Tag: 3BL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, November 30, 2023 /3BL/ – DP World, a global leader in end-to-end supply chain solutions, announces its first export operations at its new air cargo logistics hub in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The new facility, which was announced earlier this year, enhances the Dominican Republic’s position as the largest trade and logistics center in the Caribbean.

The Punta Cana Air Cargo Hub was created through a joint effort between DP World and the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone (PCFTZ), a subsidiary of prominent Dominican business group Grupo Puntacana. The hub marks another milestone in DP World’s growth strategy for the country, which aims to position the Dominican Republic as a leading player in global trade and logistics.

The hub boasts an air cargo terminal, logistics center, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, a fuel supply terminal, and a maintenance and repair workshop for aircraft, and a general service building. These additions expand upon the existing export warehouse, in-transit warehouse, and import warehouse. Its integration with the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) enables multimodal air, land and sea capabilities.

“The beginning of the early-stage operations in this advanced air cargo logistics center significantly broadens the range of services we can offer to our growing list of customers. This hub is poised to position the Dominican Republic prominently on the global stage as a key player in air cargo for a wide variety of products from across the region,” said Morten Johansen, chief operating officer of DP World Americas.

In its first operational stage, the hub is actively receiving cargo via land transport across the country, then shipping it via air through the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).

DP World is currently transitioning operations to the new facilities; by the end of this year, all air cargo operations in and out of will be centralized through this hub. Plans to expand into sea-air operations are in discussion several South American countries, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile.

At present, 60-70% of the cargo consists of perishables, primarily fruits and vegetables. The hub also handles a variety of other commodities, including machinery, automotive equipment, and seafood, and specializes in the expedited shipment of goods. Plans are to eventually diversify into the pharmaceutical, technology and ecommerce sectors.

Further capacity expansions are underway, with the logistic center warehouse and manufacturing facilities currently under construction and projected to be operational by the second half of 2024. The maintenance and repair workshop has commenced civil work and is on a two-year timeline to begin operations.

DP World’s ongoing investment in expanding port development in the Dominican Republic recently earned it the 2023 AAPA-CIP Port Industry Award of Excellence. The award recognizes the company’s significant economic and social contributions; the hub currently supports up to 100 private and public sector employees; a number is expected to grow significantly as the hub continues to grow and expand.

“Our aim is to forge partnerships that boost national and regional connectivity. The greater the connectivity, through both air and sea routes, the more appealing our country becomes as a hub for manufacturing and logistics for companies in the Americas and beyond,” Johansen said.

DP World began operations in the Dominican Republic in 2003 at its port facility at the Punta Caucedo peninsula. The air cargo logistics hub will be officially recognized with an inauguration ceremony planned for Q1 next year.

– END –

DP WORLD AMERICAS MEDIA CONTACT:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications, North America 
M: (+1) 704-605-6159 
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

ABOUT DP WORLD:

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 103,000 employees spanning 75 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses — Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

Follow DP World on Twitter and LinkedIn.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. y SANTO DOMINGO, REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA, 30 de Noviembre de 2023 /3BL/ – DP World, líder mundial de soluciones integrales para la cadena de suministro, anuncia el inicio de las primeras operaciones de exportación de su nuevo centro logístico de carga aérea en Punta Cana, República Dominicana. Esta infraestructura, anunciada a principios de este año, posiciona a la República Dominicana como el HUB logístico y comercial más grande del Caribe.

El Centro de Carga Aérea de Punta Cana fue creado a través de un esfuerzo conjunto entre DP World y Punta Cana Free Trade Zone (PCFTZ), una subsidiaria de la destacada asociación empresarial dominicana, Grupo Puntacana. Este centro marca otro hito en la estrategia de crecimiento de DP World en el país, cuyo objetivo es posicionar a la República Dominicana como un actor líder en el comercio y la logística mundial.

El nuevo HUB cuenta con una terminal de carga aérea, un centro logístico, almacenes, instalaciones de manufactura, una terminal de suministro de combustible, un taller de mantenimiento y reparación de aeronaves y un edificio de servicios generales. Estas adiciones amplían los almacenes existentes de exportación, importación y tránsito. Su integración con el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana (PUJ) permite capacidades multimodales aéreas, terrestres y marítimas.

