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WILMINGTON, Del., June 20, 2023 /3BL Media/ – The Chemours Company (“Chemours”) (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company with leading market positions in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials, today announced the sixth edition of its annual Sustainability Report, outlining the company’s progress toward meeting its ESG targets through its Corporate Responsibility Commitment (CRC) goals. The report showcases the company’s global commitment and collective determination to responsible manufacturing of essential chemistries and significant—often industry-leading—progress toward its goals. 

Select report highlights from the company’s 2022 operations include:

Achieved an overall 30% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2018—reaching the halfway point of our 2030 goal.Reached a 53% reduction in total process fluorinated organic chemical (FOC) emissions to air and water since 2018—surpassing the halfway point to our 2030 goal of a 99% reduction.Realized approximately 48% 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 having assessed sustainability performance of 90% of our suppliers by 2022.Committed to setting official scope 1, 2, and 3 science-based targets for approval by the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi).Recognized as a “3+” Company by 50/50 Women on Boards™ (50/50WOB), a global education and advocacy campaign driving gender balance and diversity on corporate boards.

Titled “Essential. Responsible. Chemistry.,” the report illustrates how Chemours brings to life its commitment to making chemistry as responsible as it is essential through environmental leadership, sustainable innovation and community impact while striving to be the greatest place to work for its 6,600 global employees.

“At Chemours, sustainability is central to everything we do,” said Mark Newman, President and CEO of Chemours. “That includes the products we make. While our chemistries are integral to everyday life and technologies enabling a new, green economy—from clean hydrogen and electric vehicles to advanced electronics and durable infrastructure, and so much more—they must also come with an unwavering commitment to responsible manufacturing. I’m incredibly proud of the collective effort of our teams, who have embraced Chemours’ vision to create a better world through the power of chemistry.”

“To us, making our chemistry as responsible as it is essential means setting ambitious goals to back our innovative chemistries with responsible manufacturing, strict emissions control, and a focus on improving end-of-life management,” said Dr. Amber Wellman, Chief Sustainability Officer. “We’re proud of the incredible progress we’ve made toward our goals, reaffirming our ongoing support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and continuing to challenge ourselves to achieve more, going beyond what’s required to do what’s right.”

Click here to read Chemours’ 2022 Sustainability Report.

About The Chemours Company

The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials providing its customers with solutions in a wide range of industries with market-defining products, application expertise and chemistry-based innovations. We deliver customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and consumer electronics, general industrial, and oil and gas. Our flagship products are sold under prominent brands such as Ti-Pure™, Opteon™, Freon™, Teflon™, Viton™, Nafion™, and Krytox™. The company has approximately 6,600 employees and 29 manufacturing sites serving approximately 2,900 customers in approximately 120 countries. Chemours is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC.

For more information, we invite you to visit chemours.com or follow us on Twitter @Chemours or LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical or current fact. The words “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify “forward-looking statements,” which speak only as of the date such statements were made. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, the outcome or resolution of any pending or future environmental liabilities, the commencement, outcome or resolution of any regulatory inquiry, investigation or proceeding, the initiation, outcome or settlement of any litigation, changes in environmental regulations in the U.S. or other jurisdictions that affect demand for or adoption of our products, anticipated future operating and financial performance for our segments individually and our company as a whole, business plans, prospects, targets, goals and commitments, capital investments and projects and target capital expenditures, plans for dividends or share repurchases, sufficiency or longevity of intellectual property protection, cost reductions or savings targets, plans to increase profitability and growth, our ability to make acquisitions, integrate acquired businesses or assets into our operations, and achieve anticipated synergies or cost savings, all of which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that may not be accurate or realized, such as full year guidance relying on models based upon management assumptions regarding future events that are inherently uncertain.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties that are beyond Chemours’ control. Matters outside our control, including general economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected or may affect our business and operations and may or may continue to hinder our ability to provide goods and services to customers, cause disruptions in our supply chains such as through strikes, labor disruptions or other events, adversely affect our business partners, significantly reduce the demand for our products, adversely affect the health and welfare of our personnel or cause other unpredictable events. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Chemours is unable to identify at this time or that Chemours does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Chemours assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

CONTACTS:

INVESTORS

Kurt Bonner,
Manager, Investor Relations
+1.302.773.0026
investor@chemours.com

NEWS MEDIA

Thom Sueta
Director, Corporate Communications
+1.302.773.3903
media@chemours.com

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In 2020, Lenovo established its Product Diversity Office (PDO) to ensure its smarter technology is accessible to all users, regardless of their background or ability. By integrating inclusion into the product development process, Lenovo’s PDO works to ensure that Lenovo’s products set the industry standard for inclusive design. “We strive to exceed expectations not just meet them. That means we don’t rest on our laurels but constantly look for new ways to make all our products more and more accessible,” commented Ada Lopez, leader of the PDO. “Every inclusive improvement is the launching pad to greater inclusion, greater innovation. We’re focused on ‘staying hungry’ and looking for improvements where another company might be content to say, ‘problem solved.’”

