Tag: 3BL

Marks the 20th year of voluntary sustainability reporting from the CompanyIncludes comprehensive disclosures in accordance with leading standards and frameworks for accountability and transparency

MIDLAND, Mich., June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Dow (NYSE: DOW) released its 2023 INtersections Report today, highlighting how the Company is advancing its ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. The report also highlights Dow’s environmental, social and governance commitments to deliver long-term value and best-in-class performance through innovation and strategic collaborations that will support a more sustainable future.

The report affirms Dow’s focus on four key areas that are critical to its business and stakeholders, including protecting the climate, advancing a circular economy and safer materials, cultivating a thriving team and community, and driving accountability and best-in-class performance.

“This year’s report demonstrates how Team Dow is putting our ambition into action and collaborating to create innovative, sustainable solutions through our materials science,” said Dow chair and CEO Jim Fitterling. “Sustainability and inclusion are key drivers of our growth and are integral to how we create value for our customers, communities and shareholders. In 2023, we continued to make progress toward our targets while driving positive change for people and the planet.”

The 2023 report marks the 20th year of voluntary sustainability reporting from Dow and sixth year of inclusion, diversity and equity reporting.

Notable accomplishments outlined in this year’s report, which is based on full-year 2023 data, include:

Protecting the climate

Approved the final investment decision to build the world’s first net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. The project, which will decarbonize 20% of Dow’s global ethylene capacity, is critical to delivering on the Company’s 2030 emissions reduction target while also contributing to the commercialization of low-to-zero emissions products.Sourced more than 50% of Dow’s purchased electricity, or more than 1,000 megawatts (MW), from renewables, exceeding the Company’s 2025 target of 750 MW.Laid the groundwork to expand Dow’s Protect the Climate targets to include climate adaptation benchmarks focused on water and nature. The new Water & Nature strategy is designed to support resiliency for Dow sites and surrounding natural ecosystems.Achieved Dow’s 10-year 2025 Valuing Nature Goal two years ahead of schedule, realizing $1.2 billion in net present value for business-driven projects that enhance nature.Launched several innovative products that contribute to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reductions, such as EcoSense™ 2470 Surfactant for home care market, ENDURANCE™ HFDD-4201 SC Compound for Cable Systems, and a new range of propylene glycol (PG) solutions made from alternative feedstocks that are bio-based or circular.

Advancing a circular economy and safer materials

Aligned more than 89% of Dow’s R&D innovation pipeline to the focus areas of climate protection, circular economy and safer materials.Worked alongside customers to create more circular, high-performing solutions, including SURLYN™ REN and SURLYN™ CIR Ionomers using circular and bio-based feedstocks that help create high-quality cosmetic packaging.Launched 12 new grades of REVOLOOP™ Recycled Plastics Resins, Dow’s global line of resins made with up to 70% mechanically recycled post-consumer plastics waste.Received a CIO 100 Award for its Smart Search tool that revolutionizes the search process for chemicals and saves research time and cost by identifying leads for testing materials amongst the over 200 million known chemicals.

Cultivating a thriving team and community

Increased best-in-class employee resource group participation by four percentage points from 2022, with 60.8% participation from Dow employees.Named one of the 25 World’s Best Workplaces™ by Great Place To Work® and FORTUNE.Partnered with 640 nonprofits, educational institutions and other community organizations to accelerate social change and create a more sustainable and equitable future.Achieved approximately $335 million of certified diverse and small business spend globally, surpassing its $275 million target.

Driving accountability and best-in-class performance

Enhanced disclosures for Board of Director qualifications, enterprise risk management and leadership succession planning.Refreshed the Dow Code of Conduct in alignment with industry best practices.Continued to outpace industry peers in the percentage of Board members and executive leadership who are U.S. ethnic minorities.

