Tag: 3BL

At Covia, we believe that thriving communities can help change the world. That’s why The Covia Foundation, Covia’s philanthropic arm, has been investing in social impact for decades. We have worked with our partners and communities across the world to make a difference through time, talent, and financial support. This year, Covia employees have already donated hundreds of hours in the communities where we live and work. Below are a few ways our employees are making a difference. To learn more about The Covia Foundation, please visit https://www.coviacorp.com/esg/positive-social-impact/the-covia-foundation/.

Huntersville, North Carolina Office

Bags of Hope

Covia Team Members recently showed their support for Bags of Hope by assembling more than 140 bags of food for children in the local community. Bags of Hope is an organization that aims to provide weekend food supplies to school children in the Lake Norman, North Carolina, area who face food insecurity. Currently, they support over 700 kids in the region every weekend. These bags consist of nutritious breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and beverage items.

Roff, Oklahoma Plant

Roff Food Pantry

As part of the Roff Plant’s commitment to its local community, Steve Burrows, Maintenance Lead Man, proposed establishing a community food pantry. The City of Roff approved the project, and the maintenance team, including Steve, James Gregory, and Adom Black, began designing the pantry. After the design was approved by the city and location was determined, the Roff maintenance team took the lead once again and built the pantry at Veteran’s Park. Once completed, the local community quickly filled the shelves. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the community and our plant team, this invaluable resource became accessible to those in need.

Troy Grove, Illinois Plant

Camp Tuckabatchee

Covia’s Troy Grove, Illinois, plant volunteered at Camp Tuckabatchee, a youth camp that provides a safe environment where campers have the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of nature. Team members removed and replaced shutters, removed hardware from sleeping cabins, helped dig out and rebuild fire pits around the camp, and helped clean up leaves and sticks.

Portage, Wisconsin Plant

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway Program

Covia’s Portage plant actively participates in the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Covia employees, along with their extended family members, were given the opportunity to clean up the area along highway 51. In this year’s cleanup, they managed to collect a total of 18 trash bags filled with trash and debris. Additionally, they safely disposed of larger items like tires, pallets, hub caps, and wood pieces. The volunteers witnessed firsthand the impact of littering, but they also experienced the satisfaction of making a positive change by cleaning up their local area.

The Woodlands, Texas Office

Kids’ Meals

In collaboration with the Power of HalliburtonTM, Covia’s office in The Woodlands, Texas, spent time at Kids’ Meals assembling more than 500 sandwiches for preschool children in Montgomery County, Texas. Kids’ Meals’ mission is to end childhood hunger in Houston by delivering free healthy meals, year-round, to the doorsteps of Houston’s hungriest preschool-aged children and, through collaboration, provide their families with resources to end the cycle of poverty.

Ottawa, Illinois Office

Shepherd Middle School

The total solar eclipse was an extraordinary and significant event, serving as an educational experience for many schools in the United States. Tony Michels, Accounting Manager at Covia, went out of his way to support Shepherd Middle School by securing funds from The Covia Foundation and volunteering his time. Thanks to Covia’s support in offsetting the cost of eclipse glasses and Tony’s dedication, the students were able to safely experience this rare natural phenomenon. Tony later stated, “it was truly gratifying to witness the joy and excitement of the students during this momentous occasion.”

Originally published in the Delaware Business Magazine‘s May/June 2024 issue.

By Najwa Corum, Early Career Program Leader at Chemours

The world is innovating at a rapid pace as we work to solve major global challenges, from climate change and decarbonization to managing the boom in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

At Chemours, our chemistry is integral to many of the innovations needed to solve these problems, including the development of clean energy, electric vehicles, semiconductor chips, sustainable refrigeration and cooling solutions, and more. While these transformations are helping us build a brighter future for our planet, they aren’t without their demands—including access to a strong and diverse Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce here in Delaware and across the country.

Some forecasts show that the United States will add nearly 800,000 new STEM jobs by 2031, compared to 2021 numbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts data science jobs will increase by 35% by 2032, mechanical engineers by 10%, chemical engineers by 8%, and chemists and materials scientist jobs by 6%—all at rates faster than average for all occupations.

That’s why Chemours is focused on identifying and developing that next generation of talent through initiatives like our internship/ co-op program and investments in STEM education. Our program is part of our strategic effort to attract high-quality, early-career talent from colleges and universities. It provides students with a hands-on opportunity to jumpstart their career in fields like chemical or mechanical engineering at one of our manufacturing sites or in research and development positions at the Chemours Discovery Hub (CDH) on the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus. At the same time, this program allows our teams to train and evaluate high-potential candidates who can meet our future hiring needs.

