Tag: 3BL

Acre’s purpose is to create systemic change for our planet and society by activating people’s potential. Our two decades of sustainability-focused executive search and recruitment means that, in our efforts to live this purpose, we’ve built an expansive global network of people united by one common purpose: to build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

From time to time, we gather this network together to share challenges, knowledge and successes; after all, sustainable change cannot happen in isolation. But as a B-Corp ourselves, and a group of people with a passion for sustainability, we strive to ensure that when we do get together, the planet doesn’t suffer for it.

What we’ve learned along the way is that there’s no perfect formula – yet – but that doesn’t mean you can’t do things as sustainably as possible. Everything from the food you serve and the drinks you sip, to the nametags you wear and the decorations you use can still be good for the environment.

So, over the coming months, we’ll be sharing some of our favourite tips and tricks by spotlighting the partners and suppliers that make our sustainable event dreams come true.

To start, we’d like to focus on the pinnacle of running a sustainable event: doing it for a good cause.

Enter: Ocean Generation.

No ordinary NGO, Ocean Generation combines the disruptive energy of a youth collective with years of experience in storytelling through science and film to create an inclusive approach to sustainability that enables an Ocean-positive future.

Why do we choose Ocean Generation as our charity partner?

Eliminating single-use plastics has always been a cause very near and dear to our hearts, but what motivates us most about Ocean Generation is the way they do what they do. No fear-mongering, no big-data, no over-simplifications.

Their mission is all about shifting the perceptions and behaviours that created plastic pollution and climate change in the first place in order to educate and empower people to take practical action.

How do we support Ocean Generation through the events that we host?

In lieu of purchasing a ticket to attend our events, we ask our guests to donate £30 to Ocean Generation.

To give you an idea of what that looks like, a few months ago, we hosted our first sustainable drinks fundraiser in four years at London’s iconic Sky Garden. The event brought together 150 senior change-makers who, daily, work hard to drive meaningful change and influence on a greater scale than ever before.

If you’re doing the maths, 150 guests x £30 each. That’s a decent amount… but what does it actually mean for the charity? We asked the team to put this into context for us.

One guest’s attendance could mean three mangrove trees will be planted in Madagascar. Mangroves sequester 3 – 5 times more carbon than a terrestrial tree per hectare.

Another guest’s attendance could mean three children will be educated on the importance of the Ocean. 42% of people are under 25, so making them catalysts for building an Ocean positive future makes for a significant stride towards a well-educated cohort of future leaders.

Beyond those who attended, clients who couldn’t make it were still generous enough to donate. That meant that one evening of sustainable drinks and canapés meant £6,000 towards conserving the Ocean that is, quite literally, keeping us alive. For us, that feels like an achievement, and we were humbled by just how willing our clients were to take part.

We celebrate Ocean Generation today and every day, but in sharing this blog today, it’d be remiss not to mention that it’s World Ocean Day. So, we thought we’d conclude with a little breakdown of actions you can take to support Ocean Generation’s efforts.

If you’re in a position to contribute financially, you can make a donation to the Ocean Appeal Fund (bonus: if you do this before 14th June 2023, your donation will be doubled).If you’re not, you can make an Ocean Pledge by choosing an appeal to support from Ocean Generation’s marine science hub to its education programmes.

To learn more about Ocean Generation, visit their website here or get in touch: https://mailchi.mp/oceangeneration/join-og.

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

MIDLAND, Mich., July 6, 2023 /3BL/ – Dow (NYSE: DOW) announced an expanded partnership with Teach For All to fund Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teacher recruitment, professional development and placement in underserved schools in Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Tokyo, Japan; Lagos, Nigeria; and Tarragona, Spain.

“Since we started our partnership in 2022, we have impacted nearly 200 teachers and more than 4,900 students in Argentina, Nigeria and Spain,” said Bob Plishka, global director of Strategic Corporate Partnerships and Dow Company Foundation president. “This year, we are expanding the partnership to Japan to help reduce the gap in educational opportunities in countries where Dow has a significant presence. Actively tackling the STEM skills gap will present significant opportunities to uplift the community, create a positive impact and empower businesses across diverse industries.”

