Tag: 3BL

• 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with SK Innovation E&S to add 16 MW of renewable electricity capacity starting in December 2027
• Supports company’s 2030 sustainability targets to source 80% renewable electricity and reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% 

DARMSTADT, Germany, November 4, 2025 – Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, has signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with SK Innovation E&S to deliver 16 megawatts (MW) of new renewable electricity capacity for its Life Science sites in Daejeon and Songdo, South Korea. This PPA is the company’s longest renewable energy commitment in APAC and underscores its focus on leadership in manufacturing sustainability as a driver of business innovation.

“This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to manufacturing sustainability in Korea,” said Tim Jaeger, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “By adding renewable electricity to the grid for our operations in South Korea, we are taking further measures to reduce our environmental impact and enabling our customers do the same.”

When operational in late 2027, the PPA will provide approximately 21,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, meeting approximately 75% of its Life Science business’s electricity demand in South Korea.

This new agreement builds on the company’s global renewable energy portfolio, which includes virtual PPAs in Europe and North America, as well as additional PPAs and onsite installations worldwide. Together, these initiatives keep the company on track to achieve its 2030 target of sourcing 80% of purchased electricity from renewable sources ahead of schedule and to reach climate-neutral operations by 2040.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 26,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. 

Around 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com. 

Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn. 

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service. 

WASHINGTON, November 4, 2025 /3BL/ – Fairtrade America, the organization behind the world’s most recognized label for social justice and sustainability, the Fairtrade Mark, is proud to announce the election of its new Board Chair and the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. These advisors will guide the organization’s strategic direction as it advances its mission to make trade fairer for farmers and workers around the world.

Dean Decrease was elected as Chair of Fairtrade America’s Board of Directors and formally assumed the role in October 2025. He brings deep expertise in food and agriculture, with leadership and entrepreneurial experience spanning the food and beverage, restaurant, grocery retail, and packaging industries. His sustainability journey began in 1993, when he founded and led Weyerhaeuser Company’s first global sustainability office in Geneva and helped create the Forest Stewardship Council’s certification framework for sustainable forest products. Over his career, he has lived and worked across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, bringing a global perspective to his work in advancing sustainable business practices.

With his leadership, Fairtrade America will continue to strengthen its reputation for building best-in-class commercial partnerships that promote equitable trade, reduce exploitation, and drive meaningful impact across global supply chains.

Andy Beck, Julia Knott, and Jenny Roberts joined Fairtrade America’s Board of Directors this fall. They each bring a wealth of experience and expertise to advance the organization’s trade justice mission.

About the New Board Members

Andy Beck is a business professional and ecologist working to build sustainable supply chains for tree crops and other non-timber forest products, with a focus on cooperative modes of production and fair prices. He has worked with smallholder farmers and gatherers across multiple continents and most recently led sourcing for the chocolate company Hu Kitchen, through and beyond its acquisition by Mondelez International in 2021. He holds master’s degrees in forestry and business and a B.A., all from Yale University. Beck also sits on the Board of Directors of the Amazon Conservation Association.

Julia Knott is a fractional CMO and marketing advisor for mission-led food and beverage brands. She started her career at Equal Exchange and went on to lead marketing at Stonyfield, Tea Forte, and Ithaca Hummus before advising dozens of high-growth startups. Knott is known for bringing “big company” shopper marketing expertise into entrepreneurial environments—developing retailer programs, sell-in strategies, and velocity-driving activations that help emerging brands punch above their weight.

Jenny Roberts has spent her career building a more just and sustainable world through market-based approaches to development. She currently serves as Senior Director of Sustainability and Procurement at CAVA, a progressive Mediterranean national chain that seeks to make food a force for good. Over her 20 years in international development, sustainable sourcing, and microfinance, she has supported companies’ efforts to convert their supply chains to more ethical and environmental practices, including her work to help establish the first fair trade microfinance loans through Kiva.org. Roberts received dual degrees from New York University, Stern (MBA) and Wagner (MPA), and has an undergraduate degree in Spanish and International Business from Georgetown University.

