Tag: 3BL

by Seth Goldman, co-founder of Eat The Change and Just Ice Tea

Two years ago this month I was informed by senior leaders from The Coca-Cola Company (KO) that Honest Tea, the brand I launched out of my house in 1998, would be discontinued. Despite the brand’s success as the world’s first organic and Fair Trade certified bottled tea brand, supply chain disruptions during the pandemic made Honest Tea a victim of Coke’s “Fewer, Bigger Bets” strategy.

But what felt like a huge setback turned out to be a gift, and an interesting lesson in the challenges big corporations have in scaling mission-driven brands.

Within ten days of hearing the news about Honest Tea’s demise, our sense of loss morphed into a determination that Honest Tea’s organic and Fair Trade values were too important – to our farmers (most of whom found out about Honest Tea’s termination from my LinkedIn post) and our customers, to be allowed to disappear. But the biggest piece of inspiration came via an email I received from one of our longtime tea suppliers:

“I am just hearing the news and reading your note on LinkedIn. The story of Honest Tea is very connected to our own, our company, and the gardens and people with whom we work at origin, so the news is definitely a “gut punch,” for us as well. For my father and myself, while the financial consequences are material, the loss of confidence in Organic and Fair Trade agriculture that this decision is likely to engender in the wider community is very saddening and probably more consequential over the long term – especially in terms of lost motivation at origins. We have been so inspired to be part of the journey that you led, and want to try to continue the effort (and fight the suggestion that this was all a failed experiment).”

Find out how Seth and his team moved into action to launch a new rapidly growing brand. Read the article here – https://greenmoney.com/from-honest-to-just-how-coca-colas-fumble-with-honest-tea-turned-into-an-unexpected-gift

Eastman

KINGSPORT, Tenn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 6, 2024 /3BL/ – Eastman (NYSE: EMN) and Sealed Air (NYSE: SEE) are pleased to announce the launch of a compostable,¹ lightweight tray designed as a drop-in replacement for traditional polystyrene foam trays in protein packaging that can work on existing, industrial food packaging equipment. The tray is already successfully performing in several market applications. Sealed Air introduced its CRYOVAC® brand compostable overwrap tray to the market in January.

The new tray is made from Eastman Aventa™ Renew compostable materials, which are produced from sustainably sourced wood pulp² and acetyl sourced from a portfolio of recycled material.³ The tray can be composted in home and industrial environments. Predominately containing cellulose acetate that is derived from wood pulp, these new trays are compostable by naturally occurring microbes. Aventa Renew material does not remain as microplastics in the environment.

“One of the most exciting features of these trays is that they perform like traditional plastic in a challenging atmosphere and yet provide an end-of-life solution through composting — a “win-win” for the environment,” said Jeff Carbeck, Ph.D., Eastman vice president of corporate innovation.

The collaboration that led to this new-to-the-industry application advances the circularity commitments of both companies. Aventa Renew is a unique compostable material that contains both biobased and certified recycled content.³ The tray has obtained home compostable certification from TÜV Austria and industrial compostable certification from Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).

“Encouraging development of a circular plastics economy takes dedication and collaboration from all aspects of the value chain, including where we source our materials,” said Tiffani Burt, Ph.D., Sealed Air’s Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Sustainability for the Americas. “Our CRYOVAC® brand compostable overwrap tray would not be possible without the ingenuity of the product we use from Eastman, and we are excited to partner with them to bring this innovative tray to the market.”

“The work we’ve done with Sealed Air demonstrates the commitment of both companies to fulfill circular economy commitments,” said Carbeck. “Aventa Renew and the CRYOVAC® brand combine uncompromising performance with environmental responsibility. We congratulate Sealed Air on this product launch, and we know it will help demonstrate Aventa Renew’s status as a game changer for the food industry.”

¹ The tray is home and industrial compostable. Industrial composting facilities may not exist in all areas. 
² Eastman holds FSC® Chain of Custody certification, and all our suppliers hold FSC® and/or PEFC™ Chain of Custody 
³ Contains up to 43% recycled content certified by ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) via mass balance allocation process.

