Tag: 3BL

By: Mark Kirchgasser, Vice President of Sales – Away from Home, Sofidel America

A new season is almost here, which means it’s time to refresh your facility’s cleaning program. Finding new ways to implement sustainable hygiene practices can help benefit your facility as well as the planet.

The public is continuing to become more conscious about the brands they purchase from and prefer facilities that prioritize sustainability, it’s now more important than ever that facility managers address their current sustainable practices. Along with incorporating sustainable practices, occupants also prefer facilities that prioritize health and safety through hygienic practices.

Go Touch-Free

When people are out on the go, they want a safe and clean place to go. Providing restrooms that prioritize sustainability and hygiene practices can help improve customer satisfaction. A study found that there are up to 229,000 germs per square inch on high-touch surfaces in restrooms such as handles of frequently used faucets, as well as 83 bacteria per square inch on flush handles. Switching to touch-free appliances such as automatic toilets, faucets and soap and paper towel dispensers is a great way to reduce touchpoints that can allow bacteria to transfer.

This also provides a sustainable alternative as many manufacturers supply soap and paper towels for touchless appliances in bulk. Research has found that 20 companies are the source of 55% of the world’s single-use plastic waste, while the world’s top 100 companies account for more than 90%. Switching to touch-free appliances eliminates the need for plastic soap pumps which reduces the amount of single-use plastic as well as the carbon footprint of frequent product shipment and delivery.

Reevaluate Cleaning Chemicals

Most commonly used cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals that can damage the environment and end users as well as building occupants. Sustainable cleaning products are made with ingredients that contain less harsh chemicals and safer ingredients, resulting in a truly cleaner facility. Green cleaning products have also been proven to improve air quality within facilities as they don’t emit pollutants into the air that are found in common cleaning products.

Hiring professionals to clean your facility allows them to restock hygiene products on a routine basis and saves your employees time. This helps ensures hygiene measures are being met while also reducing the need to frequently re-purchase plastic cleaning supplies, which can be costly and take up inventory space. This results in a regularly maintained facility while benefiting your business and the environment.

Be Transparent

It’s important to be transparent with your customers when reporting your business’ sustainability and cleanliness tactics. With the presence of digital technology, companies can be exposed to bending the truth, or even flat-out deceiving customers. This can result in a negative impression that can be difficult to recover from. Consumers value business transparency now more than ever. Eighty five percent of consumers say a business’ history of being transparent makes them more likely to give it a second chance after a bad experience.

This doesn’t mean that businesses can’t benefit from acknowledging their mistakes. Transparency allows the opportunity to make changes that improve business and exceed customers’ preferences. Share how your business plans to make sustainable changes whether it’s product ingredients, manufacturing processes or packaging and shipment procedures. Transparency allows for business growth that shows customers they are valued.

Set Your Standards 

Consumers aren’t the only ones who prefer a sustainably focused facility. Nearly 80% of employees find sustainable practices in the workplace to be an important focus. When it comes to cleanliness, a clean workplace has been linked to higher office morale and increased productivity. If your facility has a designated cleaning staff, providing routine training sessions will ensure they are up to date on cleaning standards, using equipment and green cleaning products properly and are exceeding your facility’s cleaning standards.

Facility managers can also implement small sustainable efforts in the workplace such as recycling bins, reusable utensils in the office kitchen, utilizing digital documents over paper documents and encouraging employees to unplug electronics when they’re not in use. Offering sustainable alternatives promotes a healthy work environment that reflects positively on employees and the company’s image.

Protect Your Facility and the Planet

Prioritizing the health of occupants who enter your facility while also finding ways to better the planet benefits businesses by showing social responsibility. Implementing changes, big or small, can create a positive impact that shows customers that businesses are paying attention to them and are striving to make a difference in their communities.

Author Bio

Mark Kirchgasser is Vice President of Sales –Away from Home, at Sofidel America. He is a 30-year veteran of the tissue industry. Sofidel is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use, including its Papernet brand of sustainable hygiene solutions. For more information, visit www.papernet.com/am

About The Sofidel Group

The Sofidel Group, a privately held company owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 12 countries – Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA – with more than 6,400 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact and the international WWF Climate Savers program, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development.  For more information, visit www.sofidel.com.

