In an episode of Quest Community Development Corporation’s Westside Wise podcast Don Bernards and Matt Paschall join host Ebony Ford for a conversation focused on Baker Tilly’s DevelUp program. They share how the initiative seeks to empower and increase underrepresented developers in the commercial real estate industry. Listen now: https://www.questcdc.org/wise/episode/7959edc7/baker-tilly-develup
Tag: 3BL
In an episode of Quest Community Development Corporation’s Westside Wise podcast Don Bernards and Matt Paschall join host Ebony Ford for a conversation focused on Baker Tilly’s DevelUp program. They share how the initiative seeks to empower and increase underrepresented developers in the commercial real estate industry. Listen now: https://www.questcdc.org/wise/episode/7959edc7/baker-tilly-develup
(Editor’s note: Greg Ebel presented on this subject to the Toronto Region Board of Trade on Oct. 6, 2023. See the news release.)
Throughout history are pivotal moments where Canada stood tall in addressing major global concerns and crises from heroic efforts in world wars to Prime Ministers prompting others to do the right thing—i.e., Lester B. Pearson pulling the world from the brink war over the Suez Canal in 1956 and Brian Mulroney prompting action against South African apartheid 35 years ago.
When moments required decisive action and principled leadership, Canada stepped up.
Today, in Ottawa and capitals across the globe government officials see climate change as another such pivotal moment.
That’s in part why Canada, like many other nations, has pledged to reach net zero carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050.
But what if, as in times past, Canada did something better?
What if rather than just meeting its own net zero goal (which represents less than 2% of global emissions), Canada could help the world much more significantly reduce overall CO2 emissions?
Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement—a legally binding international treaty adopted by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015—states that Nations can be credited for tangible emissions solutions that extend beyond their borders.
An ‘obligation’ to alleviate energy poverty, transition away from coal-fired electricity
This is a major global leadership opportunity for Canada.
In fact, it’s been staring us in the face for the past decade, with little to no progress, while the U.S. has seized on it.
The opportunity I’m referring to is the export of Canadian natural gas. If used to displace coal in Asia and Eastern Europe, this would have a tremendous impact on reducing global emissions—far greater than Canada achieving its own 2050 net zero commitment.
Natural gas is a lower-carbon source of energy—about half the impact of coal. And it’s even more sustainable when it comes from Canada, which is among the cleanest producers in the world.
Coal still feeds 40% of the world’s electricity, so any serious energy and climate policy needs to prioritize the worldwide transition away from coal.
Not only would it more dramatically reduce emissions, it would strengthen the Canadian economy—creating jobs, supporting families, and making the most of an important natural resource we have in abundance.
Indeed, we have more than enough natural gas to meet our own domestic needs for 200 years or more. That give us the freedom—I’d even suggest the obligation—to look beyond our borders and consider the benefits of export that go far beyond those economic returns.
Bringing liquefied natural gas—or LNG—to global markets also supports energy security (think European markets that have been dependent on Russian energy) and can alleviate energy poverty in parts of Asia and Africa.
Building and operating an LNG facility requires major construction and power consumption. It therefore takes a degree of political courage to go all-in on LNG—because it can lead to an increase in domestic emissions. But it will also mean a sizable net benefit as we help reduce the 98.5 per cent of emissions produced beyond our borders.
Inaction is a choice, indifference is a choice
Clearly, the time has come to accelerate the building of an LNG economy for Canada. We have the supply, sustainable production and short travel times—the complete package.
But we have a choice to make and let there be no doubt: Inaction is a choice. Indifference is a choice.
So, what must be done?
I’m calling on the Canada government to adopt policies and regulatory measures that will enable the responsible and efficient development and export of this important resource and streamline permitting processes to better respond to the urgent need.
‘Now is the time to commit to a cleaner energy future—not just for Canada, but for the world’
At the same time, investment in the entire energy sector and many others could be accelerated by the immediate implementation of a federal Indigenous loan-guarantee program to ensure Canada’s Indigenous peoples have a seat at the table and equity that helps secure a more prosperous future for them as well.
Finally, let’s show the world that Canada is ready to make a serious and lasting contribution to reducing global emissions—by providing a cleaner source of energy to countries that need it and want it.
Our country has a proud history as a leader on the global stage, stepping up when the moment demands it, pushing the world to do better. We need to get back to this kind of global leadership. Our energy resources—especially LNG on the West Coast—are central to this and can help support real outcomes, global emissions reductions, and the energy security of our allies.
Canada, now is the time to step up yet again. Now is the time to commit to a cleaner energy future—not just for Canada, but for the world.
Greg Ebel,
President and CEO, Enbridge
(Editor’s note: Greg Ebel presented on this subject to the Toronto Region Board of Trade on Oct. 6, 2023. See the news release.)
