Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Booster Insights

by priya

A recent study by the IEA found that spending on clean energy technology like renewable diesel is quickly rising compared to spending on fossil fuels. This shift is driven by the growing concern over the cost and safety of fossil fuels, particularly in light of the global energy crisis. The rise of renewable diesel, a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative, is a direct response to these concerns.

This decade will witness a rapid adoption of renewable fuels with low emissions, a crucial step in the decarbonization of the transportation sector. The road transportation industry, in particular, has significant room for improvement and still relies heavily on fuel-based methods for reducing carbon emissions. Renewable diesel offers a promising solution to this challenge.

The production of renewable fuel has a lot of possible synergies, especially when it comes to using renewable diesel. Low-emission renewable fuels can provide transportation with more ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

The latest World Energy Investment report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that the world spent about USD 2.8 trillion on energy in 2023. Of this amount, more than USD 1.7 trillion was invested in clean technologies, including heat pumps, electric vehicles, nuclear power, storage, grids, low-emission fuels, and efficiency improvements. This significant investment in clean technologies underscores the potential and importance of renewable diesel in the energy sector.

During the same period, investments in fossil fuels grew by 15%. On the other hand, investments in clean energy will increase by 24% each year between 2021 and 2023, led by renewable energy sources and electric cars. However, more than 90% of this rise is due to China and other advanced economies. This makes it more likely that new energy divides will appear worldwide if clean energy changes don’t catch on elsewhere.

A Shift to the Green Fuel: Renewable Fuels

The world needs to manage an equilibrium of affordable energy while transitioning from old fossil fuels to greener alternatives such as power, breeze, and hydrogen energies. By 2030 and 2050, the objective is to power more buildings, factories, and transportation systems using electrical power and eco-nice fuels.

For many days, oil and gas conglomerates have invested in green energy. In the 1980s, a leading oil firm started backing projects for windy and sunny energies. Forty years later, it shifted funds into a top European solar company. During the 2000s, another sizable oil company threw over $5 billion into renewable energies, adding electric vehicle charging spots with other energy services.

Several big companies in oil companies have set their sights on reaching zero emissions by 2050 by sinking heavily into green energy. These investments have shown mixed results, but the going towards cleaner energy continues brightly as folk demand better energy solutions and governments urge for less carbon emissions.

Oil and gas corporations stand to profit immensely from steering the move to greener energies!! They corner the expertise, infinite reach, financial backing, and built-up customer relations to handle large-scale projects in renewable energy and hydrogen products. This positions them fantastically to thrust significant contributions to the global sustainability push.

[Source]

Based on these points, oil and gas businesses can offer unique value in the four areas below of the energy transition:

1. Growth of the Remote Jobs:

Major oil and gas business players who have worked on many large-scale projects can plan and build integrated projects that produce heat, hydrogen, and renewable energy. In addition, some project bidders invest hydrogen and heat in their bids.

2. Preparing Hydrogen as a Renewable fuel:

Making hydrogen has been a part of oil and gas companies’ chemistry and refining processes for a long time. Also, because hydrogen and gases are chemically similar, we can use current storage and transportation systems for hydrogen production and transportation. One must carefully manage both gases under appropriate pressure, as they can catch fire.

3. Charging an Electric Vehicle

Some people in the value chain, like sellers, refiners, and producers, can offer fast charging for electric vehicles by using their names, customers, real estate, and petrol stations near roads and highways.

4. Strategies for Reducing Carbon Emissions:

Companies in the oil and gas industry are under a lot of pressure to reduce their carbon emissions. This forced them to develop technologies and solutions we can use in other fields. Companies that work with oil and gas can offer ways to reduce carbon emissions by using these technologies: energy storage, batteries, renewable energy output, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

Understanding Renewable Diesel: Renewable Fuel in Transportation

First, we must describe renewable diesel and show how it differs from regular diesel. Oils from plants, animal fats, and greases are some non-petroleum sustainable resources that manufacturers use to make renewable diesel. Manufacturers use the hydrotreating process to produce renewable diesel, which removes impurities and makes something chemically similar to petroleum fuel.

Why is Renewable Diesel so Important?

Renewable diesel is gaining significant attention and importance in pushing sustainable energy solutions. Here’s why:

Eco-Friendly 
Renewable diesel is a game-changer in the quest for sustainable energy solutions. It significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to regular diesel, making a substantial impact on carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. For instance, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Certified Carbon Intensities indicate that renewable diesel has an average of 65% lower carbon intensity than petroleum-based diesel. This environmental benefit should inspire and motivate us all to contribute to a greener future. 
 Better Combustion 
Renewable diesel functions similarly to regular diesel but boasts better combustion properties. This results in superior engine performance and efficiency, making it a highly effective fuel option for various applications. 
 Versatility 
One of the most compelling aspects of renewable diesel is its seamless integration into existing systems. It can be used in standard diesel engines without any modifications, making it a straightforward replacement for traditional diesel. This ease of adoption and compatibility with existing infrastructure should reassure and instill confidence in its potential as a viable alternative to traditional diesel. 
 Compatibility with Existing Engines and Infrastructure 
Renewable diesel meets the ASTM D975 standard for regular petroleum diesel, ensuring it is fully compatible with existing diesel engines and infrastructure. This compatibility facilitates easy integration into current fuel systems, minimizing the need for costly upgrades or replacements. 
 Reduced Pollution 
Studies by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have shown that renewable diesel emits less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide than petroleum fuel. This reduction in pollutants contributes significantly to cleaner air and a healthier environment. According to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Certified Carbon Intensities, green diesel has an average of 65% lower carbon intensity than diesel made from petroleum. 
 Flexibility in Usage 
Renewable diesel offers remarkable flexibility. It can be blended with any proportion of conventional diesel or used as a complete substitute. Additionally, sites producing renewable diesel can manufacture sustainable aviation fuel using various feedstocks, adding to its versatility. 
 Helping Industries Reduce Their Carbon Footprint 
By adopting renewable diesel, industries can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. This transition is environmentally responsible and aligns with global sustainability goals. Many sectors now leverage renewable diesel to meet emissions targets and enhance their sustainability profiles. 
 Contributing to the 2050 Goal 
Renewable diesel is crucial in helping achieve long-term climate goals, such as the 2050 net-zero emissions target. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, renewable diesel supports global efforts to mitigate climate change and promotes a more sustainable future.

