Tag: 3BL

Climate stewardship is a core pillar of KeyBank’s corporate responsibility strategy. The organization has taken deliberate actions to build a sustainable business model that manage risks, capitalizes on opportunities, and drives the transition to a low-carbon economy – inside and outside of the company.

As part of this effort, Key recently hired Marissa Brydle as their new sustainability director. Marissa will lead the development and execution of climate strategies and disclosures, with a focus on driving Key’s achievement of their climate-related commitments. She will also serve as the primary contact with representatives from various stakeholder groups including investors and disclosure organizations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marissa to KeyBank as our new sustainability director,” said Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO of KeyBank Foundation. “Her expertise and passion for environmental stewardship will be instrumental as we advance our commitment to sustainable practices that drive meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”

Prior to joining Key, Marissa led the corporate sustainability team at Cleveland-Cliffs for three years serving all major operations, business lines, and corporate functions. She worked directly with executive leadership to develop strategy and messaging, set goals, and manage external reporting activities. Marissa has 15 years of experience in sustainability strategy and disclosure—the majority spent consulting with and guiding companies through their sustainability journeys from the early stages to mature programs.

Marissa earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from John Carroll University, where she previously served as a part-time lecturer. She previously served as a board member (including a term as board chair) for over nine years at Adoption Network Cleveland.

Written by: Ashley Fill, Director Sustainability Strategy, North American Home Care at P&G
At Procter & Gamble, Ashley Fill leads the sustainability strategy for top home care brands across North America including Cascade, Swiffer, Dawn and Febreze. She is executing the brand’s circularity strategy for Swiffer, Mr. Clean and Dawn packaging. She is a 2022 GreenBiz 30 Under 30 honoree and earned her master’s in sustainability leadership at Cambridge University.   

How can companies most efficiently gain traction toward circularity? Many discussions tend to focus on closing gaps in the physical materials flow, like improving the design of packaging to reduce waste and increase recyclability or integrating more post-consumer recycled content into a given product. To build a circular future, it is equally important to link collaboration within packaging value chains.

Upstream stakeholders navigate product sourcing, design and manufacturing before the consumer sees it. These stakeholders and downstream actors collecting, sorting and processing the materials often miss opportunities to work together to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste. 

A better understanding of downstream operations can inform product and packaging designs that appeal to both consumers and the buyers of the material after its first use, enabling materials to flow into a closed loop more easily. 

Making progress

Industry associations, NGOs, non-profits and other coalitions are helping to fill gaps to catalyze collaboration across the value chain. The challenge lies in getting the right players with both the influence and know-how together partnering on gains. To achieve a fully transformed circular economy, we must pursue the practical steps to get there. 

It’s important to align the needs of downstream operators processing the recycled materials with the upstream designers and manufacturers, so that the latter can learn more about how to design not only for today’s heterogeneous waste management and recycling infrastructure but to influence how these systems can evolve. Product manufacturers are incorporating some downstream operators’ feedback to help forward recycling and circularity. 

This type of collaboration and consumer-centric design is necessary to make progress on circularity, following the waste mitigation hierarchy to improve reduce and reuse rates. By lightweighting packaging, incorporating more post-consumer recycled content and concentrating formulas help brands design for products for circularity. 

Designing to reduce packaging

Reduce is about companies eliminating waste from the start, which is the type of change they can control. One way this can come to life is through concentration—using technology and innovation to reduce the volume of liquid in a product by removing inactive ingredients while maintaining the same number of doses in the bottle—all without sacrificing performance or safety. 

Mr. Clean, for example, is a liquid all-purpose cleaner; P&G optimized the formula and removed half of the water. In turn, that enabled a reduction in the packaging required, reduced trucks on the road to transport it to stores and improved the bottle’s ergonomics. Together with retailer partners, we demonstrate the value proposition to consumers where less can be more while receiving the same great product they know and love. 

