Tag: 3BL

BASEL, Switzerland and MONHEIM, Germany, February 23, 2023 /3BL Media/ – As a part of the company’s vision “Health for all, Hunger for None,” Bayer announces the expansion of one of its signature sustainability programs, the Nutrient Gap Initiative, to now improve access to both nutritious food and safety net supplementation. The program initially aimed to expand access to essential vitamins and minerals to 50 million people in underserved communities by 2030, with a focus on nutritional supplementation, a critical tool to build a safety net for malnutrition in these communities. On the occasion of the initiative’s second anniversary, the company is evolving the program to also help close the nutrient gap through the most fundamental source: food, namely fruits, vegetables and grains.

Often called “hidden hunger,” vitamin and mineral deficiencies are highly prevalent in underserved communities, with women and children being most vulnerable. This type of malnutrition develops gradually over time, the impact not seen until irreversible damage is done. Deprivation of essential vitamins and minerals may cause poor immunity, birth defects, reduced work capacity, learning disabilities, fragile health or failure to thrive – often exacerbating the cycle of poverty. COVID-19 and the crisis in Ukraine have both aggravated this health issue.

“As a global leader in both agriculture and nutritional supplements, Bayer is uniquely positioned to help all people get access to proper nutrition. The roots of malnutrition are complex and far from one-size-fits-all, so we’re drawing on competencies from across our company to fight it. We want to remove the barriers to a healthy diet for those who need it most,” said Heiko Schipper, President of the Consumer Health Division of Bayer AG and Member of the Board of Management.

“For people in underserved communities, access to nutritious food is a challenge due to the cost and local availability of fresh produce and grains. As part of our critical work for food security and smallholder farmers, The Nutrient Gap Initiative will help improve the livelihoods of people who do not have access to vitamins and minerals, leveraging also our Better Life Farming Centers,” said Rodrigo Santos, President of the Crop Science Division of Bayer AG and Member of the Board of Management.

With the Nutrient Gap Initiative, Bayer aims to consolidate the company’s commitment to food security by addressing both the quantity of food needed to tackle world hunger, as well as the quality needed to ensure healthy lives, with access to essential vitamins and minerals. Malnutrition disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, in particular women and girls and rural communities, which has clear overlap with the work the company is already doing to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Smallholder farmers are the backbone of many food systems, but their communities are often suffering from malnutrition and lack health services. Building on the existing strong infrastructure of the Better Life Farming centers, smallholder farmers will become a key audience for The Nutrient Gap Initiative. The Better Life Farming Centers, predominantly in Asia Pacific, provide smallholders in remote rural regions access to essential agricultural products, a key pillar of Bayer’s Smallholder Initiative which aims to impact 100 million smallholders in low-and-middle-income countries by 2030. Bayer will pilot the expansion of services offered with access to nutritional solutions and education given that food security cannot be achieved without health equity.

Through direct action and in partnership with critical non-governmental organizations and the public sector, the Nutrient Gap Initiative will help close the nutrient gap by addressing the three main barriers to accessing essential vitamins and minerals:

Intervention: Many underserved communities lack access to vitamins and minerals because they cannot afford them or can’t find them nearby. We are bringing nutritious food (produce and grains) and supplementation (i.e. essential vitamins and minerals from the World Health Organization essential medicines list) within physical and financial reach of those who need it mostEducation: Many vulnerable populations lack knowledge about proper nutrition, the importance of vitamins and minerals, how to integrate into diets and the value of supplementation when needed. Through both direct education and work with healthcare providers and farmers, we will empower people with the information they need to take their health into their own handsAdvocacy: Governments and policy makers can have large-scale impact when they prioritize access to affordable and nutritious food, health literacy and make essential supplementation a standard of care. We will join forces with partners to enable an ecosystem to advocate for access to good nutrition

In 2022, the Nutrient Gap Initiative has impacted more than 19 million people in underserved communities, accelerating Bayer’s goal to expand access to everyday health for 100 million people in underserved communities. As the program evolves to expand access to nutritious food, in addition to vitamins and mineral supplementation, Bayer will be able to offer more tools, services and programs to help build healthier, more resilient communities.