Lenovo’s Commercial Vantage is just one example of the impact the PDO’s vigilance and hunger for improvement can create. Lenovo’s Commercial Vantage is an intuitive device management software product that lets users customize and manage any Commercial Lenovo Windows 10 PC. Features available for management include display, camera, audio, keyboard, mouse, pen, and even energy consumption. Settings and updates can be controlled by the user or set remotely by IT administrators.

The product developers behind Commercial Vantage requested an Accessibility Consultation with the PDO’s John Lee, an Accessibility Design and Research Consultant who is blind.

Lee walked the team through the process of vetting Commercial Vantage’s functions against existing laws (i.e. the Americans with Disabilities Act) as well as web-based platforms built to evaluate a product’s accessibility (i.e. Accessibility Management Platform (AMP)). With this guidance, Lee was able to consult the team and work with them to mitigate risks to not only meet compliance standards, but make the product more usable for all.

Major ways that the Commercial Vantage product became more accessible as a result of the PDO’s consultations include:

Integrating more ‘slider manipulation’ that lets users gradually adjust volumes or brightness, with auditory feedback to confirm the changes as they’re made (e.g. volume is at 20%).Mitigating distraction, navigation issues, and even seizures for those at risk by simplifying the user interface to avoid animations and looping images.Improving button/command layout to be more predictable for users with disabilities by following traditional conventions (i.e. ensuring volume adjustments are side by side and not separated by any other buttons).Including a “time-out” or pause feature to give users extra time when needed and avoid hurried or error-prone key sequences.

“It is great to have John as a dedicated resource we can speak with to help make our product as inclusive as possible,” commented Billy Minnock, part of the development team for Commercial Vantage. “There were many takeaways – from specific minor issues to fix to product recommendations and automation test tools that would otherwise not be on our team’s radar.” After receiving the review of the Product Diversity Office, Lenovo’s Commercial Vantage went on to receive a 100% accessibility rating from the Accessibility Management Platform.

As part of the Product Diversity Office, John Lee brings strong experience in hardware and software to product developments, and has appreciated how responsive Lenovo’s product development team has been to suggestions. “I work to clarify how users with a range of accessibility issues – low vision, hearing disabilities, or neurological impairments – use our products. Lenovo’s culture creates an environment so that once teams get perspective from the PDO, they become enthusiastic about the process and begin to approach their work with an accessibility mindset—generating new ideas and refinements from the seeds we plant. In some sense, then, the PDO’s impact isn’t just about fixing a couple of specific problems but – as Marcel Proust would say – getting developers to return to their work with “new eyes”. Cultivating this shift will broaden the company’s vision in a way that sets us apart from competitors.”

“With the knowledge from pharmacogenomics, we were able to get my medication therapy to a very good point, without the negative side effects. It’s made a big difference for me, my lifestyle, and how I feel on a daily basis.” Sara Brown Director, Commercial Operations Employer Population Health

Quest employees are among the first to benefit from newly developed testing. 

Tailoring treatment to the individual

Quest collaborated with Coriell Life Sciences to offer select medical plan members pharmacogenomics testing services indicating how specific genes and their variations impact a person’s response to medications. This testing provides actionable clinical recommendations and medication management plans specific to and customized for each patient.

This voluntary no-cost DNA testing program analyzes an individual’s DNA via an at-home saliva collection kit that is tested by Quest. Test results are analyzed to assess whether the patient’s current medications are most effective for that individual. Employees receive a thorough report, outlining the results and providing recommendations that they can discuss with their doctors. The results can improve medication effectiveness and safety, reduce adverse effects, and help find the right medication and dosage.

An employee’s story

Sara Brown, Director, Commercial Operations, Employer Population Health, found that she was experiencing increasing flare-ups while taking several prescriptions for her rheumatoid arthritis. She sent in a sample of her DNA to have it analyzed and then worked with her physician and pharmacist to adjust her medication plan based on the results of the pharmacogenomic testing results.

COVID-19 testing for Quest employees

Quest offered COVID-19 serology testing to all employees as a no-cost, voluntary option. 

We offered both spike protein and nucleocapsid antibody testing (ie, testing to detect antibodies to specific virus spike proteins and to the nucleocapsid protein of the COVID-19 virus) as part of this innovative program as we were learning more about the virus and best practices for mitigating infection and transmission. Approximately 80% of Quest Blueprint for Wellness participants opted in for testing.

Serology tests detect antibodies made when an individual has been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 or vaccinated. Serology testing indicates whether an individual has previously been infected, but does not determine whether one is actively infected with or has recovered from the virus.

Serology testing is appropriate for individuals who are asymptomatic to determine whether they have been infected. Those who elect to participate should continue to adhere to safety guidelines, regardless of result.

COVID-19 antibody testing is free for all Quest employees through our special Employee Testing Program. This is regardless of whether employees are on the Quest medical plan.