About Sealed Air

Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE: SEE), is a leading global provider of packaging solutions that integrate sustainable, high-performance materials, automation, equipment and services. SEE designs, manufactures and delivers packaging solutions that preserve food, protect goods and automate packaging processes. We deliver our packaging solutions to an array of end markets including fresh proteins, foods, fluids and liquids, medical and life science, e-commerce retail, logistics and omnichannel fulfillment operations, and industrials. Our globally recognized solution brands include CRYOVAC® food packaging, LIQUIBOX® liquids systems, SEALED AIR® protective packaging, AUTOBAG® brand automated packaging systems, and BUBBLE WRAP® brand packaging. In 2023, SEE generated $5.5 billion in sales and has approximately 17,000 employees who serve customers in 115 countries/territories. 
www.sealedair.com

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Media contact

April Nelson 
1-423-229-1796 
aprilw.nelson@eastman.com

Media contact

Christina Griffin, Sealed Air 
1-704-430-5742 
christina.griffin@sealedair.com

Teachers play an essential role in helping the next generation of learners develop STEM skills that will prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow, especially in this new AI era. They inspire innovators and cultivate the creative thinking that will solve the world’s biggest challenges.

Teachers face a variety of challenges every day, from creating appealing content to keeping up with AI and STEM tools, they need resources and support that are cost-effective and easy to implement. IBM SkillsBuild is empowering teachers with free resources, developed with teachers’ input year-round to enhance student learning. IBM SkillsBuild offers curriculum maps, lesson plans, student worksheets, and hands-on activities, which can be easily used to supplement existing curriculum with core technical and workplace skills, including AI.

Zach Switzer, a high school teacher at John Marshall School of IT (Cleveland, Ohio), emphasized the importance of teaching AI to students now. He said, “Giving students a chance to learn with AI, while also teaching students about the intricacies of AI is necessary in my opinion. We will need individuals who understand and can manipulate AI, and who better than the generation that grew up utilizing the tool? Giving our young people access while addressing how and why AI should be used will ensure the future is in capable hands.”

IBM SkillsBuild’s Teaching Artificial Intelligence Toolkit can help with this. With this toolkit teachers can simultaneously educate themselves and implement AI coursework within their classrooms, covering topics like why AI is important to students, the role of AI in education, generative AI, and AI career opportunities.  IBM SkillsBuild toolkits are available on various topics like teaching cybersecurity, sustainability, data, professional skills, and more.

“As a science teacher with no prior education in AI or cybersecurity, I was desperate to gain some understanding. With IBM SkillsBuild, I was so happy to finally have access to a curriculum with digestible information on these topics. Not only can I digest what my students are doing and learning, but I can further their knowledge or understanding with the content I learned from IBM SkillsBuild teacher toolkits and coursework. IBM SkillsBuild has granted me access to information surrounding soft skills, employment opportunities, and career readiness that I can easily share with my students,” Zach added.

Another teacher, Mark Vukovic at CTEC of Licking County (Newton, Ohio), discussed how IBM SkillsBuild has helped his students: “I’ve accumulated several certifications myself while learning about how these certifications would benefit my students. The benefit of these learning modules is that they help students walk away from a classroom with not just expert instruction, but a valuable certification that they can use to apply for a job. Teachers can easily incorporate these learning modules into their existing lessons or assign students to work on them out of the classroom.”

Whether you’re a teacher, a student, a parent, or a job seeker, IBM SkillsBuild provides over 1,000 free courses on technology and professional skills. Through IBM SkillsBuild, IBM continues to progress towards our commitment to skill 30 million people globally by 2030.

By Rodolfo Perez, Ph.D.

There’s been quite a bit of attention recently on PFAS–for good reason.

In the U.S., the EPA released final rules and standards for the control and monitoring of certain PFAS–otherwise known as forever chemicals–in drinking water. This news marks important early steps toward protecting human and environmental health from these man-made compounds.

So, what are PFAS and why do we seem to care about them more than ever? PFAS is an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The PFAS class includes more than 15,000 compounds, all characterized by a backbone of carbon atoms linked to fluorine atoms, which give them the ability to withstand moisture, oils and chemical attacks, plus act as excellent electric insulators. Since their discovery in the 1930s their use has skyrocketed. One most people are familiar with is Teflon, or PTFE. Until recently, PFAS were added to firefighting foam and to pizza boxes(among other food wrappers,) and are still found in products such as clothing, food packaging, inks, paints and building products. It is common to find PFAS in coatings of many products, since they can protect against water or stains.