In 2023, we hosted 97 interns and co-ops across our plant sites and locations, with nearly a third of the graduating seniors becoming full-time employees.

However, ensuring a strong STEM workforce also means having a diverse one. Innovation is driven by diversity; diversity in thinking, experiences, and backgrounds. To continue to innovate and meet future challenges, we need input from different perspectives.

The numbers from our 2023 internship/co-op program paint a promising picture of the progress we have made in diversifying our talent pool. Women candidates made up 35% of the program in 2023, with ethnic candidates comprising 48% of the talent pool who self-reported on these metrics. Moreover, 5% of interns in our program attended a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

Partnerships are essential to our progress and investments in the future of STEM. Nearly half of the students in our 2023 internship program came from universities and colleges where we have established relationships, including Delaware State University and the University of Delaware. At the same time, we leverage partnerships with organizations like the Society of Women Engineers, Women in Manufacturing, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers to increase reach to potential candidates.

We also utilize our scholarship programs, such as the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) and Chemours’ Future of Chemistry Scholarships (FOCS), to tap into diverse talent pools.

FOSSI is a game-changing program that provides scholarships and professional development opportunities to uplift students from communities that are underrepresented in STEM. Chemours has partnered with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemistry Council, and the HBCU Week Foundation to help ensure students pursuing STEM degrees at HBCUs receive scholarships and are connected to internships, leadership development, and mentoring opportunities. Through FOSSI, Chemours has sponsored 60 scholars, each of whom has received a scholarship of $40,000.

FOCS, in turn, delivers scholarships to high-potential young people from communities where we operate who will or are currently studying a STEM-related field in college—helping them on their journey to an exciting and meaningful career. With the forecasted growth of the STEM industry, we need a robust and diverse pool of talent to develop innovations and help tackle global challenges.

Chemours is proud to play a pivotal role in helping to identify up-and-coming talent, connect students with scholarship opportunities, and provide real-world learning experiences to the next generation of innovators. We encourage more students to explore the opportunities Chemours has to offer (check out www.chemours.com/careers) to begin or continue their journey in STEM. We believe that together, we will create a better world through the power of our chemistry.

View original content here.

The week of April 22nd, 2024, Antea Group participated in SESHA’s 46th Annual Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona. SESHA was founded in 1978 and promotes “the effective communication of safety, health, and environmental information to the high technology and associated industries.”

The Annual Symposium kicked off the event with Bootcamps for environmental, safety and health (ESH) professionals entering the high tech ESH field to advanced workshop sessions and learning opportunities lead by industry technical experts, as well as networking opportunities. In case you missed it, here are some key takeaways.

Investment in the Semiconductor Industry

The CHIPS Act, signed into law in August 2022, is a U.S. federal law enacted to bolster the competitiveness of the United States in semiconductor manufacturing, research, and development. This act is spurring a large monetary investment in the semiconductor manufacturing industry in the US.

In fact, it provides approximately $52 billion in funding. This includes $39 billion in financial incentives such as grants and loans for semiconductor manufacturing plants. There’s also an investment tax credit for semiconductor equipment or manufacturing facility investments, estimated to be worth $24 billion.

The act also allocates funding towards semiconductor research, design, and development. This aims to advance semiconductor technology and ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of tech innovation. By increasing domestic production of semiconductors, the CHIPS Act aims to reduce the U.S.’s reliance on foreign chip manufacturing, which is considered a national security priority.

The hope is that more semiconductor companies will ramp up their investments in the US, leading to new production facilities being built and existing facilities being upgraded.

3 Key Challenges Facing the Semiconductor Industry

Among this surge in money and investment, the semiconductor industry faces challenges. After SESHA, here are three key challenges worth noting for semiconductor manufacturers:

1. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting

Due to the ever-changing ESG regulatory landscape, including recent legislation passing in the EU and stateside with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) climate disclosure rules, regulatory challenges are only increasing. While this is certainly a struggle across many different industries, the semiconductor industry has unique struggles due to the GHGs they use.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the semiconductor industry primarily arise from the use of potent GHGs in manufacturing processes, such as perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that facilities emitting above certain thresholds report their emissions annually. This reporting includes direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from purchased electricity (Scope 2). However, Scope 3 emissions, which cover all other indirect emissions not covered under Scope 2, such as those from purchased goods and services, business travel, and waste disposal, are increasingly under scrutiny.

