Tag: 3BL

NEW YORK, May 2, 2024 /3BL/ – A new Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) Investing in Society report shows companies’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures are increasing and becoming an integral responsible business practice. The study finds Fortune 500® companies increased ESG disclosures by 8.9% between 2019 to 2022, and S&P Global 1200 companies[1]increased by 6.6% over the same period. To enhance investor understanding of climate-related business risks and opportunities, the amount of environmental data disclosed by Fortune 500 companies rose by 22.24% between 2019 and 2022.

Investing in Society is a must-read source for how concurrent social and political pressures—including climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), and geopolitical tensions—are impacting the corporate sector’s ability to get a return on corporate purpose. Developed from CECP’s research and insights from more than 200 of the world’s leading companies, all harnessing the power of purpose to benefit their businesses, this report examines how social and political pressures impact corporations’ public-facing disclosures over a four-year period.

“This report showcases the progression of corporate strategies, identifying both successes and areas that need improvement,” said Jenna Moore, Senior Manager of ESG & Sustainable Business Insights, CECP. “CECP’s Investing in Society research serves as a guide to understanding what truly drives corporate purpose and highlights areas where responsible businesses can create more value. Our findings help companies improve brand trust, connect with strategic investors, and contribute to the bottom line.”

The new study finds reporting is increasing rapidly in certain areas, such as the environment, due to newly proposed regulations around the world, but other areas, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) progress, are more guarded. For example, a July 2023 CECP Pulse Survey on the impacts of the ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States on affirmative action found that about a third of responding companies anticipated the ruling would affect internal DEI initiatives and resources, as well as staff recruitment efforts and talent pipelines. This indicates a potential shift in private employers communicating more on general inclusivity and diversity efforts than specifically on race and ethnicity throughout 2024. Other ESG findings include:

E: Driven by increasing pressure from key stakeholders, many more companies are setting net-zero targets, but few are setting near-term targets to make progress towards achieving those long-term goals. For example, in 2022, 55% of Fortune 500 and 73% of S&P Global 1200 companies had net-zero targets. But there was an insufficient number of companies disclosing their near-term targets to conduct analysis, highlighting the need for companies to take further action.

S: The number of companies implementing initiatives or engagement strategies with local communities has grown substantially from 2019 to 2022. In 2022, 34.95% of Fortune 500 companies and 29.55% of S&P Global 1200 companies had established community engagement policies, up from 18.69% and 19.05%, respectively. Additionally, the study found that strong female representation in leadership positions is correlated to business performance. Companies with the highest revenue growth in the S&P Global 1200 tracked and reported against their gender representation for all four years: 94% reported the percentage of women on the board, and 92% reported the percentage of female executives. Notably, the median percentage of female executives within the top financial performers is 2.4-4.2% higher than that of the bottom 10% of financial reporters, indicating that higher women representation in leadership roles is correlated to better financial performance.

G: Almost all boards of Fortune 500® and S&P Global 1200 companies —99% and 98% respectively— have at least one female director. While female representation on Fortune 500 boards has remained relatively steady, representation in the S&P Global 1200 grew by 5.26% from 2019 to 2022. Yet, gender parity on boards is still not within sight. Within both datasets, the median percentage of women on the board remains under one-third: 30% in the Fortune 500 and 31.01% in the S&P Global 1200. In addition, sustainability and CSR management are growing in importance as demonstrated in the marked growth in board oversight from 2019 to 2022. By the end of 2022, 85.43% of Fortune 500 companies formally managed sustainability through a CSR/sustainability committee that reported directly to the board, an increase of 31.86 percentage points over 2019. The S&P Global 1200 also saw a significant increase of 23.83 percentage points. By the end of 2022, 66.16% of S&P Global 1200 companies had a committee reporting to the board.

The study summarizes these findings through a proprietary quantitative tool, the CECP Integrated Disclosure Scorecard. The scorecard breaks down each Key Performance Indicator and analyzes the four-year (FY 2019-2022) median performance on each metric, which is enhanced by CECP’s thought leadership and a review of sector-wide opinions and research.[2]

As companies encounter growing pressure from investors, customers, partners, society, and government, they may progressively set and exhibit proactive goals and policies contributing to environmental and social impact. CECP helps organizations navigate the evolving ESG landscape by providing research, benchmarking, and tools, such as the Integrated Long-Term Plan Framework, to guide companies in setting near-term and long-term goals to make a positive social impact. With our companies, we share a goal of harnessing the power of purpose for the benefit of business, stakeholders, and society.

The 2024 edition of Investing in Society is available for free on cecp.co. CECP-affiliated companies have access to fast-track consulting and benchmarking on these data.

CECP Media Contact: 
Katie Leasor 
kleasor@cecp.co

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About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is the only business counsel and network dedicated to driving measurable returns on purpose. We promote responsible purpose-driven business as it increases customer loyalty, builds employee engagement, improves brand trust, attracts top talent, connects with strategic investors, and contributes to the bottom line.

