Tag: 3BL

By Mark E. Newman
President and Chief Executive Officer at The Chemours Company

I am proud to present the latest edition of our Sustainability Report which outlines our progress against our Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals.

The past five years of our journey have been defined by making giant leaps in a short period of time. This progress was possible thanks to the transformative partnerships between Chemours’ 6600 employees and our stakeholders across the globe who have embraced our vision that together, we create a better world through the power of our chemistry. In many ways, this vision is a sustainability vision—one we live out every single day. Some of the highlights from this year’s Sustainability Report include:

Achieved a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—reaching the halfway point of our 2030 goal.Reached a 53% reduction in total process fluorinated organic chemical (FOC) emissions to air and water—surpassing the halfway point to our 2030 goal of a 99% reduction.48.2% of revenue from offerings that make a specific contribution to the UN SDGs.Committed 36% of our $50 million investment in STEM, safety, and environmental initiatives across our local communities.Surpassed our Sustainable Supply Chain goal assessing sustainability performance having evaluated addressable spend of 90% of our suppliers by 2022.

These figures are indicative of the incredible strides our team has made. In fact, Chemours is leading the industry in reducing FOC emissions and advancing analytical and abatement technologies to reach our 2030 goal.

At Chemours, sustainability is central to everything we do—including the products we make. Our chemistry is integral to modern life and to the new, green economy that rests on the performance of bold innovations. In fact, the technologies that will enable decarbonization, electrification, and a cleaner world depend on chemistry including clean hydrogen, semiconductors, coatings for durable and advanced infrastructure, heat pumps for electric vehicles or homes, and high-speed data, and so much more. Chemours products are essential to a sustainable future, and when made responsibly we can realize that future while protecting human health and the environment.

That is why we are backing our innovation and sustainable solutions with responsible manufacturing, strict emissions control, and a focus on improving end-of-life management. In other words, as we produce the materials needed for the new economy, we must also ensure that we protect people and the environment. As you’ll see in the pages that follow, that’s not a far-flung possibility, it’s a reality happening today and Chemours is helping lead the way for others.

While chemistry enables the critical building blocks of a more sustainable world, it is people who bring it to life. In our Sustainability Report, you will see how Chemours strives to be the greatest place to work as well as a force for good in our communities, whether it’s investing in STEM education or technical training programs, expanding our certified nature preserves, hiring the best and most diverse talent, or creating a holistically safe workplace for every employee.

As you read through the pages of our report, you will discover many examples that showcase our chemistry as both responsible and essential. You’ll also see the progress we have made as well as our plans to continue challenging ourselves to achieve more. That is why I’m excited to renew Chemours’ commitment to our goals and our pledge of ongoing support to the 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact. I want to thank you for joining us on this journey, and I invite you to learn more about what makes Chemours a different kind of chemistry company.

Mark Newman is the President and CEO of The Chemours Company, a different kind of chemistry company whose products impact every part of modern day living and enable a greener, low carbon future. Read more in Chemours’ new Sustainability Report here.

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M·A·C Cosmetics is proud to have participated in another successful year of fundraising for the Annual AIDS Walk New York! On Sunday, May 21st, the M·A·C Cosmetics Team participated in the 38th annual walk, which raises funds for primary beneficiary Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC).

This year, the M·A·C Cosmetics team members raised over $44,000 for the walk – and every single dollar will be matched by the M·A·C VIVA GLAM Fund, resulting in an over $88,000 total donation to the organization. M·A·C secured the spot of #1 Corporate Fundraiser for the second consecutive year in a row and was the #4 fundraising team overall.

About 90 team members including M·A·C employees, family and friends of the brand came together in Central Park to walk for the cause, demonstrating the brand’s longtime commitment to ending HIV/AIDS. Overall, the walk raised over $2.1 million dollars for critical HIV programs and services in the tri-state area.

Since 1994, M·A·C VIVA GLAM has raised over $500 million in the fight to end HIV/AIDS.

Learn more about M·A·C VIVA GLAM here.

Today’s payment card packs a huge punch in a piece of plastic 3/100th of an inch thin — a microchip that securely processes purchases, a wire antenna that snakes through the card enabling contactless transactions, a hologram to defeat counterfeiters, and more. It’s the result of decades of innovation and collaboration across the industry.

But one element has largely remained the same — the plastic itself. Most of the 25 billion cards in circulation today are made from first-use plastics like PVC that will not break down and decompose, and they are difficult to recycle because of the metals and other materials embedded within. As a result, the vast majority wind up in landfills already choked with plastics.