Media Contact:

Brianna Fitzpatrick 

Mulberry Marketing Communications 

bfitzpatrick@mulberrymc.com 

Advanced automated technology prevented more than 17,000 outages during powerful storm

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., September 12, 2023 /3BL/ – Duke Energy’s grid improvements helped customers keep their lights on while Hurricane Idalia crossed Florida.

The smart, self-healing grid used automated technology to avoid more than 17,000 outages, which saved more than 5 million outage minutes for customers.

“Every hurricane season, we consistently see our grid improvements help avoid outages, restore service faster and increase reliability for our customers,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.

Much like the GPS in your car can identify an accident ahead and reroute you around the incident, self-healing technology is like a GPS for the grid. The technology can quickly identify power outages and alternate energy pathways to restore service faster for customers when an outage occurs.

This tool also frees up lineworkers to manually restore power in other locations after a major storm like Idalia.

Last week, the Category 3 hurricane made landfall on the northwest coast of Florida, causing severe flooding, damage and widespread power outages that impacted nearly 200,000 customers in Duke Energy Florida’s service territory.

Duke Energy currently serves more than 60% of customers in Florida with self-healing capabilities on its main power distribution lines, with a goal of serving around 80% over the next few years.

In addition to adding self-healing technology to its system, the company installs stronger poles and upgrades wires, places outage-prone lines underground and trims vegetation near power lines to strengthen the energy grid, make it more resilient and further enhance the company’s storm response.

Self-healing technology video.

Self-healing grid system animation video.

Duke Energy Florida

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

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

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

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

Contact: Audrey Stasko 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853 
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

View original content here.

World Water Week 2023 wrapped up in Stockholm, Sweden a few weeks ago. Erica Pann, Water Stewardship Service Co-Leader for Antea Group, attended and shared her reflections and insights below.

With Climate Week NYC right around the corner, I have been reflecting on my recent attendance at World Water Week earlier this month. This annual event in Stockholm, Sweden acts as an invigorating beacon of hope in my personal water stewardship journey as well as a thought-provoking couple of days collectively in our quest for a sustainable and water-wise world. I found myself amongst experts and thought leaders all seeking to explore innovative paths toward achieving our collective sustainability goals.

For me, and perhaps in light of my current MBA course load, several themes emerged, each representing a critical piece of the puzzle for a future where water is abundant and accessible to all.

Finance: The Lifeblood of Water Sustainability 

The need for increased financial support emerged as a pivotal element in this endeavor. It’s no secret that failing to address water issues would undermine the SDGs and, consequently, our climate goals. In a blog published on the heels of the UN 2023 Water Conference, the World Resources Institute (WRI) shared that only 26% of publicly disclosed water commitments have identified clear funding sources. Some of the challenge lies in blending private and public capital. However, the road is fraught with complexities, influenced by political considerations and risk-averse investors.

It is important to note that governance and finance are inseparable; the progress of one invariably influences the other. To account for this, we need to strive for better utilization of existing funds in addition to creating an environment conducive to water financing. This includes establishing a sound investment climate, ensuring water regulations align with investment objectives, and broadening the focus to ensure the sustainability of projects and borrowers’ capabilities.

Industry Transformation: Water and Business Collaboration 

Industry transformation is the linchpin in the journey toward water sustainability, and it’s increasingly clear that the water and energy sectors must join forces. Their interconnectedness is undeniable, with the achievement of net-zero environmental goals hinging on this collaboration.

Energy’s thirst for water, from power plant cooling to resource extraction, intertwines with water’s reliance on energy for distribution and treatment. The partnership between these sectors is now imperative, pushing businesses to reimagine their practices. Innovations in water efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable supply chains are vital to curbing environmental impact. By working together, these industries not only reduce their footprint but also contribute to global climate and water resource efforts, ensuring a path to a more sustainable future.

The Nexus of Water and Climate: An Unbreakable Bond 

More and more experts in this space are focusing on the undeniable interplay between water and climate solutions, as climate change’s most palpable impact often manifests itself through the pronounced and far-reaching water crisis. This linkage exemplifies the intrinsic connection between water scarcity and climate change. The growing awareness has prompted a shift (albeit painfully slow at times) towards a comprehensive approach that emphasizes resource efficiency and integrates water into the core of energy-related investments, making it an indispensable component of the business rationale.

This integration is further emphasized at global gatherings like COP28, where the water community collaborates closely with climate initiatives to mainstream water across diverse agendas encompassing biodiversity, the energy transition, and climate mitigation. By recognizing water’s pivotal role in these realms, this collaborative effort is poised to address the intricate challenges posed by climate change and foster a sustainable and resilient future for our planet.