PFAS’ chemical stability, ability to move around the environment, and widespread use and large production (280,000 metric tons in the U.S. alone as of 2019 and 4.4 million metric tons estimated to enter the environment in the next 30 years) are why PFAS pose such an environmental concern. They are hard to destroy, so their chemical stability gives them the shorthand of “forever chemicals.”

Today, PFAS can be found pretty much everywhere, including remote Arctic and Antarctic regions. Production plants can emit PFAS, and because of their widespread use in household products, wastewater can have significant amounts of PFAS that can eventually make it to drinking water supplies, where concentrations in the parts per trillion level (nanograms per liter) may be deemed concerning. PFAS also bioaccumulate – that is, their concentration grows inside organisms (as demonstrated in fish and edible crops) upon continuous exposure – and also in humans.

For humans, studies indicate deleterious health effects such as changes in cholesterol, metabolism, liver problems and endocrine disruption. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently cataloged PFOA as “carcinogenic to humans.” Nearly all humans have PFAS in their bodies, and occupational exposure in their production process as well as in certain groups such as firefighters and ski waxers may run much higher. There is no “safe” level of PFAS consumption and what has been considered “tolerable” has been reassessed. For instance, in 2020 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set a ‘tolerable intake’ of four of the most studied PFAS to 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight per week, a 95% reduction from its prior recommendation. In terms of risk, the IARC has only cataloged the cancer potential of two PFAS. It doesn’t mean that the rest of the 30,000+ PFAS are not carcinogenic, it only means that our current process of toxicological assessments is very slow to act.

Governments are attempting to reduce the exposure to certain PFAS through drinking water rules and directives. The recent EPA rule limits six PFAS in drinking water, and the EU Drinking Water directive also sets a threshold limit to all PFAS. Technologies to remove certain PFAS from drinking water do exist, mainly based on carbon filtration, ionic exchange and reverse osmosis. If the municipal water may be subject to concerning levels of PFAS, it is likely that some action is being taken to meet new rules (as states may have already placed certain restrictions in advance of federal regulation). Those who use well water as their drinking supply source may find products that are certified to remove certain PFAS. In the U.S., the US Geological Survey (USGS) recently conducted a thorough survey of PFAS production facilities and sampling of certain PFAS in drinking water, which helps identify locations or water supplies where targeted help for removal may be needed.

While removal from water is possible, removed PFAS will still be in the filtered material and there’s little we can do to destroy these pollutants, as even the incineration of PFAS may end up producing smaller PFAS. At some point, we need to reconsider our widespread use of PFAS so at least we don’t make the problem bigger. The European Commission is taking a lead in the topic by proposing a ban on fluoropolymers (i.e., anything with fluorine attached to carbon) except for very specific “essential uses,” though this effort has opposition.

In the U.S., in addition to the recent drinking water thresholds, EPA, through the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of 1977, updated in 2016, is strengthening requirements and enforcement actions to reduce PFAS production and dispose of certain compounds. In addition, certain companies are posting public commitments to phase out certain (or all) PFAS from their products. In addition, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the phase-out of PFAS from grease-proof food packaging in fast food.

The issue PFAS raises is that we’re really good at making products geared toward performance, without considering production impacts and after-use life, including effects on health. This mindset has to change.

Circular economy principles, which elevate the human health experience by maintaining the value of manufactured products after multiple uses while reducing the environmental impact of their production and recycling, can help us reassess the true value of certain technologies, and can lead regulators and the community at large to think differently at the time of design and use, while also thinking through the afterlife of chemicals and products we use on a daily basis.

In a perfect world, safety considerations should come at the time of product design, not after years–or decades–of already being used. Hopefully, the ecological, social and health concerns and effects posed by PFAS demonstrate the need for shifting our paradigm of technological development toward one that puts people first.

View original content here.

Often the first to feel the effects of inflation and economic volatility, small business owners are optimistic about their businesses, even as economic challenges remain. KeyBank’s 2024 Small Business Survey found that 65% of small business owners feel confident they could fund their operating expenses for one month with their cash reserves, if an unexpected need arose.