Building on the longstanding commitment to transparency and accountability to the stakeholders, the Company advanced disclosures in several areas in its 2023 report, including:

Launched a comprehensive Water & Nature strategy, committing to sustainable water management and the protection of biodiversity.Made significant strides in disclosing quantitative progress toward its Transform the Waste goals and defining clear metrics to track and communicate its achievements.Includes enhanced disclosures in line with Green Bond principles and specific investments like the Fort Saskatchewan Alberta Canada project.Enhanced its Scope 3 emissions reporting, aligning it with its circularity strategy for end-of-life products.Committed to high integrity offsets for residual emissions, ensuring that its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Offset Positioning reflects its dedication to credible and impactful climate action.

The 2023 environmental, social and governance disclosures were prepared in accordance with five leading standards and frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics. Dow engaged Deloitte & Touche, LLP to perform a review engagement and obtain limited assurance on management’s assertion related to disclosures presented in accordance with the 2021 GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2023, and related to Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions presented in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standards under its Corporate Standards for the year ended December 31, 2023.

About Dow 
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Young 
+1.989.638.6871 
syoung3@dow.com

X: https://twitter.com/DowNewsroom 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dow/ 
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/dow-chemical 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/dow_official

SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company

Mastercard

Join Mastercard at London Climate Action Week on Tuesday, June 25th, as leading organizations come together to share how to close the say/do gap in support of London’s climate action path. Hear from organizations including ReLondon, IKEA, UEFA, Pledgeball, Tern Eco, The Earthshot Prize finalist Sea Forest, and more.

In a series of flash-panel events, discover how companies can inspire, inform, and enable more sustainable choices and act as a conduit to tangible climate action.

Find out more and secure your place here: https://web.cvent.com/event/15013d53-ea6b-47c2-b456-3c82197cf8aa/summary

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Each year, the ENERGY STAR® program honors a group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency and the transition to a clean energy economy. For 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the Hawaii Energy program with an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for Energy Efficiency Program Delivery.

Administered by Leidos, Hawaii Energy is a statewide efficiency program that encourages businesses and families to reduce energy use in pursuit of a 100 percent clean energy future by 2045. The Hawaii Energy program helps make energy efficiency more accessible and affordable to Hawaii’s families and businesses.

Hawaii Energy was recognized for the following programs that were designed to adopt ENERGY STAR products and best practices:

Promoting benchmarking using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® and assisting customers in meeting the city of Honolulu’s benchmarking requirements. Key strategies included incorporating Portfolio Manager tutorials and listing trade allies that provide benchmarking services on their website, engaging a total of 253 buildings.Encouraging customers to “trade up” to ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators and freezers through enhanced incentives and recycling of older units, resulting in rebates for more than 4,700 certified models – a significant increase compared with 2022.Increasing the sale of ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters to more than 1,000 units sold through a strategic marketing campaign promoting their benefits.Partnering with a local start-up to provide grid-interactive heat pump water heaters to lower income residents in rural communities, gaining valuable insight into the challenges they face when replacing water heaters.

For more than 30 years, Leidos has been providing utilities across the country with high-quality program implementation support and expert energy engineering services. We design innovative programs and initiatives that engage customers and drive interest and action in energy efficiency.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEIDOS AND OUR AWARD-WINNING ENERGY EFFICIENCY SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES

MONTREAL, June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) (“Gildan” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the publication of its 20th Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, marking a significant milestone in the Company’s long history of public ESG disclosures. The 2023 report highlights Gildan’s continued progress against key targets, two years into the implementation of its Next Generation ESG strategy and 2030 targets.

“ESG has been integral to how we operate for many years and is one of the three core pillars of the Gildan Sustainable Growth (GSG) strategy, reflecting our commitment to creating enduring value for all stakeholders,” said Glenn Chamandy, President and CEO of Gildan. “As our Company celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, as well as two decades of ESG reporting, I am proud of our progress in the area of sustainability and of this report, which highlights our dedication to ESG principles. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to make apparel with respect.”

Gildan’s ESG journey began in the early 2000s, and since then, the Company has achieved many ESG reporting milestones, including:

The publication of its first Corporate Citizenship Report in 2004;The accreditation of its social compliance program by the Fair Labor Association (FLA) in 2007;Aligning to sustainability reporting using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework starting in 2008;Conducting its first materiality assessment in 2014;Aligning commitments with the UN Sustainability Development Goals in 2017;Disclosing ESG data according to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards since 2021;The publication of its first stand-alone Climate Change Disclosure Report in alignment with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2022.

