Tag: 3BL

ALSIP, Ill., July 17, 2024 /3BL/ – Griffith Foods, a family-owned product development company guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”, has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, detailing the company’s significant achievements in four crucial areas including Climate Action & Environmental Management; Sustainable Sourcing; Wellbeing & Fulfillment; and Health & Nutrition.

“We are propelled today more than ever to innovate and lead in sustainability as a catalyst for positive change,” said Griffith Foods CEO TC Chatterjee. “This year marks a pivotal point for us as we advance our purpose-driven strategy, built on our sustainability platform, to reach even higher goals as we transform our business.”

Notable achievements in the 2023 Sustainability Report include:

Climate Action & Environmental Management

Nine facilities are now operating with renewably sourced energy and five have on-site generation. 50% of Griffith Foods facilities have achieved an ISO 14001 certification, the highest standard for environmental management.

Sustainable Sourcing

Griffith Foods reached 2,403 small-scale farmers, providing them with sustainability practice education, advanced technology, access to finance, and supporting living incomes.

Wellbeing & Fulfillment

Provided $1.2 million in financial assistance to food banks, community healthcare and educational initiatives.43% of management positions are held by women.

Health & Nutrition

Achieved goal of 50% of products meeting or exceeding external global nutrition standards.Developed the Nutrition IQ training for the workforce to be knowledgeable about nutrition and working toward a target of 100% employee completion.

“As we reflect on the last year, we celebrate our progress in our key areas of focus, which lay the foundation for our ambitious 2030 Aspirations,” said Chatterjee.

The company is demonstrating progress on Foundational Goals while now striving for 2030 Aspirations that push Griffith Foods further to redefine as a regenerative leader.

“At Griffith Foods, we have always been on a journey to nourish the world. By 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future through a transformative approach and a regenerative mindset. Our 2030 Aspirations serve as our action plan to nourish the world, guiding us towards greater sustainability and reinforcing the importance of our Purpose, ‘We Blend Care & Creativity to Nourish the World,’” said Executive Chairman Brian Griffith.

To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2023 Sustainability Report.

###

About Griffith Foods 
Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers while sustaining the planet. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods is known for true, collaborative innovation guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and breading to marinades and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.

Now, more than ever, your climate commitments are watched and noted by everyone from the workforce to investors to customers. As a result, your organization may be considering programs for its carbon reduction strategy or even full carbon neutrality. Yet the carbon market landscape is wide and varied, with its own vernacular to boot. Deciding where and when to jump in are daunting propositions, even for sustainability pros. Compounding the complexity is the fact that the compliance carbon markets (CCMs) and voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) are not equivalent entities. Each market offers different value propositions—the traditional VCM expansive options, accessibility, and a free market approach, and the CCM scale, accountability, verifiability, and reliability. It’s the characteristics of the latter that make compliance carbon markets the secret weapon against climate change.

Not all carbon markets are created equal 
It’s like if you have a choice between a $5 Canadian bill and a $5 US bill: while both bills have the same denomination, they hold different values in different contexts, and which you’ll choose depends on your circumstances.

This is how we think of the two main categories of carbon markets. Both VCMs and CCMs offer carbon reduction solutions, but in different ways (and with different levels of certainty and credibility). For an example of how this happens, check out this clip from John Oliver, or this one from later in the same program

Markets can be a powerful force for good when it comes to combating climate change. At Climate Vault, we turn to the CCMs to knock out carbon because of the credibility and guaranteed additionality of locking up carbon allowances. The elegance of CCMs is their simplicity: when you purchase one allowance, you prevent a regulated polluter from emitting one ton of CO2.

Compliance Carbon Markets 
CCMs are an integral component of cap-and-trade programs in locations that regulate the emissions from certain industries, such as energy production and oil & gas. Participants in those industries are legally compelled to purchase emission allowances that grant them the legal right to emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. Steep financial penalties incentivize participants to remain within the limit of their purchased allowances. Governmental regulations cap the number of allowances available in a given year and generally reduce that number each year in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time.

