Tag: 3BL

KeyBank donated $5,000 to the 2023 Food 2 Families campaign in Buffalo, NY. The annual campaign, which KeyBank has proudly supported, helps FeedMore WNY which offers dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to its Western New York neighbors in need. Through its food bank distribution center and partner hunger-relief agencies, as well as its home-delivery meal program and other targeted feeding programs, FeedMore WNY alleviates hunger and assists community members of all ages throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.

“We are proud to support Food 2 Families and help FeedMore WNY fight food insecurity in Buffalo and Western New York,” said Chiwuike “Chi-Chi” Owunwanne, KeyBank’s Corporate Responsibility Officer in Buffalo. “The need is great in our community, especially during the holidays, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help make a difference by donating to this campaign.”

FeedMore WNY partners with WGRZ-TV and Tops Markets for the Food 2 Families campaign. 

Learn more about KeyBank’s commitment to helping clients and communities thrive

HAMILTON, Bermuda, December 4, 2023 /3BL/ – Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, releases its fifth annual Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, anticipating the key trends that will redefine cocktail culture and the spirits business in 2024. The report, created in collaboration with strategic foresight consultancy, The Future Laboratory (TFL), draws on insights from Bacardi-led and external research, interviews with bartenders and insights from The Future Laboratory to share the themes that are transforming flavor preferences, drink formats, and cocktail experiences in the coming year.

“As 2024 arrives, people are looking to settle into the unsettled – welcoming tastes of optimism into our reality. In this landscape, people are reshaping cocktail culture, infusing it with fresh perspectives and finding memorable experiences back at the bar with friends. From redefining moderate drinking to a surge in sustainable attitudes, Bacardi is at the forefront, championing a world where people-driven cocktail culture thrives through innovation, experimentation, and overall better moments,” says Brenda Fiala, Global Vice President of Strategy, Insights & Analytics at Bacardi.

Here are the macro-trends defining spirits sipping in 2024:

Limited Libations. Next-gen drinkers are embracing a ‘less but better’ approach, continuing to support the ongoing premiumization era for key spirits, liquors, and NoLo categories. With a conscious approach to the economic climate, consumers are seeking small luxuries – looking to elevated lifestyle products as must-have pieces. This quality-focused shift transforms spirits into coveted collector’s items, with forward-thinking brands enhancing limited-edition bottles through crafted storytelling. Simultaneously, the NoLo category continues to evolve, embodying ‘The Sipping Spectrum,’ where moderation is synonymous with choice, quality, flavor, and social connections. IWSR research illustrates this flexible future in action, reporting that almost half of NoLo consumers choose NoLo options on certain occasions, and full strength on others.
 Innovative Aging & Blending. 2024 will usher in an era of innovation for dark, aged spirits, with brands embracing unique aging methods and novel flavor combinations. Distillers are venturing into uncharted territory, discovering new sources of innovation in the expanding category. Bold and unexpected pairings continue to lead, whereas regional experimentation yields spicy, fruity, and zesty profiles in innovative formats. While enjoyers of dark, aged spirits are diversifying their palates, rum-based cocktails are continuing to grow in popularity. Tequila unanimously ranked as the number one premiumization category with Mezcal named as the next to premiumize, as indicated by the Bacardi Global Consumer Survey 2023. 
 Escapism Elixirs. Cocktail culture is transporting consumers across destinations, countries and even eras – as classic spritzes and ornate sips help to recreate nostalgic, convivial moments year-round. In 2024, the link between drinks and destinations will deepen, with classic cocktails and European flavors whisking drinkers from the beach to the bar. This evolution isn’t just about where but also when consumers enjoy drinks. As for letting loose, non-traditional venues are on the rise, with Bacardi research indicating a shift away from nightclubs to festivals as the new hub for revelry. In South Africa and India, more than one-third of respondents are looking to enjoy more sundowner cocktails over the next year, and approximately a quarter in the U.S. and Mexico (27%) and Spain (26%).
 Notes of Nature. In the coming year, consumers will reframe their relationship to the natural world, impacting where they spend their time, the brands they support, and what they consume. With a resurgence in next-gen outdoor activities and a growing emphasis on sustainability, drinks brands are redefining their connection to the environment through intentional ingredients and eco-friendly practices. In the drinks world, 2024 will see brands and bartenders take a holistic approach to nature and its flavors – harnessing sustainably sourced aromatics, florals, botanicals and oils to create cocktail experiences uniquely rooted in nature. According to the Bacardi Global Consumer Survey 2023, 44% of respondents in Canada and 43% of younger respondents in the U.S. intend to consume more cocktails made with natural ingredients in 2024. In emerging markets, the numbers are even higher with 51% in India, 47% South Africa and 44% in Mexico.
 Tech-Enhanced Tastes. Digital advancements are inciting change in ‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘how’ drinks are enjoyed, providing all-new routes to personalization, brand experience and community. As consumers increasingly seek personalized brand interactions, AI is introducing exciting opportunities for tailored cocktail experiences, accessible anytime and anywhere. For the drinks industry, AI’s evolution will create all-new paths to experimentation and discovery, with brand innovators using the technology as a tool to bring consumers closer to branded cocktails and experiences, regardless of their location. While 8 in 10 younger consumers across select markets are looking to explore AI recommendations, they are adamant about maintaining the emotional connection and artistic finesse that only bartenders can provide.

