Tag: 3BL

California has outpaced the US federal government in leading the country on climate-related disclosures with SB 253 and SB 261 signed into law. California’s upcoming laws will affect the vast majority of large U.S. corporates. Those with over $500M in revenue will fall under SB 261 and be required to carry out reporting on climate-related financial risks and opportunities. A smaller tier of companies with $1B in revenue would additionally be required to disclose GHG emissions, including value chain or scope 3 emissions. 

Join Bonnie Holman, Managing Director of SCS Consulting Services, and Karen Righthand, Vice President of Marketing at SCS Global Services to discuss the major components of SB 261 and SB 253 and what these laws mean for companies doing business in California. We’ll address the major areas of the bills and how companies can prepare. With the US SEC climate rule anticipated to be finalized soon, we’ll explain the distinctions between the SEC proposed rule and California’s requirements and what that might mean for future alignment.

We cover the principle resources that companies can begin to utilize today to prepare for legal compliance. And finally, we’ll cover overlap with the recently proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) climate rules, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and other timely updates.

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR NOW

For inquiries, please contact:

Bonnie Holman 
Managing Director of SCS Consulting Services 
Email: bholman@scsglobalservices.com

Originally published by The Royal Gazette

Drinks giant Bacardi has flipped the switch to solar.

The largest privately held international spirits company has installed 444 solar panels on the roof of its world headquarters building on Pitts Bay Road in Pembroke.

The solar installation is part of a “greener makeover” at Bacardi.

Other initiatives include a new chiller system that will cut the building’s total energy usage; four large tanks on the roof to capture rainwater; newly installed LED lighting; and the energy management system, which provides real-time monitoring to enable Bacardi to determine where more efficiencies can be implemented.

Continue reading

Originally published by The Royal Gazette

Drinks giant Bacardi has flipped the switch to solar.

The largest privately held international spirits company has installed 444 solar panels on the roof of its world headquarters building on Pitts Bay Road in Pembroke.

The solar installation is part of a “greener makeover” at Bacardi.

Other initiatives include a new chiller system that will cut the building’s total energy usage; four large tanks on the roof to capture rainwater; newly installed LED lighting; and the energy management system, which provides real-time monitoring to enable Bacardi to determine where more efficiencies can be implemented.

Continue reading

Originally published on Aflac Newscenter

COLUMBUS, Ga., October 26, 2023 /3BL/ — Aflac, a leading provider of supplemental health insurance products in the U.S. and a proud supporter of families of children with cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, recently announced the culmination of its campaign to illuminate bridges and other landmarks across the country to commemorate National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Aflac, a pioneer in cancer insurance coverage, has supported childhood cancer initiatives since 1995, having contributed more than $170 million to the cause.

Throughout the month of September, bridges in Atlanta, GA; Buffalo, NY; Fort Wayne, IN; Nashville, TN; Minneapolis, MN; and other U.S. cities were lit by Aflac in gold and burgundy – the recognition colors for childhood cancer and sickle cell disease – in support of the children and families who show incredible courage in the face of life-altering diagnoses.

“For nearly three decades, Aflac has been committed to supporting medical professionals, nonprofit organizations, family members and others who care for children with cancer and blood disorders like sickle cell disease,” Aflac U.S. President Virgil R. Miller said. “Bridge to Brighter is an extension of Aflac’s core company mission to bridge the gap for people and communities when they need us the most.”

The bridge lightings are an expression of Aflac’s Bridge to Brighter campaign, a monthlong effort to shine a bright light helping Americans to learn more about childhood cancer and sickle cell disease and how they can get involved to make a difference. In early September, Aflac launched a digital destination, The Bridge to Brighter, where visitors can hear and read stories about childhood cancer and sickle cell, spread the word to their communities, and ultimately take action, such as by registering as a bone marrow donor or making donations to the Aflac Cancer Center at give.choa.org.

Primary sponsor of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, much of the $170 million in financial support comes from independent sales agents and Aflac employees. Additionally, in 2018, Aflac created My Special Aflac Duck, a robotic companion that provides comfort and support to children, helps them express their emotions, and normalizes medical procedures. Over the past five years, Aflac has distributed more than 24,000 of these ducks free of charge to children above the age of three with cancer and sickle cell disease.

