Author: sHq_LoGiNz

As the heat of summer gives way to the crisp focus of fall, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) reflects on a 2025 that has been nothing short of dynamic. This has been a year of bold moves, agile responses, and powerful collaborations, all aimed at tackling climate challenges head-on and raising the bar for environmental sustainability across the beverage sector. From accelerating climate resilience to setting new benchmarks in industry standards, BIER and its members have turned ambition into action. Now, with the final quarter ahead, BIER is harnessing this momentum to close out the year with impact and step into 2026 on the strongest footing yet.

Advancing Technical Guidance

The year began with the release of Beverage Industry Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Sector Guidance Version 4.3. This update aligned the sector with emerging standards such as the CSRD and SBTi’s FLAG guidance, introduced enhanced methodologies for recycling, logistics, and cooling models, and strengthened protocols for data verification and disclosure. Collectively, these updates brought the industry one step closer to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040–2050.

Shortly thereafter, BIER published the Beverage Industry EUDR Interpretation Guide, a practical, sector-specific resource to help beverage companies navigate the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). With compliance deadlines beginning in late 2025 for larger operators, this guide provided actionable tools for mapping supply chains, assessing and mitigating risk, and integrating EUDR compliance with broader no-deforestation and climate commitments.

Innovation Through Collaboration

BIER’s Sustainable Coolers Coolition continued to unite members in developing solutions that reduce the environmental impact of cooling systems while safeguarding technical and business performance. This initiative reinforced one of BIER’s core commitments: advancing technologies that conserve energy and water without compromising quality or efficiency. In 2025, the Coolition also hosted the Cool Challenge, inviting passionate innovators to revolutionize commercial refrigeration for chilled, canned, or bottled beverages at their point of sale. The challenge pushed boundaries, sparked innovation, and inspired sustainable solutions to shape the beverage industry’s future.

BIER’s Charco Bendito Watershed Collaboration in Mexico also delivered tangible results in improving water quality and availability through multi-stakeholder action. In 2025, lessons from Charco Bendito began informing similar efforts in new geographies, demonstrating the scalability of BIER’s collaborative water stewardship model.

Staying Ahead of Regulatory Change

This year, navigating an evolving regulatory landscape wasn’t just a priority; it was a strategic advantage. Through the member-only Regulatory Round-Up and Ad-Hoc sessions, BIER kept members ahead of the curve on global disclosure standards, climate legislation, and emissions reporting expectations, not just tracking changes, but anticipating them. These quarterly sessions became a space for real-time intelligence sharing, where peers compared approaches, decoded new requirements, and identified opportunities to align sustainability ambitions with global expectations. The result? Members left not only informed, but equipped to turn regulatory challenges into catalysts for stronger, more credible sustainability strategies.

Highlighting Industry Leadership

Throughout 2025, BIER’s Member Spotlight series shone a well-deserved light on the people turning sustainability ambition into measurable action. From Justin Merrell of LION to Ana Fernanda Romero of Diageo, and from Heineken’s Nicolas Clerget – Chair of BIER – together with colleagues Hannah Hunt and Jade Mahuzier, to David Grant of PepsiCo – BIER’s Co-Chair – each story revealed a unique path to driving environmental progress. Their insights, innovations, and on-the-ground impact showcased the many ways BIER members are translating commitments into results, inspiring peers across the global beverage sector.

Engaging In-Person for Greater Impact

In May, BIER members converged in the vibrant city of Sevilla, Spain, for the Spring 2025 Roundtable Meeting, hosted by Heineken at the inspiring Fundación Cruzcampo. Over three days, the venue buzzed with forward-thinking discussions and collaborative problem-solving. Members dove deep into nature-positive strategies, explored innovative ways to measure water replenishment co-benefits, examined breakthroughs in renewable thermal energy, tackled the challenge of making zero-deforestation claims credible, and celebrated the power of industry coalitions in accelerating progress.

