Tag: 3BL

BOSTON, July 12, 2023 /3BL/ – Vanguard Renewables is proud to announce that 88 Acres, located in Canton, MA, is the latest New England food and beverage manufacturer to join the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program (FPSH). The program brings New England-based companies together to collaborate on eliminating food waste from landfills by recycling it into renewable energy on regional dairy farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. 88 Acres joins New England Natural Bakers, Fancypants Baking Co., Sloop Brewing Co., and CFE Seafoods in a shared mission to redirect food waste, fight climate change, and help to support dairy farmers across the region.

“Food waste in the United States is one of the leading greenhouse gas emitters, and we are thrilled to work with companies like 88 Acres who understand that their waste has a higher purpose,” stated Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Vanguard Renewables. “88 Acres knows that their unavoidable food waste from the manufacturing process doesn’t have to end up at a landfill or incinerator, but it can go on to create renewable energy – and we are excited they are joining our Farm Powered mission.”

88 Acres was launched by Nicole Ledoux and her husband Rob Dalton in 2015. After meeting on Match.com, and on their fourth date, Rob had an allergic reaction that sent him to the hospital and pushed Nicole into the kitchen to help ensure that they didn’t spend another date in the same fashion. Today, their team of nearly 100 local employees makes delicious food that everyone can enjoy, with or without a food allergy. 88 Acres began as a love story between two people and has grown to encompass a passionate community brought together by the power of great food.

“Our story began in our tiny basement apartment with the desire to create a high-quality product that would be safe for families with loved ones that have allergies to nuts,” stated Nicole Ledoux, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, 88 Acres. “Our commitment to the environment and sourcing ingredients in an environmentally friendly way was an important aspect of our business plan, and joining the FPSH is another step in our commitment to sustainability.”

88 Acres is a manufacturer of allergen-friendly healthy snacks & pantry staples and is distributed nationwide across partners such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegman’s, and Market Basket. The company thoughtfully crafts their bars, butters, and Seed’nola (granola clusters) with whole seeds and simple ingredients — just like you would at home.

The FPSH program, launched in 2022, is a regional chapter of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA). Regional and single-location food and beverage manufacturers throughout New England who are eligible to become members. It is a pre-competitive collaboration to share best practices to improve the impact we have on the environment during food and beverage production. The FPSA was launched in 2020 with Vanguard Renewables, Dairy Farmers of America, Starbucks, and Unilever as founding partners. It has now grown to include more than 15 large food and beverage manufacturers.

Vanguard Renewables is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses in the food and beverage industry, regardless of size, can be a part of the Farm Powered movement to mitigate climate change.

Vanguard Renewables Media Room

www.vanguardrenewables.com/vanguard-renewables-media-room

About Vanguard Renewables

Vanguard Renewables, based in Weston, Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 150 anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of BlackRock Real Assets. To learn more visit www.vanguardrenewables.com

About 88 Acres

88 Acres crafts nutritious seed-based foods made with simple ingredients that everybody can enjoy. All 88 Acres foods are free of peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and sesame. To learn more about 88 Acres, or to buy products online, visit www.88acres.com. For recipe ideas and product updates, visit their blog and follow them on social media @88acres.

BOSTON, July 12, 2023 /3BL/ – Vanguard Renewables is proud to announce that 88 Acres, located in Canton, MA, is the latest New England food and beverage manufacturer to join the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program (FPSH). The program brings New England-based companies together to collaborate on eliminating food waste from landfills by recycling it into renewable energy on regional dairy farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. 88 Acres joins New England Natural Bakers, Fancypants Baking Co., Sloop Brewing Co., and CFE Seafoods in a shared mission to redirect food waste, fight climate change, and help to support dairy farmers across the region.

“Food waste in the United States is one of the leading greenhouse gas emitters, and we are thrilled to work with companies like 88 Acres who understand that their waste has a higher purpose,” stated Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Vanguard Renewables. “88 Acres knows that their unavoidable food waste from the manufacturing process doesn’t have to end up at a landfill or incinerator, but it can go on to create renewable energy – and we are excited they are joining our Farm Powered mission.”

88 Acres was launched by Nicole Ledoux and her husband Rob Dalton in 2015. After meeting on Match.com, and on their fourth date, Rob had an allergic reaction that sent him to the hospital and pushed Nicole into the kitchen to help ensure that they didn’t spend another date in the same fashion. Today, their team of nearly 100 local employees makes delicious food that everyone can enjoy, with or without a food allergy. 88 Acres began as a love story between two people and has grown to encompass a passionate community brought together by the power of great food.

