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This article is authored by Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies.

I recently read in a World Economic Forum report that while 80% of publicly-listed companies have a climate goal, only 5% have a nature goal. Nature-based impacts include things like land, trees and water.

To learn more about how water fits into the broader conversation about environmental sustainability, I was delighted to interview Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ecolab, for Season 4 of our Healthy Spaces podcast. Our discussion illuminated how water and climate are inextricably linked – and how we must be considering both issues, collaboratively, as we turn bold ambition into decisive action and positive impact.

Water stewardship and sustainable business strategy

The first key point Emilio underscored was the irrefutable link between climate change and water scarcity: From severe water shortages to heat waves to water pollution, the impacts of climate change are increasingly expressed through our water systems. Already, nearly 3 billion people live in water-stressed areas, and one in ten people lacks access to clean water and sanitation. According to the World Resources Institute, the global water deficit is expected to reach 56% by 2030.

Water issues directly affect businesses, too—particularly those whose operations depend on water. In fact, Emilio shared, roughly 75% of the energy that flows through manufacturing processes is linked to water systems. To pump, treat, heat and cool water requires energy, and inefficient water usage leads to wasted resources and increased emissions.

Many of our company’s sustainable solutions use water, such as water-sourced cooling systems, and we use water to manufacture these systems. We understand the importance of water to the natural ecosystems and communities in which we operate.

A robust climate strategy should include water stewardship. Companies must work to reduce their own water usage and help preserve local water ecosystems. That’s why we’ve included water reduction targets in our 2030 Sustainability Commitments, with the goal of achieving net-positive water use in water-stressed areas by 2030. But as with all climate challenges, mitigating global water scarcity requires innovative leadership and ongoing collaboration.

Leading the charge in water conservation strategies

In our conversation, Emilio highlighted the work EcoLab is doing with the Water Resilience Coalition, a group of industry leaders committed to addressing water stress and promoting sustainable water practices across the globe. The coalition aims to achieve net-positive water impact by 2030. Water, explained Emilio, is hyper-local: What happens in one region—whether water scarcity, pollution or contamination—can have far-reaching effects on communities, ecosystems and supply chains. The UN Global Compact, which facilitates the Water Resilience Coalition, made a recent call to action for increased public-private partnerships in 100 priority basins around the world, which could result in water security for 3 billion people. “That is a big, big, big deal,” he added, “and I think one that we need to really leverage the power of collaboration to solve.”

Letting consumers drive progress

One of the ways Ecolab is working to raise awareness around water issues is through the Ecolab Watermark Study, a global survey launched in 2023. This study gathered insights from thousands of consumers, revealing some surprising findings about consumer attitudes toward water, climate change, and corporate responsibility.

Perhaps most importantly, the survey found that consumers ranked access to clean, available water as a higher priority than even addressing climate change and pollution. Consumers also expect companies, especially large corporations, to take concrete actions to reduce their water usage and support water stewardship initiatives. And, as with all ambitious targets, consumers want to see genuine, measurable actions—not just promises.

Going further together

Taking bold action on climate and water may seem daunting, but my conversation with Emilio left me feeling optimistic. Why? First, because we have innovative technology that can reduce our impact today. As Emilio quipped, “you don’t have to go to the moon to solve the water and climate crises.” Secondly, because companies, stakeholders and consumers understand the private sector has a pivotal role to play in addressing climate and water challenges. And finally, because more and more of us are recognizing that we can’t do it alone. The more we work together—across industries, regions and sectors, whether through large coalitions or simple conversations—the faster we can build a more sustainable world.

To learn more about how your organization can contribute to sustainable business practices and drive meaningful change, listen to our full conversation with Emilio Tenuta in Season 4, Episode 8 of our Healthy Spaces Podcast. Join us in leading the charge for a sustainable future by integrating water stewardship and climate action into your business strategy. 

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

When high school teacher Mason Golding recently told his students that banker Chris Taylor was coming to teach them about financial literacy, the students were disappointed — because they would have to wait a few more days before Taylor would arrive.