Still, 37% of business owners anticipate that inflation will slightly increase their operating costs and 27% expect a significant increase in operating costs in the next 12 months. The top challenges small business owners anticipate this year are fluctuating sales/revenue (35%), delayed payments from clients/customers (29%) and high overhead costs (28%).

Despite these concerns, small business owners are well-adjusted and taking precautionary measures to protect their businesses—and the employees and communities they serve. They are already implementing cost-cutting measures (32%), increasing cash reserves (30%) and exploring alternative financing options (22%). As one of the top indicators of financial resilience in the US, their actions could be the first signal of an improving economic environment.

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities. They create jobs, fuel the local economy, and help contribute to the character of the neighborhoods we live and work in,” said Mike Walters, President of Business Banking at KeyBank. “By fostering a supportive environment for small businesses, we’re able to invest in and empower entrepreneurs, increase their confidence and help their business run better.”

Leaders Leverage Bank Relationships for Education and Resources

Banks are at a pivotal moment to help their small business clients navigate cash flow and business operation concerns—and small business owners are turning to them for advice. The top three pieces of advice owners have received are: cut costs by reducing discretionary spending (34%), establish an emergency fund (22%) and diversify revenue streams by introducing new products or services (20%).

While more than half (52%) of small business owners are confident that their banks understand their cash flow concerns, almost 20% are unsure if their banks do so – pointing to an opportunity for banks and business owners to expand their relationships.

KeyBank, a top SBA lender1, has provided more than $4.5 billion in small business loans and lines of credit. Most recently, KeyBank received their 11th consecutive “Outstanding” rating from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exam. KeyBank’s recent exam period covered January 1, 2019- December 31, 2021. A significant investment to support low-to-moderate income communities included the banks quick response to support both clients and communities through the pandemic. In 2020 and 201, KeyBank processed 69,000 loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), providing more than $11.2 billion in critical funding to small and mid-size businesses.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online by Survey Monkey. 1,983 respondents, ages 18-99, located in the United States, who own or operate a small-to-medium size business with an annual gross revenue of less than $10 million, completed the survey in March 2024.

Learn more about KeyBank’s opportunities and programs for your small business by visiting key.com/small-business. KeyBank offers a range of tools, including the KeyBank Small Business Check-In, KeyBank Small Business Financial Review and the Business Cash Flow Calculator.

CFMA #240503-2585079

This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. All credit products and SBA Loans are subject to approval, terms, conditions, and availability and subject to change. Key.com is a federally registered service mark of KeyCorp. ©2024 KeyCorp

1Source: Statistics released by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) October 2023 for total approved loans through the SBA’s 7(a) lending program during the federal fiscal year ending 10/2023.

This Earth Day was a reminder that we all share one earth and it’s our responsibility to care for it. Regenerative agriculture practices help safeguard our planet.

Regenerative agriculture is a set of dynamic practices that revitalize soil health, increase biodiversity, preserve our water supply, increase resilience to climate change and foster the livelihood of farmers.

Anne Dinges, Global Regenerative Agriculture Manager at Griffith Foods, along with fellow sustainability team members, lead our regenerative agriculture efforts through a two-pronged approach involving ecosystem and economic enablers. In the ecosystem realm, we support and encourage practices such as conservation tillage, crop rotation and the efficient use of nutrients and water. On the economic side, we work closely with farmers to support profitable farm enterprises, provide training and resources, and help improve economic outcomes.

Learn more about regenag and how we can restore our ecosystem and ensure economic viability for generations to come at https://bit.ly/46qNG1I.

At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

Our Sustainability Platform of People, Planet, and Performance guides how we behave, conduct business, and treat people, ensuring that everything we do leads to responsible growth for our entire ecosystem.

People 
We take care of our employees and the communities in which we do business.

Planet 
We all share one Earth, and we take environmental action to responsibly care for it.

Performance 
We operate ethically and strategically to create a positive impact for our business and for all of those with whom we interact.

View original content here.