To learn more about Fairtrade America’s Board of Directors, visit Fairtrade.net.

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It’s about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 60 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade certification program —part of a global movement for change. Learn more at Fairtrade.net and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Liz Davis, ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org | +1 202-930-4349

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com 

At the heart of every thriving company is a leader who inspires those around them to rise. This year, we’re proud to honor our Vice-President of Legal Operations, Naisha Covarrubias, as Mary Kay’s Leader of the Year for North America Region – recognition that goes far beyond titles and achievements. 

The “Leader of the Year” award at Mary Kay Inc. celebrates employees who lead with heart, exemplify the company’s values, and make a meaningful impact. In short, the Leader of the Year award is more than just a trophy—it says that Mary Kay’s culture is one of striving, being seen and celebrated, and lifting others while doing so. The company regularly celebrates milestones and achievements, reinforcing that recognition is not just about high-performance outcomes, but about making each individual feel seen, valued, and empowered. 

As the guiding force behind our global legal operations team, Naisha balances high-stakes decisions with a grounded sense of purpose. But what makes her story especially powerful is that her leadership extends far beyond boardrooms. She’s also a devoted mother and a caring daughter, navigating the complexities of family life while flourishing at one of the world’s most iconic beauty and entrepreneurship companies. Her journey is a testament to the combo of strength and intention it takes to lead with the heart – and it’s one that many of us will recognize in our own lives. 

During a ten-question interview with the recently awarded Leader of the Year, we discovered several noteworthy details about Naisha.

Q: How did you begin working at Mary Kay or what made you want to work here?
A: Before Mary Kay, I spent 13 years as a lawyer for railroad companies. This was a major industry shift for me. Honestly, I chalk up my start at Mary Kay Inc. 100% to fate. Nothing about the move made logical sense on paper, but the moment I met the people and learned about the company’s mission, something just clicked. It felt like stepping into a place where purpose meets passion…and everything is unapologetically Pink. 

Q: What’s one thing people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Many people are surprised to learn that Spanish is my first language. Until college, I spent my summers attending school in Buenos Aires – keeping up my Spanish, learning to tango, and playing polo. 

Q: What’s one professional lesson you wish you would’ve learned earlier?
A: That growth doesn’t always come from doing more; it often comes from empowering others to do more. Early in my career, I thought success meant carrying everything myself, but I’ve learned that real leadership is about trust, not control. Delegating isn’t just about offloading tasks – it’s about giving others the chance to rise, contribute, and grow. When you empower others, you multiply potential, and that’s where true growth begins.

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Helping others reach their goals and realize their full potential is what I’m most proud of. I have had the privilege of doing this with several team members, and seeing their growth, both professionally and personally, and it is incredibly rewarding. The real win as a leader is seeing someone exceed even their own expectations.

Q: What advice would you give others at Mary Kay? (new or tenured)
A: Stay humble, stay hungry, and treat this business like your name is on the door. Show up with purpose, execute with excellence and urgency, and honor the legacy of a family whose vision continues to create opportunity – for you and millions worldwide. This mindset changes everything.

Q: Who outside Mary Kay has most influenced your life and how?
A: My Abuela (maternal grandmother), now 96, has been one of the greatest influences in my life. She leads with unwavering faith, puts family first, and reminds me daily to surrender everything to God. Her quiet strength and devotion have shaped how I live, love, and lead. She’s also been a loyal Mary Kay skincare user for decades – and let me tell you, the dedication shows. Barely a wrinkle on that radiant face.

Q: If you could swap jobs with anyone in the company for the day, who would it be and why?
A: If I could swap jobs for a day, I’d choose one of Mary Kay’s scientists. I’d love to step into the lab, see the innovation up close, and wear a lab coat while pretending I know exactly how peptides, hyaluronic acid, and retinol work! 