To learn more about Aflac’s commitment to this cause, and to get involved, visit https://www.aflac.com/bridgetobrighter or follow @myspecialaflacduck.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED 
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 67 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance policies in force. In 2021, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In 2022, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the ninth year, the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 17th consecutive year, Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for the 22nd time and Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

1 LIMRA 2021 US Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report

Media contact for Aflac: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com

Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

SOURCE Aflac

Originally published on Aflac Newscenter

COLUMBUS, Ga., October 26, 2023 /3BL/ — Aflac, a leading provider of supplemental health insurance products in the U.S. and a proud supporter of families of children with cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, recently announced the culmination of its campaign to illuminate bridges and other landmarks across the country to commemorate National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Aflac, a pioneer in cancer insurance coverage, has supported childhood cancer initiatives since 1995, having contributed more than $170 million to the cause.

Throughout the month of September, bridges in Atlanta, GA; Buffalo, NY; Fort Wayne, IN; Nashville, TN; Minneapolis, MN; and other U.S. cities were lit by Aflac in gold and burgundy – the recognition colors for childhood cancer and sickle cell disease – in support of the children and families who show incredible courage in the face of life-altering diagnoses.

“For nearly three decades, Aflac has been committed to supporting medical professionals, nonprofit organizations, family members and others who care for children with cancer and blood disorders like sickle cell disease,” Aflac U.S. President Virgil R. Miller said. “Bridge to Brighter is an extension of Aflac’s core company mission to bridge the gap for people and communities when they need us the most.”

The bridge lightings are an expression of Aflac’s Bridge to Brighter campaign, a monthlong effort to shine a bright light helping Americans to learn more about childhood cancer and sickle cell disease and how they can get involved to make a difference. In early September, Aflac launched a digital destination, The Bridge to Brighter, where visitors can hear and read stories about childhood cancer and sickle cell, spread the word to their communities, and ultimately take action, such as by registering as a bone marrow donor or making donations to the Aflac Cancer Center at give.choa.org.

Primary sponsor of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, much of the $170 million in financial support comes from independent sales agents and Aflac employees. Additionally, in 2018, Aflac created My Special Aflac Duck, a robotic companion that provides comfort and support to children, helps them express their emotions, and normalizes medical procedures. Over the past five years, Aflac has distributed more than 24,000 of these ducks free of charge to children above the age of three with cancer and sickle cell disease.

To learn more about Aflac’s commitment to this cause, and to get involved, visit https://www.aflac.com/bridgetobrighter or follow @myspecialaflacduck.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED 
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 67 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance policies in force. In 2021, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In 2022, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the ninth year, the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 17th consecutive year, Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for the 22nd time and Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

1 LIMRA 2021 US Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report

Media contact for Aflac: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com

Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

SOURCE Aflac

PARIS, October 26, 2023 /3BL/ – On September 4, the United Nations published a first draft, or “zero draft,” of its global treaty to end plastic pollution. The draft marks historic progress towards a legally binding instrument, addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, the design of reusable and recyclable products and materials, and the need for enhanced international collaboration facilitating access to technology, capacity building, and scientific and technical cooperation.

CGF Plastic Waste Coalition of Action (PWCOA) Director Cédric Dever hailed this development. “As the UN publishes a comprehensive first draft of the Plastic Treaty, we welcome this landmark moment in helping to change our relationship with plastic. Collaboration and shared commitments are essential to tackling the plastics problem,” he said.

“There are many components needed to achieve a more positive future for plastic and turn the goals of the treaty into a reality,” he said. “This includes the need to reduce the use of problematic and avoidable plastic products, to increase the circularity of plastic products that cannot be avoided, and to implement extended producer responsibility systems.”

The Plastic Waste Coalition has laid important groundwork which may help to inform the treaty’s approach to packaging design. The 41 members of the Plastic Waste Coalition – which includes companies like Mars Incorporated, Unilever and Walmart and represents over 10% of the global plastic packaging market – have created a series of Golden Design Rules to help themselves and others in the industry use less and better plastic.

“Companies don’t need to wait for the treaty to conclude to take meaningful action on eliminating plastic waste today,” he added. “Adopting principles like the Golden Design Rules ultimately help us move to a circular economy for plastics, where it is used again and again in many forms, instead of ever becoming waste or pollution.”

PWCOA leadership and members will attend the next round of negotiations, the third Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2023, to encourage the Golden Design Rules on packaging design, and to express support for Extended Producer responsibility.

October 26, 2023 /3BL/ – Lenovo is pleased to announce that it was included in the 2023 Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index with an AA score. This index is based on a robust process that includes consideration of the results from a sustainability assessment undertaken by Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA), an independent and professional assessment body, using its proprietary sustainability assessment and rating framework. Among 517 Hong Kong-listed companies, Lenovo received the strongest score in the IT industry for its environmental and social achievements.