To combat this, it will take a collective effort. That’s been our mantra as we pursue ways to reduce our impact on the environment, including our recent decision to require the use of sustainable materials in all new payment cards starting in 2028 and our work to propel the secular shift to digital payments, including our Digital First card program in which cardholders can opt out of a physical card entirely.

We see a future where all plastic cards can be recycled easily — at your bank, your corner store or your municipal recycling center — to make a small but meaningful dent in the plastic pollution crisis. The innovation and collaboration that produced the payment cards we carry today can and should be harnessed to dispose of them in a secure and sustainable way.

That’s why we are establishing a blueprint for card recycling that can be replicated across the world, including collection, transportation and recycling, and we’re asking our global network of partners to help us put this in place, starting in the U.K. with HSBC, now offering card recycling at select branches.

Cardholders can drop off any expired payment cards into secure, dedicated collection boxes inside the bank branches. For additional peace of mind, the cards are shredded inside the collection box, ensuring no card information can be stolen and the build-in chip is destroyed.

The shredded waste is then shipped to our recycling partner. For the U.K., this is TerraCycle, which has been tackling hard-to-recycle products, from toothpaste tubes to mascara wands to water filters to coffee pods, for more than 20 years. The shredded card waste is then separated and the plastic reformed into pellets and powders to be reused for other products.

Since 2018, our DigiSec Lab in northern England has been exploring ways to recycle plastic cards and develop more sustainable ones by scrutinizing their physical and chemical makeup — gnashing and grinding them, using a diamond-edge saw to expose the cross-section, examining them under a scanning electron microscope and an infrared spectrometer.

We also look at the amount of energy, carbon emissions and waste involved in card manufacturing. Those that meet our stringent standards of a sustainable card earn our badge of approval as an eco-friendly card.

Since 2021, more than 403 financial institutions and fintechs from 92 countries have joined us in our journey toward a more sustainable way to pay by issuing 235 million Mastercard cards made from approved recycled, recyclable and bio-sourced materials, including recycled ocean plastic or bioplastics made from sugar or corn.

We’re calling on all card issuers to take the next step by working with us to provide recycling for existing first-use plastic cards. We can provide our expertise and connect them with our recycling partner to organize programs of their own, maximizing impact with minimal cost and effort.

Across our business, we’ve taken a hard look at how we can help combat climate change, from reducing our own carbon footprint with a commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 to working with our partners to restore 100 million trees through the Priceless Planet Coalition to enabling consumers to make more informed spending decisions using our Carbon Calculator.

Propelling the evolution of the payment card into a more sustainable future is the next — and necessary — step.

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Originally published by Ericsson

Artificial intelligence (AI) and energy-saving features can help CSPs reduce energy consumption and operating costs. Here we explore the benefits of AI for sustainable networks – and why connecting all site equipment to the management system is key for energy efficiency and unlocking new revenues.

By Elena Fersman Head of Global AI Accelerator, Johan Pettersson Strategic Product Manager for RSM, Anette Höglund Strategy execution driver, Erik Sanders Product Manager for AI & Automation, and Lackis Eleftheriadis Senior Specialist in Sustainable AI Operations

As covered in our 2022 Breaking the Energy Curve report, energy consumption in mobile networks has increased with the roll-out of each new generation. And with the expanded spectrum of 5G and the growing site densification demands of emerging use cases, this upward trajectory is set to continue if we don’t evolve how we plan, operate and deploy our networks and infrastructure. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for automation and informed decision-making is absolutely critical to break the energy curve and help the telecom industry move towards our Net Zero goals.

So how can AI help reduce energy consumption?

With advanced network design and optimization services, AI is already making a big impact on energy performance in hardware and software. When it comes to network design, the functionalities are centered on planning – using different AI models to give communication service providers (CSPs) a deeper understanding of the network and its users, enabling them to build with precision. Every network and site is unique, so it’s important for energy-efficient solutions (such as Ericsson’s 5G radio access network (RAN) portfolio) to provide a wide range of products adapted to each radio site’s needs. 
CSPs want to deploy sites – and services – where the customer demand is. With AI insights, they can identify which locations 5G sites, new carrier additions or other resources should be deployed, so they can be used where they will be most efficient.

Network optimization services, however, represent the area with the biggest impact. As we described in a recent Ericsson Technology Review article on AI and ensuring energy-efficient networks, AI predictions – coupled with energy-saving functionalities – can make vital decisions based on the network’s needs. They can decide what resources will be needed in the coming hours and if all the capacity in the frequency bands within the Radio Access Network (RAN) will be needed during that time. They can then dynamically turn off or on different frequency bands or resources according to upcoming demand, saving energy when demand is low.

