Tag: 3BL

Defense personnel are often unsung heroes—potentially putting their lives on the line to serve their communities. Giving back to those who choose to serve, or are transitioning out of the armed forces, is clearly the right thing to do. We’re proud that Cisco Networking Academy partners with organizations around the world looking after the unique needs of current and former military service people.

Training-up down under

Soldier On is a not-for-profit organization delivering support services that enable current and former Australian Defence Force personnel—and their families—to lead meaningful civilian lives. It does this by providing psychology support services, employment support, education programs, and community-building activities.

Amy Cooper, CEO of Soldier On, is particularly aware of those needs—her father-in-law and partner are respectively former and current Australian Defence Forces personnel. Amy also sits on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide reference committee, which gives her an even greater insight into the challenges facing current and former veterans and their families.

In Australia, a Royal Commission is a public hearing, independent of government, with broad powers to summon witnesses or seize documents and receive public submissions. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established in 2021 to inquire into systemic issues and risk factors relevant to veteran deaths by suicide, or other lived experience of suicide risk factors, and to provide a systemic analysis of the contributing factors. To date, the Commission has received more than 4,000 submissions.

Unique challenges

“One of the interesting pieces that have come out of the Royal Commission is the fact that around 80 percent of the veterans go on to have really successful civilian lives,” says Amy. “Unfortunately, 20 percent face really significant challenges.”

She says this is significant because an increasing number of service people are transitioning out of the armed forces. “Those numbers have traditionally tracked around the 5,000 mark,” she says. “This year it’s anticipated it will be closer to 7,000 people making that transition, and that number has risen over the last three years.”

“We’re also seeing trends with younger veterans discharging, so from an increased number from 25-year-olds right up to mid-30s, which changes the nature of the support that might be required for transitioning veterans.”

Soldier On is supporting around 11,000 service people, veterans, and their families this year, with programs designed to aid with health and wellbeing, employment support, and education, as well as helping make connections within the community.

Values-driven

“What attracts people to serve their nation is often very values-driven,” says Amy. “It’s about being able to serve and support the community and often they’re looking for roles that have that same altruistic service or are an intrinsic value to them.”

“Cisco Networking Academy is a strong part of our mission, particularly for our veterans and family members to thrive,” she says. “It is really focused on that positive aspect of being able to offer practical support through a range of education opportunities that the partnership provides… the courses have been a great opportunity to get many of our participants into the IT industry.”

“The very nature of the program, being very skills directed, provides good options for participants as they balance serving, or starting to think about that transition time, which is often a very busy time with relocating,” says Amy. “I think that’s a tremendous investment in veterans and their families.”

Helping veterans around the world

Soldier On is not alone in its mission to help veterans transition into new careers. In the UK, TechVets is another Cisco Networking Academy partner that helps more than 20 people per month to start new careers in IT. TechVets was founded to address a fast-growing skills gap with the rise of tech, and a national issue with unemployment and underemployment within the British Military Forces community.

And in the US, Cisco—which has consistently been recognized as a Top 10 Military Friendly Employer—has a range of veteran programs to assist veterans transitions into meaningful IT careers, including Onward to Opportunity, a program run by Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) to help service members, veterans, and spouses on their journey to meaningful employment after military service.

IVMF is also a Cisco Networking Academy partner, dedicated to serving military personnel and part of CyberVetsUSA, a fully-sponsored “veterans-first” workforce development initiative, do amazing work helping veterans transition into in-demand tech jobs.

Cisco also runs CX Apprenticeship Programs in the US and India to develop networking skills for non-traditional candidates leading to the opportunity to interview for the highly technical, customer-facing role of a Technical Consulting Engineer in Cisco’s Customer Experience organization. Around a third of the current cohort are veterans.

Cisco Networking Academy success stories

In France, Arnaud found he wasn’t academically-inclined and joined the Army, where he realized that his colleagues’ lives depended on reliable communications. After serving his country, Arnaud knew his future was in IT, and after undertaking Cisco Networking Academy training now works for a French ISP as a Network Engineer.

Vanessa was in the Brazilian Army while doing postgraduate studies in Computer Networks. Unfortunately, that knowledge wasn’t required for her job. After leaving the Army she became interested in cybersecurity, eventually taking the CyberOps Associate course with Cisco Networking Academy and landing a job as a cybersecurity analyst.

Michael joined the fire service to contribute to his community, but was called up twice to serve in Iraq. An injury ultimately ended his firefighting career, leading him to pursue a career in cybersecurity incident response. Through Cisco Networking Academy training, Michael has found a new passion in the field, driven by his commitment to service and continuous learning.

Transition to tech with

Cisco Networking Academy

View original content here.

WATERBURY, Conn., November 15, 2023 /3BL/ -The Carton Council and Kelly Green Products announced today that the Kelly Green Products manufacturing facility in Connecticut is now fully operational, recycling food and beverage cartons 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The plant transforms cartons into durable, sustainable building materials, expanding the domestic market for recycled cartons.

Kelly Green Products manufactures Kelly Green Board, a sustainable, high-performance roof and wall cover board made primarily from recycled aseptic and gable top cartons. Using a zero-waste process with a minimal carbon footprint, Kelly Green Board uses every part of the carton, including caps and straws, and is made without water, formaldehyde glues or hazardous chemicals.

“I am incredibly proud of the work that has gone into making this facility a reality,” said Tom Kelly, president of Kelly Green Products. “Made mainly of paper with thin layers of aluminum and polyethylene, cartons provide the ideal combination of materials to create strong, hail- and moisture-resistant building supplies. Each truckload of Kelly Green Board diverts approximately 30,000 pounds of cartons from landfills, allowing them to live on as roofing or wallboard for years to come.”