Some of the programs Bayer will be implementing in 2023 include:

Access to Prenatal Nutrition: A partnership with global public health nonprofit Vitamin Angels aims to expand access to Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS or prenatal vitamins and minerals). Our collaboration incorporates the provision of a 180-day supply of MMS, with proven nutrition education for healthcare providers and pregnant women, supplemented by technical support with local governments designed to incorporate MMS in the standards of care. The program directly impacts 4 million women and their babies annually. 
 Smallholder Farmer Nutrition Education: In addition to giving more smallholder farmers in more countries access to agricultural products, training and education, Better Life Farming Centers will now begin to also offer both general and prenatal nutrition education, in partnership with NGOs and self-care product distribution. Pilot projects for this have been initiated in Indonesia. 
 Seed Distribution and Education in India: A program provides high-quality seeds to urban farmers (people gardening in their balconies/terraces), enabling access to home-grown vegetables to include in their diet. In addition, Bayer is donating seeds to help people in underserved communities get access to nutritious food, while sharing information about the health benefits of vitamins and minerals. 
 Digital advice for Smallholders: Bayer introduced a digital platform to provide tools to help smallholder farmers in India improve their growing practices, which enables them to improve their yield and provide more nutrient-rich vegetables for their communities. 
 Collaboration with Health Workers in Africa: In partnership with reach52, a tech social enterprise delivering health services in markets others don’t reach, Bayer is training community health workers in Kenya and South Africa to use the reach52 access app to collect data on key nutrition indicators to understand their gaps in nutrition. reach52 then redeploys these Agents armed with nutritional education and supplements specifically targeted to the community’s nutritional needs 
 Research & Development Commitment for Nutrition: In the United States, Bayer is investing more than $400 million in innovation to combat hunger and advance health and nutrition in the country. This investment includes the development of sustainable crops across agriculture and an increased focus on vegetables, helping farmers adapt to the challenges created by climate change while improving their ability to provide nutritious produce. 
 Affordable Nutritionals Portfolio: Bayer is adapting its portfolio of nutritional supplements to meet the needs of low-income consumers (LIC) and bring it within their financial and physical reach. Most of the Nutritionals LIC portfolio includes at least one ingredient from the World Health Organization Essential Medicine List.

For more information, visit INSERT NEW WEB PAGE LINK

About Bayer 
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2021, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

About Better Life Farming 
The Better Life Farming centers (BLFs) help smallholder farmers grow their farms into commercially profitable and sustainable businesses. Bayer is part of the Better Life Farming Alliance, a long-term public-private partnership together with the International Finance Corporation from the World Bank, Netafim and more than 30 local partners.

The BLF ecosystem approach is an important pillar of Bayer’s Smallholder Initiative which aims to support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in low-and-middle-income-countries by 2030. In 2022, Bayer expanded the network of local BLFs from Asia Pacific to Mexico and Honduras. The first BLFs on the African continent will open in the course of the year. 
 

Contact for media inquiries:

Jennifer Kaczmarek 
Jennifer.kaczmarek@bayer.com 
+1-973-248-5099

Alexander Gutmann 
Alexander.gutmann@bayer.com 
+49 174 7306349 
Find more information at www.bayer.com. 
Follow us on twitter.com/bayer 
 

Forward-Looking Statements 
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Georgia Tech Launches Sustainable-X Entrepreneurship Program

“Georgia Tech is a beacon of innovation that aims to empower entrepreneurs to create ventures with a positive impact on society and the environment,” said Center-affiliated faculty member Andre Calmon at the launch event for Sustainable-X. An offshoot of the successful CREATE-X entrepreneurship initiative at Georgia Tech, Sustainable-X gives students, faculty, staff, and community members the tools and confidence to create and grow startups that address social and environmental challenges. Read the article.

Apply to participate in the Sustainable-X Showcase by March 1st. 

Join the newly created Sustainable-X program at the first Showcase! The event will provide participants the chance to show off their ideas for environmental and social startups. Top three submissions will win cash prizes and the top one gets the chance to join the CREATE-X Startup Launch program in the summer. One submission per team. Apply Here.

How Can Climate Solutions Promote Inclusivity and Equity?

The Center is pleased to announce the 2022-23 Scheller College Graduate Sustainability Fellows and Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassadors. Twenty-one graduate students and 16 undergraduate students representing seven majors have been selected for the programs. They are deepening their engagement in sustainability by working on team projects related to carbon offset strategy, equitable solar scaling, career resources, Atlanta heat islands, global sanitation, Georgia Tech composting and recycling, and more. Read the article.