This cap serves as a catalyst for decarbonization, so that regulated participants either strive to avoid purchasing additional allowances or ultimately pay increased prices for securing them. While CCMs are intended for participants in regulated industries, other parties may also trade emission allowances. Companies that complete the requisite bureaucratic processes are able to buy and sell these allowances (like Climate Vault), however, individuals are largely gated from directly participating.

There are a dozen significant CCMs globally. These include markets created and overseen by:

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the northeastern United StatesCalifornia Air Resources Board (CARB)EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)Canada Federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS)The linked yet independent Tokyo Cap-and-Trade (C&T) and Saitama Target-Setting Emissions Trading (TSET) programs

Non-regulated voluntary decarbonizers are drawn to emission allowances as a vehicle for reducing carbon emissions: they purchase allowances (directly from the CCMs or, more commonly, through a secondary market provider) in order to prevent those emissions from occurring. CCMs offer these voluntary decarbonizers a great deal of certainty. Governments generally mandate precise emissions accounting and monitoring systems for regulated participants. Reported data is publicly available, enhancing the transparency and accountability of the CCMs. Furthermore, many CCMs bake social benefits into their programs, creating economic and environmental benefits for their regional communities.

Voluntary Carbon Market 
The VCM supplies carbon credits for both organizations and individuals. It was designed with the goal of each credit representing the removal or prevention of one ton of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), a unit of measurement that compares the global warming potential of any greenhouse gas to that of carbon dioxide.

The VCM is a decentralized entity. Developing countries generate most of the supply of carbon credits, while developed countries drive the greatest demand. These credits can be sold directly by project developers or governments, or through intermediaries who market them to end users.

VCM offerings primarily include:

OffsetsRenewable energy certificates (RECs)Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects

The VCM expanded in the late 2000s and through the 2010s to meet escalating demand for carbon offset solutions. Its growth has escalated since 2016, as the demand for carbon credits by private actors outside of regulated regimes continues to rise. Yet as the VCM has grown, quality issues with their offerings and questions of efficacy have increased as well.

The VCM suffers from a lack of standardization and opaque pricing. Even when the net carbon impact of the VCM program is smaller than the tonnage of carbon credits issued, these purchasers can still claim credit for the full amount of carbon credits. This disconnect between offsetting and real-world impact has led to many organizations receiving PR blowback, accusations of greenwashing, and even lawsuits for achieving less carbon impact than they report. Yet the VCM offering will likely remain a significant portion of the carbon reduction landscape, due to their ease of purchase and general availability. Organizations looking to make quantifiable, verified impact, however, may be better served by other solutions.

Verification matters 
Carbon programs aim to reduce or offset footprints in various ways, with varying levels of verifiability—proof that they accomplish the carbon impact they claim. That is, if they make any actual impact at all: a European Parliament report found that 85% of VCM offsets fail to reduce emissions. Of course, there are valid programs in the VCM. The onus falls on the participant, to learn how a program tracks and measures its offsets and to ask for verification of a program’s additionality. Verification is significantly more standardized when participating in the CCM. Emission allowances are serialized so they can only be used once, are fully auditable, and are definitively quantified.

Price does not always reflect value 
What is the cost of a ton of carbon? It depends: in the VCM, prices can vary from $10 to nearly $1200. Offsets in the VCM that cost more are generally more sound in their impact and long-term benefit to the environment, but this is not a perfect correlation. Factors other than cost-per-ton affect offset prices, such as broker percentages and registry fees.

Whatever the cost of offsetting a ton of carbon, the value of an offset factors in whether you actually get the tonnage you’re paying for—and what ripple effects it has. For instance, some offset projects actually harm the communities they set out to help. And depending on fees and commissions, much of your investment may never make it to a project developer.

Prices vary in the CCM, driven solely by market conditions (supply and demand) rather than commissions and fees. The price for a metric ton of carbon in the compliance market fluctuates less and is often more affordable than in the voluntary market. This affordability reflects the higher quality and reliability of the impacts achieved, ensuring that investments in the CCM lead to genuine environmental benefits rather than unsubstantiated claims.

One size does not fit all 
Considering the diverse landscape of carbon offsets and permits, each organization must determine its own best course for tackling its carbon footprint. But one thing is for certain: action is imperative, both for businesses and for the planet.