Teach For All is a growing network of independent partner organizations and a global organization working to develop collective leadership to improve the quality of education for all children and break down the barriers standing in the way of their ability to learn and thrive. It has grown to include 61 network partners across six continents, with 13,000+ current teachers and 94,000+ alumni. Since 2022, Dow and Teach For All have:

Supported Teach For All network partners in Argentina and Spain to expand their programs geographically and added more teachers in Nigeria to reach more underserved students.Recruited and trained 23 STEM educators, including 16 women, who are role models that inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.Improved students’ STEM academic outcomes and exposed them to the future of work with support from Team Dow volunteers.Enhanced the Teach For All Global STEM Learning Community, which impacts more than 500 STEM educators and leaders worldwide.

“We are grateful to Dow for their ongoing commitment and growing support of our network partners, expanding the partnership this year to include Japan,” said Pablo Millanes, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Teach For All. “Teach For Japan has set out to develop a first-of-its-kind teacher training program to inspire and equip university students and those who aspire to teach STEM subjects. This partnership will help address the educator shortage that Japan is currently facing due to an aging society.”

Dow’s continued support of Teach For All further demonstrates the Company’s commitment to creating positive social change, strengthening education and enhancing people’s lives in our communities.

About Teach For All

Teach For All is a global network of 61 independent, locally led and governed partner organizations and a global organization that works to accelerate the progress of the network. Each network partner recruits and develops promising future leaders to teach in their nations’ under-resourced schools and communities and, with this foundation, to work with others, inside and outside of education, to ensure all children are able to fulfill their potential. Teach For All’s global organization works to increase the network’s impact by supporting the development of new organizations; fostering network connectivity and learning; providing coaching and consulting; and enabling access to global resources for the benefit of the network. For more information, visit us at www.teachforall.org or follow us on LinkedIn at Teach For All.

About Dow 
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance leadership to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,800 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $57 billion in 2022. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.

For further information, please contact:

Jess MacDonald 
780-998-8426 
jmacdonald1@dow.com

Henry Anumudu 
henry.anumudu@teachforall.org

Originally published on GoDaddy Newsroom

TEMPE, Ariz., July 6, 2023 /3BL/ — New survey results from GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY), the company that helps entrepreneurs thrive, show that almost three-quarters (74%) of U.S. small business owners say their perception of the American Dream has changed. Small business owners today define their achievement of the American Dream as living a comfortable lifestyle (56%), feeling happy with their life (54%) and having the freedom to pursue their passions and interests (49%).

In your opinion, which of the following indicate that you have achieved the American dream? 

Living a comfortable lifestyle: 56.4%Feeling happy with your life: 54%Freedom to pursue your own passions and interests: 49.2%Owning your own home: 45.2%Being your own boss: 38.7%Having money/assets to leave to your child: 33.7%Being able to pay off your debt obligations: 27.2%Having equal rights and access to opportunities: 26.1%Owning a car: 18.1%Earning enough to move into a higher income bracket: 17.5%Getting a better education than previous generations in your family: 14.9%Sending your children to college: 14.3%Feeling like you belong in the USA: 14.3%Becoming or being an American citizen: 9.1%Improve your social status: 8.8%Going to college: 8.6%

74% of U.S. small business owners say their perception of the American Dream has changed.

However, 39% of small business owners do believe that being their own boss represents an achievement of the American Dream. This link is more pronounced among male (43%) than female (36%) small business owners. It is also particularly resonant for business owners who identify as Black (46%) and of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin (43%). Despite this, just 6% of people cited that as a ‘top three’ reason that they started their own business, with reporting women slightly higher than men (7% vs 5.5%).

While the majority of American small business owners believe that being a successful entrepreneur is a key way to create new generational wealth (78%), many have modest business aspirations, wanting to either stay a ‘solo entrepreneur’ (28%) or maintain being a small business with some employees and maybe a physical location (35%). Only 12% aspire to one day become a corporate business with a large employee base and headquarters. While revenue growth (63%) is unsurprisingly a top indicator of small business success, according to the survey respondents, other indicators point to the importance of emotional contentment rather than material accomplishments. For example, achieving happiness (60%) and a healthy work-life balance (60%) rounded out the top three indicators of success.

Just under two-thirds (62%) of American small business owners are confident they will achieve what they perceive as the American Dream, with male business owners showing more confidence than female (71% vs. 55%) and Millennials reporting themselves as the most confident generation (66%).

