Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Essity.com

Prevention for preparedness in hygiene and health

An important starting point for reducing the spread of infections is behavior change, both on the individual level and as a wider society. Good hygiene practices form the foundation for efficient prevention – allowing better well-being and health by preventing diseases from spreading through physical barriers and cleanliness.

As discussed in the previous Hygiene and Health Report, an overuse and misuse of antimicrobials along with a lack of access to basic hygiene services have led to the emergence of AMR, a significant threat to public health as it risks making previously curable illnesses life-threatening.1 At the same time, preventive measures such as hand hygiene, environmental cleaning and innovative solutions – weather in a health care setting or at home – needs more emphasis in fighting AMR.

The human cost of AMR is staggering. It is calculated that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050.39 The cost of AMR to the economy is also significant. In addition to death and disability, prolonged illness results in longer hospital stays, the need for more expensive medications, and financial challenges for those impacted.

Building a lasting culture of hygiene practices 

On the individual level, there is work to be done to ensure that good hygiene practices are followed both in society at large and within healthcare systems. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of practices like good hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing etiquette to prevent disease spread. While the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that it is possible for populations to temporarily adopt good hygiene practices, it must be recognized that lasting behavioral changes take time. It is also vital that hand hygiene fatigue, with rigorous hand hygiene routines seen as unnecessary and ignored, must not become the norm. To do this, a holistic strategy is required that incorporates education, follow up, feedback, communication, and infrastructure improvements.

First, the necessary pre-requisite of access to hygiene services, materials and infrastructure must be met. During the pandemic, the use and production of hand sanitizer skyrocketed. It is equally important to secure access to basic hygiene products such as soap, clean water, and hygiene products, especially in places where they are most urgently needed, according to Michele Cecchini, responsible for the OECD program work on Public Health.

Education and hand hygiene training must also be made available to society at large. These efforts need to be advanced in all countries globally – many adults have not received any new information about hand hygiene since early childhood, according to Michele Cecchini. Since new habits take time to form, they must also be reinforced using supportive messaging and information, and training must be repeated. Feedback is also an important aspect of reinforcing new hand hygiene habits but is often a difficult component to implement. Repeated training, however, offers a good opportunity for this. Here, innovations that make hand hygiene training more interactive combine easy access to training with realtime feedback to help establish good practices.

There is a need for continuous engagement to ensure good hand hygiene practices become lasting. Such a behavioral change is not easy to implement but would have wide-ranging positive impacts on society’s well-being.

Download the Essity 2023-2024 Hygiene and Health Report to learn more

Learn more about Essity here

Protecting, conserving and sustaining a farm isn’t just a job, it’s a devotion. Few people are more motivated to solve the climate change crisis than those who grow our food. We asked farmers like Silvia Caprara why it’s important to include them in climate discussions. We celebrate Silvia Caprara and all the young farmers and agvocates who are heading to COP28 to make their voices heard.

Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2020, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 41.4 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 4.9 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

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Ultrasound scanning helps doctors diagnose an array of conditions. But many doctors and their patients lack access to traditional ultrasound systems, which are expensive and large. For remote locations like the small city of Fernie in Canada, patients often have to travel long distances in dangerous conditions for a diagnostic ultrasound.  

Now, AMD technology is putting diagnostic power into the hands of healthcare professionals in more settings. AMD Zynq™ UltraScale+™ technology is helping Clarius Mobile Health bring high-resolution, hospital-quality ultrasound imaging to remote locations and small clinics by providing a platform where software, automation and AI can be combined.

Similarly, the ultrasound company eZono AG, which focuses on point-of-care uses of ultrasound for everyday clinical practices, uses AMD technology in its eZono 4000 portable ultrasound device. The AMD Embedded G-Series Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) provides the optimal balance of processing performance, 3-D acceleration and power efficiency.

For more information, please visit: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/digital-impact.html  

Originally published in AMD 2022-23 Corporate Responsibility Report 

In today’s world, wireless communication has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, enhancing every facet of our existence, from work to leisure. Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial that we guide the trajectory of wireless advancements toward sustainable technologies. By doing so, we can ensure that future wireless innovations not only meet our societal needs and fuel economic growth, but also minimize their environmental footprint.

