Author: sHq_LoGiNz

• Costa Rica is already making significant progress in collaboration with organizations such as the Country Bran essential COSTA RICA and the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER).

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Known for its lush landscapes, paradisiacal beaches, and rich biodiversity, Costa Rica has much more to offer than natural beauty. The country boasts an exceptional business climate, a highly skilled workforce, consolidated agribusiness companies, and a wide variety of agricultural products that nourish the world. Among them, one of its most iconic exports shines through: the banana.

Bananas have been part of Costa Rica’s history since the 19th century. Initially grown for local consumption, the crop soon became one of the country’s top exports. Since then, this fruit has not only been a staple on Costa Rican tables but also on millions of family tables worldwide.

Today, Costa Rican bananas reach more than 45 countries, securing an outstanding position in global markets: Costa Rica is the world’s third-largest banana exporter, the third supplier to the European Union, and the sixth to Canada. In 2024, banana exports totaled USD 1.189 billion, representing 6% of national exports, 1% of GDP, and 33% of all agricultural exports.

“Beyond the numbers, bananas are a pillar of development in Costa Rica’s rural regions. The sector generates around 40,000 direct jobs and about 100,000 indirect jobs, benefiting thousands of families. In the province of Limón, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, this crop employs approximately 76% of the local workforce, making it a key driver of social and economic stability,” said Laura López, General Manager of the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica.

A Model of Responsible Production
The strength of Costa Rican bananas lies not only in their productivity but also in a production model rooted in innovation, traceability, and sustainability. The banana industry has consistently invested in research and farm productivity, while reducing agrochemical use and optimizing natural resource management.

Costa Rica produces bananas in harmony with the environment and with full respect for labor rights. Since 1992, the industry has voluntarily maintained the Banana Environmental Commission (CAB), a multi-stakeholder body that sets environmental standards, ensures compliance with labor laws, safeguards occupational health and training, and fosters social dialogue.

Through this model, Costa Rica has become a global benchmark for responsible production. The CAB has driven initiatives such as recycling plastics used in banana farming, implementing reforestation and forest protection programs, developing drainage and water management systems to minimize consumption and contamination, and monitoring the environmental impact in production areas.

In 2011, Costa Rica’s banana industry earned the Geographical Indication (GI) “Banano de Costa Rica,” the first registered in Latin America. This distinction certifies the origin, quality, and reputation of the product, setting it apart in international markets. Costa Rica remains the only banana-exporting country with a registered GI, reinforcing the industry’s prestige and its commitment to world-class social and environmental standards.

Beyond its economic and social impact, bananas also provide health benefits. According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, bananas help maintain a healthy heart, balanced digestion, and high energy levels.

Innovation and differentiation continue to keep Costa Rican bananas in high demand worldwide. Looking ahead, the industry is focusing on technology, scientific research, and investment in sustainability—areas where Costa Rica is already making significant progress in collaboration with organizations such as the Country Bran essential COSTA RICA, the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica and the National Banana Corporation (CORBANA).

Costa Rican bananas are more than just a tropical fruit: they are a symbol of agricultural innovation, a social engine for thousands of families, and a healthy food that travels from the heart of Central America to tables around the globe.

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SOURCE Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER)

New RMI and Center for Green Market Activation initiative will enable Amazon, Prologis, Meta, and other leading organizations to participate in a first-of-its-kind joint purchase of sustainable concrete attribute certificates, driving investment into cutting-edge production facilities, low-carbon cement blends, and emerging technologies.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark step for the cement and concrete sector, RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute) and the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA) today launched the Sustainable Concrete Buyers Alliance (SCoBA), bringing together founding members, including Amazon, Prologis, and Meta, alongside other leading organizations to accelerate adoption of low-carbon cement and concrete for 21^st century buildings and infrastructure. SCoBA is the first buyers group formed to collectively procure environmental attribute certificates for low-carbon concrete, aiming to turn demand into real-world offtake agreements that enable producers to invest at scale in new infrastructure and pioneering technologies.

