Tag: 3BL

PITTSBURGH, June 20, 2024 /3BL/ – Intelligent power management company Eaton is helping the University of Notre Dame establish new electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for use by its students, faculty, staff and maintenance fleet. The project will enable Notre Dame to meet growing demand for EV charging across its campus and accelerate progress toward its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

“The university is pleased to be collaborating with Eaton in this emerging market as we work to continue to find ways to expand and diversify our microgrid here on campus,” said Paul Kempf, assistant vice president for utilities and maintenance at Notre Dame. “The university’s relationship with Eaton has existed for over 30 years and has allowed our campus to benefit from a wide range of quality Eaton products, EV chargers and the associated software being just one example in a long line of successes.”

“We’re thrilled to build on our long history of collaboration with Notre Dame by supporting the university’s EV charging needs today and into the future,” said John Rhodes, president of Assemblies and Residential Solutions at Eaton. “As EV adoption picks up speed, we’re delivering the breakout hardware and software capabilities needed to help the university implement fast, convenient and affordable EV charging infrastructure.”

Eaton is providing its Green Motion Building chargers to help Notre Dame provide safe and reliable EV charging at its campus utility and maintenance buildings, commuter and faculty parking lots, an administrative building, bookstore, and art museum. The charging stations can be monitored and optimized using Eaton’s Charging Network Manager software, which is included with the chargers. The software helps streamline installation and enables Notre Dame to remotely oversee its charging stations, manage access control and monetization, and reduce costs with load management from a single, intuitive dashboard.

“The updated chargers and additional software will offer data to help us more fully understand use and demand for EV charging on campus,” said Geory Kurtzhals, senior director of sustainability at Notre Dame. “The insight offered can better inform decisions as we move forward.”

Learn more about Eaton’s EV charging infrastructure solutions.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy sources, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Eaton was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a century. We reported revenues of $23.2 billion in 2023 and serve customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Kristin Somers 
+1.919.345.3714 
Kristincsomers@eaton.com

Regina Parundik 
Cobblestone Communications 
+1.412.559.1614 
Regina@cobblecreative.com

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Originally published on June 5th on LinkedIn

At Sysco, our purpose is connecting the world to share food and care for one another. That’s why we’re honored to give $10,000 to the American Red Cross during their telethon and $10,000 to the Houston Food Bank to help aid their community efforts following the recent storms in Texas. Sysco colleagues at our Global Support Center also came together to donate shelf-stable, healthy food items and decorate lunch bags for a local non-profit, Kids’ Meals, Inc. which was impacted by the power outages in Houston.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 74,000 colleagues, the company operates 334 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 725,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2023 that ended July 1, 2023, the company generated sales of more than $76 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2022 Sustainability Report and 2022 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

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The Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) expands its scope to include environmental sustainability, helping to build trust, confidence, and clarity in expected standards across vital areas including the impact of farming, forestry and manufacturing. The SSCI will provide third-party environmental sustainability schemes with minimum criteria for industry-expected standards, developed in consultation with leading consumer goods manufacturers and retailers, and will offer companies guidelines against which to benchmark themselves. 

PARIS, June 20, 2024 /3BL/ – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is expanding the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI)’s scope for benchmarking and recognition to include environmental sustainability, as part of its ongoing commitment to provide a leading industry source for sustainability standards.

As businesses around the world continue to prioritise sustainability and push the envelope on corporate due diligence initiatives that protect the planet and people, complex supply chains can present a particularly difficult challenge. The SSCI brings together consumer goods companies from around the world to drive the global conversation on responsible sourcing and to help shape industry expectations for sustainability.

Today, the SSCI has expanded to include environmental sustainability, in addition to the existing social scope. The SSCI will now provide third-party accreditation schemes with minimum criteria for industry-expected standards of environmental sustainability across:

Primary production: The environmental impact of farming of agricultural commodities, including animal farming and field packing.Forestry: The environmental impact on forests of usage of fibre-based wood, paper and pulp.Manufacturing: The environmental impact of conversion and manufacturing sites, including all consumer goods and post farm gate activities.

Didier Bergeret, Sustainability Director of the CGF, said:

“Supply chains are vast, and businesses need guarantees that all stakeholders involved are adhering to sustainable practices. Created by the industry, for the industry, the SSCI supports organisations in their supply chain due diligence. The needs of people and our planet are intrinsically interlinked, so we must keep stepping up as an industry to build trust in social and environmental standards worldwide; extending the scope of our industry aligned criteria to include environmental standards is a critical part of this.”