“Our story began in our tiny basement apartment with the desire to create a high-quality product that would be safe for families with loved ones that have allergies to nuts,” stated Nicole Ledoux, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, 88 Acres. “Our commitment to the environment and sourcing ingredients in an environmentally friendly way was an important aspect of our business plan, and joining the FPSH is another step in our commitment to sustainability.”

88 Acres is a manufacturer of allergen-friendly healthy snacks & pantry staples and is distributed nationwide across partners such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegman’s, and Market Basket. The company thoughtfully crafts their bars, butters, and Seed’nola (granola clusters) with whole seeds and simple ingredients — just like you would at home.

The FPSH program, launched in 2022, is a regional chapter of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA). Regional and single-location food and beverage manufacturers throughout New England who are eligible to become members. It is a pre-competitive collaboration to share best practices to improve the impact we have on the environment during food and beverage production. The FPSA was launched in 2020 with Vanguard Renewables, Dairy Farmers of America, Starbucks, and Unilever as founding partners. It has now grown to include more than 15 large food and beverage manufacturers.

Vanguard Renewables is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses in the food and beverage industry, regardless of size, can be a part of the Farm Powered movement to mitigate climate change.

Vanguard Renewables Media Room

www.vanguardrenewables.com/vanguard-renewables-media-room

About Vanguard Renewables

Vanguard Renewables, based in Weston, Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 150 anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of BlackRock Real Assets. To learn more visit www.vanguardrenewables.com

About 88 Acres

88 Acres crafts nutritious seed-based foods made with simple ingredients that everybody can enjoy. All 88 Acres foods are free of peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and sesame. To learn more about 88 Acres, or to buy products online, visit www.88acres.com. For recipe ideas and product updates, visit their blog and follow them on social media @88acres.

CNH Industrial Italia is donating 500,000 euros to the local community of Cesena following the environmental disaster that struck the Emilia-Romagna region this year. 

Caused by torrential rains, the flooding has wiped out catastrophic numbers of homes, schools, and cropland. Alongside the Italian Government’s emergency funds initiative in response to the disaster, CNH Industrial’s donation to Italy’s Civil Protection unit aims to support the local community of Cesena, where they recently inaugurated a new manufacturing plant. 

The donation was announced by Stefano Pampalone, Construction President at CNH Industrial, during the plant’s inauguration in late June of this year. “Our decision to commence operations during this difficult time for the region, marks our company’s commitment to supporting a return to business activities in the area and aiding the communities affected by the floods,” said Pampalone. 

The site will become a strategic hub to produce compact construction equipment, including electric models. 

“At a time like this, little more than a month after the disastrous floods which hit our area, a manufacturing company that continues to expand is a positive sign for a community known for its courageous entrepreneurship. Together, we will continue to grow,” commented Mayor Lattuca.

The donation signifies CNH Industrial’s dedication to aid those in environmental crisis and to further pave the way for a more sustainable future.

If you don’t build accessibility and inclusivity into your corporate volunteering program, you risk undercutting your efforts. That’s because the very benefits of volunteering hinge on all employees feeling invited and included. Done right, an inclusive volunteering program provides a deeper sense of meaning for employees, strengthens relationships across the company, and improves company culture.

The good news is that an inclusive volunteering program is achievable, no matter what kind of resources you have. The key is avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, design your volunteer opportunities to meet employees where they are.

Inclusive volunteering starts with a conversation

To learn what prevents people from volunteering, ask.

Start this conversation early so that you can build opportunities that make room for everyone. If you only guess at what keeps people from participating, you’ll likely overlook a lot of unique experiences. 

There are many barriers to volunteerism, including physical, mental, and circumstantial. Some may be obvious and others are likely invisible. Creating real accessibility is all about being sure no one is excluded, so start by being as informed as possible. Taking this step is not only good for boosting participation. Inclusion has a direct effect on employee happiness—and retention.

Begin by asking your employees—we recommend using anonymous surveys—about the kinds of challenges they face in participating as a volunteer. Let people speak up freely and safely about what they need, and what feels restrictive. Listen closely. Use this feedback to tailor your programs to meet their needs. Be mindful not to put employees in a position where they feel pressured to disclose anything about their disability status or mental health they prefer to keep private.

Inclusive volunteering means putting accessibility first 

Accessibility and inclusion look different at every organization—as they should. Every employee has unique needs, so offering options and accommodations is essential to give everyone an entry point.