Download the complete Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report 2024 and Infographic.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

CHICAGO, December 4, 2023 /3BL/ – As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation focuses its giving in communities where Motorola Solutions employees live and work globally. The Foundation’s annual grant cycle is now accepting inquiry forms from charitable organizations around the world that conduct programming within three primary areas of focus:

First Responder ProgrammingTechnology and Engineering Education, andPrograms that blend the two

The cycle begins with an inquiry form, moving to an invitation-only full application in early April and ending with the notification of grant awards in late August.

To apply for a 2024 grant, eligible charitable organizations must submit an inquiry form by 11:59 p.m. (Central Standard Time) on Thursday, Feb. 1st, 2024; no extensions will be provided. Important information about our grants program, including our 2024 priorities, FAQs and more can be found on our annual grants webpage.

To help interested organizations better understand our grants program and funding priorities, the Foundation is hosting optional informational calls. The calls will go into detail about the program, our focus areas and overarching priorities and will allow time for live Q&A at the end.

Tuesday, Jan. 9 
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. CST

Wednesday, Jan. 10 
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CST

Thursday, Jan. 11 
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. CST

Charitable organizations interested in joining an informational call may register here prior to Monday, Jan. 8th at 5:00 p.m. CST. Once registered, organizations will receive an email with call instructions. (NOTE: All calls will cover the same information, so select the date and time that is most convenient for you.)

About Motorola Solutions Foundation 
As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the globe to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company is solving for safer communities. For more information on Motorola Solutions corporate and foundation giving, visit our website: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

About Motorola Solutions 
Motorola Solutions is solving for safer. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions enable the collaboration between public safety agencies and enterprises that’s critical for a proactive approach to safety and security. Learn more about how we’re solving for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses – safer everywhere – at www.motorolasolutions.com.

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As COP28 quickly approaches in Dubai from 30 November to 13 December, we asked one of our Associates who has been intimately involved in progressing initiatives between COPs, to give us an update and expectations on going into events this year.

Dr Amr Abdel-Aziz, Chairman of Cairo-based Integral Consult – part of the global Inogen Alliance of environmental consulting firms, played an essential role at COP27, as a senior advisor to the COP27 presidency on Mitigation and Transparency. Serving as a negotiator to the series of Climate Change COP events since COP21 (2015), where the Paris Agreement was adopted, Dr Abdel-Aziz provided the Alliance with exclusive insight into landmark developments and prospects this year.

Question: You were selected at COP27 to lead negotiations for the Mitigation Work Program Development, can you give an update between COPs on this progress and expectations going into COP28?

We adopted the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation work program in Sharm. This was a major achievement of COP 27 as it is essential that parties discuss and find opportunities to increase ambition and implementation in this critical decade. I was honored to be selected as one of the co-chairs for this work program for 2023 and 2024 together with my co-chair from France. In this work program, we have to conduct two global dialogues to discuss actionable solutions and opportunities, and barriers and challenges on specific thematic areas. These dialogues aim to accelerate the energy transition to accelerate the ambitions or implement more mitigation actions prior to 2030 so that we can achieve 1.5 degrees. What we selected this year from myself and my co-chair, was the topic of accelerating just energy transition based on the submissions from the parties. We managed to conduct two dialogues. The first dialogue took place in June, and we discussed four subtopics under the main topic. The first one is renewable energy; the second topic was on storage, battery storage, and grid; the third one was energy efficiency; and the fourth was carbon capture and storage/utilization. So, we held a global dialogue among parties where they discussed what are the opportunities in these four subtopics, what are the actionable solutions, and what are the barriers and challenges. We issued the report in September, summarizing the discussions that took place and highlighting the opportunities and challenges under these subtopics and how can we find solutions to such challenges to move countries towards an effective just energy transition.