Innovating to make reuse easier at home

With concentrated formulas, manufacturers can create refill jugs that are better to handle—easier to lift and pour at home. For example, the Dawn jug of concentrated soap is designed for people to refill their smaller bottles at the sink. Creating this opportunity for easier refills and communicating the associated environmental impact helps nudge more people to refill.

Not all people have space to stock larger refill jugs—for this group, we make it easy to get chores done through a recharge model. Systems for products like Dawn Powerwash and Mr. Clean Clean Freak include a reusable sprayer nozzle and the product in the starter pack. When it’s time to refill, people buy only the product portion, which comes at a lower price than the starter pack. People need to experience how well the product works and understand the value for the more sustainable option to be irresistible.

Circular, durable solutions on the market remain limited today; as such, packaging requires a responsible end-of-life strategy. That’s why it is critical to manage recyclability with material sorters and processors. For example, after connecting with end users, we replaced metal springs with plastic components on the reusable trigger of Dawn Powerwash and Mr. Clean Clean Freak. Similar insights led Febreze and Swiffer to swap out hard-to-open plastic blister packs on some products to recyclable carton board. Better usage experience and better for circularity. 

Collaborating to create systems-wide change 

Technology that can efficiently sort and process a wider variety of materials will help everyone in the value chain. Coalitions, collaborations and trade associations are working to drive consistency and education about how material recycling facilities can get more value out of the materials that come through their doors.

Making new recycling processes available can drive change across sectors, better meeting industry demand for recycled content. P&G developed a process, VersoVita™, that purifies recycled polypropylene resin using dissolution to return it to near-virgin quality, processing that allows more types of plastic can be recycled and reused. We are licensing the technology to plastic manufacturers globally so they can produce high-quality, recycled resin.

As packaging designers learn more about the downstream sector’s challenges and opportunities, they can take a fresh look at more packaging innovations to create both an easier and delightful user experience and divert more streams from landfill and into circularity. Support from upstream players like retailers can also move the needle by helping to educate consumers on the importance of refilling and recycling through their in-store product merchandising. 

Upstream and downstream collaboration across the value chain is essential to drive us toward circularity, with both parties connecting and catalyzing action. Together this work will more quickly transform a traditionally linear economy to one where we unlock untapped value and keep materials in use. 

This article was originally published on GreenBiz.com

May 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Under this agreement, Sky will receive the majority of renewable energy guarantees of origin (REGOs) generated from the 46 MW wind farm, which will help Sky reduce the emissions associated with its electricity use.

Starting in 2025, Sky will receive 100 GWh annually of clean, renewable energy from the Crossdykes Wind Farm, approximately 69% of the total power generated by the project. This is equivalent to approximately 34,000 UK homes’ annual electricity use.1

The agreement is a key part of Sky’s ongoing commitment to sourcing renewable electricity. From being the first media company to go carbon neutral in 2006, to launching the world’s first auto standby set top box – Sky has been committed to decarbonising its business for more than 15 years.

Fiona Ball, Group Director of the Bigger Picture and Sustainability at Sky, said: “This agreement is evidence of Sky’s commitment to reducing our environmental impact. We source the majority of our electricity in the UK from renewable energy, and this long-term project in Lanarkshire provides us with lasting clean energy for years to come. As a media and entertainment company, we are determined to use our voice to help the media sector and the UK more broadly decarbonise.”

Phil Austin, Chairman of Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust, said: “We are pleased to enter this agreement with Sky, a known sustainability leader. Renewable energy supply deals with companies like Sky help meet vital targets to decarbonise businesses.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes estimates, projections and statements regarding plans and goals that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For more information on these statements, please see https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/environment/forward-looking-statements.

1 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/average-gas-and-electricity-use-explained

By Kim Borges 

During National Small Business Week, Regions highlighted entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities – and the organizations helping them thrive.

Keisha Mabry Haymore is in the business of bringing people together.