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For the past two decades, digital transformation has been at the forefront of many corporate conversations as the world’s carbon emissions continue to increase. Despite remaining centre stage, the digital-first approach still awaits the arrival of many data-driven businesses joining the global mission to accelerate the implementation of new technologies for a more prosperous future.

Embracing such innovations generates an excessive amount of data as firms are held to account to operate with optimal sustainability, using data storage facilities in the form of gigantic data centres for more effective operations.

Despite many companies working towards supporting the digital economy, as they strive to both elevate their brand, expand operations, and focus on strengthening ESG credentials, data centres intensify the environmental impact, resulting in a call for urgent, innovative solutions.

In short, technology is required to solve issues caused by…technology. Ironic but entirely feasible.

Environmental damage inflicted by data centres

Energy-guzzling data centres and Cloud facilities store hoards of digital information for companies around the globe, creating a list of environmental issues generated by various operations. These include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the cooling systems and IT equipment, excessive energy usage and being extremely water intensive.

While data storage boosts companies’ compliance with mandatory ESG disclosure requirements, a practice which has seen great improvement in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region (aligning it more or less with US standards), being sustainable and socially responsible is a growing trend with more data centres investing in the latest tech and processes for a lower impact.

APAC boasts the second-highest level of disclosures that align with the framework developed by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), bolstering the importance of utilising data facilities to house a greater quantity of secure storage.

Unlocking AI opportunities for more efficient and sustainable data centres

Leveraging technology such as AI for the greater good and linking it to data centres and Cloud computing can make great strides in reducing the environmental impact of data storage and processing and making them more sustainable functions.

Currently accounting for four percent of the total amount of GHG emissions worldwide, data centres benefit from the implementation of AI – once a futuristic notion but now embedded across many

Although the increased number of businesses turning to technology will generate more carbon, using scientific knowledge such as smart devices and Internet of Things, will help lower the carbon footprint in alignment with a net zero emission future.

Technology’s carbon footprint is unsurprisingly sizable in APAC, with around 60 data centres in Singapore alone, responsible for around seven per cent of the country’s total electricity consumption in 2020.

It has been estimated that US$46.6bn could be spent on AI systems in the APAC region by 2026, including hardware, software and services. Rather than replacing human skills, however, artificial intelligence if used correctly will complement an existing workforce by working to take on some of the heavier, more time-consuming tasks to free the mere mortals up to develop their skill set and focus on making an impact elsewhere.

Data handling is one of AI’s fortes. Protecting the environment from data centres’ more negative environmental impacts is another.

Decreased costs with advanced technology

Major companies such as Google have invested in AI to reduce energy use at its data centres as a cost-cutting exercise as well as to showcase environmental prowess. The tech giant’s energy cost of cooling has been reduced by 40 per cent whereas IBM has increased its weather forecasting predictions by 30 per cent as a result of investing in AI.

This will assist IBM’s renewable energy companies in maximising renewable energy production and reducing carbon emissions.

Utilising real-time virtual models, known as digital twins, can significantly improve energy efficiency. Starting life as a 3D model, digital twins can work to ensure data centres operate more sustainably from waste reduction through to forecasting the centre’s needs. The latter is achieved by comparing predicted and actual behaviour to better understand the energy use within the centre.

Overall reduced carbon emissions with AI

Reducing the amount of fossil fuel-based energy through the optimisation of electricity production is a major string to AI’s bow. According to a Gartner report, 50 per cent of Cloud data centres will see a higher operating efficiency – with as much as a 30 per cent improvement – as a result of using robots with AI and ML capabilities by 2025.

Utilising AI to monitor temperatures, cool systems when required and assess CO2 emissions will help reduce a data centre’s carbon footprint.

According to research, it has been estimated that AI can help reduce carbon emissions by a staggering 14 billion tons by 2035 and has the ground-breaking potential, when used within data centres, to predict and optimise maintenance as well as optimise electricity production.

Kavickumar Muruganathan, who works in the sustainable technology space, told Acre: “AI-driven Cloud operations will require more power. This means data centres will require more energy for their operations. A sustainable data centre would need to optimise energy efficiency, meaning to reduce energy use where possible and using renewable sources of energy, such as solar, to power its operations.

“Long-term viable renewable energy supply is critical to ensure that data centres are able to scale and support the proliferation of AI. On the other side of the coin, AI as a technology, can be a pivotal enabler of sustainability. AI has the transformative ability to help companies optimise their energy use and identify areas for enhancing sustainability performance.

“Increasingly, companies are seeing the value of driving their sustainability performance with technology, particularly AI, at the heart of it. There is enormous value to be derived by corporates with the intersections between technology and sustainability at the forefront of digital disruption and energy transition, both of which being very transformational.”

Spike Choo utilises technology to focus on sustainability solutions. He said: “AI has already been embedded into many of the software programs that drive data centre operations such as building management, facility management and NOC [network operations centre], and increasingly, AI-embedded applications in OT [operational technology] will be the key drivers in making data centres more sustainable and energy-efficient.

