Tag: 3BL

In the summer of 2019, Bora was celebrating his mother’s birthday at a seaside restaurant in Istanbul when he suddenly became very ill and couldn’t finish his meal.

“I woke up the next day with a high fever and terrible pain and was unable to move or eat for 10 days,” recalls Bora.

It was at this point that a friend took him to an anonymous HIV testing clinic. After losing a close friend to an HIV-related condition years earlier, Bora understood the importance of taking precautions and periodically got tested.

“I was stunned to get a positive test result, but after the initial shock I knew that with the therapies available today I would be able to manage it,” Bora says.

He immediately went on antiretroviral treatment and soon thereafter, the virus was no longer detected in his system.

An actor and singer by profession, Bora has since also become a peer counselor with Pozitif-iz Association – a nonprofit HIV advocacy group in Istanbul. “I want people to know the importance of testing and how early detection is key to recovery and moving forward to living a healthier life,” he says.

Last fall, Bora decided to share his story more broadly with the media as Türkiye joined European HIV Testing Week for the first time since the biannual testing campaign began a decade earlier throughout the continent. During that time, Türkiye experienced a fourfold increase in HIV diagnoses over an 11-year period.

Gilead subsequently worked closely with Pozitif-iz Association and various other partners and healthcare organizations to help launch the inaugural testing week campaign in Türkiye. As the largest private funder of nonprofit HIV programs in the U.S. and the world, Gilead strives to address unmet needs and help ensure people receive the HIV care and services they need.

“More than 27,000 free, anonymous tests have been provided to healthcare organizations by Gilead,” says Çiğdem Şimsek, founder of Pozitif-iz Association. Those diagnosed with HIV were referred for antiretroviral treatment, which is reimbursed under the national health care system.

According to the government’s figures, more than 40,000 people are now living with HIV in Türkiye, a figure Çiğdem attributes to a climate of stigma, fear, misinformation and lack of awareness and education. Young people, she says, don’t have sufficient access to sex and reproductive health education in the schools so they don’t know how to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV.

A recent modeling study by Assistant Professor Emine Yaylali of Istanbul Technical University projects that the numbers of people living with HIV could swell to 2.4 million people by 2040 if the trend continues.

“These are dramatic numbers, especially if you consider we’re a nation of some 80 million people,” says Çiğdem. “There’s an urgent need to increase testing centers and build awareness in key groups.” Due to this urgency, Türkiye plans to participate in the HIV testing weeks held twice a year, with the next one taking place in May.

Bora does his part to respond to the need by answering calls that come in through the peer counseling hotline. Many of the more than 5,000 calls fielded by Pozitif-iz Association last year were from people who are afraid that they will be spurned by a spouse, family member or a friend if they are diagnosed.

“They shouldn’t despair and live in fear,” he says. “I’m in a good position to tell them HIV is no longer a death sentence. Instead, it can be very manageable if detected and treated early.”

Originally published by Gilead Sciences

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Power plant employees at Marshall Station, Mayo Station, Roxboro Station, Allen Station, Belews Creek Station and Cliffside Station awarded nearly $60,000 in Duke Energy Foundation grants and matching donations to nearly a dozen charitable organizations in the communities where they live and work.

“Giving back to our communities is a part of everything we do,” said Paul Fisk, vice president of Carolinas Generation. “I’m proud of the way our plant employees demonstrate genuine care and compassion for their neighbors, and we’re pleased they’ve chosen to support causes that are making a difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Employees were given the opportunity this year to nominate charities of their choice to support. Those nominations were then brought to plant management who ultimately selected the organizations that would receive the funds.

One of the nonprofits that received the grant was FeedNC, a North Carolina-based nonprofit that focuses on food insecurity. Each year, FeedNC serves 6,000 neighbors in need through dignified, creative and innovative programs.

“Families in our community turn to FeedNC when life’s circumstances become overwhelming, and they need help,” said Bonnie Battalia, chief development officer for FeedNC. “The generosity of Duke Energy through financial support for our programs and volunteering, allows FeedNC to make an immediate impact for a neighbor in need. We are grateful for Duke Energy’s partnership and friendship. Thank you for being a part of the solution.”

