Month: August 2026

NEW YORK, August 20, 2026 /3BL/ – The Concordia Leadership Council is proud to announce Dr. Laurie L. Patton, President of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, as the second of three recipients of the 2026 Concordia Leadership Award, recognized for her work in civil society. Dr. Patton will be formally recognized for her exceptional leadership at the 2026 Concordia Annual Summit (September 20-23, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel), the leading public-private sector forum alongside the UN General Assembly. Pass and registration information can be found here.

The Concordia Leadership Award recognizes global leaders who have made pioneering contributions and inspired others by turning vision into impact. Voted on by the Concordia Leadership Award Committee, recipients are committed to catalyzing positive social and economic change while promoting effective public-private collaboration to create a more sustainable future. Past civil society recipients include: Mr. Stephen Heintz, President & CEO of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund; Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank; Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation; Christiana Figueres, Founder of Global Optimism; Mónica Ramírez, Founder & President of Justice for Migrant Women; and Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen.

For civil society, Concordia has selected Dr. Laurie L. Patton, President of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, for a career spent building bridges across institutions, disciplines, and belief systems. From 2015 to 2025, Dr. Patton served as the first woman president of Middlebury College, following academic leadership roles as dean of Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and inaugural director of the Center for Faculty Development at Emory University. An authority on South Asian history, culture, and religion, and more recently on theories of conflict and interreligious engagement in the public square, Dr. Patton is the author or editor of twelve scholarly books and seventy articles, as well as three books of poems and a translation of the Bhagavad Gita for the Penguin Classics Series. She served as president of the American Academy of Religion in 2019 and holds honorary degrees from Rutgers University and Hebrew Union College.

Anita McBride, Chair of Concordia’s Leadership Award Committee, Leadership Council Member, Author, and Former Assistant to President George W. Bush & Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, expressed her excitement:

“This committee looks for leaders who build bridges where others see divides,” said McBride. “Laurie Patton has spent a career doing exactly that, across disciplines, institutions, and faiths, and doing it with the kind of intellectual rigor and generosity that changes how people see each other. That is civil society leadership at its best.” 

Bart Friedman, Member of the Board of the Trust of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and nominator of Dr. Patton, added: “As the President of Middlebury College and now as the charismatic President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Laurie Patton has been an effective advocate for higher education, championing both the humanities and sciences and demonstrating how they can work together. Laurie Patton has worked hard to ensure that research, education and teaching have advocates and resources to advance Enlightenment values. At a time when scholarship has been challenged and at times embattled, the AAAS is lucky to be helmed by such an indispensable leader.” 

Dr. Patton reflected on the recognition: “I am truly grateful and honored by this award, given by a Council whose members know deeply what it means to lead in difficult times. The most important work we can be doing right now is to be building impossible bridges, creating human connections where none have ever existed. Together, as a response to despair, we can re-imagine the public square in our own communities. If we can build a vibrant civil society with our neighbors, we can use those models across the globe. There are no more distant strangers; only neighbors whose stories we need to learn.” 

In the coming weeks, Concordia will announce its public sector honoree, completing the 2026 Leadership Award class. Together, their recognition reflects Concordia’s broader commitment to elevating leaders across every sector who are translating vision into lasting impact.

 

About Concordia 
Concordia is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to actively fostering, elevating, and sustaining cross-sector partnerships for social impact. Through its Annual Summit in New York, Horizon Summits held around the world, and year-round programming, Concordia convenes leaders from business, government, and civil society to drive collaboration and measurable change.

Media Contact 
Mateo Carvajal González 
Media Relations Manager, Concordia 
mcarvajal@concordia.net

For far too long, indoor air quality has largely been invisible and only something people noticed when something went wrong. But that’s changing. As organizations place greater emphasis on health, resilience and human performance, the quality of the air we breathe has become a defining feature of healthy buildings and healthy organizations.

Few people have been as committed to advancing that conversation as Jason DiBona, CEO of Molekule and a Commissioner on the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air. Throughout his career, spanning healthcare, medical technology, building innovation and global business leadership, DiBona has focused on leveraging the science of indoor air to create practical solutions that improve people’s everyday lives. Under his leadership, Molekule has continued its mission of helping organizations better understand, manage and improve indoor air through advances in air purification, intelligent monitoring and data-driven technologies.