More than 200 of the world’s leading companies seek to improve their return on purpose through access to CECP’s solutions in research and insights, strategy and benchmarking, and convening and communications. With our companies, we harness the power of purpose for business, stakeholders, and society.

For more information, visit http://cecp.co. 
 

[1] The Fortune 500 data is also reflected in the S&P Global 1200 data set.

[2] Investing in Society analyzes the latest trends in ESG metrics for companies in the Fortune 500® as ranked by Fortune ® Magazine and the S&P Global 1200

Serving in the military can be one of life’s toughest journeys as members of the Armed Forces navigate active service and veteran life. During Military Appreciation Month and throughout the entire year, American Airlines honors those who are serving and those who’ve served, including the more than 11,800 American team members who are veterans or currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves.

American offers a robust network of support for service members and veterans through its partner programs and offers generous benefits to service members and their families when traveling on both official orders and personal travel.

“Supporting our nation’s service members and veterans is part of our DNA at American Airlines,” said American’s Chief Operating Officer David Seymour. “As a veteran of the U.S. Army myself, I’m proud to be a part of a company committed to supporting our nation’s greatest heroes and their families, whether it be alongside the military organizations we support, donating charter aircraft for special missions, or caring for service members each time they fly with us.”

Through the airline’s Military and Veterans Initiatives program, the airline supports many programs and partnerships to honor, support and pay tribute to those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The airline works with the Gary Sinise Foundation, the USO, the Medal of Honor Foundation and many other organizations to give back to those who serve our country.

Flagship Valor™

American’s fleet boasts an Airbus A321 with a livery design that includes three variations of the Medal of Honor. Flagship Valor™ is a flying tribute to the men and women whose brave actions are worthy of the prestigious Medal of Honor, and whose military service allows for the freedom to fly around the world.

Snowball Express

American partners with the Gary Sinise Foundation for the annual Snowball Express event that honors those who have lost a loved one while serving in the nation’s military or First Responders who have died in the line of duty.Last year, more than 1,000 team members sent nearly 3,000 participants on donated charter aircraft to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, for an all-expense-paid experience where these families are united and can create new, happy memories during the holiday season.

Seats for Heroes

In January, American partnered with the Dallas Mavericks and Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse to bring more than 100 wounded, ill, and injured service members from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to Dallas for dinner and courtside seats at a Mavericks game at the American Airlines Center. This is the 17th year American has provided chartered flights for the event.Other annual Seats for Heroes events include VIP trips to Texas Rangers games, a suite at a Dallas Cowboys game, and a special experience with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Salute to the Troops

In the 14th annual event, American flew more than 80 wounded and ill service members from Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas for an all-expenses paid weekend filled with sight-seeing, dinners, and shows, to include a concert on Freemont Street by Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band.Each spring, American flies 20 military families from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida, for a VIP experience at Walt Disney World Resort. In each of these families, either the service member or spouse is battling cancer.

Soaring Valor

Alongside the Gary Sinise Foundation, American bridges generations by bringing together World War II veterans and high school students on trips to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Traveling on an American chartered aircraft, the living history lessons allow veterans to share their firsthand experiences with the next generation.

Military and veteran resource group for team members

American continuously works to support our team members as they make the transition to civilian careers or manage the dual responsibility of working at American while also serving in uniform. Our Veteran Military Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) provides connections to others who have made the same shift to offer guidance and support.

American takes pride in honoring its commitments to military service members traveling on the airline, including:

Government or military fares, where available.Free checked bag allotment for active U.S. military members traveling on orders and leisure travel and for dependents when traveling on orders.Offering active-duty military priority boarding.Complimentary access to Admirals Club® lounge locations to current U.S. military personnel in uniform during the day of travel on an American Airlines-operated flight, when space is available.Waived pet charges for trained active military dogs traveling in the cabin if on official duty.Discounted vacations for U.S. active-duty military, veterans, and their families through WeSalute+.

Learn more about American’s commitment to honoring military heroes at aa.com/letgoodtakeflight.

Originally published on Rayonier.com

In the face of an unprecedented historic wildfire season, Rayonier’s fire crews united across state lines to fight wildfires in the Southwest U.S. Their courageous efforts underscored the critical importance of preparedness, leadership and teamwork. They share their frontline experience and how it enhances our ongoing forest management efforts in safeguarding our forests and communities from wildfires.

In the scorching heat of August 2023, Rayonier’s Southwest teams in Louisiana and Texas braced themselves as wildfire season began.

Team members had monitored weather conditions for months, watching as a regional drought took hold over the summer and record-high temperatures persisted.

They went to wildfire prevention briefings, kept a close eye on our land, and when the first blaze broke out in Southwest Louisiana near one of our properties, they acted quickly to coordinate with state authorities and contractors to protect our forests.