El inicio de operaciones de este moderno centro logístico de carga aérea amplía significativamente la gama de servicios que podemos ofrecer a nuestra creciente clientela. Este centro está preparado para posicionar a la República Dominicana de manera prominente en el escenario mundial, como un actor clave en la carga aérea de toda la región, para una amplia variedad de productos”, expresó Morten Johansen, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo de DP World Americas.

Actualmente, en su primera etapa operativa, el HUB recibe carga vía transporte terrestre desde todo el país, para luego ser enviada vía aérea a través del Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana (PUJ).

En este momento, DP World está trasladando sus operaciones a las nuevas instalaciones; a finales de este año, todas las operaciones de carga aérea que entren y salgan se centralizarán a través de este centro. Los planes para expandirse a las operaciones marítimas y aéreas están en discusión en varios países sudamericanos, incluidos Perú, Colombia, Ecuador y Chile.

En la actualidad, entre el 60 y el 70% de la carga está conformada por productos perecederos, principalmente frutas y verduras. El centro también gestiona otros productos, como maquinarias, equipos automotrices y mariscos, y se especializa en el envío acelerado de mercancías. Tiene planes de diversificarse eventualmente en los sectores farmacéutico, tecnológico y de comercio electrónico.

Se están llevando a cabo más ampliaciones de capacidad. Con el almacén del centro logístico y las instalaciones de manufactura que se encuentran actualmente en construcción, se prevé que entren en funcionamiento a partir de la segunda mitad del año 2024. Asimismo, se inició la construcción del taller de mantenimiento y reparación, que estaría iniciando operaciones en un plazo de dos años.

La inversión continua de DP World en la expansión y desarrollo portuario en la República Dominicana, le valió recientemente el Premio a la Excelencia de la Industria Portuaria AAPA-CIP 2023. El galardón reconoce las importantes contribuciones económicas y sociales de la compañía. En la actualidad, el centro logístico de carga aérea en Punta Cana cuenta con cerca de 100 colaboradores de los sectores público y privado y se espera que esta cifra incremente significativamente, a medida que el centro continúe creciendo y expandiéndose.

“Nuestro objetivo es forjar alianzas que impulsen la conectividad nacional y regional. Cuanto mayor sea la conectividad, tanto a través de rutas aéreas como marítimas, más atractivo se vuelve nuestro país como centro de fabricación y logística para empresas en las Américas y más allá”, dijo Johansen.

DP World inició operaciones en la República Dominicana en 2003 en sus instalaciones portuarias en la península de Punta Caucedo.

El centro logístico de carga aérea será reconocido oficialmente con una ceremonia de inauguración prevista para el primer trimestre del próximo año.

– FIN –

CONTACTO CON LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN DE DP WORLD AMERICAS:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications, North America 
M: (+1) 704-605-6159 
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

SOBRE DP WORLD:

El comercio es el elemento vital de la economía mundial, ya que crea oportunidades y mejora la calidad de vida de las personas de todo el mundo. DP World existe para mejorar el flujo comercial mundial, cambiando lo que es posible para los clientes y las comunidades en las que operamos a nivel mundial.

Con un equipo dedicado, diverso y profesional de más de 103.000 colaboradores procedentes de 75 países en seis continentes, DP World está impulsando el comercio más lejos y más rápido hacia una cadena de suministro que esté preparada para el futuro.

Estamos transformando e integrando rápidamente nuestros negocios (Puertos y Terminales, Servicios Marítimos, Logística y Tecnología) y uniendo nuestra infraestructura global con la experiencia local para crear soluciones de cadena de suministro de extremo a extremo más sólidas y eficientes que pueden cambiar la dinámica comercial del mundo.