In a Facility Management Journal article, “Breathing Life into Workplaces,” DiBona makes a compelling case that indoor air quality is a business, health and workforce issue. From wildfire smoke and airborne disease to cognitive performance and employee confidence, he argues that organizations have an opportunity to move beyond reacting to problems and instead proactively create healthier, more resilient indoor environments. We recently sat down with Jason to discuss why indoor air quality has reached a turning point, the role technology can play in accelerating progress and where he sees the greatest opportunities for healthier buildings in the years ahead.

Q: Throughout your career, you’ve worked at the intersection of healthcare, technology and the built environment. How has that journey shaped your perspective on the role buildings can play in protecting health and helping people perform at their best?

My career taught me to look at health more broadly, not just as something we address when people become sick, but as something we can influence through the environments in which they live and work. Some of the most important healthcare interventions don’t happen inside the walls of a hospital. They happen in the air of the buildings we inhabit every single day.

What bridged those worlds for me was recognizing the profound impact of environmental precursors. The invisible pollutants we inhale 20,000 times a day can influence human health long before someone ever steps foot into a doctor’s office or a clinic. We spend 90% of our lives indoors, yet in our push for energy-efficient, tightly sealed buildings, we have inadvertently created environments that can trap VOCs, harmful pathogens and particulate matter. The result is that the very places designed to protect and support us can sometimes work against human biology.

That realization brought me to Molekule. I saw an opportunity to take what we know from clinical science and technology and apply it to the places where people spend most of their lives, to elevate human health and performance at scale by transforming the built environment from the inside out. The future of indoors isn’t just about shelter. Buildings should do more than house us; they should actively contribute to our health and longevity. That means moving from passive spaces to environments that can continuously sense, respond and protect the people inside them.

Q: You often describe indoor air quality as force multiplier for health and well-being. What has convinced you that healthy indoor air is becoming a strategic priority for organizations?

The conversation has fundamentally shifted. Organizations once viewed indoor air quality purely through a facilities or compliance lens. The COVID-19 pandemic changed that forever. It served as a global wake-up call that proved indoor air is core to business continuity, risk management and human safety. Today, forward-thinking leaders recognize it not as a temporary emergency measure, but as an essential, permanent driver of human performance.

Healthy air is a force multiplier because it amplifies the benefits of everything else an organization does to support its people. We invest in wellness programs, ergonomics and mental health, yet often overlook the 30 pounds of air we process every single day (more than the food we eat and water we drink combined). You can think of clean air as the foundational baseline of your entire wellness stack.

Breathing unmanaged environmental precursors places the human body under constant metabolic stress, forcing it into defense mode rather than recovery mode. It is impossible to optimize cognitive focus, energy or resilience if the ambient environment is constantly working against you. Clean air works upstream, removing that invisible tax before performance is ever compromised.

Q: Your recent IFMA article highlights how advances in connected technologies and next-generation air purification are changing what’s possible. Where do you see technology making the biggest difference over the next five years?

The biggest shift over the next five years is moving from static air purification to air intelligence, and air intelligence is what drives air health.

By layering AI, advanced sensing and connected software onto purification and filtration technology, we give buildings the ability to predict and mitigate threats before they impact human well-being. Imagine an environment that senses approaching wildfire smoke, identifies elevated off-gassing, or isolates pollution sources, automatically adjusting its systems to neutralize threats in real time.

Air quality is a metric. Air intelligence is the system. Air health is the outcome. The future will be led by technologies that make buildings truly responsive: quietly and continuously protecting human health everywhere we spend our lives.

Q: As a Commissioner on the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, you’ve joined leaders from around the world working toward a shared vision for healthier indoor environments for everyone, everywhere. Looking ahead, what gives you the greatest optimism that we can accelerate progress and make healthy indoor air the norm rather than the exception?

My optimism comes from the fact that this is no longer a conversation being driven by one company, one industry or one country. We are seeing a genuine global shift in how people think about the relationship between the environments we inhabit and our health.

I feel incredibly honored and privileged to be part of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air and to sit alongside leaders from around the world and across a diverse range of disciplines. Seeing what many of them are doing in their own domains through public health policy, building standards, research and education makes it hard not to be optimistic. There is real momentum, and importantly, it is translating into action.