Small business owners do, however, face daunting economic concerns. For instance, 80% of small business owners agree that inflation is currently impeding entrepreneurs trying to achieve the American Dream. When reflecting on their biggest financial challenges:

42% rated some level of difficulty in access to financial capital when starting their business23% pointed to rising costs of wages and materials23% cited lack of personal wealth, which is notable when 55% used personal savings to start

Other top barriers to the American Dream for small business owners include:

Lack of access to technology (33%)Lack of access to free/affordable healthcare (32%)Lack of education (28%)Discrimination (28%)Inadequate language/communication skills (24%)

“This survey data shows that American small business owners are thinking beyond revenue and sales growth when they consider what the American Dream means to them – today it’s more about feeling a sense of belonging, freedom, happiness, and work-life balance,” said GoDaddy Chief Marketing Officer Fara Howard. “Whatever their interpretation is of the American Dream, GoDaddy is committed to helping these entrepreneurs achieve success on their terms.”

To learn more about GoDaddy’s American Dream survey, visit http://godaddy.com/ventureforward/summer-2023-american-dream-survey-results/.

To learn more about GoDaddy products, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

Inequality acts as a threat multiplier, fueled by crises ranging from pandemics to climate change. It is a systemic risk threatening the political and economic fundamentals that businesses depend on to operate, innovate, and grow. Businesses have powerful levers at their disposal – as well as powerful reasons to use them. We need to manage people impact with the same attention we manage carbon.

At a time when the wealthiest 10% of the global population earns more than half of the world’s income* and when only a handful of countries have the right conditions in place for genuine upward mobility, people are losing faith that the political and economic systems businesses depend on will deliver for them and their families.

The Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is unequivocal that inequities linked to gender, ethnicity, income, and other factors increase vulnerability to climate risks and impacts. It also calls for action to tackle inequality as a key lever in achieving climate resilience and adaptation.

Companies have powerful levers at their disposal to be part of this critical effort – and meaningful reasons to use them.

There is a profound business case for a holistic and interconnected agenda to mitigate both the systemic and business risks created by inequality. Tackling inequality in the corporate value chain is a journey that all companies must begin, creating a ripple effect for positive impact.

Mitigate: To prevent and minimize negative impact, it is necessary to stay ahead of regulatory change by implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Start with your own operations and build robust corporate governance to reinforce and support commitments and practices. Then, expand the scope up- and downstream.Remediate: Build needed capacity, trust, and accountability across the value chain and drive positive output. Mobilize resources and measure and disclose responsible business practices.Advance: Promote social equity and gender equality. Extend the scope to n-tier suppliers and workers in the value chain and track measures of effectiveness for positive outcome and informed decisions, securing license to operate by building trust amongst employees, consumers, and society at large.

You Are Not Alone

Global obligations are not easily managed. Regulations are complex, increasing in severity, and varying by market. Data is distributed across multiple systems and is largely a manual effort to collect and process, and there is often a lack of insight to support collaboration between stakeholders towards equality.

Your business is not alone in facing these challenges. We need to work collectively to solve these complex challenges.

SAP can enable your supplier due diligence processes with human rights risk assessment and insights integrated into sourcing and contract workflows in SAP Ariba Supplier Risk. The supplier self-assessment questionnaire on human rights compliance is available for any supplier in SAP Business Network as a one-to-many data exchange in which a supplier can freely share the questionnaire with any buyer that requests it. This helps build trust in human rights due diligence and can lower time, effort, and cost for both supplier and buyer.

SAP Environment, Health, and Safety Management (SAP EHS) can enable critical interventions in areas such as occupational safety and health. SAP SuccessFactors solutions can support the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and provide education and training to help prepare people for the future of work. SAP S/4HANA for product compliance can positively impact consumers and the community by securing safe products and services, for example, via product and material compliance with human rights. These are just a few examples of how SAP technology can support your company’s transformation to realize a just transition to a net-zero and inclusive green economy.

Holistic and Interconnected Business Agenda

We are all on a journey towards a holistic and interconnected business agenda, and we must act to reinforce the “S” in ESG (environment, social, and governance) – a critical pillar of action that has been overlooked for too long. In the report “Tackling Inequality: An Agenda for Business Action,” the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality (BCTI) set up by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) presents 10 clear actions that companies can take to address mounting inequality.