The second dialogue took place in Abu Dhabi, and it was focused mainly on accelerating energy transition in the transport sector. And we had also four subtopics. One was on model shift and collective modes of transport and non-motorized transport, like shifting to cycling or bikes or model shifting also from private vehicles usage to buses or public transport. The second topic was on energy efficiency in the transport sector and resource efficiency as well, like the design of vehicles with less weight, which consumes less energy or less fuel. The third topic was on alternative fuels, like hydrogen or e-synthetic fuels and low-emission fuels such as CNG, which all reduce emissions. And then we had the final and most important topic was on electrification of vehicles. Again, the parties discussed what are the opportunities, and the actionable solutions in the transport sector to be able to learn from each other, what are the case studies, and the successful experiences, which would enable them to learn from each other and implement mitigation actions.

We also held 2 investment focused events, one on the margin of the first global dialogue in Bonn while the other was on the margins of the second dialogue in Dubai. During such events, countries presented successful case studies on how they structured actual projects on the ground, which is helping them achieve part of their energy transition. In addition, we created a pitch-hub for countries to present projects which are seeking finance in the presence of financiers from multilateral development banks and the private sector.

Question: Since you have served as a negotiator to the series of Climate Change COP events since COP21 (2015), where the Paris Agreement was adopted, what are some of the major shifts you have seen take place over the years?

I’ve been participating since COP 21 when the adoption of the Paris Agreement took place. I think we have experienced a lot of change since Paris. The first thing that comes to my mind is the issue of loss and damage during Paris. It was a very sensitive issue that developed countries’ positions were always not to get into the funding issue related to loss and damage because it can create legal liability for developed countries. But over the years until COP 27 in Egypt, we have seen this position change little by little. And it was really in Glasgow that developing countries were pushing hard for something on loss and damage, and the maximum that they could get is a dialogue on loss and damage. But when the incident of flash floods happened in Pakistan, there was a strong unity between developing countries and there were calls even in the media related to the need to consider loss and damage more seriously. Parties and NGOs started calling for including a separate agenda item on loss and damage. Egypt managed this issue with its long diplomacy experience until it was included on the agenda in COP 27. We have seen the historical agreement on the loss and damage funding arrangements, including a fund. This was a historical moment, and that was one of the major outcomes that we have seen coming out of the COP 27 in Egypt.

We have seen, of course, throughout the years that we are not on track to achieving the mitigation targets. And in Glasgow, we have seen calls by the UK presidency to keep the 1.5 degrees alive. So, this shifted, of course, the negotiations. It also created a lot of pressure on countries to do more on the mitigation front. So even calls now from some parties and some groups to have sectoral global targets related to mitigation, which is facing resistance from developing countries. There has also been a shift in the mitigation, trying to push parties to do more because we are not on track with the adaptation. In the Paris Agreement, there was no clear goal defined for adaptation. Contrary to mitigation, we have the two degrees and then we are now on the 1.5 degrees target for mitigation. So, we have seen also pressure from developing countries to try to define a global goal for adaptation. This led to the creation of the Glasgow Sharm el-Sheikh work program on the global goal of adaptation, which we should see landing in Dubai in COP 28. So, this is also a major change.

Another issue, that was created in the Paris Agreement, is the definition of a new quantified global goal on finance. We used to have the goal of one hundred billion, which was defined in 2009 in Copenhagen, but the Paris Agreement called for the definition of a new quantified collective goal. There are negotiations started in Katowice for this collective goal, and it should be defined in 2024 in COP 29 after Dubai. So of course, finance is still the major problem in the view of developing countries because even the one-hundred-billion goal has not been achieved until now and a lot more is needed for the implementation of the developing countries NDCs and climate action. The requirements to implement the NDCs are in the scale of trillions. The estimates are between 4 to 6 trillion US dollars per year needed to achieve the 2030 targets of developing countries. So of course, we need a lot of movement on finance because this is the major obstacle to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.