The cement and concrete sector accounts for around 8 percent of global carbon emissions and is predicted to grow significantly by 2050, but low-carbon options are currently not available at scale. The emissions from construction of factories, warehouses, data centers, and offices are difficult to address due to the embodied carbon from construction materials. SCoBA will leverage an innovative book and claim system to enable companies to purchase the environmental attributes from sustainable concrete and upstream products such as cement and clinker, reducing their associated supply chain emissions, and generating additional revenue to help finance capital-intensive decarbonization projects.

“The cement and concrete sector’s decarbonization challenge is also one of its greatest economic opportunities,” said Jon Creyts, CEO at RMI. “By aggregating demand from major buyers and establishing rigorous standards, we’re creating the market conditions for breakthrough low-carbon cement innovations to scale. RMI is proud to work with GMA and leading organizations to launch SCoBA and enable concrete producers to invest confidently in clean and resilient materials that lead to economic benefits.”

Later this year, SCoBA will begin to connect members with leading producers through a first-of-its-kind competitive procurement process for low-carbon cement and concrete certificates to meet the collective demand of its founding members and spur clean tech innovation. The first request for information (RFI) is open now, seeking information from suppliers about the current availability of low-carbon cement and concrete and its performance characteristics, prospective use cases, and operational approaches for environmental attribute certificates, as well as any opportunities or challenges related to participating in a book and claim system.

“SCoBA builds on proven approaches from other hard-to-abate sectors, bringing aggregated buyer demand to the concrete industry,” said Kim Carnahan, President and CEO at GMA. “By connecting buyers and suppliers through a credible book and claim framework, we can unlock the investments needed to scale next-generation cement and concrete solutions in one of the world’s most emissions-intensive industries.”

Book and claim is a market-based system that allows the environmental benefits of a product, like low-carbon cement and concrete, to be decoupled from its physical delivery. This system enables buyers to financially support sustainable production, regardless of where the materials are used, offering flexibility and scalability in decarbonization strategies. Book and claim is particularly effective in industries with complex supply chains in the beginning phases of technological transformation, allowing companies to make credible emissions reduction claims while accelerating market transformation.

SCoBA is leveraging a draft book and claim framework developed over a year-long stakeholder consultation process facilitated by GMA and RMI. This process featured a 30-member Working Group composed of experts across the cement and concrete value chain that met monthly to align on key design criteria to ensure the book and claim system promotes only high-integrity environmental outcomes. The draft framework is undergoing a comment and revision period and will continue to be refined over time with learnings from early attribute transactions.

“SCoBA represents a significant advancement in how we approach sustainable construction materials,” said Chris Atkins, Director, Worldwide Operations Sustainability at Amazon. “Its innovative procurement process and book and claim framework provide the tools needed to support lower-carbon concrete production at scale. Such efforts are critical in driving the broader market toward the materials needed for a net-zero future.”

RMI and GMA are leveraging their expertise from successful initiatives in other sectors, including the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform, and GMA Trucking. Through these initiatives, RMI and GMA are encouraging the adoption of sustainable fuels and materials to lower the climate impact of some of the most emissions-intensive industry and transport sectors.

By aggregating and activating demand from major buyers, SCoBA aims to catalyze a transformation in the concrete industry—incentivizing development, deployment, and uptake of low-carbon materials, driving down emissions from the built environment, improving public health, and building a cleaner future from the ground up.

“Low-carbon cement and concrete are essential to decarbonizing the built environment and this alliance will help bring next-generation solutions to scale for the benefit of our customers,” said Keara Fanning, Director of Net Zero and Sustainability at Prologis.

To join SCoBA, please reach out to info@buildscoba.org.
To respond to the RFI, please visit:  https://gmacenter.org/program/cement-concrete/. Submissions are due by October 17^th, 2025.

Media Inquiries, please contact:
Chris Potter, Media Relations Manager, RMI T: 603-831-4189, E: cpotter@rmi.org

Alison Greene, Communications Manager, GMA E: alison.greene@gmacenter.org

About RMI
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to secure a prosperous, resilient, clean energy future for all. In collaboration with businesses, policymakers, funders, communities, and other partners, RMI drives investment to scale clean energy solutions, reduce energy waste, and boost access to affordable clean energy in ways that enhance security, strengthen the economy, and improve people’s livelihoods. RMI is active in over 60 countries. For more information, please visit rmi.org.