Tackling inequality is an important driver for long-term, sustainable economic growth and many leading companies are already embracing this role by working to level the playing field. The call to action now is for all businesses to maximize their potential to head off the risks posed by mounting inequality and ensure that equal opportunities and better outcomes are available for all.

Gitte Winther Bruhn is global head of Social Responsibility Solutions at SAP.

*Source: “Tackling Inequality: An Agenda for Business Action” by The Business Commission to Tackle Inequality (BCTI) set up by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Published May 3, 2023.

The celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, often referred to as June Pride Month, began in June of 1970, one year following the Stonewall Riots in New York City. For the past 50+ years, June has served as the month when many cities around the world bring recognition to the dignity, equality, and visibility of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, and more.

As our President and CEO Raj Subramaniam recently stated in the 2023 FedEx ESG Report, “Our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments are aligned with our shared culture values and guided by the absolute belief that everyone deserves to be themselves and see themselves at FedEx.”

Today, there are six employee resource groups (and growing) around the world, creating programs and community that support LGBTQ+ team members to bring their best and true selves to the workplace. FedEx has also been investing in the causes and organizations important to the community, whether through healthcare, anti-bias training, mental health resources, or education.

FedEx made the first donations in 2005 to Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City, Community AIDS Resources in Miami, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of the Ozarks, and AIDS/Lifecycle. In fact, we’ve supported the 545-mile ride for nearly 20 years with over $500,000 in cash and in-kind shipping. FedEx also delivered the AIDS Quilt memorial twice, supported the Miami AIDS Ride, and has provided support to Orlando and Colorado Springs following tragedies in each of those communities.

FedEx expanded its support of the LGBTQ+ community in 2017 and since then, has donated nearly $2 million to LGBTQ+ causes around the world, including:

The Trevor ProjectMatthew Shepard FoundationThe Point Foundation

More information about our support of LGBTQ organizations is available here: LGBTQ+ Fact Sheet

This June, FedEx celebrates our LGBTQ+ team members and their allies for making us a great place to work. We value their contributions and are proud to support the community.

FISHERS, Ind., July 6, 2023 /3BL/ – Land Betterment Corporation (“Land Betterment” or the “Company”), a certified B Corporation and an environmental solutions company fostering positive impact through upcycling former coal mining and industrial sites to create sustainable community development and job creation, is pleased to share that Chris Hagler, Land Betterment Board of Director and Partner of Independence Point Advisors recently moderated a panel at GreenFin 23 in Boston, MA on June 26, 2023.

At GreenFin 23, Chris Hagler was the moderator for the panel titled, Green Banks: Catalyzing Investments in Climate Solutions. Joining Chris on the panel were Bert Hunter Chief Investment Officer, CT Green Bank, Eli Hopson, Chief Operating Officer, Coalition for Green Capital and Andrew Kessler, President, NY Green Bank. During the panel discussion, there was a lively conversation about how green banks are critical institutions for decarbonization. The panel spoke about how green banks are uniquely positioned to utilize innovative financing to accelerate the transition to clean energy, while focusing on deploying clean energy over maximizing profit. Additionally, green banks can help recruit much needed private-sector capital into underserved markets. There are at least 22 green banks in the United States, starting with the Connecticut Green Bank.

About Chris Hagler and Independence Point Advisors

Chris brings more than 20 years of business expertise in the advancement of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) from the board level, throughout the organization and down to the bottom line. Chris is a Partner and Head of ESG at Independence Point Advisors. Previously she was with EY (Ernst & Young) in Atlanta for over 10 years where she was the Executive Director & Southeast Leader in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services Practice. She holds a Master of Science in the Management of Technology from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo.

Independence Point Advisors (“IPA”) is a women-owned investment bank and advisory firm that was founded on the belief that today’s clients have a diversity of opportunities and challenges that require a diversity of talent to navigate. Through a strategic alliance with Lazard, IPA has created an unrivaled combination of diverse perspectives and experience with Lazard’s preeminent brand in strategic advisory. IPA intends to have a women-owned broker dealer with best-in-class equity and debt capital markets talent. IPA has also formed a team of experts at the intersection of global risk, geostrategy, cyber security, ESG, human capital and board diversity – top of mind issues facing corporate leaders today. For more information about IPA, please visit www.independencepoint.com

