Tag: 3BL

CINCINNATI, April 24, 2024 /3BL/ – Fifth Third Bank’s Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer, and Kevin P. Lavender, head of commercial banking, have been named to Savoy Magazine’s 2024 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America list. This special issue highlights a dynamic group of CEOs, COOs and top executives who exemplify exceptional leadership and influence in the corporate world.

A member of the enterprise committee, Gibson oversees the Bank’s corporate citizenship work, which includes Community Development Banking, Community Impact Banking, Community Reinvestment Act, Inclusion and Diversity and Sustainability. He also serves as chair of the Fifth Third Foundation’s distribution committee, the Bank’s Corporate Sustainability Committee and is a founding member of the Bank’s Executive Diversity Leadership Council.

He joined Fifth Third in 2011 as business banking executive for Eastern Michigan. He became the Bank’s head of Business Banking in 2013, overseeing the division’s strategic planning, operations, sales force, credit fulfillment and product development. In 2020, he led the bank’s Paycheck Protection Program lending and in 2021 led the acquisition of Provide Inc. Gibson started his career at Comerica Bank in Detroit and has more than 30 years of experience in business banking and credit administration.

As Head of Commercial Banking for Fifth Third, Lavender is responsible for overseeing the Bank’s vertically integrated commercial sales teams, Corporate Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Capital Markets, Specialty Lending and Treasury Management businesses. He’s also a member of the enterprise committee. He joined Fifth Third in 2005 as senior vice president and head of national corporate health care lending. In January 2009, he was named senior vice president and managing director of large corporate and specialized lending, a role in which he oversaw international and large corporate finance in addition to national health care finance.

Before joining Fifth Third, he served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Before that, he was co-founder and executive vice president of MediSphere Health Partners Inc. He began his career as group vice president for health care lending with SunTrust Bank Inc.

L.P. Green, II, the Publisher of Savoy Magazine, expressed his enthusiasm: “As we celebrate our 23rd anniversary, it’s an honor to spotlight such extraordinary individuals in our 2024 edition. These leaders are not just excelling in their fields; they’re setting new benchmarks for excellence and inspiring future generations.”

Print copies of the latest issue of Savoy Magazine are available for purchase at SavoyNetwork.com.

About Savoy Magazine

Savoy Magazine is a leading publication celebrating the African American lifestyle and culture. Covering a wide range of topics from business and politics to entertainment and style, Savoy serves as a critical platform for showcasing the richness of the Black experience. Distributed globally through subscriptions and newsstands, Savoy is a key influencer in driving meaningful discourse in the African American community.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

April 24, 2024 /3BL/ – Corporate social impact leaders understand that employee community engagement can foster a sense of community, boost employee morale and productivity, combat polarization and ultimately contribute to the bottom line. But illustrating this value to senior leadership in a way that garners program and infrastructure investment can be challenging.

Equip yourself with the proof points you need to demonstrate the benefits of employee community engagement and how it creates significant returns — not just for communities and causes, but for business success and the employees who participate. Points of Light has aligned desired business outcomes with research in a new learning brief, Proof Points to Support Investment in Employee Community Engagement, free to download now.

Plus, watch a recorded webinar that reinforces recent research on why employee community engagement matters. You’ll also hear first-hand accounts of securing financial investment from senior leaders to start, strengthen or scale community engagement work. Featured speakers include:

Lee Fabiaschi – Vice President, Employee Engagement and Community Impact, Ares Management  Lucy Darragh – Director, Strategy and Social Impact, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Danielle Vetter – Assistant Vice President, Corporate Giving & Employee Engagement, MetLife Foundation 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain practical tips and tools for constructing a compelling business case for community engagement. Download our latest resource, Proof Points to Support Investment in Employee Community Engagement, today.

About Points of Light
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 24, 2024 /3BL/ – There’s nothing little about these rocking network upgrades. In a legislative hearing today at the state capitol, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) announced the completion of a multi-year 5G network investment totaling more than $163 million across Arkansas, creating new opportunities for local businesses, schools, healthcare providers, first responders and anyone on T-Mobile’s network through its 5G improvements.

Over the past three years, T-Mobile has invested heavily in network improvements across Arkansas, building its network up to cover more than 2.9 million Arkansans with 5G and 2.2 million people its Ultra Capacity 5G (5G UC) network, a 260% increase in 5G UC coverage in just three years.

“As the leaders in 5G it’s our responsibility to make sure everyone has access to fast, reliable and affordable connectivity,” said Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology, T-Mobile. “Our multi-year effort to enhance 5G connectivity across Arkansas is the latest example in how were stretching our 5G blanket to every corner of the nation, no matter where you are.”