“We encourage schemes and the industry to follow our social and environmental criteria and to take the leap and apply for benchmarking against our existing social and new environmental criteria.”

Many businesses are turning to third-party schemes and certifications to help them address the complexities of their supply chain visibility. With hundreds of schemes and programmes on the market, it can be difficult for organisations to know which programme to use. This can be made more challenging because not all schemes cover sustainability topics the same way.

The SSCI published its first benchmark in 2019, to recognise the third-party auditing, monitoring, and certification schemes that align to best practice in social sustainability. SSCI established minimum standards for companies’ primary production, manufacturing and processing, and at-sea operations. Since then, four schemes have been recognised under the social scope with several more in progress.

The expansion of the benchmark’s scope comes as regulation is rapidly evolving, with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation coming into effect at the end of 2024.

Tamara Muruetagoiena, Vice President of Sustainability at International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and Chair of the SSCI’s Environmental Working Group, said:

“Our supply chains have far-reaching impacts and can make a significant difference to environmental sustainability, ecosystem health and fair labour. As a responsible business, we know our supply chain approaches and standards need to stand up to scrutiny – and this is why ensuring trust in the environmental and social schemes we are all using is so critical.”

“By using recognised schemes for social and environmental sustainability, IFPA – and our peers across the sector – benefit from the additional layer of trust that comes from knowing SSCI Recognised standards meet the minimum requirements for sustainability as agreed by the industry.”

To find out more about the new environmental sustainability benchmark, download the criteria and apply for recognition, go to: benchmark.tcgfssci.com

It’s vital that we look after the planet for future generations, but that’s not the only reason to implement a sustainability strategy within your organisation. Cutting emissions, embracing the circular economy, and helping to keep already efficient devices running for longer makes sense from a financial point of view as well, and can even help your organisation to attract the best employees.

Of course, putting people and planet first should top your considerations, and an effective sustainability strategy can help towards limiting our impact on climate change, reducing waste, conserving resources, and protecting delicate eco-systems.

How legislation is helping to drive change

Legislation around ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and sustainability is beginning to shape industries around the world, with governments adopting increasingly stringent targets.

EU rules[1] already require large and listed companies in the European Union to publish regular reports on the social and environmental risks member state’s face, and on how their activities impact people and the environment. The regulations facing all organisations are only likely to become stricter.

According to Deloitte[2], the transition to a lower carbon and more sustainable society is reshaping the economy in Europe, creating new opportunities, and altering the cost of doing business. The implications are stark, the organisation explains. “Failing to become more sustainable will make companies vulnerable to the loss of revenue and reputation, as well as to litigation and regulatory penalties.”

It’s clear that simply ignoring sustainability is not an option for organisations in the long run, but there are also opportunities and benefits for businesses that implement a sustainability strategy sooner than later.

An effective sustainability strategy could also help you be more cost-effective

For starters, there’s potential to be more cost-effective. Scalable as-a-Service solutions such as Lenovo TruScale can help your business to simplify the procurement, deployment and management of reliable IT equipment, taking a flexible and cost-efficient approach to new levels of demand.

Embracing the latest energy-efficient devices can help your business to manage CO2 emissions and power consumption, potentially saving on operating costs, while also helping you to tackle challenges such as growing your business, simplifying security, and general maintenance.

There’s also scope to offset emissions when you do purchase new IT equipment, thanks to solutions such as Lenovo’s CO2 Offset Services. This service estimates the carbon emissions across the average lifecycle of the device from manufacturing to shipping, typical use, and end-of-life, and supports a variety of climate action projects.

Just because you buy new devices doesn’t necessarily mean your old equipment will end up in landfill. We do everything we can at Lenovo to ensure older devices get a second lease of life, and our Asset Recovery Service (ARS) is designed to maximise the reuse, recycling, and/or environmental disposal of replaced and end-of-life products, parts, and waste. And with Lenovo’s recently launched Certified Refurbished PCs, you have the option to buy quality refurbished IT equipment and support the circular economy.

Keep older energy-efficient technology running for longer

Naturally, there are plenty of organisations that don’t need to overhaul their tech stack. If your equipment is already energy efficient and performs well, your tech provider can also help you to keep your devices running for longer, doing your bit when it comes to reducing waste and conserving resources.