The Ray and 1% for the Planet

The Ray is proud to announce that it is officially a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. As an Environmental Partner, The Ray is now part of an incredible community of environmentally minded organizations with the singular goal of protecting the environment. Through this partnership, The Ray has also gained a network of businesses that can provide advocacy and support and work collectively towards a better future for the planet.

About 1% for the Planet: 1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure the planet and future generations thrive. They inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental partners through membership and everyday actions. They make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling, and third-party certification.

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, their business members and individual members have given hundreds of millions of dollars to our approved environmental partners to date. Today, 1% for the Planet’s global network consists of thousands of businesses, individuals, and environmental partners working toward a better future for all.

Applications for the Biomimicry Launchpad Cohort are Due February 28th. 

The Biomimicry Institute is accepting applications for the Biomimicry Launchpad until Tuesday, February 28th. This year, they are re-launching this program to invite some of the most promising scientists, engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs to participate in the free 10-week program. The curriculum includes training, connections, and resources for innovators who otherwise may not have considered commercializing their work. The unique combination of business and biomimicry training, along with in-person expeditions in extraordinary natural locations, has proven to inspire, educate, and build a vibrant community amongst the multidisciplinary participants. Learn more here.

Inspiration from a Ray of Hope Prize Finalist 

Biomimicry sets out to learn from nature, a vast resource of natural research and development, seeking inspiration for the design and engineering problems we face today. 

Biome Renewables, a finalist for the 2022 Ray of Hope Prize uses this approach to make energy technology more effective and efficient. Discover how they have learned from the shape of an owl’s wing to reduce the sound from wind turbines. Click here to watch the video on RE:TV.

Janine Benyus Featured in RE:TV Documentary Series 

RE:TV’s new documentary series, in partnership with The Sustainable Markets Initiative, recently featured Janine Benyus, founder of the Biomimicry Institute, telling us what’s possible if we apply what we learn from nature to inform our human built environment. Click here to watch Janine’s feature.

Drawdown Georgia Introduces Series of Climate Stakeholder Reels 

How is your community scaling climate solutions in Georgia? RayDay 2022 proved to be a great backdrop for a series of mini-interviews with Drawdown Georgia stakeholders. We’ve compiled them into a series of Instagram Reels that we’re rolling out weekly. These reels were fun to create, and they’re fun to watch. Here’s betting you’ll recognize some familiar faces in the collection. Watch the reels here.

Georgia’s Energy Future in Focus: Climate Solutions that Go Beyond Carbon 

Every three years, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process sets the energy plan for Georgia Power, the largest electric utility in our state, playing a key role in charting our state’s energy future.

In this webinar, we took a deep dive into the impacts the recently completed 2022 IRP and subsequent Rate Case will have on consumers, greenhouse gas emissions, and equity in our state. Watch the webinar here.

Ecocentricity Blog: The Cautionary Tale of Banana Farming, Panama Disease, and the Inherent Risks of Monocultures

For decades, banana farmers have tried to stay one step ahead of a fungus that is deadly to their crops. As that task becomes more difficult, farms will face the growing risk of the complete loss of their trees. This risk is one of the reasons that monoculture farming may not be the best way to go. 
Read the latest blog.

We’re Hiring a Climate Communications Intern

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation is looking for a committed and enthusiastic climate communicator to join our team for Summer 2023. 
The intern will work with various members of the Foundation Team (communications, climate strategies and operations) to support Drawdown Georgia. Deadline to apply is March 20th.

View the full description here and share with interested students.

IGEL is Key Part of the Foundation’s Leadership Development

Valerie Bennett, director of communications, recently graduated from the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership’s (IGEL’s) Class of 2022. 

Blair Beasley, director of climate strategies, has been accepted into the Class of 2023. 

IGEL offers an incredible, immersive leadership experience for Georgians from all walks of life to “get outside their comfort zones” and engage in hands-on experiences that illustrate the environmental issues that exist throughout the state. While environmental issues are the centerpiece for IGEL’s sessions, the program is really one of the most unique and valuable leadership development exercises out there. IGEL recruitment begins in August and runs until mid-October. Find out more here.