That momentum now carries into the Fall 2025 Roundtable Meeting, set for September in Louisville, Kentucky. Here, members will tackle another slate of high-priority topics, from discussing best practices for implementing Collective Action projects and utilizing green fertilizer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to essential discussions on how climate adaptation can be a business driver, with the same energy and focus that has defined the year. These sessions aren’t just about sharing updates; they’re about reinforcing commitments to watershed health, aligning on regulatory strategies, and charting sustainability roadmaps that will ensure BIER’s collective voice remains a powerful force shaping the beverage industry’s environmental future.

Looking to the Final Stretch of 2025

As we move into the year’s final months, BIER is channeling the energy and achievements of 2025 into actionable next steps. Our shared focus is clear: finish strong, build resilience, and enter 2026 positioned to lead. With the dedication of our members and the momentum we’ve built together, the beverage industry is better equipped than ever to deliver on its sustainability promises, for our communities, our ecosystems, and our future. Together, BIER members are closing out 2025 not just with progress, but with a shared vision: a beverage sector that leads the way in building a sustainable future.

In Dublin, Ireland, AMD hosted a day of fun, learning and inspiration for young women students from all over Ireland interested in STEM in 2024. The annual event showcases the projects of women students who participate in the Technovation Challenge, a global program that empowers girls to solve real-world problems using technology. Students work in teams to develop mobile apps that address issues like health, education, environment and social justice.

AMD volunteers welcomed more than 100 students from ten counties across Ireland, along with their mentors, teachers and parents. Students demoed their apps, received feedback from AMD judges, networked with other participants and enjoyed a bean bag zone, robotics room, table tennis, karaoke and Xbox games. The day wrapped up with an award ceremony, announcing winners in the junior and senior categories.

For the event, AMD in Dublin collaborated with Teen-Turn, a volunteer organization that helps girls interested in STEM, especially those from disadvantaged areas or backgrounds.

“Our team cannot emphasize this enough: AMD is a true partner in change making,” said Dr. Joanne Dolan, Teen-Turn co-founder.

At end of 2024, the AMD Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to Technovation to support young women across eight countries in developing skills in AI and entrepreneurship.

Originally published in AMD 2024-25 Corporate Responsibility Report.

In this issue’s Top Story, the widely-read Economist magazine revealed the latest thinking of leading corporate sustainability officers (CSOs) across the U.S, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

The Economist surveyed the CSOs of multinational corporations at a set of three events between March and June 2025. As the CSOs offered clues about emerging trends at large global companies, the Economist‘s summary of results painted a picture of an informed and aware business community.

First, for better or worse, survey findings indicated that corporate sustainability behavior may be influenced less by the new U.S. political landscape than by urgent issues affecting companies – namely climate change. The Economist reported that across all three regions surveyed, “the majority of CSOs … expect that sustainability will become a higher priority over the next five years as climate impacts set in.”

In other words, businesses will likely take action to protect themselves against risks, including those increasingly posed by climate change. In the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, such action in the near term could mean spending to increase renewable sources as a share of their energy procurement. In Europe and the Middle East (EMEA), CSO budgets are expected to prioritize software for ESG data and reporting – which could signal both that tracking emissions is a prudent business practice, and that reliable emissions data is an anticipated requirement for regulatory compliance.

Across the surveyed group, budgeting for consulting and advisory services remained a top priority, which could signal recognition of the need for robust measurement and reporting, as well as for communicating to stakeholders about sustainability efforts.

Second, in the U.S., EMEA, and APAC, at least half of the CSOs surveyed expected their companies’ emphasis on sustainability to grow in the next five years. The Economist suggested that when it comes to spending, prioritizing ESG could mean a need for more “climate-smart employees,” greater investment in employee training on sustainability, and taking on climate adaptation measures.

Lastly, but of utmost importance, a top priority for multinationals in all regions surveyed was to increase sustainability in the supply chain. This priority may be prompted by anticipated requirements to increase disclosure of Scope 3 emissions in various jurisdictions. Supply chain ambitions could also reflect wider awareness that suppliers pose less risk when they have credible emissions reduction programs and social responsibility credentials.

