and operator of integrated resorts. The company’s iconic properties drive valuable leisure and business tourism and deliver significant economic benefits, sustained job creation, financial opportunities for local businesses and community investment to help make its host regions ideal places to live, work and visit.

Sands’ portfolio of properties includes Marina Bay Sands® in Singapore and The Venetian® Macao, The Londoner Macao®, The Parisian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao and Four Seasons® Hotel Macao, and Sands® Macao in Macao SAR, China, through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd.

Dedicated to being a leader in corporate responsibility, Sands is anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and the planet. The company’s ESG leadership has led to inclusion on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices for World and North America, as well as Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. To learn more, visit www.sands.com.

Contacts:

Kristin Koca

Sands

702.923.9142 Kristin.Koca@sands.com

Published by Las Vegas Sands on April 9, 2026

LAS VEGAS /3BL/ – Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has released its latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, highlighted by the accomplishment of its 2021-2025 ambitions in the areas of workforce development, community volunteerism and carbon emissions reduction. The company’s goals align with its People, Communities and Planet corporate responsibility pillars.

At the close of 2025, Sands had spent more than $270 million on workforce development initiatives since 2021, surpassing its People pillar ambition to invest $200 million by 2025. In 2025, the company invested nearly $53 million in programs to advance job skills and career training for Team Members, hospitality industry professionals and the local labor pool in its regions.

Sands also surpassed its Communities pillar target of contributing 250,000 Team Member volunteer hours by 2025, with more than 290,000 hours amassed between 2021-2025 and nearly 35,000 volunteer hours logged for 82 nonprofit organizations in 2025.

Under the Planet pillar, Sands reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 54% in 2025 from a 2018 base year, achieving its Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-validated 17.5% reduction target as well as its 1.5°C-aligned 30% reduction target in line with the United Nations Paris Agreement. The company supported accomplishment of these targets by accelerating renewable energy use and increasing energy attribute certificate purchases from 8% to 31% during the reporting cycle.

In addition to these primary ambitions, Sands made advancements in other People, Communities and Planet priorities.

People – Beyond its 2021-2025 workforce development investment, which encompassed 235 partnerships with universities and 116 new Team Member development programs, Sands continued to place priority on working with local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in support of its regions’ economic health. In 2025, the company procured $2 billion in goods and services from local businesses in its regions, including $437 million from diverse businesses and SMEs. During the full 2021-2025 reporting period, the company spent $1.7 billion with SMEs in Macao alone.

Communities – Along with its priority on community volunteer service, Sands provided $11 million in philanthropic contributions to nonprofit organizations in 2025 and $53 million in sponsorships to support its regions’ cultural events and programs during the 2021-2025 reporting cycle. Helping nonprofits build their capacity through funding and mentorship remained a top priority, headlined by the Sands Cares Accelerator, which incubates the strategic goals of nonprofits over three years and graduated its sixth member at the end of 2025.

Over the five-year reporting period, helping regions navigate the pandemic and other crisis situations was a primary focus, with Sands contributing substantial Team Member volunteer time, emergency-response supplies, in-kind donations and funding for COVID-19 support around the world. The company’s regions also continued their long-standing tradition of aiding people facing hardships by assembling and donating more than 300,000 hygiene and emergency kits through the Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World and other local emergency preparedness initiatives.

Planet – In addition to maintaining achievement of its emissions-reduction target, Sands achieved other milestones in its priority areas of waste diversion, incorporation of sustainable materials and resources, and water stewardship led by the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program. By the end of 2025, the company had increased operational waste diversion by 10% over a 2019 base year, surpassing its 5% target. Sands’ properties also prevented, rescued or diverted 36% of food waste in 2025, well above the company’s 25% target. In support of its global commitment to reduce food waste, Sands donated 52 metric tons of unserved food to local hunger relief organizations during the five-year reporting period.