As discussed in the Breaking the Energy Curve report mentioned earlier, the RAN, with its active and passive equipment, accounts for over 75 percent of the overall energy consumption in mobile networks. Consequently, these types of services can have a significant impact not only on the sustainability of a CSP’s operations, but also on their bottom line.

Taiwanese operator Far EasTone, for example, attributed 71 percent of their electricity bills to their RAN. By utilizing Ericsson’s Service Continuity AI app suite, they were able to save 25 percent on their daily RAN energy consumption, with no adverse impact on their network performance.

But many CSPs are yet to take advantage of these functionalities and begin their move toward more sustainable networks. Despite strong global pressure including energy price volatility and regulations to lower carbon emissions, many CSPs are hesitant to activate the energy-saving features they already have in their networks or RAN equipment. This may be due to perceived risks of negative impact on their network performance or customer experience, or a lack of awareness of what they stand to gain. But as it turns out, AI has a solution offering peace of mind there too.

AI helping build confidence and gain insights

Through an Ericsson consultancy service, CSPs can have an analysis conducted, using AI and ML predictions, to assess the impact such energy-saving features will have on their network – without any risk or changes needed to their actual live network. By building a digital twin of the radio environment in the network, different parameters can then be tweaked in the virtual base stations to understand how they would affect the users. Not only is the digital twin based on the data from the actual network, reinforcement learning is utilized to feed back into the model. This process runs multiple times until the optimal settings are identified, which can then be applied to the real network.

This kind of AI technology can also help reduce CO2 emissions in other ways, beyond optimizing the network. Benchmarking is important to many CSPs, allowing them to prove the quality of their service or their ranking in the country, for example, to attract new customers and reduce customer churn. Test driving is still a common practice for benchmarking in certain regions, where a car is driven all over the region or country – hundreds of kilometers or more. Cell phones in the car are used to constantly make calls and transfer data, from which the performance of the network would be computed and measured.

Now, this process – a very manual one with considerable emissions and climate impact – can be conducted with a Virtual Drive Test. By using AI predictions for a simulated drive based on real data from the network, physical driving can be avoided, cutting costs, traffic and emissions and safety risks to those driving. The results are also more accurate and insightful. As the data is drawn from the real network devices, it’s measuring the network performance where the users actually are, inside their homes, offices or buildings – not outside on the street.

So, beyond reducing energy consumption, how else is AI helping make networks more sustainable?

How AI is enabling smart energy

By ensuring all sites are fully connected, smart energy management functionality can take things to a whole new level, as described in our white paper on the opportunities of ancillary services to utilities using mobile network power infrastructure.

This is where we start to look at not only the active infrastructure like the RAN equipment we discussed earlier, but also the passive equipment – particularly power system operation, which also includes other systems that consume energy, such as climate control or air conditioning. While the main purpose of power systems is to provide power conversion from AC to DC and backup for the active equipment, if they are digitized and remotely connected and controlled, we can also use and manage the energy infrastructure and operations more intelligently.

For example, many countries already have electricity tariffs that vary on a seasonal basis, or during peak demand hours – and with high energy costs, carbon emission regulations and the increasing use of, and demand for, renewable energy (which often provides a fluctuating supply at different times, depending on the source), it’s likely this will become a standard we see across the globe.

With a connected site, energy systems can be managed and orchestrated to prioritize or engage particular power sources or actions, reducing operational expenses. For example, AI-powered applications can tell the power systems to switch to using the batteries during times when tariffs are higher (peak load shifting), or when the grid power usage reaches a certain power grid alternating current limit (AC limit).

These features become even more interesting from a sustainability standpoint, when we factor in hybrid functionality – when the site owner invests in having renewable energy added to the site itself. At this point, Ericsson AI technology and data such as weather forecasts and the aforementioned tariffs and energy grid information can all be brought together to optimize energy efficiency – and lower costs even further.

They can decide when the site should run on the grid, solar power or wind power, and when to charge or discharge the battery from variable power sources – ensuring everything is ready to meet predicted demand and conditions ahead of time. Early analysis based on test data carried out at our Global Artificial Intelligence Accelerators (GAIA) shows a potential savings of SEK 15 thousand (almost USD 1,400) per site per year on cooling energy by optimizing the power sources based on the real-time state.

What are the challenges holding the industry back?

The most crucial element to enable this functionality is to have the passive equipment in all the sites connected. To do anything with AI, you need data. Of all the sites across the globe, very few have IP connectivity deployed to the power systems, so there is no possibility to collect data. In many cases, they are also not connected to a management system, meaning no controlling or monitoring of the situation of the site is possible.

