Tag: 3BL

Baker Tilly’s podcast series specifically for professionals in the multifamily housing industry.

On this episode of BuzzHouse, host Don Bernards sits down with Gina Ciganik, the CEO of Habitable to discuss the critical role of sustainable and healthy building practices in the housing industry. Diving into the environmental and health impacts of commonly used building materials, Gina shares insights from her organization’s research, emphasizing the shift from harmful products to more sustainable choices. Together, they explore the implications for affordable housing developments and the need for change to ensure a healthier future for our communities and the planet.  Press play and discover this informative and enlightening episode!

Special guest

Gina Ciganik | Habitable

Recognized nationally for her leadership in transforming human and environmental health, Gina’s strategic partnerships and innovative practices have reshaped housing standards across the affordable housing sector. With a proven track record of creating healthier spaces–including the groundbreaking 90-unit apartment building, The Rose–Gina’s leadership drives Habitable’s mission forward. She sees herself as a “dot-connector” and translator who amplifies the organization’s impact, fostering holistic solutions for planetary health. Determined, curious, and joyful, Gina is committed to creating healthier environments for communities worldwide.

Multifamily housing resources

For articles, webinars and additional resources for developers, housing authorities, property managers, state housing credit agencies and lenders, visit Baker Tilly’s multifamily housing page.

Yum! Brands

True’s story is part of the “What I’ve Learned” interview series, which features the stories of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, The Habit Burger Grill and Yum! employees in their own words. 

Growing up along the Massachusetts coast, Emily True embraced nature and the outdoors, often spending her free time hiking trails or swimming at the beach, basking in the planet’s natural beauty. But it wasn’t until a school friend opened her eyes to environmental consciousness and how it can be cool to live an eco-friendly lifestyle that True began to embrace sustainability as a personal ethos.

This newfound perspective propelled True toward studying environmental science at the University of Massachusetts Boston, while also earning a minor in clean energy. After completing her studies, she explored careers, working in a series of impactful roles ranging from academic environmental initiatives to scientific water regulatory positions.

True’s path eventually led her to pursue a master’s degree in environmental management at Duke University, where her perspective on sustainability underwent a transformative shift. Encouraged by mentors to explore the intersection of business and environmental stewardship, she embarked on a journey to challenge conventional paradigms by advocating for sustainability within corporate landscapes.

It was this pursuit that eventually brought True to Pizza Hut, where she assumed the role of championing the brand’s global sustainability initiatives. Combining her expertise in environmental science with strategic business acumen, she has since played a role in elevating Pizza Hut’s commitment to sustainability with the brand’s Recipe for Good strategy, ushering in a new era of responsible corporate citizenship. As she continues this path, True remains committed to learning and evolving, recognizing that sustainability at its core includes corporate strategies and personal values and behaviors.

Here is what she has learned in her personal and professional sustainability journey in her own words.

Sustainability is Pizza Hut’s business imperative 

In my tenure at Pizza Hut, I’ve discovered the transformative potential of integrating sustainability into core business strategies. Businesses have a crucial role to play in driving environmental change, and sustainability should be a cornerstone of their operations. Normalizing corporate sustainability is essential because it shifts the narrative from sustainability being an option to it being a fundamental aspect of doing business responsibly.

I’ve witnessed firsthand with Pizza Hut how embedding sustainability into the fabric of a company’s identity can not only mitigate environmental impacts but also drive innovation, enhance brand reputation and foster long-term profitability.

Take, for example, Pizza Hut’s partnership with the Dairy Farmers of America, which is providing select farmers in the U.S. with technology and data to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions intensity from the milk used in the production of Pizza Hut’s cheese by 10% and revolutionize the environmental impact of the brand’s overall dairy production. Through this collaboration, Pizza Hut is not just reducing its environmental footprint but also driving innovation and enhancing its brand reputation. By aligning sustainability goals with overarching business objectives, companies can create a win-win scenario where environmental stewardship goes hand in hand with commercial success.