In line with its focus on increasing use of sustainable materials and resources, Sands successfully transitioned all company-branded water bottles to reusable solutions or sustainable materials as of August 2025. The company also set a target to procure 100% cage-free eggs by 2028 and made strong progress by achieving 40% sourcing at the end of 2025. Finally, Sands reduced potable water use intensity by 8% in 2025 from the 2019 base year, surpassing its 3% reduction target.

“The 2021-2025 reporting period was a time of resilience and sheer determination to reach our targets with the significant challenges the pandemic brought to the hospitality industry in the early part of the cycle,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “We remained committed to our goals throughout every stage, and the credit for achievement of our ESG targets goes to our Team Members around the world.”

Underscoring Sands’ ESG performance in 2025, the company was included on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list, Newsweek’s 2026 America’s Greenest Companies and 2026 America’s Most Responsible Companies lists, and CDP’s 2025 A-List for Climate Change.

To read the company’s 2025 ESG Report, visit: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

# # #

About Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Sands is the leading global developer and operator of integrated resorts. The company’s iconic properties drive valuable leisure and business tourism and deliver significant economic benefits, sustained job creation, financial opportunities for local businesses and community investment to help make its host regions ideal places to live, work and visit.

Sands’ portfolio of properties includes Marina Bay Sands® in Singapore and The Venetian® Macao, The Londoner Macao®, The Parisian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao and Four Seasons® Hotel Macao, and Sands® Macao in Macao SAR, China, through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd.

Dedicated to being a leader in corporate responsibility, Sands is anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and the planet. The company’s ESG leadership has led to inclusion on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices for World and North America, as well as Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. To learn more, visit www.sands.com.

Contacts:

Kristin Koca

Sands

702.923.9142 Kristin.Koca@sands.com

Published by Las Vegas Sands on April 9, 2026

LAS VEGAS /3BL/ – Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has released its latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, highlighted by the accomplishment of its 2021-2025 ambitions in the areas of workforce development, community volunteerism and carbon emissions reduction. The company’s goals align with its People, Communities and Planet corporate responsibility pillars.

At the close of 2025, Sands had spent more than $270 million on workforce development initiatives since 2021, surpassing its People pillar ambition to invest $200 million by 2025. In 2025, the company invested nearly $53 million in programs to advance job skills and career training for Team Members, hospitality industry professionals and the local labor pool in its regions.

Sands also surpassed its Communities pillar target of contributing 250,000 Team Member volunteer hours by 2025, with more than 290,000 hours amassed between 2021-2025 and nearly 35,000 volunteer hours logged for 82 nonprofit organizations in 2025.

Under the Planet pillar, Sands reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 54% in 2025 from a 2018 base year, achieving its Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-validated 17.5% reduction target as well as its 1.5°C-aligned 30% reduction target in line with the United Nations Paris Agreement. The company supported accomplishment of these targets by accelerating renewable energy use and increasing energy attribute certificate purchases from 8% to 31% during the reporting cycle.

In addition to these primary ambitions, Sands made advancements in other People, Communities and Planet priorities.

People – Beyond its 2021-2025 workforce development investment, which encompassed 235 partnerships with universities and 116 new Team Member development programs, Sands continued to place priority on working with local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in support of its regions’ economic health. In 2025, the company procured $2 billion in goods and services from local businesses in its regions, including $437 million from diverse businesses and SMEs. During the full 2021-2025 reporting period, the company spent $1.7 billion with SMEs in Macao alone.

Communities – Along with its priority on community volunteer service, Sands provided $11 million in philanthropic contributions to nonprofit organizations in 2025 and $53 million in sponsorships to support its regions’ cultural events and programs during the 2021-2025 reporting cycle. Helping nonprofits build their capacity through funding and mentorship remained a top priority, headlined by the Sands Cares Accelerator, which incubates the strategic goals of nonprofits over three years and graduated its sixth member at the end of 2025.

Over the five-year reporting period, helping regions navigate the pandemic and other crisis situations was a primary focus, with Sands contributing substantial Team Member volunteer time, emergency-response supplies, in-kind donations and funding for COVID-19 support around the world. The company’s regions also continued their long-standing tradition of aiding people facing hardships by assembling and donating more than 300,000 hygiene and emergency kits through the Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World and other local emergency preparedness initiatives.