This may come down to a missed opportunity – of the added value not being clear, or well understood. After all, we know that there is commitment toward greater sustainability within the industry. GSMA’s State of the Industry on Climate Action 2023 report shows that 62 operators, representing 61 percent of the industry by revenue and 46 percent by connections, have committed to science-based targets intended to rapidly reduce their direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2030.

It could also be a reflection of past priorities that are just now starting to shift. Traditionally, the focus of power and cooling systems has been to provide a safe and reliable site solution for the radio base station. As long as these demands were met, it was never an issue, or an area where more engineering expertise or competence was needed.

Now, the situation has changed. Energy is at the top of everyone’s lists. And some are becoming aware of the saving opportunities that have been lost as a result of focusing only on the active equipment – and realizing it’s time to get connected. To be ready to take climate and energy action, CSPs must act to ensure their sites – and both active and passive equipment – are properly digitized. Because if we are to come close to achieving our goal of net zero by 2050, we’ll need AI to do it.

And it’s not only the good of our planet driving this – there are also new energy-related revenue streams awaiting those who act.

New revenue opportunities await

Smart connected sites will offer new unique opportunities, firstly in the form of trade via energy ancillary service programs such as the Frequency Containment Reserve for Disturbances, Upwards (FCR-D up) in the Nordic countries, where the market for the electrical grid has been deregulated. Within this system, smart connected sites across a network can act as active power reserves that are automatically called upon to disconnect from the grid or reconnect to keep the power grid frequency balanced.

Sites with hybrid functionality and their own energy production could also use their AI predictions and automation to determine their energy needs, automatically redistribute energy resources around the network and determine when excess energy should be stored or when it should be sold back to the grid – not only cutting emissions and increasing efficiency, but also opening up another revenue opportunity . And as we move further in our journey toward renewables and electrification, fluctuations in energy resources will only continue to drive energy trading economies across the globe.

Final thoughts on AI for energy and sustainability

As we look toward the future and evolving technologies, one thing remains central to our society – our critical infrastructure. Power grids, water supplies and telecommunications networks are absolutely key for sustainable development – even reflected in Goal 9 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to “build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.” But this critical infrastructure is in danger from ever more sophisticated threats. As the security of our networks becomes more and more complex, AI will be pivotal in facing the challenges to come.

Finally, as climate action and carbon regulation continue to develop, we will see increasing demands for transparency and accountability when it comes to our energy sources. Some CSPs are already shifting to 100 percent renewable energy – making this a selling point in their communication, while publicly calling on other operators to do the same.

We’re already having dialogues with grid utility companies about more open data availability from the grid network on the percentage of renewables or carbon footprint of the energy used, and as demands for more granular information like this grow from industry and the public, AI will have yet another role to play in monitoring and analyzing those sources.

Ultimately, this area may be evolving rapidly – but it’s one where nobody can afford to be left behind.

Benefits of AI in Networks blog series

We hope you enjoyed this AI in Networks sustainability and energy efficiency special episode – you can read more from our ‘Benefits of AI in Networks’ blog series here, or sign up below to be notified of future posts.

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Learn more

Find out more about AI-powered energy management.

Read our recent report and discover what more than 80 CSPs had to say about the business value of AI.

Learn more about Ericsson’s three-step approach to network energy performance.

Explore Ericsson’s portfolio of energy-efficient RAN, transport and software solutions.

Read how Deutsche Telekom, in partnership with Ericsson, became the world’s first service provider to power a mobile broadband site with renewable energy.

Learn how to energy-optimize network modernization by evolving toward a smart energy setup and a holistic approach to energy management, in this Ericsson Technology Review.

Read the Ericsson Technology Review magazine special edition putting the spotlight on sustainable networks.

Read the Ericsson Technology Review article on creating energy-efficient networks with artificial intelligence.

This PrideMonth, Alkermes honors the resiliency of the LGBTQ+ community. We’re committed to fighting the stigmas that may contribute to substance abuse and may act as barriers to receiving treatment. 

Lights! Camera! Action!

These words spring to mind whenever I’m embarking on a retail therapy spree. Of course, while the only cameras around are security cameras, I see the lights and everyone in full (shopping) action. While many brands have transitioned to eCommerce over the years, brick-and-mortar remains at the heart of most retailers, with store design playing a key role in showcasing products and attracting consumers.

Considering the vast number of stores globally, it is critical that organisations explore ways to incorporate sustainable design into retail spaces to reduce energy usage, waste production and water consumption, while simultaneously creating a healthier, more pleasant shopping experience.

