Originally published by Networld Media Group on QSRweb.com
KFC is launching an inclusive U.K. members club dubbed The Kentucky Club, to help young people gain a fair shot at a first job, according to a press release.
The Kentucky Club will open at The Compound in Birmingham on Oct. 27 and will offer inspirational talks from YouTubers and educational development programming from U.K. Youth, Apprentice Nation, 4Skills and LADBible.
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EMERYVILLE, Calif., November 13, 2023 /3BL/ – SCS Standards is pleased to announce that version 8.0 of the SCS-103 Certification Standard for Recycled Content is now available for public review and comments.
The Standard was first introduced in 1989 in response to the burgeoning interest in recycled content claims and the introduction of innovative new recycling technologies. More than three decades later, the demand for recycled products and materials continues to grow.
Key Updates in Version 8.0
Inclusion of an alternative method for verifying traceability and chain of custody within the supply chain. Operators undergoing certification may now employ a Mass Balance Allocation method for chemically recycled content (Section 8).Inclusion of new requirements for minimum recycled content thresholds (Section 7.1 and 8.1).Recognition of external certification programs (Section 2.3).
The public is welcome to provide comments on the version 8.0 updates to the Standard until December 22, 2023. To submit comments, please reach out to standards@scsstandards.org, or visit https://www.scsstandards.org/standards/recycled-content-standard.
About SCS Standards
SCS Standards is a non-profit organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent and collaborative approach. SCS Standards is an affiliate of Scientific Certification Systems, Inc., and is its official affiliate standards development body.
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DALLAS, November 13, 2023 /3BL/ – Mary Kay Inc., a global advocate for corporate sustainability and stewardship, released its ‘Special Report on Sustainability 2023’ detailing the brand’s unwavering commitment to enriching women’s lives and ensuring a sustainable future for all. As the iconic beauty brand commemorates its 60th anniversary, Mary Kay is proud to be part of a global coalition with key stakeholders and aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to make strides in the critical areas of environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
“Sustainability is not just a buzzword for us – it’s woven into the very fabric of who we are as a brand,” said Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mary Kay Inc. “While we celebrate our achievements this year, we remain resolute in our mission. We are committed to being even more accountable in our economic, environmental, and social decisions, ensuring that Mary Kay’s legacy is not only about empowering women but also about safeguarding our shared home.”
In a world that is rapidly evolving, Mary Kay stands at the forefront of change, championing the cause of women while recognizing the immense power they hold in shaping our global economy and driving meaningful change in sustainability efforts. The 2023 report highlights women-driven initiatives worldwide:
Environmental Sustainability
A Fundamental and Precious Resource: WaterThe Power of Women in ConservationWomen at the Heart of Ocean Restoration
Social Sustainability
Shifting the Face of Science WorldwideUnleashing the Full Potential of Women Entrepreneurs in Rural ChinaLeading the Charge in Women’s Cancer Research
Economic Sustainability
Diversity and Inclusivity: Key Drivers of Product InnovationEmpowering Millions of Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide Through Digital InnovationPioneering Gender Equality Research in Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence
The report follows Mary Kay’s 2020-2022 Sustainability & Social Impact Report that encompasses the three pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social. To learn more about Mary Kay’s global sustainability strategy, click here.
About Mary Kay
Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.
American Airlines is proud to honor those who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces. Through its Military and Veterans Initiatives program, the airline supports service members and their families year-round by contributing to military nonprofits and using its fleet of aircraft for special missions.
In recognition of Veterans Day, American hosted several recent events to reinforce its commitment to honoring the selfless sacrifice of our military veterans.
Salute to the Troops
In the 14th annual Salute to the Troops event this Veterans Day weekend, American will fly more than 80 wounded and ill service members from Washington, D.C. to Las Vegas to enjoy an all-expenses paid vacation in partnership with the USO and MGM Resorts. The airline commissioned an aircraft to charter the group on the special flight. American Airlines team members will greet the group upon arrival before they are led by police escort to a welcome procession with hundreds of attendees at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort. The guests of honor will enjoy a weekend filled with sight-seeing, dinners, shows and a concert on Fremont Street by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, a much-needed vacation of fun, relaxation and healing for these heroes.