Key 5G enabling technologies

The emergence of 5G in recent years has made significant strides toward creating a more sustainable world, contributing to our ongoing efforts in various ways. 5G brought several enabling technologies:

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), powered by 5G mmWave, expands broadband access to underserved communities, delivering internet and essential services to more people. It plays an essential role in closing the digital divide to improve social and economic equality.5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) complements terrestrial cellular networks, providing wireless connectivity to remote areas that lack traditional infrastructure (e.g., in far rural areas). Having access helps to bring new healthcare, education and economic opportunities into these areas.5G Internet of Things (IoT) powers ubiquitous connectivity for a wide range of devices and services, from smart cities and homes to industrial automation and precision agriculture. This can improve efficiency, reduce waste and save energy.

The potential to mitigate additional emissions

Looking at environmental sustainability, the information and communications technology (ICT) industry directly contributes about 2% of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 1 However, these technologies, including 5G, also help to enable a significant GHG reduction of about 15% in adjacent industries that utilize them, which more than offsets the GHG they emitted. This results in a net positive impact on the environment.

Advanced innovations in 5G, IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to further mitigate GHG emissions as they become available and widely adopted.

5G Advanced: Shifting attention to network energy savings

The economics of mobile operators reveal that about 23% of operational expenses (OPEX) are spent on energy to operate the networks,2 with the radio access network (RAN) accounting for a staggering 73% of the energy consumption.3 As 5G deployments proliferate further, coupled with the rapid growth in number of devices and data usage, energy-efficient innovations in the RAN have become increasingly important for not only OPEX savings but also for environmental sustainability.

With that in mind, the focus of 5G Advanced is turning to specifying energy-saving features for the device, network and exploring end-to-end energy-saving opportunities that also benefit the devices.

Further reducing device energy consumption

In 5G Advanced, Releases 18 and 19 build on the 5G device energy savings foundation, which supports features like the wakeup signal (WUS). Below are a few innovations coming:

Low-power wake-up signal and receiver for 5G can enable an even more efficient way to wakeup devices in power-saving mode. This new design enables a power optimized receiver to monitor low-power wake-up signal from the network and only wake up the main radio when data is available at the device, avoiding significant power consumption from keeping the main radio on monitoring control signals from the network.Enhanced reduced capability (RedCap) devices can expand into new use cases (e.g., industrial sensors) with even lower device complexity, energy consumption and data rate support.Ambient IoT further scales down 5G IoT complexities beyond those offered by RedCap and narrow band IoT. It can enable new use cases that benefit from very low power and complexity devices that harvest energy from RF waves, solar, light, etc. Ambient IoT devices are batteryless and therefore, low maintenance (e.g., no battery replacement in asset trackers) with no energy storage at all or minimal energy storage (e.g., capacitor). Also, to reduce the complexity and power consumption, this device may not include signal generation or amplification.

Extending energy savings techniques to the network

5G Advanced also focuses on novel ways to improve energy efficiency in 5G networks, building on the learning and techniques from previous releases. One way to reduce network energy consumption is to dynamically adjust the network’s operation based on feedback from the device. For instance, shutting down parts on the network when idle, transmitting less power depending on overall traffic load, or using more efficient antennas.

The scope of Release 18 not only includes a study item for network energy savings but also work items that incorporate specific energy-efficient techniques.

5G Advanced Release 19 introduces energy efficiency as a service. This new approach enables users and verticals to select energy efficiency criteria and other network performance parameters according to their needs. Unlike existing methods that primarily focus on energy efficiency within the 5G network, this new approach incorporates input from service applications and users to provide finer control over energy consumption and optimize network resource usage.

What’s next?

At Qualcomm Technologies, we are fully committed to bringing 5G Advanced to life through cutting-edge research and collaborations. Our focus on air interface innovations, such as our groundbreaking super quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) technology, enhances network performance and energy efficiency. We showcased this technology at Mobile World Congress 2023, demonstrating our dedication to wireless innovation. Looking ahead to 6G, we prioritize green networks and sustainability, leading in end-to-end system research and actively participating in global initiatives like NextG Alliance and Hexa-X II. Our 6G vision is to shape a technologically advanced and environmentally friendly future.