Personal sustainability is a powerful catalyst for collective change 

To be a role model for others, it is important for me to embrace a holistic approach to conservation and to align my personal behaviors with environmental values. I try to keep eco-conscious consumption habits at the forefront of my lifestyle, like composting and reducing my personal food waste, even experimenting with creating vegetable stock from leftover produce scraps. I’ve started a “broth bag” in my freezer for food scraps like onion peels, which you can then boil in water to make a homemade broth. It’s an easy solution to minimizing food waste and keeping consumable food out of our landfills.

Additionally, I find inspiration from initiatives like Pizza Hut’s food donation program Harvest, which has been donating surplus food from restaurants to food banks and other organizations since 1992. Our brand’s commitment to reducing food waste and supporting communities resonates with my own values of sustainability and social responsibility.

I often rely on public transportation in my home of Chicago, Illinois, to get around, and I choose not to own a car. I know public transportation isn’t always an option in other cities, so I often will encourage others to ride their bike or get some extra steps in by walking, if possible, to minimize their environmental footprint.

I also try to take proactive steps to offset my personal carbon emissions, like researching and contributing to carbon offset projects that fund environmental initiatives like including renewable energy development such as wind or solar farms and conservation efforts that protect ecosystems and biodiversity. My goal is to influence positive change and inspire others to join me in safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Harness collaboration for a greener future 

Throughout my career, I’ve come to appreciate the multifaceted nature of driving environmental change within a corporate context. While my personal values were shaped by my upbringing and influenced by my friend’s eco-conscious lifestyle, it’s within the professional realm that I’ve truly realized the collective impact we can achieve.

As I’ve navigated various roles and experiences, I’ve seen the importance of every individual’s contribution, regardless of their job title. From our frontline team members ensuring efficient resource usage in our restaurants brings a unique perspective and skill set to the table. It’s about fostering a culture where sustainability is weaved into every aspect of our operations, from procurement practices to community engagement initiatives.

My journey from skepticism about corporate sustainability to actively driving change within organizations has taught me that it is a collaborative effort. It’s about transcending organizational boundaries and working together toward a common goal. Through continuous learning, personal sustainability practices and advocacy efforts, I strive to inspire others to recognize the role they can play in building a more sustainable future for all.

Originally published on bloomberg.com

As the focus on climate change intensifies, companies are increasing their public commitments to minimize risks and maximize opportunities that result from it. This is driven by a clearer understanding of the need to address climate change and by the growing demands of a wide range of stakeholder groups – from customers and employees to investors, policymakers, NGOs, and activists. With the newly created Global Sustainability Office, which is tasked with incorporating environmental, social, and governance considerations company-wide, Bloomberg is preparing to manage the resulting complexities and meet the challenges ahead.

Roll-out of new company-wide global sustainability strategy

Bloomberg is ramping up its plan to achieve its own climate commitments and is refreshing its company-wide, global sustainability strategy. “We are well positioned to lead in the climate space, and that requires dedication to setting validated short- and long-term corporate targets toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In our case, we have gone beyond and set a target to operate with net zero emissions across relevant areas of our value chain by 2040, ten years ahead of the 2050 Paris Agreement timeline,” says Amy Springsteel, Bloomberg’s Chief Sustainability Officer, who recently joined the firm and is responsible for helping the company develop and execute its strategy.

In addition to meeting net zero commitments, the strategy focuses on managing sustainability-related risks and opportunities beyond the environment. While climate change remains a significant issue globally, Bloomberg’s commitment to sustainability is not restricted to just one topic. There are also social and governance pieces, such as establishing clear oversight and accountability for sustainability across the business, working to identify and prevent human rights abuses within the company’s supply chain (such as child labor or human trafficking), and that robust cyber security and data privacy systems are in place to protect clients’ personal data.

“Global sustainability is inclusive of the full set of E, S, and G data categories. The approach to managing a company responsibly and sustainably includes E: efficient use of natural resources, S: effective management of relationships with key stakeholders, and G: fair and ethical corporate governance and business practices,” says Springsteel.