CBRE

America’s Solar Surge

As the U.S. invests in renewable energy, solar power continues to gain momentum, with installations growing by 22% annually over the past 10 years1 and 51% in 2023 alone.2 According to the Solar Energies Industry Association, this growth has been driven by:

Reduction in costs for solar photovoltaics (PV) installationsRising demand for sustainable electricity from both public and private sectorsFederal policies like solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and, more recently, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

At the end of 2023, there was just over 179 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity installed nationwide, enough to provide power for approximately 33 million households.3 The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that a record 36.4 GW of solar capacity will be added to the energy grid in 2024.4

While rooftop solar continues to be a game changer for many property owners, it isn’t always an option for others, particularly renters and low-and-moderate-income (LMI) households. LMI households are frequently renters and therefore it is difficult for them to persuade property owners to install on-site solar. To overcome these obstacles, the concept of community solar emerged in 2010, providing customers with access to solar energy without the need to install PV panels. Over the past 10 years, community solar has experienced an average annual growth rate of 80%, reaching approximately 6.49 GW at the end of 2023.5 Looking ahead, community solar is forecast to double by 2028,6 reaching 14 GW.

This Viewpoint aims to highlight the benefits and opportunities from community solar for commercial property owners, particularly in urban areas with high renewable energy demand but limited properties that can accommodate on-site solar.

1, 3, 5 https://www.seia.org/solar-industry-research-data
2 https://www.seia.org/us-solar-market-insight
4 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61424
6 https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/02/20/u-s-community-solar-installations-expected-to-more-than-double-by-2028/

What is Community Solar?

According to Altus Power (a full-service solar company offering unique commercial, industrial, and community solar customer-focused solutions from coast to coast), community solar gives local businesses and residents shared access to renewable energy and its benefits by remote access to existing solar installations. By subscribing to a community solar project, property owners can reduce their carbon emissions and electricity costs without making any changes to their rooftop or home. This transformative business model encourages more clean energy in the community and is designed to provide renewable energy access to those who might not be able to install solar panels due to factors like limited rooftop space, shading, outdated electrical systems, high costs, or because they do not own the building.7

Essentially, community solar participants are members in a shared solar project situated on a larger, off-site location such as a large utility-scale solar facility, a solar farm or a nearby industrial or retail property. Each member pays for a share of the energy generated by a community solar array; in return, members receive a credit on their electricity bill for the energy generated by their share. Community solar not only lowers carbon emissions, but often reduces rising operational costs for property owners.

7 https://www.altuspower.com/community-solar-faq

How does community solar intersect with commercial real estate?

Incorporating community solar into commercial real estate strategies can align with both environmental goals and business interests. The intersection between community solar and commercial real estate occurs when property owners choose to host community solar projects. This type of partnership often involves commercial property owners leasing rooftop or land space to accommodate solar installations. Community solar installations generally allow a solar developer and real estate owner to maximize the PV system size, further increasing the economic opportunity for the property owner. Community solar enables these property owners to generate renewable energy while also creating additional income streams through underutilized spaces. Community solar not only bolsters resilience and reliability of the electrical grid, but also helps to stabilize energy expense and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

Business Opportunity and Community Impact

For commercial real estate owners with rooftops capable of accommodating solar panels, the income opportunity arises from two options: i) “behind the meter” solar serving the tenant, and ii) community solar. The first option provides clean power to the tenant and for on-site operations, reducing utility expenses while helping them meet sustainability goals. With community solar, the clean power generated is put into the electricity grid and multiple community members are able to purchase the energy, often at a discount, without needing site control. Community solar projects promote sustainability by increasing the adoption of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels—a leading contributor to climate change.

Incorporating community solar into commercial real estate strategies can align with both environmental goals and business interests.

Where are the significant community solar projects?

Since the inception of the first community solar project in Ellensburg, WA, in 2006, its rapid growth has been aided by various state programs. As of 2022, there were 2,550 community solar projects across the nation, with 93% of these located in 10 states. The top states for community solar installations include Florida (27% of all installations), New York (19%), Minnesota (14%), and Massachusetts (14%)8; however, many of these projects were implemented as part of utility-specific programs that were not available to commercial real estate property owners.

According to Altus Power, the most active states for community solar on large commercial buildings are Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Maryland, due to attractive state legislation and large real estate supply.

Market Share of Community Solar & LMI Capacity in the U.S.