Seats4Heroes with the Los Angeles Chargers
As we close out Veterans Day weekend, American will partner with the Los Angeles Chargers to treat ill and wounded service members to a one-of-a-kind experience at the Chargers game, hosted in conjunction with the NFL’s Salute to Service program. The first event of its kind with the Chargers, American is expanding its Seats4Heroes program to benefit more service members. The Sailors and Marines, from Naval Base San Diego and Camp Pendleton, will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to view the game in a luxury suite.
Soaring Valor
American partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation to bridge generations by connecting World War II veterans and high school students on a trip to visit the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. In a living history lesson, the veterans experienced the museum that was built in their honor, while sharing first-hand stories of bravery with the next generation.
Seats4Heroes with the Dallas Cowboys
American, along with its partners at the Dallas Cowboys, hosted 40 wounded military members from a Soldier Recovery Unit in San Antonio for a VIP game day experience last month. American operated a private charter to transport the attendees from San Antonio to Dallas-Fort Worth where they were greeted with a heroes’ welcome upon arrival. The veterans enjoyed the Dallas Cowboys game in a private suite and the chance to go onto the field after the game.
Support and recognition of military service members past and present is deeply ingrained in American’s mission to care for people on life’s journey. Approximately 9,000 American team members are veterans or currently serving in the military. Learn more about the airline’s Military and Veterans Initiatives program at www.aa.com/letgoodtakeflight.
The Port of Long Beach is working closely with Southern California Edison to solidify its leadership in the transportation industry’s effort to improve air quality and overall sustainability through electrification.
On display at the annual Green Port Fair last month were medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles that are gradually replacing diesel-fueled transports to move cargo around the 3,200-acre port, which aims to have a fleet of zero-emission, cargo-handling equipment by 2030 and zero-emission trucks by 2035.
“Successful electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets is crucial to Southern California’s economy and air quality,” said Bonnie Lowenthal, a Port of Long Beach commissioner.
SCE is a longtime partner in the port’s mission to become the nation’s first zero-emissions port for cargo handling and drayage or transporting freight from an ocean port to a destination.
Electrifying 90% of light- and medium-duty vehicles and more than 50% of heavy-duty vehicles in California is a key recommendation in Countdown to 2045: Realizing California’s Pathway to Net Zero, recently published by Edison International, SCE’s parent company.
The paper forecasts an 80% increase in customer demand for electricity by 2045, driven by vehicle and building electrification. A massive expansion of clean energy infrastructure, built at an unprecedented pace, is needed to support this historic increase in demand.
The electric grid must be ready for this extraordinary growth well before 2045. In its most recent General Rate Case proposal, SCE detailed the targeted infrastructure investments planned for 2025-2028 to strengthen and secure the electric grid, laying a foundation for future grid reliability, resilience and readiness investments.
The General Rate Case is a request made every four years to the California Public Utilities Commission to fund SCE’s day-to-day operations, including grid maintenance and upgrades.
“SCE’s 2025 General Rate Case requests necessary funding to continue readying the grid, which is fundamental to achieving widespread vehicle electrification,” Lowenthal said.
On a different scale, the port’s zero-emissions goals drive its growing demand for clean energy. SCE is interwoven in the port’s infrastructure evaluation and planning for several proposed projects to meet these rising needs.
The expansive scope of SCE’s proposed work includes building one new, very large transmission-level substation and upgrading another, building two large distribution-level substations and upgrading several existing distribution substations and circuits associated with major ground shipping routes heading into and out of the port.
“The port has set goals and a direction that aligns with Countdown to 2045,” said Brian Bustamante, SCE’s Port of Long Beach account manager. “When it comes to clean energy and electrification, it is the North Star of where we want our customers to be.”
This year, SCE contributed engineering expertise and a letter of support that helped the port land a $383 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency, with $224 million specifically allocated to support future zero-emissions projects.
One of these projects intends to replace diesel equipment with 44 zero-emission, electric human-operated yard tractors, forklifts and other vehicles at the Long Beach Container Terminal, supported by 62 new charging units. Other projects will demonstrate and deploy a plug-in hybrid tugboat and up to 12 zero-emission locomotives.
Celina Luna, SCE Government Relations manager, said the port has long been forward-looking “about the infrastructure investments they need to make over the next five, 10 and 15 years to be ready for the clean energy future. They’re ready to embrace that change to meet the moment.”