Redefining Water Stewardship: Unleashing Collective Action 

Collective action is both a challenge and a solution in the complex realm of water stewardship. Overcoming the high entry barriers and intricacies of water issues is demanding, yet unity holds the key to progress.

Bridging the divide between NGOs and businesses requires a common language founded on shared goals and a commitment to sustainability. Trust-building is paramount, necessitating efforts to foster understanding among diverse stakeholders. Addressing power imbalances between relevant stakeholders is essential for equitable cooperation, with accountability forming the foundation of trust. Key discussions from experts in this space focus on appropriate basin selection, sustainable funding, inclusive governance structures, finding scalable projects, and amplifying diverse voices.

These conversations shape a collective approach to tackle the multifaceted challenges of the water crisis.

Sustainable Finance, Business Collaboration, & the Nexus of Energy and Climate: Collective Action through BIER 

The Charco Bendito Project facilitated by the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) serves as an outstanding illustration of the power of collaborative action in addressing these overlapping and highly complex environmental challenges. This inspiring project unites local communities, government agencies, environmental organizations, and the private sector in the pursuit of addressing water scarcity and degradation in a region facing severe environmental issues.

Through a joint effort, the project has implemented innovative solutions like reforestation, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable agriculture to protect vital water resources while actively engaging local communities in decision-making processes. By fostering collaboration and pooling resources, the project not only addresses immediate water challenges but also promotes sustainable development, serving as a model of successful collective action for water conservation and ecosystem health.

Final Thoughts 

To sum it all up, these themes—sustainable finance, industry transformation, the linkage between climate & water, and the refocus of water stewardship through collaborative action—are integral to our vision of a future where water is not just a resource but the cornerstone of a resilient, sustainable world.

These seeds of change have the potential to blossom into a brighter, water-wise future for all, nurturing the world’s most vital resource for generations to come. As we look ahead to Climate Week, let us carry these insights with us, knowing that water’s role is central in the journey towards a sustainable and climate-resilient world.

For more on building a sustainable, water-wise future, connect with our Water Stewardship experts today.

Learn More About Water Stewardship

About Antea Group

Antea®Group is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through not only our work with multinational clients, but also through our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the Inogen Alliance. Learn more at us.anteagroup.com.

September 12, 2023 /3BL/ – Inogen Alliance is excited to announce a new first to market ESG self-assessment digital survey tool to assess ESG progress or test the maturity of an organizations sustainability initiatives. Our free detailed global ESG Pre-Screening tool is the first of it’s kind to help companies develop formal and comprehensive systems to manage ESG or sustainability-related risks and take advantage of potential opportunities.

“Within the past few years, we have seen a lot of jurisdictional transformation like the CSRD in Europe and the US SEC ESG investing directives requiring firms and capital markets to disclose their ESG commitments. We have also seen firms struggling to understand where to even start with their ESG or Sustainability journeys to be in compliance or meet new requirements. At HPC and across our global network we have the knowledge and the data to start to benchmark ESG status at a very high level by starting with the fundamentals to support our clients to better navigate the ESG landscape. With these recent developments and our available knowledge we decided to partner with denxpert though the Inogen Alliance to bring this data and expertise to life through this first-of-its-kind ESG Pre-Screening / Maturity declaration tool.” Emmanuel Zinsu, Head of ESG & Sustainability, HPC Germany.

“denxpert’s goal is to help companies digitalize their ESG and EHS journey. To put the knowledge of HPC and Inogen Alliance into a self-assessment ESG tool will open up the opportunity for any company around the globe to get a glimpse of their ESG status without needing to first rely on obtaining consultant or other services, “ Róbert Szücs-Winkler, CEO.

The ESG Pre-Screening tool collects data on generic ESG-related issues of a company for further analysis. The result is a first overview “snapshot” of your ESG performance. Registrants then receive a visual representation and quick insights to their ESG performance maturity within 15 mins after submission of the form in their private e-mail the same day. (This tool abides by our privacy policy, all data is confidentially treated per our data protection policies and would not be shared with third parties.)

“ESG is currently one of the biggest challenges for organizations. Next to their financial results the sustainability impacts are expected to become a strategic driver. HPC and denxpert together with our Inogen Alliance associates are privileged to present the first and fully automated ESG self-assessment digital tool to give companies a lightning fast solution for a real-time overview of their ESG performance or maturity. This is a good first step on their sustainability pathway and a game changer. With the Alliance experts and the denxpert tools we can also support the next steps on their strategic or operative sustainability journey,“ Róbert Szücs-Winkler.