But that first blaze was only the beginning of what would become a three-month battle against one of the worst wildfire seasons the region has seen in 100 years. In Louisiana, the Tiger Island Fire near Merryville was the largest fire ever recorded in the state’s history, impacting more than 31,000 acres. Rayonier’s Louisiana team pushed hard to protect our forests, monitoring and putting out fires that popped up even on nights and weekends. Soon, state and local fire services were overwhelmed and had to call on firefighters from surrounding states for support. Likewise, our Rayonier team needed help.

That’s when senior leadership in our Southwest Resource Unit (SWRU) called on Rayonier’s internal firefighting crew.

“This was the first time in Rayonier’s history that we brought a team over from Florida and Georgia,” says Billy Geier, Director of Operations for Rayonier, SWRU. “They traveled over 850 miles to get here. Watching the fire team roll through DeRidder, Louisiana, and pull into our office parking lot on Labor Day weekend was one of my proudest moments as a Rayonier employee.”

Fire triage—crisis in Texas

Billy’s relief didn’t last long, though. Just as our fire crew arrived in Louisiana, another wildfire broke out in Texas, threatening 20,000 acres of our forests. And just as in Louisiana, Texas resources were stretched thin. Rayonier’s fire crew pivoted—driving their trucks and bulldozers to Huntsville, Texas—to respond to this more urgent threat. What would become known as the Game Preserve Fire would span more than 4400 acres, coming dangerously close to local homes and causing dozens of residents to evacuate.

Operations Safety Manager Patrick Hughes, acting as task force leader, met with Texas fire coordinators for a briefing on the overall plan and to establish communication channels with air support before mobilizing his crew.

When they got to the head of the fire, they were the only firefighters on the ground. The Texas Forest Service and more than 100 local and state emergency personnel battled the rear of the fire as it threatened residential neighborhoods where dozens of people were forced to evacuate their homes. But this meant that the dangerous head fire was untended on the ground.

Our bulldozer operators, with the help of air support laying down fire retardant, started building containment lines at the head of the fire to stop its forward momentum.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with bulldozer operators from all over the country,” says Patrick. “And I’ve never been so proud to work with anybody as I was with our guys. They hit the ground running and stayed in the fight and knocked it out. They put in more containment lines than any other agency and all of the lines held, which is incredible.”

At all times, safety measures were top of mind. The team used interactive field maps to monitor real-time data that included where the fire was; the locations of all fire personnel and EMS crews; and guidance on escape routes, firelines and safety zones. In addition, Patrick says every member of the team carried the Incident Response Pocket Guide, a universal safety standard used by firefighters across the nation. The guide includes detailed methods firefighters use to ensure safety comes first, including the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and a document called “Watch Out Situations.”

Rayonier’s fire team works year-round to prevent and fight fires on our lands in the Southeast, so they were well-equipped and prepared for the job.

They brought four bulldozers with them, including three heavy- and one medium-sized bulldozers, to build containment lines and safety zones. They also brought a type 6 fire engine, which is a brush truck designed for off-road firefighting and includes a 300-gallon water tank.

The fire team’s task force has more than 100 years of combined experience fighting fire. Some have worked at Rayonier for decades and others come from a background of fighting fire alongside state and federal resources, where they fought extreme wildfires in multiple states.

Crucial support from SWRU staff and Texas neighbors

Forest Ranger Mike Stein says he was able to focus on his work at the head fire thanks to the support of SWRU leadership and administrative staff.

“When you’re having to operate every day for long hours, it’s nice not having to worry about anything else,” he says, noting it was a relief to have a hotel room and a hot shower waiting after working long, intense shifts. “When all of your logistics are being taken care of, you can go to the briefing in the morning and see that your lines have held and you’re ready to jump in and catch the next hot spot.”

The team also had support from locals who brought home-cooked meals to show their appreciation as the fire team protected their homes.

A county judge even stepped in to help. Judge Colt Christian of Walker County brought a fuel tanker when the team was running low, ensuring they could continue operations. He also arranged for a mechanic to come to the field and help with equipment issues.

“Normally on these larger, more complex fires we would have support from other agencies,” says Forest Ranger Andrew Register. “The judge took charge and made things happen that would normally be handled by a command team.”

Later, when the fire was contained, Judge Christian made a proclamation, thanking the Rayonier fire crew and other emergency personnel for their service. He said they were responsible for saving 54 homes in the fire’s path in what was known as the Game Preserve Fire, the largest wildfire in the county’s history.

The debrief: we learn from experience

In a debrief meeting, SWRU staff and Rayonier’s fire crew planned for next year’s wildfire season.

“This happened in the SWRU and it’s likely going to happen to another resource unit in the future,” says Senior Resource Land Manager Jesse Nichols, one of the foresters who manages our SWRU properties. “This has been a learning experience in preparedness and awareness.”