For example, people with physical disabilities may have trouble even getting to a volunteer location outside the office. Consider things like wheelchair accessibility both in transportation (and provide it if needed) and also in and around any volunteering location. And be sure that the volunteer activities you choose have options for a wide range of physical abilities. Having wheelchair accessibility doesn’t mean all that much if the volunteer activity is packing and moving heavy boxes.

Not all disabilities are immediately visible. People with mental health challenges or social anxieties may need more support to be successful. For example, those who identify as neurodivergent may do better volunteering in shorter chunks of time, or in a one-to-one setting rather than in a large group.

Circumstances also play a big role in accessibility as well. Someone who relies on public transportation might not be able to get to volunteer events without assistance. Or an employee with children might not be able to participate in events that take place after work hours.

Some general best practices to keep in mind:

Offer flexible scheduling options for all different types of abilitiesProvide training on how to support people with various types of disabilities, and education about how to reduce implicit biasExplore virtual volunteering activities (there are more than you think!)

Accessibility starts with the sign-up process 

As important as it is for volunteer activities to be accessible, the sign-up process is the first touchpoint employees have with your volunteer program. It needs to be an inclusive experience.

Make sure employees have all the information they need up front. If employees aren’t sure whether a volunteer event will be accessible for them, they likely won’t sign up. Give as much detail as you can about what participants should expect, including information about transportation, parking, and any necessary clothing or equipment.

Providing explicit instructions can help put anxieties at ease for everyone. If employees worry that they’re going to wear the wrong thing or show up at the wrong place, some will likely opt out.

The social aspect of volunteering is important as well. Give employees visibility to see who has signed up for a volunteer opportunity. Knowing who they’ll be working alongside can help people with social anxiety and can be the boost new volunteers need to get involved.

Include options for one-to-one & virtual volunteering

One of the best ways to make your volunteer program more accessible and inclusive is to create one-to-one opportunities (whether virtual or in-person) and to embrace the concept of virtual volunteering in general.

One-to-one volunteering can feel less pressurized. These are moments for volunteers to work directly with someone else in a more personal setting. Some examples include:

Tutoring: Make connections through a partnership with a school or nonprofit.Mentoring: Mentors meet regularly with mentees to discuss progress at school, at work, at home, in their community, etc.Workshops: Hosting a monthly workshop can be a great way to share skills.

What’s more, nearly 83% of companies offer virtual volunteering—and for good reason. Virtual volunteering is an organic, natural way to offer skills-based volunteering, such as:

Online research for an organizationMaking phone calls to garner supportCreating content for a nonprofit (videos, social media graphics, copywriting, website visuals, etc.)Donating accounting skills or advice to small businessesSetting up an online fundraiser

Virtual volunteering provides a channel for nearly anyone at any level of access to give back. It’s inclusive by default, and very familiar in today’s world of work. Online volunteering can be used for fundraising, phone or text banking, event promotion, spreading awareness about causes, writing blogs or newsletters, managing social media accounts, developing research and surveys, publishing articles, and so much more.

Seek feedback and measure results 

Once you have programs up and running, it’s important to keep track of the results. Otherwise, the impact of your decisions is very hard to grasp.

Seek employee feedback often and listen closely so you can adapt. This shouldn’t be a one-time check-in. View it as an ongoing conversation. Questions to ask include:

Do employees feel sufficiently supported in volunteering?Are all employees who are interested in volunteering able to participate?How many people continue to volunteer after their first time?How can you simplify the volunteer time off (VTO) approval process?What suggestions do employees have to improve your volunteer program?

Employee feedback is the best way to find opportunities to improve your program, not just in terms of accessibility, but impact too. Seek feedback from all employees, not just the ones who volunteer. That way you get a full picture of how everyone views the program and clarity about what prevents people from getting involved.

Better accessibility improves the experience for everyone

No matter what stage your volunteer program is in, focusing on accessibility and inclusivity is a smart move. Because true accessibility doesn’t just give more people a way into your program, it actually improves the experience for everyone.

A focus on accessibility helps make the sign-up process seamless, ensures participants have all the information they need up front, and keeps the feedback loop strong. That’s good for all employees and for the company as a whole. To help you build an inclusive volunteering program, look for CSR software that’s certified for accessibility and includes features that empower employees to lead the way.

Originally published in Enbridge’s 2022 Sustainability Report

Enbridge continues to advance progress towards our emissions reduction goals. To maintain strong progress and ensure that the assumptions and analysis underpinning our plans are rigorous, we refine our models and projections over time, remaining aware of contextual factors that shape our business environment, from technological advances to policy changes.

In 2022, we fully integrated our emissions reduction goals within our business unit budgeting and long-range forecasting. As a result, our slate of emissions reduction projects are now prioritized from 2023 through 2026.