View the ESG Pre-Screening Assessment Tool Here!

This new tool is available to all here and on our new Resources page where you can find other downloads, videos and on-demand webinars as a way of consolidating a global view of all of our Associates resources and materials.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

In support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and as part of Major League Soccer’s Kick Childhood Cancer (KCC) campaign, which aims to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment, AEG’s LA Galaxy hosted 13 pediatric cancer patients from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) for the club’s first-ever Boot Making Lab, presented by adidas, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.

The youth were partnered with LA Galaxy first-team players and coaches to decorate a select set of boots and shoes. In celebration of the newly designed footwear, the boots and shoes were worn by the players and coaches during training sessions leading up to and on the official LA Galaxy Kick Childhood Cancer theme night match against the Houston Dynamo on September 2, 2023. The decorated player boots will be auctioned off later in the month, with all proceeds directly benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

“This is the first time the LA Galaxy has done a “cleats for a cause” initiative and it is the first time in MLS history where players had the ability to showcase these customized cleats in a match setting,” said Gabriel Osollo, Senior Manager, Community Relations, LA Galaxy. “Our goal was to amplify the patients’ voices and their cause on a much larger scale by working with a professional sports team. It was so encouraging to see the players, coaches, and the youth collaborate to create cleats that are meaningful and special to all parties as they created memories that will last a lifetime.”

During the KCC Boot Making Lab, the youth patients and their families were invited to watch a closed-door first team training session, followed by a tour of Dignity Health Sports Park. The group also enjoyed lunch and ice cream provided Kinecta Federal Credit Union after the tour. The participating patients were also invited to attend the LA Galaxy’s Kick Childhood Cancer match, where they had the opportunity to see Galaxy players wear their designs on the pitch and were honored as the club’s “Heroes of the Match” during halftime. At the game, the youth also participated in the “Mascot Scramble”, where they played a mini soccer game against the various mascots from multiple Los Angeles sports teams.

MLS, MLS WORKS – the League’s social responsibility platform – all MLS clubs and Continental Tire are teaming up during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with the 10th annual Kick Childhood Cancer campaign to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. Throughout the month of September, MLS, its clubs and players will drive awareness of the campaign through in-stadium activations, League social and digital channels, and content on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Originally published by KFC Global

Three-year agreement includes offering aspiring gamers a direct pathway into SEF’s esports development programs, propelling them towards professional excellence.Partnership is also supporting and empowering female gamers in the Kingdom by providing them with a dedicated platform called ‘First Female Saudi E-League.’

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, September 12, 2023, /3BL/ The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have officially unveiled a transformative three-year partnership dedicated to advancing local talent onto the global esports stage, including a groundbreaking initiative for women gamers.

The collaboration will introduce a series of events and challenge-based initiatives, especially designed to nurture fresh Saudi esports talent. These initiatives will offer aspiring gamers a direct pathway into SEF’s renowned esports development programs, propelling their journey towards professional excellence.

As part of this alliance, SEF and KFC will also team up to enhance the gaming landscape through high-quality streamed content. This will be facilitated through SEF’s streaming program, Voices of Saudi Esports. KFC’s involvement will play a pivotal role in elevating the platform by delivering engaging and entertaining gaming content. Audiences will be treated to branded streamed gameplay content featuring exciting KFC discounts and promotions.

Ahmed Albishri, Deputy CEO at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “By nurturing emerging talents, promoting gender equality in gaming, and providing engaging content, this collaboration marks a significant stride towards building a robust gaming ecosystem in the Kingdom. The Saudi Esports Federation and PLAY KFC are set to reshape the esports landscape in Saudi Arabia through this dynamic partnership”. 

A major highlight of this collaboration is the launch of the ‘First Female Saudi E-League’, dedicated to champion and empower female gamers in the Kingdom. The top-performing team will enter the KFC X SEF accelerator program, providing them with direct training from professional esports teams and trainers. This unique initiative is set to elevate female gamers to the forefront of the gaming industry and provide them with a coveted spot at Gamers8, the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide, in 2024.

