Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Cisco’s Blog

by DC Nguyen

The following is an excerpt from Cisco’s FY25 Purpose Report. Explore the full report to learn more about how we Power an Inclusive Future for All.

At Cisco, we see resilience as the ability to turn disruption into growth and innovation. Whether it’s responding to a crisis, building AI skills, or investing in nonprofit partners, our goal is to make people and places stronger for the future. Here’s how.

Country Digital Acceleration

This year, we celebrated 10 years of innovation, partnership, and impact.

From powering AI in Saudi Arabia to driving autonomous vehicle innovation in Italy, Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program demonstrates Cisco’s strategic commitment to advancing digital transformation worldwide. By collaborating with governments, industry, and academia, CDA creates real-world, scalable solutions that address national and local priorities, drive innovation, and expand access to the digital economy.

A Decade of Global Impact

Cisco’s CDA program delivers not just technology, but a pathway to national digital advancement. Here are a few examples of our accomplishments in fiscal 2025:

Canada

Now in its 10th year, Cisco’s Toronto Innovation Centre is powered by strategic investment and partnerships from the CDA program. Featuring a hybrid work studio with Cisco Spaces technology, a newly launched healthcare showcase, and more, the Centre helps customers and partners safely experiment, collaborate, and deliver real-world impact. It’s part of Cisco’s more than CA$200 million annual investment in innovation across Canada.

Italy

Since 2023, Cisco and Politecnico di Milano have partnered to drive innovation in autonomous vehicles, starting with Maserati’s participation in the Mille Miglia, a classic car rally. This collaboration extended autonomous technology to fully electric vehicles and addressed new challenges in long-distance and high-speed contexts. Leveraging these learnings, in fiscal 2025 we became the technology partner for Sharing for Caring, a program that autonomously provides safe, accessible transportation for people in small communities and those with limited mobility.

India

To support India’s digitization efforts, CDA rolled out Cisco on Wheels, a traveling mobile experience center that brings Cisco technology solutions directly to businesses. To date, Cisco on Wheels has traveled to 18 cities across India — from Pune to Vadodara — offering hands-on demonstrations and training across Cisco Meraki secure networking solutions, Webex collaboration tools, and more. Through this program, Cisco is helping organizations advance their digital transformation and expand market reach.

Saudi Arabia

CDA has supported the Kingdom since 2016, driving digitalization and innovation through high-impact projects across healthcare, education, and government. In fiscal 2025, Cisco announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN AI enterprise to help build the Kingdom’s AI infrastructure, aiming to create the world’s most open, scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient AI ecosystem.

Learning and Digital Skills

At Cisco, we believe education is the ultimate equalizer, enabling learners to build their career in the digital era.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, 50% of today’s global workforce needs to upskill or reskill to stay relevant. Failure to do so could result in a global GDP loss of up to US$15 trillion by 2030. To meet this challenge, Cisco’s global learning and digital skills portfolio is working across the talent pipeline, unlocking individual opportunity while strengthening global communities.

As one of the world’s longest-standing corporate education ecosystems, we help the workforce of today build the digital skills they need for tomorrow.

In fiscal 2025, we unveiled Learn with Cisco, which brings together our learning programs and helps people upskill at every stage of their careers:

• Cisco Networking Academy: Our IT skills-to-jobs program focusing on early‑career talent and workforce development • Cisco Certifications: Certification programs designed to help shape the modern workforce
• Cisco U.: Personalized technology learning with flexible, digital experiences for professionals
• Cisco Learning Network: A global community of learners designed for networking, collaboration, mentorship, and certification preparation

All In on AI

In our fiscal 2025 survey of Cisco Networking Academy instructors, 87% recognized the importance of teaching AI and ML, but only 10% felt equipped to do so. 

To help address this, Learn with Cisco expanded access to free, high-demand AI trainings, including Cisco Networking Academy’s Introduction to Modern AI and Understanding AI and LLMs as a Network Engineer on Cisco U.