Marshall Station employees awarded grants to the following organizations:

FeedNC – $10,000 ($5,000 Foundation grant matched with $5,000 from the Marshall Community Service Team) 
 The Corner Table – $10,000 ($5,000 Foundation grant matched with $5,000 from the Marshall Community Service Team)

Allen Station employees awarded grants to the following organization:

Belmont Optimist Club Scholarship Foundation – $5,000

Mayo Station and Roxboro Station employees awarded grants to the following organizations:

Halifax County Veterans Affairs Cancer Association – $5,000 
 Person County Veterans Council – $5,000 
 Safe Haven of Person County – $5,000 
 Roxboro/Person County Rescue Squad – $5,000

Cliffside Station employees awarded grants to the following organizations:

Cliffside Fire and Rescue – $5,000 
 Boiling Springs Fire and Rescue – $5,000

Belews Creek Station employees awarded a grant to the following organization:

South Stokes Youth Soccer Association – $10,000

“A lot of our employees give their time and talents outside of work to various causes in the community,” said Jason Talbott, the general manager of Carolinas Dispatchable Generation North at Duke Energy. “These grants are an opportunity for our teammates to drive meaningful change that will have lasting benefits for our plant neighbors.”

Duke Energy Foundation 
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Carolinas/Duke Energy Progress 
Duke Energy serves nearly 3.7 million households and businesses in North Carolina through two utilities, Duke Energy Carolinas (central and western North Carolina, including Charlotte, Durham and the Triad) and Duke Energy Progress (central and eastern North Carolina plus the Asheville region).

Duke Energy Carolinas owns 19,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2.8 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina. Duke Energy Progress owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 29,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Contact: Ben Williamson 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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Originally published in the SEE Impact Report 2022

Global packaging solutions provider SEE innovates across its solutions portfolio; pursues business model innovation; and explores new technologies, alternative materials, manufacturing advancements, automation, and digital to create sustainable offerings. We continue to refine our efforts to expand and accelerate SEE Net Positive by creating value and aligning under four strategic areas:

Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability

SEE is integrating automation, digital, and sustainable packaging solutions to enhance our customers’ ability to achieve their sustainability goals.

Circularity at Scale

SEE is creating scalable solutions to accelerate circularity, prevent waste, increase recovery of materials, and reduce dependency on natural resources.

Proactive Collaboration and Engagement

Collaboration and engagement transform our approach to delivering scalable solutions that advance sustainable development and create a competitive advantage for SEE and our customers.

Innovations That Perform

The development and delivery of innovative solutions set a new standard for performance, generate measurable results, and drive sustainability and growth.

Read the full SEE Impact Report 2022

ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York (JACUNY) held ribbon cutting ceremonies today to formally mark the opening of the Paychex Junior Achievement Discovery Center.

Located in Kodak Center on West Ridge Road in Rochester, N.Y., the 19,000-square-foot facility provides an immersive educational experience aimed at cultivating financial capability, work readiness skills, career awareness, and entrepreneurial thinking in youth. Construction was completed in late 2023, with the first students welcomed in January.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by corporate sponsors, donors, school district representatives and elected officials, featured remarks from Patricia Leva, president and CEO of Junior Achievement and John Gibson, president and CEO of Paychex, the Discovery Center’s naming rights sponsor. Also speaking were New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney, Sr. Vice President for Regional Economic Development at Empire State Development Vincent Esposito and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans.

The Center is the first of its kind in New York State. It is based on a proven JA program model that currently operates in over 40 U.S. cities, impacting more than 500,000 students annually.

Two cumulative middle and high school programs – JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® (with an entry and advanced level) – are offered to participating youth. Both programs consist of 13 in-classroom lessons followed by a full-day visit to the Discovery Center, where students put their lessons to the test as they become employees and citizens in a simulated “mini-city” that resembles Rochester. Corporate and community volunteers guide students through the simulation and share insights drawn from their own life and professional experience.

Junior Achievement anticipates serving 4,000 students in the Discovery Center through June 2024, and 12,000 students annually when at full capacity.

