Tag: 3BL

NEW YORK and LONDON, July 2, 2024 /3BL/ – AccountAbility was honored to host Chairman Myung-Soo Kang and the Korean Standards Association (KSA) at the University Club of New York on Friday, June 21, 2024, to continue our partnership towards advancing sustainability reporting and disclosure. 

AccountAbility CEO, Mr. Sunny Misser, and KSA Chairman, Mr. Myung-Soo Kang, signed the AA1000 training licensing agreement, which enables the KSA to continue delivering AA1000 training courses to practitioners in the region.

Chairman Kang was joined by Professor Chul Woo Moon, a Professor in Strategy at the Sungkyunkwan University business school and a member of the GSG Working Group for Impact Wholesale Fund, and Sung-Sik Kwon, a Director of ESG at KSA.

AccountAbility also welcomed guests from The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) to reinforce our strong relationship with their Chair – Ms. Gabriela Figueiredo Dias – as part of our push to build strong global networks with other standards bodies. These guests included James Gunn, IFEA, Secretary and Treasurer, and IAASB, IESBA, and IPSASB Managing Director, and Principals, Kam Leung and Jon Reid.

With the ever-evolving global landscape of ESG regulations and standards, these partnerships represent the shared commitment that entities like AccountAbility, KSA and IESBA make to educate businesses about the importance of high-quality sustainability disclosures and assurance for greater transparency, performance, and impact.

Contact: 
Ms. Rachel Rose 
AccountAbility 
Global Head of Operations 
Email: rachel.rose@accountability.org 
Web: www.accountability.org

About AccountAbility: 

AccountAbility is a specialist global Consulting and Standards firm that works with businesses, investors, governments, and multilateral organizations to innovate and advance the global Sustainability/ ESG agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organizations. The firm focuses on delivering practical, effective, and enduring results that enable our clients to succeed.

AccountAbility is a Public Benefit Corporation, operating globally through a highly qualified team from offices in New York, London, Riyadh, and Dubai. The firm is the recipient of multiple business awards from the Financial Times, Forbes, and Capital Finance International, and its website is archived with the United States Library of Congress. Learn more at www.accountability.org.

BROOKLYN /3BL/ – National Grid’s New York President Rudy Wynter has been appointed to the inaugural board of directors for the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s first ever agency-related foundation.

“I am honored to have been appointed to serve as an inaugural board member of FESI and thrilled that the DOE’s first ever agency-related Foundation will focus on a topic I care deeply about – developing transformative technological solutions to the greatest challenges of our time,” said Wynter. “A key pillar of National Grid’s mission is accelerating New York’s clean energy transition through innovation, research, and investments in groundbreaking technologies. I’m proud to play a role in this important work and look forward to working with partners in New York and across the country to support new innovations that will enable us to achieve our clean energy goals.”

“FESI offers an unparalleled opportunity for support and advancement in our nation’s rapid and equitable transition to a clean energy economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The FESI Board of Directors will help meet the Department’s goals, and bring alive the biggest, boldest solutions to the challenges of our time.”

Authorized through the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, FESI is an independent non-profit entity that supports DOE in its critical mission to ensure America’s continued security and prosperity through transformative science and technology solutions for addressing energy and environmental challenges.

Once established, FESI will help accelerate the commercialization of new and existing energy technologies by raising and investing funds through engagements with the private sector and philanthropic communities. The Foundation will help DOE provide additional resources, tools, and capacities for potential partners and communities across the country – supporting solutions-driven research and innovation that strengthens America’s energy and national security while helping achieve the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious clean energy goals.

Since 1959, twelve agency-related independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations have been created, which have averaged a return of $67 for every dollar in federal contributions.

As directed in the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, DOE identified individuals to serve on FESI’s governing board. Board members will have the opportunity to set priorities for FESI, make key hires including the executive director, establish bylaws and governance structure, as well as actively fundraise for FESI activities and initiatives – including fostering public-private partnerships, investing in companies commercializing critical energy technologies, supporting underrepresented groups and regions responding to DOE funding opportunities, and tackling a wide variety of systemic and distributed federal, state, and local deployment challenges.