We use a marginal abatement cost curve to guide our investment in emissions reduction initiatives, assessing which projects will most efficiently deliver the results required to meet our 2030 emissions intensity reduction target. Enbridge leaders agreed in 2021 on the principles and frameworks that would guide our capital allocation choices. In 2022, our business units took further steps to implement these approaches and align employee and executive compensation around executing on these GHG emissions reduction projects each year.

The pathways shown remain the most current forecast of our route to net zero; carbon offsets and credits are still estimated to represent about one-quarter of our net-zero strategy. We are in the process of updating the models and forecasts that underpin these four pathways and expect to complete this analysis throughout 2023.

Our net-zero strategy focuses on four key pathways: 

Modernization and innovation to increase efficiency and reduce the operational emissions of existing infrastructureDecarbonizing the energy we use by procuring low-carbon power and self-powering our assets with renewable energyInvesting in renewables and lower-carbon infrastructureBalancing residual emissions through selective investments of carbon offset credits generated by nature-based solutions

Investing in tomorrow’s energy 
We achieved substantial progress on the four key pathways that ground our net-zero strategy. We presented an overview of the relative contribution we expect each pathway will make, and in this section, we describe the specific activities and investments that are delivering emissions reductions in each area.

Modernization and innovation 
We continue to modernize our existing assets and use innovative practices to enhance efficiency and reduce GHG emissions across our operations. In 2022, our GTM business advanced its modernization program, replacing older compressor units in the gas transmission system with newer, more efficient equipment. In October, we put a new compressor into service at our Bechtelsville, PA station. We expect to complete two further replacements in 2023, and an additional six through the end of 2026. In addition to enhancing the reliability of the system overall, each replaced compressor is expected to deliver GHG emissions reduction of about 25% relative to the older models. Moreover, newer compressors can be operated by advanced controls that give us more flexibility in how we allocate compression power— meaning that they’re more efficient individually and give us more opportunities to optimize the efficiency of the wider system.

Our LP business unit continues to deepen its focus on reducing electricity consumption by optimizing system operations and upgrading equipment. Over the past few years, we have demonstrated the efficacy of allocating larger volumes of crude oil to more energy efficient pipelines and rightsizing pumps and equipment based on flow rates to improve efficiency. We also use a drag-reducing agent to reduce pipeline fluid friction; this allows us to move fluid through pipelines using less energy, and in some cases even bypass some pump stations altogether. We are also expanding the application of an energy optimization system that uses machine learning to fine-tune the pump combinations, the operation of variable-frequency drives on pumping units, and improving overall coordination—all to achieve maximum efficiency across our system. Having established the efficacy of these strategies on parts of the system, we worked to apply them more broadly across our system, scaling the efficiency gains. These LP initiatives are estimated to reduce over 100,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.

Procurement of low-carbon electricity 
We look for opportunities to increase power supply from less emissions intensive sources, including renewables. This requires us to engage actively with utility providers across multiple jurisdictions, signaling our interest in low-carbon alternatives and encouraging them to make the changes necessary to green their grids—whether that means shifting from coal-fired power to natural gas, or making other adjustments to increase the availability of renewables in their power mix. We are working collaboratively with our utilities on opportunities to accelerate the pace of decarbonization to achieve both our and their emissions reduction goals, including procuring low- and zero-carbon electricity. As an example, in 2022, in Illinois, we secured a zeroemission source for our operations throughout that state.

Self-power 
As we provide conventional and lower-carbon energy to consumers, we’re seeking innovative and efficient ways to power our assets and operations. To date, we have entered three solar projects into operation and are advancing nine others in the United States to develop low-emission electricity for our pump and compressor stations. Collectively, these 12 projects (either in operation or preconstruction) will provide more than 102 megawatts of clean energy capacity, from Wisconsin to Alberta to Kentucky to Minnesota. That’s the equivalent of powering 23,700 households with lowemission electricity.

Enbridge is committed to collaborating with our utilities to procure low-emission power and to accelerating that pace of decarbonization through various initiatives, including advancing solar self-power projects.
April Moon 
Vice President, LP Asset Performance, Power and Emissions

Read more

PITTSBURGH, July 11, 2023 /3BL/ – Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) On June 22, Wesco hosted inaugural Day of Caring events for employees at sites around the globe to celebrate its commitment to communities and achieving its goal of 100 home builds with Habitat for Humanity.

The company’s Day of Caring events encouraged employees to give back to the community and learn about local volunteer opportunities. Employees learned more about the company’s matching gifts program, as well as corporate giving support of the International Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and other local charitable organizations.