Throughout history are pivotal moments where Canada stood tall in addressing major global concerns and crises from heroic efforts in world wars to Prime Ministers prompting others to do the right thing—i.e., Lester B. Pearson pulling the world from the brink war over the Suez Canal in 1956 and Brian Mulroney prompting action against South African apartheid 35 years ago.
When moments required decisive action and principled leadership, Canada stepped up.
Today, in Ottawa and capitals across the globe government officials see climate change as another such pivotal moment.
That’s in part why Canada, like many other nations, has pledged to reach net zero carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050.
But what if, as in times past, Canada did something better?
What if rather than just meeting its own net zero goal (which represents less than 2% of global emissions), Canada could help the world much more significantly reduce overall CO2 emissions?
Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement—a legally binding international treaty adopted by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015—states that Nations can be credited for tangible emissions solutions that extend beyond their borders.
An ‘obligation’ to alleviate energy poverty, transition away from coal-fired electricity
This is a major global leadership opportunity for Canada.
In fact, it’s been staring us in the face for the past decade, with little to no progress, while the U.S. has seized on it.
The opportunity I’m referring to is the export of Canadian natural gas. If used to displace coal in Asia and Eastern Europe, this would have a tremendous impact on reducing global emissions—far greater than Canada achieving its own 2050 net zero commitment.
Natural gas is a lower-carbon source of energy—about half the impact of coal. And it’s even more sustainable when it comes from Canada, which is among the cleanest producers in the world.
Coal still feeds 40% of the world’s electricity, so any serious energy and climate policy needs to prioritize the worldwide transition away from coal.
Not only would it more dramatically reduce emissions, it would strengthen the Canadian economy—creating jobs, supporting families, and making the most of an important natural resource we have in abundance.
Indeed, we have more than enough natural gas to meet our own domestic needs for 200 years or more. That give us the freedom—I’d even suggest the obligation—to look beyond our borders and consider the benefits of export that go far beyond those economic returns.
Bringing liquefied natural gas—or LNG—to global markets also supports energy security (think European markets that have been dependent on Russian energy) and can alleviate energy poverty in parts of Asia and Africa.
Building and operating an LNG facility requires major construction and power consumption. It therefore takes a degree of political courage to go all-in on LNG—because it can lead to an increase in domestic emissions. But it will also mean a sizable net benefit as we help reduce the 98.5 per cent of emissions produced beyond our borders.
Inaction is a choice, indifference is a choice
Clearly, the time has come to accelerate the building of an LNG economy for Canada. We have the supply, sustainable production and short travel times—the complete package.
But we have a choice to make and let there be no doubt: Inaction is a choice. Indifference is a choice.
So, what must be done?
I’m calling on the Canada government to adopt policies and regulatory measures that will enable the responsible and efficient development and export of this important resource and streamline permitting processes to better respond to the urgent need.
‘Now is the time to commit to a cleaner energy future—not just for Canada, but for the world’
At the same time, investment in the entire energy sector and many others could be accelerated by the immediate implementation of a federal Indigenous loan-guarantee program to ensure Canada’s Indigenous peoples have a seat at the table and equity that helps secure a more prosperous future for them as well.
Finally, let’s show the world that Canada is ready to make a serious and lasting contribution to reducing global emissions—by providing a cleaner source of energy to countries that need it and want it.
Our country has a proud history as a leader on the global stage, stepping up when the moment demands it, pushing the world to do better. We need to get back to this kind of global leadership. Our energy resources—especially LNG on the West Coast—are central to this and can help support real outcomes, global emissions reductions, and the energy security of our allies.
Canada, now is the time to step up yet again. Now is the time to commit to a cleaner energy future—not just for Canada, but for the world.
Greg Ebel,
President and CEO, Enbridge
10,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal will be delivered using new Carbon Casting technology
MEMPHIS, Tenn. and FORT WORTH, Texas, November 30, 2023 /3BL/ – Graphyte, a carbon removal startup backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, recently announced that American Airlines will be its inaugural customer, with the purchase of 10,000 tons of permanent carbon removal to be delivered in early 2025.
Graphyte’s Carbon Casting process leverages readily available biomass, efficient processing and state-of-the-art monitoring to make carbon dioxide (CO2) removal quantifiable and permanent. Relative to existing carbon removal approaches, Carbon Casting permanently removes and stores CO2 using significantly less energy and at a substantially lower cost.
“This is a landmark agreement for both Graphyte and American Airlines,” said Barclay Rogers, CEO of Graphyte. “It demonstrates the growing demand for affordable and scalable high-quality carbon removal credits and the ability of Carbon Casting technology to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change in the very near term.”