“Support of organizations like Junior Achievement is central to our purpose at Paychex. We’re incredibly proud to be part of bringing the first Junior Achievement Discovery Center to New York State,” said John Gibson, Paychex president and CEO. “The thousands of students coming through the Paychex JA Discovery Center doors each year represent the future workforce. They will be developing the entrepreneurial leadership skills that could one day help them open their own business and contribute to building vibrant communities in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.”

“The Discovery Center programs provide students with a memorable authentic experience to practice being an adult in our economy, fostering the skills and confidence for self-sufficiency,” stated Patricia J. Leva, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York. “Students acquire lifelong financial skills, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, explore the careers available in our region and learn about the skills needed for their individual success.”

“We are grateful to the Paychex Charitable Foundation, Empire State Development and the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, Senator Jeremy Cooney, our storefront sponsors, and our many other donors for creating opportunity and prosperity for our young people and our community,” Leva added.

About Junior Achievement 
Junior Achievement (JA) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York (JACUNY) delivers programming to students in a 25-county region throughout Central and Update New York State. The Paychex Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Rochester, NY is the first of its kind in New York State. To learn more, visit the Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York website www.cuny.ja.org

About Paychex 
Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is an industry-leading HCM company delivering a full suite of technology and advisory services in human resources, employee benefit solutions, insurance, and payroll. The company serves approximately 740,000 customers in the U.S. and Europe and pays one out of every 12 American private sector employees. The more than 16,000 people at Paychex are committed to helping businesses succeed and building thriving communities where they work and live. To learn more, visit paychex.com.

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As the Atlantic City Infrastructure Program (ACIP) prepares for the graduation of its second cohort on March 15, Carla Green-Abrams stands out as a prime example of its success. Since discovering ACIP in 2022, Green-Abrams has undergone skill refinement and industry-specific test preparation, leading to her smooth transition into a business analyst role at Atlantic City Electric. ACIP provides a tailored pathway to careers in the energy sector, particularly for under-resourced residents, equipping them with utility training and essential work-ready skills. Green-Abrams’ achievements underscore ACIP’s effectiveness in cultivating a skilled workforce and driving economic growth in Atlantic City, NJ.

Atlantic City Electric is a unit of Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC), a Fortune 250 company and the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Atlantic City Electric provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 572,000 customers in southern New Jersey.

To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AtlanticCityElectric, and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/AcEleCconnect. Atlantic City Electric’s mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/MobileApp.

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In support of its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Southwire returns as the Official Wire and Cable Provider for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, which began with Round 1 in Mexico City on Saturday, Jan. 13.

As the first sport in the world to be certified net zero carbon since its inception, Formula E has been driving the advancement of e-mobility for nine seasons supported by the world’s largest car manufacturers and global brands. Southwire joined Formula E in 2023 as the Official Wire and Cable Provider to the all-electric racing series for Season 9 and served as Title Sponsor of the 2023 Southwire Portland E-Prix on June 24.

“Formula E provides a great platform for networking with key electrification stakeholders, and our involvement creates opportunities for developing new ideas and promoting sustainability,” said Stephan Hardt, director of Vertical Strategy and Execution. “Our first season allowed us to plant a lot of strategic seeds, and we expect to see the fruit of our efforts beginning this year.”

According to Hardt, partnering with Formula E has already positioned Southwire for success in four key areas: customer engagement, sustainability, brand recognition and technology.

Through its involvement within the Formula E ecosystem, Southwire has connected with more than 20 different customers about potential opportunities, leading to millions of dollars in new sales, and the organization is exploring strategic partnerships with two different racing teams.

“Formula E adds value to Southwire by helping us connect with our strategic verticals like eMobility on a deeper level,” said Marc Hall, vice president of E-mobility and Renewable Technologies. “Likewise, we’re confident that Southwire will return value to Formula E in very meaningful ways. We’re aligning with other ecosystem sponsors and partners to discuss co-development of new and innovative solutions that would advance the sport and may ultimately be used downstream in numerous other industries and applications.”

