Tag: 3BL

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.”

This is the mindset that the team behind The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation shared when they launched a special partnership with the McKeesport Area School District near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania back in May 2022. The goal was to give students at Twin Rivers Elementary and their families proper resources and programming to support not only their learning, but also their holistic well-being.

Fast forward to January 2024:

Student attendance is up drastically, with 67% having on-track, great or perfect attendance so far this school year.Student engagement is up 48 points to 80% from Spring 2022.Staff engagement increased by 54 points from Spring 2022, with 73% reporting a positive working environment

“We wanted the school to feel like a home away from home,” said Communications and Corporate Relations Specialist Jack Higgins. “Not just by providing different resources, but by creating a positive culture and climate for all.”

A pivotal part of creating such change was restructuring the school day to include the Ready to Learn initiative and Midday Block.

“The Ready to Learn initiative is based on the premise that we can’t assume children show up every day ready to learn,” said Jaclyn Castma, education associate executive director.

Each morning, students are greeted with a Wellness Welcome. Students in grades K-2 identify how they’re feeling emotionally on a board when they enter the classroom, while students in grades 3-5 check in electronically through an app. They then take part in daily discussion circles to consistently nurture both peer-to-peer and peer-to-teacher relationships.

“The kids see school as a safe place,” said United at Twin Rivers Principal Brandy Daye. “They know there are people here to support them and listen. They’re open and honest with us now more than ever.”

The initiative also led to the hiring of six Learning Relationship Specialists (LRS). Their role is to act as first responders within the school and ensure that students are getting what they need to be their best and return to class ready to learn.

“Our mission doesn’t just focus on a student’s education, but treating each student as their own person,” said Family and Community Advocate Latoya Brownfield. “We want our students to not only be academically successful, but also physically and mentally healthy.”

LRS also facilitate the Midday Block, along with administrators and counselors, to provide all students with 30 minutes of play each day before or after their 30-minute lunch period. This structure also frees up teachers to take a full hour break to rest, recharge and prepare for the second half of the day.

Before the partnership with The DICK’S Foundation, Castma said students only had a 30-minute lunch period between classes, and the playground on the school’s campus was not utilized.

“During COVID, students weren’t allowed to go on the playground. Sadly, that practice stuck post-pandemic,” Castma said.

Now when the weather allows, Midday Block play happens on the newly renovated playground. The renovation was completed in time for the start of the 2023-2024 school year and includes brand new equipment and a small turf soccer field.

The partnership doesn’t just benefit McKeesport Area School District students and their families, but also the entire McKeesport community thanks to a Community Resource Center on campus.

The Community Resource Center is open during the school day and features a food pantry, free clothes and shoes, a laundry facility and showers. There’s also a health hub with ongoing healthcare programming, such as COVID and flu shot clinics.

Brownfield said the partnership provides a bridge between the community and the district. “It builds relationships, brings the community inside the school and creates a sense of belonging.”

The DICK’S Foundation hopes the success of this partnership will inspire other organizations and foundations to partner with school districts in their own backyard.

“This is important work,” Higgins said. “We’re shaping our future.”

 

Abbott

Good health is the foundation for so much in our lives. But for too many people, it remains just out of reach.

That’s why Abbott’s 2030 Sustainability Plan is squarely centered on improving health for the greatest number of people, with an ambitious goal of reaching 3 billion a year by 2030. We’re helping people to better understand their own health, connecting care and technology together to put them in control. And we’re innovating to bring our life-changing technologies to more people who need them, around the world.

We measure our progress in these areas, as well as our broader environmental, social and governance performance, in a number of ways – including global benchmarks like the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

We’re proud to report that Abbott once again led our industry — Health Care Equipment and Supplies — on the 2023 DJSI. This was the 11th year in a row we’ve been industry leader, and the 19th year that we’ve been included on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and North America Index.