Top talent, customers, investors, other stakeholders: they all increasingly require environmental and social responsibility from companies. Staying competitive means showing a serious commitment to those responsibilities. Understanding the carbon markets helps you resolve the best course for your sustainability needs, according to your own specific circumstances.

The carbon landscape is complicated. Climate Vault’s team of experts have compiled your comprehensive guide to carbon credits, offsets, and more in the new Carbon Landscape eBook. Download your copy today for detailed insight into carbon markets, emission allowances, carbon offsets, RECs, and CDR, as well as reporting frameworks and standards.

Now, more than ever, your climate commitments are watched and noted by everyone from the workforce to investors to customers. As a result, your organization may be considering programs for its carbon reduction strategy or even full carbon neutrality. Yet the carbon market landscape is wide and varied, with its own vernacular to boot. Deciding where and when to jump in are daunting propositions, even for sustainability pros. Compounding the complexity is the fact that the compliance carbon markets (CCMs) and voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) are not equivalent entities. Each market offers different value propositions—the traditional VCM expansive options, accessibility, and a free market approach, and the CCM scale, accountability, verifiability, and reliability. It’s the characteristics of the latter that make compliance carbon markets the secret weapon against climate change.

Not all carbon markets are created equal 
It’s like if you have a choice between a $5 Canadian bill and a $5 US bill: while both bills have the same denomination, they hold different values in different contexts, and which you’ll choose depends on your circumstances.

This is how we think of the two main categories of carbon markets. Both VCMs and CCMs offer carbon reduction solutions, but in different ways (and with different levels of certainty and credibility). For an example of how this happens, check out this clip from John Oliver, or this one from later in the same program

Markets can be a powerful force for good when it comes to combating climate change. At Climate Vault, we turn to the CCMs to knock out carbon because of the credibility and guaranteed additionality of locking up carbon allowances. The elegance of CCMs is their simplicity: when you purchase one allowance, you prevent a regulated polluter from emitting one ton of CO2.

Compliance Carbon Markets 
CCMs are an integral component of cap-and-trade programs in locations that regulate the emissions from certain industries, such as energy production and oil & gas. Participants in those industries are legally compelled to purchase emission allowances that grant them the legal right to emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. Steep financial penalties incentivize participants to remain within the limit of their purchased allowances. Governmental regulations cap the number of allowances available in a given year and generally reduce that number each year in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time.

This cap serves as a catalyst for decarbonization, so that regulated participants either strive to avoid purchasing additional allowances or ultimately pay increased prices for securing them. While CCMs are intended for participants in regulated industries, other parties may also trade emission allowances. Companies that complete the requisite bureaucratic processes are able to buy and sell these allowances (like Climate Vault), however, individuals are largely gated from directly participating.

There are a dozen significant CCMs globally. These include markets created and overseen by:

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the northeastern United StatesCalifornia Air Resources Board (CARB)EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)Canada Federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS)The linked yet independent Tokyo Cap-and-Trade (C&T) and Saitama Target-Setting Emissions Trading (TSET) programs

Non-regulated voluntary decarbonizers are drawn to emission allowances as a vehicle for reducing carbon emissions: they purchase allowances (directly from the CCMs or, more commonly, through a secondary market provider) in order to prevent those emissions from occurring. CCMs offer these voluntary decarbonizers a great deal of certainty. Governments generally mandate precise emissions accounting and monitoring systems for regulated participants. Reported data is publicly available, enhancing the transparency and accountability of the CCMs. Furthermore, many CCMs bake social benefits into their programs, creating economic and environmental benefits for their regional communities.

Voluntary Carbon Market 
The VCM supplies carbon credits for both organizations and individuals. It was designed with the goal of each credit representing the removal or prevention of one ton of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), a unit of measurement that compares the global warming potential of any greenhouse gas to that of carbon dioxide.

The VCM is a decentralized entity. Developing countries generate most of the supply of carbon credits, while developed countries drive the greatest demand. These credits can be sold directly by project developers or governments, or through intermediaries who market them to end users.