We are also seeing a broader wellness movement where people are asking more questions about the environmental factors that influence their health. People track everything from HRV to nutrition and sleep, and we are finally beginning to pay more attention to the environment around us. Indoor air is a particularly important part of that conversation because it is something we are exposed to continuously, often without realizing it.

What gives me even more confidence is the convergence of awareness, science, policy and technology. We have a much better understanding today of the connection between indoor environments and human health, and we are increasingly developing the tools to act on that knowledge. There is still a tremendous amount of work to do, but I find it encouraging that the conversation is moving from awareness to accountability and, increasingly, to action. My hope is that healthy indoor air eventually stops being viewed as a premium amenity and becomes recognized for what it really is: a fundamental part of a healthy environment and, ultimately, a healthy life.

View original content here.

NEW YORK and LONDON, August 20, 2026 /3BL/ – AccountAbility, a leading global Sustainability Advisory and Standards firm with more than three decades of experience helping organizations improve their practices, performance, and long-term impact has, once again, been recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Management Consulting Firms 2026. This marks the fifth consecutive year the firm has received the distinction.

The recognition reflects AccountAbility’s continued leadership in helping businesses, investors, governments, and multilateral organizations navigate an increasingly complex and evolving operating environment. Through its advisory services and internationally recognized AA1000 Series of Standards, the firm supports organizations in strengthening governance, building stakeholder trust, and delivering practical and impactful sustainability outcomes.

“We are honored to be recognized by Forbes, Statista, and, most importantly, our clients for the fifth consecutive year,” said Mr. Sunil (Sunny) A. Misser, Chief Executive Officer of AccountAbility.

“This recognition reflects the trust that organizations around the world continue to place in our people, our expertise, and our commitment in helping them navigate increasingly complex sustainability and governance challenges. It is also a testament to the dedication of our colleagues and partners, whose work continues to advance responsible business practices and create enduring value.”

Reflecting on today’s business environment, Mr. Misser added:

“Organizations are operating in a period defined by geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological advancement, evolving stakeholder expectations, and shifting regulatory landscapes. Success increasingly depends on making well-informed decisions that balance resilience, performance, and long-term value creation. At AccountAbility, our purpose remains unchanged: to help organizations surmount these challenges with practical application, relevant counsel, and solutions that endure.”

The Forbes World’s Best Management Consulting Firms 2026 ranking was compiled in partnership with Statista. This recognition is the result of Statista’s rigorous global research methodology, incorporating recommendations from 5,400 consulting partners and executives, feedback from 3,700 senior client executives, and data from 31 countries across 13 industries and 15 consulting specialties. Rankings reflect excellence in expertise, execution, and client satisfaction across multiple industries and functional areas.

For more than 31 years, AccountAbility has worked alongside organizations across sectors and geographies to strengthen governance, sustainability strategy, sustainability strategy, reporting, and assurance. As the sustainability landscape continues to evolve, the firm remains committed to providing practical, effective, and enduring solutions that help organizations move confidently from commitment to measurable impact.

Please see the full Forbes World’s Best Management Consulting Firms 2026 list here.

About Forbes

Forbes is an iconic global media brand that has symbolized success for over a century. Fueled by journalism that informs and inspires, Forbes spotlights the doers and doings shaping industries, achieving success and making an impact on the world. Forbes connects and convenes the most influential communities ranging from billionaires, business leaders and rising entrepreneurs to creators and innovators. The Forbes brand reaches more than 140 million people monthly worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature ForbesLive events and 49 licensed local editions in 81 countries.

About AccountAbility

AccountAbility is an expert international Sustainability Advisory and Standards firm. Established in 1995 and structured as a Public Benefit Corporation, we work with businesses, investors, governments, and multilateral organizations to innovate and lead the global sustainability agenda by improving the practices and performance of organizations. We focus on delivering practical, effective, and enduring results that enable our clients and standards users to succeed.