Planet – In addition to maintaining achievement of its emissions-reduction target, Sands achieved other milestones in its priority areas of waste diversion, incorporation of sustainable materials and resources, and water stewardship led by the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program. By the end of 2025, the company had increased operational waste diversion by 10% over a 2019 base year, surpassing its 5% target. Sands’ properties also prevented, rescued or diverted 36% of food waste in 2025, well above the company’s 25% target. In support of its global commitment to reduce food waste, Sands donated 52 metric tons of unserved food to local hunger relief organizations during the five-year reporting period.

In line with its focus on increasing use of sustainable materials and resources, Sands successfully transitioned all company-branded water bottles to reusable solutions or sustainable materials as of August 2025. The company also set a target to procure 100% cage-free eggs by 2028 and made strong progress by achieving 40% sourcing at the end of 2025. Finally, Sands reduced potable water use intensity by 8% in 2025 from the 2019 base year, surpassing its 3% reduction target.

“The 2021-2025 reporting period was a time of resilience and sheer determination to reach our targets with the significant challenges the pandemic brought to the hospitality industry in the early part of the cycle,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “We remained committed to our goals throughout every stage, and the credit for achievement of our ESG targets goes to our Team Members around the world.”

Underscoring Sands’ ESG performance in 2025, the company was included on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list, Newsweek’s 2026 America’s Greenest Companies and 2026 America’s Most Responsible Companies lists, and CDP’s 2025 A-List for Climate Change.

To read the company’s 2025 ESG Report, visit: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

# # #

About Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Sands is the leading global developer and operator of integrated resorts. The company’s iconic properties drive valuable leisure and business tourism and deliver significant economic benefits, sustained job creation, financial opportunities for local businesses and community investment to help make its host regions ideal places to live, work and visit.

Sands’ portfolio of properties includes Marina Bay Sands® in Singapore and The Venetian® Macao, The Londoner Macao®, The Parisian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao and Four Seasons® Hotel Macao, and Sands® Macao in Macao SAR, China, through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd.

Dedicated to being a leader in corporate responsibility, Sands is anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and the planet. The company’s ESG leadership has led to inclusion on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices for World and North America, as well as Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. To learn more, visit www.sands.com.

Contacts:

Kristin Koca

Sands

702.923.9142 Kristin.Koca@sands.com

Published by Las Vegas Sands on April 9, 2026

LAS VEGAS /3BL/ – Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has released its latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, highlighted by the accomplishment of its 2021-2025 ambitions in the areas of workforce development, community volunteerism and carbon emissions reduction. The company’s goals align with its People, Communities and Planet corporate responsibility pillars.

At the close of 2025, Sands had spent more than $270 million on workforce development initiatives since 2021, surpassing its People pillar ambition to invest $200 million by 2025. In 2025, the company invested nearly $53 million in programs to advance job skills and career training for Team Members, hospitality industry professionals and the local labor pool in its regions.

Sands also surpassed its Communities pillar target of contributing 250,000 Team Member volunteer hours by 2025, with more than 290,000 hours amassed between 2021-2025 and nearly 35,000 volunteer hours logged for 82 nonprofit organizations in 2025.

Under the Planet pillar, Sands reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 54% in 2025 from a 2018 base year, achieving its Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-validated 17.5% reduction target as well as its 1.5°C-aligned 30% reduction target in line with the United Nations Paris Agreement. The company supported accomplishment of these targets by accelerating renewable energy use and increasing energy attribute certificate purchases from 8% to 31% during the reporting cycle.

In addition to these primary ambitions, Sands made advancements in other People, Communities and Planet priorities.

People – Beyond its 2021-2025 workforce development investment, which encompassed 235 partnerships with universities and 116 new Team Member development programs, Sands continued to place priority on working with local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in support of its regions’ economic health. In 2025, the company procured $2 billion in goods and services from local businesses in its regions, including $437 million from diverse businesses and SMEs. During the full 2021-2025 reporting period, the company spent $1.7 billion with SMEs in Macao alone.