Abbott’s DJSI leadership is based on our overall score of 75/100 on the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, which was confirmed on Dec. 8, 2023. In addition to our leading overall score, we achieved top scores in the key Social Dimension categories of access to healthcare and health outcome contribution, which reflects our sustainability strategy focus of innovating for greater access and affordability in health.
We also earned top scores in Environmental Dimension categories of emissions, resource efficiency and circularity, waste, and water; Governance & Economic Dimensions of transparency & reporting, and information security/cybersecurity & system availability; and the additional Social Dimension categories of customer relationship management and marketing practices.

Recently, Abbott also was named one of America’s best-run companies on the Wall Street Journal’s Management Top 250 list, moving up eight spots to rank No. 28 overall. The list assessed nearly 800 major companies across several categories, with Abbott ranking No. 13 in innovation and No. 16 in social responsibility.

For more on Abbott’s sustainability strategy and performance, see our 2022 Global Sustainability Report. And for more examples of Abbott’s positive impact in communities around the world, see our Newsroom stories on sustainability. For more on the DJSI, see the S&P Global news release.

A third of the world’s largest public-listed companies are still yet to set an emissions reduction target, according to a new report from Net Zero Tracker.

The tracker, the world’s only open-source independent review in terms of quality and quantity, has assessed the 1,000th company with a net zero target. The companies come from the Forbes Global 2,000 list of the largest global publicly-listed firms.

National climate commitments, which account for 92 per cent of the global economy, cover 88 per cent of global GHG emissions, and corporate net zero targets have increased by more than 40 per cent since June 2022.

What is the Net Zero Tracker?

Net Zero Tracker (NZT) is an independent research consortium and comprises a comprehensive and up-to-date database of net zero commitments made by nations, states and regions, cities and major companies, to reach a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions milestone by 2050.

The four organisations making up NZT are The Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), Data-Driven EnviroLab (UNC), NewClimate Institute and Oxford Net Zero.

The NZT looked at the quantity of net zero targets set by UK companies where a recent policy review hindered plans to implement net zero goals. Despite this, 94 per cent of UK-based companies included in the Forbes list have already set net-zero targets.

This reinforces what we have seen in our new sustainability census report, which will be made publicly available over the coming weeks. It highlighted that 70 per cent of respondents affirmed their UK organisations have publicly pledged to prioritise sustainability.

What are the expert opinions on setting and reaching net zero targets?

John Lang, Project Lead, the Net Zero Tracker (ECIU), said: “A clear line in the sand on net zero has surfaced. Countless net zero targets are credibility light, but now we can say for certain that most of the world’s largest companies have shifted to the right side of the line on net zero intent.

“With credible net zero targets setting a proxy for forward-thinking, future-proofing companies, it begs a simple question: are the firms we’re investing in, working for and buying from on the right or wrong side of the line?”

The Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP, chairman of the UK Net Zero Review, said: “Having signed net zero into law four years ago, it’s remarkable that such progress has been made. However, the recent stop-start approach to policy is putting business investment at risk and undermining investor confidence.

“Now is the time for the UK to press this advantage by accelerating policies to support the engines of our economy to deliver on net zero.”

The integrity of corporate goals must urgently improve, however, according to NZT, if they are to align with the Paris Agreement’s temperature targets.

According to the last Net Zero Stocktake, published in the summer, just 37 per cent of corporate net zero targets fully cover Scope 3 emissions on a self-reporting basis. This is compared to a mere four per cent of company net zero commitments meeting the revised ‘Starting Line criteria’ (such as implementing immediate emission-cutting measures) as set out by the UN Race to Zero campaign.

Natasha Lutz, Co-Data Lead, Net Zero Tracker (University of Oxford), said: “Net zero commitments can provide a useful framework to guide companies, including their value chains and investors, through an orderly, efficient transition – but only if commitments are set with robustness and transparency.

“Weaker targets hinder companies’ ability to implement effective emissions reductions, and cause greater exposure to climate and reputational risk, and stakeholder mistrust.”

Peter Chalkley, Director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: “We know that mixed signals from the UK Government over net zero have spooked investors and businesses who are looking at where to make their investments.

“With the US powering ahead with the Inflation Reduction Act driving the construction of new EV plants and battery factories, the question for the UK Government is how will it respond? All eyes are on the autumn statement.”