And if you’re also an entrepreneur, she wants to introduce you to a chance to grow.

Mabry Haymore’s professional networking company, heyFRIEND, was already doing well. But when she took advantage of a free training opportunity to help her business grow, heyFRIEND reached new heights.

The opportunity is one Regions Bank offers to small-business owners every year via Inner City Capital Connections, or ICCC. The program traces its roots to Harvard and is building success nationwide.

Mabry Haymore took part in Regions-sponsored ICCC programs twice in St. Louis. In 2024, the bank is taking ICCC to Miami. Meaning South Florida entrepreneurs will soon make business connections like Mabry Haymore did, helping their own companies grow.

We’ve seen the results ICCC creates for business owners across the country, from Atlanta to Los Angeles and beyond.

Chris Cruzpino, market executive for Regions Bank in Miami

“I’ve enjoyed all of them because they connect people to people and people to resources,” she said. “I did ICCC when I was questioning what to do with my business. You need exposure to resources and tools that take your company to the next level. ICCC empowers you to think strategically and intentionally about growing and scaling.”

ICCC is for entrepreneurs whose companies are in or near under-resourced areas. Or their workforce may come largely from under-resourced communities. Bottom line, if there’s a way to empower small businesses facing a lack of resources, ICCC is committed to helping them build capacity for sustainable growth and resiliency.

“We’ve seen the results ICCC creates for business owners across the country, from Atlanta to Los Angeles and beyond,” said Chris Cruzpino, market executive for Regions Bank in Miami. “So, we were determined to bring ICCC to South Florida. We know the 2024 ICCC event this fall will be transformational for business owners looking to take the next step in their growth.”

The Miami event will happen in early October, and the application page is already available on the ICCC website. The workshop will cover marketing, business strategy, talent retention and more. Participants also gain access to free one-on-one coaching, webinars and a new network of fellow entrepreneurs to learn from and lean on for support.

“What ICCC does is put people in a room as possibility models,” Mabry Haymore said. “Along with amazing program facilitators, there are amazing peers sitting to your right and left, front and back, who have their own experiences and their own stories. We often treat entrepreneurship as an island, but it really is a team sport.”

The ICCC team continues to grow with more than 10 cohorts held annually.

“With Regions’ help since 2014, we’re proud to have built a nationwide network of more than 8,000 alumni whose creativity and passion for growth have created strong, healthy communities,” said Steve Grossman, President and CEO of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, the nonprofit which conducts ICCC. “Key to our success are the relationship-building skills and commitment our alumni have made to help other small business owners reach their full potential.”

The benefits last for years. Consider this: Mabry Haymore is using the knowledge she gained to grow another company, Heydays. It’s a collaborative co-working space providing women founders and founders of color with shared services like accounting, marketing, virtual assistants and more.

“Heydays is a place where people can connect, create and curate anything,” she said. “I opened Heydays because as a founder you realize how important community is, and you see how many gaps exist. Heydays was a matter of building community and seeing how I could support and give back.”

Regions Bank itself decided to support Heydays’ work.

“Eric Madkins and I talk often, and he’s amazing” she said, describing the bank’s Community Development manager in St. Louis. “Regions has sponsored a lot of things we do to support our business owners.”

“I opened Heydays because as a founder you realize how important community is, and you see how many gaps exist. Heydays was a matter of building community and seeing how I could support and give back.”

Keisha Mabry Haymore

“Keisha and I met 14 years ago in a leadership program, where I quickly discovered her energy is off the charts,” said Madkins. “Her ideas jump off the page and come to life due to her keen vision and entrepreneurial spirit.”

For fellow entrepreneurs considering applying for ICCC, Mabry Haymore encourages them to take the leap.

“I would say it’s understandable, you’re busy and your time is limited, but this is time well spent,” she said. “I came away from my ICCC experience with what I call the five Cs: community, creativity, clarity, courage and confidence.”

Mabry Haymore knows she can continue calling on that community for years to come.