Name: Shourya Rane, Sustainability Manager, Commerce and Business Services

Company: HEINEKEN

Connect with Shourya on LinkedIn and Twitter 

Welcome to our series aimed at spotlighting the individual leaders within BIER member companies and stakeholder organizations. Learn how these practitioners and their companies are addressing pressing challenges around water, energy, agriculture, climate change, and what inspires each of them to advance environmental sustainability in the beverage sector and collectively, overall.

Briefly describe your role and responsibilities and how long you have worked with your company. 

My title is Sustainability Manager, Commerce and Business Services. At HEINEKEN, our procurement is structured so that we are divided into several category teams. Every category team has a sustainability manager. My team is responsible for procuring everything to do with commerce and business services and I am responsible for the sustainability aspect of it. However, given the external commitment, I am primarily responsible for the scope 3 emissions from cooling, also known as commercial refrigeration equipment which is used for commerce. I spend 80% of my time focused on decarbonization of cooling and the remaining 20% of my time on everything else that my category involves, which is pretty broad. It includes business travel to merchandise to media houses. To sum it up, my role is about sustainability for cooling, though in theory, it is much more than cooling.

How has the company’s sustainability program evolved over the years, and what are your specific priorities for 2023?

As a 158-year-old family-owned business, it is in our DNA to take a long-term view and continuously improve our impact on the environment and society. We started a long time ago with sustainable innovations, such as the Wobo bottle. If you are unfamiliar with the Wobo bottle, it was a bottle that looked like a brick that Freddy Heineken, our previous CEO of many years ago, made. The idea was that after people drank beer out of it, it could be used as a brick to make houses. Ultimately, the idea centered around having a circular mindset way back in 1963. Building upon that and in 2010, the first Brew A Better World strategy was implemented with strong targets for 2020. At that time, we already had a target to reduce our carbon emissions in cooling by 50% in ten years. So already, back in 2010, we started with our decarbonization agenda. In 2020, we delivered more than 55% of reduction on cooling, mainly by changing the refrigerants used in our fridges. Also, in 2020, our CEO and the executive team changed completely.

Our new CEO and executive team are an ambitious and dynamic group with aspirations to raise the bar on sustainability. This team approved with the board long-term incentives connected to 3 sustainability KPIs, including carbon- a best practise I would say. Reflecting that, we announced our ‘Brew a Better World – Raise the Bar’ 2030 goals in 2021. We increased our ambition to reach Net Zero in Scope 1 & 2 by 2030 and the full value chain (Scope 1, 2, and 3) by 2040. I think that’s the ambitious part because in the value chain, going Net Zero is quite the challenge. Our near-term targets, which are approved as science-based from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), include 21% emissions reduction in Scope 3 by 2030 vs. a 2018 baseline. It puts us on our trajectory to achieve Net Zero by 2040.

Our 2030 targets are meant to drive immediate action. We intentionally decided to focus on our own operations first – to lead by example. But now we have to deliver at speed, and at scale, in both our own operations and with our key suppliers. In 2023, our Scope 3 focus is on four key categories that make up 85% of our Scope 3 emissions – Agriculture, Packaging, Logistics, and Cooling. We will focus on areas where we have teams in place, expertise, and strong relationships with suppliers.

Learn more about Shourya Rane in this BIER Member Spotlight.

by Benno Eberle

Between steady population growth, increasing urbanization, and rising standards of living, the momentum of change is challenging every aspect of our world. Just looking at today’s consumption levels is enough to make organizations wonder if they can ever keep up. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development estimates the ecological resources of 2.3 planets, on average, are needed to sustain present-day growth by 2050.

Despite the pressures, this moment can become the most significant growth opportunity of our time. Replacing traditional take-make-waste business models with a circular approach can bring industries in line with our planet’s boundaries. But more importantly, it tackles environmental and social injustices that often impact underserved communities and creates more jobs that are better paying.

For Ecobat, the world’s leader in battery recycling and lead production, the circular economy is an inseparable part of its business. By recovering and repurposing more than 99% of the metal of 120 million batteries consumed by companies and consumers annually, the company can minimize its contribution to landfills and satisfy consumer demand for sustainable energy.