Technical Forester Jonathan Herrin says he hopes to see more foresters, managers and other staff learn from the fire crew. He earned his Wildland Fire Certification one day before the crew left for the SWRU and was able to go with them and get field training.

“How do we maintain that institutional knowledge of our operators?” he asks. “As a company, we need to keep that in mind and hand some of that knowledge down and get more folks involved in protecting our forests in the future.”

As we anticipate altered weather patterns in the years to come, we’ll rely on this institutional knowledge and the lessons we’ve learned fighting fire in the SWRU to protect our forests from fires and other environmental threats.

Thank you to our SWRU staff and Atlantic fire crew for their passion and dedication that helped protect Rayonier land and our neighbors in Texas! This is what it means to be One Rayonier.

You can learn more about how forestry companies like Rayonier prevent and respond to wildfires at rayonier.com/fire.

Every April, people around the world celebrate Earth Month to demonstrate support for environmental protection and more sustainable practices. At Chemours, we strive to be environmental leaders every day and our teams embraced the spirit of Earth Month by hosting impactful activities around the globe.

Our Earth Month festivities were headlined by an event at our Chambers Works site in New Jersey where we reaffirmed our commitment to renewing habitats and fostering biodiversity at our sites. On April 18, the Chambers Works team hosted a hybrid education session led by Amber Wellman, our Chief Sustainability Officer, and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) followed by onsite, nature-based activities. Over forty employees contributed to more than 100 volunteer hours during the event, planting native trees, transplanting several native plants, beautifying an existing pollinator garden, and building and refurbishing bug hotels.

At our Parlin site in New Jersey, team members collected hundreds of pounds of trash at Old Bridge Waterfront Park—a popular local beach where many community members love to fish, and watch birds, whales, and boats traversing Raritan Bay. The beach has a lot of history as well. In fact, the shark hunts at this beach inspired the move “Jaws!”

Meanwhile, our teams in West Virginia celebrated Earth Day by making an impact in their communities.

Our Belle site sponsored a booth at The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Clay Center’s annual Earth Day celebration. During the event, site employees engaged with several elementary school classes who learned about ways to reduce plastic waste. And at Chemours’ Washington Works site, the team cleaned up and made many important upgrades to their Nature Trail, including improved erosion control and completing the split rail entrance to the main trail. In addition, the site’s PRIDE employee resource group (ERG) planted milkweed plants across 20 acres of land adjacent to the site.

Chemours team members at our Louisville, Kentucky and Fayetteville, North Carolina sites were also busy this Earth Day. The Louisville team partnered with Farnsley Middle School, to clean up the school’s campus which was led by the school’s Environmental Club, allowing Chemours employees to work alongside students, administrators, and teachers to clean up Farnsley’s outdoor classroom space in advance of enhancing this learning space for students next year.

The Fayetteville Works site hosted a wildlife habitat improvement event focused on revitalizing one of the site’s walking trails. They also spruced up a pollinator garden, cleaned up Highway 87 (the road along the site’s entrance), and installed birdhouses.

Chemours Earth Month efforts were truly global with activities at sites in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

In Monterrey, Mexico, Chemours employees commemorated Earth Day by planting lemon, plum, and orange trees. They also built a vegetable garden at the site where they planted cilantro, carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and lettuce.

The Dordrecht Works team in the Netherlands participated in several activities. Sixty colleagues worked together to clean up the Dordrecht site and employees set up insect hotels to promote biodiversity and attract more insects that can pollinate the cross trees the team planted in 2023.

Our Changshu site hosted several activities to celebrate Earth Day. They worked together with volunteers to build a garden in the corner of the site’s wilderness area, where they planted vegetables, including cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, loofahs, watermelon, and muskmelon and welcomed everyone to bring flowers to the garden for planting. The team also organized a mountain cleanup and hike, encouraging family members to join and promote environmental protection.

These are just some of the examples of how Chemours employees took action during Earth Month and made a positive difference at our sites and in our communities. We have a vested interest in ensuring and enhancing the vibrancy of our local communities globally, and each step and action we take counts. While Earth Month celebrations may be over, our commitment to responsible manufacturing and spirit of environmental stewardship remain strong at Chemours year-round.

Can you tell a deer tick from a black-legged tick? What about the lone star tick from the dog tick?

Students from Pontiac Township High School in central Illinois are learning to identify them all, and their research is contributing to regional public health information available on tick-borne diseases.

The tick project is one of many initiatives with impact undertaken by the students. They’ve also planted 20 acres of native plants, tracked monarch butterfly populations and feeding patterns, and re-established a species of reptile that had been extirpated from the state.

“There are very few kids in the state who are able to do this kind of learning in a non-traditional setting,” says Paul Ritter, a science instructor at the Pontiac, IL-based high school.

“And why are we able to do this? Because we have the land.”

In 2021, Enbridge donated 20 acres of prairie property to Operation Endangered Species (OES), a program founded in 2011 by Ritter who also serves as the non-profit organization’s executive director.