With its 100th anniversary in June 2022 and the launch of Wesco Cares, its corporate philanthropy program, the company set the ambitious goal of completing 100 home builds – which included new home construction, home repair, and home rehab projects – with Habitat for Humanity.

“Wesco’s mission is to build, connect, power and protect our world, so our partnership with Habitat for Humanity is a perfect fit as it encompasses all of these commitments. Over the course of this anniversary year, we’ve been able to engage with Habitat for Humanity globally, nationally and on a local level as we pursued our goal of 100 builds,” said John Engel, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our employees have embraced the hands-on opportunity to make a meaningful difference for families in the communities where we live and work.”

The company’s projects with Habitat for Humanity have ranged from a community renovations project in Sao Paolo, Brazil serving nearly 50 people to a roof wind mitigation project in Orlando, Florida. The Orlando project funded wind mitigation inspections for 100 homeowners as well as the installation of new roofs on two homes. The company also served as Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity’s inaugural Regional Repair program sponsor, supporting a dozen home repairs this past year.

About Wesco 
Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with more than $21 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry’s premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates approximately 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and multi-national corporations.

Contact: 
Jennifer Sniderman 
Sr. Director, Corporate 
Communications 717-579-6603

One of Keysight’s unique differentiators is that our workforce spans five generations. Our diverse perspective combines the knowledge and resources of our experienced employees with the cutting-edge ideas and thinking of the next generation.

We’re proud that many of our employees have spent most of their careers at Keysight — some for more than 30 years! At the same time, our emerging talent comes from top engineering programs all over the world, and we regularly partner with universities through internships and collaborative research.

A multigenerational workforce has many benefits — but it also comes with challenges. While Keysight still has work to do, we’ve put several programs in place to help employees of all ages be successful. Here are some strategies that companies can use to help a multigenerational workforce thrive.

How to Set Up a Multigenerational Workforce for Success

1. Gather employee feedback through surveys

The first step to supporting employees from a wide age range is to understand their unique needs. Conduct regular employee surveys to gather qualitative and quantitative feedback on how they feel about working at your company, the professional growth opportunities available, and their overall job satisfaction. These insights will inform how you can maintain a positive work culture and can spark ideas for employee-focused programs and initiatives.

At Keysight, the MyVoice engagement surveys let us know what employees value and help us identify where to prioritize our efforts. This program was especially critical over the years as we sought ways to support our employee community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the California wildfires.

2. Set up mentorship programs

In addition to encouraging informal cross-generational collaboration, consider setting up formal mentorship programs that facilitate valuable information exchanges between employees of varying ages and experiences.

Keysight’s Emeritus program allows employees who are approaching retirement to leave a legacy by mentoring the next generation. This not only supports succession planning and knowledge transfer, but also creates a sense of community between individuals at the end of their careers and emerging talent.

We’ve also created specific mentoring programs for women and underrepresented minorities at Keysight. The working experience has changed dramatically for these groups over the last five generations, and mentors can help answer questions, navigate internal processes, and identify professional development opportunities. For example, Keysight partnered with Women in Quantum (WIQ) to launch the WIQ Mentoring Program, which promotes networking, knowledge-sharing, and the growth and retention of women in this critical technology field.

3. Foster reverse mentoring

After doing your job for many years, it’s easy to get comfortable with the way things have always been done — but if you’re not always in learning mode, you’ll quickly become out of touch.

Experienced employees can learn a lot from their junior colleagues — a practice known as “reverse mentoring.” When pairing up employees in a mentorship program, emphasize that it’s not a one-way street, but a mutually beneficial relationship where both team members learn from one another.

Marketing teams can benefit from reverse mentoring by helping employees of all levels learn the latest digital technologies, data science, social media skills, cultural trends, and how to reach younger audiences. Reverse mentoring can also help managers attract and retain young talent. Additionally, Keysight’s engineering teams recognize the value of reverse mentoring. Technology is evolving faster than ever, and it’s important for experienced engineers to connect with recent graduates to learn the latest theories and insights coming out of universities.

4. Encourage lifelong learning

When employees have opportunities for professional growth, they’ll feel more connected to the organization, and you’ll see higher retention rates. Your company will also benefit from the fresh ideas and new ways of thinking that come from a culture of learning. As marketing continues to transform, organizations that encourage ongoing training and learning will thrive.

Career development starts during the hiring process. When we hire new people at Keysight, we try to think about whether we’re hiring for a technical role, or for someone who can become a manager a few years down the road. This mindset helps us plan for the development of our next generation of leaders.