The board members represent some of the nation’s top leaders in energy and related sectors. In addition to Wynter, the inaugural board includes:

The Honorable Vicky A. Bailey, Founder and CEO, Anderson Stratton Enterprises LLC. Chair of United States Energy Association (USEA). Former Assistant Secretary, Domestic Policy and International Affairs, U. S. Department of Energy.Dr. Noël Bakhtian, Director of Tech Acceleration, Bezos Earth Fund. Former Executive Director of the Energy Storage Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Former senior leadership team at Idaho National Laboratory.The Honorable Miranda Ballentine, an industry expert with 25 years of experience in the retail, defense, energy, utilities, and infrastructure sectors. Ballentine is devoted to accelerating clean energy for national security, economic prosperity, and solving climate change.The Honorable Rita Baranwal, Senior Vice President, Westinghouse Electric Company. Former Assistant Secretary, Nuclear Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy.Mike Boots, Executive Vice President, Breakthrough Energy and Former Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.Dr. Mung Chiang, President and Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor, Purdue University. Former Science and Technology Advisor to U.S. Secretary of State.Noelle Laing, Chief Investment Officer, Builders Initiative, Builders Vision.The Honorable Kathleen A. McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer, Johnson Controls. Former Environmental Advisor & Chair of White House Council on Environmental Quality. Former Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.Tomeka McLeod, Vice President Hydrogen, US, bp.Nancy E. Pfund, Founder and Managing Partner of DBL Partners, a pioneer impact investing venture capital firm driving strong financial returns while promoting social change and environmental improvement.Stephen Pearse, Managing Director, Yucatán Rock Ventures.Jason Walsh, Executive Director, BlueGreen Alliance. Former Director of the Office of Strategic Programs in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Former Senior Policy Advisor in the White House Domestic Policy Council.

In addition to the appointed individuals, the authorizing statute language names four (4) Ex-Officio nonvoting board members from designated DOE Leadership positions:

Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy.Dr. Geri Richmond, Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, U.S. Department of Energy.Jill Hruby, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration.Dr. Vanessa Chan, Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of the Office of Technology Transitions.

The Office of Technology Transition (OTT) within DOE will serve as a formal liaison to FESI as the Foundation works to advance the goals of the Department and support technology commercialization.

Learn more about FESI and how it will complement DOE’s efforts to combat the climate crisis and enhance the nation’s energy security.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.

Media Contacts 
Karen Young 
Downstate New York 
(929) 324-4809

A New Holland special edition T7.300 tractor made a colourful impression with pupils, parents and teachers when it rolled into St Anne Line Catholic Junior School in Basildon, England.

New Holland, a brand of CNH, produced the tractor, adorned in psychedelic livery, to celebrate 60 years of manufacturing at the Basildon plant. The plant opened in 1964 when swinging London was at its peak.

The tractor was taken to the school as part of King Charles’ nationwide campaign, The Big Help Out. The campaign’s aim is to showcase the benefits of volunteering to encourage more people to give back to their communities.

The Basildon Plant team attended the event to strengthen the link between the tractor plant, one of the area’s biggest employers, and the community.

Prior to The Big Help Out CNH also ran a tractor knowledge, colouring and drawing competition with the school where pupils could win prizes.

Kasia Camargo, who works in quality assurance at the UK’s Basildon Tractor Plant, said: “As a proud employee I felt it would be a great opportunity to spread awareness of the company and its brands. Having our tractor there on display attracted families to take part in the event and also promoted a conversation about what we do in Basildon and globally. This year, children, parents and teachers were extremely excited to see the special edition T7.300 built on their doorstep. Another generation of young farmers and future tractor fanatics in the making.”

From comedies and dramas to musicals and contemporary works, The Ensemble Theatre is lifting the curtain on culture and letting creativity take center stage.

“The arts teach more than the basics,” says Eileen Morris, artistic director at Houston-based Ensemble Theatre. “Our young performers learn theatre, dance, music and writing, but there are other basic skills you’re learning that you will use for the rest of your life.”

Such skills include learning how to build confidence when speaking to others, expressing oneself with clear communication, taking direction and working in teams.

You could say that students of theatre learn how to be part of an ensemble.

Since its inception in 1976, The Ensemble Theatre has produced fifteen world premieres and over 100 regional productions out of Houston. More than 200 artists, including actors, crew designers and distinguished teaching guests, work with the theatre annually.

“We are an arts non-profit, but we’re still a business,” says Donald Mason, managing director at The Ensemble Theatre. “We steward relationships with our business communities to get them as involved as possible with the incredible engagement we have here.”