Además, estamos remodelando el futuro invirtiendo en innovación. Desde sistemas de entrega inteligentes hasta el apilamiento automatizado de almacenes, estamos a la vanguardia de la tecnología disruptiva, impulsando al sector hacia mejores formas de comerciar, minimizando las interrupciones desde la planta de producción hasta la puerta del cliente.

HACEMOS QUE EL COMERCIO FLUYA PARA CAMBIAR LO QUE ES POSIBLE PARA TODOS.

Sigue DP World en Twitter y LinkedIn.

International Olympic Committee news

IOC Young Leader Rishav Bhowmik knows first-hand that finding your way into sport in India is not straightforward. Through his project “SportXALL”, launched with the support of the IOC Young Leaders Programme, he is hoping to make it easier for young people to find their strengths and get them into the sports and clubs that best suit their skill sets. Here, the rifle shooter talks about his new programme and how the upcoming IOC Session in Mumbai, India, shows the growing importance of sport in India.

Inspired by Indian legends such as Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and Joydeep Karmakar, an Olympian who grew up in the same city, Rishav joined his local shooting club only in 2018 at 22 years old. He quickly became hooked to the sport and has qualified for the last three national championships in rifle shooting.

Because his path to practising sport was an unconventional one, Rishav wants to make it easier for children to have regular access to sport in India. It is this idea and his passion for sport that led him to apply to participate in the IOC Young Leaders Programme – an initiative that provides budding social entrepreneurs with mentorship, learning opportunities and seed-funding to launch projects that leverage the power of sport to make a positive difference in their communities.

Through his work with the programme, Rishav developed the “SportXAll” project, giving young people in India the chance to train and connect with a sports club that suits their passion and specific skill set.

SportXALL

According to UNICEF, India is home to the largest adolescent population in the world (253 million), with one in five people aged between 10 and 19. Meanwhile, the “Sport for development in India” report shows that less than one per cent of those aged 35 and under have access to organised sport.

With this in mind, and with the support of the IOC Young Leaders Programme, Rishav founded SportsXALL to give children in India, and specifically in his hometown of Howrah, Kolkata, the opportunity to not only take part in sports, but also go on and become part of a club.

“There are a lot of children who want to play sports, but they become daily wage earners like their parents, stuck in a generational loop,” Rishav said. “They might have access to basic education, but they don’t have access to a better future, and they end up in the same situation as their parents.”

“I’m trying to get these kids into sport and create a change, giving them a chance for a better future in and out of sport, teaching them crucial life skills and values while offering them new opportunities.”

The programme starts with a camp where children go through some basic physical exercises, while also learning about the Olympic values and different sports.

“We try to put the kids in sports that suit their natural skills,” he said. “If someone has good leg strength, they might want to try running, or someone with good shoulder strength might try discus or javelin.”

Sport in India

The growth of sport in India is supported by NGOs such as SportxALL, which give young people in the country more opportunities to exercise, foster community and lead healthier lives.

In 2022, Rishav attended the newly launched Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India, which aims to integrate the Olympism-themed curriculum into the school education system in the state of Odisha. OVEP aims to help children become active, healthy and responsible citizens by providing a practical set of resources, designed by the IOC, that introduces young people to the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship.

As a further mark of how quickly sport is taking hold in India, in a few days Mumbai is hosting the 141st IOC Session. “I feel it is a brilliant step forward and really shows the IOC’s trust in India,” he said. “The IOC Session in Mumbai is a big opportunity to show the world that we are perhaps ready to host even more events.”

IOC Young Leaders Programme contributing to Olympism 365 days a year

Launched in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders Programme empowers young people to leverage the power of sport to make a positive difference in their communities, and therefore contributes to the Olympism365 strategy aimed at strengthening the role of sport as an important enabler of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in direct response to the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5.

So far, with the support of the IOC, these inspiring young people have delivered over 140 sport-led projects in communities across the globe, promoting education and livelihoods, equality and inclusion, health, peace building and sustainability, directly benefitting more than 30,000 people.

Learn more about the IOC Young Leaders Programme and the Olympism365 strategy.