Question: Did the Paris Agreement have any impacts on businesses and their practices?

The Paris Agreement had a lot of impact on businesses, which we are seeing these days Many businesses are starting to set voluntary targets to achieve net zero by 2050. And this creates, of course, a lot of opportunities in the market for technology development, even consulting business because these companies or these facilities which announced voluntarily to achieve net zero by 2050, need to have a strategy to do that, they need to have a plan. So, they need to develop their decarbonization strategy and utilize new technologies to switch their practices or their current practice of, for example switching to renewable energy electricity sources instead of using fossil fuels.

We have seen in the past decade the Paris Agreement has had an impact on businesses and their voluntary contribution and announcements. It also creates a lot of movements in the carbon markets and the offsetting markets because many of these companies, cannot achieve net zero by implementing practices in their premises or their operations. So, they have to go for offsets or carbon credits purchasing. This also creates a lot of opportunities in the carbon market and implementing mitigation projects outside of these businesses, which they can use as offsets.

Thank you to Amr for his time for a quick interview ahead of COP28 and all the work with the program in between COPs to make progress on these global goals. We anticipate more updates and progress coming out of this COP, watch our page for more to come!

Find Inogen Alliance represented at COP28 on 4 December in the Blue Zone 

Inogen Alliance side event is organized by Sustainera with Ilkin Haji, with speakers from Integral including Amr Abdel-Aziz, Tonkin+Taylor with Brett Ogilvie, and Antea Brasil with Hilton Lucio.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

FORT WORTH, Texas, December 4, 2023 /3BL/ – Infinium and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst recently announced a $75 million project equity investment commitment to support Infinium’s Project Roadrunner, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions. Project Roadrunner will convert waste carbon dioxide (CO2) and renewable power into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other low-carbon fuels. This first-of-a-kind commercial-scale Power-to-Liquids (PtL) eFuels facility is expected to be the largest PtL eFuels project in North America once operational. Breakthrough Energy Catalyst funds and invests in first-of-a-kind projects that support the deployment of emerging climate technologies to reduce emissions and accelerate the clean energy transition. This commitment represents Catalyst’s first equity investment to date.

Project Roadrunner, located in West Texas, will convert an existing brownfield gas-to-liquids project into a fully integrated eFuels facility that will deliver products into both U.S. and international markets. It will primarily produce Infinium eSAF, a sustainable aviation fuel with the potential to significantly reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with air travel. PtL SAF is expected to reduce lifecycle GHG emissions in aviation by around 90 percent, which is higher than the emissions reductions achieved using SAF on the market today. Project Roadrunner will also produce Infinium eNaphtha for use in plastics manufacturing and Infinium eDiesel for use in hard-to-electrify transportation methods, such as long-haul trucking and maritime applications.

In tandem with Catalyst’s investment in Infinium, American Airlines and Infinium have entered into an innovative, firm offtake agreement for Infinium eSAF. This agreement is a critical enabler of further investment in Project Roadrunner. American joined Breakthrough Energy Catalyst as an anchor partner to accelerate the development of next-generation clean energy technologies, including SAF. The Catalyst team worked to develop the agreement alongside the American and Infinium teams. The agreement provides one model for how airlines can use offtake agreements to help promising new SAF technologies attract investment dollars.

In further support of this offtake agreement, Citi and American Airlines have separately agreed to transfer the associated emission reductions to Citi to support the scaling of this innovative technology and help reduce a portion of Citi’s Scope 3 emissions from employee travel. Citi is also a partner of Breakthrough Energy Catalyst.

Infinium has numerous eFuels projects in development across the U.S., Europe, Middle East, Japan and Australia.

“The investment from Catalyst is critical to accelerating the completion of Project Roadrunner and to the delivery of significant volumes of eFuels created from waste carbon dioxide and renewable power. Importantly, this project will serve as a template for other, larger eFuels plants under development,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO at Infinium. “The groundbreaking commercial agreement with American is an important prototype for the aviation industry as its firm offtake agreement supports project financing, providing revenue certainty for the project.”