“We are already leveraging on our data depository to improve business and operational efficiency so as to deliver better end-user experience for both consumers and enterprises. The benefits are tremendous, but we are mindful as well of the need to ensure all personal and sensitive data are handled securely and with utmost care.

“Any organisations which aim to be more sustainable will need to rely on data from the supply chain, operating systems, physical assets, etc to make informed decisions and more importantly, align business KPIs with Sustainability KPIs.”

Sachin Gupta told Acre: “Data centres, or for that matter most of the IT system workloads, are mostly leveraging AI today. Hence in my view, the question is NOT whether AI needs to be integrated to create more efficient sustainable data centres but to what extent will AI play a role to create these most sustainable data centres and how.

“In my view, AI is going to play a very monumental and catalyst role in developing these efficient layers of technology workloads, whether it be data centres, public Clouds, on-prem solutions or any hybrid version.

There are so many aspects in which this will be played out with some of the most significant dimensions around designing and orchestrating most efficient IT workflows, ethical and responsible use of IT systems and building a sustainable IT architecture.

“My organisation has been leveraging AI for the last 10-12 years in pretty much every aspect of our business. All the transformational work undertaken for our clients is actively supported by AI right from analysis all the way to action.

“While there are challenges such as AI models requiring large and curated data sets which are difficult to obtain sometimes and the extensive training for AI to work comprehensively, AI and technology can unite to drive stronger and sustainable business outcomes.

“There are many other similar examples from other industries as well but the advent of advanced technology such as Cloud, AI, IoT, Blockchain, Quantum etc have really accelerated the journey

Do you work in the AI space and would like a further discussion about the vital role it can play within data centres and the Cloud in mitigating negative environmental impact while advancing the technological capabilities? I would welcome your perspective on this and to hear how you envision it aligning with sustainability in the future to drive stronger business outcomes.

Jess Choo is a senior member of Acre’s Sustainable Business Practice in APAC. Based in Singapore, she specialises in senior executive search leading our work in the Technology, Telecom and Media sectors.

Jess has worked with leading organisations across various sectors including Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, Technology and Mining – with a proven track record of placing mid to senior-level executives across Big 4 Consultancies and Fortune 500 companies within the Digital/ERP space, tackling the toughest challenges in a niche market.

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.

We’re using automation to increase the efficiency of our mine dispatch system. Kriste McCann is one of the dispatchers at our Mildred Lake site benefitting from this technology. She says it has seen great success at the site and is helping to free up dispatchers’ time to focus on optimal routes for the mining trucks. The innovative process is one of the ways we continue to harness technology to improve the reliability and productivity performance of our operations.

Now working as a mine dispatcher, Kriste says a new dispatch system is resulting in big improvements to one of Mildred Lake’s key business units.

“Looking back over my time here, I can see how much easier this system could have made things at the mine,” says Kriste. “It’s incredible to see the impacts it has made in such a short time. It’s a powerful thing to be a part of.”

The role of a mine dispatcher includes the primary responsibility of making sure the heavy haul trucks are going to the right mining shovels at the right time.

Nicknamed by those on site as “dynamic dispatch”, the new system was recently implemented at Mildred Lake and is already seeing significant enhancements to the existing process using innovative technology. Human dispatchers, like Kriste, still work around the clock, but the artificial intelligence (AI)-system handles the simpler tasks such as: assigning trucks to dump stations, directing trucks to refueling stations and automatically redirecting trucks to avoid work slowdowns. Although these tasks are defined as simple to dispatchers, it’s crucial to understand dispatch crews are the base level of what keeps Suncor’s mines running 24/7.

With the AI-system assigning the trucks, it allows dispatchers to take a step back, look at maps of the routes running in the mine and find ways to optimize them for the smoothest operation possible. This leads to improved routes for the mining trucks and improved mining blends. Mining blends are specific blends of various ores made to provide steady and predictable feeds into production plants. Optimal blends also help to avoid any work upsets in the plant and increases the amount of oil sand moved per minute. The more material the trucks can safely move per minute, the higher the revenue for the mine.

Kriste believes this is just the beginning of the upgrades this new system brings and is hearing positive feedback from the equipment operators as well.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the future with this technology,” adds Kriste. “Being offered the opportunity to work on and use the system as efficiently as we can gives endless opportunities for dispatchers at Mildred Lake.”

Crowley has released its second annual sustainability report, which details progress toward its sustainability goals in 2022 and previews continued efforts for 2023 and beyond. The report demonstrates how Crowley has accelerated the integration of sustainability throughout its business, which includes advancing its decarbonization strategy, evolving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) goals and establishing new and enhanced business growth and priorities, among other accomplishments.

“We have been able to advance, and even exceed, some of the goals laid out in our inaugural report,” said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO. “This year was about our people, listening to feedback and taking action to continue to build a strong company culture. The progress we made in just one year speaks to our employees’ dedication and vision, which aligns with the importance of these issues to our business, customers and other partners.”