References

1: BCG. How Tech and Telecom Can Create a Triple Win in Green. Retrieved on Oct 30, 2023 from: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/role-of-ict-in-sustainable-development-triple-green-win.

2: GSMA. 5G energy efficiencies: Green is the new black. Retrieved on Oct 30, 2023 from: https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/api-web/v2/research-file-download?id=54165956&file=241120-5G-energy.pdf.

3: MAVENIR. A Holistic Study of Power Consumption and Energy Savings Strategies for Open vRAN Systems. Retrieved on Oct 30, 2023 from: https://networkbuilders.intel.com/docs/networkbuilders/a-holistic-study-of-power-consumption-and-energy-savings-strategies-for-open-vran-systems-1676628842.pdf.

Idaho Falls, Idaho , November 27, 2023 /3BL/ — The Salvation Army of Idaho Falls has received a grant of $20,000 from KeyBank in support of the 2023 Love Beyond Christmas- the Idaho Falls Kettle Kick-Off. The funds will help jumpstart the annual campaign which takes place during the holiday season. The iconic red kettles will be at a variety of locations throughout the Idaho Falls area with the iconic bell ringing requesting support from the community.

The Salvation Army red kettle campaign began in 1891 and is a staple for many during the holidays. Funds raised benefit many programs of support from Veterans services, senior centers, food banks and more. Volunteers staff the kettles throughout the weeks leading up to the holiday across the country making meaningful and lasting impact.

“At KeyBank, our mission is to help our community thrive, and we know that the important work of the Salvation Army is doing just that,” says Idaho Market President, Scott Schlange. “We are excited to support the campaign in Idaho Falls and look forward to continuing to grow our partnership.”

“The Salvation Army is honored to have KeyBank and the many other sponsors who make it possible for us to love beyond Christmas. Lives are changed, not simply by the box of food, or help with rent or utilities, or the Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas toys, but the love behind it,” said Captain Steve Staneart. “The Salvation Army, at it’s best fans into flame the spark of the Divine found in each person, whether the giver, or the recipient of a gift.”

About Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its ministry is based on the Bible, its service is motivated by the love of God, its mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to meet needs in His name without discrimination.”

About KeyBank

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at September 30, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

GENEVA, Switzerland, November 27, 2023 /3BL/– Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA and HKEX: 9988 (HKD Counter) and 89988 (RMB Counter), “Alibaba” or “Alibaba Group”) has joined a group of over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable businesses as the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

The initial focus of the collaboration between WBCSD and Alibaba will be on Climate Action, particularly in finding innovative ways to leverage Alibaba’s platforms for broad decarbonization and work with WBCSD members on the Avoided Emissions framework and methodologies. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Alibaba Group to WBCSD. Their commitment to advancing sustainability and decarbonization aligns with our vision for a better world where 9 billion people live well, within planetary boundaries. Alibaba’s position as the largest e-commerce and digital technology company from Asia to join WBCSD will bring valuable platforms and technological capabilities to our collaborative efforts,” said Peter Bakker, President and CEO of WBCSD.

“Alibaba is committed to responsible corporate practices and environmental stewardship,” said Toby Xu, Chief Financial Officer of Alibaba Group and Chair of the Group’s Sustainability Steering Committee. “We strive to work with our partners across industries to create enduring, wide-ranging, and impactful value for our stakeholders. We are excited to collaborate with WBCSD on advancing our climate actions, along with other initiatives, that contribute to a net-zero and sustainable future.”

Alibaba Group, a diverse ecosystem with over a billion users and millions of small businesses, is powered by a global workforce from over 60 countries and regions. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a cornerstone strategy for Alibaba, with a vision to not only achieve its own sustainability goals but also empower consumers, merchants, and partners to create positive social and environmental impacts through its platform.

Alibaba has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030 and introduced a Scope 3+ target. The concept of ‘Scope 3+’ is based on the potential of leveraging its digital technology and platforms to enable and engage a wider group of stakeholders to promote low-carbon products, services and behaviors. In the fiscal year that ended March 2023, Alibaba accomplished Scope 3+ emission reductions of 22.907 million MtCO2e.