The Advancement of Renewable Diesel in the USA

Growing Infrastructure 
Across the United States, renewable diesel production and distribution infrastructure is expanding. Companies are converting old refineries into renewable diesel plants; others are building new facilities. This expansion is not just about producing more fuel; it’s about developing an integrated system to make renewable diesel available nationwide. 
 Legislative Support 
Renewable diesel enjoys robust support from federal and state governments, manifested through incentives and regulations. For instance, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) encourages the adoption of cleaner fuels through credits and financial incentives. Similarly, the Renewable Fuel Standard at the federal level mandates a specific volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce traditional petroleum fuels.

The Impact on Industries and Consumers

Commercial Fleets 
One of the primary drivers behind the adoption of renewable diesel in the USA is its use in commercial and public transportation fleets. Companies and city fleets are switching to renewable diesel to reduce emissions and meet regulatory requirements. These fleets are crucial in demonstrating the fuel’s effectiveness and encouraging wider use by showing real-world benefits. 
 Everyday Consumers 
For everyday drivers, the switch to renewable diesel is almost seamless. You can pour it into your existing diesel vehicle without any adjustments. This ease of transition holds significant promise for broad consumer adoption, eliminating the usual resistance to changing technology or fuel types.

Overcoming Challenges and Fostering Growth

Supply and Demand 
While demand is growing, ensuring a consistent and adequate supply of renewable diesel is crucial. This entails enhancing agricultural practices for raw materials and improving technological aspects of production to make the process more efficient and scalable. 
 Public Awareness and Education 
Increasing public awareness and education is pivotal to truly integrating renewable diesel into the American lifestyle. Most people still need to learn what renewable diesel is and its benefits. Bridging this knowledge gap is essential for boosting consumer confidence and fostering an informed community ready to make environmentally conscious decisions.

Why Should You Choose Booster?

Using Booster for renewable diesel delivery in the USA offers several compelling advantages that align with the growing emphasis on sustainability and efficiency in transportation. Here are key reasons why organizations should consider adopting Booster’s services for their renewable diesel needs:

1. Direct-to-Vehicle Delivery

Booster’s unique energy-agnostic supply chain allows for direct delivery of renewable diesel to vehicles, significantly reducing the need for new infrastructure. This lowers upfront costs associated with building gas stations and simplifies the transition for fleets looking to switch to cleaner fuel alternatives.

2. Energy Transition Simplified

Booster acts as a bridge in the energy transition process. By offering renewable diesel alongside traditional fuels, Booster provides flexibility and convenience, enabling companies to adapt gradually without significant disruptions. This approach is particularly beneficial in a market where infrastructure for renewable energy is still developing.

3. Enhanced Sustainability Without Performance Sacrifice

Booster offers renewable diesel, a next-generation fuel that satisfies sustainability objectives without compromising efficiency or raising prices. This makes it an attractive option for organizations aiming to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency.

4. Comprehensive Energy Solutions

Beyond fuel delivery, Booster offers a full suite of services to support the use of renewable diesel. This includes free fuel analysis, energy consultations, and infrastructure assessments—services designed to ensure a smooth transition and optimal integration of renewable fuels into existing operations.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

Booster’s mobile fuel delivery service is designed to cater to many fleet sizes and types, including those with specific energy requirements. Whether a small local fleet or a large national operation, Booster’s scalable solution can meet diverse needs without the typical constraints of fixed-location fueling stations.

6. Supporting Regulatory Compliance

With increasing regulations to reduce carbon emissions, using renewable diesel can help fleets comply with such mandates more effectively. Booster’s renewable diesel options are aligned with governmental incentives and can assist companies in meeting or exceeding environmental standards.

7. Nationwide Expansion

As Booster’s network expands across the country, the availability of its services grows, making it easier for more fleets to access renewable diesel wherever they operate. This nationwide reach is critical for businesses with operations in multiple states.

8. Real-Time Supply and Demand Matching

Booster’s innovative approach to matching supply with demand in real-time ensures that fleets can access renewable diesel when and where they need it. This efficiency improves operations and enhances fuel usage monitoring and management.

Choosing Booster for renewable diesel delivery in the USA provides a seamless, efficient, and sustainable solution for fleets ready to transition towards cleaner energy sources. This approach supports environmental goals, reduces reliance on traditional fuel infrastructure, and offers a practical pathway toward a more sustainable future in transportation.