Worldwide Olympic Partner Panasonic’s continued support

The IOC Young Leaders Programme has been supported by Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Panasonic since 2017, and this will continue through to 2024. Panasonic, as the programme’s founding partner, is committed to supporting the IOC Young Leaders through various initiatives, for example providing its creative and technological expertise, along with its network of influencers and ambassadors, to inspire the Young Leaders and equip them with the skills and tools they need to enhance their projects.

Find out more about Panasonic’s support for the programme and sign up for the “IOC Young Leaders in Action” newsletter to get the latest updates.

Last week, AB and Columbia Climate School kicked off the first module of its Climate Change Curriculum 2.0, a training program for AB’s investment professionals to learn about the physical changes observed in the global climate from the scientific and academic community, and how these are shaping research and forecasts for the global weather phenomena and hydrological cycles that underpin economics, businesses and society. The training took place in our New York office as well as virtually.

About AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals, and private wealth clients in major world markets. We believe corporate responsibility, responsible investing and stewardship are intertwined. To be effective stewards of our clients’ assets, we strive to invest responsibly—assessing, engaging on and integrating material issues, including environmental, social and governance (ESG), and climate change considerations in most of our actively managed strategies. We also believe that strive to hold ourselves as a firm to similar practices that we ask of issues. Our stewardship practices, investment strategy and decision-making are guided by our purpose, mission and values.

Our purpose—pursue insight that unlocks opportunity—inspires our firm to act responsibly. While opportunity means something different to each of our stakeholders; it always means considering the unique goals of each stakeholder. AB’s mission is to help our clients define and achieve their investment goals, explicitly stating what we do to unlock opportunity for our clients. We became a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2011. This began our journey to formalize our commitment to identify responsible ways to unlock opportunities for our clients through integrating material ESG factors throughout most of our actively managed equity and fixed-income client accounts, funds and strategies. AB also engages issuers where it believes the engagement is in the best financial interest of its clients.

Because we are an active manager, our differentiated insights drive our ability to deliver alpha and design innovative investment solutions. ESG and climate issues are important elements in forming insights and in presenting potential risks and opportunities that can have an effect on the performance of the companies and issuers that we invest in and the portfolios that we build.

Our values provide a framework for the behaviors and actions that deliver on our purpose and mission. Values align our actions. Each value emerges from the firm’s collective character—yet is also aspirational.

Invest in One Another means that we have a strong organizational culture where diversity is celebrated and mentorship is critical to our success. When we invest in one another, we empower our employees to reach their potential, so that they can help our clients realize theirs. This enables us to partner with clients to design and deliver improved investment outcomes.Strive for Distinctive Knowledge means that we collaboratively identify creative solutions to clients’ economic, ESG and climate- related investment challenges through our expertise in a wide range of investment disciplines, close collaboration among our investment experts and creative solutions.Speak with Courage and Conviction informs how we engage our AB colleagues and issuers. We seek to learn from other parts of our business to strengthen our own views. And we engage issuers for insight and action by sharing ideas and best practices.Act with Integrity—Always is the bedrock of our relationships and has specific meaning for our business. Unlike many other asset managers, we’re singularly focused on providing asset management and research to our clients. We don’t engage in activities that could be distracting, or create conflicts—such as investment banking, insurance writing, commercial banking or proprietary trading for our own account. We are unconflicted and fully accountable.

As of September 30, 2023, AB had $669B in assets under management, $458B of which were ESG-integrated. Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.alliancebernstein.com.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.

LINCOLN, Neb., November 30, 2023 /3BL/ – For the third consecutive year, the J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber) is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to support tree planting in communities and forests of need around the world. Additionally, the partnership will also activate the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Canopy program to distribute trees to. Huber coworkers across the U.S., giving recipients a hands-on opportunity to experience the benefits of community trees firsthand.

This year, the partnership is focusing strategic reforestation projects on restoring critical wildlife habitats in the heart of biodiverse regions of Mississippi and Brazil. In northeastern Mississippi, once coniferous forestland has been fragmented and open to erosion, displacing hundreds of native species that depend on the area. Along Brazil’s east coast, only 20 percent of the Atlantic Rain Forest’s original canopy remains, leaving many endangered species in a dire state for survival.