For semiconductor companies, the complexity of calculating Scope 3 emissions poses a significant challenge. These emissions are often not directly controllable but reflect the broader value chain impact. As regulations tighten and expand to incorporate broader emission sources, semiconductor companies find themselves in a race to enhance their reporting mechanisms and ensure compliance.

2. PFAS in the Semiconductor Industry

The EPA started the first few months of 2024 by passing quite a few restrictions and regulations on PFAS. However, what many don’t realize is that PFAS are a necessary component in semiconductor manufacturing. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association PFAS Consortium, currently, “no known alternatives exist for many of the industry’s uses of fluorocarbons. Given its carbon-fluorine chemistry, PFAS-containing materials offer a unique set of surface tension, stability and chemical compatibility that many semiconductor applications require.”

The fear within the industry is stark: a complete ban on PFAS could critically damage semiconductor manufacturing. Some within the industry have moved their focus to advocating for exceptions for these new PFAS regulations where no viable alternatives exist. They are also working to ensure that regulations are informed by an understanding of the technical and economic realities of semiconductor production.

So, while bans and restrictions on PFAS seem positive at face-value, the threat to the semiconductor industry is real, and getting that education from industry experts to government officials is ongoing.

3. Resource Conservation: Energy, Water, Resource and Waste Management

Semiconductor manufacturing is resource-intensive, requiring significant quantities of water, energy, and resource management with the goal of eliminating or reducing waste of these resources. In addition, as semiconductor technology advances, the devices become smaller and more complex, requiring even greater precision and control in the manufacturing process. This leads to increasing demands for energy and materials to achieve the higher standards required by newer technologies.

As competition for these resources intensifies, it’s important for companies to prioritize sustainability and efficiency to reduce their environmental impacts and ensure long-term viability. Developing a strong resource management plan can help companies track their resource usage and implement reduction practices.  

Bringing it all Together

The SESHA 46th Annual Symposium provided invaluable insights into the current and emerging challenges faced by the semiconductor industry. As the industry navigates the above challenges, strategic planning and proactive engagement with regulatory bodies will be key. This symposium underscored the critical need for ongoing education, collaboration, and adaptation within the industry, highlighting the essential role that EHS professionals play in shaping its trajectory.

Looking for support navigating the EHS&S challenges in the semiconductor industry? Let’s connect!

In December 2023, Lenovo kicked off the holiday season with a donation to one of its long-standing partners: the North Carolina Governor Morehead School for the Blind. Lenovo distributed brand-new personal laptop computers to every student at the school. These laptops are promoting remote learning and communication, extending educational opportunities beyond the classroom.

Lenovo’s partnership with the Governor Morehead School exemplifies technology’s transformative power in fostering inclusivity and accessibility in education. The collaboration transcends business, symbolizing a joint commitment to leveraging innovation for the betterment of differently-abled individuals.

In 2021, Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office and the Governor Morehead School teamed up to offer project-based learning opportunities and visits to Lenovo’s headquarters in Morrisville, N.C. While students are gaining access and insight into the tech industry, Lenovo is able to learn from those students and obtain feedback on how to make future products more accessible and truly be “Smarter Technology for All.”

In February 2024, students from the Governor Morehead School again visited the Morrisville campus where they were provided with a hands-on opportunity with product testing. These products were designed to make current Lenovo products more accessible to those with visual impairments.

“The idea behind that is to include individuals with disabilities in the development process,” said Ada Lopez with Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office. “We take this feedback that students give us and we share it with our development teams. This sort of empathy is necessary when creating products for the world.”

Students also met with Lenovo mentors that allowed them first-hand exposure to professionals from diverse backgrounds.

“Getting the chance to help others see the world from our lens of life was really cool,” said Amaya Vick, 11th grade student at Governor Morehead School.

Central to this partnership is the shared belief that technology can break barriers and offer equal opportunities. Lenovo strives not only for cutting-edge products but also for inclusivity because at its core, Lenovo believes that technology can serve as a bridge to access education, jobs, entertainment, and more. The collaboration focuses on specialized tools and software designed with educators and specialists to meet visually impaired students’ unique needs. These innovations, from specialty software to tactile interfaces, empower students to engage with digital content effectively.

Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office is committed to finding ways to make technology accessible, whether through physical attributes like tactile changes to help those with vision impairments or assistive sound devices for those with hearing impairments. Through this partnership with the Governor Morehead School, Lenovo is not just providing technology; we’re shaping a more inclusive future where every student, regardless of ability, can harness the power of innovation.