Defining Leadership in the Circular Economy

Given the gravity of its sustainability initiative, Ecobat needed to modernize its mission-critical systems without risk. Functional and geographical silos led to little cross-team collaboration and fragmented electronic and paper-based processes, documentation, and legacy record-keeping systems – resulting in unnecessary risk exposure, fractured data, and a bloated overhead structure.

Ecobat’s leadership team knew that digitalization and intelligent technologies are critical to lead in the responsible collection, recycling, production, and distribution of resources essential to modern life. So, the company decided to implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud, a cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for every business need. By taking this path, the company gained the reliability, agility, and predictability necessary to navigate the risks and opportunities of moving into a new business model centered around the circular economy.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud presented an opportunity to consolidate the unique legacy ERP systems and data of its 25 partner locations worldwide. Using the RISE with SAP solution, Ecobat carefully mapped and moved all individual systems into the cloud ERP while navigating differences between the old and new ERP systems and adopting new standardized processes. The company also discontinued its on-premise data center, decreasing its energy consumption footprint across a global reach.

Moving an on-premise landscape of multiple ERP systems to a single instance of SAP S/4HANA Cloud opened the door to a new digital era for Ecobat. Every area of the business and its partners can access extensive and timely information and collaborate and communicate effectively. In return, the entire company can achieve goals key to their long-term survival and expansion, including:

Drive top-line growth by enabling innovative business models on a global scaleAchieve bottom-line growth with industry-proven processesDeliver green-line growth by building sustainability directly into the businessGrow with the confidence needed to help the business move to wherever it needs to go

For example, Ecobat is innovating new products, services, and processes with a laser focus on the circular economy – from costs and facilities to the responsible collection, recycling, production, and distribution of resources. Its R&D and engineering teams have the sustainability data and visibility to look holistically across the organization, drill into the finer details of a challenge or opportunity, and streamline and accelerate the processing of used batteries into raw materials. In addition, empowering each partner location to collect and recycle batteries within its region helps decrease reliance on mining new ore, reduce transportation, and streamline the supply chain.

Thinking, Looking, and Acting More Sustainably – Globally

With battery recycling at the heart of its business model, Ecobat takes pride in its leadership in the circular economy. And that sense of accountability and responsibility is clearly reflected in how the company invests in its people and business operations.

This observation certainly applies to Ecobat’s decision to implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud as part of RISE with SAP. While keeping millions of lead-acid batteries from going to local landfills, the company is confidently scaling and growing its operations worldwide to continue contributing to a more sustainable planet for years to come.

Learn more about the competitive edge Ecobat gained from its implementation of SAP S/4HANA Cloud as part of RISE with SAP. Read the IDC case study, “Ecobat Expands into the Digital Era with Cloud ERP.”

Benno Eberle is solution marketing lead for SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition, at SAP.

Hello – I’m Stephanie Conzelman, stakeholder engagement director with Land Betterment.  As Land Betterment continues to expand how it helps communities which have been negatively impacted by abandoned fossil fuel operations, our team continues to grow. Recently, I met up with our newly appointed ekō Solutions CFO, Amanda Kruse. In this most recent Fireside Chat, Amanda shared with me why she originally joined, ekō’s parent company, Land Betterment and why it is so exciting to work with the team. This is a quick read which enables us learn a little more about Amanda’s background and her enthusiasm for the Company’s work.

Q: What intrigued you most about joining Land Betterment?

A: Land Betterment is focused on fostering positive impact through upcycling former coal mining sites to create sustainable community development and job creation.  I chose to work for Land Betterment because they are helping people across the United States of America and that is really important to me. Land Betterment is continually looking for ways to find solutions to problems in our country. I could have joined other companies and utilized my financial controller skills for less impactful companies, but at the end of the day, there would have been little fulfilment outside of my daily job duties. Here at Land Betterment, I enjoy what I do and know that the Company is continually finding innovative ways to help others.

Q: Can you tell us a little about what got you interested in business and accounting?

A: Absolutely! At a young age, my parents taught me how to count, the value of a dollar and hard work. They owned a small automotive repair business. Every day I watched how hard they worked and ultimately how their dedication paid off because their business was successful for years. In high school, I thought I wanted to become a nurse because I wanted to help people and give back. Well, it turned out not to be my thing. I shadowed a nurse for the day and unfortunately passed out multiple times. So it was time to find another path for my future. Shortly thereafter, I started working at a mortgage company in document preparation for loan closings. I loved being in the office environment and learned so much during that time. I applied to Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Kelley School of Business and declared my majors in accounting and finance and have never looked back. It was a great fit!