While many have heard of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the theatre also embraces the concept of STEAM to include the arts among the fields that are commonly associated with problem solving, innovation and critical thinking. The revised acronym is growing swiftly in popularity among business and educational audiences.

“That one letter can make such a big difference,” says Mason. “It adds an extra layer of creativity and encourages young thinkers to explores different alternatives to a question or problem.”

June 19 is Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 when more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas received news of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Enbridge has a history of supporting The Ensemble Theatre for more than 40 years. In 2023, a $10,000 Enbridge Fueling Futures grant supported the theatre with its 2023 holiday production of A Motown Christmas, featuring classics from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5.

“We sent out a survey after that show, which was months ago now, and we are still getting responses,” says Mason. “The energy was really special—people were holding back their claps and snaps.”

The Ensemble Theatre doesn’t reserve its entertainment and education for ticketholders only. The institution runs multiple residencies and in-school programs that teach youth about theatre, such as its Young Performers Program catered towards those aged 6 through 17 in the Houston area.

“The arts are well-celebrated in Houston,” says Mason. “Yes, we are putting professionals on a stage and providing entertainment, but we want people to find their creative self in that process.”

Fans can attend any of the six mainstage plays the theatre puts on each year. The theatre’s next production, Pullman Porter Blues, begins June 28 and runs through July 28.

Morris, who has been with the theatre since the mid-1980s with founder George Hawkins, has a simple goal with each production: “It’s all about bringing families together to enjoy the artistic experience that makes you want to get up on your feet and scream and shout—because it stirs your soul.”

From comedies and dramas to musicals and contemporary works, The Ensemble Theatre is lifting the curtain on culture and letting creativity take center stage.

“The arts teach more than the basics,” says Eileen Morris, artistic director at Houston-based Ensemble Theatre. “Our young performers learn theatre, dance, music and writing, but there are other basic skills you’re learning that you will use for the rest of your life.”

Such skills include learning how to build confidence when speaking to others, expressing oneself with clear communication, taking direction and working in teams.

You could say that students of theatre learn how to be part of an ensemble.

Since its inception in 1976, The Ensemble Theatre has produced fifteen world premieres and over 100 regional productions out of Houston. More than 200 artists, including actors, crew designers and distinguished teaching guests, work with the theatre annually.

“We are an arts non-profit, but we’re still a business,” says Donald Mason, managing director at The Ensemble Theatre. “We steward relationships with our business communities to get them as involved as possible with the incredible engagement we have here.”

While many have heard of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the theatre also embraces the concept of STEAM to include the arts among the fields that are commonly associated with problem solving, innovation and critical thinking. The revised acronym is growing swiftly in popularity among business and educational audiences.

“That one letter can make such a big difference,” says Mason. “It adds an extra layer of creativity and encourages young thinkers to explores different alternatives to a question or problem.”

June 19 is Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 when more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas received news of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Enbridge has a history of supporting The Ensemble Theatre for more than 40 years. In 2023, a $10,000 Enbridge Fueling Futures grant supported the theatre with its 2023 holiday production of A Motown Christmas, featuring classics from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5.

“We sent out a survey after that show, which was months ago now, and we are still getting responses,” says Mason. “The energy was really special—people were holding back their claps and snaps.”

The Ensemble Theatre doesn’t reserve its entertainment and education for ticketholders only. The institution runs multiple residencies and in-school programs that teach youth about theatre, such as its Young Performers Program catered towards those aged 6 through 17 in the Houston area.

“The arts are well-celebrated in Houston,” says Mason. “Yes, we are putting professionals on a stage and providing entertainment, but we want people to find their creative self in that process.”

Fans can attend any of the six mainstage plays the theatre puts on each year. The theatre’s next production, Pullman Porter Blues, begins June 28 and runs through July 28.

Morris, who has been with the theatre since the mid-1980s with founder George Hawkins, has a simple goal with each production: “It’s all about bringing families together to enjoy the artistic experience that makes you want to get up on your feet and scream and shout—because it stirs your soul.”

Southern Company

Southern Company is a leader in the development and deployment of technologies that deliver on our commitment to clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to customers. As our generation fleet grows to meet evolving customer energy needs, we remain committed to our goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Our growing portfolio of low- and zero-carbon resources will play an integral role in meeting this goal, along with other emerging clean technology solutions.