Solutions such as Lenovo Premier Support Plus come with Accidental Damage Protection (ADP)[3] as standard, which can make a big difference when it comes to device longevity and saving money. Compared to the cost of most common repairs or system replacements, for example, you could save between 50%-93%[4] with ADP, which could be the difference between keeping an old laptop for another couple of years or having to replace immediately.

Attracting top talent

Social and regulatory requirements aside, embracing sustainability can also enhance your company’s reputation. This can play a key role in helping you to attract and retain the best talent.

According to a survey from IBM[5], 71% of employees and employment seekers say that environmentally sustainable companies are more attractive employers. More than two-thirds of the full potential workforce* are more likely to apply for and accept jobs with environmentally and socially responsible organisations, and nearly half surveyed would accept a lower salary to work for such organisations.

The potential to grow your business

An effective sustainability strategy isn’t just appealing to potential employees – it’s becoming increasingly important to society at large. Consumers also care about sustainability, and your strategy could be the difference between customers picking your business or opting for a competitor.

Deloitte explains[6] a third (34%) of consumers stated their trust in brands would be improved if the brand was recognised as an ethical/sustainable provider by an independent third party. A similar proportion (32%) claimed that their trust in brands would be improved if the company had a transparent, accountable, and socially and environmentally responsible supply chain.

All of these factors add weight to the already critical importance of a sustainability strategy, not only because it makes sense to limit our impact on the planet, but because it also makes justifiable business sense.

It’s inevitable that you’ll need to embrace sustainability at some point if you want your business to thrive in the long term, so why not look at ways you can get ahead of your competition as part of the journey?

[1] EU Corporate sustainability reporting

[2] Deloitte – Sustainability Regulation Outlook 2024

[3] Dependent on market, parts, and hardware availability.

[4] Based on Lenovo internal data from NA, EMEA, and AP regions and cost of system board, LCD, and hard drive repairs on ThinkPad from April 2022 to April 2023.

[5] IBM – Sustainability at a turning point

* *Full potential workforce refers to survey respondents who are employed full-time or part-time, unemployed but currently seeking employment, or a full-time student or apprentice.

[6] Deloitte – The Sustainable Consumer, 2023

The energy sector plays a significant role in the global push to reign-in climate change. Currently, energy and heat utilities are the greatest contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. That, however, is changing. In the United States, the world’s second-largest producer of GHG emissions, a significant majority of utilities have committed to net-zero goals, a trend visible across both emerging and established economies around the globe.

Emissions inventories are a powerful tool for identifying sources of GHG emissions – a vital step in working toward net-zero goals. Read on to learn how these inventories can help energy sector businesses gain a clearer picture of Scope 3 emissions.

Scope 3 Emissions and the Energy Sector

Unlike direct emissions (Scope 1) or indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2), Scope 3 emissions encompass all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain. These can range from the extraction and production of purchased materials to the emissions associated with disposed products.

Scope 3 in the energy sector

In the energy sector, Scope 3 emissions often constitute the bulk of an energy company’s carbon footprint. This is due to the sector’s extensive supply chains and the energy-intensive nature of its products’ lifecycle, from extraction through to final consumption.

For example, the majority of Scope 3 emissions related to fossil fuel companies come from the extraction, refinement, and transportation of raw materials. For renewable energy firms, the largest source of Scope 3 emissions are in the manufacturing and transportation of materials for technology like solar panels or wind turbines.

Scope 3 challenges and opportunities

The sheer scale of emissions to track, coupled with the complexity of gathering reliable data from multiple sources across the supply chain, can make conducting a Scope 3 inventory daunting. There is also the added difficulty of engaging and incentivizing suppliers and customers to adopt greener practices.

However, the opportunities for improvement and innovation in this area are substantial and can lead to enhanced relationships with stakeholders, improved regulatory compliance, and increased attractiveness to investors looking for sustainable investment opportunities.

For example, some companies are setting targets based on rigorous criteria with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Science-based targets (SBTs) are greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets that are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. This agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

Setting science-based targets is a strategic move for businesses aiming to future-proof their operations, enhance their reputation, and contribute to global climate action. Specifically setting Scope 3 targets encourages businesses to work closely with their suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to reduce emissions across the entire value chain.