The second edition of Gamers8, an eight-week long entertainment extravaganza hosted at Boulevard Riyadh City featuring elite esports tournaments, live music concerts, and numerous attractions and activities, has just concluded. Throughout the upcoming period, KFC will document the journey of these pioneering female gamers through an engaging content series, celebrating their growth, determination, and triumphs in the world of esports.

Ozge Zoralioglu, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC, Yum! Brands, said: “At KFC, we’ve always believed in the magic that esports brings to the table; hence we created PLAY KFC as the ultimate platform to unite communities, ignite passions, and unveil talents. But what truly sets PLAY KFC apart is the ‘First Female Saudi E-League,’ a realm that echoes our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and empowerment as we champion the growth of female gamers. Like our world-famous chicken, our partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation promises an experience that lingers, an impact that resonates, and a legacy that’s nothing short of extraordinary.”

ENDS

About the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF):

The Saudi Esports Federation is the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia.

The federation’s activities are categorized into two complementary streams. The first stream works to develop all levels of competitive gamers, starting with the grassroots community level and moving up to professional esports athletes that can achieve global excellence. The second stream works to develop the entire gaming/esports value chain by catalyzing the industry and enabling talent. 

Since its establishment in late 2017, the federation has organized multiple world-class national and international tournaments and events, attracted investment from local private sector actors and worked with international developers on opportunities in the Saudi market. 

About KFC:

KFC, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM.), is a global chicken restaurant brand with a rich, decades-long history of success and innovation. It all started with one cook, Colonel Harland Sanders, who created a finger-lickin’ good recipe more than 75 years ago, a list of secret herbs and spices scratched out on the back of the door to his kitchen. Today we still follow his formula for success, with real cooks breading and freshly preparing our delicious chicken by hand in more than 28,000 restaurants in more than 145 countries and territories around the world. KFC operates in the MENA region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia), Turkey, Pakistan and Central Asia, with more than 1,400 franchised units.

Originally Published by TriplePundit

Companies around the world are looking to meet 100 percent of their energy needs with renewable sources in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change. But what are the next steps once the commitments are down on paper, and how do companies move from good intentions to implementation of their renewable energy goals?

Henkel, which owns well-known consumer and industrial brands including Dial personal care products, All laundry care, Schwarzkopf hair products, Loctite adhesives and more, is making progress on its own target, and can serve as an example to other companies looking to bridge the gap between ambition and action.

Renewable energy and corporate decarbonization: How the real work happens. 

Henkel aims to source 100 percent of purchased electricity from renewables by 2030 and is well on its way to meeting that goal. Dirk Ullrich, senior global expert on climate change for Henkel, is one of the many employees responsible for ensuring operational sustainability at the company’s 166 global production sites. “We have an ambition to be climate-positive in our operations by 2030,” Ullrich said. “We are confident that we will outpace our target, and parts of it early.”

“We have a strict hierarchy for our energy programs,” Ullrich continued. “First, we look into energy efficiency and renewable power generation on-site. We also look for regional energy sourcing solutions like virtual power purchase agreements, or direct energy contracts to create additionality in the markets.”

Virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) are long-term renewable energy contracts that feed power from specific renewable energy plants into the supply grid, in an amount that is equal to the amount consumed. Henkel is using an off-site VPPA with a wind farm in Bee County, Texas.

“Increasing Henkel’s investment in climate-positivity in our worldwide production is at the heart of our sustainability transformation, and we’re glad to be contributing to this important effort here in North America,” said Pernille Lind Olsen, president of Henkel North America, corporate senior vice president for adhesive technologies, packaging and consumer goods, and regional head of adhesive technologies in North America. “This VPPA agreement covers a capacity equivalent to 100 percent of the electricity demand for our operations in the U.S. That’s more than 30 production sites, which represents a significant reduction in our carbon footprint.”

The wind farm was developed by energy provider Ørsted and generates renewable energy that has fed into the public grid since June 2022. The entire wind park area is 15,000 acres and is expected to generate over 850 gigawatts of electricity on average each year. This equals the energy needed to power approximately 90,000 U.S. households.

“We’re pleased to work with Henkel to deliver renewable energy from Helena Wind Farm,” said Monica Testa, head of origination at Ørsted. “Henkel’s commitment to this project directly contributes to increasing renewable energy supply to the Texas electric grid and meeting our global decarbonization goals.”