The multi-year network enhancements include newly deployed 5G coverage and capacity enhancements, with 170 new cell sites and upgrades to more than 450 existing sites. Statewide, T-Mobile now provides 5G service along 97% of interstate highways, U.S. highways, and state routes across Arkansas.

“By bringing high-speed 5G connectivity to more areas of Arkansas, we are making it easier for people to stay connected with their loved ones, access educational opportunities and grow their businesses,” said Senator Mark Johnson, Chairman of the Senate Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs Committee. “I applaud T-Mobile and other 5G wireless providers for their commitment to our State and for helping us get even closer to closing the digital divide.”

“5G adds incredible opportunity for Arkansas to become leaders in connectivity,” added Representative Stephen Meeks, Chairman of the House Advanced Communications and Information Technology Committee. “It’s faster speeds and lower latency empower businesses to perform more efficiently, enhances access to education opportunities and better supports the needs of modern day users. T-Mobile’s expanded network capabilities means Arkansas is one step closer to realizing its potential as drivers in innovation.”

T-Mobile 5G Internet

In today’s digital age, reliable internet is vital for everything from remote work and accessing essential services to entertainment and staying connected with friends and family. So, to help better connect Arkansans, T-Mobile is already putting these recent network upgrades to work. By leveraging the power of its leading 5G network, T-Mobile is bringing a new choice for reliable, affordable home and business internet to Arkansas with its fixed wireless 5G Internet.

Today, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is available to 40% of homes in Arkansas – that’s over 600,000 households. Plus, the Un-carrier simplifies business internet, enabling businesses to connect offices and locations nationwide. This means homes and businesses across the state, from small cities to big towns, can finally ditch traditional internet providers for 5G internet from T-Mobile.

Arkansans can learn more and check eligibility at www.t-mobile.com/home-internet, and Arkansas businesses can learn more about T-Mobile Business Internet and solutions by visiting www.t-mobile.com/business-internet.

Retail Growth

Since 2021, T-Mobile has opened 25 new corporate retail locations across the state, with two new stores expected to open this year in Magnolia and Berryville. The additional new stores have created 120 new jobs.

Community and Disaster Support

T-Mobile’s commitment to Arkansas goes beyond the network and retail, with initiatives created to empower communities across the nation:

Hometown Grants — a five-year program launched in early 2021 to provide grants to 100 small towns each year to use toward city beautification projects, public improvements and more. To date, T-Mobile has provided $200,000 to four towns across the state – Camden, Clarksville, Osceola and Russellville – to revitalize outdoor green spaces and renovate community buildings. Towns with populations of less than 50,000 are eligible and encouraged to apply. To date, T-Mobile has dedicated over $1 million to empower small businesses through initiatives such as revitalizing farmers’ markets, fostering business incubators, and enhancing city main streets.Project 10Million — offers internet connectivity and mobile hotspots to eligible students to help close the digital divide. The company has connected over 16,000 students, from over 60 school districts across Arkansas and is also offering school districts free and heavily subsidized data plans and access to affordable laptops and tablets through Project 10Million and its other education initiatives.Connecting Heroes — a $7.7 billion program empowering first responders with subsidized rate plans and wireless priority service for both voice and data. Arkansas first responders utilizing the program will be leveraging T-Mobile’s 5G network during critical moments to keep communities across the state safe.T-Mobile has also increased investments in network hardening nationwide by more than 30% over the past few years, which includes expanded backup power solutions at nearly 50% of cell sites in Arkansas—the most critical locations—to help ensure redundancy and reduce service interruptions in case of severe weather or other emergencies. In the last year, T-Mobile also added over 50% more heavy-duty network disaster response satellite vehicles to its ready-to-respond fleet and expanded its community support fleet with new, fully loaded RV command centers and heavy-duty Wi-Fi vehicles.

The Leader in 5G

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G, delivering the country’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network. The Un-carrier’s 5G network covers more than 330 million people across two million square miles — more square miles than AT&T and Verizon combined. More than 300 million people nationwide are covered by T-Mobile’s super-fast Ultra Capacity 5G with over 2x more square miles of coverage than similar mid-band 5G offerings from the Un-carrier’s closest competitors.

Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.

# # #

Coverage values are based on outdoor coverage levels. See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com

Media Contacts 
T-Mobile US, Inc. Media Relations 
MediaRelations@t-mobile.com

Investor Relations Contact 
T-Mobile US, Inc. 
investor.relations@t-mobile.com 
https://investor.t-mobile.com

Mastercard

Don’t let the old Johnny Appleseed legend fool you. Planting trees is not simply a matter of haphazardly scattering seeds on the ground. Reforesting on a global scale takes deep scientific knowledge, enormous resources and local knowledge — and lots of data.