Regulatory Environment Surrounding Scope 3 Emissions

Regulations governing Scope 3 emissions reporting vary significantly, impacting how companies in the energy sector and beyond must navigate compliance and stakeholder expectations in different markets.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the European Union extends the reporting requirements for Scope 3 emissions to nearly all large companies and all companies listed on regulated markets (except listed micro-enterprises).In the United States, while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had proposed mandatory Scope 3 reporting, this requirement was eventually dropped.Several markets in the Asia Pacific region have announced new and pending regulations for the reporting of Scope 3 emissions.

The Methodology Behind Scope 3 Emissions Reporting

To effectively calculate and report on Scope 3 emissions, energy companies should follow established methodologies like those outlined in the GHG Protocol’s Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.

This standard provides a step-by-step framework to:

Identify emissions hotspots within your supply chain.Collect data from suppliers, which often requires robust supplier engagement and data management systems.Calculate emissions using approved models and conversion factors that translate activity data (like amount of fuel used or distance traveled) into greenhouse gas emissions.

Given the indirect nature of Scope 3 emissions, implementing a systematic approach to data management can help ensure accuracy and completeness of data collected. It’s best to use a mix of actual data and estimates where precise data is unavailable and apply conservative assumptions to avoid underreporting. Regularly update and refine data collection methods as more precise information and better technologies become available.

Best Practices for Scope 3 Emissions Inventories

Following these best practices can help energy companies effectively manage measuring and reporting on Scope 3 emissions.

Assess your value chain
Begin with a thorough assessment of your entire value chain to identify where emissions are generated outside of direct operations. This involves mapping out all activities from raw material acquisition through to product end-of-life.

Establish strong data collection processes
Gather accurate and comprehensive emissions data from across the full supply chain. Collaboration with suppliers and partners helps ensure data completeness and reliability.

Implement regular monitoring and reporting
Establish mechanisms to track the effectiveness of emissions reduction strategies. Transparency in reporting contributes to building trust with stakeholders and helps track progress against set goals.

While an initial Scope 3 inventory is a substantial undertaking, there are resources available to help ease the load. Learn how Antea Group’s team of sustainability experts can help you navigate the GHG inventory process.

Eastman

The wins for sustainability came quickly when Eastman and regional grocer Food City officially launched their new Shop, Recycle, Repeat recycling program in Kingsport, Tennessee.

“We had people bring bag upon bag of plastic,” said Eastman’s Jacquelyn Keeney. “They had been collecting their plastic for weeks since we first announced the program.”

Steve Smith, Food City’s CEO, was among those who brought a bag of plastic from home. On the first day the recycling bin was ready to receive, Smith deposited plastic.

“Seeing the level of support of leadership at Eastman and Food City has been inspiring,” said Meghana Diwanji. “They made sure there were no roadblocks that would prevent this from happening.”

Keeney and Diwanji are key members of an Eastman team that worked with their Food City counterparts to bring plastic recycling to Kingsport. In the first month, the early community response was overwhelming, said Keeney, a circular economy project leader at Eastman. “We’ve collected a lot of plastic so far — 3,000 pounds in the first month,” she said.

How the recycling program works 

Three Food City stores in Kingsport have large recycling bins that are clearly wrapped with Shop, Recycle, Repeat information and a QR code that connects to a website with recycling locations, demonstration videos, FAQs and more. Eastman will use a wide range of hard-to-recycle plastic packaging to feed its new molecular recycling plant in Kingsport, one of the largest in the world.

It’s worth bookmarking the Shop, Recycle, Repeat website, as more Food City locations will be added in the future. This program is one prime example of Eastman’s commitment to collaborations that drive community recycling.

Changing the future of recycling 

Food City has a growing footprint across the region of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and has more than 150 stores in five Southeast states.

“Once we establish the program in Kingsport, we’ll be working to bring this to additional stores throughout our region,” Smith said. “We’re excited about this opportunity, and we’re even more excited to partner with Eastman as they change the future of recycling as we know it.”

The capabilities of the new molecular recycling facility made Shop, Recycle, Repeat possible. Still, Eastman’s facility can recycle so much plastic that items collected in the Food City bins will essentially be a drop in the bucket.  Eastman’s new recycling plant can process more than 110,000 tons each year, the equivalent of 11 billion single-use water bottles.

“If we collected 100% of the plastic in the nine Northeast Tennessee counties for a year, it would run our facility for 12 days,” Keeney said. “It’s not a needle mover in terms of the feedstock Eastman needs, but it’s important for the community. That’s what I remember when Food City toured the recycling plant. After the tour, leaders from Food City and Eastman sat down at a table and said, ‘Whatever it takes, we need to do this for the community.’ ”

The project’s pilot phase will not only help the community make a difference in reversing the plastic waste crisis but also provide learnings that Eastman and Food City can apply elsewhere.