“This project is a landmark achievement for the development of sustainable aviation fuels and the offtake agreement provides a model for the entire aviation industry of one way to effect change and support the scale-up of capital-intensive projects,” said Mario Fernandez, Head of Breakthrough Energy Catalyst. “Infinium’s technological and commercial maturity, coupled with the company’s project development expertise, will help accelerate the clean energy transition by quickly bringing to market clean fuels for aviation, trucking, and other long-distance parts of the transportation sector. American’s creativity, commitment and collaboration with Citi, have set a new marker, demonstrating what it takes to usher in a climate-friendly aviation future.”

“American joined Breakthrough Energy Catalyst because we saw the potential to accelerate the commercialization of the clean energy technologies of the future. Today, we see the realization of that potential in Catalyst’s investment in Infinium’s electrofuels SAF, coupled with American’s long-term commitment to purchase those fuels,” said Jill Blickstein, American’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Our partnership with Catalyst – and our new commitment with Infinium – exemplifies the novel collaboration necessary to bring to market the new technologies that will allow us to decarbonize.”

“Citi is proud to work with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, American Airlines and Infinium in this effort to support the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel,” said Val Smith, Citi’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Infinium’s eSAF technology is the latest example of innovation and growth in the climate solutions space. We hope the offtake arrangement with American, where we combine their direct use of SAF with our indirect use through our business travel, will serve as one model for how offtake agreements can be used to help scale up future solutions for low-emissions air travel.”

About Infinium
Infinium is an electrofuels provider on a mission to decarbonize the world. Electrofuels are a new class of synthetic fuels made using renewable power and waste carbon dioxide, not petroleum or resources needed to produce food. Infinium electrofuels can be dropped into existing trucks, planes, and ships, significantly reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil-based fuels. In addition to helping the transport industry meet carbon reduction goals, Infinium electrofuels are a lower carbon alternative for chemical processing, including plastics production. Learn why Amazon and other leading cleantech investors have chosen Infinium at www.infiniumco.com.

About Breakthrough Energy
Breakthrough Energy is committed to accelerating the world’s journey to a clean energy future. The organization funds breakthrough technologies, advocates for climate-smart policies, and mobilizes partners around the world to take effective action, accelerating progress at every stage.

Breakthrough Energy Catalyst is a novel platform that funds and invests in first-of-a-kind commercial projects for emerging climate technologies. By investing in these opportunities, Catalyst seeks to accelerate the adoption of these technologies worldwide and reduce their costs.

Catalyst currently focuses on five technology areas: clean hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, direct air capture, long-duration energy storage, and manufacturing decarbonization. In addition to capital, Catalyst leverages the team’s energy-infrastructure-investing and project-development expertise to work with innovators on advancing their projects from the development stage to funding and ultimately, to construction. Learn more about Breakthrough Energy and Catalyst at breakthroughenergy.org.

About American Airlines Group
To Care for People on Life’s Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

About Citi
Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in nearly 160 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements and information
Certain of the statements contained in this release should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “seek,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “if current trends continue,” “optimistic,” “forecast” and other similar words. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the company’s plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, estimates and strategies for the future, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the company’s current objectives, beliefs and expectations, and they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and financial position and timing of certain events to differ materially from the information in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth herein as well as in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (especially in Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors), and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, there may be other factors of which the company is not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. The company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or supplement any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these forward-looking statements other than as required by law. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the statement.

Webinar Information

December 4, 2023 /3BL/ – Environmental Justice, a long-standing concern, has recently gained significant prominence as an urgent issue, particularly with a renewed emphasis on addressing the needs of marginalized and minority communities. Against the backdrop of intensifying efforts to combat climate change, the Biden administration has placed Environmental Justice and a “Just Transition” at the forefront of its strategy.

Notably, recent infrastructure legislation has allocated substantial funding to advance Environmental Justice, signaling a forthcoming shift toward Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements that encompass this critical dimension. Furthermore, private litigation related to Environmental Justice is on the rise, even in the absence of specific regulations, while several states are taking proactive measures in the absence of federal guidelines.

Antea Group, a committed advocate for environmental sustainability, closely monitors the latest developments in Environmental Justice. Join our webinar, “Equity in Action: Navigating the Environmental Justice Imperative” on Tuesday, December 12th at 2 pm ET where we will provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the essence of Environmental Justice and offer a global perspective on how it intersects with ESG considerations and the broader context of climate change. Additionally, we will share actionable insights for organizations, enabling them to both comprehend and mitigate risks associated with Environmental Justice. By doing so, organizations can enhance their positioning within their communities and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.