Every year on April 22, the world marks Earth Day, an annual celebration of environmental protection around the globe. At Enbridge, sustainability is central to everything we do, and we also support community sustainability projects that help improve, grow and nurture our environment.

Kickapoo Prairie, named by the students for the Indigenous Tribe that lived longest in the region, is located in Cayuga, IL, just a five-minute drive from the school. It serves as a classroom for multiple disciplines—biology, physics, English, history, math, engineering.

“When I say it’s a living laboratory, that’s 100% what it is,” Ritter explains. “You can look at it as a piece of property, or you can look at it as a changer of lives.”

In 2023, the students worked with the school superintendent to design an outdoor learning center at the prairie. Another project in development is a communications tower that will deliver free broadband internet to Pontiac High students, ensuring every student has access to high-speed internet at home to support their learning.

“If we didn’t have this property, none of this would have happened,” Ritter says. “The reality is, giving the kids the tools to make these things happen is what makes real change take place—not just in this ecosystem, but within themselves. This is what carries them on into the future.”

The students’ long-term goal, passed down from year to year, is to return the entire 20 acres to their natural prairie habitat. Though Illinois is known as the Prairie State, less than 0.01% of the state’s original 21 million acres of prairie remain, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

In 2023, students planted hundreds of thousands of native plant seeds to give nature a helping hand.

In this project and others, Ritter and the students work with the Odawa, Ojibwa and Potawatomi communities, who have lived on the land for thousands of years. Indigenous cultural leaders visit the school and the prairie where everyone works together and shares culture, adding another level of depth and meaning to the restoration work.

Cal Hackler, a science instructor at the high school, says the learning experience the prairie supports “is incomparable to any other experiences they’ve had from an academic standpoint.”

Adds Hackler: “The prairie is the catalyst. When kids come up with ideas, we give them the tools to do it. You can’t hold them back. They want to do, and this space lets them do.”

One student sent Hackler and Ritter a thank-you letter describing the prairie’s impact on her life. She says her self-confidence has increased, and she recognizes that every mistake is a chance to work harder and grow.

Working on the prairie, the student sees what is possible, and what can be created, Hackler says.

“And that is the pinnacle of learning—creating.”

Cummins

TCPL GES, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Cummins Private Limited (TCPL), a 50:50 joint venture of Tata Motors Limited and Cummins Inc. USA, today inaugurated a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to produce hydrogen-based Internal Combustion Engines for Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles and other low to zero emission technology products in India. The inauguration of this facility reaffirms its commitment to power a cleaner and sustainable future for India.

Situated in Jamshedpur and spanning almost seven acres, this facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, reflecting the commitment of both Tata Motors and Cummins to innovation, manufacturing excellence, and environmental sustainability. The opening of this plant within a year of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State of Jharkhand reaffirms the commitment and steady progress that the two organizations have made in advancing their decarbonization strategy.

Speaking on the occasion, Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors said “Tata Motors’ established legacy of nation-building, innovations, and industry firsts gains further momentum with the opening of this new-age manufacturing facility. The hydrogen-based powertrain aggregates and systems produced here will shape the future of mobility in India, making it smarter and greener. We remain committed to partner our customers to build a better tomorrow by enabling them to progressively adopt emission free and commercially viable solutions for cargo and people mobility.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins Group in India said, “Cummins has always believed in bringing the right technology that powers the success of our customers at the right time. Our commitment to manufacturing advanced low to zero-emissions technology products that advance decarbonization isn’t just a promise; it’s a responsibility we embrace and is backed by concrete action. Powered by our global expertise, strategic partnership, and technological capabilities, we are making steady progress on our Destination Zero strategy.”

Tata Motors and Cummins have a 30-year strong partnership in India through their joint venture Tata Cummins Private Limited (TCPL). TCPL GES, a subsidiary of TCPL, was formed in March 2023 to collaborate on the design and development of low and zero-emission propulsion technology solutions for commercial vehicles in India. These technologies and solutions will be deployed in a variety of applications and will play a pivotal role in developing sustainable powertrain solutions that will help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and support India’s net-zero ambitions.

In alignment with PLANET 2050, which is a long-range business strategy with an environmental lens to address climate change, natural resource use, and improving communities, Cummins’ dedication to sustainability is evident not only in the products it creates but also in the operations of its manufacturing plants. During the construction of the new facility, sustainable practices were prioritized, including the use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction measures.

About Cummins Group in India

Cummins Group in India is a leading provider of integrated power solutions for the industrial and automotive sectors. The Cummins Group operates in India through sixteen legal entities. With a wide-ranging portfolio, the group is engaged in designing, manufacturing, distributing, and servicing diesel and natural gas engines and powertrain-related component products, including filtration, after-treatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, transmissions, and electrified power systems. Further, with the recent acquisition of Meritor, Cummins Group has expanded its portfolio in India to include drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket, and electric powertrain solutions for commercial vehicles, and industrial markets. The Cummins Group has a remarkable presence with 22 manufacturing plants, assembly, and distribution facilities and employs over 10,000 employees in India.