About GreenFin 23

GreenFin 23 (June 26-28, Boston) convened an influential audience of finance, investment and sustainability professionals to share insights, address key challenges and showcase leading sustainable financial products and services. The GreenFin 23 Program included inspiring keynotes and engaging breakout sessions following six thematic tracks: ESG Ecosystem, Transition Finance, Corporate Reporting, The Investor View, Natural Capital and The Policy Landscape. To learn more about GreenFin 23 visit www.greenbiz.com

About Land Betterment Corporation

Land Betterment Corporation, an Indiana Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp, is an environmental solutions company focused on fostering a positive impact through upcycling former coal mining and industrial sites to create sustainable community development and job creation. The Company utilizes a complete solution-based lifecycle program to restore and rehabilitate the environment and revitalize communities in need of change and opportunity. Land Betterment accomplishes this by identifying un-reclaimed, run-down and neglected coal mining sites, fixing the environment through reclamation and remediation, and then repurposing the land to support a sustainable business that serves the community. Land Betterment firmly believes that with real solutions it is possible for restoration of impacted areas to live side-by-side long term employment, while building sustainable and safe surroundings for communities and our planet. For more information visit landbetterment.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Company Contacts:

Mark LaVerghetta 
317.537.0492 ext. 0 
Chief Governance Officer, Corporate Finance 
info@landbetterment.com

Stephanie Conzelman 
207.205.0790 
Stakeholder Engagement Director 
info@landbetterment.com

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Land Betterment Corporation’s control. The words “believes”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “continue”, “seeks”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “estimates”, or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.

Water is a finite resource, and it’s becoming increasingly scarce in many parts of the world. In addition, the demand for water is growing as the world’s population increases and the economy expands. The cost of water reflected on a utility bill can be relatively low and will most certainly not account for the embedded costs that are associated with water usage. It is therefore essential for companies to understand the true cost of water at their facilities.

What is the True Cost of Water? 

Calculating the true cost of water involves looking beyond the direct cost of water usage and discharge to include the indirect costs of water use, such as the cost of necessary treatment by a facility before use, the cost of water-related infrastructure, the cost of energy to transport water, and the cost of environmental damage caused by water use.

By taking into account all of these costs, companies can make more informed decisions about their water use and identify opportunities to reduce water consumption and more accurately assess the costs associated.

In addition, calculating the true cost of water can help companies assess their water-related risks and develop more effective water management strategies. By understanding the true cost of water, companies can prioritize investments in water-efficient technologies and practices and work with suppliers to reduce their water footprint.

Download our full Water Risk Assessment Methodology for more.

Calculating the true cost of water can also help companies meet their sustainability goals and demonstrate their commitment to responsible water stewardship. As consumers and stakeholders become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of business operations, companies that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainable water management are likely to enjoy a competitive advantage. Investors are urging water-intensive companies to report on water security (CDP, 2021) and leading disclosure frameworks like CDP are responding by asking companies to disclose their efforts in evaluating the embedded costs associated with water usage in their operations.

How The True Cost of Water and can Promote a Circular Economy 

Evaluating the true cost of water is closely connected to implementing circularity principles. Circular economy principles aim to minimize waste and promote resource efficiency by keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible, thereby reducing the need for new resource extraction and minimizing environmental impacts.

Similarly, the goal of evaluating the true cost of water is to promote water conservation and efficiency in facility operations by taking multiple factors other than merely utility costs into account.

By integrating circularity principles into their operations, companies can reduce their water consumption, minimize their water-related environmental impact, and save money in the long run. For example, companies can use recycled water in their production processes or treat wastewater to a quality suitable for reuse, reducing their reliance on freshwater sources.

This not only reduces their water consumption and related costs but also helps to conserve water resources for other users and ecosystems.

Furthermore, evaluating the true cost of water can identify opportunities to increase water efficiency and reduce waste, which also aligns with circularity principles. For example, companies can identify and eliminate inefficiencies in their water use by conducting a water audit, implementing water-efficient technologies, and optimizing their water use.

These actions all promote good water stewardship in the watershed while reducing operational costs and saving money for the facility. This information can also inform decision-making processes and help develop a more comprehensive water management strategy that aligns with your business goals and sustainability targets.

Facility Optimization Audit: The First Step to Calculating True Water Costs 

The first step to calculating the true cost of water at your facility is to conduct a facility optimization audit or water efficiency assessment. A water audit is a detailed analysis of your facility’s water use, including the identification of all sources of water use, the amount of water used, and the cost of water supply and discharge.