The NZT will launch its 7th analysis of global net zero pledges at COP28, which is currently running in Dubai until 12th December.

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their long-lasting nature, have raised alarms in public health circles and environmental regulatory bodies. Their ability to resist degradation, coupled with their potential to accumulate in the environment and human tissue, has led to an urgent call for more stringent oversight.

In recent years, the environmental and regulatory landscape has witnessed a significant shift toward the inclusion of PFAS within NPDES permits. This move underscores a growing awareness and concern about the widespread presence and persistence of PFAS in the environment.

We’ve put together a primer to explain how these changes may impact organizations and municipalities that require NPDES permits for stormwater discharge management.

Understanding PFAS and NPDES Permitting 

What are PFAS? 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used in various industries around the globe since the 1940s. Known for their ability to resist heat, water, and oil, PFAS are commonly found in a wide range of consumer products, from non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing.

However, their chemical stability, which makes them useful in products, also means they do not break down in the environment or the human body, leading to potential health risks and environmental concerns.

What is NPDES permitting? 

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, established under the Clean Water Act, is a critical component of the United States’ efforts to preserve water quality.

NPDES permits are required for any entity discharging pollutants into waters of the United States. These permits set limits on what can be discharged and mandate monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act. By controlling the direct discharge of pollutants into navigable waters, NPDES permits play a vital role in protecting water quality and public health.

Impact on various entities 

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) Permits 
These permits apply to certain municipal storm sewer systems. MS4 permits are designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from these systems to the maximum extent practicable, safeguarding local water bodies.

Industrial Stormwater Permits 
Industrial facilities, due to their potential to contribute pollutants to stormwater runoff, are generally required to obtain NPDES permits. These permits aim to minimize the impact of industrial activities on water quality through measures like implementing stormwater pollution prevention plans.

Construction Stormwater Permits 
Construction sites can significantly impact water quality due to sediment and other pollutants in stormwater runoff. NPDES permits for construction activities are designed to reduce sediment and control other pollutants from these sites, ensuring that construction projects maintain adherence to water quality standards.

Managing PFAS in Stormwater Discharge 

The integration of PFAS monitoring and management into some NPDES permits marks a significant step in environmental regulation. This integration is driven by the need to address the growing concern over the widespread presence of PFAS in the environment and their potential health impacts. However, keep in mind, not all stormwater NPDES permits include PFAS regulations yet. Moving forward, it is likely that more and more permits will include PFAS requirements, so this is just a peek of what the future could hold. 

The inclusion of PFAS in NPDES permits involves several key components:

Setting discharge limits: Some NPDES permits are being revised to include specific limits on the concentration of PFAS allowed in discharge waters. These limits are based on state and federal guidelines and scientific studies concerning the environmental and health risks of PFAS.Enhanced monitoring requirements: Again, some permit holders are now required to conduct regular monitoring of their discharges for the presence of PFAS. This involves collecting and analyzing samples using approved methods to ensure that PFAS concentrations stay below the permitted levels.Reporting and compliance: Entities subject to these revised NPDES permits must report their PFAS monitoring results to regulatory agencies. Failure to comply with PFAS limits and monitoring requirements can result in penalties, reinforcing the importance of effective PFAS management strategies.Risk assessment and reduction strategies: Permittees are encouraged to assess the sources of PFAS in their operations and implement measures to reduce PFAS discharge. This may include changes in materials, processes, or treatment technologies.

States leading the charge in PFAS management 

Several states have already taken proactive steps toward incorporating PFAS management and monitoring into their wastewater treatment plant discharges. While this is not the same thing as stormwater, this offers a good glimpse into the future, as it is likely more and more companies will do the same thing for their stormwater monitoring.

MichiganMaineNew HampshireCaliforniaMassachusetts

This list is representative of states who have implemented action around PFAS and NPDES permitting, but should not be viewed as exhaustive. Always check with your state and local regulatory agencies to confirm permitting requirements. 

As scientific understanding and public awareness of PFAS risks continue to grow, more states are expected to follow suit, expanding PFAS regulation into their NPDES permit programs. As such, industries and municipalities need to stay informed and prepared for new compliance requirements.