VCM offerings primarily include:

OffsetsRenewable energy certificates (RECs)Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects

The VCM expanded in the late 2000s and through the 2010s to meet escalating demand for carbon offset solutions. Its growth has escalated since 2016, as the demand for carbon credits by private actors outside of regulated regimes continues to rise. Yet as the VCM has grown, quality issues with their offerings and questions of efficacy have increased as well.

The VCM suffers from a lack of standardization and opaque pricing. Even when the net carbon impact of the VCM program is smaller than the tonnage of carbon credits issued, these purchasers can still claim credit for the full amount of carbon credits. This disconnect between offsetting and real-world impact has led to many organizations receiving PR blowback, accusations of greenwashing, and even lawsuits for achieving less carbon impact than they report. Yet the VCM offering will likely remain a significant portion of the carbon reduction landscape, due to their ease of purchase and general availability. Organizations looking to make quantifiable, verified impact, however, may be better served by other solutions.

Verification matters 
Carbon programs aim to reduce or offset footprints in various ways, with varying levels of verifiability—proof that they accomplish the carbon impact they claim. That is, if they make any actual impact at all: a European Parliament report found that 85% of VCM offsets fail to reduce emissions. Of course, there are valid programs in the VCM. The onus falls on the participant, to learn how a program tracks and measures its offsets and to ask for verification of a program’s additionality. Verification is significantly more standardized when participating in the CCM. Emission allowances are serialized so they can only be used once, are fully auditable, and are definitively quantified.

Price does not always reflect value 
What is the cost of a ton of carbon? It depends: in the VCM, prices can vary from $10 to nearly $1200. Offsets in the VCM that cost more are generally more sound in their impact and long-term benefit to the environment, but this is not a perfect correlation. Factors other than cost-per-ton affect offset prices, such as broker percentages and registry fees.

Whatever the cost of offsetting a ton of carbon, the value of an offset factors in whether you actually get the tonnage you’re paying for—and what ripple effects it has. For instance, some offset projects actually harm the communities they set out to help. And depending on fees and commissions, much of your investment may never make it to a project developer.

Prices vary in the CCM, driven solely by market conditions (supply and demand) rather than commissions and fees. The price for a metric ton of carbon in the compliance market fluctuates less and is often more affordable than in the voluntary market. This affordability reflects the higher quality and reliability of the impacts achieved, ensuring that investments in the CCM lead to genuine environmental benefits rather than unsubstantiated claims.

One size does not fit all 
Considering the diverse landscape of carbon offsets and permits, each organization must determine its own best course for tackling its carbon footprint. But one thing is for certain: action is imperative, both for businesses and for the planet.

Top talent, customers, investors, other stakeholders: they all increasingly require environmental and social responsibility from companies. Staying competitive means showing a serious commitment to those responsibilities. Understanding the carbon markets helps you resolve the best course for your sustainability needs, according to your own specific circumstances.

The carbon landscape is complicated. Climate Vault’s team of experts have compiled your comprehensive guide to carbon credits, offsets, and more in the new Carbon Landscape eBook. Download your copy today for detailed insight into carbon markets, emission allowances, carbon offsets, RECs, and CDR, as well as reporting frameworks and standards.

Originally published by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Last month, in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, our Pan-Asian Affinity Forum hosted an enlightening discussion centered on overcoming barriers to high performance and innovation within the healthcare industry. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, team members from around the globe shared their thoughts on trust within teams, accountability, and effective ways of working.

We greatly appreciate this opportunity our team had to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of the AAPI community within healthcare and beyond.

Originally published by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Last month, in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, our Pan-Asian Affinity Forum hosted an enlightening discussion centered on overcoming barriers to high performance and innovation within the healthcare industry. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, team members from around the globe shared their thoughts on trust within teams, accountability, and effective ways of working.

We greatly appreciate this opportunity our team had to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of the AAPI community within healthcare and beyond.

Manure management is a critical aspect of sustainable agriculture, particularly for smaller dairy farms where resources and space are limited. Methane, a greenhouse gas that is a leading cause of climate change, is released when manure is stored in open lagoons and land applied on the farm’s fields. According to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), “Livestock – primarily beef and dairy cows – account for the vast majority of agriculture methane emissions,” which is why organizations like the EDF are working to help farmers mitigate as much methane as possible.