Trends in ESG/sustainability reporting and disclosure are the subject of G&A’s yearly flagship report on reporting among the Russell 1000Ⓡ universe of large- and mid-cap US corporations. This is a year-long research and analysis effort by the G&A Institute team. Look for our 2025 edition coming in September.

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

Published by Las Vegas Sands on May 15, 2025

LAS VEGAS, August 21, 2025 /3BL/ – Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) announced 15 students representing 13 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been selected to participate in the third Sands Hospitality Immersion Program June 2-6 in Las Vegas.

Sands and TMCF, the only national organization exclusively representing the Black college community, host the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program to encourage interest in travel, tourism and leisure careers by exposing students to the inner workings of the Las Vegas hospitality industry.

The 15 rising junior and senior students selected for the exclusive summer program include Jason Adams, Dillard University; Boluwatife Adewusi, Alabama State University; Naadiya Al-Salam, Virginia State University; Manish Bhusal, Fisk University; Cassandre Bossicot, Bethune-Cookman University; Briana Brewer, Chicago State University; Dhindsa Davis, Morris Brown College; NyJaiha DeBourg, Morgan State University; Karl Lerma, Virginia State University; Zion Simmons, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; Kenneth Stevenson, Morehouse College; Celine Trombi, Delaware State University; Amiya Tucker, Tennessee State University; Rae’Sheeda White, University of the Virgin Islands; and Jazmen Wilkerson, Morgan State University.

Students are studying a range of majors including accounting, business administration, chemistry, computer information systems, computer science, hospitality and tourism management, and supply chain management. They will receive a deep introduction to hospitality industry and its wide range of professional careers as inspiration to consider one of the world’s fastest-growing and largest employment fields.

“I am excited to collaborate with my fellow HBCU students and service professionals at the 2025 Las Vegas Sands Hospitality Immersion Program,” Rae’Sheeda White, a University of the Virgin Islands student, said. “This opportunity will deepen my understanding of luxury hospitality and its many other key aspects. As an HBCU student from the Virgin Islands, I look forward to experiencing a hands-on environment that showcases hospitality at a global standard outside the Caribbean.”

The multi-day experience is being curated by the Harrah College of Hospitality’s Sands Center for Professional Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Program elements include on-campus learning sessions with college faculty, industry speakers and interactive activities such as a cooking competition led by the college’s executive chefs. Over the course of the program, student participants will receive special insider tours of integrated resorts, convention spaces and sports venues.

In addition, students will visit Sands’ corporate headquarters to hear from professionals who will outline their experience in a wide range of disciplines and provide insights into the realm of professional services within the hospitality industry.

“We’re fortunate to partner with Las Vegas Sands on this hospitality immersion. It’s an exceptional opportunity for our students to build skills, confidence, expand their networks and create pathways to leadership in the industry,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of TMCF, said. “We look forward to continued partnership with Sands to provide this awesome experience.”

Sands established the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program as one of the company’s many industry education and workforce development initiatives, which include contributions to and partnerships with higher education institutions, funding for scholarship programs, on-property and industry-supported training opportunities for students and hospitality professionals, and mentorship and instruction from company leaders and experts.

“This program provides students with a truly unique experience as they dive into the inner workings of one of the world’s leading hospitality centers and the variety of career paths and work experiences Las Vegas has to offer,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, said. “Our industry continues to experience tremendous job growth, providing opportunities from hospitality operations and event management to professional service positions. Our aim is to interest bright students in considering this dynamic field and continuing to attract diverse candidates to the industry.”

To learn more about Sands’ commitment to workforce development and supporting the hospitality industry’s workforce of the future, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/content/uploads/2025/04/2024-SANDS-ESG-Report.pdf.

To learn more about Thurgood Marshall College Fund, visit https://www.tmcf.org/.

# # #

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 Sustainability Indices for World and North America. To learn more, visit www.sands.com.

About Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Established in 1987, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities, predominantly Black institutions and historically Black community colleges, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending Black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit www.tmcf.org.