Q: What is the best piece of professional advice you ever received?
A: The best advice I have received came from my father: leave things better than you found them. I have watched him live that principle every day – treating everyone with respect, acting on great ideas, and elevating everything he touches. That mindset has become the foundation of how I show up in every part of my life.

Q: What is one item on your desk or in your office that you can’t live without?
A: Coffee. No contest. It’s the MVP of my desk! It keeps me focused, friendly, and functioning. It’s the quiet hero of my workday. 

Q: What’s your most memorable “oops” moment at work?
A: Not at Mary Kay, but much earlier in my legal career, I sent an email summarizing a deposition to my client. Or so I thought. The email included a rather colorful description of an eccentric opposing counsel who had brought his parrot to the meeting (yes, a real parrot). Unfortunately, I accidentally included him in the recipient list (don’t judge this Xennial). Let’s just say the bird wasn’t the only one squawking after that. To this day, I’ve sworn off “Reply All,” always rebuild my email recipient list from scratch, and quadruple-check the “To” field before hitting “Send.” 

Power Advice from Naisha
“You don’t have to do it all perfectly – just do it with purpose. The most powerful thing you can bring to any role, whether at work or at home, is your whole authentic self.” 

Final Thoughts:
Naisha’s journey reminds us that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about showing up, staying grounded, and believing in the impact you can make, one intentional step at a time.

Did You Know:

• The culture of recognition at Mary Kay Inc. is deeply rooted in its founding values — every team member is encouraged to treat one another with the respect and acknowledgement embodied by the company’s motto: “Make Me Feel Important.”
• Women-led company: 63% of the global workforce at Mary Kay is female as well as 62% of its global Research and Development (R&D) team. 60% of the Executive team is female, and 57% of leadership positions are held by women in the company’s top 10 markets^[1].

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About Mary Kay
One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

# # #
 

^[1] Women Representation and Leadership at Mary Kay (May 2025).

In recognition of his relentless dedication to the company’s values and his focus on ensuring Southwire is an extraordinary place to work, Southwire’s President and CEO, Rich Stinson, was recently recognized with the 2025 Pioneer Award.

Presented at the company’s annual Include Summit, this prestigious award honors someone who has boldly blazed new trails to drive the value of inclusion at Southwire.

Rich’s vision and unwavering commitment helped ignite transformative advancement in the development of Southwire’s values – empowerment, trust, consistency and inclusion. His pioneering spirit has not only opened doors, but laid foundation, process and opportunity for growth and a future where all team members can thrive.

“When I think about Rich and why he was the obvious choice for the Pioneer Award, there are countless reasons,” said Cara Herzog, Chief Inclusion Officer. “He has made such a meaningful impact on our industry alongside the many ways we’ve seen incredible growth at Southwire. Rich has led us through transformative change and propelled us forward. He established our core values, and in doing so, gave us a lens to view not just what we do, but how we do it.”

Southwire’s annual Include Summit is a reflection of the company’s values and a celebration of its commitment to inclusion. It welcomes team members across the organization from all locations and functions who are leading with inclusion through employee resource groups (ERGs), Giving Back, mentorship and more. The gathering also emphasizes Southwire’s ongoing commitment to sustainability – the 2025 summit received the company’s internal sustainable event certification.

In honor of the company’s 75th anniversary, this year’s Summit evolved into a hybrid month-long experience with in-person and virtual opportunities, resulting in approximately 2,000 team members engaged, including 400 in-person attending at the dynamic, two-day gathering in Carrollton, GA on October 29 and 30.

Stinson is the second recipient of the Pioneer Award, following last year’s inaugural award winner, Charlie Murrah, EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer, who was the first executive sponsor of the company’s Women’s Network ERG and a continued advocate and strong example of Southwire’s values in action.

Murrah presented Stinson with this year’s award at the company’s 2025 Include Summit on Wednesday, October 29.

“The Pioneer Award has been the most treasured recognition of my career, and it was an absolute honor to present Rich with this year’s award. Receiving this award means is that you live by your values – the right values,” said Murrah. “Rich gets involved – he plays the game, and he plays it with passion. He has candor, commitment and drive along with a will to win, but he also has a sense of fair play. We would not be anywhere near where we are today as a company without the leadership of Rich Stinson.”