Sustainability focus stretches beyond strategy

What comes next after understanding material impacts, risks, and opportunities, is accordingly, developing our strategy. “We are preparing for upcoming changes to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and disclosure,” says Springsteel. The demand of both publicly listed and private companies to issue more disclosure across a broad range of ESG topics has increased exponentially. Mandates in EMEA, APAC, and now the US have prompted companies to rethink how they disclose information relevant to the management of ESG factors. “The emergence of a regulatory environment is new in the sustainability space. As we develop our new strategy, we’re also preparing for how we will publicly communicate our progress on it. That now includes not just our voluntary annual sustainability Impact Report, but also the information we will provide to various jurisdictions that require it,” says Springsteel.

Integrating sustainability into our business operating model and corporate culture

Bloomberg is continuing to integrate it into its business operating model, product offerings and corporate culture. “We’ll be supporting key departments in helping their teams see sustainability as an integrated component of the way they approach their jobs, meet their goals, and serve clients. We will strive to demonstrate how approaching their objectives through a sustainability lens can enhance their work, helping them identify potential risks and opportunities they might otherwise miss,” says Springsteel.

Once these foundational pieces are in place, Springsteel and her team will engage with employees to raise awareness on how sustainability can be applied in their personal lives and contribute on an individual level toward the company’s goals.

“We believe that addressing sustainability from multiple angles reinforces it as an integral part of our business culture, a channel to add business value, and a tool to foster a dynamic work environment, especially for candidates interested in solving some of today’s most pressing sustainability challenges,” says Springsteel.

Supporting others on the path to sustainability

Addressing sustainability from multiple angles includes mutually beneficial engagement with external stakeholders. “We recognize these issues are too complex for any one company to solve, so we’re convening with government and policymakers, as well as other corporations, business partners, non-profit organizations, and vendors to think through these myriad complex issues and work together to find solutions,” says Springsteel. “The complexity also works in our favor as it presents an opportunity to innovate products and services that help clients address their own climate challenges, to consider ESG factors when making business and investing decisions, and prepare to meet the new regulatory reporting requirements,” says Springsteel.

Bloomberg’s on track to meet near-term climate targets

Bloomberg has made progress toward meeting its near-term and long-term climate targets, as validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In 2023, Bloomberg reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 21% (toward the 2030 target of 80%) and Scope 3 emissions by 27% (toward the 2030 target of 30%) from a 2018 baseline.

Bloomberg is also on target to meet its pledge to purchase 100% of its energy from renewable sources by the end of 2025 as part of its commitment to the Renewable Energy 100 (RE100) initiative.

In 2023, 62% of Bloomberg’s global electricity consumption was obtained from renewable sources. “With our recent 80 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with clean energy developer Ørsted for renewable energy generated by the Mockingbird Solar Center, we will move closer to our 2025 target while reducing our emissions,” says Springsteel.

With meaningful progress already achieved in addressing climate change, and a broad, company-wide sustainability strategy in progress, Bloomberg is poised to scale new heights as a sustainability leader in the coming years.

Read our Impact Report to learn more about our sustainable operations.

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., June 6, 2024 /3BL/ – Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition) will host Manufacturer Forum: Shanghai on June 28, part of an annual series of events designed to amplify the voices of manufacturers around the globe. Featuring targeted programming designed to address local challenges faced by manufacturers, the event will highlight solutions provided by Cascale’s Higg Index suite of tools and growing list of impact initiatives. The event takes place at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in collaboration with ISPO Shanghai, the unique, multi-segment summer trade show.

Following successful runs in Bangalore, Dhaka, and Shenzhen, Manufacturer Forum: Shanghai will further facilitate pre-competitive collaboration in order to share best practices and collectively address critical challenges. Keynote speakers include Colin Browne, the organization’s newly-appointed CEO, and Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly, Cascale’s technology partner and event sponsor.