In addition to existing AI features like My Knowledge Check, we are innovating to make courses more interactive and personalized — like our new Data Science Essentials with Python course featuring an embedded, context-aware AI assistant that acts as a personal tutor.

Cisco Networking Academy Around the World

Cisco Networking Academy empowers learners, educators, and communities worldwide through in-person and online technology courses — all for free.

In partnership with governments, schools, and nonprofits, we align digital skills training with workforce and transformation needs.

This year, we focused on reaching more learners in more places. Our learning platform is now available across 195 countries in eight languages, including Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. We also focused on digital accessibility, partnering with Teach Access on a new teaching accessibility resource for educators.

Australia

To address digital skills shortages in the health sector, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy and Grampians Health, launched five learning modules focused on digital health foundations and emerging AI technologies. Following the pilot’s strong uptake, the Victorian Government committed an additional AU$5 million to expand the initiative across Victoria in key skills shortage areas.

Brazil

In fiscal 2025, Cisco Networking Academy reached a major milestone in Brazil: empowering over one million learners with digital skills. This impact was made possible through partnerships with more than 600 institutions and over 1,400 active instructors across the country, from urban centers like São Paulo to remote villages in the Amazon.

Germany

In Germany, there are an estimated 140,000 IT jobs unfilled due to lack of candidates. Through our partnership with the ReDI School of Digital Integration, Cisco Networking Academy is working to build a qualified talent pipeline, reaching over 900 student learners in fiscal 2025. Further, through our broader Cisco Networking Academy outreach in Germany, we supported more than 77,000 students and 400 Cisco Networking Academies.

Read the full FY25 Purpose Report

At Cisco, our Purpose is core to who we are and what we do. Learn more about our goals and progress to date in our Purpose Reporting Hub.
 

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

DALLAS, TX, May 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in beauty and entrepreneurship, announces the launch of its Global Social Squad (GSS) Pilot Program – a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants (IBCs) as dynamic digital brand advocates and next-generation social media storytellers.

Launching in select markets worldwide in 2026, the Global Social Squad Pilot Program represents a strategic evolution in how Mary Kay connects with consumers and amplifies brand and product awareness, while positioning the Mary Kay business opportunity in a social-first business environment, across digital platforms, timelines, and geographies.

Empowering Independent Beauty Consultants to Shape a New Era of Digital Leadership

The Global Social Squad ignites a diverse and talented group of Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants who exemplify authenticity, creativity, and social media expertise. These digital leaders create engaging, high-quality content, participate in global campaign activations, and share practical social media strategies with their communities and other Independent Beauty Consultants, fuelling both brand relevance and business growth.

“At Mary Kay, our influencers are our Independent Beauty Consultants,” said Tara Eustace, Chief Opportunity & Sales Officer at Mary Kay. “In a social-first business environment, the potential to connect has never been greater. The Mary Kay Global Social Squad Program is empowering our Independent Beauty Consultants to lead in the digital space by unlocking the power of authentic storytelling and building meaningful connections with beauty lovers and budding entrepreneurs around the world.”

Why This Matters

The Global Social Squad Pilot Program is designed to energize and expand the Mary Kay community through the influence of a pipeline of social-first leaders. Mary Kay’s Global Social Squad aims to:

• Elevate brand awareness and perception through fresh, on-trend content.
• Drive product discovery with authentic user-generated content.
• Power social storytelling and engagement with consumers across global markets.
• Strengthen peer-to-peer education through real-world social media insights.
• Inspire others by showcasing the Mary Kay business opportunity.

How the Pilot Program Works

• The 73 Global Social Squad members were revealed on Friday, March 13, with representation across 15 markets in four regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Europe.
• Members receive exclusive merchandise, participate in content challenges, and access ongoing education and development opportunities throughout the year.

This focused pilot approach enables Mary Kay to test, learn, and scale effectively, with expansion opportunities for full-scale rollout in 2027 and beyond.