During the water audit, it’s important to identify both direct and indirect water use, such as the water used in production processes, irrigation, cooling, cleaning, and sanitation. Indirect water use can also include the water embedded in the products or services produced by your facility or the water used by your suppliers or customers.

Once you have a comprehensive understanding of your facility’s water use, you can start to estimate the indirect costs of water use, such as the cost of infrastructure, energy, and environmental damage caused by water use. You may also want to consider the social and economic costs of water scarcity in your region or the potential cost of future regulatory requirements related to water use.

Embracing the True Value of Water

In conclusion, calculating the true cost of water is crucial for companies aiming to drive circular water management and achieve sustainable water stewardship.

By going beyond utility bills and considering the direct and indirect costs associated with water usage, companies can make informed decisions, identify opportunities for efficiency and conservation, and mitigate water-related risks. Integrating circularity principles into operations allows for reduced water consumption, minimized environmental impact, and long-term cost savings.

Moreover, assessing the true cost of water aligns with the goals of the circular economy, promoting resource efficiency and minimizing waste. By taking the necessary steps to evaluate true water costs, conducting water audits, and implementing efficient technologies, businesses can not only protect the environment but also enhance their competitiveness and demonstrate their commitment to responsible water management.

Embracing the true value of water is a transformative journey that benefits not only businesses but also the broader ecosystem and future generations.

For help with your facility’s true cost of water calculation, reach out to Antea Group’s Water Stewardship experts today.

The survey conducted for CRB’s 2023 Horizons: Alternative Proteins report uncovered three big industry trends: increasing scalability, chasing sustainability, and pulling back on capital investment.

In this episode, we’re joined by CRBers Sebastian Bohn, Sub-Market Leader of Alternative Proteins, Tony Moses, PhD, Director of Product Innovation and Fellow, and Jason Robertson, Vice President of Food and Beverage, who share their perspectives on the report’s findings and dig deeper into what the survey results mean for the future of the industry.

“I think [the Horizons: Alternative Proteins report] can be a tool to help really identify what’s the road map to production and and how can we help them get to market as quick as possible.” – Jason Robertson

CRB’s latest alternative proteins report takes a pulse on the current state of the industry and how it’s changed since the 2021 survey. This industry has undergone tremendous growth since then, so it’s not surprising that the 150 alternative proteins leaders we surveyed shared priorities, challenges, and strategies that differ from the last report. For example, scalability remains a key priority and challenge, though we’ve helped clients make progress in that area. But certain findings were surprising, such as the fact that manufacturers plan to spend half as much on capital projects as they did in 2021. Perhaps they’re putting that money toward sustainability instead. Many have budgets to pursue sustainability but do not yet have plans in place to achieve their green goals.

So what does this data mean for alternative proteins? Sebastian, Tony and Jason share their opinions about where this dynamic, exciting industry is headed and how they believe alternative protein manufacturers can continue being successful.

00:00 – Episode introduction

00:34 – How the Horizons: Alternative Proteins report helps industry leaders

03:33 – What three main industry trends are captured in this report

06:36 – How these trends around scalability, sustainability, and capital investment shape the future of alternative proteins

09:14 – Episode wrap-up

Get your copy of the 2023 Horizons: Alternative Proteins report

Transcript of Episode 1: Three surprising trends driving growth in the alternative proteins industry

Ashley Martins: We are bringing the trends and data collected from the hundreds of surveys with industry leaders in the life sciences and food and beverage industries with CRB Horizons Podcast. Join me, Ashley Martins, as we dive into the latest Horizons: Alternative Proteins report with the subject matter experts who wrote it.

Tony Moses: Tony Moses, Director of Product Innovation and a fellow at CRB. I’ve been with the company for three years.

Sebastian Bohn: Sebastian Bohn, been with CRB for eight years and I’m the submarket leader of alternative protein.

Jason Robertson: Jason Robertson, Vice President of Food and Beverage, been with CRB for 16 years.