Communities – Along with its priority on community volunteer service, Sands provided $11 million in philanthropic contributions to nonprofit organizations in 2025 and $53 million in sponsorships to support its regions’ cultural events and programs during the 2021-2025 reporting cycle. Helping nonprofits build their capacity through funding and mentorship remained a top priority, headlined by the Sands Cares Accelerator, which incubates the strategic goals of nonprofits over three years and graduated its sixth member at the end of 2025.

Over the five-year reporting period, helping regions navigate the pandemic and other crisis situations was a primary focus, with Sands contributing substantial Team Member volunteer time, emergency-response supplies, in-kind donations and funding for COVID-19 support around the world. The company’s regions also continued their long-standing tradition of aiding people facing hardships by assembling and donating more than 300,000 hygiene and emergency kits through the Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World and other local emergency preparedness initiatives.

Planet – In addition to maintaining achievement of its emissions-reduction target, Sands achieved other milestones in its priority areas of waste diversion, incorporation of sustainable materials and resources, and water stewardship led by the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program. By the end of 2025, the company had increased operational waste diversion by 10% over a 2019 base year, surpassing its 5% target. Sands’ properties also prevented, rescued or diverted 36% of food waste in 2025, well above the company’s 25% target. In support of its global commitment to reduce food waste, Sands donated 52 metric tons of unserved food to local hunger relief organizations during the five-year reporting period.

In line with its focus on increasing use of sustainable materials and resources, Sands successfully transitioned all company-branded water bottles to reusable solutions or sustainable materials as of August 2025. The company also set a target to procure 100% cage-free eggs by 2028 and made strong progress by achieving 40% sourcing at the end of 2025. Finally, Sands reduced potable water use intensity by 8% in 2025 from the 2019 base year, surpassing its 3% reduction target.

“The 2021-2025 reporting period was a time of resilience and sheer determination to reach our targets with the significant challenges the pandemic brought to the hospitality industry in the early part of the cycle,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “We remained committed to our goals throughout every stage, and the credit for achievement of our ESG targets goes to our Team Members around the world.”

Underscoring Sands’ ESG performance in 2025, the company was included on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list, Newsweek’s 2026 America’s Greenest Companies and 2026 America’s Most Responsible Companies lists, and CDP’s 2025 A-List for Climate Change.

To read the company’s 2025 ESG Report, visit: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

# # #

About Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Sands is the leading global developer and operator of integrated resorts. The company’s iconic properties drive valuable leisure and business tourism and deliver significant economic benefits, sustained job creation, financial opportunities for local businesses and community investment to help make its host regions ideal places to live, work and visit.

Sands’ portfolio of properties includes Marina Bay Sands® in Singapore and The Venetian® Macao, The Londoner Macao®, The Parisian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao and Four Seasons® Hotel Macao, and Sands® Macao in Macao SAR, China, through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd.

Dedicated to being a leader in corporate responsibility, Sands is anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and the planet. The company’s ESG leadership has led to inclusion on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices for World and North America, as well as Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. To learn more, visit www.sands.com.

Contacts:

Kristin Koca

Sands

702.923.9142 Kristin.Koca@sands.com

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

At first glance, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, looks like any other bustling pediatric center. But look a little closer — down near knee level — and you might spot an unexpected team member trotting confidently beside a Child Life Specialist: a golden retriever-Labrador-doodle mix named Samus Aran, or “Sam” for short.

Sam isn’t just any hospital visitor. She’s the hospital’s first full‑time facility dog, a milestone for Maynard Children’s Hospital and one that has captured the hearts of patients, families and staff alike.

Sam is one of many specially trained facility dogs in hospitals across the country that are becoming an important part of pediatric cancer care, offering comfort, motivation and emotional support to young patients facing some of the toughest treatments of their lives.