To encourage lifelong learning and support students at all levels, we launched Keysight University, an eLearning platform that teaches insights and techniques on critical topics such as 5G, software test automation, and quantum computing. Our comprehensive curriculum features courses for engineers who are just starting out in their careers as well as those with decades of electronics design experience. Looking ahead, we’ll continue to build out the program by offering additional courses and eventually certifications to help people advance their careers.

Creating an inclusive culture for employees of all ages

Feeling valued at each stage of their career contributes to an employee’s overall sense of belonging at a company. By putting a few strategic programs in place to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between employees of all ages, multigenerational organizations will benefit from a more inclusive culture, deeper institutional knowledge, reduced turnover, and greater innovation.

DENVER, July 11, 2023 /3BL/ – The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²), a technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), announced today it selected seven startups to participate in the program’s 12th cohort. The cohort consists of sustainable agriculture companies focused on mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change on global food systems.

“In the face of intensifying challenges in the agriculture industry and our environment, the world urgently needs innovative, sustainable solutions,” said Trish Cozart, IN² program manager and the director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at NREL. “With projections indicating a global population of 10 billion people by 2050, we must develop methods that not only increase productivity, but do so without causing harm to our planet. IN² is at the forefront of this mission, supporting promising startups that are reimagining the future of food and farming.”

Each company will receive up to $250,000 in non-dilutive funding for various technical assistance and field trial projects to further refine their technologies and business models. The companies will work alongside world-renowned principal investigators at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, the world’s largest independent plant science research institute.

“IN²’s twelfth cohort highlights some of the best startups in climate-aligned agriculture,” said Elliott Kellner, director of commercial innovation at the Danforth Center. “The selected companies have commercially viable technologies with tremendous potential to deliver environmental, economic, and societal benefits.”

“As one of the top agricultural production lenders in the U.S., Wells Fargo supports scaling clean technologies,” said Robyn Luhning, Chief Sustainability Officer at Wells Fargo. “Through the Wells Fargo IN² program, these companies receive support to commercialize solutions for some of our customers’ most pressing challenges.”

The companies were nominated by members of IN²’s Channel Partner network, consisting of more than 60 business incubators, accelerators, and university programs nationwide. The selected startups underwent an in-depth review by Wells Fargo, NREL, the Danforth Center, and IN²’s expert industry advisory board. The seven companies selected for IN²’s cohort 12 are:

HabiTerre, based in St. Louis, MO, uses remote sensing, process models, and artificial intelligence to create a holistic picture of farm production systems past, present, and future cropland performance, including net greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon sequestration, crop rotation, management history, yield, water use, and nutrient dynamics. Habiterre will collaborate with Danforth’s Dr. Chris Topp.Impetus Ag, based in St. Louis, MO, is developing next generation crop insect control products with an eco-friendly insect control platform that dramatically enhances the performance of current biological products for topical and transgenic applications. Impetus Ag will collaborate with Danforth’s Drs. Bala Venkata and Nigel Taylor.Impossible Sensing, based in St. Louis, MO, boosts soil management, merging in-situ sensors with regular farming operations. The solutions aim to capture real-time data on nutrients, soil health, and carbon levels, empowering growers to maximize land potential, participate in carbon markets, and improve profitability through sustainable practices. Impossible Sensing will collaborate with Danforth’s Dr. Allison Miller.InnerPlant, based in Davis, CA, develops seed technology to tap into plants’ natural response pathways and code crops to communicate early and specific stresses via easy-to-collect optical signals. The technology helps farmers understand plants’ needs and prescribe the right amount of fertilizer and crop protection products at the optimal time. InnerPlant will collaborate with Danforth’s Dr. Katie Murphy.Mirai Solar, based in Mountain View, CA, uses photovoltaic shade screen technology, the Mirai Screen, to provide greenhouses and smart buildings the means to reduce their operational costs and achieve net-zero energy targets. The Mirai Screen transforms the need for shade into a source for renewable energy by acting as a simple drop-in replacement for conventional passive shade screens. Mirai Solar will collaborate with Danforth’s Dr. Ru Zhang.Running Tide, based in Portland, ME, is on a mission to restore ocean health, rebalance the carbon cycle, and revitalize coastal communities. The company designs and develops integrated software and hardware systems, including monitoring and measurement capabilities, to deploy nature-based interventions that remove carbon, combat ocean acidification, and increase the scientific understanding of ocean ecosystems. Running Tide will collaborate with Danforth’s Drs. Noah Fahlgren and Malia Gehan.Sentinel Fertigation, based in Lincoln, NE, leverages remote sensing and geospatial data to empower precision nitrogen management, particularly for farmers who fertigate. Sentinel’s N-Time software program helps farmers improve nitrogen use efficiency by 23% and save 42 pounds of nitrogen per acre on average. Sentinel Fertigation will collaborate with Dr. Elliott Kellner to connect with a broad set of research teams across the cohort’s ecosystem.