A recent solar VPPA in Spain covers Henkel’s electricity demand of more than 40 sites in Europe, and the company is also investing in energy generation at its own production sites globally. In Australia, among other countries, two of Henkel’s factories installed rooftop solar panels. Together with the utilization of new energy-saving equipment and sourcing contracts for renewable energy, the plants have successfully transitioned to 100 percent renewable electricity usage.

Still, Ullrich noted that it is more difficult to source renewable energy in some countries than others, and this has been a challenge for the company in some places where it has operations.

Real action on renewables builds trust with stakeholders — and engages them as partners in the fight against climate change.

“Climate change is a global problem, but the solutions are local,” Ulrich said. Beyond decarbonizing its own operations, Henkel aims to provide consumers with as many opportunities as possible to lower their own household energy use. For example, the company has developed technologies for its laundry detergents that allow consumers to wash clothes at very low temperatures and with combined colors.

Henkel’s ambition has helped the company keep solid marks from climate rating agencies. “Henkel has been included in the CDP Supplier Engagement Leaders Board for 2022, belonging to the top 8 percent of companies assessed for supply chain engagement on climate change,” Ullrich said. “We take this seriously. We do not play the game to get the best possible score, but we work instead for the highest level of credibility.”

The bottom line: We all have a role to play in a low-carbon future. 

For Ullrich, his work at Henkel is personal. “When it comes to a sustainable future, there is hope, but we have to act,” he said. “Individuals, communities, and corporations all have the opportunity to make meaningful changes that contribute to sustainability efforts. Current trends show that that within five to six years, we will likely use up the global 1.5-degree carbon budget, so by 2025, there will be no carbon budget left. The more we do today to act on this creates less of a burden for generations to come.”

Companies must act quickly to make that burden smaller, he continued. “I see a lot of targets, goals and pledges, but we need action.”

To move from target-setting to real impact, companies and other stakeholders must also recognize the nuance of the challenges they face and act accordingly. “Sustainability topics are linked and intertwined,” Ullrich said. “You can’t discuss climate in a silo. Climate can only be tackled when you have a good understanding of other issues like water and the circular economy, because we need to think circularly to look into climate protection.”

This article series is sponsored by Henkel North America and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

Image courtesy of Henkel North America

ESG (environment, social and governance) investing has been making headlines lately, having become both a target for anti-woke initiatives and a topic of discussion in sustainability circles.

Social impact communicator Michael Maslansky and his firm recently concluded an extensive research study on ESG and its future. Join the Impact Relations Institute, in partnership with 3BL Media, for our next Impact Council on Wednesday, October 4 at 12pm ET / 9am PT to discuss the findings and explore:

Why some insist the language of ESG is divisiveThe factors that impact investors’ attitudes toward ESGWhether ESG delves deep enough into the negative impacts of its investments, and why many progressives opt for B Corps, Public Good companies or Benefit Corps instead

Meet your speaker:

Michael Maslansky is the CEO and author of The Language of Trust. He and his team have long operated with the philosophy that it isn’t what you say, but what your audience hears. M+P, essentially, is a language agency.

Since publishing his book, Michael has become one of the leading experts on reputation and crisis communication in the world. He has served as a senior advisor to Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Bank of America, PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer, among others, and has helped industry associations in financial services, energy, and personal care navigate major industry transformations and crises.

What else would you like to learn in this session? Email your request to hello@impactrelations.org.

September 12, 2023 /3BL/ – Today Bath & Body Works announces its inclusion on Newsweek’s list of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies.

In collaboration with global data research firm Statista, the publication completed an extensive survey of over 70,000 participants, gathering 269,000 evaluations of companies that people trust as a customer, as an investor and as an employee. This is Newsweek’s first listing of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies, and it includes 1,000 companies in 21 countries and 23 industries. Bath & Body Works ranks 6th in the category of Consumer Goods and is the top U.S.-based company in the category.

“We’re honored to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek,” says Bath & Body Works CEO Gina Boswell. “For more than 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in our industry with our customers at the center of everything we do. We continue to build on that strong foundation of connecting with the customer through fragrance by offering outstanding products and a terrific shopping experience whether online or in store.”

In addition to making Newsweek’s list of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies, Bath & Body Works recently has been recognized in several other ways including:

America’s Greatest Workplaces by NewsweekAmerica’s Best Workplaces for Women by NewsweekAmerica’s Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ individuals by NewsweekMost Trustworthy Companies in America by NewsweekDiversity in Business Award by Columbus Business FirstForbes List of America’s Best Large EmployersForbes List of America’s Best Employers for WomenA Diversity First Top 50 Company by the Diversity Research Institute

For more information about Bath & Body Works, visit bbwinc.com.