Since joining the team in 2023 — after years of planning, advocacy, and training — Sam has worked alongside Child Life Specialists to help children manage their hospital experiences through play, relaxation and companionship. Her presence has brought many smiles to patients undergoing treatment, including those in pediatric oncology units, and she’s quickly become a cherished member of the team.

A hero’s origin story

The Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation was one of the first supporters of the Maynard Canine Crew through the Aflac Child Life Grant program, which has assisted with veterinary care, grooming and other canine necessities since Sam’s arrival in 2023.

“Facility dogs like Sam bring a level of comfort and connection that can change a child’s entire hospital experience,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “Supporting Child Life services is central to Aflac’s mission, because every child deserves to feel safe, supported and cared for during their medical journey, and Sam delivers that like he’s, well, a best friend.”

Sam’s name may ring a bell, as she’s named after a character in a popular video game. But while her namesake battles alien threats, this Sam uses her superpowers for something closer to home: comfort, connection and emotional support.

Born on April 9, 2022, Sam was raised and trained through Canine Assistants, a program known for its bond‑based approach — meaning Sam doesn’t follow strict commands but instead reads emotional cues and adapts to what each child needs. Her training included exposure to hospital environments and some field training in Atlanta, preparing her to navigate common hospital fixtures like walkers and wheelchairs.

A day in the life of a four‑legged healer

Now, as a full‑time member of the Maynard Canine Crew, Sam works 40 hours a week, making her a reliable presence during some of the hardest moments a child or family may experience. But don’t let the professional vest fool you — Sam is also a goofy girl with a love of apples, peanut butter cookies and all sorts of toys.

While Sam delivers cuddles in abundance, she’s specially trained to help children cope with anxiety, medical procedures and long hospital stays. Her therapeutic toolkit includes:

• Modeling how to lie still for imaging or other procedures
• Snuggling with children during stressful moments
• Reducing fear with her friendly, nonjudgmental presence
• Helping motivate children to walk, play or complete physical goals
• Demonstrating tasks like taking medicine from a syringe (yes, she practices this!)

“A lot of times it’s easier for kids to trust a dog than a person they don’t know,” said Ashton Ayers, Child Life Specialist and Sam’s handler. “Sam analyzes what someone needs and helps make the hospital feel more normal and less scary by helping prepare patients for treatments and procedures, and showing lots of love in the process.”

A hospital hallway becomes a little more like home

Research shows that interactions with therapy animals can reduce stress, ease anxiety and promote emotional well-being for children in hospital settings.¹ Spend even a few minutes watching Sam work, and it’s easy to see how her presence transforms the hospital environment — children who haven’t smiled all day break into laughter when she trots in with a toy in her mouth.

And it’s not just the children benefiting from her talents — Sam has become a grounding force for the hospital staff as well. The work of caring for critically ill children can be emotionally heavy, and the presence of a gentle, canine coworker can bring a sense of comfort.

Programs like Maynard Canine Crew demonstrate how animal-assisted interventions can transform a clinical environment into one that feels safer, more hopeful and, sometimes, a little more like home.

Learn more and support the mission

Want to learn more about how Aflac supports children and families facing childhood cancer and blood disorders, including initiatives like this one? Visit: AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

¹ Kelker HP, Siddiqui HK, Beck AM, Kline JA (March 14, 2025). Therapy Dogs for Anxiety in Children in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2831511

Aflac includes Aflac and/or Aflac New York and/or Continental American Insurance Company and /or Continental American Life Insurance Company.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance.

WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Z2600241 
Exp. 4/27

 

 

 

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

At first glance, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, looks like any other bustling pediatric center. But look a little closer — down near knee level — and you might spot an unexpected team member trotting confidently beside a Child Life Specialist: a golden retriever-Labrador-doodle mix named Samus Aran, or “Sam” for short.

Sam isn’t just any hospital visitor. She’s the hospital’s first full‑time facility dog, a milestone for Maynard Children’s Hospital and one that has captured the hearts of patients, families and staff alike.

Sam is one of many specially trained facility dogs in hospitals across the country that are becoming an important part of pediatric cancer care, offering comfort, motivation and emotional support to young patients facing some of the toughest treatments of their lives.