Q: Were there any particular experiences in your prior work experience that prepared you for your role at Land Betterment? 

A: After graduating from IUPUI Kelley School of Business,  I started working for a top regional accounting firm, Blue & Co. There I worked with small to medium sized business clients in the areas of audit and a small bit of tax work. I quickly started working toward my CPA license and received that within the first year or so. I worked in public accounting for about 6 years when I made the switch and became a financial controller at a top-tier golf and country club. There I handled all aspects of the accounting functions as well as overseeing HR, payroll, and IT support. These work experiences prepared me for my role at Land Betterment.

Q: You were recently promoted to CFO of the ekō Solutions Housing division. Can you share with us what you are looking forward to most as you tackle this new role?

A: I am very excited about becoming CFO of ekō Solutions! Not only do I get to work with a great team, but I am also able to continue expanding my skill set! In my role as Land Betterment’s Controller, I have worked under Kirk Taylor which has been an amazing experience as I have been able to learn so much under his guidance. In my new role with ekō Solutions, I am looking forward to helping this division of Land Betterment scale and expand. The opportunities are endless, and I can’t wait to see what is next.  It will be a fun ride!

Q: Land Betterment was founded by a team of enthusiastic entrepreneurs. What is it like to work in this environment daily?

A: It is amazing! I love learning from all of them. Every day they are full of new and innovative ideas. But it’s not only their ideas that are exciting but their ability to put those ideas into action with the multitude of sustainable business lines they are working on at any given time. It keeps my days interesting and exciting thinking about all of the new possibilities. It is a wonderful place to work!

About ekō Solutions 

ekō Solutions, a Land Betterment Company, uses innovative ecological structures to replace legacy inefficient and ineffective methods of living, growing and working. We provide durable structures which are affordable to operate, inhabit while also maintaining the ability to be utilized in a mobile environment. ekō structures are designed to be high quality, durable and affordable to inhabit from 1- 10 years. The sustainable craftsmanship of our structures is what separates us from the alternatives. For more information visit ekosolutionsllc.com and connect with ekō Solutions on LinkedIn and Twitter. 

About Land Betterment Corporation

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

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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

Company Contacts:

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

Stephanie Conzelman
207.205.0790
Stakeholder Engagement Director
info@landbetterment.com

In the third quarter of 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced they were expanding criteria for placement on the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP).

The expansion of criteria for being entered into this program allows OSHA to conduct more rigorous enforcement before violators cause irreversible harm to their workforce.

We’ll review the role of OSHA, what the new SVEP criteria are, and how you can ensure your organization remains OSHA-compliant.

OSHA’s Authority in the United States 

OSHA was founded in 1970 through an act of Congress to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.”

OSHA has jurisdiction over 7 million worksites within the geographic boundaries of the United States. Employers who operate within this jurisdiction typically maintain compliance through regular record-keeping and mandated reporting.

OSHA has the authority to conduct in-person investigations for several reasons including notification of severe risk to workers, repeated injury claims, and reported fatalities. OSHA prioritizes inspections based on urgency, from imminent danger situations through follow-up inspections.

Inspections are part of the process of being placed on the SVEP list.

Hybrid work and OSHA reporting 

As the criteria for landing in the SVEP expand, it is essential not to overlook reporting for your remote and hybrid workforce. If any worker within OSHA’s jurisdiction suffers a severe injury (requiring more than first-aid) during the execution of their work duties, the injury should be reported to OSHA.

Failure to report could be considered purposeful disregard and trigger an OSHA investigation.

Learn more about how you can ensure the health and safety of your hybrid and remote workforce.

The Severe Violator Enforcement Program 

The SVEP was established in 2010 to enable the concentration of investigative and enforcement resources to focus on the most “recalcitrant employers who demonstrate indifference to the health and safety of their employees through willful, repeated or failure-to-abate violations of the OSH Act.”

This program allows OSHA to intervene with these entities to attempt collaborative correction while holding employers accountable for placing workers at risk.

The list of employers who are in the SVEP is visible to the public to ensure workers, associates, buyers, and other stakeholders are aware of the standing of these organizations. The standard duration for remaining on the list is three years.