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 128 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (NYSE: TTM; BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 37 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and amongst the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that fire the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, UK, US, Italy, and South Korea. With a focus on engineering and tech enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused to develop pioneering technologies that are sustainable as well as suited to evolving aspirations of the market and the customers. The company is pioneering India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by preparing a tailor-made product strategy, leveraging the synergy between the Group companies, and playing an active role liasoning with the Government in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia, Tata Motors’ vehicles are marketed in Africa, Middle East, South & Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, Russia, and other CIS countries. As of March 31, 2022, Tata Motors’ operations include 86 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, four joint ventures and 10 equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, in respect of which the company exercises significant influence.

About Cummins Inc.

Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, is comprised of five business segments – Components, Engine, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins – supported by our global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company’s commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products. The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen production technologies and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 75,500 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $735 million on sales of $34.1 billion in 2023. See how Cummins is powering a world that’s always on by accessing news releases and more information at https://www.cummins.com/.

Media Contact

Abhilasha Shukla 
Communications Leader, Cummins India 
abhilasha.shukla@cummins.com

Monica Iyengar (Aggarwal) 
+91 9833049690 
MIyengar@webershandwick.com

NEW YORK, May 2, 2024 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for driving market transformation through healthy buildings, organizations and communities, will host its flagship WELL Conference in Long Beach, Calif., May 7-9, 2024. The three-day event features internationally recognized industry leaders inspiring action around place and human health, and will provide enhanced and dynamic opportunities to connect and learn. The WELL Conference seeks to reinvent the event experience by prioritizing attendee health with curated wellness activities and open-air programming.

“The inaugural WELL Conference promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for meaningful connections, enriching learning experiences and unique moments to recharge, all centering around a critical health imperative: to transform the places where we spend our time so that they enhance our health and well-being,” said Rachel Hodgdon, IWBI President and CEO. “On our mission to create people-first places for everyone, everywhere, the WELL Conference serves as a springboard for action, with sessions that will energize, inspire and ignite lasting change.”

The event will feature MainStage sessions, technical discussions and roundtables focused on equity, building health and technology, social sustainability, artificial intelligence, the role of health leadership in government and more.

The event will feature:

Maya Bird-Murphy, Founder, Mobile MakersCindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring SocietyGabrielle Bullock, FAIA, NOMAC, IIDA, LEED AP, Principal, Director of Global Diversity, Perkins&WillDr. Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States; IWBI Governance Council MemberEran Chen, Founder and Executive Director, ODACheryl Durst, Executive Vice President and CEO, IIDA; IWBI Governance Council MemberRick Fedrizzi, Executive Chairman, IWBIJessica Green, Ph.D, Program Manager, Resilient Systems, Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)Dr. Courtney Howard, Emergency Physician in Yellowknives Dene Territory, a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, and the Vice Chair of the Global Climate and Health AllianceStephen Huddart, Adjunct Professor, Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria; IWBI Governance Council MemberRamy Kim, Project Manager, Designing Justice + Designing SpacesYasushi Kinoshita, Chairperson, Green Building Japan; Representative Member, Eminence Partners G.K.; IWBI Governance Council MemberKenneth Mendez, President and CEO, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)George R. Oliver, Chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls InternationalThe Honorable Brendan Owens, Chief Sustainability Officer, United States Department of DefenseMichael Przytula, Managing Director, Intelligent & Digital Workplaces, AccentureYiselle Santos Rivera, Principal and Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, HKSKyle Steele, Founder/President, Global Wave IntegrationDr. Esther Sternberg, MD, Research Director, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, University of ArizonaDana Vollmer-Grant, Assoc AIA, WELL AP, CBSM, 5x Olympic Gold Medalist, Associate, Programming Specialist, ELS Architecture and Urban DesignEmily Watkins, Chief Client Officer, The Instant GroupDr. Michelle Williams, ScD, Joan and Julius Jacobson Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

“We are proud to host the WELL Conference in the great state of California, tapping into the overall power of face-to-face engagement and simply incredible content,” said Kimberly Lewis Inkumsah, Executive Vice President, Equity, Engagement and Events, IWBI. “We’re focused on key topics and trends that are transforming our world and our well-being, creating time and space for attendees to integrate well-being into every aspect of their time on the ground. Let’s go!”

Founding sponsors of the WELL Conference include Milliken, Shaw Industries, Panasonic and Metropolis magazine.