Read the full 2023 ESG Report here.

About Gildan

Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Company’s product offering includes activewear, underwear and socks, sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms and to global lifestyle brand companies. The Company markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a strong portfolio of Company-owned brands including Gildan®, American Apparel®, Comfort Colors®, GOLDTOE®, and Peds®.

Gildan owns and operates vertically integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Bangladesh. Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour, environmental, and governance practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in the Company’s long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its ESG practices and initiatives can be found at www.gildancorp.com.

Investor inquiries: 

Jessy Hayem, CFA

Vice-President, Head of Investor Relations

(514) 744-8511

jhayem@gildan.com

Media inquiries:

Genevieve Gosselin

Director, Global Communications and Corporate Marketing

(514) 343-8814

ggosselin@gildan.com

The live event series, Young Women LEAD (YWL), returned to Robinson, Illinois, for a third year in a row this March.The national live event series, which aims to create life-changing experiences for high school girls across the country, first came to Robinson in 2022.Marathon Petroleum’s refinery in Robinson not only supports the popular event as a sponsor, but employees also help prepare for and play an active role in the event.

A single mother of five children dreamed of a better future for herself and her family.

She knew the way forward—finish her college program. But to get there, to cross the stage and receive her diploma, she needed financial support.

And she needed someone to believe in her.

More than financial aid, scholarships show students that the community supports their pursuit of a better future, explains Kayte Hamel, vice president of college relations at Kishwaukee College, located in the village of Malta, Illinois, an hour’s drive west of Chicago.

Hamel also serves as executive director of the Kishwaukee College Foundation, which oversees financial support for students.

“Scholarships create opportunities,” she adds, noting the aforementioned student earned her diploma and is now working toward a degree.

Kishwaukee College, known as Kish, aims to diversify its awards to support as many learners as possible and help them complete their programs. Each year, Kish disburses about $450,000 in scholarships, many to individuals who couldn’t complete their education without this support.

Hamel notes that some program areas have fewer award opportunities for learners—technical programs like welding, for example.

Nearly a decade ago, Enbridge saw a way to empower the next generation of welders to achieve their potential. In 2015, we established the Enbridge Energy Company Pipeline Industry Awareness Scholarship across the Midwest, which the Kish Foundation awards to five to 10 welding students each year. Since 2015, we have contributed $45,000 to the award through Fueling Futures grants.

In 2023, Enbridge Energy Company Pipeline Industry Awareness Scholarship grants or like-minded bursaries were awarded to seven post-secondary schools in the Midwest.

“The Enbridge scholarship is one of the only ones we have for students in the manufacturing and technology program areas at the college,” Hamel explains. “To be able to offer it to students has had a great impact on them.”

Significantly, the college’s welding program is growing, including a 20% enrolment increase in 2023, expanding from about 110 students to 132.

In addition to ongoing Enbridge scholarships, we’ve also supported the classroom experience of Kish welding students. We donated a diesel truck in 2023, a crane truck and electric welder in 2021, and a pipe beveler in 2018.

And, each year, some of our master welders visit the college to do demonstrations and tell the students about working in industry.

“The visits from Enbridge are a highlight for the students,” Hamel says. “They get to see the real-world application of the technologies and teachings they’re learning in the classroom.”

Investing in learners is an investment in the development of the industry as a whole, she continues.

“Community support helps students improve their lives and improve the lives of others.”

Hershey

HERSHEY, Pa., June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Hershey (NYSE: HSY) announced today that it has updated its 2030 science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets against the latest standards. A detailed accounting of the company’s footprint and science-based targets are foundational to the company’s strategy to drive progress on emissions reduction.

“At Hershey, our business depends on ingredients grown around the world and the health of those ecosystems,” said Rachel Grunberg, senior manager of environmental sustainability at The Hershey Company. “We have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint to build resiliency for our business and the planet and are doing so with challenging goals aligned with best-in-class science to inform our strategy.”