The Carton Council provided Kelly Green Products with an infrastructure grant to help establish this new domestic end market for food and beverage cartons.

“Celebrating America Recycles Day by announcing the newest U.S. carton recycling end market becoming fully operational is an exciting milestone for carton recycling,” said Jason Pelz, vice president of recycling projects for the Carton Council. “Providing infrastructure grants to further end market development is a critical part of the Catron Council’s work to increasing food and beverage carton recycling across the country.”

Who Can Benefit?
Kelly Green Products is actively sourcing bales of Grade #52 cartons from materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in the New England and Mid-Atlantic region and is exploring parts of eastern Canada.

This provides another domestic end market for cartons when sorted by themselves into Grade #52 bales, which can benefit all MRFs and communities:

• If your MRF/community already accepts cartons into the recycling stream but does not sort them into Grade #52 bales, Kelly Green Board creates an opportunity for MRFs to maximize the value of those cartons and utilize a new source of revenue.
• If your MRF/community does not already accept cartons as part of the recycling stream, this provides an opportunity to start, therefore taking another package out of landfills and contributing to the circular economy.

“We are encouraged by the developments at Kelly Green Products,” said Jimmy Lawler, vice president of commodities, Balcones Recycling. “The more options we have for our bales of food and beverage cartons, the better. This regional end market is great motivation – for us and for other MRFs here in the Northeast – to increase the number of cartons we capture and sort.”

The Carton Council can help community recycling programs and MRFs leverage this end market, whether they already accept food and beverage cartons but don’t sort them; already accept and sort cartons; or don’t yet accept cartons. This includes sharing expertise and best practices on sorting cartons, providing equipment grants to MRFs to facilitate sorting, offering resources for educating residents that cartons should be recycled, and assistance to start or enhance school recycling programs to maximize the number of cartons collected within a community. To learn more, visit RecycleCartons.com.

###

About Kelly Green Products
Kelly Green Products makes building materials from 100% recycled food and beverage cartons. Using a zero-waste and zero-water-process with a miniature carbon footprint. Food cartons and plastic bags are heat-pressed into construction boards replacing plywood, OSB, and Gypsum Boards. No formaldehyde glues, water or hazardous chemicals are used, which differs vastly from the traditional manufacturing methods of the construction board materials we replace. Kelly Green Products utilizes all of the carton, turning them into durable, moisture-and-mold resistant composite panels that create roofing coverboard and wall board.

About the Carton Council
The Carton Council is composed of four leading carton manufacturers, Elopak, Pactiv Evergreen, SIG, and Tetra Pak. Formed in 2009, the Carton Council works to deliver long-term collaborative solutions to divert valuable cartons from the landfill. Through a united effort, the Carton Council is committed to building a sustainable infrastructure for carton recycling nationwide and works toward their continual goal of adding access to carton recycling throughout the U.S.

About Food and Beverage Cartons
Food and beverage cartons are fiber-based packages that contain some of the highest quality fiber available in the recycling steam. There are two types of cartons: aseptic and gable top. Aseptic cartons are shelf-stable and are often used to store products like broth, soups, juices or milk for long periods without the need for preservatives or refrigeration. Gable top cartons require refrigeration and are often considered the traditional milk carton.

November 15, 2023 /3BL/ – Due to a drop in coal generation, the U.S. power sector saw a marginal reduction of less than 1% in carbon emissions in 2022, according to the latest analysis of air emissions for the country’s top 100 power producers. The report shows that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2022 are down 34% below their peak levels in 2007.

Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States, now in its 19th edition, examines and compares the air pollutant emissions based on 2021 power generation, plant ownership, and emissions data. These 100 producers own more than 3,800 power plants and account for approximately 80% of the sector’s electric generation and reported air emissions.

With major technological improvements across the electric power sector and new investment spurred by the historic Inflation Reduction Act—including $350 billion for clean energy projects—the time is ripe for utilities to achieve a cleaner, more efficient, and equitable energy future.

“Despite the increased emissions in the previous year, the power sector continues to make progress and the Inflation Reduction Act enables even greater progress to achieve larger emissions reductions across the sector and meet our 2030 goals,” said Dan Bakal, senior program director of climate and energy at Ceres. “While it is important to acknowledge these unprecedented incentives, the power sector must actively accelerate clean energy investments to achieve net zero targets. Although many major power producers have made climate commitments and implemented strategies to reduce carbon emissions, the urgency of rapid decarbonization necessitates even greater ambition.”

After a post-pandemic rebound in emissions in 2021, last year the U.S. electric system resumed its long-term trend of decreasing emissions because of growth in zero-emitting generation and coal’s decline. However, natural gas was responsible for more generation in 2022 than any preceding year and fossil sources continue to be responsible for nearly 60% of electricity generation. Overall, energy production from zero-carbon power sources held steady at 40%.

The report shows that the power sector is not on track to cut carbon emissions enough to achieve national and international climate goals.

The report examines data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding four power plant pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury, and CO2. For the electric sector overall, in 2022, power plant SO2 and NOx emissions were 94% and 87% lower, respectively, than in 1990 when Congress passed major amendments to the Clean Air Act.

“Because of commonsense standards first put in place decades ago, the power sector has made historic progress in cleaning up the pollution that causes soot, smog and acid rain,” said Amanda Levin, the director of policy analysis at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Now we need similar standards for carbon dioxide, so that the electric power industry can stop fueling the climate crisis.”