Original criteria for being placed in the SVEP 

According to the original criteria, employers could be placed in the SVEP if an inspection resulted in findings that met one or more of the following:

A fatality with one or more willful or repeated violations or failure-to-abate noticesA non-fatality/catastrophe with two or more willful or repeated violationsFailure-to-abate notices that are high gravity violations related to High-Emphasis HazardsA non-fatality/catastrophe inspection with three or more willful or repeated violationsFailure-to-abate notices that are high gravity violations related to the potential release of a highly hazardous chemicalIs an egregious case

New criteria for being placed in the SVEP 

One of the most significant changes to the criteria is that organizations be placed in the SVEP after at least two willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate high-gravity violations of OSHA standards, regardless of hospitalization or fatality. This change is likely to result in more organizations being added to the SVEP list.

Additional changes include:

The addition of a timeline for conducting follow-up or referral inspections. These must be completed within one year, but not longer than two years, after the final order.The three-year timeline for removal from the program is triggered by verification that all SVEP-related hazards have been abated, rather than when the final order is issued.The timeline can be reduced to two years if employers consent to an enhanced settlement agreement that includes the implementation of a health and safety management system.

Removal from the program 

Having your organization delisted is subject to paying all penalties, avoiding any new citations, and abatement of issues related to the original violation. The changes noted above allow for a more efficient and rapid removal from SVEP as long as you meet all the requirements.

How an EHS Audit and Training Can Keep You OSHA Compliant 

Proactively managing the health and safety of your workforce through an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) audit and implementation of a safety training program is the best way to remain not only OSHA compliant, but compliant with other regional health and safety regulations as well.

EHS Audit 

EHS audits can identify processes and functions that put your workforce most at risk. Findings from audits often result in identifying areas where improvements lead to cost-savings in both reduced fines and increased productivity.

When your organization is operating in multiple locations, an audit gives you a birds-eye view of where you stand with compliance across any number of regulatory jurisdictions.

EHS Training 

After addressing high-risk factors identified through your EHS audit, the next best action you can take is to implement a training program designed specifically to teach employees best practices for avoiding workplace accidents and injury.

For certain high-risk industries, these trainings should take place at regular intervals to ensure the processes are properly followed.

An EHS consultant can assist your organization in developing a comprehensive training program that addresses your unique needs and help your teams implement this training.

Learn more about Antea Group’s EHS Auditing and Compliance services

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

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) has been recognized in Chemours’ third annual Responsible Supplier Awards. The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials. Rockwell was recognized for achieving the biggest improvement in its EcoVadis sustainability assessment overall score compared to 2021 in the Indirect Materials category.

“Sustainability is a key strategic imperative for Rockwell Automation, and we are honored to be recognized by Chemours for the progress we are making in this important area,” said Rockwell’s Tom O’Reilly, vice president of Sustainability.

The Chemours Responsible Supplier Awards acknowledge the companies that have distinguished themselves by driving quality, innovation, and sustainability improvements in Chemours’ supply chain. Recipients are selected from among more than 10,000 suppliers around the world.

“As a trusted supplier for more than 30 years, Rockwell Automation has made significant progress on its EcoVadis scorecard, earning a coveted 2022 Chemours Responsible Supplier Award for sustainability. We appreciate the quality of service, responsiveness, and commitment to improving sustainability which aligns with Chemours’ 2030 Corporate Responsibility Commitment. Rockwell has become more flexible to adapt to the needs of Chemours and adjust to the demands of our operations. They also have gone above and beyond in light of the challenges faced in 2022,” stated Tim Duprey, procurement category manager – Rotating, Electrical and Control Equipment at Chemours.

Read the Chemours press release.

Rockwell Automation recently published its 2022 Sustainability Report. Learn more about how this provider of industrial automation and digital transformation solutions is helping to enable sustainability for manufacturers worldwide. Read the report.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

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.

Originally published on 3M News Center

During the holidays, work is usually the last thing on anyone’s mind. But when a group of 3Mers in Tonawanda, N.Y. – a northern suburb of Buffalo — found themselves snowed into a plant that faced the possibility of a catastrophic shutdown, they bravely shifted their priorities to help their coworkers and save the facility.