Sustainable design has become an increasingly important consideration in retail spaces as retailers seek to strike a balance between creating an attractive and efficient space for consumers and reducing their environmental impact. In addition to building stores within LEED-certified buildings, energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, use of sustainable materials, and reduced water consumption are currently the most common initiatives. However, potential challenges and drawbacks include:

1. Cost: Sustainable design features, such as energy-efficient lighting or biophilic elements (natural element exposure), may require an upfront investment potentially more expensive than traditional design approaches.

However, according to a post by Frasers Property, the cost of green fittings has been decreasing over the years and is now comparably priced to less sustainable versions.

2. Limited availability of sustainable materials: Retailers may struggle to source sustainable materials for store designs, leading to delays or compromises in the final design.

3. Trade-offs between sustainability and functionality: In some cases, there may be trade-offs between incorporating sustainable design features and achieving certain functional goals, such as maximizing shelf space or creating a particular ambiance, which requires creative solutions.

4. Lack of industry standards: Despite various certifications and standards relating to sustainable design and construction, these may not be widely recognised or adopted in the industry, making it challenging for retailers to evaluate and compare different options.

5. Limited customer interest: Even though sustainable design may be important to some customers, others may prioritise other factors, such as price or convenience. Retailers may need to balance their sustainability goals with their desire to appeal to a broader customer base.

With that said, these potential stumbling blocks can be mitigated by careful planning and design. By working with experienced designers and contractors, retailers can achieve sustainability goals and create a functional, more appealing shopping experience.

The impact of the pandemic

With many retail businesses forced to close or reduce operating hours during lockdowns, energy usage and waste production decreased in many retail spaces. Great for the environment, bad for businesses. However, with every dark cloud, there is a silver lining: businesses were forced to re-evaluate. The pandemic accelerated progress toward sustainable design in retail spaces as retailers seek to adapt to changing consumer preferences and behaviours while reducing their environmental impact.

One trend that emerged from the pandemic is the use of technology to create more sustainable and efficient retail spaces. For example, retailers are increasingly using smart sensors and data analytics to optimise energy usage and reduce waste. This can include everything from using occupancy sensors to control lighting and HVAC systems, to monitoring waste production and recycling rates.

Another trend in retail design is the increased use of sustainable materials and practices. As consumers become more conscious of environmental issues, retailers are stepping up and incorporating sustainable materials and practices into their retail spaces. This can include everything from recycled and renewable materials to green walls and living plant installations.

The pandemic also highlighted the importance of health and well-being in retail spaces. As consumers and employees become more conscious of the potential health risks of crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, retailers are investing in features such as natural lighting, improved air quality, and access to outdoor spaces.

Potential future trends

Sustainable design in retail spaces will continue to be an important trend in the coming years. This is likely to be driven by advances in technology, the increasing availability of sustainable materials and practices, and a continued focus on health and well-being. A few potential trends include:

Biophilic design: This incorporates natural elements, such as plants and water features, into interior spaces, which have been shown to have numerous health and well-being benefits, including stress reduction and improved cognitive function. A biophilic design could appeal to more consumers, helping to create a calming and inviting experience. A study by Kathleen L Wolf found that in addition to the amount of time spent, consumers are also willing to pay more for products sold in spaces with more natural elements. 
 Energy-efficient lighting: While LED lighting has become increasingly popular in recent years, there are still opportunities to further optimise lighting efficiency. Retailers may look to incorporate advanced lighting controls, such as daylight sensors, to further reduce energy usage. 
 Modular and flexible design: As the retail industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer behaviours, retailers may need to be more flexible in their store designs, allowing retailers to easily adapt stores to changing needs, while also reducing waste by reusing existing components. 
 Sustainable/ biodegradable materials: Sustainable materials are increasingly important, as consumers become more conscious of environmental issues. Retailers may look to incorporate materials made from recycled or renewable sources or those that can be easily recycled at the end of product life. 
 Circular design: Circular design seeks to eliminate waste by designing products and systems to be reused or recycled. This could involve using reusable packaging materials, designing products with end-of-life recyclability in mind, and creating closed-loop recycling systems.

According to a report by Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), sustainable design in retail spaces, or ‘green retail space’, is now becoming a standard. Green products have been shown to increase sales, and brands that have created experiential spaces have also had great success with green marketing strategies. There will always be a risk of greenwashing, but with the rising energy costs, shortages of raw materials, and the increasingly visible consequences of climate change, it is crucial for organisations to innovate. They need to devise ways to reinvent what “green retail” means and create a store concept that is engaging and environmentally friendly. While it is becoming a “norm”, we are simply at the beginning of an arduous journey. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes the entire human race to save our planet.