“The Inflation Reduction Act – arguably the most consequential energy legislation in U.S. history – unleashed billions of dollars in clean energy investments, and now, the electric industry must move rapidly and decisively to translate that support into critical climate impact,” said Katie Ott, vice president, Sustainability and Climate Strategy, Constellation, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy. “At Constellation, we’re working to extend the life of our reliable zero-emissions nuclear plants, increase the capacity of our clean energy fleet and play a leading role in jumpstarting the clean hydrogen economy while offering solutions to help our customers reduce emissions and meet environmental goals.”

Additional Findings:

Despite the changes between 2021 and 2022, the current generation mix still represents a significant shift from a decade ago. In 2012, coal accounted for 37% of power production, while natural gas generated only 30%. In 2022, coal accounted for 19%, while natural gas has risen to 39%.Ninety of the top 100 power producers generated power from zero-carbon resources in 2021, which accounted for more than 85% of the national total generated from resources including nuclear, hydro, and renewables.In 2022, power plant SO2 and NOx emissions were 8% and 3% lower, respectively, than they were in 2021.Mercury air emissions from power plants continue to decrease—93% since 2000. The first-ever federal limits on mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from coal-fired power plants went into effect in 2015.

The benchmarking analysis is a collaborative effort between Ceres, Constellation Energy and NRDC. It is authored by ERM.

This work is part of Ceres’ commitment to decarbonizing the six highest-emitting sectors of the U.S. economy—including the electric power sector—through its Ambition 2030 initiative.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit www.ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

About Constellation

A Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG) is the nation’s largest producer of clean, carbon-free energy and a leading supplier of energy products and services to businesses, homes, community aggregations and public sector customers across the continental United States, including three fourths of Fortune 100 companies. With annual output that is nearly 90% carbon-free, our hydro, wind and solar facilities paired with the nation’s largest nuclear fleet have the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 16 million homes, providing about 10% of the nation’s clean energy. We are further accelerating the nation’s transition to a carbon-free future by helping our customers reach their sustainability goals, setting our own ambitious goal of achieving 100% carbon-free generation by 2040, and by investing in promising emerging technologies to eliminate carbon emissions across all sectors of the economy. Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About ERM

ERM is the business of sustainability. As the largest global pure-play sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunities for future generations. ERM’s diverse team of 7,000+ world-class experts in over 170 offices across 39 countries supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability. Through ERM’s deep technical expertise, clients are well-positioned to address their environmental, health, safety, risk, and social issues. ERM calls this capability its “boots to boardroom” approach – a comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

About NRDC

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing, and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.

Media Contact: Reginald Zimmerman, rzimmerman@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 136

DUBLIN, November 14, 2023 /3BL/ – More than half (51%) of U.S. adults are optimistic new applications of artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to major advancements and breakthroughs in healthcare in the year ahead, according to a new survey from Medtronic, a global healthcare technology leader, and Morning Consult.

Some of the highest levels of optimism for AI in healthcare are around diagnoses and improving healthcare access. In fact, roughly six in ten adults (61%) agree one of the main benefits of using AI in healthcare is to diagnose and detect health conditions. Further, approximately two-thirds (65%) of adults agree technology can help break down barriers to healthcare with more than half (56%) saying AI (specifically) can be beneficial in improving healthcare access.

“Disruptive technologies like AI alter the trajectories of our daily lives, changing how we shop, how we communicate, and how we receive healthcare,” shares Ken Washington, chief technology and innovation officer at Medtronic. “While skepticism is natural, the survey found strong optimism around the potential of AI in healthcare.  And the reality is, the way we engage with AI will likely look radically different five to 10 years from now. That said, there is one thing I’m certain of — the responsible, ethical use of AI has the power to radically improve healthcare for both patients and doctors.”

Addressing perceived barriers to AI adoption is key to increasing consumer confidence
While more than half of Americans are optimistic about AI, there are still barriers to overcome. Among survey respondents who are skeptical about the technology, they report having more proof around AI’s potential could help them be more confident in the technology.

83% of consumers view the potential for AI to make mistakes as one of the largest barriers.80% say lack of basic understanding and evidence that AI improves health outcomes are risks to using AI.However, nearly half (47%) say they would feel more confident if these barriers were addressed.

Americans want to know their doctor is calling the shots – not AI
Consumers have a favorable opinion of using AI to manage their health – but report they aren’t ready for their physician to use it extensively, with the survey showing that:

62% of adults have a favorable opinion of symptom trackers and health related apps that depend on AI technology.Despite this, only roughly one-third (36%) say they would prefer to work with a physician who uses AI, and only one-in-five (20%) would want their doctor to use AI extensively.However, when presented with specific ways a physician might use AI, Americans are more open. Two-thirds (67%) say they’d be likely to work with a physician who uses AI to analyze tests, x-rays and CT scans. More than half say the same for detecting cancer (62%).Health status also might influence their openness, with more than half (53%) of adults who consider themselves to be in excellent health preferring to work with a doctor using AI, compared to just 29% who rate their health as fair.

“Here’s the bottom line — AI can’t be a substitute for human judgement and experience. To this end, I cannot imagine a future where AI will replace doctors. But I can envision a future where AI is ubiquitous in healthcare, creating better experiences and outcomes that patients will prefer,” adds Washington.

Medtronic has been pioneering the research and development of AI-based technology for more insights-driven care, from diagnosis to treatment to monitoring. Here are few examples of AI in action at Medtronic today.

Washington will be sharing more of his perspective on AI in healthcare and these survey findings during this week’s Techonomy23 conference taking place in Orlando, FL.