“China is a premiere production hub and manufacturers here are truly the architects of transformation,” Browne said. “From combating climate change to delivering decent work for all and building a nature-positive future, manufacturers are critical to achieving our collective goals. It’s a priority for me to foster collaboration with manufacturers around the world. Together, we will co-create solutions that will transform the consumer goods industry into one that gives back more than it takes to people and the planet.”

“Many of Worldly’s customers are manufacturers based in China, and I am looking forward to engaging with them at the Manufacturer Forum hosted by Cascale in Shanghai,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly. “Manufacturers are crucial in driving social and environmental impacts. In partnership with Cascale, we will strengthen our collaboration with these manufacturing facilities, equipping them with advanced tools and insights to meet their sustainability objectives and fortify their relationships with their brand partners.”

Reflecting “Catalyst for Change,” the current theme of Cascale’s Manufacturer Forum series, the Shanghai event reinforces the organization’s commitment to support an open exchange between manufacturers and better understand their needs and ongoing challenges to jointly develop solutions.

Over 200 attendees are expected to attend the event, which brings together manufacturers with business leaders and critical stakeholders. Programming will cover a wide range of topics, including what manufacturers need to know about global policy, how strategic partnerships can drive industry change, the evolution of Higg FEM and verification processes, and the latest on decarbonization impacts. To aid goal and target-setting, there will also be dedicated training on setting Science-Based Targets for decarbonization, as part of an evolving and interactive program. Click here for more information and/or to register. Event sponsors currently include Worldly, Benchmarks, TÜV Rheinland, ESTS Global, and Stantec.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Spanning over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe, we are united by a singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index and a unified strategy for industry transformation.

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Transformative mobile equipment brings glass recycling solutions to untapped marketsMovable on a truck bed, the modular system enables full-service, closed-loop recycling programsA single system can process up to 6,000 MT in a year

PERRYSBURG, Ohio, June 6, 2024 /3BL/ – O-I Glass, Inc. (“O-I Glass” or “O-I”) has completed the development and testing of a transformative, low-cost mobile glass processing machine that is easily transported and deployed to clean and crush recycled glass to be used as recycled content. Dubbed “MOGRA” (MOblie Glass Recycling Asset), the mobile processing system creates opportunities to recycle glass into furnace-ready glass where there was previously no infrastructure. 

“MOGRA builds on the long tradition of innovating the sustainable capabilities of glass packaging by enabling O-I to deploy full-service, closed-loop recycling programs with our customers and local communities, while generating furnace-ready cullet for producing glass packaging with increased recycled content,” said Randy Burns, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer for O-I. Through the agile, transformative capabilities of MOGRA, O-I is increasing our network capability to pursue our sustainability and recycling goals in an effective manner with a single asset.”

MOGRA systems are engineered to fit on a truck trailer, enabling it to be moved and co-located at O-I facilities or other locations anywhere, across the U.S. The system can be unpacked, plugged in, and operational within a single day, quickly processing glass packaging for recycling from brewers, distillers, bottlers, or communities into localized raw material for making glass with recycled content. The mobility of the MOGRA system increases the viability of glass recycling by reducing logistical details, transportation costs and associated emissions. 

MOGRA has been engineered to crush glass to a specified size, while removing any metallic content, such as caps, closures, and capsules, to improve the overall quality of the glass for recycling. The mobile system can process up to 6,000 MT of glass packaging per year. 

“As recycled content continues to be a priority in helping our customers to achieve their sustainability goals, innovative solutions from O-I will help the company to increase the cullet content of our glass packaging, and advance the overall sustainability of our packaging options,” said Burns. “Glass is 100 percent and endlessly recyclable, by solving for gaps in processing glass for recycling, we are helping our glass packaging to live up to its full potential in the circular economy.”

O-I has the ambitious goal to increase the recycled content of its packaging to a global average of 50 percent. Glass is made with four basic ingredients, limestone, soda ash, silica sand and cullet (recycled glass). Increasing the volume of cullet used in glass production conserves natural resources and reduces the energy needed to produce glass packaging. Cullet melts at a lower temperature, and every ten percent of recycled glass used reduces overall emissions by five percent. Each ton of cullet used to make glass packaging, conserves 1.6 tons of natural resources for future generations. 