Hershey’s target to reduce scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline was re-validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To date, Hershey has achieved a 43% reduction against this target. The company has also set near-term Forest Land and Agriculture (FLAG) and non-FLAG targets. It is committed to reduce scope 3 Forest Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions by 36% and non-FLAG emissions by 30% by 2030. These newly validated targets are in line with climate science and are consistent with levels necessary to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Hershey implements a variety of programs and initiatives across its operations and its supply chain to reduce its carbon footprint.

Reducing Energy Consumption and Leveraging Renewable Energy

To improve energy consumption and efficiency, Hershey has created a cross-functional team to oversee delivery of plant-level energy reduction targets. In 2023, Hershey sourced approximately 80% of electricity from renewable and zero-emission sources, an increase made through a combination of solar Power Purchase Agreements, Renewable Energy Credits, and Zero Emission Credits and investments in, including:

Directly sourcing hydropower for facilities in Brazil and CanadaOperational PPAs that delivered approximately 25% of U.S. electricity needs100% renewable or zero-emission electricity for manufacturing facilities for confectionery in the U.S. and Canada and several of our salty brands

Scaling Good Agricultural Practices

The company leveraged partnerships to promote good agricultural practices and technology to mitigate risks from climate change in cocoa, dairy and sugar supply chains. A selection of projects include:

Investing in farmers to improve livelihoods and manage climate variability through implementation of soil health improvement and agroforestry with the Hershey Income Accelerator ProgramPiloting projects like the Sustainable Dairy PA program which implements riparian forest buffers, nutrient management, conservation tillage, and manure management practicesPromoting regenerative agricultural initiatives such as the North Dakota Trusted Advisor Partnership to promote the use of cover crops and reduced tillage

Preventing Deforestation and Advancing Biodiversity

Preventing deforestation and conversion caused by changing land use is another important driver in reducing Scope 3 emissions. In 2023, Hershey accelerated its commitment by five years to achieve a deforestation and conversion-free supply chain for cocoa, palm oil, pulp and paper, and soy to December 31, 2025. Examples of these initiatives include:

Restoring forest habitat with the Arbor Day Foundation, planting one million trees and restoring more than 2,300 acres of forest as part of this partnership since 2017Partnered with the Foundation for Parks and Reserves of Cote d’Ivoire on conservation of the Mabi-Yaya Nature Reserve to restore forest on 687 hectares of degraded land

To learn more about Hershey’s sustainability strategy and progress, view the company’s ESG Report.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to doing the right thing for its people, planet, and communities. Hershey has more than 20,000 employees in the U.S. and worldwide who work daily to deliver delicious, high-quality products. The company has more than 90 brand names in approximately 80 countries that drive more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues, including Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers, and salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.

For 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. The candy and snack maker’s founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through equitable access to education.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com.

SOURCE The Hershey Company

ATLANTA, June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Today the 100 Black Men of America and Wells Fargo announced the expansion of the Junior Investment Club, a curriculum‑based simulation game that introduces young people to investing. With a $600,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the program will expand to 30 markets across the country and continue to support economic empowerment efforts from the 100 Black Men of America to prepare students for their financial futures.

“100 Black Men of America is grateful to Wells Fargo for the tremendous impact the Junior Investment Club is having on our mentees by providing early exposure to investment practices that provide additional pathways to economic opportunity,” said Chairman Milton H. Jones. “The decision by Wells Fargo to invest in the expansion of this program is a demonstration of their belief in our shared mission and ultimately to providing financial education resources to youth that will positively impact their futures.”

“For roughly 35 years, the 100 Black Men of America and Wells Fargo have worked together to increase pathways to economic advancement,” said Darlene Goins, head of Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo. “We look forward to expanding the Junior Investment Club to provide more youth with a solid foundation to achieve their future financial goals and grow generational wealth.”