For more information on Medtronic’s commitment to advancing healthcare through technology and examples of the impact of their AI-based solutions, visit Medtronic.com.  

About the Consumer Perceptions of AI Survey
The survey was conducted by decision intelligence company Morning Consult among a nationally representative sample of 2,213 adults in the U.S. from September 27-30, 2023, with an unweighted margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic’s periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts:   Erika WinkelsRyan WeispfenningPublic RelationsInvestor Relations+1-763-526-8472+1-736-505-4626

Mastercard Strive Community

One year after the launch of Strive USA, Mastercard’s U.S. small business initiative is now supporting small businesses in 43 states and working closely with 16 prominent organizations. Here we provide an update on our work and progress — and where we go next.

In the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, Optus Bank has been a beacon of hope for small businesses often excluded from the traditional banking system. Optus Bank was the state’s first Black-owned bank, and their mission has remained the same for over a century: Ensuring that wealth building is not just for the wealthy.

Strive USA grantee, CNote, is driven by the same principles and helps institutions like Optus Bank invest capital into underserved communities at scale. CNote has facilitated the movement of deposits from corporate and institutional investors to Optus Bank to help scale their lending programs and reach — thereby increasing opportunity for small businesses in South Carolina.

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth launched Strive USA in September 2022 to help more small businesses succeed by working with impact-focused organizations like CNote to expand and deepen their reach. Over the span of five years, Strive USA will support five million small businesses in the United States. Strive USA is part of Mastercard’s broader Strive initiative, a portfolio of philanthropic programs aimed at helping small businesses around the world thrive in the digital economy.

Our coalition today includes community financial institutions, technical assistance providers, commercial banks, large foundations, and others. We are supporting small businesses in 43 states — from New Hampshire to Florida in the East; Alabama through Louisiana and Texas in the South; Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, and other states in the Midwest, and almost all Western states, including New Mexico, Nevada, and California. Our partners have deployed over $22 billion in growth capital to small businesses and reached over 68,000 small businesses so far.

Seizing the moment

Through Strive USA, we’re bringing a diverse range of players together at an extraordinary moment in history to build a more efficient and equitable support system for small businesses. Several key factors have converged and provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the small business landscape and drive more inclusive economic growth both locally and nationally:

More than 10.5 million small businesses have been formed since 2021 — the highest recorded number for a two-year period ever.U.S. community financial institutions have experienced a remarkable three-fold growth in assets over five years.Federal government initiatives such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative and the Inflation Reduction Act have directed tens of billions of dollars to support historically underserved entrepreneurs and communities.

Despite this progress, too many small businesses still lack the support they need. In many cases, resources may be available, but inefficient and fragmented small business ecosystems make it difficult for business owners to find and access them.

Building a better support system for small businesses

Through our partner network, Strive USA is addressing three common roadblocks for small businesses: getting capital, going digital, and growing networks and know-how.

As a private sector-led philanthropy program, Strive USA has the opportunity to play a unique role in strengthening small business ecosystems. Not only can we provide support to strengthen the impact of our grantee network, but we can also tap into the business and digital transformation expertise of Mastercard and its ability to convene cross-sector players across technology, financial services, and government.

Strive USA was designed as a partner-centric program because we cannot drive systemic change alone. We are fortunate to call the below organizations partners in our shared mission to help more main street entrepreneurs continue to succeed and grow.

Our national grantees include:

Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) provides small business owners in the U.S. with access to capital, networks, and coaching. Strive USA is working with AOF to leverage their digital educational content, accessed by over a million small businesses every year, to create customized learning journeys tailored to the unique needs of each entrepreneur.BeyGOOD Foundation is the founder of the Black Parade Route, a program that celebrates and supports Black entrepreneurs in cities across the U.S. and abroad through grants, technical assistance, consulting services and media visibility to drive sustainability. Strive USA is providing technical assistance to the entrepreneurs who are part of the program.CNote is a women-led impact platform that uses technology to unlock diversified community investments that enable both institutions and individuals to increase economic mobility and financial inclusion. With support from Strive USA, CNote is scaling an innovative impact reporting and capital needs matching program that connects mission-driven investors with CDFI banks and credit unions.Community Reinvestment Fund, USA works to address social and economic inequity through new financial solutions that help empower people, build sustainable communities, and inspire systemic change. Strive USA is supporting the scaling of their platform and technology services designed to bring small business owners together with responsible lenders while helping mission-aligned partners expand their reach, manage loan portfolios, and provide tailored advisory services and coaching.Grameen America is dedicated to helping low-income entrepreneurial women build businesses to enable financial mobility. Strive USA is helping Grameen America to go digital by helping them build a new loan management platform that will significantly improve both their reach and efficiency, and member experience.Hyphen maximizes the impact of historic federal policies, including the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Hyphen’s primary goal is to accelerate structural change and to improve the material conditions of low-income communities and communities of color. Strive USA support will enable Hyphen to incubate the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE), a $100 million national effort to expand access to capital for small businesses owned by people of color.Inclusiv is a certified CDFI intermediary that is instrumental in driving private and public investment in credit unions to build wealth for individuals, households, businesses, and communities formerly excluded from the financial mainstream. Strive USA is working with Inclusiv to build a small business loan participation platform that will enable their members to increase the amount of affordable capital available for small business lending.Momentus Capital is working to transform traditional financial systems that have failed to address systemic issues of inequality, economic empowerment, and the widening racial wealth gap through a family of mission-driven organizations. Strive USA is supporting both the development of an alternative credit product that does not rely on credit scores and scaling its digital lending products across its 250+ member network.The National Urban League (NUL) is a civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment of historically underserved communities. Its Entrepreneurship Centers provide management counseling, mentoring, and training services to entrepreneurs. Strive USA is supporting the Entrepreneurship Centers of five NUL affiliates: the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, the Birmingham Urban League, the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, the Los Angeles Urban League, and the Urban League of Louisiana.Next Street designs and develops solutions supporting small businesses nationwide. In partnership with Strive USA and The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), Next Street has launched a digital platform, NYC Funds Finder (powered by NXST Scale), that enables small businesses in New York City to connect and access affordable capital options and free 1-on-1 financing assistance to help them start, run, and grow their businesses.Our Village United supports the growth of Black solopreneurs and microbusinesses by delivering targeted technical assistance and shared professional services that empower business owners to grow their operations and scale their businesses. Strive USA is supporting Our Village United’s expansion as part of their collaboration with BeyGOOD Foundation’s Black Parade Route.