“Through our partnership with Huber, we are continuing to create meaningful impact in high priority areas where so much is at stake,” said Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Supporting local biodiversity is imperative in the work we do together. With forests being home to a majority of terrestrial life on land, it is truly inspiring to work with a partner who understands and is committed to supporting the ecological health and longevity of these natural networks.”

For the past 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked to plant nearly 500 million trees in forests and communities around the world. Through a global network of partnerships, the Foundation facilitates projects that empower organizations of all sizes to reach their sustainability goals via measurable, impactful work through trees and forests. The Foundation recently announced an initiative to plant 500 million trees over the next 5 years in the forests and communities that need them most.

“We’re thrilled to continue funding the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission to plant, nurture and celebrate trees,” said Lea Volpe, Vice President of Communications & Community Relations for Huber. “As a multi-generational family-owned business, our support reflects Huber’s commitment to improve today for a better tomorrow for people in communities where we live and work around the globe.”

In addition to large-scale tree planting efforts in forests, Huber will also be supporting urban tree planting events in Atlanta and Italy throughout 2024. These projects will include volunteer opportunities for Huber employees to give back to the communities where they live, work, and play. By planting a diverse blend of tree species, these projects will also enhance biodiversity and improve environmental resilience among urban landscapes, which are typically most susceptible to the increasingly severe effects of climate change.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. Together with our partners, we have helped plant more than 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. Through our members, partners and programs, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people across the globe to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

About the J.M. Huber Corporation

J.M. Huber Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (US), operates a diverse portfolio of businesses: CP Kelco, Huber Engineered Materials, Huber Engineered Woods and Huber Resources Corp. With locations around the world, our businesses create products used in a broad range of applications including personal care, food and beverage, agricultural nutrients and adjuvants, building materials, flame retardants and smoke suppressants, as well as sustainable forestry services. Founded in 1883, Huber is one of the largest private, family-owned companies based in the US. For more information, visit www.huber.com.

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SWORDS, Ireland, November 30, 2023 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, will underscore the critical need for adoption of new and existing solutions at scale, accelerated climate policy and transparent emissions reporting during COP28 in Dubai, November 30 – December 12. As the window for limiting global warming to 1.5°C continues to narrow, Trane Technologies steadfastly encourages bolder accountability in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – including Gender Equality (SDG5), Affordable Clean Energy (SDG7) and Climate Action (SDG13).

“Accelerating decarbonization requires not only innovation, but also advocating for policies that remove barriers and support adoption at scale,” said Scott Tew, vice president of Sustainability, Trane Technologies. “Companies around the world, across all sectors, must be held accountable for meeting commitments and driving urgent action now as we collectively work toward a more sustainable future.”

Trane Technologies is a proud member of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and a signatory of its COP28 open letter, calling for an increase in public-private collaboration and action to reduce emissions across global value chains. Trane Technologies leaders will join several climate action dialogues throughout COP28, including:

Raising Ambition and Leveraging Opportunity – Financing and Innovating Industry Decarbonization: Jose La Loggia, president, Commercial HVAC EMEA, Trane Technologies (Dec. 4, 5:25pm GMT, livestream available upon registering)Accelerating Climate Innovation for a More Sustainable World: Adnan Javed, general manager, Middle East & Africa, Commercial HVAC EMEA, Trane Technologies (Dec. 5, 3:20pm GMT, livestream available upon registering)Disrupting Climate Trends Through Next-Generation Leadership – Advancing Innovation, Policy and the Workforce to Meet Ambitious Goals for a More Sustainable Future: Helen Walter-Terrinoni, director of global policy, Trane Technologies (Dec. 6, 9:00am GMT, livestream available)Reducing the Emissions of Cities through Better Building Management and Clean Transport: Scott Tew, vice president of Sustainability, Trane Technologies (Dec. 6, 2:00pm GMT, livestream available)

The company recently announced it has delivered on key commitments to reduce embodied carbon in its supply chain – shipping more than one million HVAC units with low-carbon steel to homeowners and commercial customers across the U.S – in addition to providing fully electric, zero direct emission refrigeration solutions for every segment of the cold chain in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region by 2023.