Some examples of Lenovo technologies built with diversity in mind include:

ThinkPad Keyboard changes to improve accessibility include tactile markings on insert, function, volume, and enter keys.Lenovo’s sign language translation solution that uses computer vision and AI to interpret the Brazilian sign language in real-time.Lenovo Voice, which offers real-time translation assistance, subtitle assistance, voice input, and voice assistant capabilities on Lenovo X1 Folds.321 Coffee’s tech-enabled Roasting Facility, outfitted with Lenovo technology that allows the differently abled to safely and effectively work in the roasting facility.

The work of the Product Diversity Office underscores technology’s potential to create a more equitable world, inspiring purpose-driven collaborations between corporations and educational institutions for meaningful societal advancement.

Three years into a four-year term as the nation’s elected chief executive, President Joe Biden continues to deliver on his campaign promises to address the climate crisis and environmental justice agendas. The actions taken since January 2021 include marshaling the Federal government’s resources to fund the nation’s largest investment ever to reduce carbon emissions. Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which passed in August 2022, directed nearly $400 billion in federal funding toward clean energy.

The rollout of sustainability-focused policies, actions, and strategies continues in this critical national election year. Over the past few weeks, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced:

Actions to address the challenges of reducing the ever-increasing GHG emissions, such as those generated by electric power suppliers. This begins with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcing new standards to reduce GHG emissions, toxic air pollution, water pollution, and land contamination from traditional fossil fuel powered plants. (We can expect court challenges to the new policies, of course.)The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced US$330 million investment for a new transmission line running from Idaho to Nevada, to be built with union labor, to help improve the electric grid infrastructure. This is funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by Biden in November 2021.DOE announced a Final Rule to make Federal government permitting of new electric transmission lines more efficient, and to encourage more “meaningful engagement” with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders. The Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorization and Permits program was established by DOE to provide transmission developers with options for a more efficient process and encourage more investment in new transmission lines.DOE also issued a Final Rule to create a faster track for environmental reviews for existing transmission lines, to help encourage upgrades by speeding projects on existing rights-of-way, as well as solar and energy storage projects on “disturbed lands.” With these and other actions, the Biden Administration hopes to encourage public and private sector leaders to expand the capacity of the U.S. electric grid, including with funding through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership.In terms of environmental justice, through the Justice 40 Initiative there are 518 programs across 19 different Federal agencies that are being “re-imagined and transformed” to ensure that benefits will reach targeted constituencies. The Climate and Economic Justice Screening tool will be used to identify communities most in need.The EPA announced $20 billion in awards to stand up a national financing network to fund tens of thousands of climate and clean energy projects across the country. The investment is part of the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program, funded through the Information Reduction Act.

There’s much more to digest in recent White House announcements about meeting the nation’s current and future clean energy electric power needs, which are included in our Top Stories. We can expect more such climate-focused and job creating actions in the months ahead as the administration and Congress gears up in the 2024 campaign season. The G&A team looks forward to keeping you updated on these developments and what impact they will have on businesses in the U.S. and globally.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Does it feel like there’s never enough time to plan, resources to invest or the right amount of meaningful volunteer opportunities available? Well, you’re not alone. Planning a company-wide volunteer initiative that engages employees is no easy feat. We invite you to join Points of Light for our next webinar “Planning Impactful Fall Employee Engagement Activities” on May 17 at 1:00 PM ET for an interactive learning session featuring industry experts, including one of our Global Network leaders, who will share actionable strategies to galvanize your workforce for a purpose-driven fall season. Join us to:

Discover the latest trends and innovative approaches in employee volunteering.Learn from real-world examples and success stories to inspire and inform your organization’s community engagement efforts.Explore strategies to make volunteer efforts inclusive and accessible to all employees.

You’ll get answers to frequently asked questions alongside practical guidance, which will enable you to strategically plan for upcoming employee volunteer activities. Come ready with questions for our speakers or submit them in advance when registering.

Featured Speakers:

Michelle Dee, COO, Jersey CaresJennifer Nash, SVP, Corporate Activation, Points of Light

Hosted by Points of Light, a global leader in employee volunteering, this session aims to empower corporate social impact practitioners with knowledge and tools to create meaningful and compelling employee engagement initiatives that aid in successfully achieving year-end social impact goals.

Register Now >>

Originally published on Smart Energy Decisions

Bloomberg, a financial data provider, received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for the company’s long-term science-based net-zero target to reach net-zero GHG emissions across its value chain by 2040.

Click here to continue reading on Smart Energy Decisions.

For more on Bloomberg’s progress toward its environmental targets, view Bloomberg’s 2023 Impact Report.

Originally posted on LinkedIn

Pizza Hut Global Chief Operating and Digital & Technology Officer Shannon Garcia recently sat down with Nation’s Restaurant News at the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF)’s annual conference to talk about digital transformation and purpose-driven leadership.