Stinson, who recently announced his retirement, shared his deep appreciation for the Southwire team and acknowledged the role each team member plays in shaping and growing the culture and values of the organization.

“When I think about Southwire, I think about our two P&Ls. Our first P&L – Profits and Losses, is incredibly important as we continue to sustain our success. Equally important is the second P&L – People and Lives – we want to be an extraordinary place to work,” said Stinson. “It is our people and our values that truly set our company apart, and it is up to each of us and the choices we make that will lead us toward growth and a successful future. I am honored to receive this award and am incredibly proud of the work of our team that I know will continue in the years to come.”

In honor of this recognition and the evening’s keynote speaker, veteran hero and Paralympian Melissa Stockwell, a $10,000 donation is being made to Tunnel to Towers in Stinson’s name. Tunnels to Towers focuses on honoring fallen first responders and military heroes by building mortgage-free smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families and working to end veteran homelessness.

A full recap of Southwire’s 2025 Include Summit will be shared in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the Southwire newsroom for updates.

For more information about Southwire’s continued commitment to inclusion, or to read the company’s latest Inclusion Report, visit https://www.southwire.com/inclusion.

COP30 presents a pivotal moment for the climate sector

COP30 is set to be a landmark event in the global fight against climate change, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the five-year countdown to the 2030 interim deadline for achieving climate goals by 2050. Serving as a crucial platform for establishing a roadmap to 2030, COP30 will also shine a spotlight on the Amazon rainforest, which is home to 60% of the world’s largest intact forest and plays a vital role in global biodiversity and climate regulation.

As the climate crisis accelerates and geopolitical complexities emerge, KPMG has worked to prepare a thoughtful program and presence that can help businesses better understand their nature- and climate-related risks as we work together to tackle climate change. Every business has a part to play and we want to help with this critical endeavor in any way we can.

Explore and register for the KPMG at COP30 program today

By Cristina del Canto

The Edison Electric Institute recently announced the winners of the 2025 Corporate Citizenship Award during its Powering Engagement conference. EEI is a national association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. The award, presented annually and selected by a panel of executives, recognizes EEI member companies for innovative programs that support the growth and development of the communities they serve.

Entergy received the award in the volunteerism category for its “Greening Mardi Gras” initiative that seeks to create a more sustainable Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans.

“We are grateful to be named the 2025 EEI Corporate Citizenship Award winner for volunteerism,” said Patty Riddlebarger, Entergy vice president of corporate social responsibility. “Our partnership with Grounds Krewe to create a more sustainable carnival celebration reflects Entergy’s dedication to fostering the growth, development, and well-being of the communities we serve. By embracing initiatives that honor tradition and promote environmental awareness, we are proudly preserving the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras while reducing the environmental impact.”

Each year, nearly 2.6 million pounds of waste is left behind during the Mardi Gras season, clogging storm drains and littering the streets of New Orleans. Six years ago, that narrative began to change. With the formation of Grounds Krewe, and in partnership with our employees, Entergy took action to be part of the solution.

“Our member companies don’t just power American homes and businesses—they empower communities,” said EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney. “This year’s award winners reflect our industry’s deep commitment to improving customers’ lives and ensuring the local communities we serve thrive. I’m proud to recognize their extraordinary efforts.”

As the only Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, we embraced this challenge, becoming Grounds Krewe’s first and longest-standing corporate partner. Our employees partnered with Grounds Kreweto help recycle more than 50,000 pounds of waste each year. Grounds Krewe also provided nearly 800,000 sustainable throws to Mardi Gras organizations last year, which helps to reduce environmental impacts on the city and surrounding communities.

Through initiatives like this one that honor tradition while promoting environmental stewardship, we’re committed to sustainability programs that better our communities.

View original content here.

Published by Action Against Hunger. 

Spokesperson available. 