Do you work in the green retail space? If you have innovations you’d like to share and examples of company best practices to help drive the climate agenda forward, I would love to hear from you.

Valerie joined Acre in 2022 as a Senior Consultant focusing on Sustainable Business and Advisory. She achieved her BSc in Psychology and MSc in Occupational and Business Psychology and upon graduation, joined a boutique executive search firm in London. Valerie decided to return to Singapore in 2018. She then joined Spencer Stuart and Korn Ferry, specialising in Executive Search across industries and functions globally.

Valerie is certified by SHL to deliver ability and personality assessments. She believes that by hiring and developing the best leaders in the industry, she can contribute towards achieving environmental, social and economic sustainability.

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.

HARMAN Newscenter

Whether you listen to rock or pop, hip hop or R&B, everyone around the world has experienced the power of music to help us make new connections, express ourselves, support our communities, and more. With our heritage in audio innovation and unwavering commitment to music education, HARMAN has a unique understanding of the power music has to transform lives. It’s just one of the many reasons we look forward to celebrating Make Music Day, the global celebration of music that takes place on June 21 every year. From helping passersby discover a hidden talent for guitar to window serenades, HARMAN employees have come together year after year to spread the unifying power of music through a variety of engaging experiences.

As we prepare to recognize Make Music Day once again, we’re spotlighting some of our own employees whose musical talents and passions mirror our company’s commitment to elevating listening experiences with trendsetting connected solutions at HARMAN. Read on to discover the inspiration behind their passion…

What inspires you most about being a musician? 

“Since my father was in the music business, I guess the music bug was meant to catch me! My musical journey began as a 1-year-old baby in the studio in 1970 being frequently babysat by the members of REO Speedwagon. By the time middle school came around, I was playing guitar and learning the art of recording and production. My real immersion into becoming a serious musician did not occur until my late 20s when I decided to give up guitar to study drums and percussion. I studied for 8 years under Marvin Smith, a jazz drum legend who performed with Sun Ra and Archie Shepp. Studying jazz drumming and learning the history of American recorded music was such a motivator and led me to eventually be able to tour Europe and parts of the United States in the early 2000s playing drums for many types of musical projects from 50s bebop jazz to 70s funk, pop, and alternative rock. 

Throughout my journey as a musician, there has always been this great feeling of positive energy that captures my spirit. When I can share this energy and joy of performing with others, it truly inspires me in every way, every day. These days, my musical journey centers around playing in Groove Grove, Connecticut’s premier high energy 90s alternative rock cover band and as an endorsement artist for RCI Drums, makers of best acrylic drums in the world.”

– Jan, Customer Service

“Playing music is inspiring! Each time I perform with my bandmates, even if it’s just practice, I see different dimensions of what we’re capable of together, which inspires even more individual creativity.”

– Hope, Engineering

“A love for music first inspired me to start taking guitar lessons in 4th grade and this began my lifelong love affair and journey as a musician. It is self-expression at its best and standing on a stage performing brings an amazing level of joy and satisfaction when you actually see you are reaching people with music. Currently I perform with a fine group of musicians in a NY-based Southern Rock tribute band called Southern Guns. This music reaches so many generations with our audiences ranging in age from 25 – 65. It’s pretty wild to see younger fans connecting with this music and, for our older fans, it brings back memories of their teenage years and simpler times.”

– Chris, Marketing

How does celebrating Make Music Day with your HARMAN colleagues make you feel? 

“I am so honored and proud to be an employee of this amazing company, so being able to play and share music with my colleagues is an added bonus. Being able to work with so many amazing and talented musicians is such a wonderful benefit and celebrating Make Music Day with them is a very rewarding feeling. To say I’m proud to work for HARMAN is an understatement and the opportunity to make music with my colleagues for a company that truly helps makes the world a better place through music is a dream come true.”

– Jan, Customer Service

“Celebrating Make Music Day at HARMAN with my colleagues excites me! Playing music with friends presents a special opportunity for self-expression and celebrating one another, which has fostered such a supportive and encouraging culture here.”