Conclusion

The transition to renewable diesel in the USA is not just a trend but a significant shift towards sustainable energy consumption. It represents a practical solution that balances ecological concerns with economic needs and performance expectations. As this fuel continues to pave its way across the nation, its role in shaping a green future becomes increasingly evident.

Whether you are an industry decision-maker, a fleet manager, or just someone interested in sustainable living, renewable diesel offers a viable and compelling option. It’s up to all of us to support this green movement, reduce our carbon footprint, and drive towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. Ready to be part of this change?

Now is the time to embrace renewable diesel, a critical player in America’s green energy playbook. Let’s not just imagine a sustainable future; let’s fuel it.

FAQs

1. What is renewable diesel?

Renewable diesel is a clean fuel from natural sources like plants or animal fats instead of crude oil. It’s similar to regular diesel but comes from renewable resources, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.

2. Can I use renewable diesel in my diesel engine?

Yes, you can. Renewable diesel is designed to work in any diesel engine without modifications. It’s a straightforward swap from traditional diesel and operates just as efficiently.

3. Why is renewable diesel good for the environment?

It’s mainly because it emits fewer pollutants than traditional diesel. Using renewable diesel reduces the output of greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions, which helps combat air pollution and climate change.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Comcast Corporation and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced the winners of the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge grant awards program at USCM’s 92nd Annual Meeting in Kansas City. Each city has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to expand digital training programs to help close the skills gap.

In the small cities category, Kinston, NC; Michigan City, IN; White Plains, NY; and York, PA will each receive $75,000 grants. In the medium-sized cities category, Cleveland, OH; Little Rock, AR; and Richmond, VA will receive $150,000 grants for their submitted projects. The cities of Charlotte, NC; Los Angeles, CA; and Portland, OR, in the large cities category, will receive $250,000 grants.

“Mayors are investing in economic development that lifts people up instead of leaving them behind,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. “The Talent for Tomorrow Challenge grants will allow the ten cities to grow these programs and build on their success. By providing digital access and skills training, we will be able to build a stronger, more diverse, more equitable and inclusive workforce across the country. The Conference is grateful to have a committed partner in Comcast, as we work to create economic opportunity and communities where Americans can thrive.”

“America’s mayors know well that closing the digital divide is intrinsically connected to the economic competitiveness of our cities and towns,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation & President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge will help ensure that more people, especially those most often left out of the digital economy, can take advantage of the opportunities that come with acquiring digital skills.”

Comcast is proud to deepen our partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors through this new initiative that will build on our shared commitment to digital equity by expanding workforce and job training programs for ten winning cities.

DALILA WILSON-SCOTT

Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation & President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge is a joint initiative of the USCM and Comcast’s Project UP, and it supports the launch and expansion of local workforce programs designed to grow college and career readiness, close the digital skills gap, advance economic mobility, and lay the foundation for generational wealth in under-resourced communities. An independent panel of judges selected by USCM reviewed applications and selected winners. To learn more about the program, see here.

The following descriptions highlight each program and how the Talent for Tomorrow grants will be used:

2024 Digital Equity Grant Award Recipients

SMALL CITY WINNERS

Kinston, NC—Digital Equity Corps: Administered by Kinston Teens, Inc. and the City of Kinston, the Digital Equity Corps program focuses on 16 to 24-year-olds from East Kinston, the most economically distressed census tract in the state of North Carolina. It also serves those from vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited digital literacy. The cornerstone of the Digital Equity Corps is the creation of a structured curriculum focused on digital literacy and skills development.Michigan City, IN—Michigan City Digital Revitalization Initiative: The Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) Digital Revitalization Initiative is a transformative project aimed at reinvigorating Michigan City through coordinated planning and innovative community technology solutions. A central piece of the initiative is an inclusive Digital Placemaking platform. Created by MCAS and local partners, the platform integrates wireless communication technology with community strategies, enabling seamless connectivity for students, residents, and businesses.White Plains, NY—Project Digital Jumpstart: Project Digital Jumpstart broadens Winchester College’s Project Jumpstart programming, which aids disadvantaged high school students in their transition to college and careers through college-level courses, technology-focused coursework, and hands-on learning experiences to equip students with skills necessary for success in the digital workforce. Project Digital Jumpstart removes identified barriers to participation in the existing JumpStart program, especially for youth from historically disadvantaged communities.York, PA—Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents: The City of York’s Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents plan expands on successful pre-existing digital literacy programming to focus on enhancing digital skills among justice-involved residents, and features collaboration between workforce, corrections, reentry providers, and human service organizations. The Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents plan utilizes a three-tiered/step approach, with each tier focused on enhancing the digital skills and employability of justice-involved participants. Participants engage in all three tiers to explore career interests and gain necessary digital skills to succeed.