By investing in digital leadership and empowering its global community of Independent Beauty Consultants to embrace a new era where opportunities expand with social reach, Mary Kay is building a scalable, future-ready model that blends entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal connection.

Discover the Mary Kay Global Social Squad here.

***

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

###

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

DALLAS, TX, May 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in beauty and entrepreneurship, announces the launch of its Global Social Squad (GSS) Pilot Program – a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants (IBCs) as dynamic digital brand advocates and next-generation social media storytellers.

Launching in select markets worldwide in 2026, the Global Social Squad Pilot Program represents a strategic evolution in how Mary Kay connects with consumers and amplifies brand and product awareness, while positioning the Mary Kay business opportunity in a social-first business environment, across digital platforms, timelines, and geographies.

Empowering Independent Beauty Consultants to Shape a New Era of Digital Leadership

The Global Social Squad ignites a diverse and talented group of Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants who exemplify authenticity, creativity, and social media expertise. These digital leaders create engaging, high-quality content, participate in global campaign activations, and share practical social media strategies with their communities and other Independent Beauty Consultants, fuelling both brand relevance and business growth.

“At Mary Kay, our influencers are our Independent Beauty Consultants,” said Tara Eustace, Chief Opportunity & Sales Officer at Mary Kay. “In a social-first business environment, the potential to connect has never been greater. The Mary Kay Global Social Squad Program is empowering our Independent Beauty Consultants to lead in the digital space by unlocking the power of authentic storytelling and building meaningful connections with beauty lovers and budding entrepreneurs around the world.”

Why This Matters

The Global Social Squad Pilot Program is designed to energize and expand the Mary Kay community through the influence of a pipeline of social-first leaders. Mary Kay’s Global Social Squad aims to:

• Elevate brand awareness and perception through fresh, on-trend content.
• Drive product discovery with authentic user-generated content.
• Power social storytelling and engagement with consumers across global markets.
• Strengthen peer-to-peer education through real-world social media insights.
• Inspire others by showcasing the Mary Kay business opportunity.

How the Pilot Program Works

• The 73 Global Social Squad members were revealed on Friday, March 13, with representation across 15 markets in four regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Europe.
• Members receive exclusive merchandise, participate in content challenges, and access ongoing education and development opportunities throughout the year.

This focused pilot approach enables Mary Kay to test, learn, and scale effectively, with expansion opportunities for full-scale rollout in 2027 and beyond.

By investing in digital leadership and empowering its global community of Independent Beauty Consultants to embrace a new era where opportunities expand with social reach, Mary Kay is building a scalable, future-ready model that blends entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal connection.

Discover the Mary Kay Global Social Squad here.

***

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

###

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

DALLAS, TX, May 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in beauty and entrepreneurship, announces the launch of its Global Social Squad (GSS) Pilot Program – a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants (IBCs) as dynamic digital brand advocates and next-generation social media storytellers.

Launching in select markets worldwide in 2026, the Global Social Squad Pilot Program represents a strategic evolution in how Mary Kay connects with consumers and amplifies brand and product awareness, while positioning the Mary Kay business opportunity in a social-first business environment, across digital platforms, timelines, and geographies.

Empowering Independent Beauty Consultants to Shape a New Era of Digital Leadership

The Global Social Squad ignites a diverse and talented group of Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants who exemplify authenticity, creativity, and social media expertise. These digital leaders create engaging, high-quality content, participate in global campaign activations, and share practical social media strategies with their communities and other Independent Beauty Consultants, fuelling both brand relevance and business growth.

“At Mary Kay, our influencers are our Independent Beauty Consultants,” said Tara Eustace, Chief Opportunity & Sales Officer at Mary Kay. “In a social-first business environment, the potential to connect has never been greater. The Mary Kay Global Social Squad Program is empowering our Independent Beauty Consultants to lead in the digital space by unlocking the power of authentic storytelling and building meaningful connections with beauty lovers and budding entrepreneurs around the world.”