“The technology exists today that can dramatically reduce emissions for both our own and our customers’ environmental footprints,” said Jose La Loggia, president, Commercial HVAC EMEA, Trane Technologies. “Innovative thermal management systems, renewable energy sources and the electrification of heating are becoming game-changing solutions for the built environment – enabling energy security while improving efficiency.”

Broadly acknowledged for its industry-leading transparency, credibility and accountability, Trane Technologies has recently received several notable recognitions for climate action. The company was one of only four to earn a grade of A in As You Sow’s 2023 Road to Zero Emissions Report, which evaluates greenhouse gas (GHG) emission disclosures, GHG target setting and GHG reductions. Trane Technologies was also one of only five North American companies recognized by InfluenceMap as a 2023 Corporate Climate Policy Engagement Leader, after meeting its criteria for positive and active climate policy engagement aligned with science-based pathways for delivering on the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Through bold, industry-leading action, Trane Technologies is advancing its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge – a pledge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons (or, one gigaton) – and its pledge to be net-zero by 2050. In 2014, the company set its first science-based 2020 Climate Commitments – accelerating innovation to achieve them two years ahead of schedule. The company is first in its industry with near and long-term emissions reduction targets externally validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

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About Trane Technologies 
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. For more on Trane Technologies, visit www.tranetechnologies.com.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our sustainability commitments and the impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

At Kimberly-Clark, our purpose is Better Care for a Better World, and we’re committed to enabling our teams to fulfill this purpose for consumers around the world. In recognition of her leadership and impact to Kimberly-Clark, Chief Growth Officer Alison Lewis has been named Consumer Goods Technology’s (CGT) 2023 CMO of the Year. This honor is bestowed upon a marketing executive who has made the greatest demonstrable impact on their organization.

In a CGT profile about her recognition, Alison discusses several transformative, award-winning initiatives her team has launched including the Kotex® She Can campaign, which champions women’s progress around the world and fights period stigmas and the barriers they cause by promoting access to education in schools and communities.

Read more about Alison’s recognition and the work we are doing to deliver on our purpose here: https://consumergoods.com/cmo-awards-2023

About Kimberly-Clark 
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what’s important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. We are proud to be recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere for the fifth year in a row. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company’s 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.

November 29, 2023 /3BL/ – Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture® announced today a request for public comment on a proposed revision to the Biodiversity Metric in the Fieldprint Platform®. The proposed Wildlife and Landscape Diversity (WILD) Index seeks to replace the Habitat Potential Index (HPI). By replacing HPI with the WILD Index, Field to Market’s Biodiversity Metric will enhance how we characterize the contribution of within-field and edge-of-field management, the landscape in which farms exist, and the critical need for more Integrated Pest Management practices to protect beneficial organisms.

If approved, the revised Biodiversity Metric will be accessed through the Fieldprint Platform’s online calculator or associated farm management software that integrates Field to Market’s sustainability metrics and algorithms. This metric is one of eight sustainability indicators included in Field to Market’s science-based, outcomes-driven, and pre-competitive measurement framework, which farmers and the value chain utilize to assess the sustainability performance of commodity crops and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Summary of Proposed Revision to the Biodiversity Metric 

The Biodiversity Metric is currently measured using the Habitat Potential Index, a custom set of algorithms with a qualitative scoring system commissioned by Field to Market in 2013 and adopted as a metric shortly after. Over the years, users expressed the need to expand and enhance the information captured by the metric. Moreover, in 2020, a pest management subgroup within the Metrics Committee was created. The Metrics Committee is an elected, multi-stakeholder governance body comprised of equal representation from Field to Market’s grower, agribusiness, brands and retail, civil society, and affiliate (public sector and academia) membership sectors. The sub-group recommended adopting a more comprehensive set of questions to capture Integrated Pest Management practices. Although the proposed WILD Index is still a qualitative proxy measure of biodiversity, we believe the data captured by the new Index will better meet member needs.