That has certainly been the case for Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition, which aims to restore 100 million trees in a global effort to mitigate climate change. Along with its forest restoration partners, Conservation International and World Resources Institute, the initiative has launched 19 restoration projects across six continents, from the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests of Brazil to the mangrove ecosystems of the Northern Emirates to the tablelands of southeastern Australia.

To find out more about the science behind choosing the places — and the right trees — to plant, the Mastercard Newsroom recently talked with Starry Sprenkle-Hyppolite, senior director of restoration science at Conservation International, and René Zamora-Cristales, senior manager for restoration policy and Initiative 20×20 secretariat director at World Resources Institute.

Restoring trees aids in the capture of carbon, reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that fuels global warming. What are the other benefits of restoration?

Sprenkle-Hyppolite: Forests provide many benefits — not only for climate but also for communities. Trees prevent erosion, which is very important, not only for productivity and soil fertility but also for water quality downstream and curbing carbon emissions. Trees also provide shade, protect the soil and reduce evaporation. They make water systems function more naturally again and are critical for ensuring freshwater resources for drinking and irrigation. They work as temperature regulators, too. If you’re in a system that used to have shade and then there’s no more shade, that [increased heat] can be deadly — even for things underground or underwater.

How do you determine where you should focus your tree-planting efforts?

Sprenkle-Hyppolite: We start with publicly available maps. Many global maps measure the number of households per hectare or people per hectare. Others map out where biodiversity is endangered or measure the potential for trees to absorb carbon in a given reforested area. Then our own scientists overlay each of these maps to identify where they can maximize the benefits. What we’ve found is that these global data maps sacrifice quality when digging into specific areas. So once we have the global big picture, we still need to reexamine more locally calibrated datasets, which are often different, so it’s kind of like repeating the exercise to find the best available data and use it to hone in on the most promising locations.

Zamora-Cristales: The location also has to have local partners with the capacity to absorb the funding and then be able to use that capital for planting but also for long-term monitoring – tracking the trees’ survival rate, carbon capture and other benefits. There is also the issue of land tenure. Many of the sites ripe for reforestation have unclear or contested titles. Ideally, the local community has legal title to the land where the trees are planted and governance in place to oversee them. There can’t be any conflict about who owns the land, because then someone could come in and take them all down or there could be disagreements about who is responsible for caring for them and maintaining them. The deep relationships our organizations have cultivated with local governments and communities are what has made our restoration successful in the long term. We are looking for people who are interested in having restoration activities on their land. This requires working closely with local organizations, local partners and local people. Yet it’s a critical step that is often where a lot of programs fail. You can’t ever just hop in and start planting trees.

Can you give me an example of how those relationships have had an impact on a particular project?

Zamora-Cristales: In Guatemala, planting partner Fedecovera has proven to us the importance of getting input from the local people. There, local Q’eqchi’ knowledge allows for better planning and ensures tree survival, as the people know to avoid planting trees in areas that are susceptible to disease or where poor soil conditions require treatment before trees can be established. The local knowledge also is important in determining when to start the planting season, as local populations have a deep understanding of the rain season cycles and what is needed for the trees to get the nutrients they need to grow.

Are some trees more popular than others?                 

Sprenkle-Hyppolite: Trees in the leguminous family — because they are known for growing well and enriching the soil — are good partners to crops and productivity. Erythrina, the pea family, is a genus that we do see a lot of in the tropics and subtropics because it can also support agriculture. Tectona grandis, or teak, is very popular on the Asia–Africa side. It can actually be complicated, because trees that grow well and are popular in one region may be invasive in another.  So we have popular American species that people are proposing to plant in Madagascar or Kenya, where it could have negative consequences — choking out native species and destroying food sources for native animals, for example. We have to ask them to please choose another, because this one is  invasive in your area.  It may actually grow too fast and take over the whole area!

Many tree-planting initiatives end once the seed is in the ground. The Priceless Planet Coalition takes a longer view, deploying a five-year framework for monitoring success. What are you looking at and why is it important?