AccountAbility operates globally from offices in New York, London, Riyadh, and Dubai, supported by a highly qualified team recognized by the Financial Times, Forbes, and Capital Finance International. AccountAbility is also acknowledged in the U.S. Library of Congress as a source of ESG & sustainability research and thought leadership.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ms. Allison McKay
Allison.mckay@accountability.org
Senior Associate
AccountAbility
Website: www.accountability.org

Bank imposter scams are on the rise, and criminals are using increasingly convincing tactics to trick consumers into sharing personal information, account credentials, and even transferring money. KeyBank is sharing tips and advice that can help people understand how these scams work. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from fraud.

In a typical bank imposter scam, fraudsters pose as legitimate bank representatives and contact consumers through email, text messages, phone calls, mail, or even in person. Their goal is to create a sense of urgency and persuade victims to reveal sensitive information or move funds into accounts controlled by scammers.

Common Types of Bank Imposter Scams

Email Phishing Scams

One of the most common tactics involves fraudulent emails that appear to come from a trusted financial institution. These messages often urge recipients to review transactions, verify account information, or update security settings.

The email typically contains a link directing users to a fake banking website designed to capture usernames, passwords, and other login credentials.

Text Message Scams (Smishing)

Scammers also use text messages to target consumers. These messages may claim a bank account or debit card has been locked, suspended, or is about to expire and requires immediate action.

In some cases, recipients receive alerts asking them to verify suspicious transactions. Responding to these messages can lead to follow-up phone calls from fraudsters posing as bank representatives.

Phone Call Scams (Vishing)

Phone-based scams remain one of the most effective fraud tactics because they often create a heightened sense of urgency.

A scammer may claim to be calling from a bank’s fraud department and warn of suspicious account activity. They may ask individuals to verify personal information, provide login credentials, or transfer money to a purported “safe account” that is actually controlled by criminals.

To make the calls appear legitimate, scammers frequently use caller ID spoofing, causing the incoming phone number to look like it belongs to the bank.

In-Person and Mail Fraud

While less common, some criminals impersonate bank employees in person or send counterfeit letters that closely resemble official bank communications. These tactics are intended to gain access to sensitive information or persuade victims to send funds.

Warning Signs of a Bank Imposter Scam

Consumers should be cautious when they receive communications that:

• Arrive unexpectedly
• Create a sense of urgency or panic
• Reference account problems requiring immediate action
• Warn about an alleged “inside job”
• Discourage contacting the bank directly or visiting a local branch
• Contain poor grammar, spelling errors, or unusual formatting

Experts also advise consumers never to comply with requests to:

• Screen-share or mirror their device
• Transfer money to a “safe account”
• Visit suspicious web addresses
• Purchase gift cards as payment
• Download unfamiliar software

How to Protect Yourself

Verify Before Taking Action

If a message, phone call, or email seems suspicious, independently verify the source before responding.

Instead of using contact information provided in the message, reach out through a trusted phone number, bank website, or local branch.

Never Share Sensitive Information

KeyBank will never call, text or email you to ask for sensitive information, like your full Social Security number, username, password or PIN. One exception is: clients who have recently applied for a KeyBank product may be contacted regarding information related to their application.

Be Skeptical of Urgency

Fraudsters rely on fear and pressure to encourage quick decisions. Legitimate financial institutions do not typically demand immediate action or pressure customers to move money.

Check Website Addresses Carefully

Before entering information online, consumers should verify that the website address begins with “https://” and matches the institution’s official website.

Strengthen Account Security

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of protection by requiring a second verification step when signing into accounts.

Monitor Accounts Regularly

Consumers should review account activity frequently and examine monthly statements for unauthorized transactions.

Turn on Account Alerts

Banking alerts can provide early warning of account activity and help consumers identify suspicious transactions quickly.

How to Verify Communications from KeyBank

Customers who receive unexpected messages or phone calls claiming to be from KeyBank should verify the communication through trusted channels.

KeyBank clients can call 1-800-KEY2YOU®, using the phone number on the back of their debit or credit card, or visiting a local branch. Clients can also verify text messages by reviewing KeyBank’s list of authorized five- and six-digit short codes at key.com/shortcodes.

What to Do If You Suspect Fraud

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a scam should contact their bank and other affected account providers immediately.

KeyBank clients can reach the KeyBank Fraud Client Service Center at 1-800-433-0124 (or dial 711 for TTY/TRS) for assistance.