Contact media@actionagainsthunger.org for inquiries. 

• The new IPC (Integrated Phase Classification for Food Security) confirms that 375,000 people are in catastrophic conditions (IPC Phase 5), facing extreme hunger and death.
• Eighty percent of health facilities in Sudan are damaged or out of service, exacerbating the nutritional and health crisis.
• Humanitarian access is virtually blocked in the most affected areas, with supply routes cut off and frequent looting.
• Ninety-eight percent of people in emergency or disaster situations are concentrated in Darfur and Kordofan, where conflict and humanitarian blockades are exacerbating the crisis. 

NEW YORK, November 3, 2025 /3BL/ – Action Against Hunger expresses its deep concern at the findings of the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which confirms the existence of famine (Phase 5) in the towns of El Fasher and Kadugli, and warns of the imminent risk of famine in 20 additional areas of Sudan. This is the second time in less than a year that the IPC’s Famine Review Committee (FRC) has confirmed famine in parts of Sudan.

According to the report, more than 21 million people face critical levels of food insecurity, and at least 375,000 are in catastrophic conditions, facing extreme hunger, acute malnutrition and death. The situation is particularly dire in the regions of Darfur and Kordofan, where armed conflict, mass displacement and restrictions on humanitarian access have collapsed food and health systems.

Action Against Hunger’s director in Sudan, Samy Guessabi, says: “Sudan is experiencing a silent famine that threatens to become a total catastrophe. El Fasher and Kadugli are under siege, with no access to food, water or medical care. Families are eating boiled leaves, peanut shells and animal feed. This situation is intolerable.”

“The international community cannot look the other way. We need an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access and urgent mobilization of funds to save lives. Every day that passes without action is a death sentence for thousands of people,” adds Guessabi.

Conflict, Displacement and High Food prices as Drivers of the Situation

The conflict in Sudan has forced millions of people to flee their homes, destroyed essential infrastructure — including 80 per cent of health facilities — and severely restricted humanitarian access. Although 2.6 million people have returned to their homes, more than 9.6 million remain displaced. At the same time, the food crisis is exacerbated by sustained price increases, crop losses and economic collapse, leaving many families unable to access basic foodstuffs.

The latest data reveals that more than 60% of the localities assessed have acute global malnutrition rates above 15%, with some areas of Darfur exceeding the 30% threshold, considered an indicator of famine. The lack of data in areas such as Dilling, Al Sunut, and Habila prevents accurate classification, but it is feared that conditions are also critical.

Action Against Hunger urgently calls on donors, international organizations and political actors to prioritize Sudan on the global humanitarian agenda. The organization insists that only a coordinated, sustained response focused on the most affected communities can prevent an even greater tragedy.

Action Against Hunger in Sudan

Action Against Hunger works in Sudan providing humanitarian assistance in contexts of extreme conflict, focusing its efforts on food security, nutrition, health, water and sanitation. The organization responds to famine and acute malnutrition through food distribution programs, livelihood support, cash transfers and the strengthening of local systems such as community kitchens and mutual aid groups. It also promotes protection, humanitarian access and civil rights advocacy.

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

This article is authored by Scott Tew, Global Head and VP, Sustainability Strategy, Trane Technologies.

Across Climate Week NYC 2025, leaders from finance, operations, supply chain and technology aligned around a core sustainability playbook: set clear goals, invest in both proven levers and new approaches, measure what matters and share what you learn so others can move faster. When we treat sustainability as a core business strategy, we unlock value and accelerate growth. Below are seven key themes that surfaced during our Climate Week conversations — and how they translate into practical steps organizations can take now to create business value.

1. Sustainability is strategy — and it maximizes ROI

At Climate Week NYC the message was clear — sustainability is not an add-on; it’s an operational strategy that generates strong returns. Participants emphasized ROI proof points like measurable efficiency gains, lower energy spend, risk reduction and resilient operations. As our CEO Dave Regnery says: “Just because it’s sustainable doesn’t mean it costs more.”