Since joining the team in 2023 — after years of planning, advocacy, and training — Sam has worked alongside Child Life Specialists to help children manage their hospital experiences through play, relaxation and companionship. Her presence has brought many smiles to patients undergoing treatment, including those in pediatric oncology units, and she’s quickly become a cherished member of the team.

A hero’s origin story

The Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation was one of the first supporters of the Maynard Canine Crew through the Aflac Child Life Grant program, which has assisted with veterinary care, grooming and other canine necessities since Sam’s arrival in 2023.

“Facility dogs like Sam bring a level of comfort and connection that can change a child’s entire hospital experience,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “Supporting Child Life services is central to Aflac’s mission, because every child deserves to feel safe, supported and cared for during their medical journey, and Sam delivers that like he’s, well, a best friend.”

Sam’s name may ring a bell, as she’s named after a character in a popular video game. But while her namesake battles alien threats, this Sam uses her superpowers for something closer to home: comfort, connection and emotional support.

Born on April 9, 2022, Sam was raised and trained through Canine Assistants, a program known for its bond‑based approach — meaning Sam doesn’t follow strict commands but instead reads emotional cues and adapts to what each child needs. Her training included exposure to hospital environments and some field training in Atlanta, preparing her to navigate common hospital fixtures like walkers and wheelchairs.

A day in the life of a four‑legged healer

Now, as a full‑time member of the Maynard Canine Crew, Sam works 40 hours a week, making her a reliable presence during some of the hardest moments a child or family may experience. But don’t let the professional vest fool you — Sam is also a goofy girl with a love of apples, peanut butter cookies and all sorts of toys.

While Sam delivers cuddles in abundance, she’s specially trained to help children cope with anxiety, medical procedures and long hospital stays. Her therapeutic toolkit includes:

• Modeling how to lie still for imaging or other procedures
• Snuggling with children during stressful moments
• Reducing fear with her friendly, nonjudgmental presence
• Helping motivate children to walk, play or complete physical goals
• Demonstrating tasks like taking medicine from a syringe (yes, she practices this!)

“A lot of times it’s easier for kids to trust a dog than a person they don’t know,” said Ashton Ayers, Child Life Specialist and Sam’s handler. “Sam analyzes what someone needs and helps make the hospital feel more normal and less scary by helping prepare patients for treatments and procedures, and showing lots of love in the process.”

A hospital hallway becomes a little more like home

Research shows that interactions with therapy animals can reduce stress, ease anxiety and promote emotional well-being for children in hospital settings.¹ Spend even a few minutes watching Sam work, and it’s easy to see how her presence transforms the hospital environment — children who haven’t smiled all day break into laughter when she trots in with a toy in her mouth.

And it’s not just the children benefiting from her talents — Sam has become a grounding force for the hospital staff as well. The work of caring for critically ill children can be emotionally heavy, and the presence of a gentle, canine coworker can bring a sense of comfort.

Programs like Maynard Canine Crew demonstrate how animal-assisted interventions can transform a clinical environment into one that feels safer, more hopeful and, sometimes, a little more like home.

Learn more and support the mission

Want to learn more about how Aflac supports children and families facing childhood cancer and blood disorders, including initiatives like this one? Visit: AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

¹ Kelker HP, Siddiqui HK, Beck AM, Kline JA (March 14, 2025). Therapy Dogs for Anxiety in Children in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2831511

Aflac includes Aflac and/or Aflac New York and/or Continental American Insurance Company and /or Continental American Life Insurance Company.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance.

WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Z2600241 
Exp. 4/27

 

 

 

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

At first glance, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, looks like any other bustling pediatric center. But look a little closer — down near knee level — and you might spot an unexpected team member trotting confidently beside a Child Life Specialist: a golden retriever-Labrador-doodle mix named Samus Aran, or “Sam” for short.

Sam isn’t just any hospital visitor. She’s the hospital’s first full‑time facility dog, a milestone for Maynard Children’s Hospital and one that has captured the hearts of patients, families and staff alike.