Staying Ahead of Evolving Fraud Threats

As criminals continue to adopt new technologies and tactics, fraud prevention remains an ongoing effort. Consumers are encouraged to stay informed about emerging scams and security best practices by regularly reviewing fraud prevention resources and monitoring updates from their financial institutions.

Remaining vigilant, verifying communications independently, and refusing to share sensitive information can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a bank imposter scam.

Stay up to date on the latest fraud trends and security tips by regularly visiting KeyBank’s fraud prevention resources page at key.com/fraud.
 

^{This material is provided as general information only; the information contained herein may not apply to all situations. Nothing in this material shall be regarded as an offer or solicitation by KeyBank or its affiliates. This is not intended to be a recommendation or advice for your specific situation (including financial, accounting, legal, or tax advice). Consult appropriate professionals for your specific circumstances.}

^{©2026 KeyCorp®. All rights reserved. KeyBank Member FDIC. CFMA 260813-4857278}

DES MOINES, Iowa, August 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Wells Fargo announced today at the Iowa State Fair that it is making a $1.5 million investment to Habitat for Humanity to focus on innovative and affordable housing options in towns and rural communities across the country.

“Housing affordability is a growing challenge in Iowa and across the country, “ said Jason Rosenberg, head of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo. “Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we’re advancing growth-focused solutions so communities across the nation, greater Des Moines and rural Iowa can continue to thrive.”

As the nation faces a severe housing shortage, many families are struggling to stay in communities where they have established roots. Through this initiative, Habitat will advance alternative housing solutions, such as modular construction, an off-site building technique where pieces of the home are built in a factory and then transported to a permanent foundation.

One of the key advantages of modular construction is its efficiency, helping Habitat expand access to affordable homeownership by reducing build timelines and easing project logistics for local Habitat affiliates, particularly in areas where volunteer and contractor availability is limited. Modular homes meet or exceed local and state building codes, ensuring quality, safety and durability.

From this investment, $1 million will go to Habitat for Humanity International to advance housing innovation, including modular construction. Wells Fargo is providing Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity with $500,000 in funding to expand affordable housing solutions in towns and rural communities in central Iowa, such as Perry and Indianola.

“Along with our traditional home building model, modular homes are an added solution to the housing affordability crisis,” said J. Edwin Hensley, director, U.S. construction at Habitat for Humanity International. “This is a national push. With the support of Wells Fargo, we have the opportunity to prove this can work in rural, suburban and urban communities.”

Beyond this investment, Wells Fargo employees volunteered with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity at the state fair to build wheelchair ramps for local homeowners. The most affordable home is the one a person already lives in, and this project will highlight the importance of people being able to age in place or live with a disability, keeping them in a home where they feel physically safe and financially secure.

“Homeownership creates stability for families and strengthens communities,” said Lance Henning, CEO of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. “For far too many Iowans, homeownership feels out of reach. Everyone should be able to afford to live in the community where they work and where their kids go to school. This investment from Wells Fargo will help support new affordable homeownership opportunities right here in Iowa and all across the country.”

Wells Fargo aligns with community leaders who highlight how housing shortages are not only affecting individual households but the economic growth of the entire community.

“This generous investment to Habitat for Humanity will make a real difference for families in rural communities like Indianola and Perry. In smaller towns, every new home means another family can put down roots, build a future, and contribute to the community they love and call home,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. “I’m grateful to Wells Fargo for investing in stronger communities and more opportunities for Iowa families. I’ll keep working across the aisle to make the American Dream of home ownership attainable again.”

For more than 30 years, Habitat for Humanity International and Wells Fargo have worked together to increase housing affordability and help build more prosperous communities around the world. Since 2015, Wells Fargo & Company and the Wells Fargo Foundation have donated more than $105 million to Habitat for Humanity International and local affiliates in support of affordable and sustainable housing, including support for new home construction and repairs, helping older adults age in their homes, and neighborhood revitalization and disaster response efforts.