American has a long-term goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and is investing in a variety of technologies to reduce its carbon footprint. While American’s focus is to reduce emissions within its operations — for example, through the purchase of more efficient aircraft and low carbon sustainable aviation fuel — it recognizes that carbon credits will play a critical role in eliminating aviation’s residual emissions. With its purchase of carbon removal credits from Graphyte, American aims to accelerate and scale the CO2 removal market.
“American is focused on accelerating new low-carbon technologies to reduce aviation’s climate impact,” said Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American. “Hard to abate industries like aviation will need high-quality, permanent, affordable and scalable carbon credits — including removals — to achieve our emissions reduction goals. We are excited to work with Graphyte to help them scale their important new technology.”
This first commercial-scale deployment of Carbon Casting will take place at a Graphyte facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, which sits at an intersection of major agricultural and timber production areas. Carbon Casting leverages readily available biomass byproducts, including crop and wood residues, that have already captured significant CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. The biomass is then dried to prevent decomposition, converted into dense carbon blocks, wrapped in an environmentally safe polymer barrier, and monitored in a state-of-the-art underground storage facility.
About Graphyte
Graphyte, a permanent carbon removal company backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, has engineered the world’s only carbon dioxide removal approach that is permanent, affordable, and immediately scalable. By combining photosynthesis with practical engineering, Carbon Casting
provides an immediate pathway for billions of tons of low-cost carbon removal with durability over 1,000 years. Visit Graphyte.com to learn more.
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.
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.
In a recent article for Responsible Investor, Acre’s Global Director of Sustainable Finance, Ian-Povey Hall, discusses the increase in hiring of professionals with technical knowledge of nature and biodiversity by financial institutions.
“In 18 months, it will be commonplace for banks, insurers and asset managers to have someone focused on nature in sustainability teams.”
To read the full article, please click here.
Original Source: Responsible Investor | Written by: Gina Gambetta
About Acre
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.
O-I’s team in Brazil recently announced two exciting new partnerships that increase post-consumer glass recycling, reduce consumer waste, and conserve resources in Brazil.
The partnerships – with the Recicleiros Institute, a civil society organization, and Orizon, one of the country’s largest private landfill companies – support O-I’s ambitious goal of increasing cullet, or recycled glass, in our glass containers. The partnerships demonstrate the feasibility of glass recycling as an integral part of the circular economy in Brazil.
In Brazil, long distance logistics and current collection systems are the main barriers to increasing recycled content.
Until recently, almost 60% of glass packaging in Brazil ended up in landfills and dumps due to logistical challenges faced by a lack of collection and processing infrastructure. The situation is even more complex in small municipalities further from glass recycling locations.
Glass recycling industry and the base of the chain co-operating
The exclusive agreement with The Recicleiros Institute will recycle all post-consumer glass packaging processed in the Recicleiros Cidades Program’s current and future sorting units across Brazil. O-I expects to recover about 3,000 tons of glass in the project’s first year.
“We want to increase glass recycling in regions of the country where it was not yet feasible. By promoting the base of the chain and the sale of this material by cooperatives directly to the industry, we encourage the generation of jobs and income, as well as the reduction of the extraction of virgin raw material from the environment, the reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions,” said Alexandre Macário, manager of the Circular Economy area at O-I.
Recovering post consumption glass from landfills
Orizon operates the Jaboatão dos Guararapes Ecopark in Pernambuco, the largest sorting operation in Latin America. The company manages 15 Ecoparks in the country, taking care of the waste generated by more than 40 million people in 10 Brazilian states, corresponding to 20% percent of the population.
“A great differential of the partnership with Orizon is that we are now also capturing glass from regular urban collection (not selective collection) and on a large scale,” Macário said. “The operation we are carrying out to remove glass from landfills and take it directly to the industry is unprecedented in the country and reflects our efforts to encourage the professionalization of the recycling chain, which generates employment and income, in addition, of course, to increasing the volume of recycled material.”
O-I is committed to supporting sustainability. Read more about how we’re working across the value chain to improve recycling in our sustainability report.
November 30, 2023 /3BL/ – In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, M·A·C Cosmetics invites its global community to join the fight to end HIV/AIDS by getting the lipstick that gives back 100% to charities helping people impacted by the epidemic.
Funds raised from M·A·C VIVA GLAM lipsticks directly support charities around the world working to reduce new infections and help people currently living with HIV/AIDS, including God’s Love We Deliver, Grassroots Soccer, Positive East, Waverly Care, and others.