“So many times, as founders, we’re taught to do these things all by ourselves,” she said. “ICCC is about being able to look to others for inspiration and leveraging your community to build capacity. It’s about the power of relationships. I’m thankful for it.”

Read about more ICCC alumni.

In force since January 5, 2023, the CSRD represents a new era of transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability. Since its’ proposal by the European Commission in 2021, the CSRD has marked a significant shift in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulatory landscape. This groundbreaking directive will take a historically voluntary corporate initiative and make it into regulatory requirement for more than 50,000 companies. According to Sustainable Brands, that is expected to include an estimated 3,000 US companies.

The CSRD aims to transform how companies report on sustainability by enforcing clear, consistent, and comparable information. Building on the foundation of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), the directive introduces more extensive and stringent requirements.

Structure of the CSRD

Central to the CSRD’s framework are the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which provide detailed guidelines and metrics needed to comply with the CSRD. The ESRS, comprised of over 1,100 data points, are grouped into five main categories, with the first two focused on general principles and general cross-cutting standards.

Potential Impacts on Companies

Given the sheer amount of data that the CSRD requires, companies will likely need to spend more time and resources gathering and organizing information about their operations. This information includes but is not limited to data on climate-related risks, greenhouse gas emissions, human rights, diversity, and internal policies. Stakeholder engagement with groups such as investors, customers, and employees are also crucial to CSRD compliance.

How the CSRD Relates to US Companies

Companies in the US with operations, subsidiaries, or significant business interests in the EU are impacted by the CSRD. The requirement to comply with the CSRD depends on a company’s number of employees and amount of assets in the EU. Compliance with these reporting standards is currently and, in the future, will be essential to maintain market access in the EU and avoid legal repercussions. Non-compliance could lead to penalties and restricted market participation.

Supply Chain Impact: CSRD is focused on large US multi-nationals, however, the impact of CSRD will be felt far and wide by US companies. A key reporting obligation of CSRD is for the reporting companies to provide a wholistic representation of their business impacts across their entire value chain. This means companies currently providing services and products to large US multi-nationals should expect their customers to be asking for information about their sustainability activities, as this information will need to be rolled up and included in their CSRD reporting.

Critical Reporting Dates

January 1st, 2024: The CSRD reporting requirements started to apply to large public interest entities already subject to the NFRD.

January 1st, 2025: The requirements will extend to other large companies that have an EU subsidiary in scope of two of the three criteria: total assets exceed $27M, annual revenue exceed $54M, and has over 250 employees.

January 1st, 2026: Listed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will need to start reporting under CSRD, with the possibility of opting out until 2028.

Key First Steps for US Companies

Engage Legal Counsel: Inquire with legal counsel to understand if, and when, your business would have to comply with the CSRD.Training and Awareness: Ensure that staff are trained in reporting and understand the specifics of CSRD requirements to ensure aligned data collection.Data Collection and Organization: Collect and organize company-wide data internally to make compliance easier.Double Materiality Assessment: The double materiality assessment is considered the first step of CSRD compliance, which allows companies to identify which disclosure requirements they will need to disclose. If your company has not done one yet, make plans as soon as possible for conducting one.Gap Assessment: Set up and perform a gap assessment to compare your current reporting requirements practices against the CSRD.

Questions to Ask Yourself

To navigate the CSRD, there are a few key questions companies can ask themselves.

How do our current reporting practices stand up to the CSRD requirements?Are there resources and systems we need to implement or upgrade to meet these requirements?What internal timelines do we need to set to ensure compliance with the CSRD deadlines?

FAQ

Where can I find more information about the CSRD and ESRS?

More information about the CSRD and ESRS can be found on the official websites of the European Commission and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).

I need further help with CSRD, where do I go?

Have any further questions or want further help with CSRD? Reach out to our team for further guidance! Antea Group offers double materiality assessments and CSRD gap assessments.