Sprenkle-Hyppolite: You do have to give a little time for the trees to grow, and the success of tree restoration can’t be judged solely by the number of trees planted. They might die soon after. We look at tree survival and growth, freshwater and biodiversity impacts, and work days. Very rarely are we restoring completely empty areas, so we have to have a snapshot of what was already there before we add another 4,000 or 5,000 trees. We do analysis on that baseline state so that we can then analyze our impact two and a half years and five years later.  We combine data collected in the field with cutting-edge remote monitoring, and compare the results to control sites that match the original condition of the reforested locations. This holistic framework shows whether these were sound, necessary investments that are achieving their expected impact, and that informs future initiatives, strengthening our efforts and driving progress.  

Zamora-Cristales: What’s important to remember is that the local communities are the stewards of these forests, not Mastercard, and they keep their own data. They also can use those trees: Fruit trees can help feed local schoolchildren, for example, or can improve soils to increase productivity of crops. The trees ultimately are there for the good of the communities where they are planted.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Eastman

Swedish medical technology company CYTO365 and Eastman worked together to create a new medical component for infusion therapy that lowers patient risk.

CYTO365’s founder and CEO Micael Törnblom noticed that, with current infusion treatment, medical professionals could unintentionally mix incompatible drugs during infusion therapy. To help prevent that, the company developed RondelO™, a turn valve with multiple inlets that stops unintentional mixing. It can connect six drugs, which are given one at a time with flushing fluids in between.

This turn valve is considered revolutionary because it supports back-to-back drug infusion through the same device. But the CYTO365 team knew it would need durable, safe material that supports accurate molding and is crystal clear.

The CYTO365 team met Eastman business development manager Theo Wuebbels in 2019 at a medical technology trade fair. Having liked what they saw and heard, CYTO365 leaders turned to him and Eastman for help. Eastman’s technical support team incorporated Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, which helped create an accurate mold without cracks.

“We want to support medical professionals through safe and reliable medical equipment,” Törnblom said. “But to help them, the material must be lipid-resistant and crack-free to oncology drugs, so we needed a copolyester and innovation partner we could trust. That’s why we chose Eastman.”

Eastman performed simulation testing for material degradation and mold filling with Tritan. The technical support team worked with CYTO365 to identify a mold-drying process.

“One of Eastman’s greatest strengths is our hands-on, collaborative approach to personalized solutions,” Wuebbels said. “Our technical support team worked directly with CYTO365. We were involved from an early phase of product development to align on design, material selection and tool development. We evaluated their exact needs and even shortened their time to market with a device that was safe and durable.”

RondelO became commercially available to IV manufacturers in 2023. The design includes a visual and haptic “click” position for each drug for easy identification. It is available in two-, four- and six-port options.

“Tritan really lives up to both our expectations and our customers’ expectations,” Törnblom said. “RondelO can be the physical barrier we intended for infusion therapy, and Tritan has helped us make it a trusted device for medical professionals. The precision this copolyester brings to our device is truly innovative and revolutionary.”

Originally published on about.bnef.com

The world’s largest economies have made limited progress in boosting their decarbonization policies over the past year – a red flag for climate action as the urgency of the crisis ramps up.

In the fourth annual edition of BloombergNEF’s G-20 Zero-Carbon Policy Scoreboard, the members of this group scored, on average, just 49% – a paltry 1 percentage point rise from 2023.

The European Union, UK and US retained the top spots. But these high scorers failed to improve their performance from last year, in fact seeing an average decline of 1 percentage point. As developed economies responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they should lead by example, in particular to encourage emerging markets to follow suit.

Top scorers lost points for policy delays, abrupt changes and weakened regulations

The EU and UK held on to the top five places in BNEF’s latest ranking thanks to their provision of incentives for low-carbon solutions and increasingly stringent regulations to disincentivize emission-intensive technologies.

However, these leaders, as well as the US, saw their total score decrease. In some cases, they scrapped low-carbon programs like Germany’s purchase subsidies for electric vehicles, slowed progress on the ground such as renewables build, or faced other challenges including political and industry opposition, and red tape.

They especially lost points for increasing uncertainty among consumers, industry and investors. This was due to insufficient or delayed information on new policies, ending programs earlier than expected, and weakening low-carbon regulations or deadlines.

Developed economies should lead by example, but large emerging markets need to up their game

The dividing line of economic wealth persists. In general, developed economies have more and better low-carbon support than emerging markets. Members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development scored, on average, a total of 57% in BNEF’s latest assessment, compared with 37% for non-OECD economies.

To limit global warming to 1.5C, it will be especially important for developed economies to take the lead by implementing increasingly ambitious regulations and mandates on emissions-intensive technologies and practices. But it will be equally important for large emerging markets to make progress, and developed countries can support policymakers there. Accounting for 43% of the world’s emissions, the ‘BRICS’ – Brazil, Russia, India, mainland China and South Africa – have an average policy score of 42%.