Why This Matters

The Global Social Squad Pilot Program is designed to energize and expand the Mary Kay community through the influence of a pipeline of social-first leaders. Mary Kay’s Global Social Squad aims to:

• Elevate brand awareness and perception through fresh, on-trend content.
• Drive product discovery with authentic user-generated content.
• Power social storytelling and engagement with consumers across global markets.
• Strengthen peer-to-peer education through real-world social media insights.
• Inspire others by showcasing the Mary Kay business opportunity.

How the Pilot Program Works

• The 73 Global Social Squad members were revealed on Friday, March 13, with representation across 15 markets in four regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Europe.
• Members receive exclusive merchandise, participate in content challenges, and access ongoing education and development opportunities throughout the year.

This focused pilot approach enables Mary Kay to test, learn, and scale effectively, with expansion opportunities for full-scale rollout in 2027 and beyond.

By investing in digital leadership and empowering its global community of Independent Beauty Consultants to embrace a new era where opportunities expand with social reach, Mary Kay is building a scalable, future-ready model that blends entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal connection.

Discover the Mary Kay Global Social Squad here.

***

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

###

Rockwell’s net-zero science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a globally recognized authority on corporate climate action.

Rockwell’s net-zero commitment

Rockwell is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by FY2050.

Near-term target:

Rockwell is committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 55% by FY2033 from the FY2024 base year. The company also commits to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 33% within the same timeframe.

Long-term target:

Rockwell is committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% by FY2050 from a FY2024 base year. The company also commits to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% within the same timeframe.

About the SBTi and Rockwell’s journey

The SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that develops standards, tools, and guidance that allow companies to set GHG emissions reductions targets in line with what is needed to reach net-zero by 2050. With this guidance, Rockwell is taking meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Rockwell’s decision to commit to the SBTi reflects the belief that sustainability and business performance go hand in hand.

Operating responsibly strengthens the business, and strong performance allows Rockwell to continue investing in sustainable practices, creating long‑term value for its customers, company, and communities.

Rockwell committed to the SBTi in December 2023. The company’s inventory and targets were submitted for validation in December 2025 and officially approved in April 2026.

“Achieving the SBTi validation demonstrates our commitment to transparency and credibility at a time when customers and investors are increasingly focused on sustainability,” said Emmanuel Guilhamon, vice president, Sustainability, Rockwell Automation. “It positions us to lead responsibly while supporting long‑term growth and contributing to a more sustainable future for our customers, our company, and our communities.”

To learn more about Rockwell’s sustainability efforts, read pages 42-61 of its 2025 Sustainability Report.

Rockwell’s net-zero science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a globally recognized authority on corporate climate action.

Rockwell’s net-zero commitment

Rockwell is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by FY2050.

Near-term target:

Rockwell is committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 55% by FY2033 from the FY2024 base year. The company also commits to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 33% within the same timeframe.

Long-term target:

Rockwell is committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% by FY2050 from a FY2024 base year. The company also commits to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% within the same timeframe.

About the SBTi and Rockwell’s journey

The SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that develops standards, tools, and guidance that allow companies to set GHG emissions reductions targets in line with what is needed to reach net-zero by 2050. With this guidance, Rockwell is taking meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Rockwell’s decision to commit to the SBTi reflects the belief that sustainability and business performance go hand in hand.

Operating responsibly strengthens the business, and strong performance allows Rockwell to continue investing in sustainable practices, creating long‑term value for its customers, company, and communities.

Rockwell committed to the SBTi in December 2023. The company’s inventory and targets were submitted for validation in December 2025 and officially approved in April 2026.

“Achieving the SBTi validation demonstrates our commitment to transparency and credibility at a time when customers and investors are increasingly focused on sustainability,” said Emmanuel Guilhamon, vice president, Sustainability, Rockwell Automation. “It positions us to lead responsibly while supporting long‑term growth and contributing to a more sustainable future for our customers, our company, and our communities.”