ABOUT BATH & BODY WORKS

Home of America’s Favorite Fragrances®, Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, including top-selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap. Powered by agility and innovation, the company’s predominantly U.S.-based supply chain enables the company to deliver quality, on-trend luxuries at affordable prices. Bath & Body Works serves and delights customers however and wherever they want to shop, from welcoming, in-store experiences at more than 1,820 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the U.S. and Canada and more than 440 international franchised locations to an online storefront at BathandBodyWorks.com.

For more information, please contact:

Bath & Body Works, Inc.: 
Media Relations 
Emmy Beach 
Communications@bbw.com

The number of Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) have tripled in the past two years. Many are relatively new and are tasked to lead the development of sustainability plans and interact with various departments across the enterprise. Recently, retailers have made more significant commitments to sustainability goals, aligned them to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and enlisted board and management support to finalize and socialize these plans. CSOs and their sustainability teams will soon realize that data must be a more prominent consideration in their plan. They’ll need a more defined data strategy and governance approach, which may sit outside their skillset.

Sustainability Data and Governance

CSOs have the expertise in understanding the governmental regulations, environmental science, understanding stakeholder interests and developing plans and systems to lead organizational success in sustainability. CSOs must also build trust – trust that the plans are appropriate and that the various sustainability reports are accurate, which ultimately means trust in data.

Data is central to the sustainability plans in any organization. Retailers need to collect data from various sources, such as suppliers, store locations, warehouse sites and product data and bring it together as a single trustworthy source. They must use strong data governance practices continuously to ensure the data is accurate and up to date.

Closer Collaboration Between Technology, Business and Sustainability Roles

Fortunately, many companies have undergone some type of digital transformation in the past several years, which can help the adoption and use of new data. Understanding that data is a valuable resource, and that it’s everyone’s role to maximize the value of data and use it appropriately, is now part of many companies’ data culture.

Data of all types are assets that need to be governed, enriched and maximized internally and shared with confidence with consumers. With the introduction of new sustainability plans, CSOs and their teams will be introducing novel processes and varieties of data to business teams. CSOs need to work with data and marketing teams to strategically tie sustainability goals to corporate, marketing and business goals. Furthermore, business data embedded into marketing and operational activities now needs to ensure sustainability information is integrated into existing processes and decision points.

Chief Marketing Officer

Marketing and merchandising leaders and their teams have traditionally owned consumer messaging, product content and promotional communication. The commitments to sustainability have opened up new paradigms to marketing. Along with reaching consumers with the right product and encouraging new and repeat purchases, there is a rising need for sustainability messaging. Promotions are starting to involve sustainability, such as advertising high nutritional, environment-friendly products that claim fair-trading practices or other claims relevant to the category. The complexity of managing more voluminous data and a greater variety of data requires marketing teams to work more closely with the sustainability leaders in retail organizations.

Chief Data Officer

Along with CSOs, data leadership roles are growing in popularity at retailers. As data complexity rises and expectations of speed to market increase, data needs to flow to business teams in a governed way and feed business analytic applications. The CDO is the owner of the data and partners with the CIO to ensure the data framework is set up for the organization and flexible enough to bring in new data, such as sustainability data. Furthermore, the CDO must work with the Chief Sustainability Officer and CMO to build rules and workflow approvals to safeguard against greenwashing. Building a trustworthy and transparent data model inclusive of sustainability data ensures consistent ESG reporting over time.

Collaboration Strategies Among Key CSO Partners

While it may be easy for several retail leaders to align on the goals and agree that their teams will work together on a common goal, there is loads of work to do and processes to build to make it happen. Changing business activities and behaviors to reach the aggressive business and sustainability goals requires a technology platform where work activities can be visible, interdepartmental handoffs can be designed and tasks can be efficiently completed across teams.

Multidomain master data management is the platform where organizations can launch data projects to add sustainability attribution to products, provides additional environmental facts for store locations and other operational sites and add facts and documentation to provide evidence of the sustainable practices of the retail vendors.

Sustainability master data governed on the right platform not only reduces the gaps, limits miscommunication, reduces regulatory risk but also provides transparency for all these activities. A collaborative, data-driven approach gives greater confidence to organizations and CSOs to communicate progress on goals to all stakeholders and consumers.