Policymakers can take action in the near term to kickstart momentum

All G-20 markets need more support in ‘harder-to-abate’ sectors where cleaner options are limited or very costly, especially industry, buildings and agriculture. Their policy regimes averaged 57% for clean power support and 51% for road transport – where economic low-carbon solutions are more readily available – compared with 41% for the other sectors evaluated in BNEF’s Scoreboard. These hard-to-abate areas need a mix of incentives and regulations, especially to build up demand and ensure any required infrastructure is built.

There are concrete actions that policymakers can take in the short to medium term. With overall momentum having stalled, governments across the G-20 need to rapidly introduce more and better low-carbon policy support if the world is to reach net zero by mid-century and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The BNEF Policy Scoreboard scored each G-20 member out of 100% based on the volume of government support implemented to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the robustness of these programs and the policy-making process, and metrics to gauge whether they are starting to drive change on the ground.

A comprehensive executive summary of the report can be found here.

About BloombergNEF

BloombergNEF (BNEF) is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our expert coverage assesses pathways for the power, transport, industry, buildings and agriculture sectors to adapt to the energy transition. We help commodity trading, corporate strategy, finance and policy professionals navigate change and generate opportunities.

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Originally published on Built From Scratch

The Home Depot has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence. This underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards celebrate businesses and organizations that prioritize energy efficiency and environmental protection through initiatives like promoting and selling ENERGY STAR certified products. The Sustained Excellence Award is the highest honor among ENERGY STAR Awards, presented to partners who have consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in energy efficiency.

As a leading retailer, The Home Depot has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment in this regard. “We are thrilled to be recognized as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence,” said Candace Rodriguez, senior director of sustainability at The Home Depot. “Thank you ENERGY STAR for recognizing our dedication to environmental stewardship and helping our customers make energy-efficient product choices.”

Learn more about The Home Depot’s commitment to sustainability by visiting our Eco Actions website or by reviewing the latest ESG report.

Convinced of the urgency to advance the cause of sustainable construction in the face of climate challenges, demographic changes, and the need to protect resources, Saint-Gobain launched the Sustainable Construction Observatory in 2023. Today, this Observatory has released the second edition of its Sustainable Construction Barometer1, a study conducted by the CSA research institute, to better understand the perceptions of key stakeholders and the levers to be activated to accelerate the development of sustainable construction in the United States and around the world. 

Benoit Bazin, Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain: “The Sustainable Construction Barometer is intended to be a decision-making tool for all stakeholders in the sector, so that we can gain a better understanding of local sustainable construction issues and move from reflection to concrete action, in order to build a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Mark Rayfield, President & Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain North America: “The 2024 Sustainable Construction Barometer is an important guide for every member of the building industry to better understand the perceptions and ideas key stakeholders hold toward sustainable construction. With 96% of US respondents believing the implementation of more sustainable construction is a high priority, we must all work together to continue moving the industry forward, and the data presented in the Barometer will help us do that.”

A broader survey to accelerate sustainable construction

Initiated last year in 10 countries, the Sustainable Construction Barometer is now based on a quantitative survey of professionals, students, elected representatives, and association members in 22 countries, including the United States. This provides a more detailed understanding of local and global issues, measures progress, and helps to identify areas of action to advance the crucial subject of sustainable construction as a strategic and essential response to major contemporary issues: climate change, resources constraints, and rapid urbanization accelerated by demographic pressure.

Four key findings emerge from this 2024 Barometer:

Perceptions of sustainable construction remain stable, and the environmental viewpoint of respondents remains unchanged. The aspect of occupant well-being remains poorly recognized and valued.
 A shared sense of urgency exists among respondents, but there is a need for better awareness and cooperation.
 We must all work to ensure our stakeholders are better informed, better trained, and committed.
 Any implementation of sustainable construction will only be effective if it matches local realities.

Worldwide, 95% of respondents agree that the implementation of more sustainable construction is an important or priority issue.

This degree of urgency is clearly shared by all players, regardless of geographic region. At the same time, the understanding of sustainable construction often seems limited to environmental issues. Its definition is still largely associated with “green construction”: directly linked to the energy efficiency of buildings (42%) and to achieving carbon neutrality in construction (33%). The notions of resilience and occupant comfort are considered more secondary. The only exception is Türkiye, where sustainable construction is perceived more in terms of the well-being of inhabitants, at 25% versus 14% for the global average.

Awareness of sustainable construction is high but varies depending on the respondent: While 87% of those questioned said they were familiar with sustainable construction, 20% of elected representatives surveyed said they had never heard of the concept. 