On the night before Christmas Eve, Winter Storm Elliot was forecast to hit the Buffalo region. Although employees working late were aware the storm was imminent and encouraged to leave, many were surprised by the storm’s severity.

As the blizzard worsened, road closures began and, eventually, no one (including emergency services) could get in or out of the plant. That left a core team of 15 employees from various areas of the plant stranded there from the evening of Dec. 23 until Dec. 26.

“There were mixed reactions when we found out that we were stuck here for Christmas,” said Katie Bates, manufacturing production supervisor. “But once we accepted that travel wasn’t an option, we became more concerned about making sure everyone still had jobs to come back to after the holidays.”

3M’s Tonawanda plant is the world’s largest producer of cellulose-based sponge material, which is used to make Scotch-Brite™ Brand and Scotch-Brite® ocelo™ branded products. In fact, every 21 days the facility makes enough sponges to cover the distance from New York City to Los Angeles. Viscose, an ingredient used in the sponge making process, is made at the plant and requires continuous operation. If production were to stop, the “batter” in the pipes would solidify, resulting in catastrophic equipment failure that would shut down the entire facility for weeks.

Knowing this, the group made the best of their time at the plant and banded together to keep the lines running. They learned on the fly via phone calls with co-workers how to operate the machinery and broke the work up into shifts.

Management helped the group develop a meal plan with vending machine food and, when some travel restrictions were lifted, 26 other employees came in to help as they could.

“Being stuck here was very surreal,” said Serge DuBuke, converting crew leader. “Normally, you hear the hum of the machines and the people conversing at work, but there wasn’t any of that. It was just very, very quiet.”

Despite the circumstances, the team found ways to lift each other’s spirits. One 3Mer made a snowman from some snow that blew in around a loading door. Another employee brought in a griddle, pancake mix, eggs and bacon and cooked everyone breakfast. Movies were played in the lunchroom to help those who needed background noise to sleep and for a dose of holiday spirit.

After the storm had passed, the team’s perseverance paid off. Catastrophic failure was prevented and the plant was back to full production in just three days.

“We didn’t do it out of obligation. We did it because the plant is our livelihood and we care,” said Serge.

Katie agreed.

“The experience solidified how much of a family this place can be when we work together. Teamwork can push us through the hardest of times.”

To learn more about 3M, click here.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association has received an “Outstanding,” the highest rating possible, on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act performance examination1 from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Fifth Third received “Outstanding” ratings on each of the examination’s three tests: Lending, Investment and Service.

“Strong banks need strong communities to succeed. Improving the well-being of the communities where we live and work is foundational to who we are as a bank,” said Tim Spence, president and CEO, Fifth Third. “This ‘Outstanding’ rating from the OCC reflects that commitment.”

The examination period was Jan. 1, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2021, and was the first for Fifth Third under the OCC. The Bank converted from an Ohio state-charted bank to a national bank in 2019. Its last CRA rating also was “Outstanding” for the most recent exam conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland in 2018.

During the majority of the exam period, Fifth Third was focused on delivering its five-year, $32 billion Community Commitment,* designed to address major areas of need across our footprint. In 2021, the Bank announced that it surpassed its goals and delivered $41.6 billion in community support from 2016 to 2020, including $16.3 billion in mortgage lending, $12.6 billion in small business lending and support, and $12.6 billion in community development lending and investments. It also included $378 million in impact initiatives and programming, including $112.9 million in Community Commitment-related grants.

Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer, said, “We are proud of the work we’ve done to help address the wealth gap, build affordable housing, provide essential job training and financial education, and create opportunities for transformational, generational wealth. However, the job is far from complete. We are actively changing lives one neighborhood at a time and developing communities to create long-term, sustainable growth for individuals, families and small businesses.”

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Member FDIC.

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1The hyperlinked text directs to a summary of the CRA performance examination on 53.com.

*The Community Commitment was originally announced as a $27.5 billion initiative in 2016 and was increased to $30 billion and then $32 billion in part due to Fifth Third’s acquisition of MB Financial and its planned expansion in Chicago.

CONTACTS 
Stacie Haas (Media Relations) 
Stacie.Haas@53.com | 513-534-5113

Chris Doll (Investor Relations) 
Christopher.Doll@53.com | 513-534-2345

This Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we recognize the major strides made to combat the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black communities – but there is more work to do.

Learn why access and education around screening, prevention and care are important.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. 

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