About the Center for Green Market Activation
The Center for Green Market Activation (GMA) is a US-based, globally focused non-profit. Through innovative book-and-claim systems, new and creative procurement approaches, and demand aggregating buyers’ alliances, GMA catalyzes and scales the uptake of low-carbon goods and services within carbon-intensive industries such as aviation, maritime, trucking, cement and concrete, and chemicals. With collective decades of experience in environmental markets and alternative fuels and materials, GMA works to standardize new, green markets and forges mutually beneficial partnerships between climate-focused companies, suppliers, and mission-aligned non-profit organizations to channel funding to critical climate technologies in pursuit of accelerated sectoral decarbonization. For more information, please visit gmacenter.org.

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SOURCE Center for Green Market Activation

State and Community Leaders Gather to Honor Past, Build Future with $1 Million State Appropriation

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla., Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — St. Johns County hosted a historic celebration on Sept. 18 to mark the State of Florida’s $1 million appropriation for the planning and design of the Florida Black History Museum in West Augustine. The event honored the collective efforts of State and County leaders, community members, and advocates who worked tirelessly to make the project a reality. The St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs produced a video to capture this historic moment.

The $1 million appropriation from the State of Florida represents the first step in planning and designing the museum. County officials and community leaders emphasized that the project is the result of teamwork across all levels of government and society, reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring that Black history is remembered, studied, and celebrated.

The Florida Black History Museum will honor the past while inspiring the future, serving as a lasting symbol of resilience, unity, and pride for all Floridians.

The program began with a welcome from St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold, District 2, followed by a prayer from Pastor Anthony D. Britton of New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry. The American Legion Post 194 presented the colors, and St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Remarks were delivered by State Rep. Kiyan Michael, District 16; State Sen. Thomas J. Leek, District 7; Commissioner Sarah Arnold, District 2; Walter Weatherington, Chairman of the Florida Memorial University Board of Trustees; and Greg White, Founder of the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corporation.

Rep. Michael and Sen. Leek presented Commissioner Arnold with a large ceremonial check to commemorate the historic step towards the museum being located in St. Johns County.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’d imagined this day many, many times over the last couple of years, as I think many of you have as well,” said Sarah Arnold, District 2 Commissioner for St. Johns County. “Together, we have experienced an incredible journey coming to this place. A wild ride, a roller coaster of emotions with highs and lows, ebbs and flows, but through sheer will, determination, perseverance, a whole lot of faith and prayer… we are here.”

The program also featured cultural performances, including New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry leading “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” African dance by LaShantz Stevens, and a reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech by West Augustine eighth grader Robbi Nimmons. Rep. Michael closed the ceremony with final remarks and the presentation of a ceremonial check marking the $1 million appropriation.

The celebration took place on the grounds of the former site of Florida Memorial University in West Augustine, where generations of Black Floridians laid the foundation for education, equality, and justice.

The museum will highlight the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Black Floridians as an essential part of the state’s identity. It will stand as a place for learning, reflection, and inspiration.

“I just hope you take away one thing from today, and that is that this is only possible because of all of us,” said Commissioner Arnold. “This is a team effort, a community effort, a regional effort. Today is for everyone. This museum is for everyone. Black history is American history, and we are proud of our Black history in St. Johns County.”

For more information about the Florida Black History Museum, visit www.sjcfl.us/florida-museum-black-history.

Get more St. Johns County news by receiving our e-newsletters and learn how to stay informed with accurate, timely information through a blend of community outreach initiatives by the Office of Public Affairs.

Media Contact: Tyler Jarnagin, Public Affairs Manager
Cell: 904-814-9214
Email: tjarnagin@sjcfl.us

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SOURCE St. Johns County

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — “I thought there should be a simple and easy way to recycle contact lenses and their packaging to reduce pollution and help the planet,” said an inventor, from Santa Clarita, Calif., “so I invented the E O E (EYES ON THE ENVIRONMENT). My design may inspire future generations to search for additional ways to save the planet.”

The invention provides an improved way for contact lens wearers to properly dispose of the lenses and their packaging. In doing so, it encourages users to recycle contact lenses after use. As a result, it prevents the waste from ending up in landfills or the oceans. The invention features an environmentally friendly design that is easy to use so it is ideal for individuals who wear contact lenses.