We’re also working with partners to connect small businesses with expert organizations in their own communities:

The Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC) advances economic development in Birmingham, Alabama’s underserved communities by providing innovative financial solutions, hands-on technical assistance, and access to capital and market opportunities for Black and other minority-owned small businesses. Strive USA is supporting BBRC’s programs related to vendor and supplier development, business growth and development, and capital access.Urban Impact is a place-based community and economic development organization in the Historic 4th Avenue Business District that advances asset building, economic opportunity, and revitalization through support for small businesses, property owners, and developers. Strive USA is supporting their Ready for the World program, which prepares small businesses for tourism; their BECOME Accelerator program, which connects small businesses with networks, educational expertise, and resources; and their IMPACT Loan Fund, which provides businesses with technical assistance and microloans.New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) is the official economic development organization for the City of New Orleans and seeks to ensure inclusive and holistic economic development that results in financial security and prosperity for all New Orleanians. Strive USA is supporting NOLABA’s InvestNOLA initiative, which helps high-growth businesses expand and scale through access to management education, market opportunities, capital, and online tools; and its Resilient Corridors Initiative, which provides technical assistance and capital to micro- and small businesses located in seven historically disinvested neighborhoods.The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) inspires and empowers underserved entrepreneurs in the Metro Atlanta area to overcome the unique barriers they face in building thriving businesses. Strive USA is supporting RICE’s Big IDEAS curriculum by providing RICE stakeholders with technical and financial assistance, and pro bono education that helps entrepreneurs create an action plan for a sustainable business.The St. Louis Community Foundation works with the community and donors to build and preserve a more equitable and vibrant region. Strive USA is supporting the Northside Economic Empowerment Center in offering business empowerment, capacity building, and workforce development services in North St. Louis. The program is also leveraging American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds allocated to the City of St. Louis.

To stay informed about the latest news from Strive USA, please join our mailing list here.

Originally published by Mastercard Strive Community

Check out more content from The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

November 15, 2023 /3BL/ – The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the U.S. and longtime Ceres Investor Network member, announced a bold investment of $100 billion in climate solutions by 2030 to support its overall goal of achieving a net zero emissions portfolio by 2050.

CalPERS set out this investment goal in the context of its comprehensive Sustainable Investments 2030 Strategy. The overall strategy aligns well with the global expectations of comprehensive Investor Climate Action Plans or ICAPs.   

In addition to the investment target, the CalPERS plan includes an enhanced engagement strategy coupled with deep climate risk assessment. It also includes diversity and equity considerations for portfolio construction and manager selection.

“CalPERS took a monumental step towards addressing the climate crisis with a comprehensive strategy that aims to position the fund as a leader in achieving a net zero portfolio by 2050,” said Rev. Kirsten Snow Spalding, Vice President of the Ceres Investor Network at Ceres. “With this announcement, CalPERS has more than doubled their initial commitment to investing in climate solutions. And, they have done this in the context of a comprehensive investor climate action plan to address climate risks and seize climate solutions opportunities consistent with their fiduciary duty. This will enable them to effectively manage climate-related financial risk and ensure long-term shareholder value and returns across their entire portfolio.”

CalPERS’ strategy includes specific actions to reduce its portfolio emissions intensity by 2030 and make investments aligned with the global capital expenditures needed for net zero goals. It involves a process that assesses companies’ net-zero plans, conducts financial risk analysis, and identifies opportunities in companies rapidly transitioning to the clean energy economy.

“This significant investment marks a pivotal shift, demonstrating the crucial role pension funds’ play in the just transition to net zero. Notable aspects of the plan include: its deep engagement strategy to actively support portfolio companies in rapid decarbonization; its alignment with the changing regulatory environment, following historic corporate climate risk disclosure laws in California and the upcoming federal Securities and Exchange Commission rule; and its proactive approach to capitalizing on new U.S. industrial policy in the inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Few investor climate action plans consolidate all these elements as comprehensively as this plan does.”

Earlier this year, Ceres, and the founding partners of the Investor Agenda, released an updated Expectations Ladder for developing and publishing investor climate action plans. The expectations focus on climate action across four key areas including investment, corporate engagement, investor disclosure, and policy advocacy. 

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Media Contact: Vivian Melody, vmelody@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 353

New Holland Agriculture, a brand of CNH Industrial, celebrates International Day of Rural Women by recognizing three hardworking women in the company. Their stories prove that gender is no barrier to a successful career in Australia’s agriculture sector, where women currently make up 34% of the industry.

Amy Reid recently joined On-Trac Ag at Bathurst as a machinery mechanic apprentice, decades after originally turning away from a career in the trade. “My brother did a technician apprenticeship, and when I was thinking about my career after school, I couldn’t see any females working on machines or in the dealerships, so I did hairdressing instead,” Amy said.