Over the last year and a half, Field to Market has explored alternative approaches to assessing biodiversity from individual farm fields without conducting on-site biodiversity inventories, which are not scalable or feasible with current technology. In consultation with the Metrics Committee and expert reviewers, we have developed a framework that more comprehensively captures the significant drivers of terrestrial biodiversity identified by scientific literature.

The WILD Index consists of the following:

Semi-Natural Cover Components:Vegetative diversity and size of implemented conservation practicesLandscape complexity and field configurationManagement practices applicable to semi-natural coverCropland Management Components:Cover cropsTillage typeCrop rotationPest managementLand use change

Field to Market recognizes that a quantitative measure of biodiversity would be superior to a proxy, qualitative Biodiversity Metric. However, no approaches that are scalable, time-efficient, acceptable by growers, and well-documented by scientific literature were found during our exploration. As the science and technology to document biodiversity progresses, Field to Market remains committed to transitioning to a quantitative metric, and we will review developments as they occur.

Process and Timeline 

As an ISEAL subscriber, any changes to Field to Market’s metric calculations undergo a multi-step review process, followed by a public comment period, before implementation in the Fieldprint Platform.

The proposed revision to replace the qualitative index within the Biodiversity Metric was approved on May 17, 2023, by Field to Market’s Metrics Committee. This proposed revision is now open for public comment through January 15, 2024. Following this public comment period, the proposed revision and synthesis of public comments received will be presented to Field to Market’s Board of Directors to seek approval to implement within the Fieldprint Platform. The tentative timeline for implementing the new metric into the Fieldprint Platform is June 2024. Additional time will be needed for Qualified Data Management Partners to transition to the latest updates.

Share your Feedback 

Download the following documents to review the proposed WILD Index:

Documentation for Biodiversity Metric Revision Supplementary Material A – Pest Management Component Questionnaire Supplementary Material B – Farming Scenario 

Please send any feedback to science@fieldtomarket.org by January 15, 2024.

As you review the proposed WILD Index documentation above, we ask that you respond to the questions that are relevant to your organization:

Does the data collection burden seem feasible for growers?Does the scientific basis for the metric meet your expectations for rigor?Do you anticipate that the output of the proposed metric will successfully communicate growers’ efforts to foster biodiversity?How does your organization use biodiversity as a key performance indicator?Is there a well-known pest management questionnaire we should adopt rather than using a custom questionnaire?Will you use the revised Biodiversity Metric?

ABOUT FIELD TO MARKET

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture® brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, feed, beverage, restaurant, and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring, and advancing the sustainability of food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. Field to Market comprises of around 200 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with members employing more than 5 million people and representing combined revenues totaling over $1.5 trillion. Learn more at https://fieldtomarket.org.

November 29, 2023 /3BL/ – As world leaders gather at COP28, the UN climate conference, nearly 1.6 million people throughout the Horn of Africa have been displaced by severe climate-induced floods. After years of drought left soils unable to absorb moisture, severe flooding has killed dozens of people and continues to wipe out entire villages, displacing 746,000 people in Somalia, more than 396,000 in Ethiopia, and more than 450,000 in Kenya.

The severity of the damage combined with budget cuts means very few have access to humanitarian assistance. In Ethiopia’s hard-hit Somali Region, for example, just 8% of people have been able to access essential support. Hunger and humanitarian needs are growing and water-borne diseases such as cholera are on the rise, up 43.5% last week in Somalia. Conditions are expected to worsen in December as more rain is forecast and may impact millions more.

“It’s a dire situation. Regions that were struggling to recover from the economic and environmental impacts of prolonged drought are now doubly burdened with flooding. These intense climate shocks are impacting millions of people, but significant budget cuts from many major donor countries leave us less able to address the crisis,” said Ria Jusufbegovic, Action Against Hunger’s Country Director for Ethiopia.