Clear business cases that tie decarbonization to cash flow, risk reduction and asset value generate better sustainability outcomes. At Trane Technologies, we see this play out with our own customers: organizations that electrify, optimize with AI-powered digital solutions and eliminate energy waste are seeing lower operating costs, improved asset performance and stronger resilience.

2. Every role is a sustainability role

The CFO has entered the room — alongside operations, legal and supply chain. Successful organizations are treating decarbonization as an enterprise-wide endeavor, not a silo. The Chief Sustainability Officer role has evolved, too: This crucial function encompasses both business leader and strategist, while often orchestrating execution and reporting. And the board plays a critical role in translating oversight into action. Educated and informed directors create an environment of accountability for sustainability goals.

Across our own organization, we see the impact of this cross-functional sustainability focus daily. Decisions get better and outcomes improve when multiple disciplines are at the table. And the flywheel effect builds when teams leverage sustainability wins to generate more momentum.

3. Counting what counts — the new math of sustainability

Traditional ROI models can miss the full value of decarbonization. Climate Week conversations emphasized a broader equation that includes reduced energy waste, resilience, market differentiation, compliance readiness, risk management and reputation.

The takeaway for leaders is to expand the valuation lens. The new sustainability equation integrates resilience, operational confidence and reputational benefits into the sustainability calculus. Add the financial impact of customer preference and talent attraction for companies that can show verified progress, and sustainability investments move from “nice to have” to “must do.”

4. Sustainability is a team sport — share to scale

A powerful theme was collaboration over competition around sustainability challenges. Early movers are sharing technologies and approaches so others can follow more quickly. That waterfall effect is how markets transform.

What does that look like in practice? Publishing playbooks and performance data. Structuring pilots so that outcomes are transparent. Partnering with others to align incentive structures. The impact is powerful — when one organization de-risks a climate solution, others can quickly follow, accelerating market transformation and driving growth.

5. The power of procurement: catalyze a low-carbon value chain

Climate Week participants highlighted that procurement is one of the fastest ways to drive outcomes. Setting clear specifications for alternative materials, energy performance, embodied carbon and circularity outcomes can shift entire value chains. That change rewrites decarbonization incentives, helping scale lower-carbon materials and manufacturing practices.

Within our own business, we are seeing customers incorporate decarbonization targets into their buying decisions — not just purchase price. And through our own purchasing, we’re designing for circularity practices that integrate low carbon materials at the design stage, transforming purchasing power into a lever for innovation and decarbonization.

6. New business models that create value at every stage

Conversations also highlighted how sustainability can inspire new business models that impact every part of the value chain. From circularity practices that unlock value, to AI and advanced controls that optimize when and how equipment runs, the results generate better business and climate outcomes.

AI-enabled controls are a prime example. When systems know when and how best to run, they can automatically shift loads, increase efficiency and improve reliability while lowering emissions. Circularity practices — like designing for longer life and refurbishment — keep materials in use and reduce environmental impact. These are pragmatic, proven approaches that compound value over time. And they’re just the beginning, as the sustainability conversation shifts from reducing emissions, to redesigning business models to decarbonize and deliver growth.

7. Climate tech is advancing the AI economy — and making energy smarter 

As AI development accelerates, data centers are becoming both essential infrastructure and significant sources of wasted energy in the form of heat. The right technology can capture and repurpose that heat for communities, providing energy for nearby facilities like schools and homes, while strengthening grid resilience. At the same time, AI-enabled controls are optimizing the very resource AI depends on — energy — by improving how heating and cooling systems run, and equipping teams with intelligent tools to reduce energy waste.

The big picture: the quickest wins in autonomous decarbonization in the high-tech sector will come from eliminating energy waste through efficient thermal management, and then meeting the need that remains with cleaner, intelligent systems.

From New York to next steps

The prevailing tone throughout Climate Week NYC was pragmatic optimism — progress over perfection. The true value of the week was not the number of panels or the breadth of the guest list. It was the collective momentum to act with practical solutions that deliver results and drive growth. Climate Week reminds us that sustainability leadership is built through repetition. Plan, pilot, prove, scale. That is how we turn sustainability strategy into outcomes that drive growth.