“What’s extraordinary about this program is that we can make a difference not only in this community, but also others as this program grows to additional Food City stores,” Keeney said. “We’re going to be able to provide a recycling option to very rural communities that would never otherwise have the opportunity because it’s just not economically sustainable for some municipalities.”

Brad Lich, Eastman executive vice president and chief commercial officer, reiterated an important point. Innovation like Eastman molecular recycling is essential for positive change, but technologies alone aren’t enough. It will take partnerships — like the one between Eastman and Food City — to give our society a recycling system for the modern age.

“We’re happy to call this beautiful area home, and we want to work together to protect what we have here,” Lich said. “That’s why we’re doing what we do at Eastman.”

June 19 marks Juneteenth, the observance of the ending of slavery in the United States. As noted in the official holiday proclamation, Juneteenth is a day of “profound weight and power.” It commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally were told they were free. That date came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and months after the end of the Civil War.

Fifth Third’s Northern Ohio Multicultural Business Resource Group invited employees across the Bank’s footprint to participate in the Enterprise virtual Juneteenth celebration featuring Kris Garrett, group regional president, head of Wealth & Asset Management and co-executive advocate of the African American Enterprise BRG. The celebration also included Alandes Powell, co-founder and executive director of Black Art Speaks, in a discussion about the history of Juneteenth.

“We felt it was important to highlight the significance of Juneteenth to help educate others,” said Brandon Thompkins, financial center manager in Maple Heights, Ohio, and one of the employees who helped plan the event. “Personally, I was not well read or educated on the history behind the celebration until it became a federal holiday. This is an opportunity for all of us to learn more.”

India Jenkins, float pool program manager in North Canton, Ohio, and fellow event coordinator, agreed: “Understanding how Juneteenth relates to the freedoms we now have allows us to fully participate in the celebration that this day represents.”

Business Resource Groups across Fifth Third Bank’s footprint are honoring Juneteenth in a variety of ways:

In the Carolinas, watch parties for the Enterprise virtual event were held in Raleigh, Greeneville and Charlotte. Employees in Charlotte also were invited to an evening event for networking and connection.In Chicago, the African American BRG hosted a watch party for the virtual Enterprise Juneteenth event. Later in June, the group is supporting a panel on financial literacy, which will be followed by a networking opportunity.In Cincinnati, employees and their families are invited to the fifth annual Juneteenth Block Party, sponsored by Fifth Third. The African American BRG led a series of events to celebrate this year’s Juneteenth holiday. The group hosted a booth at the annual Block Party and a lunch-and-learn featuring guest speakers and networking focused on African American influence on western and country culture.In Kentucky, the African American BRG is sponsoring the fifth annual Louisville Juneteenth Festival. Members will work a booth, representing the Bank in the community.In Florida, the Central Florida African American BRG will attend the Juneteenth Celebration in Kissimmee, hosting a booth and inviting employees, their families and friends to attend.The Northern Ohio Multicultural BRG will host an in-person event, in addition to planning the virtual Enterprise-wide event. The internal event will celebrate Juneteenth with a discussion on history and food samples that reflect African American culture.

Gilead and Kite Pharma teams raised Pride Month flags at our campuses last week symbolizing our united support for LGBTQ+ communities globally. Our commitment to inclusion and diversity is vital to our mission and will help us create a healthier world for all people.

Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Originally published by Gilead Sciences

Eligible nonprofits may apply for a $25,000 grant now through July 12

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 19, 2024 /3BL/ – The Duke Energy Foundation is accepting grant applications to award $700,000 in total funding to help North Carolina communities increase their resiliency against major weather events and other natural disasters.

The application process is open now through July 12.

“We’re proud to partner with emergency management teams, first responders and nonprofits to strengthen local communities in a way that will reduce the impacts of climate challenges, both present and future,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Given North Carolina’s impressive growth, achieving this will require collaboration with local organizations undertaking critical resilience preparedness work across the state.”

To qualify for grant funding consideration, organizations must meet the criteria outlined here. Nonprofits and governmental agencies must register in the online grant system by June 28 to be eligible to submit their applications by July 12. Applicants may request funds up to $25,000.