With the addition of these seven companies, IN²’s total portfolio now includes 72 companies, including 26 sustainable agriculture startups. Since joining the IN² program, portfolio companies have raised more than $1.8 billion in external follow-on funding—equivalent to an average of more than $97 for every $1 awarded by Wells Fargo through IN².

About the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) 
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) is a $50 million technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation. Co-administered by and housed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, IN²’s mission is to speed the path to market for early-stage, clean-technology entrepreneurs. Launched in 2014 with an initial focus on supporting scalable solutions to reduce the energy impact of commercial buildings, IN² has since expanded its focus to advance technologies that address the sustainable production of agriculture and housing affordability. For more information, visit in2ecosystem.com.

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center 
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research, education and outreach aim to have impact at the nexus of food security and the environment, and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and through the generosity of individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Follow us on Twitter at @DanforthCenter.

Media Contact 
Camille Cater 
Antenna Group 
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LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 11, 2023 /3BL/ – Today, Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) released its annual Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report, highlighting the Company’s progress on key issues that include less carbon, better packaging and more equality. The Company has a long history of strategic investment when it comes to the socially responsible growth, risk management and sustainable stewardship of its three priority pillars of People, Food and Planet, what Yum! calls its Recipe for Good Growth. Yum!’s Recipe for Good Growth strategy is grounded in the idea that its business will only endure if its brands are inclusive, sustainable and reflective of evolving employee, franchisee and other stakeholder needs.

“When we harness the collective power of Good and Growth together, we find they become mutually reinforcing and are capable of creating benefits for the people and communities we serve,” said Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs. “Our brands continue to make investments in good growth like providing career pathways to more than a million restaurant team members worldwide, constructing and operating new energy efficient restaurants, and exploring innovations for sustainable packaging.”

The report reflects key areas of work announced since Yum!’s last published report in July 2022. It showcases progress against the Company’s existing public commitments and covers its citizenship and sustainability strategy. Because of its continued progress and transparent disclosure, Yum! Brands was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the sixth consecutive year, included on Newsweek’s ranking of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2022 and listed on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index.

“I’m incredibly proud of the sustainability strategy that’s in place for our global organization as we further integrate our efforts into core operations,” said Jon Hixson, Yum! Brands Chief Sustainability Officer & Vice President of Government Affairs. “As we continue making progress, we’re collaborating closely with our teams, franchisees, suppliers, industry and NGO partners to find solutions that help all.”

Highlights from Yum!’s new Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report include:

People

Continued on path to achieve gender parity in leadership roles by 2030, in alignment with Paradigm for Parity®, with 43% of global leadership roles held by women in 2022.Among OneTen Coalition’s highest-performing partners in terms of the number of new hires and promotions at company-owned stores and corporate offices.Funded and activated more than 30 social impact programs in 11 countries through Yum!’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative.KFC launched the Next Generation of Women Program to accelerate women’s professional development and retention.Taco Bell Business School, a six-week program designed to give those interested in becoming restaurant leaders a head start, completed its fourth cohort since launching in 2022.The Habit Burger Grill’s long-term partnership with No Kid Hungry gives guests the option of rounding up their bills to support the nonprofit – raising $270,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022 alone.

Food

On track toward commitment to transition to 100% cage-free eggs for 25,000 restaurants by 2026, including the U.S., Western Europe and other leading markets, across all brands and for all menu items and ingredients.KFC rolled out its global chicken welfare platform and published chicken welfare reports for both the U.S. and Western Europe.Pizza Hut continues to make progress on plant-based offerings worldwide, with plant-based protein toppings available in 17 countries and vegan cheeses available in Europe.Taco Bell continues to invest in research and sector engagements within the beef supply chain to reduce the use of antibiotics important to human health in its U.S. and Canada beef sourcing.

Planet

Continued to make progress against science-based targets that include achieving a 57% absolute reduction in corporate restaurants and offices (Scope 1 & 2) compared to 2019, and a 25% reduction in per-restaurant emissions in franchise restaurants (Scope 3) compared to 2019.Conducted a global renewable energy study covering more than 10 countries and a majority of its electricity emissions to support progress on Yum!’s climate transition roadmap.Published harmonized, cross brand packaging policy to help drive focus on packaging priorities.Pizza Hut reached its goal of sourcing 50% of the dairy used to make its pizza cheese in the U.S. from dairy farms enrolled in an environmental stewardship program — two years ahead of schedule.Taco Bell announced a partnership with Cargill and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to address the environmental impacts of cattle grazing.