To encourage people to get tested and know their HIV status, M·A·C is teaming up with Community Healthcare Network to host free and confidential rapid HIV testing on World AIDS Day outside the MAC SoHo store in New York City. M·A·C Cosmetics UK & Ireland also served as a Platinum Sponsor for this year’s Red Run in London, helping to raise over £230K+ for local HIV charities, and employees in New York volunteered to prepare meals at God’s Love We Deliver.
“Giving back to our community has always been core to our brand DNA, and we are proud of the incredible strides M·A·C VIVA GLAM has made in helping people affected by HIV/AIDS over the past three decades. However, there are still millions of people around the world still in need of our support,” says Aïda Moudachirous-Rébois, Global Chief Marketing Officer, M·A·C Cosmetics. “This World AIDS Day serves as another key moment to rally our community around our mission of creating an AIDS-free generation.”
VIVA GLAM was started in 1994 by M·A·C founders Frank Toskan and the late Frank Angelo who saw the HIV/AIDS epidemic directly affecting their community in Toronto. They created M·A·C VIVA GLAM Lipsticks, which donated 100% of the selling price to organizations serving people impacted by HIV/AIDS. Thanks to this powerful mission, nearly 30 years later VIVA GLAM has raised more than $520 million USD (and counting).
“I am so proud to work for a brand like M·A·C who truly puts their money where their mouth is,” says Dominic Skinner, M·A·C Director of Makeup Artistry and Patron of VIVA GLAM charity Positive East. “M·A·C VIVA GLAM inspires me every day and reminds me that I work for a brand that is truly changing the world one lipstick at a time.”
While great progress has been made over the past several decades in reducing AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections, the fight is far from over. More than 39 million people around the world are currently living with HIV, which continues to disproportionately impact certain populations –particularly young women and adolescent girls, gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and racial and ethnic minorities.
This World AIDS Day, put your money where your mouth is by purchasing a M·A·C VIVA GLAM lipstick at a local M·A·C location or online: https://www.maccosmetics.com/vivaglam
PR CONTACT:
Robert Parker
ABOUT M·A·C COSMETICS:
M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), a leading brand of professional cosmetics is part of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Since its creation in Toronto, Canada nearly 40 years ago, the brand’s popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists around the world. M·A·C is now sold in over 130 countries/territories worldwide. Follow M·A·C on Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok and Pinterest @MACcosmetics, become a M·A·C fan on Facebook (facebook.com/maccosmetics), follow M·A·C on Instagram (instagram.com/maccosmetics), watch M·A·C videos on YouTube (youtube.com/maccosmetics). For a M·A·C location visit maccosmetics.com.
Originally published in Kohler’s 2022 Believing in Better Impact Report
EDUCATION AND REPORTING
We are committed to establishing the Kohler brand as the most environmentally friendly brand in our industries by building awareness and driving action toward environmental issues in our company and with our customers, promoting the environmental benefits of our products and services, and educating our customers on how to reduce emissions, energy use, water use, and waste in their own lives.
In 2022 Kohler Power Systems launched a global campaign, Sustainable Future, to educate customers about the advances made to make its generators more environmentally friendly. These advances include the ability to replace diesel fossil fuel with renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which can help customers reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%.
Kohler’s global Sustainability Champions are critical to increasing awareness of environmental issues throughout the company and spearheading sustainability initiatives. They also are a key part of addressing Kohler’s big rocks, the large challenges that are fundamental pillars to our operations but create large risks to our net-zero goals. The Big Rocks Sustainability Summit held in June 2022 brought together a cross-functional group of Sustainability Champions and technical leaders from our Kitchen & Bath operations to discuss challenges and develop strategies to improve water stewardship at plants in high-risk watersheds and reduce scope 1 emissions. The ideas generated at the summit are being driven by the Sustainability Champions who hosted the event through nine advanced-development projects that are progressing into the next year.
Earth Hour
On March 26 Kohler associates around the globe participated in Earth Hour, which is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness of climate change by taking action to turn off nonessential lights for an hour. Nearly 200 associates participated, and Kohler donated $10,000 to the World Wildlife Fund.
CDP DISCLOSURES
CDP, formerly known as Carbon Disclosure Project, is a nonprofit charity that runs the global disclosure system for organizations to report their environmental impacts. We continue to enhance our public reporting of environmental metrics through CDP and in 2022 maintained a Water Security score of B and a Climate Change score of B.
Read the full 2022 Kohler Believing in Better Impact Report here.
Originally published by Martita Mestey on Authority Magazine
In this interview series, we are talking to leaders who are helping to address the increasing problem of food insecurity who can share the initiatives they are leading to address and solve this problem.
As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Nikki Jolly.
Nikki Jolly is the senior manager of corporate citizenship and social impact at Frito-Lay. With nearly a decade of experience in strategic community impact, Nikki leads local and national programs that support communities across the country.
Continue reading here