Community solar’s concentration in 10 states reflects the vital role that state policies and regulations play in spurring adoption. Additionally, federal policies, such as the ITC—which was extended as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—and state-level policies, like Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) requiring electricity utilities to generate a specific percentage of their energy from renewable resources and net metering to provide credits for solar energy added to the grid, have all encouraged participation and investment. Furthermore, the significant fall in solar costs has improved the economic viability of community solar. As solar installation expenses continue to decrease and favorable state-level policies are enacted, community solar projects will become more accessible to LMI households, allowing more individuals to participate in a low carbon future.

Case Study for CRE

Learning From Neighboring States’ Solar Success

In many urban areas, there is not enough suitable land nearby for ground-mounted solar installations. Instead, it’s more viable to leverage large industrial and retail commercial property rooftops. By utilizing these expansive roof spaces, local communities can make renewable energy accessible to a broader range of individuals, including those with lower incomes. This approach not only addresses the land constraints but also encourages collaboration between residential and commercial sectors, fostering a mutually beneficial environment where energy generated benefits both the local community and the commercial entities. It promotes sustainability while maximizing the potential of existing infrastructure, ensuring that renewable energy sources become an integral part of underserved communities often most impacted by pollution from fossil fuels.

In the case study below, CBRE Econometric Advisors utilizes our proprietary commercial property data to compare the community solar potential in four cities. Two markets with community solar initiatives (New York City and Chicago) are compared with cities in the same regions (Philadelphia and Detroit) that plan to enact programs. The study demonstrates the potential financial and environmental benefits that community solar initiatives could bring as regulations and programs evolve. Although the amount of savings varies by location, project specifics and energy consumption, community solar subscribers can save as much as 20% annually.9 In the case study examples, New York and Chicago subscribers can save 9-10% annually off of their electricity bills.

Net Metering Law
Virtual Net Metering
Potential Savings to Subscribers
Sources: NREL, SEIA, EnergySage, CBRE Econometric Advisors.9 https://www.energysage.com/community-solar/community-solar-savings/

Closing

Community solar provides a cost-effective way for communities to participate in sustainable energy solutions. The benefits include more clean energy for local communities and, for property owners, more revenue opportunities, less dependence on fossil-fuel energy sources, and compliance with government Building Performance Standards (BPS) or other climate mitigation measures.

May 6, 2024 /3BL/ – Ceres joins businesses with major operations in Ohio to urge the state House of Representatives to approve HB 79 to launch new energy efficiency programs that will restore jobs and utility bill savings.

The bipartisan legislation would allow utilities to implement voluntary energy efficiency programs that reduce energy waste, save customers money, support grid reliability, cut pollution, and create jobs. It has the strong support of a coalition of Midwest manufacturers, employers, and trade associations organized by Ceres.

“In a period of highly volatile energy markets, Ohio energy consumers deserve access to programs that help reduce their energy bills,” said Mel Mackin, interim director of state policy, Ceres. “We urge the Ohio House to take action by passing HB 79 to allow utilities to offer voluntary energy efficiency programs that will benefit Ohio households, businesses, and the economy.”

“At A.O. Smith, we know that high-efficiency products offer consumers access to a critical resource that saves them money, and we strive to ensure that our products are accessible and affordable for all. We support efforts to improve efficiency at the state level to bring those same benefits to the entire economy,” said Joshua C. Greene, vice president for government, regulatory, and industry affairs at A. O. Smith. “We urge Ohio lawmakers to take advantage of the opportunity this spring to restore energy efficiency programs that reduce waste, increase savings, and support households and businesses across the state.”

“Energy efficiency programs ensure that we at Nestlé are not using any more electricity than we need to — which is crucial to both our financial performance and to meeting our pollution goals,” said Meg Villarreal, director of policy and government relations, Nestlé. “We applaud lawmakers for working toward a bipartisan consensus to reopen these important programs in Ohio, and urge the House of Representatives to take action toward restoring important efficiency initiatives in the state soon.”

Major Ohio companies, industry groups, and energy consumers have been rallying in support of efficiency policies since a controversial 2019 law called HB 6 rescinded the state’s energy efficiency programs.

Earlier this year, nine large companies and trade groups — A.O. Smith Corp., Energy Management Solutions Inc., Green Energy Ohio, JLL, National Association of Energy Service Companies, Nestlé, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Trane Technologies, and Uplight — sent a letter to lawmakers urging the bill’s adoption.