At IBM, we believe in the power of driving positive impact in communities around the world. Each year, we are proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of IBMers worldwide who exemplify our commitment to volunteerism, through the IBM Volunteer Excellence Awards.

These awards honor individuals and groups with exceptional dedication to making a positive impact. Together, the winners volunteered across 12 countries in 2023, working on diverse projects. From organizing coding workshops for girls in underserved communities to leading food distribution efforts in low-income neighborhoods, their contributions have touched and inspired many.

Some of the winners include:

In Italy, a team of IBMers collaborated with Differenza Donna, a nonprofit committed to supporting women who are survivors of gender-based violence. IBMers helped equip women in the program with essential digital skills through IBM SkillsBuild covering topics such as AI, design thinking, and cybersecurity, offering them a source of empowerment, job preparedness, and a fresh start for them and their children.In Miyakojima, an isolated island in Japan that heavily relies on external sources for its energy needs, a team of IBMers volunteered through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. IBMers developed an energy forecasting model utilizing cloud and AI technologies, which seeks to enhance the island’s self-sufficiency in clean, renewable energy. Learn more about the work in Miyakojima here.

In recognition of their extraordinary efforts, each award recipient will receive a $10,000 (USD) grant to support a nonprofit organization of their choice further. This grant is a testament to IBM’s ongoing commitment to helping those who are driving positive change in their communities.

While the Volunteer Excellence Awards highlight the achievements of a select group of individuals, IBM believes that every IBMer has the power to make a difference. Whether through volunteering at IBM offices, participating in community-based initiatives, or contributing virtually, there are countless ways for IBMers to get involved.

IBM is progressing towards its goal of 4 million volunteer hours. Learn more: https://www.ibm.com/impact/

At IBM, we believe in the power of driving positive impact in communities around the world. Each year, we are proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of IBMers worldwide who exemplify our commitment to volunteerism, through the IBM Volunteer Excellence Awards.

These awards honor individuals and groups with exceptional dedication to making a positive impact. Together, the winners volunteered across 12 countries in 2023, working on diverse projects. From organizing coding workshops for girls in underserved communities to leading food distribution efforts in low-income neighborhoods, their contributions have touched and inspired many.

Some of the winners include:

In Italy, a team of IBMers collaborated with Differenza Donna, a nonprofit committed to supporting women who are survivors of gender-based violence. IBMers helped equip women in the program with essential digital skills through IBM SkillsBuild covering topics such as AI, design thinking, and cybersecurity, offering them a source of empowerment, job preparedness, and a fresh start for them and their children.In Miyakojima, an isolated island in Japan that heavily relies on external sources for its energy needs, a team of IBMers volunteered through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. IBMers developed an energy forecasting model utilizing cloud and AI technologies, which seeks to enhance the island’s self-sufficiency in clean, renewable energy. Learn more about the work in Miyakojima here.

In recognition of their extraordinary efforts, each award recipient will receive a $10,000 (USD) grant to support a nonprofit organization of their choice further. This grant is a testament to IBM’s ongoing commitment to helping those who are driving positive change in their communities.

While the Volunteer Excellence Awards highlight the achievements of a select group of individuals, IBM believes that every IBMer has the power to make a difference. Whether through volunteering at IBM offices, participating in community-based initiatives, or contributing virtually, there are countless ways for IBMers to get involved.

IBM is progressing towards its goal of 4 million volunteer hours. Learn more: https://www.ibm.com/impact/

The Hershey Company

HERSHEY, Pa., June 4, 2024 /3BL/ – Hershey (NYSE: HSY) today announced the release of its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, sharing progress towards business resilience and impact in its material priorities. The report outlines how the company is implementing its global sustainability strategy across its six priority areas – cocoa, responsible sourcing and human rights, environment, people, youth and community. Hershey is working toward its vision to become a Leading Snacking Powerhouse, and the company’s responsible and sustainable practices play an integral role in its business.