Sam is one of many specially trained facility dogs in hospitals across the country that are becoming an important part of pediatric cancer care, offering comfort, motivation and emotional support to young patients facing some of the toughest treatments of their lives.

Since joining the team in 2023 — after years of planning, advocacy, and training — Sam has worked alongside Child Life Specialists to help children manage their hospital experiences through play, relaxation and companionship. Her presence has brought many smiles to patients undergoing treatment, including those in pediatric oncology units, and she’s quickly become a cherished member of the team.

A hero’s origin story

The Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation was one of the first supporters of the Maynard Canine Crew through the Aflac Child Life Grant program, which has assisted with veterinary care, grooming and other canine necessities since Sam’s arrival in 2023.

“Facility dogs like Sam bring a level of comfort and connection that can change a child’s entire hospital experience,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “Supporting Child Life services is central to Aflac’s mission, because every child deserves to feel safe, supported and cared for during their medical journey, and Sam delivers that like he’s, well, a best friend.”

Sam’s name may ring a bell, as she’s named after a character in a popular video game. But while her namesake battles alien threats, this Sam uses her superpowers for something closer to home: comfort, connection and emotional support.

Born on April 9, 2022, Sam was raised and trained through Canine Assistants, a program known for its bond‑based approach — meaning Sam doesn’t follow strict commands but instead reads emotional cues and adapts to what each child needs. Her training included exposure to hospital environments and some field training in Atlanta, preparing her to navigate common hospital fixtures like walkers and wheelchairs.

A day in the life of a four‑legged healer

Now, as a full‑time member of the Maynard Canine Crew, Sam works 40 hours a week, making her a reliable presence during some of the hardest moments a child or family may experience. But don’t let the professional vest fool you — Sam is also a goofy girl with a love of apples, peanut butter cookies and all sorts of toys.

While Sam delivers cuddles in abundance, she’s specially trained to help children cope with anxiety, medical procedures and long hospital stays. Her therapeutic toolkit includes:

• Modeling how to lie still for imaging or other procedures
• Snuggling with children during stressful moments
• Reducing fear with her friendly, nonjudgmental presence
• Helping motivate children to walk, play or complete physical goals
• Demonstrating tasks like taking medicine from a syringe (yes, she practices this!)

“A lot of times it’s easier for kids to trust a dog than a person they don’t know,” said Ashton Ayers, Child Life Specialist and Sam’s handler. “Sam analyzes what someone needs and helps make the hospital feel more normal and less scary by helping prepare patients for treatments and procedures, and showing lots of love in the process.”

A hospital hallway becomes a little more like home

Research shows that interactions with therapy animals can reduce stress, ease anxiety and promote emotional well-being for children in hospital settings.¹ Spend even a few minutes watching Sam work, and it’s easy to see how her presence transforms the hospital environment — children who haven’t smiled all day break into laughter when she trots in with a toy in her mouth.

And it’s not just the children benefiting from her talents — Sam has become a grounding force for the hospital staff as well. The work of caring for critically ill children can be emotionally heavy, and the presence of a gentle, canine coworker can bring a sense of comfort.

Programs like Maynard Canine Crew demonstrate how animal-assisted interventions can transform a clinical environment into one that feels safer, more hopeful and, sometimes, a little more like home.

Learn more and support the mission

Want to learn more about how Aflac supports children and families facing childhood cancer and blood disorders, including initiatives like this one? Visit: AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

¹ Kelker HP, Siddiqui HK, Beck AM, Kline JA (March 14, 2025). Therapy Dogs for Anxiety in Children in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2831511

Aflac includes Aflac and/or Aflac New York and/or Continental American Insurance Company and /or Continental American Life Insurance Company.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance.

WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Z2600241 
Exp. 4/27

 

 

 

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

At first glance, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, looks like any other bustling pediatric center. But look a little closer — down near knee level — and you might spot an unexpected team member trotting confidently beside a Child Life Specialist: a golden retriever-Labrador-doodle mix named Samus Aran, or “Sam” for short.