Companies’ performances are evaluated on seven subjects under the categories of Environmental, Social and Governance: Corporate Governance, Human Rights, Labour Practices, The Environment, Fair Operating Practices, Consumer Issues and Community Involvement and Development. New practices have been added this year such as employee well-being, circular business approach, and waste audit.

Inclusion in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index demonstrates Lenovo’s long-term commitment to driving a more sustainable future for all. Lenovo has increased investment in renewable energy, tripling its solar energy generation since FY 2018/19. Lenovo is focused on integrating sustainable materials and minimizing waste through innovative product design. Lenovo is increasing its participation in the circular economy by continuing to grow the number of products that integrate ‘closed loop’ recycled content (from end-of-life IT and electronics) in their design (up to nearly 300 from 246 the prior fiscal year). Lenovo has also grown its community investments, announcing a more than USD $30M in impact through its global philanthropy efforts, and impacting more than 16 million lives.

Learn more about Lenovo’s ESG performance on Lenovo StoryHub and the FY 2022/23 ESG Report.

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$62 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #217 in the Fortune Global 500, employing 77,000 people around the world, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company by further expanding into growth areas that fuel the advancement of ‘New IT’ technologies (client, edge, cloud, network, and intelligence) including server, storage, mobile, software, solutions, and services. This transformation together with Lenovo’s world-changing innovation is building a more inclusive, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. To find out more visit https://lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

Originally posted on Progressive Grocer.

In this episode, Suzanne Long, Chief Sustainability and Transformation Officer at Albertsons Cos. and this year’s TWIG Hall of Famer, discusses how improving efforts in sustainability can create a better business.

Listen to podcast episode on Progressive Grocer and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 26, 2023 /3BL/ –Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) received a $39,000 charitable grant from KeyBank Foundation, the charitable foundation of KeyBank N.A during the bank’s Volunteer Build Day held earlier today on Chestnut Street in Holyoke. The donation assists Habitat’s green building practices supporting environmental stewardship program, which strives to build homes utilizing a variety of environmentally friendly, green building practices to have a positive impact on the environment while providing homeowners with energy-efficient homes.

“We appreciate KeyBank’s donation to our environmental stewardship campaign, which will allow us to incorporate more green building and energy-efficient products into our home designs and helping us to provide our partner families with more environmentally-friendly homes and lower utility costs,” said Aimee Giroux, GSHFH executive director.

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) builds safe, decent, and affordable homes that allow families to build stronger foundations that create a more stable future for themselves and their families. Through construction utilizing community volunteers, the organization provides low-income families with the opportunity of affordable homeownership or needed repairs on a home they already own. Habitat for Humanity educates families about financial asset building, the value of good credit, and budgeting by requiring families to complete first-time home buyer and financial literacy education. They then work with the family, community volunteers, and workforce development partners to construct and/or repair the homes incorporating green building practices that provide energy cost savings for homeowners.

“At KeyBank, supporting affordable housing solutions is core to our community investment strategy and how we help our communities thrive,” said KeyBank Branch Manager Ramon (Tito) Albizu, who leads the bank’s Holyoke branch. “We are pleased to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission philanthropically, and as members of the Holyoke community, we are particularly proud to volunteer our time to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for a Holyoke family.”

KeyBank has seven bank branches serving greater Springfield. This foundation grant is part of Key’s philanthropic support to creating safe, healthy, affordable and inclusive communities throughout its service area.

About Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity: 
GSHFH is dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering low-income families to change their lives and the lives of future generations through homeownership and home preservation opportunities. Since 1987, Greater Springfield Habitat has built or repaired 120 homes in Hampden County.

About KeyBank Foundation: 
KeyBank Foundation serves to fulfill KeyBank’s purpose to help clients and communities thrive, and its mission is to support organizations and programs that prepare people for thriving futures. The Foundation’s mission is advanced through three funding priorities – neighbors, education, and workforce – and through community service. To provide meaningful philanthropy that transforms lives, KeyBank Foundation listens carefully to understand the unique characteristics and needs of its communities and then backs solutions with targeted philanthropic investments. KeyBank Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation, funded by KeyCorp.

About KeyCorp:
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. 

Media contacts: 
Habitat for Humanity: Brandy O’Brien, Marketing and Communications Manager | (413) 739-5503 | obrien@habitatspringfield.org NAME/TITLE | TEL NO. | EMAIL 
KeyBank: Karen Crane, Communications Manager | 203-789-2752 | karen_crane@keybank.com

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., October 26, 2023 /3BL/ – Cyclyx International, a joint venture between Agilyx and ExxonMobil, announces LyondellBasell has acquired 25% equity ownership of the joint venture (JV). LyondellBasell joining Cyclyx, which was formed in December 2020, further accelerates innovation and development of the necessary infrastructure for a nationwide circular economy for plastics.