About Habitat for Humanity 

Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in your local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Since our founding in 1976 as a Christian organization, together we have helped more than 65 million people globally build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. We’ve done that by working alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone. Together, we build homes, communities and hope. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

Contact:

Tom Mahon

Habitat for Humanity International

newsroom@habitat.org

www.habitat.org/newsroom

NEW YORK, August 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Corporate foundations are taking on a bigger role in how companies achieve their social impact strategy, according to new findings from Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP)’s Giving in Numbers® 2026 Edition, the longest-running benchmarking study of corporate social investments, in partnership with companies.

The data shows foundations remain a fixture of corporate giving with 84% of participating companies maintaining a foundation, and 90% report having secondary giving vehicles such as foundations, trusts, and donor-advised funds. But the more telling story is what’s happening underneath that stability: foundations are handling significantly more money and more strategic weight, with no corresponding growth in staff.

Key findings:

• Foundations anchor cash giving. Among companies with both a foundation and direct cash contributions, foundation dollars made up 56.4% of total cash giving on average.
• Transfers are substantial and highly concentrated. The median corporate transfer to a foundation reached $10 million in 2025, with reported transfers ranging from $190,000 to more than $504 million.
• Strategy is diverging. 57% of companies say their foundation giving differs from their direct corporate giving — most often by program type, and in some cases by focus area as well.
• Capacity without expansion. In a three-year matched set, foundation prevalence held steady (82–84%) and median staffing didn’t move from four FTEs — even as transfers into foundations rose 16% over the period.

“Foundations aren’t just administrative extensions of a company’s giving program,” said Kate Stobbe, Director, Corporate Insights & Research, CECP. “Companies are using them as a key resource in pursuing longer-term or more flexible goals than direct giving allows, and they’re doing it with the teams they already have.”

Now in its 26th year, CECP, in partnership with companies, has built the largest and most comprehensive historical dataset on corporate social investment trends, drawing on participation from more than 650 multi-billion-dollar companies and representing over $519 billion in giving over the life of the survey.

The report also notes that companies have not yet reported changing foundation structures in response to the new 1% charitable deduction floor under H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) — though CECP Pulse Survey data suggests many are actively exploring their options.

Complete the survey to gain access to confidential benchmarking tables that show how your company’s giving and social impact investments compare with peers of similar size and industry, helping you make more informed strategic decisions and answer executive questions with confidence.

Companies over $500M in revenue can still participate and it’s completely free; see the survey here and email insights@cecp.co for more information. The full report will be available in October 2026.

CECP Media Contact

Katie Leasor
kleasor@cecp.org

 

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About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is the only nonpartisan business counsel and network dedicated to driving measurable returns on purpose. We promote responsible purpose-driven business as it increases customer loyalty, builds employee engagement, improves brand trust, attracts top talent, connects with strategic investors, and contributes to the bottom line.

More than 200 of the world’s leading companies seek to improve their return on purpose through access to CECP’s solutions in insights and benchmarking. With our companies, we harness the power of purpose for business, stakeholders, and society.

For more information, visit cecp.org.

Dylan Efron meets up with Florida wildlife experts to take in all the Everglades have to offer. From an airboat ride full of gators to a knee-deep wet walk, Dylan shows us that you’re free to wander with the T-Mobile network in Episode 1 of Connection Sessions. T-Mobile is proud to support the National Park Foundation.

We are more than halfway through 2026, making this a good moment to reflect on what stands out from all the recent change in the sustainability landscape. We review news about sustainability all week, every week, but we also work closely with clients in a range of industries who are dealing with the daily work of environmental protection, social advancement, governance integrity, and – perhaps the most complicated aspect – how to talk about it all.

So, while the loudest headlines have been about retreat in regulations, target-setting, hiring, and corporate reporting, there is another truth worth telling: what companies do has not changed much. The stories in this issue of Sustainability Highlights explore the two sides of this contrast.

In Forbes, Anjali Chaudhry assembles the numbers behind “greenhushing.” EcoVadis found 87% of U.S. companies maintained or increased sustainability investment in 2025 and only 7% cut, while 31% of executives invested more and said less. Forbes investigated whether the silence paid off, and found it was not the safe harbor companies expected: 98% of businesses in a 2026 procurement survey had lost contract opportunities for not sharing sustainability credentials.