Additional Report Highlights

Environment and Climate

Published short-term emissions reduction goals and initial results toward its long-term goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.Established Crowley Wind Services, a new business unit that supports offshore wind development. Crowley already has plans for offshore wind development in Salem, Massachusetts, and Humboldt Bay, California, and is building a service operations vessel for the wind industry.Received a $14.6 million grant to electrify its terminal at JAXPORT and reduce emissions. This, in part, contributes to Crowley’s vision for a “Port of the Future” that illustrates how new zero- and low-emission technologies could be integrated to optimize performance, enhance efficiency and reduce climate impact of port infrastructure.Partnered with various NGOs, industry groups and companies to support its sustainability strategy in the U.S. and Central America. For example, Crowley has partnered with EcoVadis to assess supplier sustainability practices across its value chain.

People and Communities

Formalized its DE&I plan, including representation strategy and goals for women, LGBTQ+ and Black employees.Reevaluated its bonus structure to better align with values and strategic goals, which will consider DE&I, sustainability and safety performance alongside financial metrics and career-specific performance evaluation.Developed a strategy for partnerships to address the industry shortage of qualified maritime workers, including improved benefits and work environments, simplified credentialing and training on emerging technologies and greater outreach and promotion.Achieved 40% of procurement spend on small business suppliers, surpassing its 2030 goal.

To read Crowley’s 2022 sustainability report, visit www.crowley.com/sustainability.

Media Contact:
David DeCamp
Director, Corporate Communications
+1 904-727-4263

Torey Vogel
Specialist, Corporate Communications
+1 904-726-4536

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By Gina DiPietro illumination Staff Writer

After several years with the N.C. State Highway Patrol, Michael Dalton traded in his patrol car for a tractor and 160 acres of rolling farmland in Mocksville, N.C.

“My dad farmed,” he said, “so we walked this together. He agreed it was a prime location … the privacy, the availability of land and the way it scopes around the exterior perimeter.”

Dalton uses the land, which is owned by his father-in-law, to produce and crop hay. Each spring, the hay is treated, cut, cured and then assembled into round bales and sold to local farmers to feed livestock.

What land they don’t need for hay – about 110 acres – is leased by Duke Energy as part of its mission to deliver increasingly clean energy to customers.

At 15.4 megawatts (MW), Duke Energy’s Mocksville Solar Facility generates enough carbon-free electricity to power, on average, about 3,000 homes a year.

For farmers, it’s a business opportunity.

“My father-in-law still owns the land,” Dalton said, “and it makes sense economically. There are a lot of factors that we as farmers can’t control, Mother Nature being the biggest adversary, so the additional income helps make it work.”

The partnership was initiated by a third-party developer, which identified the land as a good site for a solar facility. Once they secured a lease, Duke Energy acquired the site, said Director of Renewable Development Justin LaRoche, to expand the company’s renewable energy generation capacity.

“As Duke Energy adds more renewables to its grid, something we’re doing at an ambitious pace,” LaRoche said, “partnerships with landowners and farmers are essential in deploying the amount of new solar that’s needed.”

In the Carolinas, Duke Energy operates more than 45 solar facilities and has more than 4,600 MW of solar power connected to its energy grid. That could power the annual usage of nearly 1 million homes and businesses.

Solar plus battery storage is the next evolution of this generation. That, too, will help Duke Energy as it moves away from fossil fuels to meet its climate goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company’s carbon emissions from electric generation are down 44% since 2005.

Other carbon-free technologies, such as onshore and offshore wind, hydrogen and small nuclear reactors, are attractive as energy resources because they have the potential to accelerate decarbonization in the U.S.

“The opportunity is there,” LaRoche said. “Coupled with it are some challenges, but we’ll work through them in time.”

Back in Mocksville, Dalton reflects on a different kind of change. His small farming community has experienced a big boost in economic development.

“As new warehouses and facilities get built, our availability to farmland is shrinking,” Dalton said. “So, I’m proud to keep my father-in-law’s land in production.”

It also affords him an opportunity that money can’t buy.

“I’ve been able to bring my own kids out here. And even though they didn’t realize it, they were doing a little farming,” he said. “You hear the stories of folks growing up on family farms, the stories of third- and fourth- and fifth-generation farmers. And I guess to be a small part of that, you know, that’s rewarding.”

Sell or lease your property for renewable energy generation

To help build a more sustainable, carbon-free future, Duke Energy is seeking property owners with acreage that can accommodate power generation, such as large-scale solar facilities. If you are interested in selling or leasing all or part of your land, complete an interest form.

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Employee resource groups (ERGs) are invaluable to organizations, many successfully use them to support their business strategy, brand, culture, and people. According to a report from Bentley University, nearly 90% of all Fortune 500 companies have ERGs, demonstrating that they are essential in our business climate. At Trane Technologies, our employee-led networks help us cultivate an inclusive workplace, serve employees, drive partnerships, uplift communities, and support our business.