Southwire and Formula E share a number of core values and strive to improve the lives of those around them through sustainability; environmental, social and governance (ESG); and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

At the Change. Accelerated. Live. summit in 2023, representatives from Southwire participated in the “Women in Innovation” panel, engaged in meaningful discussions about environmental stewardship and worked with FIA Girls on Track, a program that invites young women from 12 to 18 years old to discover the different aspects of motorsport and its industry through a set of activities, workshops and behind the scenes access — all free of charge.

“Our partnership with Formula E demonstrates that Southwire is living sustainability instead of just talking about it,” said Christy Wright, senior vice president of Corporate Finance. “Going to last year’s season finale in London gave me a peek at the latest electric vehicle technology, but what we did away from the race — working with Girls on Track, the net carbon zero event and more — made me excited about our continued partnership. Driving change in these areas and working with organizations who share this vision will help Southwire be an employer of choice.”

From a marketing standpoint, Southwire’s role as Title Sponsor of the first-ever Formula E race in Portland provided greater brand recognition, opened the door for co-branded merchandise and resulted in additional revenue. Plus, partnering with Formula E offered Southwire new ways to engage and interact with team members through unique contests related to the motorsport.

“Being the Title Sponsor of the Portland race allowed us to introduce Southwire to Formula E partners and its fanbase, giving them a chance to experience our commitment to sustainability and electrified mobility first-hand,” said Burt Fealing, executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer. “Externally, this partnership has given us exposure in new areas alongside prominent companies who have been affiliated with Formula E for much longer, and internally, we’ve been able to communicate our strategy — especially as it relates to sustainability — and help team members connect with it in a whole new way.”

Southwire remains energized about continuing its partnership with Formula E for Season 10 and plans to share additional updates throughout the year.

To learn more about Southwire’s commitment to sustainability, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability. For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom. 

SAN FRANCISCO, AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG, March 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, is set to launch a crucial webinar series in 2024. Designed to navigate the complex regulatory landscape, this series will guide over 24,000 Higg Index users through compliance with current and upcoming EU and national legislation. This effort underscores Cascale’s commitment to equipping the consumer goods industry with the tools necessary for sustainability performance improvement amidst evolving regulations.

“The recently adopted Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive by the Council of the EU underscores the importance of companies understanding the impact of new pieces of legislation and how tools like the Higg Index can support their compliance journey and due diligence process,” said Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director, public affairs at Cascale. “We are proud of the work that goes into updating the Higg Index suite of tools to align with relevant existing and upcoming legislation that will help shift the consumer goods industry to one that gives back more than it takes to people and the planet.”

The “Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index” webinar series kicks off on March 27 with an inaugural webinar on how the Higg Product Tools intersect with key legislation such as Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and Substantiating Green Claims Directive (SGCD). This webinar is open to all and attendees will receive summary materials; please click here to register. 

Future sessions will explore how the Higg BRM tool complements legislation such as the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which entered into force in January 2023, as well as how the Higg Facility Tools align with relevant legislation like CSRD and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), a European directive that is expected to be finalized in the upcoming weeks and will require due diligence for companies to prevent adverse social and environmental impacts across their value chains. The discussions will continue at Cascale events throughout the year; please click here to receive more information.

Cascale serves as a catalyst for standardized sustainability performance measurement across the consumer goods industry. Recognizing the evolving regulatory landscape, the organization initiated comprehensive analyses to map the Higg Index suite of tools with relevant existing and upcoming EU and national legislation. These analyses form the basis of the “Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index” webinar series and accompanying resources and, by identifying existing and future gaps, help inform the continuous evolution of the tools alongside regulatory changes to facilitate proactive alignment. In November 2023, Cascale published a summary report outlining the key insights gleaned from these analyses. By advocating for the tools’ continued relevance, Cascale empowers its members to navigate complex regulatory requirements with confidence.

In tandem with the webinar series, Cascale will provide its members with updates and resources to help them navigate the regulatory landscape, emphasizing how the Higg Index aligns with their legislative obligations and due diligence requirements. Click here to learn more about becoming a member. 

CASCALE AND THE HIGG INDEX

Cascale’s Higg Index suite of tools is comprised of five modules: the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM), Higg Brand & Retail Module (BRM), Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI), and Higg Product Module (PM). These tools are designed to enhance standardized sustainability practices and performance for the consumer goods industry; in many cases, the tools can also support compliance and legislative requirements.