Standard-setters may have a sense of why this is. In Eco-Business, Global Reporting Initiative chief executive Robin Hodess says GRI has seen no decline in reporting numbers, with four in five of the largest global companies still using GRI Standards. Offering a clue about why reporting has stayed strong this year, she makes a business case for robust disclosures: “I’ve never met an investor who wants less information.”

The size and tenor of the comment file received by the SEC over the past few months bears out Hodess’ view. As Responsible Investor reports, Vanguard — the world’s second-largest asset manager — is the largest investor to oppose scrapping the climate rules, telling the Commission there is value in standardized, comparable disclosure of material risks – climate among them. TIAA and Nuveen argued for a simplified rule rather than none, warning of a “mosaic of state-specific requirements.”

If sustainability were receding, we wouldn’t be hearing about more hours for lawyers. Corporate Disclosures picked up Side by Side, our new research with Ropes & Gray, and led with a finding that surprised us too: 39% of the sustainability professionals surveyed now report into the legal department, against 17% reporting to the CEO. According to 87% of them, and 84% of their legal counterparts, interaction has increased because of regulation. California’s climate laws and the CSRD each were named by 75% of our respondents as the most pressing reason for greater collaboration between legal and sustainability teams. Majorities in both groups expected legal’s role to grow; not a single respondent expected it to shrink.

Capital is moving the same way. ESG Dive reports U.S. sustainable funds drew roughly $3 billion in the second quarter — the first positive quarter since 2022, ending 14 straight quarters of outflows and lifting assets to a record $398 billion. But the developments also show signs of caution: the money went to passive strategies, active funds shed $3.6 billion, and 22 funds closed against three launches.

Other timely news delves into AI’s role in sustainability matters. Inside Climate News reports on applications increasing oil and gas output, MIT Sloan cites the climate costs and benefits of AI tools, and we found two takes on whether data centers and clean power can share a grid. These stories paint the backdrop for our new issue brief on Responsible AI Due Diligence, which is a guide to the OECD’s first guidance for the AI value chain.

On circularity, the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is in force this month, including PFAS limits on food-contact packaging. The Northeast Recycling Council has mapped policies on producer stewardship in 11 U.S. states, offering useful context for our resource paper on the EU’s PPWR and our EPR support work.

Also inside: $20 billion in climate grants unblocked on appeal, and the world’s largest carbon removal plant due online by year’s end.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Eighteen years after signing their first agreement, Sofidel and WWF Italy renew one of the longest-standing partnerships in the history of WWF Italy, in a year when both organizations celebrate the 60th anniversary of their founding. The renewed partnership focuses on three areas of collaboration: climate and energy transition, responsible forest sourcing, and stakeholder awareness.

Sofidel

PORCARI (Lucca), Italy, August 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Sofidel, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use, and WWF Italy announce the renewal of their partnership through a three-year agreement (2026–2028).

The partnership began in 2008 when Sofidel joined WWF’s international Climate Savers program, becoming the first Italian manufacturing company and the first tissue company worldwide to do so. Today, it is one of the longest-standing collaborations in WWF Italy’s history and is being renewed in a year when both organizations celebrate their 60th anniversary, sharing not only a significant milestone but also a common vision for the future.

At the heart of the renewed partnership is a relationship model that Sofidel and WWF define as a critical friendship: an ongoing and rigorous dialogue in which WWF shares its expertise to best support the Group in making informed and responsible business decisions.

This model of collaboration is based on mutual trust and a willingness to engage in open dialogue. Over the past eighteen years, it has delivered positive and measurable results, supporting and giving concrete expression to Sofidel’s decision to make sustainability a strategic driver of growth.

“Our partnership with WWF has been a driving force from the very beginning. It has helped us build internal awareness, develop responsible energy and sourcing policies, and measure our progress rigorously,” said Luigi Lazzareschi, Chief Executive Officer of Sofidel. “We believe this long-standing collaboration has been a valuable catalyst for cultural growth, helping Sofidel advance its sustainable growth journey on solid foundations. Renewing our partnership with WWF Italy in the year of our 60th anniversary is a meaningful way to continue investing in the Group’s future”.