Methane is not the only consideration when looking at how to sustainably manage the large amounts of manure produced on farms every day. Manure can also have other adverse environmental impacts, including nutrient runoff and groundwater contamination if not handled correctly. The pollutants naturally occurring in manure, such as bacteria, nitrogen, ammonia, and phosphates can contribute to water pollution, air quality degradation, and climate change and may even pose a public health risk to the communities in which the farms operate.

Smaller farms often face unique challenges when it comes to manure storage and management and as dairy farmers are working to become more sustainable, they are looking for creative solutions to enhance their manure management programs.

Small Farms: Tackling Big Issues

Multi-generational dairy farmers are an important piece of our nation’s food supply chain, and in addition to running dairy operations, they are quickly becoming climate warriors. They know better than anyone how important it is to embrace regenerative agriculture practices, and how a changing climate is affecting their growing seasons along with how they operate their farms.

When it comes to manure, small farms typically have limited land area, making it difficult to allocate space for proper manure storage facilities. To put that in perspective, a dairy farm with 300 cows produces approximately 36,000 pounds of manure daily. The large production volume with limited land mass can lead to overcrowded storage areas, increasing the risk of runoff and therefore contamination of nearby water bodies. According to a paper from North Dakota State University Extension, runoff can affect aquatic life and even drinking water if a high enough quantity contaminates a nearby waterbody. This is undesirable to everyone, especially farmers. To improve their on-farm manure management strategy and become better stewards to the land, farmers are looking for innovative ways to handle their manure in environmentally friendly ways.

Smaller dairies may lack the financial resources to invest in sophisticated manure management systems. Traditional methods such as open pit composting or simple storage piles are common but can result in significant greenhouse gas emissions and odor issues.

One solution that dairy farms are looking into is anaerobic digestion given its many benefits including increased soil health, renewable energy generation, and diversion of food waste from landfills or incineration as suggested by the EPA and USDA. Unfortunately, anaerobic digesters tend not to be a financially viable option given their high capital cost and complex operation.

In addition to the high financial cost, small dairy farms face another hurdle when it comes to manure-only anaerobic digestion systems: the amount of manure needed to make a digester financially feasible is more than the farm’s herd produces. The solution is codigestion. Codigester systems take both the manure produced by the farm along with nearby food and beverage waste to increase gas production and therefore economic feasibility without additional manure. Given that the food and beverage waste also has been shown to be a significant methane producer when put into landfill or incinerated, this solution enables the farm to harness the power of waste to create renewable energy and have a state-of-the-art manure management system that protects the environment.

Anaerobic Digestion as a Sustainable Solution

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that converts organic waste, including manure, into biogas and nutrient-rich biofertilizer in the absence of oxygen. This technology offers several benefits for small farms such as green energy production, nutrient recycling, and odor and pathogen reduction.

Anaerobic digestion prevents the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Instead, methane produced during the digestion process is captured and concentrated to be used as a direct renewable energy source for heating, electricity generation, and vehicle fuel. By capturing methane, anaerobic digestion helps mitigate climate change while providing renewable energy for businesses and communities. When the biogas is upgraded it becomes renewable gas, a drop-in replacement fuel for non-sustainably sourced fossil gas.

The biofertilizer produced during anaerobic digestion is a valuable renewable nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be safely applied to cropland, reducing the need for energy intensive synthetic fertilizers. Proper nutrient management helps improve soil fertility and crop yields while minimizing nutrient runoff, water pollution, and overall farm environmental impact.

Unlike traditional manure management methods such as open pit composting, anaerobic digestion reduces odor emissions by containing the decomposition process within sealed digesters. Post digestion, the nutrient rich biofertilizer is practically odor free since most of the organic material has been turned into valuable renewable gas. This is particularly beneficial for small farms located near residential areas, as it helps minimize nuisance odors and maintain positive relationships with neighbors and nearby communities.

Anaerobic digestion also effectively reduces pathogens present in raw manure, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and protecting public health. The high temperature and retention time inside the digester reduce the number of harmful bacteria and parasites, ensuring that the resulting digestate is safe for land application.