MEDIUM-SIZED CITY WINNERS

Cleveland, OH—REC-N-TEC: The REC-N-TEC initiative aims to uplift residents by equipping them with vital workplace-related digital skills, leveraging the computer labs and their dedicated broadband networks to amplify current programming (e.g., esports, entrepreneurship for teens, STEAM/STEM), while also providing on-site Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to enhance and expand the learning and skills training opportunities for residents, thereby fostering economic growth and enhancing livelihoods.Little Rock, AR—Digital Skills Growth Program: Technology Advancement for Digital Academic and Healthcare Careers (TADAH): This program provides underserved middle school students with core digital career activities, including health technology, healthcare, small business entrepreneurship in the digital sector, and enrichment activities from two specialized tracks: digital health tools and robotics. As their final projects, the digital health track students design a digital health app, software, or device tailored to address the needs of their school or community, and students in the robotics track build a robot optimized for competition.Richmond, VA—Strategic Opportunities Leading to Valuable Experiences (SOLVE): The SOLVE program is designed to address the talent shortages in the fields of healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and information technology by preparing low-income, under-employed, and unemployed individuals to assume essential roles in the region’s biggest sectors. The major component of this program is the emphasis on exposure to new career fields and bridging the skill gap through career assessment, virtual reality (VR), site visits, and training provider expos, particularly for low-income, under-employed, and unemployed individuals.

LARGE CITY WINNERS

Charlotte, NC—UNTechCLT: The UNTechCLT is a free summer camp series that engages youth in under-resourced communities particularly between the ages of 12 and 17 around technology, career choices, and solving real world problems in their community. Participants learn hands-on digital skills and gain exposure to various career pathways, develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through design thinking methods, and practice safe and responsible technology use.Los Angeles, CA—CareerConnect: The CareerConnect program aspires to foster a stronger, more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce by addressing the unique digital needs of the recently housed population. CareerConnect will offer a series of dynamic digital literacy 1-2 hour workshops at various interim housing sites. The program creates a collaborative learning environment through small group workshops, ensuring participants receive tailored guidance from the workshop Facilitator. The CareerConnect program introduces innovative skills training and employment preparation, focusing on equipping individuals with digital literacy skills and job-seeking techniques essential for success in today’s digitally driven job market.Portland, OR—Digital Equity Service Corps: The Digital Equity Service Corps (DESC) builds on ten years of learning from NTEN’s Digital Inclusion Fellowship, which equips fellows with the tools to help build sustainable digital literacy programs in rural and urban communities across the United States. Through the DESC, five fellows are selected and trained in program design and management, accessibility, adult education learning methods, impact evaluation, coalition building, leadership skills, workforce development strategies, and more.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Comcast Corporation and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced the winners of the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge grant awards program at USCM’s 92nd Annual Meeting in Kansas City. Each city has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to expand digital training programs to help close the skills gap.

In the small cities category, Kinston, NC; Michigan City, IN; White Plains, NY; and York, PA will each receive $75,000 grants. In the medium-sized cities category, Cleveland, OH; Little Rock, AR; and Richmond, VA will receive $150,000 grants for their submitted projects. The cities of Charlotte, NC; Los Angeles, CA; and Portland, OR, in the large cities category, will receive $250,000 grants.

“Mayors are investing in economic development that lifts people up instead of leaving them behind,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. “The Talent for Tomorrow Challenge grants will allow the ten cities to grow these programs and build on their success. By providing digital access and skills training, we will be able to build a stronger, more diverse, more equitable and inclusive workforce across the country. The Conference is grateful to have a committed partner in Comcast, as we work to create economic opportunity and communities where Americans can thrive.”

“America’s mayors know well that closing the digital divide is intrinsically connected to the economic competitiveness of our cities and towns,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation & President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge will help ensure that more people, especially those most often left out of the digital economy, can take advantage of the opportunities that come with acquiring digital skills.”

Comcast is proud to deepen our partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors through this new initiative that will build on our shared commitment to digital equity by expanding workforce and job training programs for ten winning cities.

DALILA WILSON-SCOTT

Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation & President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge is a joint initiative of the USCM and Comcast’s Project UP, and it supports the launch and expansion of local workforce programs designed to grow college and career readiness, close the digital skills gap, advance economic mobility, and lay the foundation for generational wealth in under-resourced communities. An independent panel of judges selected by USCM reviewed applications and selected winners. To learn more about the program, see here.

The following descriptions highlight each program and how the Talent for Tomorrow grants will be used:

2024 Digital Equity Grant Award Recipients

SMALL CITY WINNERS

Kinston, NC—Digital Equity Corps: Administered by Kinston Teens, Inc. and the City of Kinston, the Digital Equity Corps program focuses on 16 to 24-year-olds from East Kinston, the most economically distressed census tract in the state of North Carolina. It also serves those from vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited digital literacy. The cornerstone of the Digital Equity Corps is the creation of a structured curriculum focused on digital literacy and skills development.Michigan City, IN—Michigan City Digital Revitalization Initiative: The Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) Digital Revitalization Initiative is a transformative project aimed at reinvigorating Michigan City through coordinated planning and innovative community technology solutions. A central piece of the initiative is an inclusive Digital Placemaking platform. Created by MCAS and local partners, the platform integrates wireless communication technology with community strategies, enabling seamless connectivity for students, residents, and businesses.White Plains, NY—Project Digital Jumpstart: Project Digital Jumpstart broadens Winchester College’s Project Jumpstart programming, which aids disadvantaged high school students in their transition to college and careers through college-level courses, technology-focused coursework, and hands-on learning experiences to equip students with skills necessary for success in the digital workforce. Project Digital Jumpstart removes identified barriers to participation in the existing JumpStart program, especially for youth from historically disadvantaged communities.York, PA—Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents: The City of York’s Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents plan expands on successful pre-existing digital literacy programming to focus on enhancing digital skills among justice-involved residents, and features collaboration between workforce, corrections, reentry providers, and human service organizations. The Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents plan utilizes a three-tiered/step approach, with each tier focused on enhancing the digital skills and employability of justice-involved participants. Participants engage in all three tiers to explore career interests and gain necessary digital skills to succeed.