Ashley: With the rise in consumer popularity of alternative dairy and meat products, it’s no wonder that companies operating in the alternative protein market are being kept rather busy. These manufacturers have regulatory and commercial challenges that traditional food and beverage organizations don’t have a soul for. That’s precisely why we wanted to dig deeper into this report and interview 150 experts industry-wide to understand how, despite all the struggles alternative protein companies may face, they are thriving. How can these manufacturers do this even when it seems like they have all the odds stacked against them with regulations, large-scale layoffs and even high-profile recalls happening in the news? What purpose will this report serve to professionals in this space?

Tony: Sebastian, this is kind of been your first experience with the report, right?

Sebastian: Correct.

Tony: What does the report mean to you?

Sebastian: I have to say from, again, someone more on the execution side and seeing the day-to-day of this market grow and the startups, it’s a great opportunity to help share the information within the industry of what’s actually happening. So, there’s another resource that a lot of these startups, they might be, you know, tunnel vision just because they’re in the daily grind of really getting their business up and going, and so, when they’re trying to take a step back and look at what is the industry as a whole doing, you know, where some areas where maybe are we in line with what’s happening or are we not. What we’re able to provide through this Horizon report is really that, you know, a high-level industry view of where things are going. And it’s not, again, just from the perspective of people like us but it’s actually from the perspective of the startups and all the folks themselves that are, you know, doing the actual work of building the industry and the products.

Tony: Yeah, that’s awesome. I mean, so often we get the voice of the consumer. This is almost the voice of the manufacturer.

Sebastian: Yeah.

Tony: Jason, this is your third Horizons report?

Jason: Yeah, it’s been quite a ride. I’ll tell you, looking back, you know, we’ve been involved in alternative protein since 2016 and was really blessed to really be in that industry before it is really where it is today. And I would say that these Horizons reports, I think, really help the industry identify some of those risks and challenges. And, you know, many times these CEOs, you know, they’re great at fundraising, but from manufacturing and technology and scaling their efforts, I think this can be a tool to help them really identify what’s the road map to production and how can we help them get to market as quick as possible.

Tony: Yeah, absolutely. You know, it’s great to pan back out and see all different aspects of the industry, not just fundraising, and I love that this report captures everybody from pre-revenue to over half a billion dollars a year in revenue. So, you really get a diverse look at that in the industry.

Jason: Yeah, I would say that since the first report now there’s been a subsequent kind of deep dive back into the industry. I think we’ve seen a lot of, you know, changes.

Ashley: This report takes a pulse on the alternative proteins industry. The last report was published in 2021. With even just two years difference between the last report and this one, it’s clear that there are some trends that stood out. Plus, there’s been some recent media headlines that questioned whether consumers will ever adopt alternative proteins at scale. Now, there are three main areas of focus: scalability, sustainability and capital investment. We all know the basics of the industry, like there’s a rise in consumer demand for alternative dairy and protein products but this report came with some big takeaways that surprised our SMEs.

Tony: So guys, let’s talk about what are the three most interesting insights that we’ve taken away from the report here. You know, when I look at this, I was a little bit afraid to get the data back. There’s been a lot of bad headlines out there, so I was concerned to see this industry might be shrinking and might be contracting. However, I think the good news on that side is that companies that are looking to build a new facility or renovate an old facility brownfield their capital spending realistic expectations seem much more realistic to me, so that was very promising. And then, I think what is not in the headlines that our data was showing about the industry here is that we had two years ago, only a quarter of the companies were in commercial phase and now we’re seeing over half. So, we’ve seen tremendous progress over the last two years. Hopefully, some of those companies can start now realizing revenue from operations rather than fundraising, but that’s an optimistic way to look at it. Jason, how about you? What popped out at you?

Jason: Well, I think we’ve seen that the trend of sustainability continues to be a driver. And as you reflect back at how we make decisions in those grocery store aisles, I think the consumer is still looking for making sustainable decisions on those products. And so, I think whether it’s ESG type of decisions or whatever it is, that that’s a main focus that you see in the consumer. I would say probably the other is just the de-risking of the technology, and as those folks are going through that venture stage, who’s walking beside them. And, I think the scale-up will continue to be centered around price parity and how can they get there, so those are a couple of takeaways I’d add.

Tony: Nice, thanks. Sebastian?

Sebastian: I think there were a lot of interesting points. Obviously, the capital investment was a big one, just like you mentioned, Tony, in terms of how much they wanted to spend a couple of years ago, only to now how that big shift has happened. However, one of the other interesting data points that we did see, and which aligns with what we’re seeing in terms of the macroeconomic situation, is just the fact that more people are going to start looking at co-manufacturing to just to help offset that initial capital expenditure.