CASCALE AND PEF/PEFCR/CSRD

Cascale actively advocates and collaborates with policymakers, which includes facilitating the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Technical Secretariat for Textiles and Footwear and providing technical expertise for drafting the sector-specific methodology for the textile sector (i.e. the PEFCR). Cascale’s Higg BRM team will provide technical expertise to EFRAG, a coalition funded by the European Commission, to draft the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) sector-specific data points for the textile sector.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Spanning over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe, we are united by a singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index and a unified strategy for industry transformation.

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TAMPA, Fla., March 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) has entered a 15-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Enel Green Power España (EGPE), Endesa’s renewable energy subsidiary, securing renewable electricity from a new PV project built in Badajoz, Spain. This deal will cover all of Crown’s current operational footprint in European countries that are part of the Alliance of Issuing Bodies (AIB), which manages the European Energy Certificate System, allowing the Company to advance in its Twentyby30™ sustainability program.

The PV project will contribute to Crown’s overall goal of stronger corporate stewardship. To initiate this latest effort around responsible solutions, Crown worked with Schneider Electric, the leading adviser in corporate renewable energy procurement and carbon management, on the project selection and VPPA negotiation.

This agreement is Crown’s first VPPA in Europe and demonstrates the Company’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to act locally. The project is expected to produce an annual output of 285,100 Megawatt hours (MWh), of which Crown is contracted for around 70%—saving the CO2 emissions equivalent of nearly 40,000 homes’ electricity use for one year. Scheduled to start operation in October 2025, the renewable energy supply from the PV power plant follows Crown’s earlier renewable energy project designed to address decarbonization and sustainability goals.

In 2020, Crown became the first metal packaging manufacturer to activate renewable electricity in 100% of its U.S. and Canadian beverage can plants when it executed a VPPA in Texas. Sourcing wind power, the project was estimated to prevent over 310,000 metric tons of carbon emissions each year—equal to taking at least 67,000 passenger vehicles off the road for one year.

Renewable energy is a key target in Crown’s sustainability strategy. Once operational, the PV project VPPA will directly contribute to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-approved goal of Crown’s Twentyby30™ program to achieve 75% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2040.

“Covering our energy consumption in the EU serves as a milestone achievement for our organization,” said John Rost, Senior Vice President – Corporate Technology, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs. “As we work toward the ambitious goals of our sustainability program, it is critical we identify and implement real solutions that can reduce our energy consumption, lower our emissions and create a more balanced footprint for our business, across all regions in which we operate. Working with Schneider Electric to establish an impactful VPPA in Europe underscores that we are taking responsibility for our actions and striving to be the strongest partner possible.”

“Crown stands as a leader in the packaging industry’s decarbonization efforts, showing a strong commitment to sustainability,” said John Powers, VP Global Renewables at Schneider Electric. “We’re proud to have facilitated this pivotal agreement between Crown and EGPE, which significantly advances Crown’s environmental and sustainability initiatives.”

About Crown Holdings, Inc.
Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products, equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com.

For more information, contact sustainability@crowncork.com.
For editorial inquiries: Emily Hogan, Senior Account Executive, FINN Partners; Tel: (630) 248-5232; Email: emily.hogan@finnpartners.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, all other information in this press release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the statements made in this release or the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ are discussed under the caption “Forward Looking Statements” in the Company’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in subsequent filings. The Company does not intend to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement in light of future events.

About Schneider Electric
Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

About Enel Green Power
Enel Green Power®, within the Enel Group, develops and operates renewable energy plants worldwide and is present in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. A world leader in clean energy, with a total capacity of around 61 GW and a generation mix that includes wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric power, as well as energy storage facilities, Enel Green Power is at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies into renewable energy plants.

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NEW YORK, March 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Action Against Hunger today released the 2024 Water Funding Gap report, revealing that globally, only 36% of appeals for water- and sanitation-related funding were met in 2023, leaving a 64% gap. The aid shortfall comes as the need for assistance is intensifying, with 3.6 billion people worldwide lacking adequate sanitation, leaving them even more susceptible to water-borne diseases and malnutrition. The report, released in advance of World Water Day on March 22, examines data from countries with the most urgent needs seeking financial support for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs through the UN humanitarian system.