MEDIUM-SIZED CITY WINNERS

Cleveland, OH—REC-N-TEC: The REC-N-TEC initiative aims to uplift residents by equipping them with vital workplace-related digital skills, leveraging the computer labs and their dedicated broadband networks to amplify current programming (e.g., esports, entrepreneurship for teens, STEAM/STEM), while also providing on-site Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to enhance and expand the learning and skills training opportunities for residents, thereby fostering economic growth and enhancing livelihoods.Little Rock, AR—Digital Skills Growth Program: Technology Advancement for Digital Academic and Healthcare Careers (TADAH): This program provides underserved middle school students with core digital career activities, including health technology, healthcare, small business entrepreneurship in the digital sector, and enrichment activities from two specialized tracks: digital health tools and robotics. As their final projects, the digital health track students design a digital health app, software, or device tailored to address the needs of their school or community, and students in the robotics track build a robot optimized for competition.Richmond, VA—Strategic Opportunities Leading to Valuable Experiences (SOLVE): The SOLVE program is designed to address the talent shortages in the fields of healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and information technology by preparing low-income, under-employed, and unemployed individuals to assume essential roles in the region’s biggest sectors. The major component of this program is the emphasis on exposure to new career fields and bridging the skill gap through career assessment, virtual reality (VR), site visits, and training provider expos, particularly for low-income, under-employed, and unemployed individuals.

LARGE CITY WINNERS

Charlotte, NC—UNTechCLT: The UNTechCLT is a free summer camp series that engages youth in under-resourced communities particularly between the ages of 12 and 17 around technology, career choices, and solving real world problems in their community. Participants learn hands-on digital skills and gain exposure to various career pathways, develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through design thinking methods, and practice safe and responsible technology use.Los Angeles, CA—CareerConnect: The CareerConnect program aspires to foster a stronger, more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce by addressing the unique digital needs of the recently housed population. CareerConnect will offer a series of dynamic digital literacy 1-2 hour workshops at various interim housing sites. The program creates a collaborative learning environment through small group workshops, ensuring participants receive tailored guidance from the workshop Facilitator. The CareerConnect program introduces innovative skills training and employment preparation, focusing on equipping individuals with digital literacy skills and job-seeking techniques essential for success in today’s digitally driven job market.Portland, OR—Digital Equity Service Corps: The Digital Equity Service Corps (DESC) builds on ten years of learning from NTEN’s Digital Inclusion Fellowship, which equips fellows with the tools to help build sustainable digital literacy programs in rural and urban communities across the United States. Through the DESC, five fellows are selected and trained in program design and management, accessibility, adult education learning methods, impact evaluation, coalition building, leadership skills, workforce development strategies, and more.

How can artificial intelligence (AI) tools be used in a manner that promotes people-first places? This is the question IWBI posed as applications of AI and generative AI became more prevalent across the built environment, from architectural design, to building information modeling and asset valuation. While IWBI began its exploration of responsible use of AI within its own organization, we soon recognized that, as a standards body focused on people-first policies and protocols, we had a role to play in convening our community to identify responsible, human uses of AI within the built environment. The AI Framework for Advancing Healthy Built Environments showcases the thoughtful design, development, adoption and governance of AI technologies throughout the architecture, engineering, construction, facilities operations (AECO) industry.

Practical guidance for creating organizational policies and protocols is required given the potential for harmful impacts, applications of AI in critical infrastructures and the fact that AI may be implemented based upon undue excitement and “AI hype” rather than careful consideration and vetting. With the Framework, IWBI’s aim is to bring industry stakeholders together to coalesce around a set of common principles and well-informed practices that enable AI to promote health and well-being in the built environment.

The Framework identifies the minimum standards and codes of conduct that should apply to use of AI, just as they should apply to other corporate practices and technology uses. IWBI sees its community requiring its organization and suppliers to adhere to UN Global Compact principles and the same type of vigilance should apply to AI tools. The principles of the UN Global Compact, addressing human rights, environment, labor and anti-corruption, are especially relevant given AI tools have already demonstrated risks to human rights and environmental initiatives through discriminatory results, particularly where models training AI tools are based upon biased or unrepresentative data, and where AI systems and data centers call for a tremendous amount of energy. As a fundamental matter, the development, deployment and use of AI should support, rather than inhibit, these principles. Next, the UN Sustainable Development Goals represent a solid set of aspirational goals that AI tools can help us meet.

IWBI and AI ethics consultancy Kairoi developed the Framework to help organizations assess AI tools based upon relevant SDGs in conjunction with Kairoi’s AI Ethics Canvas, which includes four pillars of responsible AI. The resulting Framework generates practical guidance to help companies evaluate their use of AI depending on their particular priorities and circumstances.

The Framework is now available on our website and in the WELL Forum, where we invite you to join the discussion so we can work together for greater impact on more responsible uses of AI that can promote people-first places.

View original content here.