As we continue our journey to net-zero GHG emissions, many customers are increasingly seeking visibility into their carbon emissions to better inform decarbonization strategies. As an example, Southern Company recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), representing all U.S. government agencies, both civilian and defense, to work together to develop a process for the certification and reporting of Renewable Energy Certificates and Scope 2 emissions, including hourly time matching of load and generation, for electricity delivered to federal facilities within Southern Company’s service footprint.

To respond to customer expectations like those of the U.S. government, Southern Company has engaged Singularity Energy, an advanced carbon and clean energy management software platform for utilities and grid operators. The grid carbon data platform is aimed at offering transparency to customers regarding their energy mix. Founded by a team with diverse expertise in power systems, carbon accounting and software development, Singularity is backed by Energy Impact Partners and other energy investors.

Southern Company is collaborating with Singularity to develop a platform that can provide hourly energy emissions data. The collaboration will leverage operational data from our generation fleet and unique customer usage data to provide robust reporting capabilities required by the U.S. government and other customers as they scale clean energy and program participation within Southern Company’s service footprint.

“Tying carbon emissions to a specific customer’s usage is complex, and as we continue to innovate, collaborations like this one with Singularity will help us more efficiently and economically advance emerging solutions our customers expect,” said Clay Rikard, vice president of System Planning for Southern Company.

Southern Company remains at the forefront of delivering sustainable energy solutions. Our commitment to research and development and creative collaborations is essential to developing innovative solutions to meet customer needs.

Southern Company

Southern Company is a leader in the development and deployment of technologies that deliver on our commitment to clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to customers. As our generation fleet grows to meet evolving customer energy needs, we remain committed to our goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Our growing portfolio of low- and zero-carbon resources will play an integral role in meeting this goal, along with other emerging clean technology solutions.

As we continue our journey to net-zero GHG emissions, many customers are increasingly seeking visibility into their carbon emissions to better inform decarbonization strategies. As an example, Southern Company recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), representing all U.S. government agencies, both civilian and defense, to work together to develop a process for the certification and reporting of Renewable Energy Certificates and Scope 2 emissions, including hourly time matching of load and generation, for electricity delivered to federal facilities within Southern Company’s service footprint.

To respond to customer expectations like those of the U.S. government, Southern Company has engaged Singularity Energy, an advanced carbon and clean energy management software platform for utilities and grid operators. The grid carbon data platform is aimed at offering transparency to customers regarding their energy mix. Founded by a team with diverse expertise in power systems, carbon accounting and software development, Singularity is backed by Energy Impact Partners and other energy investors.

Southern Company is collaborating with Singularity to develop a platform that can provide hourly energy emissions data. The collaboration will leverage operational data from our generation fleet and unique customer usage data to provide robust reporting capabilities required by the U.S. government and other customers as they scale clean energy and program participation within Southern Company’s service footprint.

“Tying carbon emissions to a specific customer’s usage is complex, and as we continue to innovate, collaborations like this one with Singularity will help us more efficiently and economically advance emerging solutions our customers expect,” said Clay Rikard, vice president of System Planning for Southern Company.

Southern Company remains at the forefront of delivering sustainable energy solutions. Our commitment to research and development and creative collaborations is essential to developing innovative solutions to meet customer needs.

Originally published on Microsoft Customer Stories.

CARE works around the world to fight poverty and promote equality, including by responding to crises. It is using AI to better understand emergency preparedness in its country offices so it can act without delay when lives are on the line. A solution built in Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service enables CARE to analyze open-ended survey responses to gauge emergency readiness, identify areas of improvement, and prepare for crises.

Crises are compounding globally. Food insecurity and inflation are skyrocketing. Climate-borne disasters are increasing. In 2023, one in six people were estimated to have been exposed to conflict. The global development nonprofit CARE knows that women bear the brunt of crisis in impacts to their livelihoods, health, and safety. Yet women are also on the front lines of crisis response. After surveying more than 15,000 women in 15 countries, CARE found that 91% led or actively participated in community response. They provide meals and shelter, advocate for change, and offer health services—all to make communities safer.

Read the full blog on Microsoft Customer Stories here.

Originally published on Microsoft Customer Stories.

CARE works around the world to fight poverty and promote equality, including by responding to crises. It is using AI to better understand emergency preparedness in its country offices so it can act without delay when lives are on the line. A solution built in Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service enables CARE to analyze open-ended survey responses to gauge emergency readiness, identify areas of improvement, and prepare for crises.