As part of the company’s vision to be the most sustainable, and chosen, supplier of brand-building packaging, O-I glass is transforming the way glass is made and recycled with innovative, breakthrough solutions. 

“MOGRA has the potential to build on the flexibility of the flexible and modular capabilities of our MAGMA production technology and can transform the footprint of glass production as it is done today,” said Burns. For O-I our journey to a sustainable future with glass packaging is paved by innovation.”

To learn more about sustainable innovation for glass packaging by O-I, visit the company’s website at: http://o-i.com/sustainability. 

ABOUT O-I GLASS  

At O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: OI), we love glass, and we are proud to be one of the leading producers of glass bottles and jars around the globe. Glass is not only beautiful, it is also pure, healthy, and completely recyclable, making it the most sustainable rigid packaging material. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio (USA), O-I is the preferred partner for many of the world’s leading food and beverage brands. We innovate in line with customers’ needs to create iconic packaging that builds brands around the world. Led by our diverse team of approximately 23,000 people across 68 plants in 19 countries, O-I achieved revenues of $7.1 billion in 2023. Learn more about us:  
o-i.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn 

contact: 
JIM WOODS
Corporate Affairs 
James.Woods@o-i.com

NEW ORLEANS, June 6, 2024 /3BL/ – Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) announced the winners of its 2024 WHC Awards during the WHC Conservation Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 4-5. The WHC Awards honor excellence in corporate conservation, with awardees representing various national and international companies across industries.

The year’s top awards, recognizing leadership in corporate conservation, were won by Freeport-McMoRan, WM and El Sobrante Landfill and Wildlife Preserve.

“WHC applauds our members, including WM and Freeport-McMoRan, for their outstanding accomplishments over the last year,” said Margaret O’Gorman, President, WHC. “The companies and programs honored by this year’s WHC Awards are leading by example, illustrating how the private sector can take action to make every act of conservation matter. It is a privilege to recognize the efforts of these leaders in corporate sustainability.”

The Employee Engagement Award, given to Freeport-McMoRan, celebrates the exemplary contributions of one company’s employees towards their habitat and conservation education efforts.

The 2024 Gold Program of the Year Award, which honors the overall depth of one corporate conservation program, was awarded to WM for its El Sobrante Landfill and Wildlife Preserve in Corona, California.

WM received this year’s Corporate Conservation Leadership Award, which recognizes one company’s overall achievement in conservation and commends their corporate commitment to biodiversity, conservation education and alignment with global conservation objectives.

In addition to these corporate and program-level awards, individual projects are recognized for excellence in each of the WHC Project Guidance themes. This award category offers projects of all sizes the ability to compete for recognition.

Freeport-McMoRan was the year’s most honored company, receiving the WHC Employee Engagement Award in addition to four project awards (Bats, Mammals, Marine Intertidal and Species of Concern) recognizing their species and habitat conservation efforts in Peru and Indonesia.

The following is a complete list of 2024 WHC Award Winners:

WHC Corporate Conservation Leadership Award 
WM

WHC Employee Engagement Award 
Freeport-McMoRan

WHC Gold Program of the Year Award 
WM, Waste Management El Sobrante Landfill and Wildlife Preserve | Corona, California

Avian Project Award 
Covia, Emmett Facility | Emmett, Idaho

Awareness and Community Engagement Project Award 
Cemex, Tamuín “Caliza y Arcilla” (México) | San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Bats Project Award 
Freeport-McMoRan, Unidad de Producción Cerro Verde | Arequipa, Peru

Caves Project Award 
Constellation, Criterion Wind | Oakland, Maryland

Desert Project Award 
Cemex, Atotonilco: Cerro Jardín + Xoyatla + Coayuca (Mexico) | Hidalgo, Mexico