Join us for an insightful exploration of Environmental Justice and its implications for businesses as we navigate this evolving landscape together.

Register Here

December 4, 2023 /3BL/ – The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of HealthPartners to its Healthcare Facility Advisory Board.

“HealthPartners is an exemplary candidate to join our advisory board,” shared Peylina Chu, Executive Director of HPRC. “Their commitment to sustainability, plastics recycling program, and influence in the industry position them well to provide valuable insights to HPRC and guide our agenda.”

The Healthcare Facility Advisory Board was established to help HPRC understand the plastic recycling barriers that exist within health care facilities today, establish priorities for our technical agenda, and develop solutions through access to industry data, information, and resources.

“HealthPartners has been building a comprehensive, organization-wide sustainability program for over a decade,” shared Allison Egan, Sustainability Program Manager at HealthPartners. “We look forward to leveraging that experience to advise HPRC and to collaborating with other health care organizations and manufacturers also committed to driving change across the industry.”

As an advisory board member, HealthPartners will provide insights on how HPRC can better enable plastics recycling, identify high value needs and opportunities for action, offer a better understanding of hospital barriers to recycling, and share advice to support HPRC’s mission and vision.

HPRC is currently engaged in multiple initiatives aimed at enabling the recycling and circularity of health care plastics, including research into advanced recycling technologies to recycle mixed-stream health care plastics and a study of reverse logistics processes for collecting, segregating, and preparing health care plastic waste for transport.

About HPRC

HPRC is a private technical coalition of industry peers across healthcare, recycling, and waste management industries seeking to improve the recyclability of plastic products within healthcare. Made up of brand-leading and globally recognized members, HPRC explores ways to enhance the economics, efficiency, and ultimately the quality and quantity of healthcare plastics collected for recycling in support of a circular plastics economy. HPRC is active across the United States and Europe working with key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and participating in industry events and forums. For more information, visit www.hprc.org and follow HPRC on LinkedIn.

About HealthPartners

HealthPartners is one of the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organizations in the nation with a mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.

During Lenovo’s annual Tech World event, attendees took breaks from the bustle to discuss visions about the frontiers of AI while sitting on low, padded stools. These poufs—with red tops evocative of the iconic TrackPoint—had surprising origins. Text emblazoned on one read: “You’re sitting on a server.” But it’s a pouf, right? In this instance, thanks to ingenious 3D printing and recycling efforts of e-waste plastics from a mix of devices, both can be true.

Lenovo, the global technology powerhouse, collaborated with Aectual, the Netherlands-based leader in 3D printing for architecture and interior design, to bring the concepts of asset recovery and circularity to life.

“Who would have imagined e-waste plastics transforming into 3D-printed event furniture?” said Claudia Contreras, Executive Director of Global Sustainability Services at Lenovo. “I love discovering new, exciting ways to deliver on Lenovo’s commitment to sustainability, and it’s a real joy to have such an inventive and ambitious partner in Aectual.”

The collaboration goes much deeper than recycling e-waste plastics from servers, laptops, or mobile phones. Lenovo workstations have powered innovative construction processes and helped create more sustainable tradeshow experiences.

“Aectual and Lenovo share an intense commitment to meaningful innovation,” said Hedwig Heinsman, Cofounder and Creative Director at Aectual, which offers design-to-delivery of everything from flooring to fixtures. “Here, we pushed each other to give recovered materials a new life, create something surprising, and prioritize sustainability, which is one of our core values. I’m thrilled to see the results exhibited at Tech World and look forward to what we imagine and build together next.”

The Aectual process, which prioritizes circularity, can take back a product after use, shred the material, and reuse it in new 3D-printed products up to seven times.

The poufs at Lenovo Tech World offer one small example of the type of recycling that can be possible through solutions like Lenovo’s Asset Recovery Services (ARS), an end-to-end solution to minimize e-waste through secure device lifecycle management. Since 2005, Lenovo has processed nearly 800 million pounds of Lenovo-owned and customer-returned computer equipment1.