For ten years, our Black Employee Network (BEN) has had a significant impact on Trane Technologies, helping create community and build bridges of understanding. The BEN is working to support our people, community and business, demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusion and driving our progress toward enabling Opportunity for All.

Supporting employees

In a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, 90% of the companies said ERGs helped make new hires more comfortable during the onboarding process. And 70% relied on ERGs to build a workforce to reflect the demographics of their customer base.

Kenyetta Puckett, Diversity & Inclusion Leader and co-chair of BEN, believes the networking, meaningful activities, and education BEN has provided its members helps the company retain Black employees.

“Over the years, we’ve not only hosted celebrations for important holidays, we’ve also provided support by developing programs that help our members learn techniques to deal with everyday challenges, balance work and life, and manage stress. We’ve partnered with community groups to host classes on mindfulness and meditation, and we’ve brought in speakers to discuss mental health and self-care,” shared Kenyetta.

“We always ask members where they need more education, resources, and tools. We continue to take our work to the next level by tapping into those areas to benefit Black employees and their families.”

BEN recently won Trane Technologies’ Corporate President’s Award for a financial education series developed for members.

“We partnered with Fidelity to provide a four-part workshop financial series. The classes in this program addressed, retirement planning, purchasing a home, credit building, end-of-life planning, and investing,” said Kenyetta.

Thanks to the series, more than 200 employees expanded their financial literacy, many scheduled financial advisor sessions, increased 401(k) contributions, reallocated assets to prepare for retirement, and are more aware of available financial services. And BEN membership increased 12%. Along with these helpful programs, activities and events, BEN supports career development, which is extremely valuable as companies push for more Black employees in leadership roles.

McKinsey found that Black workers make up just 7% of the managerial workforce, and the higher you go, the fewer Black professionals you see.

“Every year, we try to select 10 to 20 members interested in career development, and we connect them with a senior leader, allowing Black employees to get in front of leaders and talk about their career aspirations. It gives the employee more visibility to senior leaders and an opportunity to work with a leader to formulate a good development plan to help them reach their career goals,” added Kenyetta.

Visibility matters for black employees. Korn Ferry research reveals that nearly 60% of the Black executives who oversee major lines of business at Fortune 500 companies felt they had to work twice as hard —and accomplish twice as much—to be seen on the same level as their colleagues. Getting in front of leaders gives them more opportunity to be promoted for roles that are otherwise harder for them to obtain.

Working in the community

BEN has taken the lead among ERGs at Trane Technologies in the development of partnerships with community organizations that lead to demonstrable community and business impact.

“Our first partnership was with Crisis Assistance Ministries. To support them, we hosted a clothing drive where employees could donate their professional clothing—placing them in the barrels we set up over campus. The barrels were always over-filled with clothing,” shared Aenis Harris, vice president, human resources, Thermo King Americas and former co-chair of BEN. “We also supported a shoe drive where employees donated their shoes to a nonprofit organization called Samaritans Feet. They’re still receiving shoes from our employees to this day.”

The donations are just one area where BEN has helped us make a difference in our communities. Five years ago, BEN began a partnership with the Urban League of Central Carolinas (ULCC), a historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. Supporting the HVAC Training Program is a significant component of this partnership. The 16-week curriculum focuses on the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to be ready for certification and immediate entry-level employment following completion of the program.

“The program helps people establish, maintain and grow impactful careers, so our partnership is an opportunity for us to pay it forward in the community,” added Aenis. “We’ve donated $400,000 in grant money to support the program. This partnership is also another way to advance the company’s diversity recruiting efforts.”

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects an average of 40,100 job openings in HVAC, each year, over the next decade. Today, Black workers only make up 8.0% of the HVAC industry. By supporting the ULCC’s HVAC Training Program, BEN is helping increase Black representation.

Along with funding, BEN has provided volunteer services, including resume writing and mock interview support to the ULCC. The partnership supports the company’s corporate citizenship strategy.

Shaping the business

BEN has also taken a lead in building toolkits to help the company recognize and support various events, celebration days and holidays.

“We developed black heritage month toolkits that provided education on black cultural holidays and guidance on how employees in our plants and offices can celebrate with us. The toolkits were so valuable that other ERGs created toolkits too,” shared Aenis.

In addition, BEN has worked to educate leaders on how to offer support and address important and sometimes uncomfortable topics that may affect Black employees.

“Over the years, BEN has helped facilitate courageous conversations, where we talk to leaders and employees about situations or events impacting Black employees and recommend a specific action around it,” said Kenyetta.

“As the organization has hired more diverse employees, we’ve had conversations with leaders on how to provide better support to them. We’ve also shared the resources and information leaders may need to help them engage more with black employees. These efforts contribute to our organizational goal to nurture a diverse, inclusive workplace.”

The future

All of these efforts combined lead to greater success for business and industry. Research validates that public companies in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35% more likely than others to have financial returns above the industry mean.