The new grant funding was revealed during the 38th Annual Conference of the 100 Black Men of America in Atlanta where three student teams won the 2024 Junior Investment Club Competition — 100 Black Men of Long Beach, CA (first place), 100 Black Men of Madison, WI (second place), and 100 Black Men of Las Vegas, NV (third place). As the Bank of Doing, Wells Fargo surprised all 128 students from the top five finalist teams with $200 each — designed to empower students to invest in their individual financial futures. The funds for each student will be managed by the 100 Black Men of America.

Now in its fifth year, the Junior Investment Club uses the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game, an online investment simulation where student teams are given a virtual $100,000 to invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds as a way to learn the value of capital markets and maximizing their portfolios. 750 high school students competed in this year’s 14‑week competition with the support of 36 mentors from local chapters of the 100 Black Men of America.

About 100 Black Men of America

The 100 Black Men of America is the world’s largest volunteer network of Black men focused on mentoring minority youth. The national organization began with nine chapters in 1986. The first chapter was founded in New York City in 1963. The 100 Black Men of America is a national alliance of leading African American men in business, public affairs, and government. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for African Americans, with a specific focus on African‑American youth. Since its inception, the organization has grown to more than 4,000 members, with 105 chapters that impact more than 100,000 underserved and underrepresented minority youth every year. Visit www.100blackmen.org for more information on the programs and initiatives of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and their global network of chapters.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 47 on Fortune’s 2023 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low‑carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo

Contact Information

Media 
Wells Fargo 
melissa.k.murray@wellsfargo.com

At American Airlines, there is nothing more important than safety — it’s engrained in every flight, every job, every day. American’s Safety Champion Award recognizes team members who go above and beyond in the name of safety. They provide ideas and insights and are leaders at their work location with one common goal: keeping American’s customers and team members safe.

On June 10, 40 honorees — who came from as far as Dublin, Honolulu and São Paulo, and represent numerous work groups across the airline — were recognized as 2024 Safety Champions at a celebration dinner in Fort Worth, Texas.

“From gestures like mentoring new pilots or participating in safety committees to helping develop bump caps that led to a reduction in head injuries — you are the best of the best,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer, who spoke to the group at the celebration dinner. “I commend each and every one of you for your hard work, and most importantly, dedication to safety each and every day.”

Meet five of the 40 team members who had a positive impact on our safety culture this year.

Fred Butts — Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Fred Butts is a crew chief on the ramp at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). He joined American in 2015 from the automotive industry where he also focused on safety. At American, he’s led various safety initiatives, including designing specific ramp markings for parking baggage carts in the gated environment. His work reduced traffic conflicts and improved safety when connecting baggage drivers deliver bags to the gate area. He’s also been recognized for his advocacy for hearing protection.

“It’s not just about me. Everyone on my team is 100% committed to safety. When we bring on new team members, I sit down with them and find out what their commitment to safety is, too,” Fred said about the team he leads — which includes all ages and backgrounds. Fred says he wants his team to come to work every day and leave in the same condition. He owes his dedication to safety to his mother’s hard-working mentality, and an 18-wheeler accident his father was in when Fred was young.

Leanne McGarry — Dublin Airport (DUB)

Leanne McGarry is the general manager for American’s Ireland operation. Leanne joined American in 2022 from a different airline, which she says is a “full circle moment” having begun her career with US Airways in 2011. With American’s return to Ireland post-pandemic, she hired a new team of 60 people at Dublin Airport (DUB). She saw this as an opportunity to build a new culture — one that’s based on safety above all else. “Planes will come and go, but if somebody doesn’t go home, that is a life,” she said.

Leanne strengthened American’s relationships with local law enforcement by proactively inviting them to provide training on how to better manage safety and security issues at the airport. This initiative, a first among airline managers at DUB, highlights Leanne’s dedication to maintaining a safe environment for team members and customers. She also created an inspiring video focusing on ramp safety, when trying to teach her team and build culture.

Leanne owes her dedication to safety to a fatal incident involving the team member of another airline that operated at DUB earlier in her career. Her unwavering integrity, accountability and genuine concern for people make her a true Safety Champion.

Felipe Pierri Schmidt — São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)

Felipe Pierri Schmidt is a stock clerk at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). He’s had aviation in his blood since he was young, as his father was a flight attendant for another airline for 35 years. Felipe joined American in 2010, gaining leadership in the safety realm and establishing a reputation for bringing ideas and suggestions that make our operations at GRU more efficient as well.