Tips and Best Practices for Navigating PFAS Regulatory Changes 

Understanding the implications of PFAS, whether you manufacture them or not, is critical. Here are key tips and best practices to help businesses prepare for these anticipated changes.

Broaden your regulatory perspective 

It’s a common misconception that regulations around PFAS only apply to manufacturers or direct users of these substances. However, PFAS can be present in many products and processes, even in trace amounts. Companies should evaluate their potential exposure to PFAS regulations, recognizing that indirect involvement with these substances may still necessitate compliance measures.

Utilize specialized tools for PFAS management 

Antea Group’s Desktop PFAS Screening Tool offers a valuable resource for companies to assess their risk and exposure to PFAS. This tool is designed to help businesses understand their PFAS footprint, guiding them in making informed decisions about managing these substances. Utilize this tool to gain a comprehensive view of your PFAS-related risks and responsibilities.

Leverage regulatory dashboards 

Staying current with regulatory changes is crucial. Antea Group’s PFAS dashboard provides real-time updates and insights into regulatory trends and requirements, helping companies stay ahead of compliance issues.

Consider professional assistance for sample collection 

Understanding your company’s PFAS profile is imperative. While Antea Group can assist with sample collection and analysis, it’s important to establish a clear plan for how to address potential PFAS contamination. Regular testing and monitoring can provide critical insights into the presence and concentration of PFAS in your operations.

Examine your supply chain thoroughly 

Investigate both intentional and unintentional sources of PFAS in your supply chain. As regulatory scrutiny increases, being aware of the entire lifecycle of your products, including raw materials and manufacturing processes, becomes essential. The EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program has updated its reporting requirements for PFAS, which can be a useful reference for understanding regulatory expectations.

By staying informed, utilizing specialized tools, and proactively examining operations and supply chains, companies and municipalities can effectively navigate the changing regulatory landscape surrounding PFAS.

For support on PFAS monitoring in your stormwater management strategy, connect with our team of experts today.

What does it take to transport precious cargo anywhere in the world? Dave Lange, FedEx Director of Aircraft Charter (A/C) Department, provides an inside view of the work his team undertakes to ensure safe and secure delivery of high-profile shipments, such as giant pandas. Whether it’s commercial, military, humanitarian, or animal shipments, the A/C is responsible for special projects—flights that aren’t flown on scheduled service.

“Charters is part of the suite of services offered by FedEx. You can ship an overnight letter, or you can purchase an entire aircraft, and that’s what we do. We provide full aircraft charters to military customers, commercial customers, and just about anyone interested in moving a plane load of anything from A to B, whether that’s solar panels, pandas, racehorses, or military equipment. We also support the FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative, in which FedEx lends its global network and unparalleled logistics expertise to organizations with precious cargo requests to help communities before, during, and after crises,” said Dave Lange.

So how does Dave’s team prepare for larger moves, such as shipping giant pandas? They capture every shipment detail, create a schedule, find the aircraft and crew to support, work the ground handling, and solve for any other issue relating to the airport-to-airport operation. A typical charter operation may not fly from one FedEx location to another like normal scheduled service. Charters manages shipments going to locations that are offline, non-FedEx locations. It’s incumbent on the department to take care of everything as it relates to that flight—catering, ground handling, fueling, etc.—whatever the requirements are to provide that charter capacity to the shipper.

“At the end of the day, for us, it’s all about executing flawlessly and having a plan that our larger global team can manage,” said Lange.

Shipping giant pandas is no exception. Dave has been the panda master for FedEx leading most panda moves since 2010, when FedEx transported Tai Shan from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) back to China. While many panda moves take several months of planning, Dave’s first move happened in ten days, with his goal being that the pandas needed to land with their feet down, not up—it’s been his motto ever since.

FedEx has had the privilege of transporting 15 different pandas on 10 separate flights over the past two decades. The most recent move included sending Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji back to China from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. on a specially decaled 777-Freighter, dubbed the “FedEx Panda Express.” FedEx provided custom-built steel and plexiglass transportation enclosures, or in Dave’s words, “the 5-star hotel of enclosures” to ensure they traveled in comfort.