“Investing in plastic waste value chain experts such as Cyclyx, together with Agilyx and ExxonMobil, helps create the robust supply chains we all need to increase access to circular and renewable feedstocks,” says Yvonne van der Laan, LyondellBasell executive vice president, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions. “This collaboration unlocks the necessary scale of recycled material and infrastructure for our planned integrated Circular and Low Carbon Solutions Hub in the Houston area and aligns with our purpose of creating solutions for everyday sustainable living.”

“We are excited by and welcome the inclusion of LyondellBasell in the ownership of Cyclyx,” says Joseph Vaillancourt, CEO of Cyclyx. “Headquartered in Houston, LyondellBasell is a respected global leader that shares our vision of a more sustainable future. We are uniquely positioned to enable their sustainability goals for plastic circularity.”

Additional Cyclyx Expansions 
In conjunction with this announcement, Cyclyx is expanding its business model from a strict licensing model to now include a build, own, and operate option for Cyclyx Circularity Centers (CCCs). This business model expansion will enable Cyclyx to control the custody and quality of custom-blended feedstocks from sourcing through delivery. Cyclyx also believes this expanded business model will accelerate the collection of post-use plastics to increase recycling in more communities and businesses nationwide.

Cyclyx will also utilize the Cyclyx Circularity Labs to further expand its chemical characterization database and leadership position in understanding how to best manage contamination in, and utilization of, post-use plastics, accelerating progress of the 10to90 mission. This innovative technology approach identifies plastic type, added ingredients such as metal linings or coloring, ideal manufacturing methods, and contamination to meet the unique specifications of customers, while ensuring the quality of the feedstock and integrity of ISCC PLUS certifications.

Cyclyx’s expanded model helps further its goals of enhancing its national footprint, accelerating the scale of its feedstock services, and investing in future growth in support of the broader industry. 

About Cyclyx International, LLC. 

Cyclyx International, LLC. (“Cyclyx”) is a post-use plastic innovation company working with industry participants to develop innovative recycling solutions for all types of post-use plastics. The company’s 10to90® mission brand is focused on increasing the recyclability of plastics from 10% to 90%. Cyclyx’s expertise in the chemical composition of post-use plastic, in collaboration with industry partners, creates a new, innovative supply chain. Cyclyx has been formed to be a consortium-based entity and since its founding, there have been a growing number of companies joining its membership. For more information, visit us at Cyclyx.com. 

About LyondellBasell 

We are LyondellBasell – a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors, and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements for LyondellBasell:

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management of LyondellBasell which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, the successful construction and operation of the proposed facilities described in this release; and our ability to meet our sustainability goals, including the ability to increase production of recycled and renewable-based polymers to meet our targets and forecasts. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which can be found at www.lyondellbasell.com on the Investor page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. 

About ExxonMobil 

ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies, creates solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. The corporation’s primary businesses–Upstream, Product Solutions, and Low Carbon Solutions– provide products that enable modern life, including energy, chemicals, lubricants, and lower- emissions technologies. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading portfolio of resources, and is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants, and chemical companies in the world. To learn more, visit ExxonMobil.com and the Energy Factor. Follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

About Agilyx 

Agilyx ASA is a technology company that enables customers to recycle difficult-to-recycle post- use plastics to high value, virgin-equivalent products. With a focus on diversion and conversion of plastic waste, Agilyx is uniquely positioned with a molecular recycling technology offering and an integrated feedstock solution by way of Cyclyx, a consortium-based, post-use plastic innovation company with a mission to increase the recyclability of plastic from 10% to 90%. Agilyx was the first to establish a commercial scale waste polystyrene chemical recycling facility via pyrolysis enabling closed loop polystyrene plastic-to-plastic and holds 20 patents. Agilyx conversion technology utilizes pyrolysis without a catalyst and can convert mixed waste plastic to naphtha and fuels or depolymerize specific plastics such as polystyrene and PMMA (acrylic) back into virgin-quality products. Learn more at Agilyx.com or follow them on LinkedIn. 

Media Contacts 

Melissa Emmott 
VP, Marketing and Programs 
memmott@cyclyx.com 

Nick Facchin 
Manager, Executive Communications and Media Relations Nick.Facchin@lyondellbasell.com 
+1 723 309 7575

ExxonMobil Media Relations 
737-272-1452 
Media.Relations@exxonmobil.com