Forests Project Award 
Anglo American Quellaveco, Quellaveco | Moquegua, Peru

Formal Learning Project Award 
Cemex, Center Hill Mine | Center Hill, Florida

Grasslands Project Award 
Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Prairie Wetland Conservation Area | Wichita, Kansas

Green Infrastructure Project Award 
BlueTriton Brands, Inc., Twin Creek Nature Area | Evart, Michigan

Invasive Species Project Award 
Ontario Power Generation, Western Waste Management Facility & Bruce Complex | Ontario, Canada 

Invasive Species Coordinated Approaches Project 
Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Belle | Belle, West Virginia

Land Conservation Agreements Project Award 
Constellation, Criterion Wind | Oakland, Maryland

Landscaped Project Award 
Exelon, Pepco – WaterShed for Sustainability | Rockville, Maryland

Mammals Project Award 
Freeport-McMoRan, PTFI | Papua, Indonesia

Marine Intertidal Project Award 
Freeport-McMoRan, PTFI | Papua, Indonesia

Other Species Project Award 
Boeing, Santa Susana Field Laboratory | Canoga Park, California

Pollinators Project Award 
Covia, Tunnel City | Tomah, Wisconsin

Remediation Project Award 
Boeing, Santa Susana Field Laboratory | Canoga Park, California

Reptiles and Amphibians Project Award 
CRH, Dufferin Aggregates Acton Quarry | Ontario, Canada

Rocky Areas Project Award 
WM, Waste Management El Sobrante Landfill and Wildlife Preserve | Corona, California

Species of Concern Project Award 
Freeport-McMoRan, Unidad de Producción Cerro Verde | Arequipa, Peru

Training Project Award 
Cemex, Ready Mix USA Regional Office | Birmingham, Alabama

Wetlands and Water Bodies Project Award 
Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire Distillery | Hampshire, United Kingdom

Award finalists and winners were chosen from WHC Certification applications submitted between January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023, that were granted certification. Information on award criteria can be found here.

About WHC

WHC (Wildlife Habitat Council) has been working at the nexus of business and biodiversity for 35 years and is the only international NGO focused exclusively on enabling private sector action for nature. WHC builds strategies and frameworks for companies to integrate nature with climate, equity and engagement to support sustainable ecosystems and healthy communities. WHC’s corporate members represent some of the leading national and multinational corporations. WHC-certified programs can be found in 19 countries and 48 U.S. states. Learn more at www.wildlifehc.org.

Today, on June 5th, Covia is celebrating World Environment Day (WED) by focusing on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, in line with the United Nations’ theme #GenerationRestoration. Throughout the years, Covia has showcased various collaborations and welcomed renowned advocates to speak to our team. Previous speakers included Steve Adair from Ducks Unlimited, Margaret O’Gorman from Wildlife Habitat Council, and Mary Anne Morris from Houston Audubon Raptor Center. This year, we are shining a spotlight on the significant reclamation efforts happening at our Covia plants. Check out the video to see how Covia is celebrating World Environment Day!

Natalie Eglinton, the Director of Environment, emphasized the significance of World Environment Day. “We take great pride in our responsible land use and the preservation of natural habitat projects. These efforts contribute to enhancing the quality of life in our communities. Covia has actively participated in the restoration of diverse ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, ranchlands, shorelines, prairies, and more.”

Through the efforts of our Covia Team Members, we are improving air quality, restoring wildlife habitat, increasing pollinators, and advancing other important environmental initiatives for the communities we live and work in. For more information about Covia’s environmental stewardship, visit: https://www.coviacorp.com/esg/environmental-stewardship/.

Originally published by The Clean Fight.

Written by Semira Rose.