And while logistics planning to support our furry friends is exciting, it takes a village to coordinate such a sensitive move, with the last panda charter encompassing a team of more than 80 global team members collaborating weekly for three months to ensure all parts of transport were perfect.

“I get a thrill and a rush when everybody lands safely, and everything’s delivered. That’s where the takeoff is not as important as the landing and the execution on the backside, for me anyway. If somebody asks me what keeps me up at night, I can tell you before every panda charter, just going through the operation in my mind and making sure that everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to be doing. But usually, the day of, we’ve gone through that, and everybody understands their roles and responsibilities, and that’s key to making things a success,” said Lange.

FedEx supports special cargo requests, like transporting pandas, as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility and environmental conservation efforts. Through the company’s support of zoos like the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, FedEx plays a role in helping endangered species. For giant pandas specifically, they’re no longer considered endangered, but still vulnerable in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, according to the NZCBI.

Source: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Originally published on Essity Newsroom

Hygiene and health company Essity has once again been recognized as one of the world’s most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights. The list was announced during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Global 100 list represents the top 1% of companies in the world in terms of sustainability performance. Corporate Knights analyzes and compares 6,733 companies against global industry peers. The ranking is based on 25 quantitative key performance indicators, including sustainable revenue, sustainable investment, taxes paid, carbon productivity, and racial and gender diversity.

“We are very happy to start 2024 with this acknowledgement. By providing hygiene and health solutions to over a billion people every day worldwide, Essity makes a real impact when it comes to people and the environment. Our inclusion in Corporate Knight’s index demonstrates our commitment to responsible business practices throughout our value chain,” says Magnus Groth, President and CEO of Essity.

Corporate Knights is a publishing and research firm that publishes a magazine focused on sustainability and responsible business. Its research division produces rankings and financial product ratings based on corporate sustainability performance. 

The full ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights is available on http://www.corporateknights.com.

For additional information please contact: 
Malin Herrmann Geijer, Media Relations Manager, +46 706 170588, malin.herrmann@essity.com

About Essity 
Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as Actimove, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at www.essity.com.

Lenovo, the global technology leader, announced its continued support of the Scott-Morgan Foundation, a visionary non-profit organization driving assistive technology innovation. The organizations began to collaborate in 2021 with a shared commitment to human-centric innovation and delivering smarter technology for all. Lenovo joins as an official sponsor of the Scott-Morgan Foundation and will continue to share both expertise and technology from across its pocket-to-cloud portfolio.

The Scott-Morgan Foundation, based in the UK but with global operations, focuses on pioneering technology-driven solutions to empower people living with extreme disabilities. The Foundation develops both bold proof-of-concepts to inspire a brighter future and more immediate, scalable solutions.

“We believe in the power of technology to transform our world and make it more inclusive than ever before,” said Andrew Morgan, CEO of the Scott-Morgan Foundation. “We call this a universal right to thrive, rocketing beyond the painfully low bar of simply surviving with a disability and into a joyful and empowered life. Lenovo is helping us make that vision real, from groundbreaking innovations to accelerating the democratization of technology.”

Lenovo will help support the Scott-Morgan Foundation initiatives including next-generation augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), accessible device interfaces, autonomous wheelchairs, and integrated smart home solutions. In all instances, Lenovo will help the Foundation harness the full power of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI). The teams expect to unveil groundbreaking assistive technology solutions early in 2024.

“The brilliant people at the Scott-Morgan Foundation help us deliver on Lenovo’s commitment to smarter technology for all,” said Ada Lopez, head of Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office (PDO). “We collaborate on projects all the way from concept to creation, lending the global reach and diversity of talent and technology at Lenovo to their extraordinary vision.”

The collaboration complements Lenovo initiatives and priorities, including the PDO, responsible development and deployment of AI, and an active community of employee resource groups. Lenovo recently showcased a powerful AI-driven technology that translates Brazilian sign language into text and speech in real-time.