Final Thoughts

Manure storage and management pose significant challenges for smaller farms, but anaerobic codigestion offers a sustainable solution to mitigate these challenges. By capturing methane, managing nutrients, reducing odors, and enhancing pathogen control, anaerobic digestion helps small farms operate more efficiently and more sustainably.

Vanguard Renewables® has been supporting multi-generational dairy farmers for over a decade. The Company builds, owns, and operates anaerobic codigesters that recycle manure and food and beverage waste from the manufacturing and retail sectors on dairy farms across the country. Vanguard Renewables’ Farm Powered® process provides its host farms with a guaranteed lease payment for 20+ years that ensures that its farmers have a predictable and dependable revenue stream along with the nutrient rich biofertilizer and separated solids which can be used as bedding for their herd at no cost.

This unique partnership between Vanguard Renewables and its host farms allows the Company’s farmers to focus on farming and Vanguard Renewables can focus on providing a manure management program that is not just good for the farm and the croplands, but also for the community and our planet.

—

Anna Raschke, Senior Engineer in Operations at Vanguard Renewables

Authored by Tyler R. Inda, Manjima Bose, Bob Hofacker

How can your organization amplify funding for clean energy projects that create lasting community impact in low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDAC)? Understand the interplay of Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) awards, a program within the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits and other alternative federal funding to best structure deals and meet compliance needs.

In this session, subject matter experts answer the following:

What is the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)?What is CCIA? How does it work and why is it important to act now?What are strategies for eligible clean energy project pipeline generation?Can your pipeline of projects also leverage the Inflation Reduction Act energy tax credits?What are the alternative funding sources to be aware of when structuring capital for energy projects? Is there timing to be aware of?How should you best develop a lending plan and position your CDFI for subaward?What are the compliance pieces that should be prioritized?

Who should watch?

CCIA award recipients and their partnersCommunity Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)State and local government entitiesCommunity lendersRenewable energy developers

Get started with a specialist to learn more about federal funding available for your clean energy projects.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Partnership Shines Light on the Positive Impact of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) featuring Paralympic Hopeful Derek LoccidentSpot Will Play Throughout NBCU’s Olympic and Paralympic Promotional Window

NEW YORK, July 17, 2024 /3BL/ – The NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab, the company’s signature and award-winning initiative of its corporate social impact brand, NBCUnites, partnered with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and nonprofit agency Venice Arts to create an inspiring :30 PSA featuring Team USA Athlete and Paralympic hopeful Derek Loccident.

Through a grant from the Lab, apprentices from Venice Arts produced the spot with creative guidance from NBCUniversal volunteers. The national spot will reach millions of homes through donated on-air and online inventory leading up to the Paralympic Games.

Founded in 2022, the NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab harnesses a one-of-a-kind model to commission apprentices from creative nonprofit agencies to develop marketing assets for nonprofit organizations – helping them create awareness and scale their impact. NBCUniversal volunteers, who work in creative roles around the company, serve as advisors on each storytelling project. The finished assets are showcased in donated promotional time on the platforms of Comcast and NBCUniversal.

“The Creative Impact Lab is empowering the next generation of creators from diverse backgrounds while shining a light on the positive impact of nonprofits,” said Hilary Smith, Executive Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at NBCUniversal. “The Challenged Athletes Foundation is a leader in empowering athletes with physical disabilities, and we were thrilled to work with Venice Arts to create a powerful PSA that will hopefully inspire others like Derek to pursue their dreams. We look forward to watching Derek compete for a spot in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.”

Derek Loccident, originally a collegiate football player, faced a life-altering accident that severed his left foot during his sophomore season. Undeterred by adversity, he transitioned to track & field with a prosthetic leg provided by Össur and a sports expense grant from CAF. Loccident’s dedication has driven him to compete for a spot on the world’s biggest athletic stage this summer in Paris 2024 Paralympics.

“CAF is an amazing foundation that helps tons of people around the world,” said Derek Loccident. “It’s awesome to be part of a family like this. They allow athletes to compete with confidence, knowing that whatever happens, happens and the rest will take care of itself.”