To learn more about Rockwell’s sustainability efforts, read pages 42-61 of its 2025 Sustainability Report.

Rockwell’s net-zero science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a globally recognized authority on corporate climate action.

Rockwell’s net-zero commitment

Rockwell is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by FY2050.

Near-term target:

Rockwell is committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 55% by FY2033 from the FY2024 base year. The company also commits to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 33% within the same timeframe.

Long-term target:

Rockwell is committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% by FY2050 from a FY2024 base year. The company also commits to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% within the same timeframe.

About the SBTi and Rockwell’s journey

The SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that develops standards, tools, and guidance that allow companies to set GHG emissions reductions targets in line with what is needed to reach net-zero by 2050. With this guidance, Rockwell is taking meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Rockwell’s decision to commit to the SBTi reflects the belief that sustainability and business performance go hand in hand.

Operating responsibly strengthens the business, and strong performance allows Rockwell to continue investing in sustainable practices, creating long‑term value for its customers, company, and communities.

Rockwell committed to the SBTi in December 2023. The company’s inventory and targets were submitted for validation in December 2025 and officially approved in April 2026.

“Achieving the SBTi validation demonstrates our commitment to transparency and credibility at a time when customers and investors are increasingly focused on sustainability,” said Emmanuel Guilhamon, vice president, Sustainability, Rockwell Automation. “It positions us to lead responsibly while supporting long‑term growth and contributing to a more sustainable future for our customers, our company, and our communities.”

To learn more about Rockwell’s sustainability efforts, read pages 42-61 of its 2025 Sustainability Report.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, and NEW YORK, May 14, 2026 /3BL/ – New data from the IPC — one of the main global tools for measuring hunger developed by UN agencies — warns that nearly 20 million people in Sudan face high levels of acute food insecurity. Furthermore, it is projected that, by 2026, 825,000 children under the age of five will suffer from severe acute malnutrition, a condition carrying a real risk of death. This represents a 7% increase compared to 2025 and 25% more than before the conflict.

Meanwhile, the report notes that 14 areas of the country are at risk of famine in the coming months. Although this figure is lower than the 20 areas identified in November 2025, the reduction does not reflect an improvement in conditions, but rather a shift in the concentration of risk and limitations in data availability.

“In daily life, countless families have nothing to eat and survive as best they can, resorting to leaves, grass or animal feed, skipping meals or prioritizing some family members over others,” says Samy Guessabi, director of Action Against Hunger in Sudan. This reflects a context of chronic hunger exacerbated by more than three years of conflict, adverse weather, the collapse of basic services (37% of health services have been destroyed) and the world’s largest displacement crisis (13.5 million displaced people). Almost 34 million people (two-thirds of the population) will need humanitarian aid this year, the highest figure globally and an increase of 3.3 million compared to 2025.

Fertilizers and Medicines Stranded in the Middle of the Rainy Season

The new IPC data comes at a particularly worrying time: the rainy season – from May to September – which also coincides with the annual period of food scarcity. This is a particularly critical phase, marked by insecurity and heavy rainfall, which disrupts markets, reduces agricultural production and hinders access to food and essential services.

Compounding this situation is the geopolitical context in the Middle East and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which are already having an impact on Sudan:

The Gulf accounts for around 54% of the country’s fertilizer imports, and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are further limiting the production of sorghum, a staple of the national diet. It will be essential to closely monitor how this situation develops over the coming months.

Vital supplies in limbo: essential medicines from Action Against Hunger have been stranded in logistics warehouses in Dubai due to a lack of flights and the high cost of fuel resulting from the geopolitical tension.

Action Against Hunger’s Humanitarian Response

To ensure we can continue our response during the rainy season amidst a complex geopolitical context, our teams have identified alternative routes to keep supplying basic goods despite the tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, we continue to deliver food, medicines and basic healthcare through our mobile clinics to isolated communities unable to access essential services. Last year, the organization helped more than 600,000 people through nutrition, water, health and food security programs.