For more about SCE’s clean energy efforts, visit edison.com/cleanenergy
Originally published on NRG Energy Insights
Welcome back to the second installment in our carbon offsets series. As a brief refresher, our last blog covered what carbon offsets are, the various types of credits, and why using offsets in support of broader decarbonization efforts is valuable. Next, we will go a step further and dive into how offset projects are evaluated as a credible tool in a company’s ongoing efforts to reduce, avoid, and offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Not all carbon offsets are created equal, and we need to evaluate them for credibility. Some ways to describe the value that high-quality offsets bring include additionality, permanence, and risk of leakage. Let’s describe each factor in more detail.
What is Credibility?
Credibility is all about the trustworthiness and reliability of the project and the organization behind it. There are often concerns about whether or not these projects actually deliver the promised carbon savings, but one way to evaluate for credibility is through independent project registries and industry standards organizations. The Verra registry, and the recently released “Common Core Principles” by the International Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) are highly regarded examples. This sounds like a mouthful of industry jargon, but these independent organizations describe high-quality projects and bring transparency to tracking and auditing using the latest technologies and techniques. These standards, and tracking and auditing techniques help lay the framework for transparency in describing additionality, permanence, and potential for leakage.
Additionality
Additionality simply put, means the renewable project would not have happened without financial investment in carbon offsets. If the emissions reductions would have happened anyways, despite an investment in the project, then the reductions are not additional. This is measured by looking at whether the project is financially viable without the carbon offset revenue, and whether the emissions reductions would not have occurred otherwise. For example, a landfill gas project that captures and destroys methane emissions that would have otherwise been released into the atmosphere may be additional, as it may not have been financially feasible without the carbon offset revenue.
Permanence
Permanence ensures the carbon removed or avoided by the project will stay out of the atmosphere for a significant period. This is measured by reviewing the project’s plan for ensuring the long-term durability of the emissions reductions or removals achieved. For example, a forestry project might ensure the permanence of the emissions removals by implementing a comprehensive monitoring and enforcement system to prevent illegal logging and land-use change. The project might also bring sustainable jobs to the local community in monitoring and enforcement, a potential “co-benefit” of the project.
Risk of Leakage
Leakage describes the risk of unintended consequences that lead to increased emissions elsewhere. This is measured by assessing and mitigating these risks and ensuring that the project is not causing negative environmental or social impacts in another area or in another way. An example might be a project that involves the installation of efficient cookstoves in a rural community, which may inadvertently lead to increased emissions somewhere else if the community uses the money saved to purchase more polluting goods and services.
Clearly understanding what high-quality means and how to accurately measure a project’s credibility is critical to investing in carbon credits. Ensuring that investment funds are put toward projects that are best positioned to make a real impact in reducing our carbon footprint and helping to address the climate crisis. In our next blog, we will review what to look out for when identifying offset providers, specific projects, and more educational resources.
Providing ‘safe’ water is about more than access to clean drinking water—it’s why FedEx chooses to support organizations like Water Mission, who build safe water solutions for individuals and communities around the world. Lucy Tomee, a member of Morbus’ community in Kenya, provides a gut-wrenching testimony about the importance of clean water in a way not often thought of—physical collection of water is sometimes very unsafe but necessary for survival. In her community, gathering water starts with digging a deep well, which means having three people collect water at the site. Unfortunately, many times a well will collapse on those inside, which leaves them trapped. Several community members have lost their lives when a well collapsed, including Lucy’s own son.
“When my child was killed, we felt pain, but we still had to use the same spot for there was no alternative water source. Without water, life is very difficult,” said Lucy.
In addition to physical safety concerns, Lucy’s community has experienced many health-related issues such as typhoid, malaria, and upset stomachs, due to unclean water, until one day, Water Mission installed a best-in-class safe water solution in Lucy’s community, brought to them courtesy of FedEx.
“The water has become like a light in this community,” said Moses Ng’ania, Water Mission Kenya Country Director.
After the community received clean water, many things started to flourish in addition to the people. Farms are filled with fresh produce, livestock are doing well, poverty and disease have diminished. Chores we take for granted like washing clothes or dishes, have become possible. And for the next generation, school has become easier, with clean water available to support good health and hygiene.