– Hope, Engineering

“I am always proud that our amazing company continues to acknowledge and celebrate Make Music Day for many reasons. First and foremost, we are in the business of making products that deliver music and have a long and amazing history with so many incredible moments in time — past and present — to be proud of. We enable people to enjoy and create music and deliver products and services that are part of their daily lives in the car, at home as well as on-the-go, on stage, in the studio, and everywhere in between. Quite simply, we make peoples’ lives better with what we do. There are many of us at HARMAN that found our way here because we wanted to stay connected to music and for many it was due to a love for our products, not because it was simply a good job at a great company. That passion remains a core principle at HARMAN and Make Music Day is one of those moments when we are able to celebrate how we contribute to that idea.” 

– Chris, Marketing

There’s no doubt that our employees truly embody HARMAN’s legacy in music by fostering their own individual passions. Their dedication to their personal musical pursuits not only aligns with their work at HARMAN, it is emblematic of the potential music has to change lives. Stay tuned to HARMAN’s corporate Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information about our Make Music Day celebrations this year and how we’re sharing the power of music.

Originally published in Otis 2022 ESG Report

Otis is committed to promoting sustainability in our business to support our customers and communities. We are managing our impact on the environment through our factories, real estate footprint and vehicle fleet.

With customers in more than 200 countries and territories globally, we must design, manufacture, install and service our equipment responsibly and effectively. To do so, we operate through more than 1,400 branches and offices, 17 factories and a global fleet of approximately 22,000 vehicles that transport our field professionals to and from jobsites. To date, we have made steady progress reducing the environmental impact of our operations, specifically on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (see below) – with a goal of reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030. We are expanding those efforts with the quantification of Scope 3 emissions, and we intend to submit to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) in 2023. In addition, we continue to manage and address sources of factory electricity, industrial and hazardous waste, and water consumption, and to expand the number of products covered by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). 

Broad business benefits are being realized through both enhanced efficiency and operational excellence. We are identifying opportunities for cost reduction and margin improvement through our sustainability efforts, while also aligning our products with customer demands.

Goal: Achieve a 50% reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030

Otis reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 4.8% in 2022, with a cumulative reduction of 11% versus our 2019 baseline. These reductions are the direct result of major initiatives implemented over the last few years, such as focusing on factory energy management, real estate and fleet. In 2022, we also took the critical action of linking our Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emission reduction goal to our executive short-term incentive (STI) compensation program. The added performance multiplier can adjust the STI awards up or down by 5% based on our progress toward achieving this goal. It is intended to drive immediate near-term action. We continue to assess opportunities for emission reductions in our business as we drive toward our commitments.

We have made tremendous progress in the implementation of energy efficient projects and best practices at our global factories and intend to fully implement all viable opportunities over the next few years. In addition, we plan to maximize the use of electricity from carbon-neutral sources.

Learn more in the Otis 2022 ESG Report

June 21, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Lenovo’s Environmental, Social and Governance Rating score was recently upgraded to AAA by MSCI, the international ratings agency. This upgrade represents the highest possible rating for corporations leading in ESG programs. This announcement comes after Lenovo received a rating of AAA (on a scale of AAA-CCC) in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment in 2022.

MSCI ESG Research provides in-depth research, ratings, and analysis of the environmental, social, and governance-related business practices of thousands of companies worldwide. Its research is designed to provide critical insights that can help institutional investors identify risks and opportunities that traditional investment research may overlook.

The MSCI ESG Ratings are also used to construct the MSCI ESG Indexes, produced by MSCI, Inc. For more information, click here. In alignment with MSCI’s methodology, these ratings demonstrate Lenovo’s ESG strengths relative to the China information technology industry.

MSCI is an index used by many financial decision-makers around the world. Lenovo was included on Bloomberg MSCI Green Bond Index in October 2022.

Disclaimer: THE USE BY Lenovo OF ANY MSCI ESG RESEARCH LLC OR ITS AFFILIATES (“MSCI”) DATA, AND THE USE OF MSCI LOGOS, TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS OR INDEX NAMES HEREIN, DO NOT CONSTITUTE A SPONSORSHIP, ENDORSEMENT, RECOMMENDATION, OR PROMOTION OF Lenovo BY MSCI. MSCI SERVICES AND DATA ARE THE PROPERTY OF MSCI OR ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, AND ARE PROVIDED ‘AS-IS’ AND WITHOUT WARRANTY. MSCI NAMES AND LOGOS ARE TRADEMARKS OR SERVICE MARKS OF MSCI.

By Liz Habersham, T-Mobile Stories

Organization is getting a paper to pixels makeover in the form of digital planning, a practice that can be both aesthetically pleasing and a little overwhelming. Here we enlist two digital planning community experts to show us how to turn the page on traditional planners by turning to your device.