Overall, awareness of sustainable construction worldwide is high: 87% of those questioned said they were familiar with sustainable construction, up +5 points from last year2. 68% of respondents claim to be sufficiently informed, but educational efforts are still needed, particularly among elected representatives. Most stakeholders in all countries (87%) agree that we need to go further in terms of sustainable construction, even if the aspiration for the status quo is growing (9%, +4 points compared to Barometer 20232).

Among the priority actions to be taken to accelerate the development of sustainable construction, raising public awareness is considered crucial, as is the issue of the perceived cost and competitiveness of materials, and the cooperation of all stakeholders. On the other hand, the role of public initiatives (standards, regulations, aid), although fundamental, remains underestimated. Lastly, energy renovation appears to be a priority in countries with a well-established building stock, compared to countries that prioritize new-build programs to house a growing population.

92% of construction professionals worldwide believe that sustainable construction will make up all or part of their business within the next 5 years.

Architects and engineering firms are at the top of the list of players most often cited for advancing sustainable construction. While building design professionals are credited with 29% of first-intention responses, elected representatives and public institutions follow close behind, with 21% and 20% respectively. Construction professionals feel strongly committed to sustainable construction: 85% say they carry out all or part of their business in this area, and 92% expect to do so within the next five years.

Lack of commitment to sustainable construction is perceived as a discriminating factor. Many professionals (62%, +3 points on 2023) consider their suppliers’ commitment to sustainable construction as a selection criterion. Among elected representatives, the sustainable dimension is a decisive criterion for awarding public contracts: nearly 9 out of 10 consider this criterion to be important.

Finally, among students who perceive the implementation of more sustainable constructions as a priority, 45% say they would not accept a job offer from a company that was not committed to sustainable construction.

And in the United States?

Sustainable construction in the United States is first and foremost a question of recycling materials and energy efficiency. 

In the United States, 85% of respondents are familiar with the concept of sustainable construction (a slight decrease of 2% from 20233), with 50% stating they have a firm understanding. Sustainable construction continues to be defined by how buildings are constructed, and how materials are used and handled. 84% of US respondents most closely associated sustainable construction with the recycling of building materials, while 83% cited building energy efficiency, compared to 70% and 74% worldwide respectively.

North American construction professionals are motivated to move sustainable construction forward, with 79% prepared to take jobs that take sustainable construction into account, regardless of time, material supply or margins. However, more work must be done to educate elected officials and associations as they award contracts and work with construction companies.

Accelerating the pace: levers of action in the United States

US respondents see architects and building engineers as the most legitimate actors to advance sustainable construction in the United States (59% of respondents), aligned with worldwide perceptions (55%). These results constitute a major increase of over 20% from last year when only 34% of US respondents saw architects as major drivers). They are closely followed by private companies in the construction sector (47%). In addition, US respondents are more likely to see elected officials as major contributors to accelerating sustainable construction than their worldwide counterparts (47% compared to 32% worldwide).

For the second consecutive year, making sustainable materials, products, and solutions more competitive is seen as the top priority to advancing sustainable development by US respondents, with 39% citing the action as a major priority. At 37%, renovating existing buildings closely follows, and US stakeholders are much more likely to see this as a top priority compared to their worldwide counterparts (only 20% named it a top priority).

Beyond the Barometer, the work of the Sustainable Construction Observatory

The Sustainable Construction Barometer is just one component of Saint-Gobain’s Sustainable Construction Observatory, which includes Sustainable Construction Talks, international meetings bringing together all players in the sector together to discuss relevant issues, and Constructing a Sustainable Future, a digital magazine. The Observatory will continue to develop in 2024.

In 2023, three Sustainable Construction Talks were organized by the Observatory: the first, in Paris, dedicated to the subject of energy renovation in Europe; the second, during New York City Climate Week, devoted to the challenges of adapting to climate change; and a final in Dubai, during COP28, on the theme of sustainable construction in the Global South. Later this year, Saint-Gobain will again hold a talk at New York City Climate Week and during the International Greenbuild Conference in Philadelphia.

The Observatory’s first findings:

Financing and risk coverage: how can we facilitate investment in sustainable construction and energy renovation, and strengthen the role of the insurance system in adapting to climate change?
 Adaptation and resilience: sustainable construction is still largely viewed in terms of climate change mitigation. But the issue of transition in the sector also involves adaptation and resilience. How can we ensure that adaptation and resilience are better considered, in a context where sustainable construction is still often considered in terms of climate change mitigation?
 Inclusion and accessibility: how can we remove social and economic barriers to sustainable construction and energy renovation?
 Human resources and skills: how can we accelerate knowledge sharing and skills development in the field of sustainable construction?
 Global and local: how can we combine international alignment with local specificities?