Action Against Hunger warns that, unless urgent measures are taken, the coming months could be even harder for the people of Sudan. “Without immediate diplomatic action and increased funding, the rainy season and geopolitical tensions could leave even more people caught between hunger and violence,” warns Guessabi. It is imperative to ensure humanitarian access to the affected areas and to strengthen the protection of the civilian population, humanitarian staff and essential infrastructure damaged by the armed conflict.

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

As summer begins, it brings a season of energy, growth, and opportunity, a perfect time to celebrate the meaningful environmental stewardship taking place across our operations. We are proud to share that multiple sites have been recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council for efforts demonstrating a long-term commitment to habitat conservation, environmental education, and biodiversity.
 

Emmett Plant Achieves Gold Certification for Wildlife
 

We begin in Idaho where the Emmett Plant earned Gold Certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC). Gold Certification is the highest designation under the WHC’s Conservation Certification program, recognizing the most advanced and impactful biodiversity enhancement and conservation education activities on corporate lands. This recognition highlights the team’s dedication not only to wildlife stewardship, but also to environmental education. A standout moment from the certification effort included hosting more than 100 local fifth graders for tours of the site’s inactive mine, where students learned about native plants, reclamation, geology, and responsible land stewardship. In addition, the site supports a range of wildlife initiatives, including an active osprey nest, kestrel nest boxes, and goose nesting platforms.
 

Roff Plant’s Journey to Gold WHC Certification
 

Through consistent, proactive stewardship practices and ongoing improvements to reduce environmental impact, our Roff, Oklahoma Plant grew from three managed pollinator gardens to six acres of thriving habitat, increasing monitoring and creating hands-on conservation learning opportunities. Beyond pollinators, their nesting box program earned national recognition with a 2025 Nest Box Challenge win. They have also removed nearly 2,000 invasive Eastern Red Cedars, and continued reclamation efforts by planting 27 acres of pollinator and grassland species to support long-term ecosystem health. This progress led to the Roff Plant receiving Gold WHC Certification. 
 

Pollinator Garden Success at Guion Plant
 

That same spirit of stewardship can be found at our Guion, Arkansas, Plant, where their Pollinator Garden was successfully recertified through the WHC. From healthy plant growth and reliable bloom cycles to expanded habitat coverage and consistent maintenance, this project reflects how ongoing care and attention can drive lasting environmental impact and support biodiversity year after year.
 

Covia Mexico’s Commitment to Forest Conservation
 

Our highlights also include the long-standing forest projects in Mexico. These continue to demonstrate the power of sustained habitat management. The Tlaxcala Plant Forest Project recently earned 2026 WHC Certification, recognizing nearly two decades of work preserving forest habitat across more than 8.7 acres. The site supports 81 monitored species, including 64 native plant species.

Similarly, the Jáltipan Plant Forest Project was awarded 2026 WHC Certification for its continued efforts to improve wildlife habitat in reclaimed areas and monitor native species in alignment with national and state restoration initiatives. What stands out at Jáltipan is the scale of impact and the important role reclaimed land plays in supporting habitat recovery over time.

The Ahuazotepec Plant’s Forest Project further reinforces Covia Mexico’s commitment to forest projects. Covering approximately 39 acres, their project focuses on monitoring and improving reclaimed forest habitat to strengthen the diversity of native species, enhance ecosystem connections, and provide additional resources for local wildlife. The longevity of this project has resulted in increasingly diverse plant life, making it a strong example of how steady stewardship builds momentum year after year.
 

Best Sand Plant in Chardon Achieves WHC Silver Certification
 

 

Finally, our Best Sand Plant in Chardon, Ohio, has earned WHC Silver Certification. Silver certification is the second-highest designation in the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Certification program, recognizing ongoing, measurable biodiversity enhancement and conservation education activities. This plant’s projects support wildlife through a wide range of site-specific efforts, including maintained reptile basking areas, birdhouses throughout the property, monitoring of reforested areas at Orchard Hills Park, and upkeep of an onsite osprey nesting area. The variety of habitat underscores the thoughtful and comprehensive approach taken at this site.