“The climate crisis is accelerating droughts and floods, making safe, clean water even more scarce for millions around the world. This report underscores that greater action is needed,” said Dr. Charles Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger. “The global community needs to quadruple its progress on water and sanitation programs to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. However, the 2024 Water Funding Gap report shows a pattern of inconsistent and unreliable funding for WASH programs.”

Alongside the dire need for WASH funding is an upsurge in cholera worldwide, with a new case every 45 seconds and more than 4,000 deaths reported in 2023. Cholera is an infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which can seep into food and water supplies, typically impacting populations that lack access to safe and clean water sources. This makes people trapped in crowded and unsanitary conditions, from refugee camps to rural villages, more likely to contract the waterborne disease.

“Cholera is known as the disease of inequity. Despite being preventable and treatable, it can mean death for families facing poverty and hunger,” said Tobias Stillman, Director of Technical Services at Action Against Hunger. Without urgent humanitarian intervention, the death toll will continue to rise among these vulnerable populations.”

While treatment is typically straightforward, access to even rudimentary health care is a life-threatening challenge where cholera thrives. Without a concerted response from the international community, such as increased WASH funding, the death tolls from cholera and other waterborne diseases will continue to rise. Countries seeing a rise in cholera include Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere; Sudan, which is experiencing unparalleled violence and hunger; and Syria, which has experienced 12 years of conflict leading to economic collapse, destroyed infrastructure, and widespread hunger.

The new Water Funding Gap report looked at water-related funding appeals in 33 countries including: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.

The report revealed that fulfillment of water-related funding appeals varies widely, from a low of 0.7% (El Salvador) to a high of 212.5%, which came in response to Libya’s emergency appeal following severe floods that damaged sanitation infrastructure in the fall of 2023. It would take an additional $1.9B to fully satisfy all 2023 water-and sanitation-related appeals.

The report considered both the overall funding levels of WASH programs in 2023 as well as funding for countries that experienced “crisis” levels of hunger in 2022 (see 2024 Hunger Funding Gap Report). Strikingly, despite the deep connection between water and hunger, no 2023 water-related funding appeals were wholly met across 17 countries that experienced “crisis” levels of hunger in 2022.

“We found that a greater hunger burden does not result in greater funding for water programs,” said Michelle Brown, Associate Director of Advocacy for Action Against Hunger USA. “For two billion people, a lack of access to safe drinking water isn’t just an issue on World Water Day, it’s every day.”

The report reflects Action Against Hunger’s analysis of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Financial Tracking Service as well as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Population Tracking Tool (IPC).

# # #

About Action Against Hunger 
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,900 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.

NEW YORK and BENGALURU, India, March 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Embassy Office Parks REIT (NSE: EMBASSY / BSE: 542602) (‘Embassy REIT’), India’s first listed REIT and the largest office REIT in Asia by area, and International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), are delighted to announce that Embassy REIT has received the highest number of WELL Certifications globally for its pan-India office portfolio. IWBI is a leading global institution driving market transformation toward healthier buildings, organizations and communities. The WELL Certification program under IWBI’s WELL Building Standard evaluates various aspects of building design, construction, and operation, focusing on ten key areas – air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.

Embassy REIT earned 183 WELL achievements and a portfolio score of 60. Of the 90 office buildings evaluated, 48 were “WELL Certified” at the Gold level, 47 were “WELL Pre-certified” and 100% of the operational portfolio received the “WELL Health Safety Rating”. Embassy REIT was also recognized with many prestigious awards offered by IWBI to its WELL at scale participants, such as, the People First Award in Real Estate, the WELL Certification Leadership Award, the WELL Concept Leadership Award for Movement and the WELL Concept Leadership Award for Innovation concept.