How can artificial intelligence (AI) tools be used in a manner that promotes people-first places? This is the question IWBI posed as applications of AI and generative AI became more prevalent across the built environment, from architectural design, to building information modeling and asset valuation. While IWBI began its exploration of responsible use of AI within its own organization, we soon recognized that, as a standards body focused on people-first policies and protocols, we had a role to play in convening our community to identify responsible, human uses of AI within the built environment. The AI Framework for Advancing Healthy Built Environments showcases the thoughtful design, development, adoption and governance of AI technologies throughout the architecture, engineering, construction, facilities operations (AECO) industry.

Practical guidance for creating organizational policies and protocols is required given the potential for harmful impacts, applications of AI in critical infrastructures and the fact that AI may be implemented based upon undue excitement and “AI hype” rather than careful consideration and vetting. With the Framework, IWBI’s aim is to bring industry stakeholders together to coalesce around a set of common principles and well-informed practices that enable AI to promote health and well-being in the built environment.

The Framework identifies the minimum standards and codes of conduct that should apply to use of AI, just as they should apply to other corporate practices and technology uses. IWBI sees its community requiring its organization and suppliers to adhere to UN Global Compact principles and the same type of vigilance should apply to AI tools. The principles of the UN Global Compact, addressing human rights, environment, labor and anti-corruption, are especially relevant given AI tools have already demonstrated risks to human rights and environmental initiatives through discriminatory results, particularly where models training AI tools are based upon biased or unrepresentative data, and where AI systems and data centers call for a tremendous amount of energy. As a fundamental matter, the development, deployment and use of AI should support, rather than inhibit, these principles. Next, the UN Sustainable Development Goals represent a solid set of aspirational goals that AI tools can help us meet.

IWBI and AI ethics consultancy Kairoi developed the Framework to help organizations assess AI tools based upon relevant SDGs in conjunction with Kairoi’s AI Ethics Canvas, which includes four pillars of responsible AI. The resulting Framework generates practical guidance to help companies evaluate their use of AI depending on their particular priorities and circumstances.

The Framework is now available on our website and in the WELL Forum, where we invite you to join the discussion so we can work together for greater impact on more responsible uses of AI that can promote people-first places.

View original content here.

MetLife Sustainability Report

Our Approach

As stakeholder expectations rise, MetLife made the concept of care a core tenet of differentiation. Our products, services and support help employers to successfully demonstrate care for their workforce, thus improving overall business outcomes. As the needs of individuals and workforces evolve, we continue to develop new products and services to deliver for them, often when they need us most.

MetLife’s diverse solutions prioritize care and satisfaction. We continue to innovate through the lens of sustainability, including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Affordability, simplicity, flexibility and access combine to support our customers’ physical, mental and financial well-being.

Highlights

Enhanced benefits offerings in institutional customers and increased utilization by their U.S. employees through several new collaborations and initiatives.Helped over 1M digital users in Asia access expert medical support via our app, MetLife 360Health.Expanded 360 Future in China and Korea to help customers prepare for retirement.Launched MetLife Xcelerator in Latin America (LatAm) to enable our partners to offer their customers access to a simple, fully digital insurance experience.Improved financial inclusion and customer experience globally through new apps and digital services.

MetLife Products and Services

MetLife offers a diverse range of products and services to align with institutional and individual customer needs.

Team Springs into Action to Deliver Customer Care

Working on MetLife’s Global Customer Service and Operations team can mean fielding routine customer calls, answering questions, replying to claim inquiries and showing empathy as a customer talks about the loss of a loved one. It can also mean being on the line when a customer calls in extreme emotional distress. In such situations, our teams are trained to lead with empathy and great care, while following protocol.

In Australia, the team’s Crisis Call Pathway Tool supports frontline staff in responding early and proactively to signs of distress. One of our case managers, along with strategy and recovery specialists, activated the tool after they noted a change in a customer’s behavior and her comments that she was having trouble finding access to a psychologist and a psychiatrist to support her. The tool helped the team identify that the customer was at risk and prompted them to put a support plan in place. Through two crisis management calls and a welfare check, the MetLife colleagues provided the customer with details for a 24-hour suicide prevention helpline and worked with her to download the 360Health app to make sure she could find a service provider.

Following our team’s intervention, the customer later noted that she was feeling better and was grateful for the care and support of the MetLife Australia team.

MetLife Pet Insurance Supports Pup’s Long‑Term Shelter Stay

Ginny, a five-year-old pit bull mix was at the Lexington Humane Society’s (LHS) shelter in Lexington, Kentucky, for 1,000 days, as LHS struggled to find someone to adopt her. She was harder to place than other shelter dogs, requiring a family without children or other animals. But fortunately, Ginny was finally adopted.

Ginny’s long stay at the shelter was made possible by MetLife Pet Insurance’s collaboration with shelters, through which we provide support, including sponsoring walks, adoption events and long-stay residents. LHS was one of the first shelters we teamed up with, and we’ve been working together for 11 years. Ginny’s successful adoption is one of many happy stories from our shelter partners.

Download the full MetLife 2023 Sustainability Report

Marking one month to go before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on 26 July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launches “Sport. And More than Sport.” – a new Olympic brand platform. It will debut with an uplifting short film that encapsulates the unique spirit and feeling of the Olympic Games, which will air globally across the Olympic Media Rights-Holder (MRH) network and Olympic digital platforms and will run throughout Paris 2024 and beyond.