Together, these projects reflect Covia’s shared commitment to environmental stewardship in action. From education and conservation to habitat restoration and long-term monitoring, each site plays an important role in protecting natural resources and supporting wildlife for generations to come.

Find out more information about Covia’s Environmental Stewardship

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., May 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale’s 2026 Annual Meeting will take place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece. Marking the 15th flagship gathering, the hybrid event will convene more than 700 leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle the real cost of supply chain transformation — and how it is shared.

Key Takeaways

• Cascale’s 2026 Annual Meeting: September 15–17 in Athens, Greece
• Over 700 global leaders from across the consumer goods supply chain
• Curated C-suite engagement: roundtables, confidential discussions, and dedicated networking opportunities
• Four dynamic stages, plus virtual access
• 80+ speakers, including incoming CEO Ying McGuire
• Program focus on aligning investment, incentives, and responsibility for climate and social progress
• Insights powered by standardized methodologies and tools, including the Higg Index and Better Buying
• Early bird registration through May 30; sponsorship opportunities

Overview

Held at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, the 2026 Annual Meeting will convene brands, retailers, manufacturers, policymakers, NGOs, and service providers to focus on a critical industry challenge: how responsibility, investment, risk, and value are distributed across the value chain, and what must change to make transformation commercially viable, operationally achievable, and scalable.

Speakers will include Cascale’s incoming CEO, Ying McGuire, who will assume the role in June 2026, bringing extensive global leadership experience in supply chains and nonprofit transformation. Curated C-suite engagement will include roundtables, confidential discussions, dedicated networking opportunities, and more.

“The next phase of transformation requires more than ambition — it demands clear decisions on how costs, responsibilities, and value are shared across the supply chain,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO at Cascale. “This year’s Annual Meeting is focused on bringing the industry together to align on smarter investment models, stronger partnerships, and practical ways to turn sustainability into a driver of business performance, resilience, and long-term growth.”

Program Development & Sponsorship

The Cascale Annual Meeting program is shaped by the guidance and expertise of an Advisory Group that includes:

• Monica Buchan-Ng, industry activation lead, Textile Exchange
• Rick Horwitch, chief of supply chain & sustainability strategy & global retail lead, Bureau Veritas
• Liz Lipton-McCombie, head of ESG and sustainability, Nordstrom
• Mark Newbold, environmental sustainability programme lead, Primark
• Ana Rodes, head of sustainability, Recover Textiles
• Jonathan Salmon, head of sustainability, Li & Fung (Trading) Limited

This dedicated group supports the development of a solution-focused, high-impact agenda that reflects diverse perspectives and deep industry insight.

Worldly, the sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform for consumer goods, is the event’s lead sponsor and will host a stage, sharing deep expertise on the Higg Index frameworks, modules, and methodologies. These standards, stewarded and governed by Cascale and powered globally by Worldly, are reshaping how companies measure and manage their impact. Worldly will also highlight its latest innovations to help consumer goods businesses use data to make strategic decisions, uncover hidden risks, surface new opportunities, and build resilient supply chains.

Event Details

• Dates: September 15–17, 2026
• Location: Athens, Greece (InterContinental Athenaeum Athens)
• Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
• Attendance: 700+ global leaders
• Speakers: 80+ industry experts, including incoming CEO Ying McGuire

Registration is now open and early bird pricing is available through May 30, offering discounted rates for members who register in advance.

Learn more and register for Cascale Annual Meeting 2026!

Organizations interested in elevating their presence and engaging directly with industry leaders are invited to explore sponsorship opportunities. To learn more about sponsorship packages or to express interest, please contact Cascale’s events team through this page.

Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering pre-competitive collaboration to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale stewards and governs the Higg Index frameworks, modules, and methodologies, while Worldly delivers the technology platform through which they are implemented globally. Cascale also recently acquired the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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