Following successful WELL 2024 regional summits in Singapore, Xi’An and Mumbai, the second half of the year promises continued gatherings across the globe, including in:

Milan: May 20Tokyo: May 31Sydney: June 18Taipei: June 20Hong Kong: June 21-22Shanghai: July TBCBangalore: August 7Toronto: September 26London: October 15São Paulo: October 22New York: November TBCDubai: December TBC

These gatherings embody the principles of WELL and a commitment to places that enrich, inspire and support human health. Registration for the regional summits is open at wellcertified.com/events. In addition, in September, IWBI will host its first Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.

The WELL Building Standard (WELL), the world’s leading roadmap for creating and certifying spaces that advance health and well-being, is now being used across more than 5 billion square feet of space in over 130 countries, reflecting its rapid and widespread adoption. WELL, which is also used by over 150 companies from the Fortune and Global 500, helps support the health and well-being of an estimated 25 million people in nearly 74,000 commercial and residential locations around the world.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

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FedEx team members made a significant impact at the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) 2024 National Conference in Chicago, February 15 – 17. Our presence at the event showcased FedEx’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

The weekend’s events also served as the kickoff to the 2024 Student Leadership Series (SLS), of which FedEx is honored to be the Honorary Chair. The SLS is a program for Latino high school students with a goal of promoting long-term community advancement by motivating students to graduate from high school, complete some type of post-secondary education such as a certificate or college degree, and to become leaders in the private and public sector. The series has reached a total of 937,879 participants in 39 states since it began in 2011, and FedEx is proud to have played a role in its success.

Ariel Mendez, Managing Director, Operations, Los Angeles, FXE brought amazing energy as he gave inspiring remarks to 2700 high school students in attendance at the official kickoff event. Meanwhile, Tiffany Lucas, HR Advisor, Talent Pipelines, FXS managed the tables at the Career & Graduate School Recruitment Fair and provided information on opportunities across the FedEx enterprise. Peggy Carrera, Managing Director, LH Engineering, FXG was an impressive panelist for a session entitled “Afro-Latinas: Their Rise to the Power of Influence & Inclusion” where she advocated for authenticity in corporate settings, and made a huge impression on the students. Giraldo Alvaré, Sr. Communications Specialist, FXS hosted a workshop entitled “Elevate your Brand” to a standing room only audience of hungry students interested in learning how to build their own personal brands.

“The 2024 United States Hispanic Leadership Institute National Conference was quite a rewarding experience,” stated Peggy Carrera, Managing Director, LH Engineering, FXG, “I had an opportunity to witness the growth of students I have been able to connect with over the past year. Representing FedEx at this event is most fulling; the notion that we are impacting and making a difference in the lives of future leaders is a testament to our commitment in making every FedEx experience outstanding.”

Throughout the weekend, FedEx representatives engaged with conference participants, sharing insights about career opportunities within FedEx and offering guidance on professional development. Additionally, FedEx took the opportunity to highlight its initiatives aimed at supporting Hispanic communities, such as scholarship programs, small business support, and diversity in hiring practices. By actively engaging with attendees and demonstrating its dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion, FedEx reinforced its position as a socially responsible corporate citizen.

“It was a privilege to represent FedEx and speak to the students, faculty, and community and corporate leaders” said Ariel Mendez, Managing Director, Operations, Los Angeles, FXE, “FedEx has been a sponsor of USHLI since 2017 and it is always great to connect with students that have attained academic and career success thanks to USHLI’s and FedEx’s efforts. I am humbled to be a part of an organization that does so much for our community”.

Overall, FedEx’s participation in the USHLI 2024 National Conference not only contributed to the event’s success but also underscored our company’s commitment to empowering Hispanic leaders and fostering a more inclusive society.

EPISODE SUMMARY

The Asia Pacific region tends to dominate the rankings and headlines in coverage surrounding global plastic waste. But the pace of innovation and change in plastics production, consumption and waste in the region has been faster than you think, led by China. This episode explores new policies being introduced and what can lead to solution scaling, with Junice Yeo, Executive Director at Eco-Business, Thomas Luedi, Senior Partner at Bain & Company, and Kodak Xiao, Global Sustainability Director at Dow.

EPISODE NOTES

The Asia Pacific region tends to dominate the rankings and headlines in coverage surrounding global plastic waste. But the pace of innovation and change in plastics production, consumption and waste in the region has been faster than you think, led by China. In this episode Junice Yeo, Executive Director at Eco-Business, discusses the real challenges facing Asia’s disparate countries and investments in policies to address the region’s varying degrees of waste challenges. Thomas Luedi, Senior Partner at Bain & Company, and Kodak Xiao, Global Sustainability Director for the Packaging and Specialty Plastics business at Dow, add industry perspective on balancing the rising production of recycling capacities, increasing patent-filing rates in the region for innovations, and Asia-Pacific’s new hyper-aware consumer.