“I lived and worked on the land, so always had a passion here. In the last couple of months something changed, and I’m so proud to now be one month into my apprenticeship.”

“Everyone has been really welcoming and actually in the workshop, there’s a lot of skills that women offer that men can’t—women are often the ones with greater attention to detail, a gentler hand, and smaller fingers to work on the more intricate parts of a machine.”

“It’s so encouraging to see that the younger generations are so much more open to women pursuing a career in ag— I wish I could have done this when I was 16!”

Claire Miller, first-year diesel technician apprenticeship at On-Trac Ag in Orange, hasn’t let her age or gender stop her from working in the industry she loves. “I got offered work experience at the workshop while I was still in high school, and as soon as I was asked to stay on, I knew that it was the right path for me,” said Claire.

“As a young woman in the industry, I appreciate that my team don’t treat me any differently and have helped me overcome any doubts about my success.” With the loyal support of her team and her family, Claire strongly advocates for other young women considering a career in agriculture. “Give it a go and if you love it, don’t let anything stop you!” said Claire.

Melody Labinsky, New Holland’s ANZ PLM Product Manager, is one of the network’s shining examples of supporting the next generation. Recently mentoring an aspiring female agricultural engineer, Melody has been able to showcase the rewarding career opportunities in agriculture.

“If you have a dream or a goal, finding like-minded people who are there to support you is so crucial,” said Melody. “From a young age, I knew I was passionate about storytelling and learning the complexities of ag machinery, so I am very thankful for the help I have received to get to where I am today.”

With a lifelong background in farming and a passion for ag innovation, Melody has been able share her expertise, experience and networks with other young women interested in a career in agriculture. “As an industry, I hope that we can continue to remove roadblocks so that the next generation of ag leaders can embark on the most direct path to success,” she said.

In line with its partnership with the National Farmers’ Federation, New Holland is continuing to set a standard of gender diversity across the industry by supporting the NFF as it aims to double the number of women in agriculture’s leadership positions by 2030.

New Holland also works closely with UNIQ You, a non-profit that is increasing the proportion of women working in industries and roles currently under-represented by women across Australia as part of their vision to see more diverse representation in the industry.

Originally published on bloomberg.com

Despite geopolitical risks and macro economic factors, 85% of investors and companies surveyed plan to boost ESG investment over the next five years

84%  of executives say ESG helps deliver a more robust corporate strategy and 85% of investors reported that ESG leads to better returns, resilient portfolios and enhanced fundamental analysis

Nine out of 10 executives and investors stated that AI is a ‘friend not foe’ for ESG

LONDON, November 14, 2023 /3BL/ – At a time when the concept of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) has come under pressure, Bloomberg Intelligence’s inaugural ESG Market Navigator survey [1] has found that ESG remains a backbone of financial markets and corporate strategy, driven by global regulation, consumer demands and competitive ambitions. The survey, conducted in collaboration with Bloomberg New Economy, canvassed the views of 250 C-suite executives and 250 investors globally. 

Although geopolitical risks and macro concerns may shift priorities in the short term, and currently only 55% of C-suite executives see ESG as one of their top two priorities, the survey indicates strong long term support for ESG from both senior executives and major investors in all regions of the world; in fact 85% of investors and companies surveyed plan to boost ESG investment over the next five years. 

While costs of transition and regulatory compliance are seen as major hurdles, executives view ESG as benefiting reputation, access to capital and competitiveness, and a vast majority (84%) say it helps deliver a more robust corporate strategy. The same number said it is a material factor in terms of M&A and 81% said they were worried about losing market share if they fall behind peers. Seven in 10 executives view energy-transition efforts as a competitive advantage, and 75% say that failing to plan may expose them to revenue loss and activism. Though the majority said “greenwashing” makes ESG goals increasingly difficult to articulate, 73% believe the benefits are worth the commitment and associated scrutiny. 

Likewise, a majority of investors (85%) reported that ESG leads to better returns, resilient portfolios and enhanced fundamental analysis. Despite data consistency and funds regulation challenges, 90% of all respondents said that ESG could drive better returns over the next 12 months than the rest of the market, 92% said ESG helps deliver a more resilient investment portfolio strategy, and 86% said it is key to attracting and/ or retaining clients.

Adeline Diab, Global ESG Research and Strategy Director at Bloomberg Intelligence, said: “ESG has moved from a fringe concern, to mainstream and finally, to a mandated necessity. We expect 2024 to be about ESG accountability and an era where investor-corporate dialogue will be vital, 60% of investors hold companies answerable on ESG, while 40% of executives face ESG questions on over half their investor calls. I firmly believe that scrutiny will help shape a more credible ESG market overtime.”

Other key findings of Bloomberg Intelligence’s inaugural survey were; huge support for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the context of ESG. Nine out of 10 executives and investors stated that AI is a ‘friend not foe’ for ESG, helping to improve traceability, generate better data and uncover controversies across languages, among other strengths. Interoperability of regulations (15%) and climate risk assessments (12%) for investors, measuring impact and litigation risks for corporations are top of mind for 2024. In addition, water, circular economy, as well as biodiversity emerged as new themes besides clean energy.

Notes to Editors 
[1] The ESG Market Navigator, a survey of 250 C-suite executives and 250 senior investors from around the world, was developed by Bloomberg Intelligence for release in collaboration with the Bloomberg New Economy. Questions covered five topics: Context, Practice, Communication, Climate and 2024 Outlook.