At Trane Technologies, we will keep advancing efficient, electrified and digital solutions that help customers reduce their carbon impacts and strengthen their operations. The stakes are high, and the opportunity is real. As we return to our daily routines after the energy and vibrant conversations of Climate Week, let’s keep the momentum moving. Join us as we continue delivering both decarbonization and business value, one step at a time.

Hear from our CFO on unlocking the ROI of sustainability on our Healthy Spaces podcast.

Explore careers that unlock the ROI of sustainability at Trane Technologies.

LINCOLN, Neb., November 3, 2025 /3BL/ – Graphic Packaging International, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to help conserve the environment and protect forest resources.

Graphic Packaging will support strategic, large-scale reforestation and urban forestry initiatives with the Arbor Day Foundation. These efforts will help to expand green spaces in the communities where the company operates and support restoration projects in areas identified as high priority through science-based assessments. Through the partnership, Graphic Packaging employees worldwide will lead and participate in tree planting events, distribute seedlings and trees in their communities, and support global reforestation projects.

“Graphic Packaging’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its global network of engaged communities helps us to meaningfully carry out our mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees around the world,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “This partnership will help restore vital forest ecosystems and bolster resilience in the places that need it most.”

Forests provide clean air and water for more than half of the world’s population, and urban trees can lower neighborhood temperatures by up to 10°F. The Arbor Day Foundation’s Forest Priority Index (FPI) and Nature Priority Index (NPI) tools will help guide Graphic Packaging’s project selections. The FPI identifies forest regions where reforestation will have the highest impact on climate, biodiversity and community resilience. The NPI—created by NatureQuant, one of the Foundation’s technology partners—helps to highlight census tracts in urban areas where trees can most improve human health and tree access.

The Arbor Day Foundation collaboration marks a flagship initiative under RENEW, Graphic Packaging’s social impact program. RENEW is designed to drive meaningful change in and around communities where Graphic Packaging operates across key areas, including renewing the environment.

“Enhancing the communities where we live and work is a key part of Vision 2030, and protecting the environment is essential to strong, healthy communities,” said Graphic Packaging President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Doss. “Graphic Packaging employees have distributed 130,000 trees since 2010, and we’re proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to build on our history of giving back to communities and the planet.”

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About Graphic Packaging International

Graphic Packaging designs and produces consumer packaging made primarily from renewable or recycled materials. An industry leader in innovation, the Company is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of consumer packaging. Graphic Packaging operates a global network of design and manufacturing facilities serving the world’s most widely recognized brands in food, beverage, foodservice, household, and other consumer products. Learn more at www.graphicpkg.com.

David Stalls thought the dangerous heart rhythm problem that plagued his health was a curse—until he turned treating it into a new career.

“It’s gotten me to where I am today so I’m actually thankful,” he laughed.

An emergency room nurse in Tennessee, Stalls lived with the chaotic, fluttering heart rhythms of atrial fibrillation (Afib) for years. He knew Afib increased his risk of stroke and heart failure.

“I was in and out of Afib. Mostly out. So I just tried to forget about it. But after a while I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t have enough energy to even play with our kids in the yard,” he said.

The Afib episodes became longer and more severe. Doctors twice shocked his heart back to normal rhythm but the irregular heartbeats soon returned. In the spring of 2016, doctors at the Memphis hospital where he worked performed an ablation using Medtronic cryoablation technology.

Life changing moment 

The ablation changed Stalls’ life in more ways than one.

“I hadn’t fully realized just how much Afib had affected me until I started feeling better,” he said. “I could run and play soccer with the kids. I felt great and I still do.”

Doctors told him afterward that the first step in the procedure was to make a digital map of his heart’s electrical activity. They invited him to step out of the ER some time and watch a case. “I floated over to the lab one afternoon and watched from the control room,” he said. “I had no idea what the mappers were doing but it was cool. I remember thinking ‘I can do that.’”