The work the Black Employee Network has been doing for ten years has helped shape how Trane Technologies fosters and grows an inclusive workplace, while supporting employees and strengthening communities.

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2023, /3BL Media/ – On June 16, Groundswell, in partnership with Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, SunLight General Capital, Working Power, and the Office of the People’s Counsel, celebrated the newest DC Solar for All community solar array, which will bring the number of income-qualified DC residents receiving free solar electricity to more than 6,000 households, as a part of the DC Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE) Solar for All program.

The new 222 kWdc community solar array at Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church will provide 73 local, income-qualified households with up to $500 a year in clean energy savings through DC Solar for All. Since DC Mayor Muriel Bowser launched Solar for All in 2016, the program has saved its 6,000 community solar subscribers more than $5 million — in addition to savings to participants in the program’s rooftop solar option — with the goal of improving energy affordability and progressing environmental goals within the District.

Energy bill affordability is a major concern for many households, and DOEE analysis shows that 64% of low-income households across Metro DC face high energy burdens.

“The DC Solar for All program sets a national standard for how to build a clean energy future that embraces justice as a core value,” said Groundswell CEO Michelle Moore. “Our team is so grateful that DC is Groundswell’s hometown, and that we’re able to work with this team of purposeful partners to get good things done to serve our neighbors.”

SFA solar arrays are located throughout the District, and Rev. Juan Guthrie of Sargent Memorial Presbyterian said the church decided to host the solar array as part of their ongoing service to the surrounding community, and the congregation felt blessed by the opportunity to serve the community through every ray of sun that shines on the church.

“We are called by Christ to care for one another. Through this solar array, our congregation at Sargent Memorial is able to share God’s gifts with our neighbors in the surrounding community,” said Rev. Guthrie.

“Too often, the savings solar affords don’t reach the people who need it most,” said Erika Smith, SunLight General Capital’s Director of Project Development and Operations. “SunLight felt honored to work with Groundswell and its team to develop and finance an important project bringing savings and clean energy to the broader DC community.”

“Sargent Memorial solar shows what real climate leadership looks like by demonstrating that clean energy can build wealth and broaden opportunity,” said Bracken Hendricks, co-founder of Working Power and Urban Ingenuity. “This project is an inaugural investment of the Working Power Impact Fund, which generates dedicated income for community groups to fund their social and economic justice work nationally. We’re honored to join with Groundswell, Sargent, and the rest of this powerful team of leaders.”

“DOEE is committed to an equitable clean energy future. Programs like Solar for All help our residents stay in the District and thrive in their communities while actively participating in the city’s clean energy transition,” said DC DOEE Economist/Senior Program Analyst, Dr. Lance Loncke.

“Energy equity is critical if our communities are to thrive; not every consumer has the resources or a home that allows them to have energy independence. Programs that aggregate energy resources provide basic benefits to many more consumers. It is our mission to bring together the experts, those who can host, and consumers who can share cooperatively in the energy created,” said Sandra Mattavous-Frye, People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia.

Solar is one of the fastest-growing industries in the US, and community solar installations like the one at Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church have improved access to career opportunities within the communities they serve.

“I was fortunate to grow up in a family of contractors, and my grandfather was always passionate about extending second chances to people. I have extended that practice into the way I do business, and I have seen these new opportunities change lives,” said Brad Boston, SunCatch Energy Founder and President.

The project was constructed by Maryland Black-owned solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm, SunCatch Energy; was completed in partnership with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), which manages construction for the Solar for All program in partnership with DOEE; was financed by SunLight General Capital, a woman-led clean energy investment firm; and was developed by Groundswell, a DC-based nonprofit.

About Groundswell 

Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience hubs, clean energy programs that reduce energy burdens, and pioneering research initiatives that help light the way to clean energy futures for all. Groundswell leads clean energy programs and projects in five states, including the District of Columbia, serving more than 5,500 income-qualified customers with more than $2.75 million per year in clean energy savings. Learn more at Groundswell.org. 

June 16, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Dozens of major U.S. companies and investors are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize strong multi-pollutant emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and stringent greenhouse gas emissions for heavy-duty vehicles.

In a letter submitted today to the EPA, 60 leading companies and investors made the case that strong vehicle emission standards are critical to achieve national climate and economic goals. The signatories underscored the growing number of companies committed to transitioning to zero-emission cars, vans, and trucks to reduce their fuel and maintenance costs. They also emphasized the need for strong standards to set clear market expectations, meet demand, and ensure fleet operators can benefit from federal and state incentives.

Signatories of the letter included Avocado Green Brands, Enel North America, Friends Fiduciary Corporation, Hackensack Meridian Health, IKEA, Lion Electric, Lucid, New Belgium Brewing, Nestlé, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Snowsports Industries of America, Workhorse, and Zevin Asset Management, among others.