“Featuring Derek Loccident’s journey to Comcast NBCU audiences is a win-win partnership between CAF, Venice Arts and NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab,” said Kara Sterner, Chief Marketing Officer at CAF. “This collaboration not only showcases our mission but also amplifies our visibility, enabling us to scale our impact. It’s a prime example of how targeted exposure through creative alliances can empower nonprofits to expand their reach and deepen their community engagements.”

The PSA invites viewers to witness Derek Loccident’s inspiring journey and be part of a celebration of determination, hope, and triumph over adversity. The spot made its debut on NBC Sports on May 20, 2024 to mark 100 Days until the Paris Paralympics and will continue to air on the platforms of Comcast and NBCUniversal throughout the Olympic window.

This year, NBCUniversal is set to present the most comprehensive coverage of the Paralympics in U.S. media history. The 17th edition of this prestigious international event is set to include a record-breaking amount of coverage, along with a groundbreaking broadcast that will create an unparalleled viewing experience for the American audience. Learn more about NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games here.

June is a time of celebration, reflection, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. It’s a month that commemorates the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the LGBTQ+ community and celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals. At Cadence, we proudly champion these values year-round. During Pride Month, however, we shine an extra light on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This year, our celebrations spanned the globe, from flag-raising ceremonies to thought-provoking discussions, culminating in a vibrant Pridefest at our headquarters in San Jose.

Flag Raising Ceremonies Around the Globe

Unity and visibility are core principles of the Pride celebration. In a symbolic act of solidarity, Cadence displayed the Pride Progress Flag at many of our office sites around the world. These events marked the beginning of Pride Month and signified our ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community. From the United States to Europe and Asia, the rainbow flag, a universal symbol of LGBTQ+ pride, flew high and proud, reflecting our global commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.

An Enlightening Conversation with Megan Smith

At Cadence headquarters, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to host Megan Smith, CEO of shift7 and former US Chief Technology Officer—and the first woman to hold that office—as part of our Pride Month celebrations. Megan’s visit was as impactful as it was inspirational as she shared her insightful perspectives on technology, diversity, and social change. Her passionate encouragement to challenge existing norms and harness innovation for societal progress left us feeling empowered and optimistic about the future. During her talk, Megan underscored the significance of inclusion in technology and how it can profoundly change the world for the better, stating, “We have a culture problem, not a pipeline problem,” when speaking on the barriers to finding diverse tech talent. Her work with shift7, aimed at nurturing tech talent from diverse backgrounds, is a testament to her commitment to creating a more inclusive and innovative industry. Our team’s enthusiastic participation and thoughtful questions further reinforced our collective dedication to these important ideals.

Pridefest: A Celebration of Community and Diversity

The highlight of our Pride Month celebrations was the second annual Cadence Pridefest event, held at our corporate headquarters. A culmination of love, diversity, and community, the event featured various local LGBTQ+-owned businesses, showcasing their products and services for employees to purchase goods and make connections. SV Pride, Bill Wilson Center, Adolescent Counseling Center, The LGBTQ Youth Space, and Grammarly—our Words Matter partner—joined us, offering resources and information to employees, further strengthening the bonds between Cadence and the community we live and work in. Colleagues gathered to connect, laugh, and share joy, encapsulating the spirit of inclusivity and connection that lies at the heart of Pride.

Our celebrations throughout Pride Month inspired employees to come together to support our commitment to creating a workplace and industry that values diversity, promotes equity, and includes everyone. These events, while celebrating the history and impact of the LGBTQ+ community, remind us that we all have a role in continuing to lay the foundation for a future where everyone can feel safe and encouraged to be their authentic self at work.

Learn more about life at Cadence.

July 17, 2024 /3BL/ – The Biomimicry Institute, a not-for-profit organization focused on realizing a nature-positive, inclusive and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius, today announced the 10 startups selected to participate in the transformational Ray of Hope Accelerator. The six-month accelerator is designed to propel nature-inspired startups towards commercialization through robust training, networking, $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and over $50,000 of in-kind services.

“This year we have an incredibly diverse group of startups that reflect the Biomimicry Institute’s new disruptive and global strategy. The impact that their nature-inspired technologies can have on Climate Change and Biodiversity loss across key industry sectors, is enormous.” said Amanda Sturgeon, CEO at The Biomimicry Institute.