“We could not be more excited to continue building our growing consortium of brilliant, compassionate innovators who share the joint vision of changing the world through smarter, more accessible technology,” said LaVonne Roberts, executive director of the Scott-Morgan Foundation. “We’re honored Lenovo shares these values, and their talented team will help us reimagine disability as an arena of unbelievable possibility.”

Renowned robotics scientist Dr. Peter Scott-Morgan created the Foundation with his husband Francis after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called motor neuron disease (MND), in 2017. Before tragically passing in 2022, he radically reimagined the future of disability and treated his own life as a profound experiment and beacon of possibility for others.

“Peter truly celebrated and embraced technology, and he believed we were entering a new era for assistive technology breakthroughs that help everyone—not just those with disabilities,” Morgan said. “He often called himself an ‘incurable optimist,’ and I’m proud to say we carry that same spirit forward together.”

Learn more about ongoing research and opportunities to get involved with the Scott-Morgan Foundation.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$62 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #217 in the Fortune Global 500, employing 77,000 people around the world, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company by further expanding into growth areas that fuel the advancement of ‘New IT’ technologies (client, edge, cloud, network, and intelligence) including server, storage, mobile, software, solutions, and services. This transformation together with Lenovo’s world-changing innovation is building a more inclusive, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992)(ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit; https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

As we begin a new year, we reflect with gratitude on an incredible 2023 for the Albertsons Companies Foundation. Last year, the Foundation helped more than 750 organizations and enabled more than 142 million meals to those in need. As we celebrate the successes of the Foundation, we’re thankful to Susan Morris, EVP, Chief Operations Officer, for her tenure as Board Chair during this last year. 

Since 2019, Susan was instrumental in shepherding the Foundation through the pandemic and helped us reach major milestones. Her leadership inspired belonging and a commitment to our neighbors and associates. Through serving on our We Care committee, Susan ushered over $5 million to over 2,000 associates in times of financial hardship or natural disaster. 

Susan worked tirelessly for our neighbors with over 21,000 grants approved under her guidance to local organizations, making each of our communities stronger for having one of our stores. During Susan’s tenure, our banners mobilized over $300 million in funding to support our programs through our employees’ passion, partnerships with our vendors, and the generous contributions of our customers. Those dollars, given locally, were able to support the Foundation’s vision of strengthening our neighborhoods and changing lives. 

Thank you, Susan, for your thoughtful stewardship of the Foundation and helping us build strong partnerships in support of our communities.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

By harnessing technology and embracing sustainability, we can achieve cost savings that can then be used to fund investments in brand innovation and portfolio evolution. We achieve this by executing our hallmark cost-savings program successfully and capitalizing on the superior value of our brands and their role in consumers’ daily lives.

FY23 HIGHLIGHTS

Achieved four consecutive quarters of record cost savings, above our 175 basis-point IGNITE goal. This, coupled with the implementation of record levels of cost-justified pricing actions, contributed to margin improvement and supports investment in our business.Reduced inventory for six consecutive quarters, demonstrating that our supply chain optimization efforts are working as planned. This improvement not only enabled us to better fulfill demand, but also supported merchandising activities and, importantly, improved cash flows.Invested in the business to find efficiencies and meet increased consumer demand through our new cat litter manufacturing facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia.Achievedzero-waste-to-landfill,orZWtL,statusintwo additional facilities — the Burt’s Bees plant in Morrisville, North Carolina, and our cleaning plant in San Juan, Argentina — advancing us to 80% of our goal for 100% ZWtL plants by 2025.

PATHWAY TO CLIMATE ACTION 

With more than half of our emissions coming from the sourcing of ingredients, packaging and services to support our business, we continued to execute our Climate Action Plan by engaging suppliers — and our business units — to help advance our 2030 science-based targets and 2050 net zero commitment, including:

Inviting nearly 50 priority suppliers to participate in the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition collaborative, which helps build capacity for measuring emissions and setting science-based targets.Achieving a 78% response rate from priority suppliers for the 2022 CDP Supply Chain questionnaire, which improves visibility into their carbon footprint and reduction targets. This helps us assess suppliers’ progress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are included in our scope 3 footprint.

View the full 2023 Annual Report. 