Contacts:

Kristin Koca
Sands 
702.923.9142
Kristin.Koca@sands.com 

Dr. Clara Ross Stamps
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
702.923.9142 240-931-0696
clara.stamps@tmcf.org

• Duke Energy Florida, Ocala Electric, SECO Energy, Orlando Utilities Commission, Siemens Energy, Gainesville Regional Utilities and the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) together hosted Youth Energy Academy summer events throughout Florida
• Youth Energy Academy empowers energy careers for minority and underserved students through two days of immersive programming

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., August 21, 2025 /3BL/ – This summer, the Youth Energy Academy (YEA) hosted a series of career exploration events throughout Florida, designed to expose youth to careers in electric utility industries and related STEM fields.

Duke Energy Florida, Ocala Electric, SECO Energy, Orlando Utilities Commission, Siemens Energy, Gainesville Regional Utilities and the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) worked together to host interactive activities and engaging discussions for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Students also had an opportunity to tour utility facilities to gain first-hand exposure to the energy sector.

“The energy industry is full of diverse and engaging career paths, ones that provide growth opportunities, an essential skillset and strong earning potential,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “The Youth Energy Academy is the best place for students to explore these rewarding options and discover how they can make a real impact in their community and beyond.”

YEA summer events included locations in St Petersburg at the Duke Energy Bartow Power Plant; Ocala at the Lillian Bryant Community Center, in partnership with SECO, Ocala Electric Utilities and Duke Energy Florida; Orlando and Winter Garden, in partnership with Orlando Utilities Commission, Siemens Energy and Duke Energy Florida; and Gainesville at Gainesville Regional Utilities Complex in partnership with Gainesville Regional Utilities and Duke Energy Florida.

At each of the YEA events, students participated in career workshops, virtual reality experiences, panel discussions, interactive games, and more. Some events also included specialized immersions, including live line demonstrations and generation site tours.

Students were issued a survey following each event and the majority of participants reported they were more likely to pursue a career in the energy industry following their immersion through the YEA event.

Photos from the events are available for download here.

For more information about the Youth Energy Academy program, please visit aabefl.org/youth-energy-academy.

Duke Energy Florida

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

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Laitin Sterling
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

Saint-Gobain, through its subsidiary Norton Abrasives, has partnered with Good360, a leading nonprofit dedicated to closing the need gaps, and the City of Travelers Rest, South Carolina to build “welcome home” kits filled with essential home items for 500 families in South Carolina. These kits will be provided by Good360 to two local non-profits. The first, Darlington County Long Term Recovery in Society Hill, South Carolina, will distribute kits to families re-entering new or repaired homes after displacement from Hurricane Helene. The second, Homes of Hope in Greenville, South Carolina, will support local families in need.

As part of its purpose, Making the World a Better Home, the company works through its Saint-Gobain North America Foundation to give back to the communities where it operates and its employees live. As national partners, Saint-Gobain North America and Good360 have teamed up throughout the United States and Canada to provide essentials kits to individuals and families in need.

A member of the Travelers Rest community since 1982, the Norton team in Travelers Rest felt strongly that these kits could make a difference for hurricane relief. With the generous support of the City of Travelers Rest, including space to assemble the kits at Trailblazer Park, nearly 30 Saint-Gobain employees and 10 city hall employees worked over 3 hours to assemble 500 kits with essential items including dish soap, laundry detergent, kitchen towels and more.

“Hurricane Helene was a devastating storm that is still having immense impact on our communities nearly a year after landfall. As a member of the Travelers Rest and greater northwest South Carolina community for over forty years, it is imperative for Saint-Gobain and Norton to give back to our neighbors who have always supported us,” said Russell Hunter, Plant Manager at Saint-Gobain’s Norton Abrasives Plant in Travelers Rest. “I’d like to thank Good360 for their partnership and vision to fill the need gap for all, the City of Travelers Rest for their support of this important initiative, and Darlington County Long Term Recovery and Homes of Hope for their work to distribute these much-needed home essentials kits.”