“All Ohio consumers and businesses profit when we reduce energy waste — whether or not they participate directly in energy-saving programs. Policies that keep energy costs low and predictable over the long-term are a major consideration for our companies as we make investments,” they said in the letter. “Accordingly, we support comprehensive, cost-effective energy saving programs that lower bills for everyone.”

Although HB 79 would not fully restore prior efficiency programs, it would explicitly allow utilities to establish voluntary programs designed to reduce energy waste by 0.5% annually. Experts say such programs would help Ohioans save billions of dollars in electricity costs while improving public health through reduced pollution.

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line — changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org

Approval reinforces Mondelēz International’s commitment to its mission to create a more sustainable snacking company

CHICAGO, May 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) joins the companies leading the journey to net-zero as it announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated its near-term 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets and its net-zero target by 2050.

“We are proud to have SBTi approve our 2030 targets and our 2050 net-zero target as it further strengthens our commitment to more sustainable snacking,” said Christine Montenegro McGrath, Chief Impact and Sustainability Officer. “We are on our way toward our net-zero ambition and helping make sustainability a reality.”

“Our ESG approach is designed to enable us to deliver lasting change at scale by prioritizing where we can have the greatest impact, focusing on innovative and measurable solutions, and collaborating to drive sector-wide transformation,” said Chairman and CEO Dirk van de Put. “We’ve taken an end-to-end approach in our aim to reach our net-zero emissions goal by focusing efforts across key areas and delivering against existing goals.”

Mondelēz International made significant progress against these goals in 2023, including:

Reducing end-to-end CO2e emissions by ~(3.7)%, on track for ~35% reduction end-to-end by 2030 (from a 2018 base year)1In 2023, ~48% of the electricity used in our manufacturing sites was renewable, compared to ~40% in 20222In 2023, ~96% of our packaging was designed to be recyclable3We are on track for cocoa, palm, soy and paper materials to be deforestation free by the end of this year in the EU and by the end of 2025 globally

These efforts support the company’s Vision 2030 long-term growth strategy, which includes Sustainability as a critical pillar.

To learn more about our science-based targets, please visit the ESG at MDLZ | Mondelēz International, Inc. (mondelezinternational.com) 

About Mondelēz International 
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

Contacts:

Maggie McKerr 
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1 Reported information following Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guidelines for near-term 2030 target excludes Capital Goods, Upstream Transportation and Distribution of Raw Materials, Business Travel Accommodation, Employee Commuting, Downstream Transportation at Customer, Consumer Use of Sold Products and End of Life Treatment. The long-term 2050 target excludes these same categories, except for Capital Goods, Upstream Transportation and Distribution of Raw Materials and Employee Commuting. The footprint includes all acquisitions and divestitures to date except for Chipita and Ricolino (subject to future data integration). In the reporting year 2023, our annual GHG emissions were accounted following the GHG Protocol Corporate Standards and using the operational control approach. We have recalculated our base year 2018 and most recent years 2022 and 2023 inventory following the GHG Protocol Corporate Standards. For more details, please see the Carbon Accounting Manual. Reported information based on latest estimate; independent, third-party verification in-progress. Any updates, if needed, to be included in the ESG Datasheet. Once completed, SGS verification can be found in our ESG Reporting & Disclosure Reporting Archive.

2 Reported information excludes developed-market gum brands, which were divested as of October 1, 2023 (which differs from previous years). We have recalculated our baseline year (where applicable) and our most recent years 2021, 2022 and 2023 for year-over-year comparison. Reported information based on latest estimate; independent, third-party verification in-progress. Any updates, if needed, to be included in the ESG Datasheet. Once completed, SGS verification can be found in our ESG Reporting & Disclosure Reporting Archive.

3 Reported information covers the period from November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023.

Forbes has listed Gilead as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity. We believe that by championing inclusion and diversity, we not only enrich our workplace but also drive groundbreaking advancements in science. 

“Continuing to hold ourselves accountable in building an environment that fosters inclusion is essential, and this recognition is especially meaningful as it’s based on feedback from our incredible employees and community in addition to data.” – Jyoti Mehra, Executive Vice President of Human Resources.

Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Originally published by Gilead Sciences