The Sustainable Construction Observatory will continue its reflections on these topics and more in 2024 to help bring about solutions and make their deployment a reality.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023 
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries 
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain 

Media Contacts

Peter Clark 
(+1) 603 513-8513

1Survey conducted by the CSA research institute between December 11, 2023 and January 31, 2024, among a sample of 1,760 respondents aged 18 and over from 22 countries – compared with 10 countries last year (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam). The panel of respondents included elected representatives, professionals, students and members of associations involved in construction, building, ecological transition, housing, energy.

2Trend calculated on the basis of the 9 countries common to both editions of the survey (2023 and 2024).

3Trend calculated on the basis of the 9 countries common to both editions of the survey (2023 and 2024). 

The Ohio affiliate of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), in partnership with KeyBank, honored 38 high school students across Ohio at the 2024 Aspirations in Computing awards on Saturday, April 20th in Columbus, Ohio. These students, which included one national winner, were recognized for their leadership and involvement in technology, robotics, and applied science, along with their academic success and plans for post-secondary education. Two STEM teachers were honored as well with an educator award.

For the past ten years, the Ohio Aspirations in Computing awards have been sponsored by KeyBank. All award recipients along with their families and educators were invited to join this year’s event, which featured a panel of professionals discussing the Future of Data, Robotics & AI. All shared insight into their career paths, education, and personal growth in STEM.

“KeyBank has a long history of supporting students who are interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Amy Brady, KeyBank Chief Information Officer. “We congratulate this year’s award winners and are proud to recognize the achievements and talents of these outstanding students. They are future problem solvers and the skills they are developing today will help solve the challenges of tomorrow.”

Since 2007, NCWIT has inducted more than 10,000 young women into the Aspirations in Computing community and is helping to usher these women into technology careers. The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program is a talent development initiative designed to increase female participation in technology careers by providing encouragement, visibility, community, leadership opportunities, scholarships, and internships to aspiring technically inclined young women. NCWIT offers both national and local affiliate competitions to generate support and visibility for women’s participation in communities nationwide.

For information on the national program please visit www.aspirations.org

2024 National Winner

Ella Witalec – Laurel School

2024 National Honorable Mentions

Harshita Ganga – William Mason High School
Chahak Gupta – Solon High School
Marlene Natividad Trinidad – Columbus Downtown HS
Saanvi Pandala – Olentangy High School
Ramya Rajan – William Mason High School
Sosena Tefera – Anderson High School

2024 Ohio Affiliate Award Winners

Joy Fan – Solon High School
Harshita Ganga – William Mason High School
Chahak Gupt – Solon High School
Riya Hegde – Western Reserve Academy
Marlene Natividad Trinidad – Columbus Downtown HS
Hong Bao Tran Nguyen – Solon High School
Saanvi Padala – Olentangy High School
Vaishnavi Rachuri – Dublin Jerome HS
Ramya Rajan – William Mason High School
Manya Tandon – Westlake High School
Sosena Tefera – Anderson High School
Zaynah Wahab – Solon High School
Ella Witalec – Laurel School
Julia Zhu – Hathaway Brown School
Mahee Shah – Hathaway Brown School

2024 Ohio Affiliate Honorable Mentions

Laasya Acharya – William Mason High School
Meghana Boda – Olentangy High School
Audrey Malcuit – Padua Franciscan High School
Emily McCord – Metro Early College High School
Vaishali Ramakrishnan – Dublin Jerome High School
Lillian Robey – Dayton Regional Stem School
Maria Tracy – Saint Joseph Academy
Kaovya Vel – Westlake High School
Eva Winchester – St. Ursula Academy

2024 Ohio Affiliate Rising Stars 

Hasaean Araia – Columbus Downtown HS
Shivani Arulselvan – Padua Franciscan HS
Ravia Bhullar – Nordonia High School
Mridhini Chintakindi – Dublin Jerome HS
Penelope Covey – Stow-Munroe Falls HS
Naomi Franciscus – Canal Winchester HS
Oni Hairston – Nordonia High School
Harman Kaur – Dayton Regional Stem School
Claire Line – Homeschool
Imanga Lufungulo – Notre Dame Academy
Mackenzie Minute – Padua Franciscan High School
Haasini Sanisetty – Hathaway Brown School
Maggie Smith – Padua Franciscan HS
Saira Williams – Worthington Christian High School

2024 Ohio Educator Winner 

Joe Morel – Padua Franciscan High School

2024 Ohio Educator Honorable Mention

Haley Richards – Dublin Emerald Campus

About NCWIT

NCWIT is a non-profit community that convenes, equips, and unites more than 1,240 change leader organizations to increase the influence and meaningful participation of girls and women from every community – at the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, age, sexual orientation, and disability status – in the influential field of computing, particularly in terms of innovation and development.