Crises are compounding globally. Food insecurity and inflation are skyrocketing. Climate-borne disasters are increasing. In 2023, one in six people were estimated to have been exposed to conflict. The global development nonprofit CARE knows that women bear the brunt of crisis in impacts to their livelihoods, health, and safety. Yet women are also on the front lines of crisis response. After surveying more than 15,000 women in 15 countries, CARE found that 91% led or actively participated in community response. They provide meals and shelter, advocate for change, and offer health services—all to make communities safer.

Read the full blog on Microsoft Customer Stories here.

Set in the heart of London, American Express Presents BST Hyde Park has become a staple in the summer festival calendar, featuring legendary global performers in the capital’s celebrated Royal Park. AEG Europe, the world leader in live sport and entertainment and operator of the iconic festival, has announced their upcoming series will be the company’s most sustainable festival yet, with several new initiatives set to minimize environmental impacts.

Sustainability is a key driver behind the company’s business decisions and with several new environmentally responsible initiatives in place, the company has heralded the 2024 season as their most sustainable run of festivals to date. From removing carbon emissions to partnerships with Lowr and Keep Britain Tidy, the company’s efforts illustrate their commitment to catalysing the influence of live entertainment to preserve the planet and safeguard it for future generations.

Speaking to sustainability measures at BST Hyde Park, AEG Europe’s Director of Sustainability, Sam Booth says: “Over the course of 10 shows across three weekends, we will have the opportunity to engage with hundreds of thousands of fans. We are acutely aware of our position and believe we have a responsibility to influence fan behaviour and drive sustainable change and in doing so, we’re helping to not only preserve the planet but also the future of live entertainment.”

AEG Europe’s sustainability measures in place at BST Hyde Park 2024 include:

Eliminating Scope 1 & 2 Emissions | Carbon Removals & Carbon Labelling 

Achieving net zero emissions is critical for the environment and AEG Europe is already working toward a verifiable net zero strategy. In February 2024, the company made history by hosting the world’s first carbon-removed arena events at The O2 in London, which saw the extraction and removal of 545.9 tonnes across the four shows – the equivalent yearly electricity usage of 395 average homes.

Acting on key learnings from the pilot events, the festival is continuing to reduce emissions while pursuing accurate measurement for the remaining unavoidable ones. Using Biochar for carbon capture, BST Hyde Park will then fund the removal of all Scope 1 and 2 emissions, making this AEG Europe’s most carbon-friendly festival series to date.

The AEG team has also worked with A Greener Future to measure the environmental impact of each meal served across the festival and ensure this information is across all menus, with a traffic light system to highlight the most environmentally friendly offerings. Not only does this help to educate fans in their food choices, but it also acts as a reminder to traders of the impact their ingredient choices can have on the world around them, helping to encourage traders to think green for all future events.

Effective Waste Management 

AEG Europe is committed to sending zero waste to landfill and is looking to build on the principles of the circular economy to all venues and festivals. BST Hyde Park will see the use of 100% compostable serveware across the site, with a limited reusable cup system being trialled in controlled areas. Waste handling has also been improved, with clearer signage, an on-site waste baler and on-site crews to help fans separate their waste correctly.

Working in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, BST Hyde Park will also see a new waste reduction initiative for 2024. In a move to change fan behaviour around the disposal of cigarette butts, portable ashtrays will be handed out to combat the UK’s largest source of litter. An e-cigarette collect-and-recycle scheme will also be implemented across the site for the safe disposal of soft plastics and batteries.

Data Capture | Partnering with Sustainable Fan Travel Platform Lowr

AEG Europe’s customer engagement teams have formed a partnership with a sustainability platform Lowr. Lowr have created a bespoke platform for ticket holders to log their journey to the event and help the festival to understand and quantify the full carbon impact of their travel. This information can then be used in subsequent years to help inform policies and strategies for tackling this large chunk of the festival’s impact.

Sustainable Energy & Power Supply

BST Hyde Park will benefit from an enhanced power supply from both biodiesel generators and batteries this summer. After successfully trialling a new battery system at the event in 2023, the team has made significant energy efficiencies in a more economical power supply. These enhancements ensure the entire workflow operates at optimum efficiency to drive down overall fuel usage across the site.

BST Hyde Park 2024 is one of the festival’s most musically diverse years yet, featuring hundreds of global acts, and iconic headliners including Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, pop legends Robbie Williams and Kylie, alongside country music royalty Shania Twain and Morgan Wallen.