“Transportation is the largest source of [greenhouse gas] emissions in the U.S. and represents a substantial component of our companies’ and portfolios’ carbon footprint. By enacting strong vehicle emissions standards that require vehicle manufacturers to produce increasingly efficient and clean vehicles and drive the electrification of the sector, EPA will help ensure the availability of the vehicles needed by companies to cut operating costs, reduce emissions consistent with our climate goals, and support healthy communities for our customers and employees,” the signatories wrote in the letter.

The EPA’s proposed light- and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards would spur electric vehicle production and sales by effectively ensuring that zero-emission vehicles account for as much as two-thirds of new vehicle sales by 2032. The EPA also proposed new greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, such as large trucks, that would help meet the growing market demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles. In the letter, businesses urged the EPA to finalize the strongest proposed standards and specifically called for a heavy-duty standard that supports at least 50% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2032—a target that is consistent with state regulations, including California’s Advanced Clean Trucks Rule, as well as manufacturer commitments and federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Lion Electric has been at the forefront in supporting the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) standards for heavy-duty vehicles that will help advance electrification and address the industry need toward a zero-emission future,” said Nate A. Baguio, senior vice president of commercial development at Lion Electric. “Research shows the transportation sector generates 30% of GHG, and setting this rule will result in health benefits for many, including those who live in underserved communities, and who are impacted by the harmful effects of pollution.”

“The $79 billion winter outdoor industry depends on a robust transportation sector. It supports our global supply chain and makes our winter-tourism-dependent mountain communities accessible to millions. Yet the transportation sector is also a major cause of our climate problem, of which we are on the front lines,” said Chris Steinkamp, head of advocacy for Snowsports Industries of America. “Placing strong standards across the U.S. transportation sector is a priority for our industry, to protect the future of our businesses, our local winter tourism-based economies, and the healthy mountain environments that we all depend on.”

“As an all-electric OEM, Workhorse fully supports an Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) aligned EPA standard, enabling fleet owners and operators to realize the fuel cost and maintenance savings from commercial EVs,” said Rich Dauch, CEO of Workhorse. “Standards alignment will simplify operations for U.S. fleet owners and have an outsized impact reducing emissions since medium- and heavy-duty vehicles account for 5 percent of total U.S. vehicles while generating 24 percent of emissions.”

“At Zevin Asset Management, we see a strong business case for more zero-emission vehicles and corporate fleet electrification. These standards are building on our nation’s progress on climate and public health to meaningfully mitigate the outsized impact of emissions stemming from the transportation sector,” said Marcela I. Pinilla, director of sustainable investing at Zevin Asset Management. “Volatile fuel prices and reliance on fossil fuels pose significant risks to the economy. The adoption of the strongest vehicle standards will help to manage these risks, reduce emissions, and bolster the production of efficient cleaner vehicles. Not only will standards like these make this possible but will also contribute to healthy communities by reducing pollution.”

Dozens of other companies also offered their support for strong vehicle emissions standards. The Ceres BICEP Network, a coalition of more than 85 leading U.S. businesses that collectively advocate for just environmental policies, called on the EPA to adopt vehicle standards to spur the transition to zero emission trucks at the pace and scale necessary to meet the 2030 and 2050 U.S. climate commitments. The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance, a coalition of 32 major U.S. businesses organized by Ceres to accelerate commercial electric vehicle deployment, also submitted a letter urging the EPA to align all vehicle standards with U.S. climate and public health goals to ensure a diverse supply of cost-competitive zero emission vehicles to meet long-term corporate demand.

Many of these companies are committed to improving the health of the communities in which they operate and where their employees live. While passenger vehicles represent the single largest source of transportation emissions, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles have an outsized impact, accounting for more than 20% of transportation-related emissions despite representing about 5% of vehicles on U.S. roads. Rapid growth in zero-emission vehicle sales would dramatically reduce both greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and harmful air pollution that especially affects communities located near highways, busy roads, and major freight centers.

“EPA emissions standards are a critical tool for reducing pollution from the transportation sector. They provide a catalyst to accelerate the nation toward 100% zero emission vehicle sales which will protect public health and the environment while creating millions of domestic manufacturing jobs and preserving American economic competitiveness,” said Thomas Boylan, regulatory director at ZETA.

“The EPA has a historic opportunity to put forth strong greenhouse gas vehicles standards that will unleash billions of dollars of new private sector investment and a whole new wave of innovation. Strong federal standards will drive the growth of United States clean transportation and create thousands of new jobs,” said John Boesel, President and CEO of CALSTART.

“Between the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, and various state laws and policies, the U.S. is well-positioned to become the best place in the world to build and buy electric vehicles and their components,” said Zach Friedman, director of federal policy, Ceres. “Businesses are eager to transition to zero-emission cars, vans, and trucks. Strong federal vehicle emission standards will set the expectations necessary to meet this growing demand and achieve America’s climate and economic goals. We urge the EPA to heed the business case and put the U.S. at the forefront of the competition to lead this historic transition.”

The letter was organized by Ceres, CALSTART, Zero Emission Transportation Association, Climate Group, Climate Collaborative, and B Lab.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.