“This emergency illustrates one way that the climate crisis impacts the world’s most vulnerable people. Contaminated water can drive disease outbreaks, flash flooding kills livestock, and heavy downpours disrupt crop harvests. We are worried about growing food insecurity, malnutrition, and death if we can’t meet the urgent need for food, clean water, emergency shelters, and hygiene services.”

Ethiopia 

Ethiopia’s Somali region has borne the brunt of the crisis with more than 737,600 people affected. Flooding has submerged roads and homes, contaminated water sources and ruined health facilities, increasing risk of disease. It also has damaged thousands of acres of cropland and killed tens of thousands of livestock in a key agricultural area of the country. Although helicopters are enabling aid workers to provide emergency humanitarian relief and other basic supplies to some, the vast majority of impacted communities are in hard-to-reach areas and have no support. 

Somalia 

Hundreds of thousands of Somali families have been forced to flee their homes, and an even higher number—2 million—have been impacted by the heavy rains and flooding in Somalia alone. The crisis marks the worst flooding in Somalia’s history. In the coming months, with weather patterns exacerbated by El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole, 3.7 million acres of Somalia’s farmland are expected to be destroyed by floods and heavy rains.

Kenya 

Around 450,000 people have been displaced and disease outbreaks are increasing the risk of malnutrition as families grapple with the floods. The destruction of infrastructure and loss of livelihoods are further escalating food insecurity. The rains come at the tail end of a drought that affected more than four million Kenyans and pushed many into poverty. High waters have seriously damaged homes, businesses, health centers and water facilities.

“As the world focuses on COP28, this is a real-time example of how the climate crisis is a hunger crisis,” said Dancliff Mbura, Action Against Hunger’s Advocacy, Communications and Partnership Coordinator for Kenya, one of the organization’s representatives at COP28. “Climate-related disasters like the floods in the Horn of Africa have doubled in the last 30 years. However, it’s not too late. We can introduce climate-smart farming and water management solutions to help communities adapt to current challenges while preparing for an uncertain future. Now more than ever, we need the funds to turn talk into action.”

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

November 29, 2023 /3BL/ – Arrow Electronics and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver are collaborating on a new community of affordable homes that for the first time will feature innovative smart home technologies.

Lessons learned in this new development can inform smart home designs in appropriate locations throughout Habitat’s worldwide operations in more than seventy countries.

“Smart home technology makes life better for homeowners,” said Sean Kerins, president and CEO of Arrow Electronics. “We should not limit these benefits to the most affluent homeowners in gated communities or downtown penthouses.”

Arrow is working with its global network of customers and suppliers to provide the technology solution as part of the home’s purchase price at no additional cost to the new homeowners, and with no hidden monthly fees.

Each home will be outfitted with systems to enhance security, energy efficiency, water savings, leak detection, and coordinated by mobile phone apps.

“We are grateful for Arrow’s generosity and creativity in equipping these homes with these smart home technologies,” said Jaime Gomez, CEO of Habitat Metro Denver. “These will allow Habitat homeowners to maximize energy and resources, and keep their living costs affordable.”

Habitat Metro Denver’s newest community of affordable homes – Mountain View Community Homes – includes 20 homes and is located in the city of Aurora east of downtown Denver. The homes will feature up to four bedrooms and 2.5 baths per family. Habitat anticipates that homeowners will begin to move into the new community in early 2025.

Habitat Metro Denver is leasing the land from Mountain View United Church in an agreement that will keep property taxes low for the new homeowners.

At a kickoff event, two dozen Arrow volunteers joined Kerins. Together they laid support beams for the first of the ten duplexes and completed preliminary construction tasks to help prepare the entire site. Volunteer teams will work on the Mountain View homes regularly during their development and help the new homeowners learn to operate their smart home systems.

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About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics guides innovation forward for over 220,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers. With 2022 sales of $37.1 billion, Arrow develops technology solutions that improve business and daily life. Learn more at arrow.com.

About Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver 

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that seeks to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership, founded on the belief that everyone needs a decent place to live. Families partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build or repair their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage or reduced cost for repairs. Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver has served more than 2,000 local families throughout its 44-year history in Denver. To learn more, visit HabitatMetroDenver.org.