ENDS

Please refer to the Alibaba Group 2023 ESG Report for more details about Alibaba’s ESG targets and progress.

Media Contacts

Morgan Lin 
PR Manager, Alibaba Group 
morgan.lin@alibaba-inc.com

Kiranne Guddoy 
Communications Manager, WBCSD 
guddoy@wbcsd.org

About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a premier global, CEO-led community of over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable businesses. Our mission is to accelerate the required transformation of businesses, their value chains, and the systems in which they operate, to limit the impact of the climate crisis, restore nature and tackle inequality.

Together with our members, we tackle the pressing sustainability challenges of the climate emergency, the loss of nature, and mounting inequality. We offer solutions to accelerate value chain transformation across essential sectors of business activity, including food & agriculture, products & materials, energy, transport & mobility, and built environment. We are also collectively reshaping financial systems to reward sustainable decision-making through a lower cost of capital and helping businesses succeed.

We empower our community of business leaders to raise ambition for a better world, deliver action at speed and scale in their operations and value chains, and sharpen the accountability of their performance. Our members are driving progress within their businesses through the exchange of best practices, education, standards and protocols, and tools and technology.

Our member companies come from all business sectors and all major economies, representing a combined revenue of more than USD $8.5 trillion and 19 million employees. Our global network of almost 70 national business councils gives our members unparalleled reach across the globe.

Together, we are the leading voice of business for sustainability, united by our vision of a world in which 9+ billion people can live well, within planetary boundaries, by mid-century.

www.wbcsd.org

About Alibaba Group

Alibaba Group’s mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere. The company aims to build the future infrastructure of commerce. It envisions that its customers will meet, work and live at Alibaba, and that it will be a good company that lasts for 102 years.

www.alibabagroup.com

Funding will support organizations, initiatives committed to honoring Florida veterans and connecting them to unique services and programs

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., November 27, 2023 /3BL/ – Duke Energy and its Foundation are contributing more than $56,000 to five organizations in Florida that are working to provide career pathways, housing repairs and other unique services for veterans and their loved ones. Since last year, Duke Energy has invested more than $290,000 in support for veterans.

“At Duke Energy, we have a long history of providing career opportunities to our military, including transitioning military service members, veterans and military spouses,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We’re proud to give back to this community and support the organizations across Florida that are delivering the care, opportunities and services to those who’ve answered the call to serve.”

Evergreen Life Services, an organization serving people with developmental disabilities and veteran with disabilities, will receive funding for its nonprofit program, HEAVENDROPT. Funds will be used to pay competitive wages to people with disabilities who handmake products made in the U.S. out of recycled military parachutes.

“Evergreen Life Services is grateful to Duke Energy for supporting our HEAVENDROPt program,” said Dr. Sue Buchholtz, CEO, Evergreen Life Services. “This is a prime example of Duke Energy’s strong commitment to our veterans and toward promoting community inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are so proud of this collaboration. Together, we are truly making a difference.”

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay also received funds to support major repairs of two veteran homes in St. Petersburg. Repairs at Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay are offered at no cost to the homeowner. Programs address the most urgent needs impacting the well-being of homeowners, their families and our neighborhoods.

“Our collaboration with Duke Energy embodies the spirit of unity, service, and community, reminding us that together, we can transform lives and build a brighter future,” said Jose Garcia, executive director of Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay. “Today, we honor the service and sacrifices made by our brave military personnel. It’s a fitting moment to emphasize our shared commitment to ensuring every veteran has a safe and comfortable place to call home.”

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Camaraderie Foundation – $500 to support the annual Ruck Sack Race to benefit the Camaraderie Foundation, which provides counseling, transition assistance and family support services to active military, veterans and their families. Evergreen Life Services – $25,000 to its HEAVENDROPt program to help pay competitive wages to people with disabilities who handmake products made in the U.S. out of recycled military parachutes. Heart Strings for Heroes – $1,000 to provide free guitars and in some cases lessons to assist in the ongoing, mental and physical healing of wounded veterans. Home of the Phantom Airborne Brigade – $250 to support an upcoming jump event where active duty, retired and/or veteran paratroopers can openly discuss Airborne experiences and continue jumping in the manner they were used to while serving. Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay – $30,000 to support major repairs of two veteran homes in St. Petersburg at no cost to the homeowner.