Grant applications may include, but are not limited to, projects that focus on:

Heightened collaboration across agencies, sectors and communities in local disaster preparedness and response. 
 Organized and innovative planning initiatives for local communities to prepare for natural disasters and extreme weather. 
 Local storm preparedness trainings, materials, kits, and other community engagement and education initiatives. 
 Emergency communication tools for natural disaster scenarios. 
 Specialized training for first responders for natural disaster scenarios. 
 Improved outcomes for low-income and under-resourced communities experiencing natural disasters and extreme weather. 
 Equipment necessary for severe weather rescues to preserve human life.

This is a long-standing priority of the Foundation, which has awarded nearly $2.4 million to support the state’s disaster preparedness since 2019.

“The preparedness grant we received last year from the Duke Energy Foundation has truly benefitted emergency responders throughout our country,” said Rodney Cates, Rockingham County Emergency Services Director. “We were able to purchase an advanced identification system to boost accountability during emergent events and drone software that enables us to provide live footage back to the command post to improve situational awareness. The grant also allowed us to upgrade our Emergency Operations Center with new data-connected equipment to enhance overall emergency response capabilities.”

“The 2022 Duke Energy Emergency Preparedness Grant has been instrumental in allowing Brunswick County Emergency Management to be better prepared to support countywide damage assessments and search and rescue efforts in isolated and hard to reach areas,” said David McIntire, Emergency Management Director. “We were very fortunate to receive this funding and look forward to our continued relationship with Duke Energy.”

Duke Energy Foundation 
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

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

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

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

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Originally published on the Workiva Newsroom

NEW YORK, June 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK), a global leader in assured integrated reporting, announced the launch of Workiva Carbon. The new offering advances its ESG & Sustainability Platform for organizations to support the requirements of global climate regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), SEC’s climate disclosure rules, and California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and Climate-Related Financial Risk Act (SB 261). Workiva Carbon simplifies the management of net zero targets that thousands of organizations have established voluntarily to meet international guidelines, respond to stakeholder demands for transparency, and better compete in the global economy.

With Workiva Carbon, companies can:

Measure: Collect real-time data from their ERP platforms, accounting systems, and utility providers, and track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across facilities and locations using thousands of externally validated emissions factors that cover 240+ countries and territories. This data enables companies to automatically calculate carbon emissions across scope 1, 2, and 3.Manage: Create supplier engagement surveys with easy-to-fill forms that capture and connect critical data to reports and dashboards, enabling them to set science-based targets and reduction pathways, assess ESG risk, and take steps to decarbonize the supply chain.Collaborate: Gather, share, and link the same set of trusted data to deliverables across business functions–including sustainability, accounting, finance, audit, risk, legal, and more–without the risks associated with manual edits, multiple versions, downloads of disparate spreadsheets, or last-minute changes.Report: Automatically align emissions data to voluntary and mandated frameworks created within the Workiva platform and deliver consistent disclosures for regulators, investors, and other audit-ready stakeholders, thanks to full data lineage and history, attached evidence, and granular permissions.

“The launch of Workiva Carbon enhances Workiva’s established and leading ESG platform, positioning us to help businesses advance their sustainability efforts,” said Julie Iskow, president and chief executive officer of Workiva. “Now our customers can streamline Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions tracking, set science-based targets, and meet stakeholder demands amidst the changing investor and regulatory landscape. Bringing these carbon capabilities into our platform highlights our unwavering commitment to providing our customers a comprehensive solution for Financial reporting, ESG, and GRC.”

Workiva Carbon combines technology and expertise from our recent Sustain.Life acquisition with the power of the Workiva platform. Sustain.Life has been helping companies with their carbon accounting and emissions reporting across industries worldwide since its inception. We are delighted to welcome the Sustain.Life team of experts with their industry-leading technology to Workiva. Together, we can make an even greater impact and accelerate our mission to power transparent reporting for a better world. 

Click here to learn more.

About Workiva

Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) is on a mission to power transparent reporting for a better world. We build and deliver the world’s leading cloud platform for assured, integrated reporting to meet stakeholder demands for action, transparency, and disclosure of financial and non-financial data. Workiva offers the only unified SaaS platform that brings customers’ financial reporting, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) together in a controlled, secure, audit-ready platform. Our platform simplifies the most complex reporting and disclosure challenges by streamlining processes, connecting data and teams, and ensuring consistency. Learn more at workiva.com