“You exchanged our problems with peace,” said Lucy.
FedEx delivers in-kind shipments for Water Mission as part of the company’s FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative, in which FedEx lends its global network and unparalleled logistics expertise to organizations with mission-critical needs and helps communities before, during, and after crises. Learn more about FedEx Cares Delivering for Good initiative here.
The sixth and final status report prepared by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) was released in October. The Task Force said it continued to see “significant momentum around adoption and support of its recommendations” but more progress is needed. Thus far, progress has included the International Sustainability Standards Board’s release of its disclosures, based on the TCFD’s recommendations.
A Few Highlights of the 150+ Page Report
For FY 2022, 58% of companies disclosed “in line with” at least five of the 11 recommended disclosures (up from 18% in 2020). Just 4% disclosed in line with all 11 recommendations.The percentage of companies reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities, board oversight, and climate targets increased by as much as 24%, 25%, and 26% between FY 2020 and 2022.Asset managers and owners are on board; more than 80% of the largest asset managers and 50% of the largest asset owners reported in line with at least one of the 11 recommendations. Almost 50% of the top 50 asset managers and 36% of the top 50 asset owners disclosed in line with at least five of the 11 recommended disclosures.Overall, the Task Force is encouraged by companies’ progress in disclosing climate-related financial information aligned with the TCFD recommendations and by the support of governments, regulators, and other authorities in using recommendations to develop laws, rules, and standards on disclosure.But – the concern is that too few companies are disclosing decision-useful climate-related financial disclosure.
Important Background for Understanding the 80 Year History of the TCFD
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) was created in 2009 following the global financial crisis of 2008. FSB clout: the heads of governments of the G20 (largest economies in the world) agreed to organize the group to play a key role in promoting “reforms” in international finance and supervision. FSB today is headquartered in Switzerland as a not-for-profit organization.
Think of the FSB as a public sector “think tank” focused on issues in finance (in banking, finance, securities) and possible steps in regulation to address the issues. The usual appointees to FSB are ministers of finance, heads of central banks, and sovereign financial sector regulation authorities. The current representatives of the United States to FSB are: (1) Nellie Liang, Under Secretary of Treasury for Domestic Finance; (2) Gary Gensler, Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (3) Michael Barr, Vice Chair for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
In 2015, the FSB established the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) (at the request of G20 leaders) to consider the financial stability risks associated with climate change. The TCFD deliberations concluded that an effective way to address financial stability risks posed by climate change was disclosures to help financial markets understand the risks. This could help to avoid “an abrupt repricing of risks” and reduce risks to financial stability.
TCFD’s recommendations were presented to the G20 Leaders’ summit; in December 2016, the leaders released the group’s recommendations for “consistent, comparable, reliable, and clear and efficient climate-related financial disclosures” to provide “a framework for the disclosure of these risks to meet existing reporting requirements.” The recommendations are intended to provide for disclosures “that relate to the way firms consider the impact of climate change on their governance, risk management, and strategy” and set out metrics and scenarios firms should consider in their disclosures.
The work of the TCFD comes to a close in 2023 with the release of the status report; the Task Force 11 original recommendations will endure as a solid foundation for expanding corporate disclosure on climate-related risks and opportunities. Looking to the future, the ISSB will now assume responsibility for monitoring progress and for producing the report on the state of corporate climate-related disclosure.
Related
You’ll want to read the important commentary by G&A Institute’s Louis Coppola (Co-founder and EVP) on cross-border ESG regulations. EU’s CSRD (directive); SEC’s pending climate disclosure rule; California’s GHG disclosure law…and more. Challenges for corporate issuers writes Lou, and opportunities as well: Cross-Border ESG Regulations: Navigating the New Age of Disclosure.
This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.
As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative
UK microbusiness owners are significantly less optimistic about their national economy and individual growth prospects than US counterparts, according to a new GoDaddy study of digital/online microbusiness owners.
The findings, published today, come from Venture Forward, an international research initiative by GoDaddy that analyses data from more than 20 million British and American microbusinesses – those with an active website and most often fewer than 10 employees. It reveals that there is 50% higher confidence in the US than in the UK with 60% of US microbusiness owners stating they have confidence in the economy, compared to just 42% of Brits who have faith in the British economy.