HIGHLIGHTS

goIT is TCS’ flagship digital innovation and career readiness program, which engages students in design workshops and custom mentorships to prepare them with the skills, confidence, and mindsets to pursue careers of the future.Aishani B., a 16-year-old from Cumming, Georgia, was named the North American Innovator of the Year 2023 while Laura Farry of Donegal, Ireland, won the goIT Global Innovator of the Year award.Today, these kids—more than 35,000 in 42 countries last year—have entered a digital innovation contest. Tomorrow, they will change the world.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

As the mentoring programs end for the 2022 inaugural goIT Innovators of the Year event and TCS’ Go Innovate Together (goIT) teams gear up for the next global competition, I’m filled with a sense of hope for the future that only the youth can inspire.

Last year, the TCS goIT program named 16-year-old Aishani B. of Cumming, Georgia, its North American Innovator of the Year, and Laura Farry of Donegal, Ireland, the goIT Global Innovator of the Year. Aishani and Laura were two of about 40,000 young people who, in 2022, entered the TCS goIT Monthly Challenge with concepts for innovations that could help address one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

goIT is TCS’ flagship digital innovation and career readiness program, which engages students in design workshops and custom mentorships to prepare them with the skills, confidence, and mindsets to pursue careers of the future.

CREATIVITY UNLEASHED

With the challenge of using their creativity and design thinking skills to solve specific real-world problems, the two winners came to the task well-researched and prepared. Looking for a problem to solve, 11th grader Aishani didn’t have to go further than her own school. She recalled her disappointment seeing classmates throwing barely used notebooks, textbooks, and other school supplies in the trash quicker than running out the door for summer break.

Thinking of how many underprivileged students could benefit from these typically discarded resources, she used TCS goIT as the motivation to find a better way. She created a website called “A Second Life,” which links students and families in need of school supplies and used textbooks to resources available locally—or from further away. It also demonstrates her intention and purpose as a global citizen committed to expanding access to education. Laura’s innovation, on the other hand, demonstrated her ability to find purpose in current events and meaning in changing the lives of total strangers for the better. Her innovation seeks to provide services to refugees from Ukraine.

Aishani and Laura were two of about 40,000 young people who, in 2022, entered the TCS goIT Monthly Challenge with concepts for innovations that could help address one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

YOUTH INSPIRE HOPE

Aishani and Laura’s innovations and those of other K-12 competitors couldn’t have come sooner. The side effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic have reportedly slowed—and even reversed—progress on the UN’s SDGs, making them suddenly seem more aspirational than strategic.

Yet, while some adults may be losing hope, youth involvement with goIT and the SDGs proves that the next generation is proactive and focused on helping. As newer generations always have, young people inspire hope for tomorrow.

Ironically, some of the momentum for this was created by the pandemic. Among the unexpected benefits of pandemic lockdowns and other hardships, the world of digital technology was transformed—quickly. So, while relying on technology to replace time spent in classrooms and their customary travel to meet friends and family, a generation of youth discovered the empowering possibilities of digital technology and the Internet of Things.

DIGITAL BOOST

We know now, from reports of depression, social avoidance, and a reduction in outdoor time, that the adoption of digital tech wasn’t exactly perfect. Yet it helped young people connect, gave them a say, and exposed them to a greater awareness of current events and global issues than they had ever experienced.

For curious young people like Aishani and Laura, advances in digital technology and time spent in virtual environments during lockdowns provided an opportunity for great discovery. It helped transform them into global citizens (and digital citizens) poised to benefit society.

During TCS’ inaugural goIT Global Innovator of the Year competition, enterprising students like Aishani and Laura spent hours inventing and then preparing, creating, and planning so they could present their ideas to IT consulting professionals as well as volunteer judges from TCS and its customer base. Their presentations demonstrated their computational and design-thinking capabilities and their compassion. Proactive and planning for a better world, winners won awards and mentoring opportunities and now have had a glimpse of social entrepreneurship as a real possibility in their lives.

Today, these kids—more than 35,000 in 42 countries last year—entered a digital innovation contest. Tomorrow, they will change the world.

Learn more here.