“As innovative technologies and solutions continue to play a key role in reducing emissions in the grocery industry, we are excited to have our stores be part of the conversation to scale these efforts in New York. Improving energy and refrigerant use is an integral aspect of our Recipe for Change and a way we can make a difference in the communities we serve and the planet we share.” – Suzanne Long, Chief Sustainability and Transformation Officer at Albertsons Companies

See original post by The Clean Fight and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

“The (VSLA) training showed us how to properly manage our money. We discovered we were wasting money and not working together to find the right solution. This is when I decided that my wife would be the best person to look after the money and organize the family expenses.” – Kouakou Koffi Michel

CARE’s Women for Change model is founded on the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) approach and works with women and their families in cocoa-growing communities to improve livelihoods so that communities can thrive. The program started in Côte d’Ivoire in 2016 and aims to increase gender equity in households and communities, while supporting increased savings, improved skills, income growth and diversification, improved school enrollment rates, and increased nutrition.

Encouraged by this powerful model and its proven results, in 2020, Mars Wrigley committed to scaling up the partnership with CARE with an investment of $10 million to reach more than 60,000 members in cocoa communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana by 2025. We have now exceeded that target and have already reached more the 77,000 VSLA members (58,000 women) between 2016 and September 2022.

What did we accomplish?

Financial access to savings substantially increased for members. VSLA members in the Women for Change program have collectively saved over $7.4 million with over $3.7 million of loans disbursed. On average, VSLA members in this program have saved $63 annually compared to $0 annually at baseline.The loans disbursed by VSLAs strengthened not only financial inclusion, but also access to education and health. Of the loans distributed, 64% of the funds were used to bolster individual income-generating activities for members. However, members also used the funding from loans to finance educational pursuits (13%) and access to health and nutrition services (6%).Male champions fight for gender equity in the community. Over 160 male champions have been trained to lead and direct gender-related interventions within their communities and are not limited only to VSLAs.

How did we get there?

Improve literacy and numeracy skills and connections to formal finance. The literacy and numeracy program for VSLA participants has been identified as one of the most significant activities for addressing some challenges faced by participants in Women for Change. As women build their financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills through VSLAs, their financial needs grow. CARE is building partnerships with financial institutions for favorable women-friendly credit opportunities. Support income growth and diversification for members. As members of savings groups start to collect capital, demand for basic entrepreneurship training quickly emerges. The Women for Change model integrates microenterprise training, which supports members in selecting income-generating opportunities, planning how these businesses will run, and managing the enterprises once started.Promote joint decision-making in households. Household dialogue sessions are focused on increasing women’s role in decision-making and increasing women’s voices at home and in the community. Additionally, a network of more than 160 gender committees has been established. These committees, usually made up of at least two men and two women identified by community members, become champions of gender equity within cocoa-growing communities.Promote nutrition, sexual & reproductive health, and child protection. As part of the nutrition and health curriculum, members are taught about the different food groups and shown how to access local foods and provide a balanced diet for their families combined with information on family planning and contraceptive measures. Additionally, the child protection element of the training focuses on the prevention of child labor and the promotion of child rights.

Where do we go next? 

CARE is currently building a business case for the Women for Change model, including identifying the overlap between Women for Change programming and the supply chain. This will help to develop the future direction and expansion of the program, ensuring it aligns with both CARE and Mars’s strategic priorities and creates a sustainable impact on cocoa-growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. CARE’s long-term vision is to scale Women for Change across the cocoa supply chain and into other commodities, such as rice and tea. Women for Change and Mars will become the model for other corporate partners to see the commercial and social benefits of connecting with VSLAs in their own supply chains leading to widespread positive impact, especially for women.

Want to learn more?

MARS Wrigley Cocoa for Generations Annual Report 

Women for Change Program Overview

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, American flew nearly 70 World War II veterans to Normandy, France. The historic trip started at American’s headquarters in Dallas-Fort Worth with a kickoff dinner that included a 1940s-era big band and the Victory Belles from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Veterans were also given a special heroes’ arrival by American Airlines team members before heading to Dallas Fort Worth International airport, where the celebration continued.

Additional trip participants include a few Rosie the Riveters, an iconic representation in the United States of the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, and six Medal of Honor recipients, our nation’s highest award for valor. Over 50 cadets and midshipmen from our nation’s military service academies also joined the group, accompanying the veterans and providing music as a joint academy choir.