So again, that’s a play that is well-timed, I think, just based on everything that’s given. However, it’s still exciting to see. And then with, you know, everyone that you talk to you within the industry, the excitement has not dissipated.

Ashley: So, what’s on the horizon for alternative protein manufacturers? Is it safe to compare their work to that of traditional protein manufacturers? What’s at stake and how can they overcome the challenges they’re currently facing? Tony, Jason and Sebastian share their thoughts on this.

Tony: When you look at like the competition here, right, what you’re trying to reach price parity with, you’re talking about processing an animal through a facility. You’re probably not at one or 2% yield on those animals, right? I mean, you’re probably closer to 50% coming out of there. So that’s at least an order of magnitude difference. That’s a pretty high hurdle to tackle.

Jason: Trying to catch up. You know, that industry continues to want to compare itself. And, you know, I think it’s about trying to perfect your scales, get it scaled up and not necessarily worry about, you know, chasing the conventional, you know, meat market, in my opinion.

Sebastian: Well, yeah. And I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of traditional meat manufacturing and you don’t really understand the scale until you go to one of those facilities or just, you know, whether it’s how many hogs, how many cattle are going through it. And then at the end, you know, again, you’re measuring everything in tons. You’re not measuring it in pounds or grams at that point.

Tony: I just think that’s a challenge that the industry will be able to tackle. Like what’s it going to take to get to that scale? These are technologies that we want to replace a significant amount of protein or add a significant amount of protein, I should say. What’s it going to take to get to that scale?

Jason: You know, there’s a lot of perspectives around that. But when I look at that, I think as you think about really global demand for protein for folks that think we’re going to replace, you know, conventional products in the U.S. it’s tough to believe that. I think when you’re thinking about global demand and places that might not be able to provide, you know, a ton of soybean meal total to ultimately go to a feed mill and, you know, grow, you know, animals, I think that’s why the innovation’s ultimately going to have a hard, larger impact globally than in the United States.

Sebastian: Yeah. And I mean to that point that the global aspect of it I mean, we’ve seen clients all across the world now start to not only from a startup perspective, you know, other countries are developing their own startup hubs in the food tech area. But then from a regulatory perspective, other countries are now getting on board and realizing, hey, this is a great opportunity to increase food security, food stability, and back to the point where, you know, might be, if you’re in the Middle East and you don’t have any farmland, so this is going to be your next option to really develop that.

Ashley: Whether it’s supporting our clients feed the world or discovering new ways to improve our clients’ current processes, CRB’s team of professionals is pushing the industry forward and they’re all excited about the potential on the horizon for the alternative proteins industry. To download your copy of the Horizons: Alternative Proteins report, visit CRBGroup.com/Horizons-reports. We will also share that link in the show notes. Be sure to subscribe to the show to be notified when future episodes get released. Thanks for listening.

Discover how CNH Industrial is cutting waste and regenerating value at:  

In CNH Industrial’s latest story in the A Sustainable Year series, the world of remanufacturing is explored – from the benefits of reman parts over new parts to the company’s dedication to sustainable technology.

Remanufacturing significantly reduces the environmental impact of operations, extends the life of products, and is significantly more efficient compared to manufacturing new parts. The reman process requires 80% less energy, which in turn reduces customer carbon footprint, encourages faster delivery times, and saves money. Bruce Krueger, General Manager of CNH Industrial Reman North America, discusses the winning traits of remanufacturing at CNH Industrial in this story.

An accompanying interview with renowned expert Dr. Nabil Nasr, Director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability and CEO of the REMADE Institute, spotlights remanufacturing, and the changes needed to foster innovation.

At CNH Industrial, sustainability stewardship is one of its many strategic priorities. The practice of remanufacturing brings significant financial advantages while also supporting environmental goals.

Read the full story and interview here:

July 6, 2023 /3BL/ – The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework has, in recent years, gathered impressive traction as companies find their sustainability and ethical practices increasingly in the spotlight. Each aspect of ESG carries its own weight, so why is governance so important? Governance serves as the foundation on which environmental and social considerations are subsequently built upon. Given the crucial nature of a strong foundation it’s no wonder why governance is an essential part of effective ESG communications.

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