Author: sHq_LoGiNz

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

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

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

Key findings of the Issue Brief include:

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

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

About G&A Institute, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

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

And this is only the beginning.

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

About The Outdoor Circle

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

About Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As Sudan endures the peak of its rainy season, the country’s already dire humanitarian crisis is being compounded by heavy rainfall. Widespread flooding is destroying infrastructure, cutting off key routes, and fueling outbreaks of infectious diseases. Access to aid is increasingly hampered, particularly for the most vulnerable communities, while famine is spreading.

After more than two years of armed conflict, nearly 30 million people in Sudan need urgent assistance and 25 million are suffering from acute food insecurity. In 2024, the United Nations confirmed the first famine in over seven years was taking place in Zamzam camp (Darfur). The situation has since deteriorated rapidly.

 

Torrential rains and uncontrolled cholera outbreaks

Flooding has contaminated water sources, forcing families to drink unsafe water and causing the spread of cholera, acute diarrhea, and typhoid fever. Nearly 40,000 cases of cholera have been reported this year, resulting in more than 900 deaths. Camps for displaced people are especially hard-hit due to overcrowding and limited water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies.

Response to the ongoing crisis is nearly impossible as health systems collapse. In Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile, 80% of hospitals are closed and more than 60% of water treatment plants are out of service. Women and children are disproportionately affected by the lack of adequate medical care.

 

Famine Declared: a Sign of Total Collapse

Famine conditions have been declared by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in North Darfur and the Western Nuba Mountains, and they are projected to spread to North Darfur localities. Seventeen more areas are at risk. In blockaded, besieged, and hard-to-reach communities, people are surviving on roots, wild herbs, and animal feed—foods that do not meet basic nutritional needs.

More than 3 million children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year, including 770,000 with severe acute malnutrition—the deadliest form.

“Declaring famine is a last resort,” said Paloma Martín de Miguel, Director of Operations in Africa for Action Against Hunger. “It is not done lightly: it means that hunger has reached such critical levels that the lives of a large part of the population are in imminent danger. It is a maximum alert that must be taken with all the seriousness it deserves, as it reflects that Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis of our time.”

 

Action Against Hunger: emergency response

Despite insecurity, violence, and floods, Action Against Hunger continues to provide support in areas where humanitarian aid is insufficient, as teams:

• Distribute food and agricultural kits
• Operate mobile health clinics in hard-to-reach areas
• Offer protection services to women and girls at risk of gender-based violence

Present in Sudan since 2018, Action Against Hunger collaborates with other actors in the international community to enable aid to reach those most in need. Between April 2023 and December 2024, Action Against Hunger reached over 1.2 million people across Central Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, White Nile, and Red Sea states with nutrition and health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and gender equity programs.

 

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

As Sudan endures the peak of its rainy season, the country’s already dire humanitarian crisis is being compounded by heavy rainfall. Widespread flooding is destroying infrastructure, cutting off key routes, and fueling outbreaks of infectious diseases. Access to aid is increasingly hampered, particularly for the most vulnerable communities, while famine is spreading. 

After more than two years of armed conflict, nearly 30 million people in Sudan need urgent assistance and 25 million are suffering from acute food insecurity. In 2024, the United Nations confirmed the first famine in over seven years was taking place in Zamzam camp (Darfur). The situation has since deteriorated rapidly. 

 

Torrential rains and uncontrolled cholera outbreaks 

Flooding has contaminated water sources, forcing families to drink unsafe water and causing the spread of cholera, acute diarrhea, and typhoid fever. Nearly 40,000 cases of cholera have been reported this year, resulting in more than 900 deaths. Camps for displaced people are especially hard-hit due to overcrowding and limited water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies. 

Response to the ongoing crisis is nearly impossible as health systems collapse. In Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile, 80% of hospitals are closed and more than 60% of water treatment plants are out of service.  Women and children are disproportionately affected by the lack of adequate medical care. 