Aravind Maiya, Chief Executive Officer of Embassy REIT, said, “We’re pleased to achieve the prestigious WELL Certifications, showcasing our leadership in driving sustainability in commercial real estate. Our ongoing 5-year partnership with IWBI, through the WELL at scale program, reflects our commitment to international well-being standards and best practices across our office portfolio. At Embassy REIT, our focus is to provide exceptional workspaces and build a holistic business ecosystem for our occupiers. This global recognition from a renowned institute like IWBI further highlights the strength of our world-class business parks.”

“We commend Embassy REIT for prioritizing people’s health, well-being, and safety as a core aspect of its business,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. “We are pleased that Embassy REIT has chosen WELL at scale as the framework to guide strategy and execution. Embassy REIT stands out as a market leader in health and sustainability, and we believe its example will spur others to join us in creating people-first places.”

WELL Certifications are the highest, most comprehensive level of achievement under the WELL Building Standard. By prioritizing human health in design and operations, certified spaces not only advance occupants well-being, but also inspire a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Among the WELL achievements, Embassy REIT earned 100% scores under the WELL Movement concept embracing all strategies in this area to promote workplace physical activities.

About the International WELL Building Institute

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and its WELL ratings, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources, and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being 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.

About Embassy REIT

Embassy REIT is India’s first publicly listed Real Estate Investment Trust. Embassy REIT owns and operates a 45.4 million square feet (“msf”) portfolio of nine infrastructure-like office parks and four city‑centre office buildings in India’s best-performing office markets of Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, and the National Capital Region (“NCR”). Embassy REIT’s portfolio comprises 35.8 msf completed operating area and is home to 244 of the world’s leading companies. The portfolio also comprises strategic amenities, including four operational business hotels, two under‑construction hotels, and a 100 MW solar park supplying renewable energy to tenants. Embassy REIT’s industry leading ESG program has received multiple accolades from renowned global institutions and was awarded a 5-star rating both from the British Safety Council and GRESB. Embassy REIT was also recognized as the world’s largest ‘USGBC LEED Platinum-Certified’ office portfolio (v4.1 O+M) by Green Business Certification Inc. For more information, please visit www.embassyofficeparks.com

Disclaimer
This press release is prepared for general information purposes only. The information contained herein is based on management information and estimates. It is only current as of its date, has not been independently verified and may be subject to change without notice. Embassy Office Parks Management Services Private Limited (“the Manager”) in its capacity as the Manager of Embassy REIT, and Embassy REIT make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, and do not accept any responsibility or liability with respect to, the fairness and completeness of the content hereof. Each recipient will be solely responsible for its own investigation, assessment and analysis of the market and the market position of Embassy REIT. Embassy REIT does not provide any guarantee or assurance with respect to any distribution or the trading price of its units.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on the currently held beliefs, opinions and assumptions of the Manager. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, financial condition, performance, or achievements of Embassy REIT or industry results, to differ materially from the results, financial condition, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks, recipients of this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Manager disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments or the impact of events which cannot currently be ascertained. In addition to statements which are forward looking by reason of context, the words ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘estimates’, ‘predicts’, ‘potential’ or ‘continue’ and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

This press release also contains certain financial measures which are not measures determined based on GAAP, Ind-AS or any other internationally accepted accounting principles, and the recipient should not consider such items as an alternative to the historical financial results or other indicators of Embassy REIT’s cash flow based on Ind-AS or IFRS. These non-GAAP financial measures, as defined by the Manager, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as presented by other REITs due to differences in the way non-GAAP financial measures are calculated. Even though the non-GAAP financial measures are used by management to assess Embassy REIT’s financial position, financial results and liquidity and these types of measures are commonly used by investors, they have important limitations as analytical tools, and the recipient should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of Embassy REIT’s financial position or results of operations as reported under Ind-AS or IFRS. Certain figures in this press release have been subject to rounding off adjustments. Actual legal entity name of occupiers may differ.

For more information please contact:

Shwetha Reddy Sakshi Garg
Head of PR, Marketing and Communications Investor Relations Manager
Email: shwetha.r@embassyofficeparks.com 
Email: ir@embassyofficeparks.com
Phone: +91 8867845915 
Phone: +91 80 4722 2222

IWBI: Media@wellcertified.com

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