“He really connects with the kids; they look forward to him coming here,” said Golding, head of the Social Studies department at Horizon Science Academy High School in Columbus, Ohio. “Students who normally are not engaged or are easily distracted are hanging on every word, asking questions and participating.”

The Horizon student body includes many who are in families with low incomes.

“I can’t stress how impactful Chris is, especially with my demographic of students,” Golding said. “Their families are working one, two, three jobs to make ends meet and these kids are watching their siblings also work to help pay bills.”

Taylor, who grew up in Toledo, said he learned the importance of financial literacy when he was in the third grade and his father died.

“My mom got a job within two weeks because she knew she had to take care of us,” he said. “She taught my brother and me to pay bills on time, not get behind on anything and make a budget.”

Taylor was hired by U.S. Bank as a business banker in 2019. The following year, he put together a proposal to create a role teaching financial literacy to children and families in need. It was approved by senior leadership and Taylor has been teaching financial education courses to children and adults in Columbus and other Ohio cities ever since.

“He’s been teaching my students for four years I am surprised every year that he does not have a background in education,” Golding said. “Chris has a way of speaking and presenting information that keeps students actively engaged, something even veteran teachers struggle with.”

Golding recently surveyed his students about Taylor’s lessons. Here are three of the students’ responses.

“What I enjoyed about Chris and his presentations was that he was always prepared to answer even the most difficult questions. He wasn’t there just to be there. He was there for us.””It was honestly awesome because he explained it in a way that was easy to understand. It was very helpful and is doing us justice because going into the world with this information will put us ahead of everyone else.””I really enjoyed how Chris helped us understand very complex topics by using analogies and personal experiences. I also really enjoyed how interactive his presentations were with the whole class.”

When Taylor initially created his financial education role, he worked under Dee O’Dell, head of Business Banking Sales, who quickly became one of Taylor’s biggest supporters.

“We gave him a license to go create something, knowing full well that if it didn’t work or didn’t have legs, he could come back to Business Banking,” O’Dell said. “He was a very effective banker, but he is also very passionate about doing something to help the community. He sets very high goals for himself and the students he helps.”

HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 21, 2025 /3BL/ – Family-owned Bacardi proudly celebrates the success of the 3rd Annual Bacardi Black-Owned Vendor Market in Bermuda, an initiative dedicated to support and empower Black entrepreneurs on the island. Held at the Bacardi global headquarters in Bermuda on February 28, this year’s event set a new benchmark, tripling last year’s sales and generating nearly $30,000 for local Black-owned businesses.

As part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to empowering individuals through economic opportunity and community engagement, this event serves as a vital platform for local Black-owned businesses to showcase their products, connect with customers, and drive meaningful growth. This year’s market featured 60+ vendors spanning food, retail, and artisanal sectors, highlighting the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit within Bermuda’s Black-owned business community.

This year, Bacardi introduced a Masterclass offered to participating vendors in advance of the market with curated learning and networking designed to equip vendors with practical skills in branding, pitching, and scaling their businesses. The Masterclass featured industry experts who provided actionable strategies to help entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact the Bacardi Black-Owned Vendor Market continues to have on the Bermuda business community,” says Douglas Mello, Bacardi International Limited Managing Director. “This event goes beyond a single day of sales—it’s about creating long-term opportunities, fostering meaningful connections, and equipping Black-owned businesses with the resources they need to thrive. By expanding this initiative with the Bacardi Masterclass, we are ensuring that local entrepreneurs not only gain visibility but also the knowledge and tools to sustain and grow their businesses.”

Bacardi is committed to fostering career growth and business development through impactful initiatives that drive long-term success and economic empowerment. This includes the recently launched Bacardi Hospitality Accelerator Program in Bermuda, which provides world-class training and professional development for local hospitality professionals. Across 10 countries, Bacardi has launched Shake Your Future, a free bartender training program designed to equip underemployed and unemployed young adults with the skills needed for sustainable careers in hospitality.

To learn more about how Bacardi supports communities, visit www.bacardilimited.com .