“Hershey remains focused on strengthening our business and making the biggest impact in our focus areas,” said Michele Buck, CEO of The Hershey Company. “While we have more to do on this journey, the collective efforts of our team, in partnership with leading organizations and key stakeholders, will continue to propel us forward. Our actions and progress are aimed at driving long-term resiliency for our business, sustainability for our planet and the well-being of our people.”

Building more resilient and sustainable supply chains 
Hershey’s Cocoa For Good strategy, underpinned with a $500 million investment, includes initiatives to create a supply chain where farmers, and their children and families, can prosper. Today, Hershey has invested 51% of that commitment. Achievements include:

Improving farmer income and livelihoods: The Hershey Income Accelerator Program (HIAP) was launched in spring of 2023, and the company has reached 1,850 cocoa farmers with first cash transfers for the adoption of sustainable farming practices.Investing in children’s well-being: Hershey made investments to improve education infrastructure, provide school nutrition, deliver school supplies and help children obtain birth certificates. As part of an agreement with the Côte d’Ivoire’s CNS (National Oversight Committee of Actions Against Child Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labor) and the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), Hershey is funding construction of 12 primary schools in cocoa-producing communities. The first school opened in Drissapé, Côte d’Ivoire in December 2023.Launching a new human rights framework: Hershey’s new human rights framework, the Human Rights Impact Pathway, was developed to guide the company’s future programming to address the most complex issues and drive systemic improvements that remove barriers to basic human rights.

Acting on climate change and reducing waste for business resiliency 
Across its global operations, Hershey took actions to safeguard the planet, expanding efforts to reduce emissions in its value chain while advancing nature-based projects to combat climate change. Progress updates from 2023 include:

Minimizing greenhouse gas emissions: The company achieved a 43% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2018 baseline and is on track to achieve a 50% absolute reduction by 2030.Eliminating packaging waste and improving circularity: Hershey phased out more than 1.7 million pounds of material by eliminating, redesigning and reducing packaging in 2023.Accelerating deforestation commitments: Recognizing the immediacy of climate change, the company accelerated the end date for its deforestation and conversion-free commitment from 2030 to 2025.Reducing water usage: The company achieved a 20% absolute reduction in combined water use across all facilities since 2022, which includes a 46% reduction at corporate headquarters.

Fostering togetherness in the workplace to advance innovation and business growth 
Hershey’s people-focused programs help advance innovation, business growth and create a strong and fair company culture. Such initiatives include:

Strengthening the talent pipeline: Hershey developed a new leadership development pilot program called the LSP Leader Accelerator to further improve how the company feeds the talent pipeline and develops talent from within.Providing transparency on pay: The company implemented pay transparency procedures for each salaried employee’s Annual Compensation Statement including metrics to illustrate how base salary is positioned in the external marketplace and earning potential for their current job.Hiring veterans: As part of their Pathways to JOIN, REACH OUT and GROW framework to draw a wider range of people to work with Hershey, the company exceeded their target to recruit more veterans and expanded data disclosed on recruitment.

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.

Follow: 
http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company 
http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany 
http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany 
http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany

SOURCE The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company

HERSHEY, Pa., June 4, 2024 /3BL/ – Hershey (NYSE: HSY) today announced the release of its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, sharing progress towards business resilience and impact in its material priorities. The report outlines how the company is implementing its global sustainability strategy across its six priority areas – cocoa, responsible sourcing and human rights, environment, people, youth and community. Hershey is working toward its vision to become a Leading Snacking Powerhouse, and the company’s responsible and sustainable practices play an integral role in its business.

“Hershey remains focused on strengthening our business and making the biggest impact in our focus areas,” said Michele Buck, CEO of The Hershey Company. “While we have more to do on this journey, the collective efforts of our team, in partnership with leading organizations and key stakeholders, will continue to propel us forward. Our actions and progress are aimed at driving long-term resiliency for our business, sustainability for our planet and the well-being of our people.”