The online questionnaire was carried out by GLG in October. The distribution of respondents was 35% in each of the US and EMEA, and 30% from APAC, across industries.

Contact 
Oktavia Catsaros 
Bloomberg Intelligence 
ocatsaros@bloomberg.net 

Kate Burns / Saffron Wainwright / Seb Zickus 
Citigate Dewe Rogerson 
BloombergIntelligence@citigatedewerogerson.com

About Bloomberg Intelligence 
Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) research delivers an independent perspective providing interactive data and investment research on over 2,000 companies, 135 industries and all global markets. Our team of over 400 research professionals help our clients make decisions with confidence in the rapidly moving investment landscape. BI analysis is backed by live, transparent data from Bloomberg and more than 600 third-party data contributors that clients can use to refine and support their ideas. Bloomberg Intelligence is available exclusively on the Bloomberg Terminal and the Bloomberg Professional App. Visit us at https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/product/bloomberg-intelligence/ or request a demo.

Disclaimer 
The data included in these materials are for illustrative purposes only. The BLOOMBERG TERMINAL service and Bloomberg data products (the “Services”) are owned and distributed by Bloomberg Finance L.P. (“BFLP”) except (i) in Argentina, Australia and certain jurisdictions in the Pacific Islands, Bermuda, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, where Bloomberg L.P. and its subsidiaries (“BLP”) distribute these products, and (ii) in Singapore and the jurisdictions serviced by Bloomberg’s Singapore office, where a subsidiary of BFLP distributes these products. BLP provides BFLP and its subsidiaries with global marketing and operational support and service. Certain features, functions, products and services are available only to sophisticated investors and only where permitted. BFLP, BLP and their affiliates do not guarantee the accuracy of prices or other information in the Services. Nothing in the Services shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments by BFLP, BLP or their affiliates, or as investment advice or recommendations by BFLP, BLP or their affiliates of an investment strategy or whether or not to “buy”, “sell” or “hold” an investment. Information available via the Services should not be considered as information sufficient upon which to base an investment decision. The following are trademarks and service marks of BFLP, a Delaware limited partnership, or its subsidiaries: BLOOMBERG, BLOOMBERG ANYWHERE, BLOOMBERG MARKETS, BLOOMBERG NEWS, BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL, BLOOMBERG TERMINAL and BLOOMBERG.COM. Absence of any trademark or service mark from this list does not waive Bloomberg’s intellectual property rights in that name, mark or logo. All rights reserved. © 2023 Bloomberg.

Bloomberg Intelligence is a service provided by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates. Bloomberg Intelligence likewise shall not constitute, nor be construed as, investment advice or investment recommendations, or as information sufficient upon which to base an investment decision. The Bloomberg Intelligence function, and the information provided by Bloomberg Intelligence, is impersonal and is not based on the consideration of any customer’s individual circumstances. You should determine on your own whether you agree with Bloomberg Intelligence.

Bloomberg Intelligence Credit and Company research is offered only in certain jurisdictions. Bloomberg Intelligence should not be construed as tax or accounting advice or as a service designed to facilitate any Bloomberg Intelligence subscriber’s compliance with its tax, accounting, or other legal obligations. Employees involved in Bloomberg Intelligence may hold positions in the securities analyzed or discussed on Bloomberg Intelligence.

NEW YORK, November 14, 2023 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for driving market transformation through healthy buildings, organizations and communities, and Assembly OSM announced today that the offsite modular design and build company became an early adopter of IWBI’s WELL for residential program, which is now open for enrollments. The first-of-its-kind, WELL for residential is an evidence-based, third-party verified certification program designed to transform the way homes are designed, built and maintained to support human health and well-being. This collaboration will allow Assembly OSM to build two of its New York City modular projects, Saint Felix in Brooklyn and 117 Harlem in East Harlem, using WELL strategies designed to positively impact resident health.

Grounded in the science-backed principles of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and its 10 WELL concepts, the WELL for residential program consists of more than 100 health strategies that support new and existing residences and are applicable to both single-family homes and multifamily buildings. During the launch phase of the program, IWBI is partnering with leading architects, builders, developers, operators and owners – such as Assembly OSM – to transform the global residential market to make healthier and more resilient homes more accessible to more people in more places.

“We are proud to be an early adopter of the innovative WELL for residential program for our first two projects because it reaffirms our commitment to building high quality, sustainable and healthy housing at scale,” said Andrew Staniforth, CEO of Assembly OSM.

The WELL for residential program complements the other sustainability initiatives for Assembly’s first two projects. Both projects will also be all-electric, are targeting Passive House (PHIUS) certifications, and utilize building systems and constructions that reduce embodied carbon by up to 38%, reflecting Assembly’s philosophy that truly sustainable buildings should support both people and the planet. Delivered through Assembly’s unique modular offsite process, these projects represent a groundbreaking approach to building construction that unlocks unprecedented environmental benefits.

Assembly’s pilot project (Saint Felix) features multiple innovations that both support well-being and cut carbon emissions. The bulk of the project was constructed offsite in a controlled facility and assembled on site in nine hours, drastically reducing Assembly’s impact on the surrounding community. The building includes sustainability features such as argon-filled triple-pane windows, induction cooktops, heat-pump dryers, and electric vehicle charging stations. Following on the heels of Saint Felix, 117 Harlem, a 15-story building with cutting-edge technologies like next generation air source heat pump HVAC systems, will be Assembly’s first high-rise project pursuing the WELL for residential standard.