For more information and to view Yum! Brands’ new Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report visit www.yum.com/citizenship.

About Yum! Brands, Inc. 
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of over 55,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories under the Company’s concepts – KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and the Habit Burger Grill. The Company’s KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands are global leaders of the chicken, Mexican-style food, and pizza categories, respectively. The Habit Burger Grill is a fast casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches and more. In 2023, the KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands were ranked in the top five of Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises Ranking. In addition, in 2023 Yum! Brands was included on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index; Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity; and Newsweek’s lists recognizing America’s Most Responsible Companies, America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, the Company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America.

WALTHAM, Mass., July 11, 2023 /3BL/ – As part of its commitment to deliver clean energy solutions that benefit the long-term needs of customers and communities, National Grid recently launched its first-ever solar grazing pilot at two company-owned solar sites in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

The pilot – in partnership with Solar Shepherd, a Massachusetts-based company founded by a third-generation rancher – combines renewable energy and agriculture by introducing sheep to feed on the plentiful grasses that grow around ground-mounted solar panels, providing a sustainable form of vegetation control.

The innovative partnership was the focus of a segment by CBS Saturday Morning that aired July 8. Steve Woerner, President, National Grid – New England, joined co-host Dana Jacobson in Attleboro to discuss National Grid’s growing relationship with solar grazing and how the company is creating clean energy solutions that work for everyone.

Watch the CBS Saturday Morning segment on solar grazing.

“The energy transition goes beyond investing in infrastructure—it’s also about investing in the people we serve every day,” said Woerner. “National Grid recognizes that we have an important role to play in driving the clean energy economy and providing meaningful opportunities to local businesses. Our new solar grazing partnership exemplifies how we continue to lead the way toward an equitable clean energy transition in the Northeast.”

Strengthening Community Roots in Massachusetts

The practice of harnessing grazing livestock as natural groundskeepers is a variation of agrivoltaics, described by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the use of land for both agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation. The pilot launched in May 2023 with an aim to replace traditional landscaping methods with a cleaner solution.

“Keeping environmental stewardship and thoughtful planning at the center of our work, solar grazing is a new way for our team to deliver for customers,” said Arnaldo Arnal, Lead Product Developer for Solar and Storage, National Grid. “Grazing sheep reduce the need for herbicides, pesticides, and gas-powered lawnmowers, cutting down on carbon emissions and noise pollution at solar sites and the surrounding community. Over time, the sheep’s natural fertilizer has the potential to boost soil biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration on company land.”

The practice also adds an additional purpose to large-scale solar site locations, supporting agricultural production and local Massachusetts ranchers as they adapt and advance their businesses.

“Solar grazing has allowed for a meaningful expansion of our local Massachusetts farm, while assisting in decarbonizing the grid,” said Daniel Finnegan, Founder of Solar Shepherd. “Finding a partner in National Grid that cares about the communities in which it operates – that seeks ways to reduce fossil fuel use, improve ecosystems, protect water sources, and maintain economic efficiency – has been critical to our success.”

Delivering Resilient and Reliable Clean Energy

Massachusetts leads the region in solar deployment, with National Grid having connected nearly 2 gigawatts of solar to the system, more than any other utility in New England. And, according to a recent study from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the state has enough suitable land to double the required amount of solar capacity to meet its decarbonization goals by 2050.

National Grid has taken significant measures to expand Massachusetts’ renewable energy infrastructure through its long-running solar programs, leading research efforts to demonstrate how large-scale solar energy facilities can increase the resiliency of the electric system in communities across the Commonwealth. In addition, the company is focused on readying the grid for additional capacity by making investments to accelerate the interconnection of more clean energy resources.

The company currently owns and operates 30 solar sites in Massachusetts, including its solar grazing locations in Attleboro, which collectively comprise 5,000 panels spanning 10 acres of land. The two sites inject a total of 1600 kW into the grid, providing load relief to a nearby substation during peak summer days.

The next phase of the solar program will center on projects developed to increase resiliency for environmental justice communities statewide. National Grid expects to introduce grazing sheep to other sites as its solar portfolio expands.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.

Media Contacts

Emily Demarest 
Massachusetts 
(781) 907-3980 
Email

Michael Dalo 
Massachusetts 
(781) 907-3980 
Email