The original design was submitted to the Los Angeles sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 24-LOS-367, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp’s Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

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SOURCE InventHelp

Transaction Expands Tenaska and Tyr Relationship and Strengthens Asset Value Across PJM, SPP and ERCOT

HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JERA Americas, Tenaska and Tyr Energy today jointly announced the completion of the share transfer of JERA Americas’ equity interests in three gas-fueled power plants to Tenaska and Tyr. The transaction closed Monday, Sept. 15.

“This transaction marks an important step in JERA Americas’ strategy to optimize our portfolio for future growth,” said Elijah Smith, JERA Americas’ senior vice president of M&A. “We are committed to reinvesting in assets that align with the evolving energy landscape and drive growth.”

The facilities in the transaction have a combined generating capacity of 3,005 megawatts (MW) and serve critical power markets across the United States. Together, these plants provide efficient, reliable electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. Facilities include:

• Tenaska Virginia Generating Station – 940 MW, located near Scottsville, Va. (Serving PJM Interconnection)
• Tenaska Kiamichi Generating Station (Kiowa) – 1,220 MW, located near McAlester, Okla. (Dual grid facility serving both Southwest Power Pool – SPP and Electric Reliability Council of Texas – ERCOT)
• Tenaska Gateway Generating Station – 845 MW, located near Mt. Enterprise, Texas (Dual grid facility serving both ERCOT and SPP)

“Expanding our ownership is consistent with Tenaska’s strategy to deploy capital by investing in well-positioned generating assets,” said Dave Kirkwood, Tenaska senior vice president, head of capital deployment and finance. “We look forward to building upon our existing relationship with Tyr as we continue to provide reliable power in PJM, SPP and ERCOT. We thank JERA Americas for their support over the years.”

Echoing Kirkwood’s sentiment about the transaction, Kevin Calhoon, Tyr executive vice president of asset management and strategy, underscored the importance of the new framework. 

“We’re pleased to work with JERA Americas and Tenaska on this transaction and appreciate the collaboration throughout the process,” said Calhoon. “This acquisition reflects our commitment to investing in high-quality assets that align with the future of energy.”

About JERA Americas
JERA Americas is a large-scale power generation company that provides sustainable, affordable, and stable energy across the United States. We are a leader in lower-carbon fuels projects, including LNG, clean hydrogen, and ammonia for the U.S. and global markets. Headquartered in Houston, JERA Americas is the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo-based JERA (Japan’s Energy for a New Era) which provides about 30% of Japan’s electricity. JERA is one of the largest energy providers and LNG buyers in the world. Read more at jeraamericas.com.

About Tyr
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, Tyr is an owner, manager, and developer of North American independent power projects. Since its inception in 2003, Tyr has developed and invested in more than 40 power projects in the United States, including 12 investments in wind and solar assets. Tyr, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tyr Energy Development Renewables, LLC, is currently developing a portfolio of solar and battery storage projects with a total capacity of more than 4 gigawatts (GW). Tyr is also an affiliate of NAES Corp., the world’s largest independent O&M provider, which operates approximately 250 thermal power plants with a capacity of 63 GW, as well as approximately 1,400 solar power facilities with a capacity of 2 GW.

About Tenaska
Tenaska is a leading energy company with business operations that span the energy value chain. Tenaska Marketing Ventures (TMV) and Tenaska Power Services Co. (TPS) are among the largest natural gas and electric power marketing companies in North America. The company has an operating fleet of 7,482 megawatts (MW) of natural gas and renewable generating facilities and has developed, managed and/or operated more than 23,000 MW of natural gas-fueled and renewable generation. Tenaska is also advancing more than 9,000 MW of natural gas-fueled generation and a portfolio of energy storage projects. For more information, visit Tenaska.com.

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SOURCE JERA Americas, Inc

DALLAS, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Lennox (NYSE: LII) board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $1.30 per share of common stock, payable October 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of September 30, 2025.

About Lennox
Lennox (NYSE: LII) is a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. Dedicated to sustainability and creating comfortable and healthier environments for our residential and commercial customers while reducing their carbon footprint, we lead the field in innovation with our cooling, heating, indoor air quality, and refrigeration systems. Additional information on Lennox is available at www.lennox.com.

Media Contact
pr@lennox.com

Investor Relations Contact
investor@lennox.com

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SOURCE Lennox International Inc.