“Sport. And More Than Sport.” is a new brand platform for the Olympics that expresses the multi-dimensionality of the Olympic experience and everything sport and the Olympic Games bring to people both on and off the field of play. It embraces the magic of sport, but also sport’s meaning beyond performance – belonging and human connection, personal empowerment and growth, and opportunities and dreams. It aims to bring the Olympics close to the hearts and lives of people everywhere by celebrating the joy and entertainment of sport and the fan experience.

Sport is at the heart of the Olympic Games. But they are about so much more than that. They go beyond competition. They are about living the Olympic values, about feeling the emotions, about enjoying the opportunities, about sharing wonderful memories. This is the unique and enduring spirit of the Olympic Games that we are about to witness at Paris 2024, and beyond.

Thomas Bach IOC President

“Sport. And More Than Sport.” launches with a short film, starting on the streets of Paris, where the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad will begin next month. It follows the Olympic spirit – represented by a magical, invisible force travelling around the world, connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds, and inspiring in them a wide range of emotions. It features Olympic legend Nadia Comaneci – the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score at an Olympic Games – together with everyday athletes, highlighting the universality of the Olympic spirit and its ability to touch the lives of all people.

The short film is available to watch on Olympics.com and social media handles @olympics #morethansport. It will air globally across the Olympic MRH network, and will be showcased at the pre show of the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony on 26 July.

“Sport. And More Than Sport.” will run through Paris 2024 and beyond.

###

The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.2 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

###

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000, email: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our web site at www.ioc.org.

Broadcast quality footage

The IOC Newsroom: https://newsroom.olympics.com/

Videos

YouTube: www.youtube.com/iocmedia

Photos

For an extensive selection of photos available shortly after each event, please follow us on Flickr.

To request archive photos and footage, please contact our Images team at: images@olympic.org.

Social media

For up-to-the-minute information on the IOC and regular updates, please follow us on X and YouTube.

In this latest blog written by Andrew Martin, Executive Vice President at Cascale, reflects on his visit to Hong Kong-based manufacturer Epic Group’s CIPL facility in Bangladesh. With a commitment to the “Relentless Pursuit of Better,” Epic Group has made major technological investments as part of its efforts to continue pushing its standards in delivering value-added, world-class manufacturing in apparel that favors quality, value, and sustainable innovation.

The blog further discusses how important collaborations with organizations such as Epic Group are crucial to Cascale’s work to raise sustainability standards across the apparel industry through collective action with brands, manufacturers, and other stakeholders. Read the full blog here.

COLUMBUS, Ind., July 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Columbus, Indiana – Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) has published its latest annual Sustainability Progress Report, announcing key advancements in the company’s efforts to fulfill its mission of making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world. 

“This report clearly illustrates how our business and environmental strategies are intentionally and intricately aligned – how we are innovating for our customers to power their success, positively impacting our communities and protecting the planet for future generations,” said Cummins Chair and CEO Jennifer Rumsey. “The work we are doing is our mission in action; what we’ve always done and will continue to do.” 

Significant progress was made against the company’s environmental, social, and governance goals and aspirational targets in 2023 and early 2024. In addition, Cummins achieved record revenues of $31.4 billion and record operating cash flow of $4.0 billion in 2023, reflecting the successful execution of its product decarbonization and growth strategy, which it calls Destination Zero. 

“Our customer-driven, multi-solution approach with Destination Zero is reflective of our commitment to sustainability and helping our customers navigate the energy transition while growing our business,” Rumsey continued. “It is rooted in the understanding that a variety of technologies are required to achieve industry-wide decarbonization across the diverse applications we power. By advancing our core businesses as well as developing new, zero-emissions solutions through Accelera ™ by Cummins, we meet our customers’ needs today, deliver for our stakeholders and reduce our impact on the environment.” 

To that end, the company furthered its efforts to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from it facilities and operations, achieving a 31% reduction of its Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions in 2023. Key projects that contributed to the progress include: completing 24 onsite solar projects (66 in total) that increase use of renewable energy and reduce over 14,486 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) annually; and implementing 89 facility energy efficiency projects that will save over 5,433 metrics tons of CO₂ each year. 

In the communities in which company employees live and work, Cummins Water Works produced additional water benefits of one billion gallons, resulting in over 6.9 billion gallons of water benefits annually in Cummins communities. This far surpasses the company’s global water consumption of 972.3 million gallons. 

And Cummins’ strategic community initiatives have positively impacted the people in its global communities, including:

1.2 million people through Cummins Water Works since the program launched in 20214,000 graduates from Cummins TEC: Technical Education for Communities since the program launched in 2012625,122 women and girls (in 2023 alone) through its Cummins Powers Women program864 financial or technical services provided to Black-owned enterprises through Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) since the program launched in 2020

That impact is amplified by employee-led community engagement. The company intentionally identifies opportunities it can uniquely address through the connections and skills of its global employees. In 2023, 79% of eligible employees (61,000 total) participated in the company’s Every Employee Every Community program, contributing 343,000 hours and serving more than 3.2 million people. 