In addition to the recent contributions, the company has an employee veteran resource group, Together We Stand (TWS), which mentors new hires, helps veterans adjust to Duke Energy’s culture and eases the transition to civilian life.

Throughout the year, the Florida TWS chapter actively participates in numerous local events to support initiatives focused on backing veterans in Florida. Earlier this month, Duke Energy employees honored veterans and families by installing 600 tribute flags at Seminole City Hall.

Click here to learn more about the ways Duke Energy supports service members and veterans.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy Foundation

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

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Audrey Stasko 
Media line: 800.559.3853 
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

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Shaw’s Supermarkets and Star Market have had a strong partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) since 2015. Albertsons Companies associates recently stopped by BCH to celebrate a year of giving and present the team with $1.5 million.  Funds donated were raised through the Give a Smile campaign, grants from the Foundation and in-kind gifts. 

On hand to celebrate were Robert Backus, Shaw’s Division President, Ken Rinaldi, Vice President of Retail Operations, Eric Myers, VP Marketing and Merchandising, Hannah Graham, VP, Human Resources, Jim O’Leary, Senior Director of Sales Support, and Teresa Edington, External Communications & Community Relations Manager.

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

Kaley Roshitsh, Sustainable Apparel Coalition editorial director, attended Uniqlo’s sustainability roundtable at its New York City research and design office. The event centered around the “LifeWear – A New Industry” theme and detailed how the SAC member is approaching product design and manufacturing, consumer-facing recycling and repair initiatives, as well as supply chain overhaul for sustainability and traceability.

Presenters included Kazumi Yanai, senior executive officer, Fast Retailing; Maria Dziedzic, managing director Uniqlo global innovation center; Yukihiro Nitta, group executive officer, responsible for sustainability; and Seneiya Navajas, senior manager of sustainability Fast Retailing. Michael Sadowski, executive director of The Circulate Initiative, moderated the conversation.

Circular design is a repeat topic at fashion events. “Good design can create more durable, sustainable clothing,” said Dziedzic. The Uniqlo veteran showcased her Uniqlo +J collaboration pieces (a coveted line with designer Jil Sander from 2009) as a testament to product durability.

Recycled fabrics are another point of product reform. After charting its path with recycled polyester and down, the brand will soon expand into recycled cashmere, cotton, and wool.

The company also looks to transform its business model, one repair store at a time. Navajas spoke to the joy in recycled, pre-owned, and remade clothing at Uniqlo. In contrast to Dziedzic’s minimalist wardrobe, she sported a kimono with fruity appliqués as a demonstration of the repair shop’s capabilities. By 2024, the brand hopes to implement 50 ReUniqlo studios. Already, 16 stores exist globally. The newest trial was a Uniqlo pre-owned popup in Harajuku district in Japan last month.

Emissions reduction is another avenue of influence in apparel. Last year, Uniqlo achieved a 45.7 percent reduction across Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The brand’s target is a 90 percent GHG reduction by 2030. As for Scope 3, Uniqlo is on plan to achieve a 20 percent reduction pathway by 2030. Fast Retailing’s Yanai said the group discusses reduction plans every three months with long-term suppliers. Investments like switching from coal to gas and installing LED lighting and solar panels were focus points.

In the question-and-answer portion, the attending media pushed for more info about worker livelihood and living wages. The brand is part of the Fair Labor Association and Global Living Wage Coalition. Nitta clarified some living wage milestones are already being met at facilities in China, with progress still underway for countries such as Indonesia and Bangladesh.

In all, Uniqlo’s commitment to its suppliers can be summarized in the mission statement to “grow together,” in the words of Nitta. “Sustainable growth is a good thing for our suppliers,” he reiterated. “Since we are growing together in a sustainable way, we can provide the order volumes for mid- to long-term business plans.”

Jingdong Hua, vice-chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and Paul Druckman, chairman of the World Benchmarking Alliance, sit down with Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds to share how standards and benchmarks bring credibility to ESG reporting as well as their insights heading into COP28.

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