“Congratulations to Assembly OSM for becoming an early adopter of the WELL for residential program and integrating healthy home strategies into its innovative homebuilding technologies,” said Liz Miles, vice president of stakeholder relations at IWBI. “The new WELL for residential program is designed to spur such collaborations that push the industry status quo and help transform the way we create homes.”

The development of the WELL for residential program drew upon two years of industry input, market insight and expert recommendations from IWBI’s WELL for residential advisory, a working group of over 100 globally renowned subject matter experts including leading builders and developers, architects and engineers, public health and building scientists, government officials and academics, as well as other real estate professionals. Companies can earn the WELL Residence seal for residences upon completion of third-party review and verification of selected strategies. To be certified as a WELL Residence, a home must achieve at least 40 points. Projects also have an opportunity to earn precertified WELL Residence status for participating units upon preliminary design review, a milestone step forward that allows participants to communicate achievement before construction is completed.

Today, in the U.S. alone, the residential sector spans more than 120 million homes totaling roughly 224 billion square feet of real estate. The importance of creating healthier environments in the residential sector has become a top priority among homeowners.

The WELL for residential program adds to the WELL ecosystem and provides a new pathway for creating people-first residences. This program builds upon the work IWBI has already done within the multifamily sector through its WELL Certification and WELL ratings. IWBI applauds the leadership demonstrated by the multifamily residential developers and owners who have pursued WELL Certification. Their experiences have helped inform and inspire the development of the new WELL for residential program.

While numerous studies show healthy homes are increasingly in demand, regulations and standards focused on resident health in homes are largely lacking. The WELL for residential program seeks to provide a solution that helps transform the global residential market and ensure that everyone, no matter their backgrounds, has access to a home that enhances their health and enables them to make healthier decisions.

The WELL ecosystem comprises WELL Certification under the WELL Building Standard, a library of building and organizational strategies focused on health, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Performance Rating, WELL Equity Rating and certification under the WELL Community Standard. WELL’s holistic, evidence-based approach has provided a roadmap for organizations to promote human and social capital performance and enhance their ESG strategy. As a result, thousands of organizations including nearly 30% of Fortune 500 companies across nearly 130 countries have adopted WELL strategies in more than 40,000 locations totalling almost five billion square feet of space.

About Assembly OSM:
Assembly OSM is an offsite modular start-up based in New York City that aims to make urban development more scalable and sustainable. Backed by advanced technology and manufacturing processes, Assembly delivers customizable turn-key high-rise buildings faster and with significantly reduced carbon emissions.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and its WELL ratings, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources, and advocacy for policies that promote health and wellbeing everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, , Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media contact:
info@assemblyosm.com
IWBI: media@wellcertified.com

View original content here.

WILDLIGHT, Fla., November 14, 2023 /3BL/ – Rayonier announced the award of $74,380 to 35 local nonprofit organizations serving communities across Washington. The company hosted their annual special awards breakfasts in Aberdeen and Forks to honor and celebrate the recipients.

The Rayonier Community fund supports a range of community needs, including civic, cultural, educational, environmental, natural resources, and health and human services programs.

“Our success is inextricably linked to the success of these organizations,” said Mike Mackelwich, Rayonier’s director of operations for the Pacific Resource Unit. “The work they do is vital to the health and well-being of our communities, and it’s a privilege for Rayonier to be able to contribute to their causes.”

Clallam County Commissioner Randy Johnson, District 2, and Commissioner Mike French, District 3, joined the awards breakfast in Forks. Also in attendance were Forks City Attorney and Planner Rod Fleck, Deputy Sean Hoban of the Clallam County Sheriff’s office and District Chief Bill Paul of the Clallam County Fire Department.

Present at the awards breakfast in Aberdeen were Rep. Jim Walsh, District 19, and Eric Baker, Kitsap County’s acting county administrator.

“It was so encouraging to see Rayonier support local organizations that do great things on the Harbor,” said Rep. Jim Walsh, District 19. “This is the way it should be: a good corporate citizen helping make communities and peoples’ lives better; we all need more of this.”

Grant recipients who attended this year’s breakfasts were also asked to contribute nonperishable items for the Forks Community Food Bank and gifts for local toy drives presented to the Hoquiam Association for Kids.

The following organizations received support through the Rayonier Community Fund this year:

Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation

American Red Cross, Forks

American Red Cross, Grays Harbor

American Red Cross, Kitsap County

Appelo Archives Center

Camp Victory for Children

Chimacum Backpacks for Kids

City of Aberdeen (Park n Play)

City of Hoquiam (Historical Landmark Preservation)

Coastal Harvest

Concerned Citizens

Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor & Pacific County

Family Promise of Grays Harbor

Forks Community Food Bank

Friends of Highland Park and Parks of Cosmopolis

Grays Harbor College Foundation

Grays Harbor Youth Works

Habitat for Humanity of Grays Harbor

Harmony Hill Healing Retreat

Hoquiam Association for Kids

Martha & Mary Lutheran Services

NatureBridge

North Kitsap Fishline Food Bank

North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders

Pacific Education Institute

Polson Park & Museum Historical Society

Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation

South Kitsap School District

The Caring Place of West Clallam County

The Salvation Army of Grays Harbor

United Way of Clallam County

United Way of Grays Harbor

United Way of Kitsap County

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County

YMCA of Grays Harbor

About Rayonier 

Rayonier (NYSE:RYN) is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. We own or lease under long-term agreements approximately 2.8 million acres of timberlands. We are More than trees because we recognize that our 90+ years of success in the timberland industry comes from our people, an empowering culture and the courage to constantly challenge “the way it’s always been done.” Get to know us at www.rayonier.com.