“We are grateful to Saint-Gobain for including us in this meaningful effort and to be a part of their company’s mission of Making the World a Better Home,” said Brandy Amidon, Mayor of the City of Travelers Rest. “As a long-time employer in Travelers Rest, they have been great community partners, and we love seeing that vision play out with residents with this initiative.”

“Hurricane Helene continues to leave a lasting impact on communities across South Carolina, and Good360 is committed to supporting long-term recovery efforts. Our partnership with Saint-Gobain and the City of Travelers Rest is a powerful example of how we can come together to restore hope and stability for families rebuilding their lives. These ‘welcome home’ kits are more than just household items—they’re a symbol of compassion and resilience. We’re proud to work alongside dedicated partners to ensure that no one is left behind in the recovery process,” said Cinira Baldi, CEO of Good360.

In addition to today’s event, Saint-Gobain has been committed to providing support to those in need after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene and Milton in 2024. This includes an employee donation match campaign, which raised over $30,000 to support Good360’s aid efforts. National partners since 2023, Saint-Gobain North America and Good360 have worked to provide essentials kits to many communities, including non-profits serving Little Rock, Arkansas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Akron, Ohio, Mississauga, Ontario and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

To learn more about Good360 and how you could help, please visit www.good360.org. To learn more about Saint-Gobain and the Saint-Gobain North America Foundation, please visit https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/community/foundation.

About Saint-Gobain Abrasives
Saint-Gobain Abrasives offers powerful, precise, user-friendly solutions, which enable customers to cut, shape and finish all materials in the most complex and challenging applications. By working closely with end-users and grinding expert partners, Saint-Gobain Abrasives designs and provides customized solutions to secure the best option for performance, cost and safety. Leveraging its global manufacturing presence, Saint-Gobain Abrasives serves its customers locally through its structured sales operations in over 27 countries, employing over 10,000 people.

About Saint-Gobain
Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain
 

MEDIA CONTACTS
Peter Clark (+1) 603 513 8513

By Nestor Mato

New career. New income. New confidence to manage it all.

“Career readiness gets you in the door, financial wellness helps you stay successful. That is why we believe financial education is a key for building better futures,” said Mike Scott, Senior Community Development Manager for Regions Bank. “When people understand how to manage their money, especially as they get used to new income, they gain confidence to set goals and achieve them.”

STRIVE New Orleans is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people overcome obstacles by working with employers to identify life-changing careers while helping companies close critical gaps in their labor force. Together, Regions and STRIVE are making financial education an essential part of workforce training, helping participants prepare not just for a job—but for a secure financial journey.

Career readiness gets you in the door, financial wellness helps you stay successful. That is why we believe financial education is a key for building better futures.

Mike Scott, Senior Community Development Manager for Regions Bank

“Through Regions Next Step, the bank’s no-cost financial education program, we highlight the importance of budgeting and saving to help people focus on key parts of money management,” said Graham Ralston, New Orleans Market Executive for Regions Bank. “Every Next Step session is a chance to give someone tools, confidence, and hope as they look forward to tomorrow.”

Recent cohorts helped a group of 20 women all facing unique challenges on their path to self-sufficiency. Topics included building savings habits with the “52-Week Challenge,” understanding and repairing credit, and creating a personalized spending plan. Associates made the sessions relatable by sharing real-world scenarios that anyone may encounter on their financial journeys.

“The cohort felt engaged and informed. With the knowledge, they felt better equipped to navigate the services the bank has to offer,” said Angela Shiloh Cryer, Executive Director of STRIVE New Orleans. “Regions Bank met our participants with compassion and empathy. The group couldn’t stop talking about what they learned.”

The collaboration also included a “STRIVE Day at Regions Bank” set up by branch managers Laura Waguespack and Rosalyn Phoenix. It allowed some members to meet privately with branch associates, address questions and concerns about banking, and even open personal and business accounts to take the next step toward their goals.

Every Next Step session is a chance to give someone tools, confidence, and hope as they look forward to tomorrow.

Graham Ralston, New Orleans Market Executive for Regions Bank