The 2024 cohort of the Ray of Hope accelerator are pioneering inspiring solutions through their use of biomimicry (also referred to as nature-inspired or bioinspired design). Ideas presented include developing cutting edge energy storage solutions inspired by hemoglobin to a platform technology inspired by the versatility of mucus, amongst others. Selected from hundreds of impressive submissions from startups around the world, the Biomimicry Institute is proud to announce the top 10 startups selected to participate in this transformational program.

The 10 selected startups include:

AZUL Energy Inc., Japan – Creates energy storage and transfer catalysts inspired by hemoglobin.
 Brokkr Mineral Resources Corporation, Canada – Works with electrogenic bacteria to source low-cost, high quality nickel and cobalt.
 Cellulotech Inc., Canada – Impartes a superhydrophobic lotus effect on cellulosic products like paper, via green chemistry.
 FIBERLY, France/Argentina – Turns cellulosic textile waste into high quality fibers, molecularly similar to cotton.
 Gel Matter Co., USA – Develops novel hydrogels that mimic natural mucus, with functions like lubrication and adhesion.
 ReefCycle LLC, USA – Grows unique bio-cement from plant enzymes via biomineralization.
 SanaHeal Inc., USA – Creates wet binding bioadhesives inspired by barnacles and spider webs.
 Scentian Bio Limited, New Zealand – Builds disruptive sensor platforms that emulates chemical receptors found in insects.
 Soarce Inc., USA – Transforms seaweed waste into high performing and low impact chemistries, via a novel refinery process.
 Tuebor Energy Inc., USA – Develops next generation battery components inspired by cartilage nanostructure.

Selected startups will begin the six-month accelerator program in September with a networking reception during New York Climate Week, followed by an in-person nature retreat focused on community building, leadership and reconnection. Throughout the Ray of Hope accelerator program, the Biomimicry Institute will provide each startup with in-depth support, access to their deep network of corporate and investment leaders and training to accelerate the market deployment of participants’ nature-inspired solutions.

“As a Foundation, it was a privilege to have been a part of this year’s external selection committee for the Ray of Hope Accelerator. The quality of applications is testament to the growth of the programme, and also the scale at which nature-inspired changemakers are coming up with new and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. We wish to welcome and congratulate this new cohort of changemakers, and look forward to seeing their growth throughout the year.” Wayne Bruce, Chief Communications and DEI Officer at Bentley Motors, and responsible for the Bentley Environmental Foundation

The Ray of Hope program is entering its fifth year with an updated, more robust format courtesy of a new partnership with the Bentley Environmental Foundation, in addition to the support of its keystone partner the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and corporate innovation partner L’Oréal. The program has successfully supported 39 companies so far, with past participants having secured additional funding, greater awareness of their work through media, paid proof-of-concept pilot contracts with major corporations, and increased sales as a result of the program’s extensive network. Previous cohorts comprised companies from 15 different countries, were 40% female founders, and included award-winning startups like Anodyne Chemistries (Canada, 2023) Sparxell (UK, 2023) GreenPod Labs (India, 2022), Spintex Engineering (UK, 2021), ECOncrete Tech (Israel, 2020). To see a full list of past nature-inspired startups that have completed the Ray of Hope program, click here.

For more information on the Ray of Hope program and to learn how to support it, visit biomimicry.org/RayofHopePrize.

About the Biomimicry Institute

The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2005 that connects individuals to enable a nature-positive, inclusive and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius. To advance the solution process, the Institute offers AskNature.org, the largest free, living database of biological strategies for sustainable innovation. The organization also provides a Biomimicry Launchpad incubator program, and the Ray of Hope Accelerator, which supports nature-inspired startups in scaling systemic solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The Institute has also launched a new collaborative initiative called Design for Transformation, which will pilot technologies that convert discarded clothes and textiles into biocompatible raw materials. This fall, the Institute will introduce an AskNature Community Subscription platform, designed to foster collaboration and innovation in a globally engaged community dedicated to a nature-positive future. For more information, visit www.biomimicry.org.

Media Contact:

Jared Yarnall-Schane
Director of Innovation
innovation@biomimicry.org