SHOW CONTRIBUTORS

Host: Maithreyi Seetharaman 
Show Producer: Lisa Desai 
Sound Production: PhiLipp Schweidler, Department of Noise 
Communications Advisor: Jonny West-Symes, Teneo 
Artwork: Dow Creative Element

Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance

DEERFIELD, Ill. & RIDGEFIELD, Conn., May 2, 2024 /3BL/— Walgreens and Boehringer Ingelheim today announced a strategic collaboration aimed at optimizing recruitment and making clinical trials more accessible, inclusive and equitable. This collaboration will offer people an opportunity to learn about and potentially participate in an important Phase III clinical trial within the familiar and accessible environment of Walgreens pharmacies, reflecting a shared vision to expand access to healthcare and research.

Through this collaboration, Boehringer Ingelheim will leverage select Walgreens community pharmacies as clinical trial sites for people living with obesity, overweight and type 2 diabetes. The effort aims to dismantle barriers, improve access, and address equitable health representation in clinical trials, especially among Black and Hispanic adults who are more likely to have obesity in the U.S. and have historically been underrepresented.

“Embracing our pharmacy clinical trial centers in this study underscores our joint commitment to community health and innovation,” said Ramita Tandon, Chief Clinical Trials Officer at Walgreens. “This model not only provides foundational education on clinical research for patients but also empowers individuals, offering them a new pathway to engage in their healthcare through clinical trial participation. It’s a step forward in transforming the landscape of clinical research, helping to make clinical trials more inclusive and accessible.”

Additionally, Boehringer is partnering with EmVenio Research to complement this initiative by introducing mobile research units to extend reach and provide additional options for participation.

“Boehringer is proud to embrace this community-centric approach to clinical research with Walgreens and EmVenio,” said Lennart Jungersten, Senior Vice President, Medicine & Regulatory Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim U.S. “By bringing clinical trials into the heart of local communities, we’re making them more accessible, helping to provide access to diverse populations with pressing health needs to participate in our clinical trials. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to helping those living with overweight and obesity to transform lives for generations to come.”

It is estimated that over 1 billion people in the world live with obesity, and numbers are continuing to rise, with an estimated 24% of the entire world population affected by 2035. Obesity is included among cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (C-R-M) diseases, and, collectively, these are the leading cause of death worldwide.

“At EmVenio, we believe that innovation is meaningful and access to clinical trial research should be universal. Our partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim exemplifies our commitment to breaking down barriers and expanding access to transformative healthcare solutions,” says Thad Wolfram, President, EmVenio Research. “By bringing clinical trials directly to local communities, we’re not just conducting research, we’re fostering inclusivity and diversity in clinical trials.”

Leveraging pharmacies and mobile research units for clinical trial research is a forward-thinking approach with the potential to enhance patient outcomes and set a new benchmark for inclusivity. Walgreens will also utilize advanced, real-world insights to identify and engage potential study participants as part of the collaboration.

About Boehringer in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (C-R-M) Diseases

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving the lives of people living with interconnected cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (C-R-M) diseases. Our ambition is to create innovative, people-centric solutions for those living with one or more C-R-M diseases, to protect them from the consequences of these conditions.

Affecting over 1 billion lives globally, C-R-M diseases – including overweight and obesity – are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for up to 20 million deaths annually. C-R-M diseases are interconnected, coexist and can amplify one another, resulting in a significant burden on patients’ lives. It is estimated that over 1 billion people in the world live with obesity, and numbers are continuing to rise, with an estimated 24% of the entire world population affected by 2035.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the U.S. Retail Pharmacy and U.S. Healthcare segments of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader. True to its purpose of “more joyful lives through better health,” Walgreens has a more than 120-year heritage of caring for communities and providing trusted pharmacy services, and today is playing a greater role as an independent partner of choice offering healthcare services that improve care, lower costs, and help patients. Operating nearly 9,000 retail locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Walgreens is proud to serve nearly 9 million customers and patients daily. The company’s pharmacists are playing a more critical role in healthcare than ever before, providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services, including those that drive equitable access to care for some of the nation’s most underserved populations. Walgreens offers customers and patients a true omnichannel experience, with fully integrated physical and digital platforms designed to deliver high-quality products and healthcare services. Within the U.S. Healthcare segment, Walgreens portfolio also includes businesses in primary care, multi-specialty, post-acute care, urgent care, specialty pharmacy services, population health and provider enablement.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in Research and Development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 53,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. Discover more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us.

About EmVenio Research

EmVenio Research provides rapid and scalable mobile community research site solutions to better reach and recruit diverse, underrepresented and high-risk communities. EmVenio Research’s global network of skilled clinicians, principal investigators and state-of-the-art mobile community research sites enable us to provide robust clinical research services via home visits, on-site support at medical facilities, virtual visits and mobile sites. Visit emvenio.com to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502134064/en/

Media Contacts

Walgreens
Carmen Lopez
media@walgreens.com

Boehringer Ingelheim
Jennifer Forsyth
jennifer.forsyth@boehringer-ingelheim.com

EmVenio Research
Katy Keating
katy.keating@emvenio.com