About KeyCorp/KeyBank 

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at March 31, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

In the #HowIGotHere series, you’ll read about the career paths of some of the world-renowned leaders at Yum! Brands. Learn more about Jon Hixson, Chief Sustainability Officer & Vice President of Government Affairs Yum! Brands in this installment.

EDUCATION

Trego Community High School  
WaKeeney, Kansas, United States (1985– 1989)Kansas State University  
Manhattan, Kansas, United States Bachelor of Science, Milling Science and Management (1989 – 1993)George Washington University  
Washington, D.C., United States Master of Business Administration, International Finance (1997 – 1999)

If we were to interview your teachers, what would they say about you?

Jon was a curious and talented student with a great sense of humor.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a commodity trader. I grew up working on a farm that grew a tiny fraction of the global wheat production, so I was always interested in how the world produces and values food.

WORK

First Job

My first job was for ConAgra Flour Milling in Denver, Colorado. I took the job because I thought I would get to enjoy the mountains and ski often, but I never skied when I worked for ConAgra.

ConAgra Flour Milling, Denver, Colorado, United States
1993-1994: Operations Manager
 United States House of Representatives and United States Senate, Washington, D.C., United States
1994-1997: Staff Assistant, House Committee on Agriculture
1997-2000: Legislative Assistant, U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum
2000-2003: Chief of Staff, Congressman Jerry Moran
 Aircraft Owners and Operators of America, Washington, D.C., United States
2003-2005: Vice President of Government Affairs
 Cargill, Inc., Washington, D.C., United States
2005-2011: Director of Government Affairs
 Cargill, Inc., Singapore
2011-2014: Director of Government Affairs, Asia Pacific
 Cargill, Inc., Washington, D.C., United States
2014-2017: Vice President of Corporate Affairs
 Yum! Brands, Washington, D.C., United States
2017-present: Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Government Affairs

Do you believe in work/life balance?

The longer I’ve worked, the more I try to focus on work/life balance. My oldest child has gone off to college, and my wife and I both lost parents over the last three years, so it’s events like these that remind me that moments with family are a priority. Life is a one-way journey. Enjoy the moment, and keep it all in balance.

What moments, or who, in your life influenced the way you work?

My dad

This retired, Kansas farmer is the person who has shaped my life the most. I was always impressed by his work ethic, strategic thinking and independence as he worked his entire life as his own boss. I’ve always admired his community engagement. In retirement, he’s reinvented himself by writing history, volunteering at a museum and barbershop singing.

Working on Capitol Hill

One of my first major risks was leaving a corporate job to go work on Capitol Hill. This transition enabled professional growth and the chance to work across food, agriculture, finance, tax and transportation policy areas.

Living and working in Asia

In 2011, we moved our family to Asia for an opportunity to work as the director of government affairs for Cargill in the Asia-Pacific region. It was an amazing opportunity to pivot my career into sustainability and learn about the diverse cultures across Asia. It was very eye-opening working on the ground with smallholders in coconut, coffee, poultry and palm oil supply chains.

What do people think you do versus what you actually do?

Sustainability is an interesting word, and people tend to view it in their own personal way. Some think we focus just on improving packaging and reducing waste in our restaurants. It is that, but it’s also about listening to the concerns of our stakeholders. Most issues concern the environment or people in our business or supply chain. We try to listen to those views and seek solutions that realistically fit our franchisees and overall business model. We also spend a lot of time measuring and reporting our sustainability progress.

For government affairs, I educate policy makers about the details of Yum!’s business. Most government officials are spread thin and truly need to hear views on both sides of every issue concerning our industry. The reality of my job is listening to concerns, analyzing legislation and talking with officials about both the good and bad of how policies will affect our business, franchisees and employees.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve been given?

Recognize patterns and thrive in ambiguity.

What makes you happy?

Spending time outdoors and staying active!

How do you do it?

It can be simple things like walks, hikes and taking a break to get some fresh air. I also have a 30-year-old Jeep that I take out with the top off from Easter to Thanksgiving. A topless 1980s Jeep is soul food on a warm day, although it does require a good set of tools!