Asset recovery is one piece of a wider investment in sustainability, including Lenovo’s commitment to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. With ongoing changes from supply chain operations to energy generation, it’s rare to see something so tangible—and certainly so sittable—as the Tech World poufs.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 4, 2023 /3BL/ – On World Wildlife Conservation Day, International Paper (IP) and longtime partner National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are expanding the focus of their sustainable forestry partnership to support the return of iconic southeastern species such as the eye-catching swallow-tailed kites that once again are soaring among the treetops.

NFWF and IP, through their Forestland Stewards Partnership recently awarded a grant to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) to build upon a long-standing partnership between ABC, IP and the Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI) to encourage forest management practices on private lands that support a thriving community for people and wildlife. Much of the initial work has taken place in South Carolina where the presence of swallow-tailed kites, who feed on large insects, snakes and frogs, is an indicator that efforts to manage healthy forests are working. 

“Swallow-tailed kites are frequently described as the most beautiful hawks,” Emily Jo Williams, ABC’s Vice President of the Southeast Region, said of the birds with a 4-foot wingspan. “When you’ve got swallow-tailed kites, that means the whole ecosystem is providing things they need.”

The migratory birds that once were a common sight in summer over much of the Southeast are now mostly found in Florida and have been listed as endangered in the state of South Carolina, where IP, ABC and ARCI have been contributing to the birds making a comeback in properly managed forests.

“Sustainably managed forests benefit a lot of different bird species,” Williams said. “The grant from NFWF and IP will allow us to work with additional partners like Orleans Audubon Society and Mississippi State University to conserve kites throughout the Southeast and to focus on red-headed woodpeckers, a species of concern showing steep declines.”

Williams and Ken Meyer, ARCI Senior Research Ecologist and Executive Director, agree that International Paper plays an important role in maintaining forests that would otherwise be lost to development, and species like the swallow-tailed kite would likely disappear from the region.

“Sustainable forests are a really good thing for wildlife,” Meyer said. “If growing timber wasn’t such a productive industry in the Southeast, we wouldn’t have forests, we’d have houses. We’d have all kinds of things out here that don’t support the wildlife that these forests do.”

With ~86% of forested land in the Southeast under private ownership, IP’s professional foresters help landowners manage their timber sustainably and provide wildlife habitat they need.

“We have a 2030 goal of 100% of our fiber being sourced from sustainably managed forests,” said Jeremy Poirier, Senior Manager of Fiber Certification and Sustainability at International Paper. “The work with the kites and the work with the American Bird Conservancy helps us achieve that goal.”

As part of the program to ensure swallow-tailed kites continue to return to the South Carolina forests, ABC, ARCI and IP outfit some of the birds near IP’s paper mill in Georgetown with GPS transmitters that allow them to track their migratory patterns and habitat preferences to better understand their specific nesting, foraging and roosting needs. This information can help IP’s professional foresters and other forestry practitioners provide guidance and options to landowners that are interested in managing their forests to benefit swallow-tailed kites and other species with similar forest habitat needs. 

“This partnership between ABC, the timber industry, and ARCI has been one of the most gratifying things I have ever done,” Meyer said.

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About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of North America’s largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting www.internationalpaper.com

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,000 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of $8.1 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at nfwf.org.

About American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on achieving results and working in partnership, we take on the greatest problems facing birds today, innovating and building on rapid advancements in science to halt extinctions, conserve habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation. Find us on abcbirds.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@ABCbirds).

Originally published in Kohler’s 2022 Believing in Better Impact Report

SAFE WATER FOR ALL

Water is at the heart of everything Kohler does, and conserving water and ensuring safe water and sanitation is critical to daily life—not only for drinking but also for sanitation, handwashing, and overall health. There is a safe water crisis globally, with more than two billion people living without access to safely managed water, more than four billion people living without safe sanitation, and three billion people living without access to basic handwashing at home. We believe this safe water crisis is unacceptable, and at Kohler we’re taking action to make safe water and sanitation a reality for all.

Kohler’s flagship initiative, Safe Water for All, leverages our company’s expertise and global reach along with the talent and passion of our associates to push change and awareness for populations around the world. Since 2014 we have impacted more than 2.2 million lives through Safe Water for All initiatives and products. These initiatives are pursued across four focus areas:

Water Stewardship: As discussed in our Better Planet chapter, Kohler is committed to sustainable water management at our plants and the watersheds they inhabit.Products: We are committed to developing environmentally friendly products that conserve water and provide solutions for safe water and sanitation in underserved communities, including the WaSH products developed through our Innovation for Good® incubator.Impact Projects: We partner with humanitarian organizations and local partners on community projects to develop, fund, and monitor customized solutions that meet the unique needs of each community.Advocacy: We use our reach and platforms to build awareness around the intersection of the global water crisis and climate change through events, responsibility of design, and key partnerships.