Hear from Shannon on her goals for Pizza Hut and her passion for building digital solutions for restaurant team members and customers alike on the Extra Serving podcast by NRN.

EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 9, 2024 /3BL/ – SCS Standards, a non-profit standard development organization, is pleased to announce the publication of the latest version of SCS-103, Certification Standard for Recycled Content. First introduced in 1989 in response to the burgeoning interest in recycled content claims and the introduction of innovative new recycling technologies, SCS Global Services’ recycled content certification remains one of the most widely adopted and recognized certifications for recycled content claims in the world today, applied in a wide range of industries.

SCS-103 applies to products or materials containing mechanically or chemically recycled content, including pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content of any type (e.g., plastic, metal alloy, fiber, etc.).

Changes reflected in the latest update, Version 8.0, include:

The option to operate a mass balance chain-of-custody systemA minimum threshold of 5% recycled content for a product to be eligible for certificationInclusion of chemically recycled contentRecognition of external certification programs such as RSB Advanced Products, ISCC and the Textile Exchange Recycled Claim Standard

“SCS Standards is pleased to release this updated comprehensive version of one of its most well-known and highly utilized standards to support the growing circular economy” said Victoria Norman, Executive Director of SCS Standards.

SCS Global Services, a global leader in the field of third-party certification, working across the economy in the natural resources, built environment, food safety and agriculture, consumer products and climate sectors, has certified thousands of products for recycled content. SCS will begin auditing against Version 8.0 of the Standard effective immediately.

“This updated version of the SCS Recycled Content standard really moves the certification forward, embracing the newest technologies and methodologies and aligning with current market needs,” said Nicole Munoz, Vice President, Environmental Certification Services at SCS Global Services. “The expanded certification offers manufacturers and brands the opportunity to position their products reliably and transparently.”

To download a copy of the standard, please visit the SCS Standards Website: https://www.scsstandards.org/standards/recycled-content-standard

For SCS-103, v 8.0 Certification Services, please visit the SCS Global Services Website: https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/recycled-content-certification

READ MORE

About SCS Global Services and SCS Standards  

SCS Global Services is an internationally recognized leader in third-party certification of environmental and sustainability claims. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Africa. It is the certification arm of Scientific Certification Systems, Inc., a chartered benefit corporation. Additional information is available at www.scsglobalservices.com.

SCS Standards is a non-profit organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent, and collaborative approach. SCS Standards is the official standards development body for Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. For more information, visit www.SCSstandards.org. 

Media Contact 
Victoria Norman  
Executive Director 
Send an email

BETHESDA, Md., May 9, 2024 /3BL/ – WHC (Wildlife Habitat Council) is hosting its 2024 Conservation Conference June 4-5 in New Orleans, La. As the only international NGO focused exclusively on enabling private sector action for nature, WHC has convened professionals working at the intersection of business and nature since 1990.

The WHC Conservation Conference provides opportunities for learning, networking and celebration for sustainability and conservation professionals. Attendees are comprised of representatives from the corporate C-suite, facility-level personnel, federal agencies, conservation-focused NGOs and more.

Speakers from the following organizations will share innovative ways to advance nature on corporate lands: General Motors, Bayer, Toyota, WM, Freeport-McMoRan, Cemex, Boeing, Syensqo, Vulcan Materials Company, Covia and more. The two-day conference will culminate in the recognition of corporate conservation successes at the lively WHC Awards Dinner, which honors excellence in WHC-Certified conservation projects across the globe.

Event highlights include:

Insightful mainstage presentations from meteorologist and stormchaser Matthew Cappucci; WHC President Margaret O’Gorman; CEO of Greater New Orleans Michael Hecht; and a panel discussion featuring Louisiana organizations engaged in groundbreaking work, Louisiana State University, SOUL NOLA, Thrive NOLA and Port Fourchon.Compelling learning sessions and workshops on topics ranging from STEM education and innovative technology to corporate nature strategies and biodiversity credits, presented by panelists representing corporate, NGO and governmental areas of expertise.Formal and informal networking opportunities plus an exhibit hall featuring peers and potential collaborators.

With businesses increasingly focusing on their impact on nature, and with nature-related frameworks and regulations emerging in recent years, now is the opportune time to build the knowledge and connections needed to uplift biodiversity throughout the private sector — because nature is everyone’s business.

To see the full slate of expert speakers, browse the agenda and register for WHC Conservation Conference, visit: www.wildlifehc.org/events/whc2024

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.