For example, he championed using new protectors on forklift forks to prevent equipment damage and potential accidents. His idea not only improved team member safety, but also reduced material damage and waste.

To him, no detail is too small when protecting his team and the customers they serve. “Life is the most important thing. We all have family waiting for us at home,” he said.

Captain Bridget Van Scoy — Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Bridget Van Scoy is a Boeing 787 captain based out of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). She’s dedicated to enhancing aviation safety and serves as the Deputy Chair of the Allied Pilots Association’s National Safety Committee. She prides herself on using a data-driven approach when it comes to improving safety standards at American.

“Maintaining a safe workplace and healthy environment for team members and customers is the most important thing we can do as an airline,” she said. “I am honored to be a part of developing and promoting initiatives to continually support the strong foundation of our safety culture.”

Bridget is a true leader for female pilots. She even inspired both her son and daughter in their careers — they are now pilots for American as well. Her keen eye for all things safety makes her a clear Safety Champion.

Gretchen Yerger — Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)

Gretchen Yerger is a staff assistant at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE). Having worked in safety roles her entire career, she started with American eight years ago. She takes pride in the topic and continues to take college courses about safety to keep up to date on the latest knowledge and best practices. “It’s a personal passion I’ve had for nearly 35 years,” Gretchen said. Before her time, there wasn’t a safety board in the hallway — which reminds team members of the importance of safety. She also created an award to recognize the “Safety team member of the month.”

Gretchen often takes time to teach her fellow team members proper lifting techniques, coordinate monthly safety meetings, run safety fairs and be an advocate for ensuring all practices are current. She won’t settle when safety is on the line.

“I always say people were put on this earth to live, love and give hugs,” said Gretchen. She claims that even on tough days, she encourages the team to find something to smile and laugh about. Her attention to detail is crucial to American’s ABE operation, and her colleagues agree that she’s helped build “an operation of caring and watching out for each other.”

International Olympic Committee news

Paris 2024, with the first Olympic Games fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020, promises to deliver spectacular Games that are more responsible, more sustainable and more inclusive. The organisers have laid out a cutting-edge plan to halve the Games-related carbon footprint compared to previous Games, with innovative solutions for energy, food, venues, transport and digital services.

To celebrate Earth Day 2024, we are sharing five ways in which Paris 2024 is working to do more with less while creating a lasting legacy.

1. Thinking ahead: anticipating and avoiding impact

Already at the candidature phase, Paris 2024 committed to reducing the Games carbon footprint by half compared to previous editions. A carbon budget was set which includes all Games planning and operations – from construction to energy and transport, catering and procurement.

Targeting a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to the average of London 2012 and Rio 2016, Paris 2024 has addressed the broadest category of emissions, also covering the indirect footprint of the Games (scope 3 emissions) such as spectator travel. This means that Paris 2024 will offer the first Olympic Games aligned with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, adopted in 2015.Paris 2024 also proactively calculated its “material footprint” – a first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Venue by venue, the organisers created a detailed map of required resources, aiming to minimise them and control their life cycle before, during and after the Games. From spectator seating to tents, beds, chairs, tables and even tennis balls – every asset has been meticulously planned.The Paris 2024 organisers have also avoided generating carbon emissions thanks to an innovative energy model. In addition to using 100 per cent renewable energy during the Games, Paris 2024 is minimising the use of diesel generators. The few generators that will have to be used will be powered by biofuel, H2 or batteries. All venues will be connected to the grid to avoid the use of temporary energy solutions.In addition, Paris 2024 developed a unique methodology for analysing and reducing the Games’ impact on biodiversity and translated this into the design of more sustainable temporary venues.

2. Reducing, renting and reusing

Integrated into every level of the organisation, Paris 2024’s circular economy strategy is based on three key principles: organising the Games with fewer resources, making better use of these resources and ensuring the second life of resources after the Games – before the event even starts.