Building more resilient and sustainable supply chains 
Hershey’s Cocoa For Good strategy, underpinned with a $500 million investment, includes initiatives to create a supply chain where farmers, and their children and families, can prosper. Today, Hershey has invested 51% of that commitment. Achievements include:

Improving farmer income and livelihoods: The Hershey Income Accelerator Program (HIAP) was launched in spring of 2023, and the company has reached 1,850 cocoa farmers with first cash transfers for the adoption of sustainable farming practices.Investing in children’s well-being: Hershey made investments to improve education infrastructure, provide school nutrition, deliver school supplies and help children obtain birth certificates. As part of an agreement with the Côte d’Ivoire’s CNS (National Oversight Committee of Actions Against Child Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labor) and the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), Hershey is funding construction of 12 primary schools in cocoa-producing communities. The first school opened in Drissapé, Côte d’Ivoire in December 2023.Launching a new human rights framework: Hershey’s new human rights framework, the Human Rights Impact Pathway, was developed to guide the company’s future programming to address the most complex issues and drive systemic improvements that remove barriers to basic human rights.

Acting on climate change and reducing waste for business resiliency 
Across its global operations, Hershey took actions to safeguard the planet, expanding efforts to reduce emissions in its value chain while advancing nature-based projects to combat climate change. Progress updates from 2023 include:

Minimizing greenhouse gas emissions: The company achieved a 43% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2018 baseline and is on track to achieve a 50% absolute reduction by 2030.Eliminating packaging waste and improving circularity: Hershey phased out more than 1.7 million pounds of material by eliminating, redesigning and reducing packaging in 2023.Accelerating deforestation commitments: Recognizing the immediacy of climate change, the company accelerated the end date for its deforestation and conversion-free commitment from 2030 to 2025.Reducing water usage: The company achieved a 20% absolute reduction in combined water use across all facilities since 2022, which includes a 46% reduction at corporate headquarters.

Fostering togetherness in the workplace to advance innovation and business growth 
Hershey’s people-focused programs help advance innovation, business growth and create a strong and fair company culture. Such initiatives include:

Strengthening the talent pipeline: Hershey developed a new leadership development pilot program called the LSP Leader Accelerator to further improve how the company feeds the talent pipeline and develops talent from within.Providing transparency on pay: The company implemented pay transparency procedures for each salaried employee’s Annual Compensation Statement including metrics to illustrate how base salary is positioned in the external marketplace and earning potential for their current job.Hiring veterans: As part of their Pathways to JOIN, REACH OUT and GROW framework to draw a wider range of people to work with Hershey, the company exceeded their target to recruit more veterans and expanded data disclosed on recruitment.

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.

Follow: 
http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company 
http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany 
http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany 
http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany

SOURCE The Hershey Company

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with PGA WORKS—a strategic initiative of PGA of America and PGA REACH to help diversify the golf industry’s workforce.

For the next six years, Kohler will sponsor the PGA WORKS’ Collegiate Championship (PWCC) and its corresponding Beyond the Green career event, designed to educate and inspire talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the business of golf and beyond.

In 2025 and 2029, we’ll have the honor of hosting the PWCC at our very own Whistling Straits, as well as providing scholarship grants to the PGA WORKS’ HBCU Golf Scholarship endowment for golf programs at minority serving institutions across the country.

“We are committed to providing opportunities for all who want to become more—in the sport of golf, their chosen professions, and personal lives,” said David Kohler. “We recognize that transitioning from college to the workforce is a significant step in one’s life. Together with PWCC, PGA WORKS and Beyond the Green, Kohler Co. is steadfast in our approach to provide students with guidance and resources to help them on their journeys with confidence and setting them up for success.”

Check out our team in action at this year’s Beyond the Green event at TPC Sawgrass!

Learn more about PGA WORKS: https://www.pgareach.org/pgaworks/beyond-the-green