 

Famine Declared: a Sign of Total Collapse 

Famine conditions have been declared by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)  in North Darfur and the Western Nuba Mountains, and they are projected to spread to North Darfur localities. Seventeen more areas are at risk. In blockaded, besieged, and hard-to-reach communities, people are surviving on roots, wild herbs, and animal feed—foods that do not meet basic nutritional needs. 

More than 3 million children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year, including 770,000 with severe acute malnutrition—the deadliest form. 

“Declaring famine is a last resort,” said Paloma Martín de Miguel, Director of Operations in Africa for Action Against Hunger. “It is not done lightly: it means that hunger has reached such critical levels that the lives of a large part of the population are in imminent danger. It is a maximum alert that must be taken with all the seriousness it deserves, as it reflects that Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis of our time.” 

 

Action Against Hunger: emergency response  

Despite insecurity, violence, and floods, Action Against Hunger continues to provide support in areas where humanitarian aid is insufficient, as teams:  

• Distribute food and agricultural kits 

• Operate mobile health clinics in hard-to-reach areas 

• Offer protection services to women and girls at risk of gender-based violence  

Present in Sudan since 2018, Action Against Hunger collaborates with other actors in the international community to enable aid to reach those most in need. Between April 2023 and December 2024, Action Against Hunger reached over 1.2 million people across Central Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, White Nile, and Red Sea states with nutrition and health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and gender equity programs. 

 

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good. 

If WELL Certified spaces were a country, it would rival the entire commercial building footprint of the United Kingdom. That’s where we are today — more than 6 billion square feet of real estate engaged with the WELL Building Standard, spanning nearly 100,000 locations in 138 countries.

I’ve spent much of my career advancing people-first places, but even I’m struck by the speed and scale of what’s happening. In early 2020, WELL had just eclipsed 500 million square feet. In just five years, we’ve seen twelve-fold growth, not only exceeding 6 billion square feet, but also reaching an estimated $2 trillion in assets and supporting the health of approximately 30 million people.

“This milestone reflects a new paradigm: prioritizing health isn’t a cost, it’s a catalyst. Because of WELL’s relentless focus on people and their well-being, WELL projects serve as engines for better health outcomes, stronger financial returns and higher-performing people. That’s why we’re seeing the market embrace WELL like never before.”—Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI

From Lendlease and Tata Realty to Cisco and Rudin, from Bloomberg and Barclays to Sunrise Senior Living and JLL, WELL is the world’s leading benchmark companies around the world choose to demonstrate leadership in healthy buildings and healthy organizations. The market is telling us something: health has become a key metric of organizational success.

When you deploy WELL’s evidence-based strategies—from better air quality and lighting to improved thermal comfort and water quality—something powerful happens: people thrive. And that distinctive WELL difference shows up in measurable ways, with higher productivity, stronger engagement, lower turnover and improved well-being. That’s the real ROI.

“WELL’s exponential global growth is unfolding alongside a deepening interest from the investment community who increasingly want to understand how organizations are investing in health and well-being—across portfolios, policies and people. These investors are asking for this information for a reason: because investments in health and well-being serve as powerful indicators of long-term financial performance and resilience. This pattern creates a positive feedback loop, where deploying WELL not only supports organizational goals but signals to investors that a company is future-ready, resilient and committed to the creativity and culture that drives lasting value.”— Dr. Tauni Lanier, Director, Sustainability and Economic Growth, BDO

We’re now on the other side of the tipping point, a moment where global market transformation is not just underway, but accelerating. With the momentum behind WELL growing exponentially, we’re reshaping the expectations for how buildings can significantly support the people inside them.

“The market has moved quickly past the status quo, growing far more sophisticated in understanding how key building characteristics like lighting, air quality, thermal comfort and acoustics affect the health and well-being of the people inside. Now, leaders are embracing opportunities to fine-tune buildings through a people-first lens.”— Brendan Owens, Principal of Black Vest Strategy, former Chief Sustainability Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense

The question for leaders is no longer if they’ll embrace healthy buildings, but when. And for those who haven’t yet started, the time to start is now.

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