In 2022 we impacted the lives of 356K people around the world through Safe Water for All initiatives and products

Updated Plumbing 8.3M lives benefited from updated plumbing since 1990, including 404,000 in 2022

Safe Water for All Initiatives

Kohler Run/Walk for Safe Water 
The annual Kohler Run/Walk for Safe Water is a month-long challenge that attracts thousands of participants from around the globe with intent to educate and raise awareness around the global water crisis. In September 2022 more than 100,000 runners, walkers, wheelchair users, and hikers from 182 countries covered a total of 8.8 million kilometers. To date, Kohler has contributed over $1 million on behalf of participants in the Run/Walk for Safe Water.
Kohler has contributed over $1M on behalf of participants in the Run/Walk for Safe Water since its launch in 2017
 Raising Awareness of the Global Water Crisis
Through our Safe Water for All exhibition at the Kohler Design Center located at our headquarters, we raise awareness of positive solutions to the global water crisis, including innovative product design and technology. In 2022 over 40,000 in-person visitors to the Kohler Design Center had access to the exhibit, and the exhibition is shared through an online virtual tour.
In 2022 over 40K in-person visitors to the Design Center had access to the Safe Water for All exhibit
 WaSH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) ProjectsXingren, Guizhou, China Drinking Water and Sanitation System Project: 757 students and 60 teachers of the Xingren Wangjiazhai School benefited from new water pipes, a gutter system, and handwashing stations in partnership with World Vision China.Yangxian, Shaanxi, China Shijiawan Community Drainage Project: 500 community members benefit from this project with World Vison China that provided handwashing sinks and improved washbasin and community sanitation facilities in rural areas. This kicked off in August 2022 and will be completed in 2023Jhagadia, India Navagam Community Bathing Stations: 142 households have been equipped with secure and private bathing stations to improve health and hygiene outcomes and securityGujarat, India Handwashing Stations: 1,150 students supported across ten government schools in the state of GujaratIndonesia Supporting At Home Water Monitoring: 19 communities supported with ongoing water quality monitoring executed by Water MissionThailand Water-Filtration System Update: 100 students in the Kaeng Khoi community area benefited from a water-filtration system at Watnoisamakkeethum Primary School to make the water, which had previously only been safe for washing and cleaning, now safe for drinking. In addition, the team renovated the school’s toilets to enable students and teachers to have an improved sanitation experienceIndonesia Rumah Harapan Cikarang School and Orphanage Improvement: 200 students and children impacted by improved bathrooms and handwashing facilities and hygiene education
 

The Power of a Shower
In a 2022 initiative driven by the Kohler Kitchen & Bath Group, Kohler partnered with LavaMaex, a San Francisco-based organization providing education and training to organizations and bringing mobile showering and essential care services to the streets. Kohler’s support helped supply grants to seven mobile showering service providers across the United States, impacting an estimated 20,000 lives. In December alone, 14,703 showers were provided to 9,219 guests, supported by 3,887 volunteers across service providers that received support via Kohler and LavaMaex.

The KOHLER Relief Shower Trailer, which was born out of the Innovation for Good® program, has been under the care of The Shower of Hope, a Los Angeles-based organization. The trailer is used to provide showers to the unhoused and low-income people in the Los Angeles area, with more than 7,000 showers provided in 2022.

DigDeep
In 2022 Kohler continued to fund the Water Is Life Fund microgrant program, which funds grassroots projects that provide access to water solutions across the Navajo Nation. The program funded ten projects in 2022, including community water storage and water delivery programs which have impacted an estimated 1,806 lives and a water project at the Western Navajo Fairgrounds.

Since 2021 the Water Is Life Fund has supported 23 projects and has impacted an estimated 4,000 lives in over 815 households across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, and will benefit 100,000 annual visitors to the Western Navajo Fairgrounds.

Read the full 2022 Kohler Believing in Better Impact Report here.