Sam isn’t just any hospital visitor. She’s the hospital’s first full‑time facility dog, a milestone for Maynard Children’s Hospital and one that has captured the hearts of patients, families and staff alike.

Sam is one of many specially trained facility dogs in hospitals across the country that are becoming an important part of pediatric cancer care, offering comfort, motivation and emotional support to young patients facing some of the toughest treatments of their lives.

Since joining the team in 2023 — after years of planning, advocacy, and training — Sam has worked alongside Child Life Specialists to help children manage their hospital experiences through play, relaxation and companionship. Her presence has brought many smiles to patients undergoing treatment, including those in pediatric oncology units, and she’s quickly become a cherished member of the team.

A hero’s origin story

The Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation was one of the first supporters of the Maynard Canine Crew through the Aflac Child Life Grant program, which has assisted with veterinary care, grooming and other canine necessities since Sam’s arrival in 2023.

“Facility dogs like Sam bring a level of comfort and connection that can change a child’s entire hospital experience,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “Supporting Child Life services is central to Aflac’s mission, because every child deserves to feel safe, supported and cared for during their medical journey, and Sam delivers that like he’s, well, a best friend.”

Sam’s name may ring a bell, as she’s named after a character in a popular video game. But while her namesake battles alien threats, this Sam uses her superpowers for something closer to home: comfort, connection and emotional support.

Born on April 9, 2022, Sam was raised and trained through Canine Assistants, a program known for its bond‑based approach — meaning Sam doesn’t follow strict commands but instead reads emotional cues and adapts to what each child needs. Her training included exposure to hospital environments and some field training in Atlanta, preparing her to navigate common hospital fixtures like walkers and wheelchairs.

A day in the life of a four‑legged healer

Now, as a full‑time member of the Maynard Canine Crew, Sam works 40 hours a week, making her a reliable presence during some of the hardest moments a child or family may experience. But don’t let the professional vest fool you — Sam is also a goofy girl with a love of apples, peanut butter cookies and all sorts of toys.

While Sam delivers cuddles in abundance, she’s specially trained to help children cope with anxiety, medical procedures and long hospital stays. Her therapeutic toolkit includes:

• Modeling how to lie still for imaging or other procedures
• Snuggling with children during stressful moments
• Reducing fear with her friendly, nonjudgmental presence
• Helping motivate children to walk, play or complete physical goals
• Demonstrating tasks like taking medicine from a syringe (yes, she practices this!)

“A lot of times it’s easier for kids to trust a dog than a person they don’t know,” said Ashton Ayers, Child Life Specialist and Sam’s handler. “Sam analyzes what someone needs and helps make the hospital feel more normal and less scary by helping prepare patients for treatments and procedures, and showing lots of love in the process.”

A hospital hallway becomes a little more like home

Research shows that interactions with therapy animals can reduce stress, ease anxiety and promote emotional well-being for children in hospital settings.¹ Spend even a few minutes watching Sam work, and it’s easy to see how her presence transforms the hospital environment — children who haven’t smiled all day break into laughter when she trots in with a toy in her mouth.

And it’s not just the children benefiting from her talents — Sam has become a grounding force for the hospital staff as well. The work of caring for critically ill children can be emotionally heavy, and the presence of a gentle, canine coworker can bring a sense of comfort.

Programs like Maynard Canine Crew demonstrate how animal-assisted interventions can transform a clinical environment into one that feels safer, more hopeful and, sometimes, a little more like home.

Learn more and support the mission

Want to learn more about how Aflac supports children and families facing childhood cancer and blood disorders, including initiatives like this one? Visit: AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

¹ Kelker HP, Siddiqui HK, Beck AM, Kline JA (March 14, 2025). Therapy Dogs for Anxiety in Children in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2831511

Aflac includes Aflac and/or Aflac New York and/or Continental American Insurance Company and /or Continental American Life Insurance Company.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance.

WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Z2600241 
Exp. 4/27