So he did—turning the treatment for his heart problem into his life’s work.

Passionate about helping others

Stalls leveraged his nursing background and a recommendation from a doctor he knew at his hospital and got hired by a Medtronic competitor to become a cardiac mapper. The training took a year.

“It was intense. The hardest training I’ve ever taken,” he said.

Stalls spent the first five years of his mapping career at a Medtronic competitor. He mapped thousands of hearts and worked with dozens of electrophysiologists—including Dr. David Lan, the same EP who performed his ablation in 2016.

”David has mapped at least 100 procedures with me,” said Dr. Lan. “He’s an excellent mapper. He’s passionate about helping people. He’s a very hard worker and he’s always available. I’m very proud of him.”

Technology Leap

In 2024, Stalls began hearing from mapping colleagues about the Medtronic Affera™ Mapping and Ablation System and accompanying Sphere-9™ Catheter. He said word in the industry was the system would “be a game changer,” and the more he heard the more interested he became. He left the competitor, signed on with Medtronic and now maps with the Affera system.

“It’s really amazing. The system is intuitive, smart and simple,” he said. “The physician can insert one catheter (Sphere 9) just one time. It can map, ablate with either radio frequency (RF) or pulsed field ablation (PFA), and verify that we either got it right or have to ablate further. Other systems have to remove the catheter and put in another one for each of those steps. The Affera system is an incredible step forward.”

What do mappers do? 

Today, his days start around 7:00 A.M. at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Staff prepares the electrophysiology lab while Stalls sets up his mapping equipment. The first patient is typically in the room by 7:30 A.M.

“Sometimes they ask questions and I can say ‘I’ve been in your shoes,’ and I can share with patients how ablation helped me,” Stalls said. “It’s a nice feeling to be able to help them that way.”

The procedure begins. The electrophysiologist (EP) inserts a catheter into the patient’s groin, navigates it into the heart and they begin “mapping.” Electrodes on the catheter measure the voltage and the electrical activation time on all the tissue they touch, creating a 3D image of the heart’s electrical activity in a rainbow of bright colors. “Each color tells us something. Purple means healthy tissue. Red means not so healthy. And a lot of things in between,” Stalls said.

The EP and mapper work together during the case while the EP identifies spots that require ablation. The procedure can take 45 to 60 minutes, with constant communication back and forth between the EP, the mapper and other members of the team. It’s a relationship built on experience and trust.

“Mappers usually work with a lot of different physicians,” said Dr. Lan. “So they see different techniques and bring that experience to provide the technical knowledge, supporting every physician to treat our patients. There’s a lot of teamwork.”

“The mapper needs to know electrophysiology and the mapping technology inside and out,” Stalls added. “Our job is to advise and consult and focus exclusively on the mapping and ablating technology. Sometimes I’ll see things the EPs don’t because they have to pay attention to several other things during the procedure.”

Hospitals are moving so quickly to the Affera system that some have the technology in place but not enough mappers to operate them. So experienced mappers sometimes travel to fill the void until hundreds of new, permanent mappers come online. Stalls mapped at hospitals in New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Austin, TX and Milwaukee in the last few months. No matter where he goes, he still keeps images from the mapping of his own heart on his phone—a regular reminder of where he’s been, and what’s ahead.

“I’m just really grateful,” he said. “I felt cursed by Afib but it’s turned out to be a blessing. When a patient comes in with Afib and leaves in normal rhythm, it’s just incredibly rewarding to be a part of something like that.”

Interested in becoming a Medtronic mapper? Check out our careers page.

See how this new technology innovation is fueling a hiring boom at Medtronic.

Important Safety Information

Risks may include serious complications and injuries to cardiac and other body structures. The Sphere-9™ catheter and Affera™ mapping and ablation system, PulseSelect™ pulsed field ablation system, and Arctic Front Advance™ over-the-wire balloon catheter should only be used under the supervision of a physician that performs cardiac ablation procedures.