“We recognize that the health of our communities affects the health of our people and business,” Rumsey added. “A constant amidst this dynamic time in our industry is Cummins’ commitment to advancing our impactful community engagement model and creating an inclusive work environment in which people and innovation thrive. Embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into the fabric of our company continues to be central to this focus.” 
As Cummins’ diversity has increased, so too have its innovation, community impact and business results. It is how the company truly wins with the power of difference. Notably, in 2023, four out of five of Cummins’ business segments were led by women and nearly 40% of the company’s workforce in the U.S. were People of Color. 
The emphasis on DE&I starts at the very top of the company. Cummins currently has the most diverse leadership team in its history, and the company’s Board of Directors were awarded the National Association of Corporate Directors 2023 DE&I Diversity, Equity & Inclusion award for exemplary board practices related to DE&I. 
“Our company is at its best when we serve within a world and workplace where everyone is safe, included, involved and connected to our purpose and one another,” Rumsey concluded. “Cummins has a long history of leveraging the capability of our leaders and the diverse perspectives of our teams to deliver superior solutions to our customers and communities around the world.” 

The report is available on Cummins’ Sustainability Progress Report site. Past reports can be found there, along with the company’s 2024 Human Capital Management Report, and assurance statements on key environmental, social and governance data in the company’s 2023-24 report.

This story first appeared on Baker Hughes’ Energy Forward Stories

When Niharika hears the word “challenge,” her response is, “show me where!” 

Niharika is one of the lead field engineers with Baker Hughes in India and grew up in the country’s far northern city of Shimla. “It’s the Himalayan part of India where it’s very cold and even snowy,” she says. “In my five years with Baker Hughes, I have traveled across India and wherever I go it is mostly hot. In the initial period of my career, when I was an intern, I was working in 40 to 45-degree Celsius temperatures and that was a huge challenge for me.”

That’s not a complaint. “My mother and my grandmothers are very strong women and always encouraged me to push myself and never let me doubt myself,” says Niharika. “They have been role models. My grandmother was the principal of one of the big schools in our area, at a time when a woman being a principal was not conventional. They always told me ‘You’ll never know if you don’t try – even if it is risky’. It has made me somebody who likes to take up challenges and go out of my comfort zone.”

It’s one of the reasons that she wanted to get into the energy industry. “I always liked science and math and wanted to be an engineer, but I didn’t want to go down the traditional engineering path, which in India is computer science or civil or mechanical engineering. I wanted to study petroleum engineering.”

Plunging in the deep end

As she neared the completion of her Bachelor of Technology at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) in 2018, she joined Baker Hughes for a two-month internship in completions and well intervention where she was eager to put her major in Applied Petroleum Engineering to work. “I didn’t want to be pushing paper – I wanted to apply what I had learned.”

Despite still being in college, she says she was encouraged to contribute. “My seniors told me they wanted to see what I have to bring to the table and to learn from my fresh eyes,” she recalls. “I really liked that culture of promoting our views even though I was a junior.”

Fast forward to 2023, when Niharika was lead field engineer in the deployment of Proxima™ advanced logging services for one of our key customers in India, which led to two important gas discoveries in Mahanadi Basin in the Bay of Bengal.

What does well logging do?

Well logging allows a detailed record of the geologic formations penetrated by a borehole. The log is based on physical measurements made by geophysical tools lowered into the hole. With Proxima services, you’re assured no wasted runs. The logging assembly, with the application-specific Baker Hughes drill bit, gets you to total depth (TD) quickly. Log at up to 60 feet per minute while getting full-resolution, high-quality log data. The Proxima hardware platform uses on-the-fly data processing so that your data is complete and ready immediately after the logging run—letting you make critical operational and production decisions quickly.

Niharika was one of the very few engineers trained on the Proxima system in India, and she became the only female engineer to work offshore on the customer’s deep water offshore rig. “Proxima is a new technology with more applications than existing tools, so the customer wanted to use it offshore for the first time,” she says. “I had already executed the service for another client onshore in India – I jumped for this opportunity and was willing to execute it in offshore and broaden my experience.”

It was the first time the full suite of Proxima services had been deployed for this customer in deepwater segment.

Taking new technologies offshore

Niharika had the dual challenge of being the lead engineer launching the Proxima platform in deepwater for this customer and the only female to work on the rig. The operator ensured that the deepwater offshore rig was “female friendly” in terms of facilities (most rigs don’t even have dedicated washrooms for women).

Even so, taking the 45-minute helicopter flight out to the rig knowing she was there for 20 days on her first stint, would have been daunting for many people. Not for Niharika. “When I went there, I really liked the environment, I really enjoyed my job, and the entire experience was amazing,” says Niharika. “People had told me how difficult everything is out there, such as times when the internet is not working and there is no connectivity to the client or anyone else back on land. But all the people on the rig were very cooperative knowing it was my first experience offshore.”

Success in deepwater for the operator in India

While launching Proxima on the drillship, Niharika returned for one month following her first 20-day stint. “Because Proxima is an advanced logging tool, it enables us to save a lot of rig time for that deepwater rig, where operational costs are higher than shallow water rigs,” says Niharika. “By saving significant rig time we were able to save a lot of cost to the client.”

Niharika and her team were also able to use the Proxima technology to acquire the required data on the first pass on each of the three phases of logging. The wireline logging work meant significant savings for the customer. “They were very happy with that – we did not waste any time and they told us it was executed flawlessly.”

In January 2024, the customer wrote to Baker Hughes, thanking the team for the seamless deployment of Proxima and saying, “We would like to congratulate and express our sincere appreciation to the Baker Hughes wireline team for commendable job execution.”

Niharika says, “I am proud that I am able to contribute to wireline logging in India and bring more jobs to the team and to Baker Hughes.”

Challenge accepted and completed.