A total of 95 per cent of the Paris 2024 competition venues will be pre-existing or temporary. The rest have been built using low-carbon construction methods.The Aquatics Centre –is designed to serve the local Seine-Saint-Denis community long after the Games. The Centre will largely rely on energy provided by 4,680 square metres of solar panels installed on its rooftop. All seats in the Centre are made from recycled local plastic waste. Wood is at the heart of the building, helping to reduce emissions from construction.The principle of reduction also applies to the interior design of the venues. Tents, chairs, computers and sports equipment – Paris 2024 has reduced and encouraged shared use whenever possible. This approach has made it possible, for example, to reduce the amount of furniture needed for the Games from the initially estimated 800,000 items to 600,000.Out of two million pieces of sports equipment, three-quarters will be rented or provided by sports federations. More than three-quarters of the electronic equipment such as screens, computers and printers are also rented. The same is true for all the stands, tents and bungalows.Thanks to their innovative sourcing strategy, the organisers confirm that 90 per cent of the six million assets will be taken back and reused by partners and The organisers are now defining the second-life plan for the remaining 10 per cent of goods.

3. Regeneration

In line with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020, the French authorities aim to leverage the Paris 2024 Games to achieve long-term improvements in the living conditions of the local community, particularly in the northeastern suburb, Seine-Saint-Denis.

The Aquatics Centre will provide a multi-sports hub for the local community, where currently one in two 11-year-olds does not know how to swim. It will include swimming, climbing and fitness facilities, and areas for individual and team sports.Conceived as an eco-neighbourhood, the Olympic Village will be transformed after the Games into a new residential and business district, providing workplaces for 6,000 people and apartments for an additional 6,000. A quarter of these residences will be reserved for public housing, catering to 40 per cent of the current residents in Saint-Denis who rely on it. Another third will be rented out as affordable housing, managed by government-affiliated agencies and offered to students and low-income workers. The addition of restaurants, shops, and leisure centres will rejuvenate the district, where the unemployment rate currently exceeds 20 per cent.The installation of underground electricity lines and the redevelopment of the Canal Saint Denis, which borders the Olympic Village, are expected to improve the quality of life for residents.The construction of a noise barrier to the south of the A86 motorway, which traverses the suburb from east to west, is aimed at providing relief to residents affected by traffic noise.The Games are also serving as an accelerator to clean the River Seine, with significant investment allocated for pollution remediation, with the aim of enabling all Parisians to enjoy the river from 2025 onwards. The initiative is part of the city’s future climate resilience planning.

4. Sustainability on the plate: more plant-based, more local, less plastic

During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 13 million meals will be delivered in a more responsible manner. Some 120 organisations including farmers, producers, caterers and nutritionists, as well as 200 athletes, were involved in the creation of the Paris 2024 Food vision.

Among other commitments, the organisers are pledging to deliver meals with half the carbon emissions of an average French meal by:

doubling the proportion of plant-based ingredients and increasing the plant-based options for everyone, including spectators and the workforcesourcing 80 per cent of ingredients from local agriculture production, with a quarter produced within 250km of the respective venuecutting food waste by better estimating quantities, redistributing, composting or transforming all unconsumed foodcutting single-use plastic used in catering by half while reusing 100 per cent of catering equipment and infrastructure after the Games. Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola will install 700 water and soda fountains across all Paris 2024 sites, and the organisers will install free drinking water points. Spectators will be allowed to enter all venues with their own reusable bottles, a notable exception to existing French regulations.

5. Transport: shorter distances and lower carbon

The Paris 2024 organisers have structured the Games to leverage an extensive existing public transport network, to be reinforced by more than 400km of new bike lanes.

More than 80 per cent of the Olympic venues are situated within 10km of the Olympic Village, minimising travel time for athletes.All venues are accessible by public transport. Public transport operators plan to expand the bus, metro and train services in the Paris region by 15 per cent compared to regular summer traffic.The vehicle fleet catering to athletes and the accredited participants is set to include electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles provided by Worldwide Olympic Partner Toyota. In an effort to further reduce impact, the fleet used will be optimised, with about 40 per cent fewer vehicles compared to previous Games.

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