Furthermore, 72% of American entrepreneurs are positive about their business prospects, compared to 55% of Brits.
Despite this, GoDaddy’s figures show that British economic confidence has improved since the start of the year. The last round of Venture Forward research, conducted in January 2023, showed just 18% of British SME owners held positive views about the economy.
Whilst microbusiness owners’ perceptions of economic confidence in the UK and US differ, GoDaddy’s data suggests that earning power is similar on both sides of the Atlantic:
Proportion of total business owners surveyed (UK)Average annual business revenueProportion of total business owners surveyed (US)Average annual business revenue
UK
US
51%£0.00-£25,00049%$0.00-$30,00016%£25,001-£50,00018%$30,001-$60,00016%£50,001-£100,00017%$60,001-$180,00013%£100,001-£500,0009%$180,001-$600,0004%£500,00+7%$600,000
Britain’s small business owners are notably younger than their US contemporaries. More than half (51%) of British entrepreneurs are Millennial or Gen Z (18-42), compared to just over a third of Americans (36%). While each country has a similar number of Gen X business owners (18-26), the US has significantly more entrepreneurs aged between 57 and 75 (22% vs 12% in the UK).
This follows previous research by GoDaddy which revealed that Gen Z in the UK are increasingly forgoing traditional first jobs in retail and hospitality in favour of setting up side hustles as a way of generating extra income.
GoDaddy’s Venture Forward data has also revealed gender differences with more female-owned (51%) small businesses in the US than male-owned (47%). Across Britain, 56% of microbusiness entrepreneurs are male compared, with women making up 42% of microbusiness owners.
Laura Messerschmitt, President of GoDaddy International said: “This is one of the first times we’ve been able to compare and contrast British and American microbusinesses at this scale, and the results are fascinating. In both the United Kingdom and United States the barriers to entry remain relatively low with the majority starting up with costs under £5,000 and $5,000 – 73% in the UK and 67% in the US.
“Despite economic headwinds, GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research suggests that US and UK microbusinesses communities are in good health, with the majority positive about their growth potential. That said, entrepreneurs in the US are clearly more bullish about the economy. In the UK, the cost-of-living crisis continues to pose a major concern for small business owners.
“GoDaddy is committed to helping everyday entrepreneurs thrive, and we use the results of the Venture Forward study on both sides of the Atlantic to help shine a light on the challenges facing microbusiness owners and what more can be done to support them.”
About Venture Forward
Venture Forward is a multi-year research initiative, which analyses data from 2.3 million British microbusinesses – conducted by GoDaddy to quantify the impact of millions of microbusinesses on the U.K. economy and their local communities. The analysis is complemented by a survey of 2,500 GB microbusiness owners conducted in August 2023.
About GoDaddy
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.
Originally published by Smithsonian Magazine
By Rachael Moeller Gorman
Photographs by David Degner
The Connecticut River cuts between the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire and rushes into the heart of Massachusetts, where Denise Barstow Manz stands in the wind, surveying the land her family has farmed for 217 years.
“We have some of the best soil in the entire world,” says Barstow Manz. “It’s called Hadley silt loam.” She explains how the rich Connecticut River flood plain that’s wedged between the river and the Mount Holyoke mountain range behind her nourished tobacco, asparagus, broom corn and squash for her 1800s ancestors, and how it now grows hay and corn for the current farm’s 600 dairy cows.
Her dad, David Barstow, co-owns the farm with his brother, Steve Barstow, and his niece and nephew, Shannon and Steve II. David is “the director of special projects,” his daughter teases. “Anytime we are doing anything that is unusual, which is almost always, Dad is in charge.”
In the early 2000s, when the price of milk plummeted and dairy farms everywhere were trying to find a way to diversify, the Barstows began thinking about how to stay alive. They decided to take full advantage of an underutilized commodity the cows produced in abundance, and build something called an anaerobic digester—basically, a manure-fueled power plant.
It was a business decision that happened to have profound environmental consequences. Cows produce milk, but microorganisms in one of their four stomach compartments also produce methane. They belch methane out of their mouths, and when mountains of manure pile up in oxygen-free lagoons or pits, the micro-organisms keep producing methane there, too.