“Addressing the climate crisis and nature loss requires vision, responsibility, and the ability to innovate. That is why we are proud to continue the journey we began with Sofidel eighteen years ago,” said Alessandra Prampolini, Director General of WWF Italy. “Over time, this partnership has shown how open, constructive, and rigorous dialogue can help strengthen corporate strategies and turn commitments into tangible, positive results. Renewing this partnership today reaffirms our shared commitment to tackling environmental challenges with ambition and responsibility, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future, together”.

The three areas of collaboration for 2026–2028

On climate and energy, the partnership will support Sofidel in maintaining its commitments under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Regarding forest sourcing, Sofidel and WWF will continue their transformative collaboration, whose scope extends across Europe and the United States with the support of WWF International. Activities will include support in defining and updating responsible sourcing criteria, monitoring supply chains, and conducting an annual analysis of raw material origins to ensure traceability throughout the value chain. This work builds on an ongoing effort that has already enabled Sofidel to source 100% of its virgin pulp from FSC®- and PEFC-certified sources.

The third focus area, awareness-raising, includes environmental education initiatives aimed at Sofidel’s stakeholders, with WWF leveraging its expertise and experience to promote best practices and strengthen a culture of sustainability throughout the value chain.

Sofidel’s commitment is recognized by leading international ESG rating platforms: in 2025, CDP awarded the Group an A- rating for Climate Change and Forests, with the highest score of A for Timber, as well as for Supplier Engagement on Climate Change. Finally, EcoVadis awarded Sofidel the Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of companies worldwide with the highest scores.

Sofidel Group 

The Sofidel Group, headquartered in Porcari (Lucca, Italy), is one of the leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use worldwide. Established in 1966, the Group is active in 13 countries, 12 in Europe and the United States (12 States), with over 9,500 employees and a production capacity of 2,002,000 metric tons per year. In 2025, the Group had Net Sales of 4.018 billion Euros. “Regina”, its most well-known brand, is present on almost all the reference markets. Other brands include: Sopalin, Le Trèfle, Hakle, Softis, Nalys, Cosynel, KittenSoft, Nicky and Papernet. 

www.sofidel.com
 

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

Just weeks after a devastating fire destroyed the CVS Pharmacy® store on East Main Street in Pawling, New York, access to pharmacy care has returned to the community.

CVS Pharmacy has opened a temporary mobile pharmacy at the site of the former store, located at 26 East Main Street, allowing local patients to once again fill prescriptions and access essential pharmacy services close to home while plans for a permanent location move forward.

The mobile pharmacy, which began serving patients on July 21, is in the parking lot of the former store and offers many of the same services the community relied on, such as prescription dispensing and medication management support, before the July 4 fire. The damaged building was demolished following the incident, making the temporary location an important resource for Pawling residents as recovery efforts continue.

“We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from state and local officials, including Governor Hochul’s Office, the Dutchess County Executive’s Office and the Pawling Mayor’s Office, as well as our customers and patients, during this challenging time,” said Evan Miller, Division Vice President, CVS Pharmacy. “Most importantly, we’re pleased to once again provide pharmacy care and services to the Pawling community while we work toward a permanent location.”

Continuity of care

Since the fire, CVS Pharmacy has worked to minimize disruption for patients by directing them to nearby CVS Pharmacy locations and expanding support options, including waiving home delivery fees for eligible prescriptions.

The opening of the mobile pharmacy marks another important step in restoring convenient access to medications and pharmacy services for Pawling residents. CVS Pharmacy continues to work closely with community leaders and local officials to identify and establish a permanent location in the village.

In addition to supporting patients, CVS Pharmacy has ensured that all colleagues from the former East Main Street location remain employed. Team members have been reassigned to the mobile pharmacy or nearby CVS Pharmacy stores serving the area.

Mobile pharmacy hours

The temporary mobile pharmacy is open:

• Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ongoing community support

As recovery efforts continue, CVS Pharmacy remains committed to supporting the Pawling community and helping residents maintain access to the care and services they depend on.

As part of that commitment, CVS Health has donated $5,000 to Pawling Yoga & Wellness, a neighboring nonprofit organization that was also destroyed in the July 4 fire. Guided by a mission to make holistic wellness accessible to all through its Pay What You Can model, the organization has long served as a valued community resource. CVS Health’s donation will help support the continuation of its programs and classes as the organization rebuilds and moves forward alongside the Pawling community.