There’s an aesthetic-focused community on social media that has a message for you: planners are evolving. From IG reels to TikTok, digital planning is the trend that has influencers showing off beautifully curated calendars and specialized templates that demonstrate how customizable — and convenient! — it can be to organize your life with your device.

This modern mode of digital planning uses an interactive pdf to combine the tried-and-true organization of paper planners, calendars, and similar tools with the modern edge of your favorite device. And when you pair that device with T-Mobile’s 5G network — the country’s largest, fastest and most awarded — you’ll be able to seamlessly keep your planner up to date on any platform, wherever you go.

“We believe in having a booked and balanced life and this is a vehicle to help you achieve your goals and dreams,” says Tannera George, co-owner of the luxury stationary and lifestyle company Book’d.

Together with Adrienne Harris, the two women started Book’d in 2018 with hard copy options, and have since grown to also offer a digital platform that meets the demand of clients who were excited by what they were seeing on social media’s digital planning community.

“We were fresh out of undergrad and looking for a way to enhance our productivity and achieve new goals with the help of a planner and wanted to create a meaningful representation of who we are as Black women in the organizational space,” says Adrienne. “We saw a need, especially in our community, for women to be able to strive for their dreams and be able to hold themselves accountable in those pursuits.”

Though it took some time, as self-proclaimed “pen and paper girls,” these two have cracked the code to digital planning and share some important tips on how anyone can reap the benefits of these tools.

Since getting started requires a few more steps than just cracking open a bound paper planner, here’s a handy guide that breaks down exactly how to set yourself up for success.

Getting Started with Digital Planning

STEP 1: Pick your favorite device

The first step in your journey will be to prepare your favorite device, smartphones are great for when you’re on the go and tablets are best for when you need a bit more screen space for your brainstorming. If your planner is in the cloud, then you can make edits on the go, which is incredibly convenient if you travel often.

“It’s very useful for your digital planner to link across devices,” says Tannera. “I prefer to use a tablet. Since it’s in between the size of a phone and a desktop, it’s that perfect middle ground.”

STEP 2: Find an app that works for you

While there are plenty of apps available, three of the most popular options are GoodNotes, Notion and Notability. One of the first lessons you’ll realize upon taking a deep dive into the world of digital planning is that it’s a community built on the pillar of customizability. Financially, for example, if you’re not looking for paid services, you can easily avoid apps that cause you to sign up for yet another subscription. As a beginner, a free digital planning app combined with a free template can be a great low stakes way of getting started.

“There’s so many note-taking apps and pdf annotators out there and finding the right one can get a bit overwhelming,” says Tannera. “A great starting point would be GoodNotes for Apple users and Notability for Android users. Both apps have free versions, and offer paid plans if you decide you want to upgrade.”

STEP 3: Get informed and get inspired

So, you’ve downloaded a digital planning app on your device and now you’re waiting for the magic to happen. This is where your personal style and preferences will come into play. There are plenty of great tutorials that show you how to setup a digital planner based on your app of choice, but just know that there are usually three basic steps involved: downloading a template, uploading the template to your app, and then filling it out with your life.

“You don’t need a planner if you don’t have plans right,” jokes Adrienne. “Figure out what you want to accomplish that year and any goals you want to want to work towards, and then you can use it as a tool to hold yourself accountable.”

Tannera says while she’s a “weekly planner, brain dump, check list kind of organizer,” she knows that Adrienne prefers a scheduler. Adrienne says that you’ll want to take time to think about what your needs are, and which format works for you — for example, dated vs. undated, weekly vs. daily scheduler, and whether or not you want sections like blank pages for brainstorming and checklists. Once you do some organizational introspection, you can find planners that match your lifestyle.

STEP 4: Find or design your first template

Once you’ve watched a tutorial or two, you should feel ready to pick your very first template! If you’re comfortable with design, this is a great chance to get creative and make your planner your own. If you aren’t, no worries! There are plenty of free templates available to download and even premium ones that are already pre-designed to make getting started easy.

If you get little lost in the template search, you can always start with the basics.

“A good option to fall back on is a general planner that’s dated and allows you to add customizations,” says Tannera. “You can also find some more specialized, like a mental health focused planner, for example.”

STEP 5: Start planning!

That’s it! And just like that, you are now a part of the burgeoning digital planning community that’s serving people of all walks of life. Whether you’re a working professional looking for project clarity or a parent hoping to streamline your family’s schedules, you can now use your digital planner to prepare for your busy week, track your workout progress, plan grocery trips — and pretty much everything else under the sun. The sky’s the limit when it comes to your productivity potential!

“That’s how our planner came about,” says Adrienne. “It’s a vehicle to help you reach your goals and your dreams.”