Tag: 3BL

Originally published by Sustainability Magazine

Subaru is putting sustainability at the heart of its messaging, spotlighting hybrid and electric models such as the Forester Hybrid and the Trailseeker EV.

These vehicles are marketed not just as eco-friendly options but as capable companions for exploration.

By combining advanced powertrains with rugged design, Subaru presents a compelling option for drivers wanting to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on performance or adventure-readiness.

Read more here on Sustainabilitymag.com

Tapping into different voices, perspectives, and experiences helps businesses solve problems, reveals new opportunities to grow, and encourages contributions that better support people and communities. At Henkel North America, diversity is a path to progress, innovation, and impact. Our employees and partners are united by our purpose: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. They collaborate to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives – allowing us to deliver products, services, and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life.

We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our series, “Pioneers for Good.”

Introducing Jonathan Espinosa

Jonathan Espinosa, Supply Chain Finance Controller for Henkel North America, embodies how love and courage can ignite meaningful change. This attitude has not only helped him shift challenges into growth opportunities but also encourage others to live authentically.

Beginning his career as an operational controller for Henkel in Mexico in 2016, Jonathan moved to the US in 2023 to work for the supply chain organization. Jonathan’s career is a testament to his deep commitment to embracing every challenge with fortitude.

“Every position I have held has challenged me either personally or professionally and each experience has led me to growth,” said Jonathan.

Fostering Community in the Workplace

Jonathan looks for ways to create opportunities for employees to bond and foster unity. In Mexico, he organized events such an open mic format where employees could express ideas and share experiences in a safe space.

When Jonathan transferred to a new role in the US, he brought his spirit of love and authenticity along with his quest to do his part in building the culture of belonging at Henkel. He joined the PRIDE Employee Resource Group (ERG) to collaborate with his new colleagues in creating opportunities for connection.

For Jonathan, ERGs help Henkel to build inclusive communities that empower employees to bring their full authentic selves to work. The ERG network at Henkel thrives on collaboration, offering members and allies a chance to connect across communities.

With Jonathan’s leadership, the ERG has organized simple events such as cupcakes and conversation on Valentine’s Day as well as larger scale events including employee participation in the NYC Pride parade to celebrate the power of love and inclusion.

Through his time working with Henkel’s PRIDE ERG and exposure to other ERGs, Jonathan has developed a deeper appreciation for Henkel’s larger network of resource groups. Although not a formal member of UNIDOS, Henkel’s Hispanic/Latinx ERG, Jonathan shares his Hispanic heritage and celebrates the group’s mission while continuing to spread his message of love and courage.

“Diversity is an asset, not a liability. When you show who you truly are, you activate the power of diversity to strengthen relationships and build community in the workplace. You should never be afraid or ashamed of who you are.”

Jonathan Espinosa, Supply Chain Finance Controller for Henkel North America

Leading With Love, Allows Unity to Follow

At the heart of Jonathan’s advocacy is a simple message: love is the antidote.

This philosophy aligns with Henkel’s sentiment of “Love Unites All”, a notion that Jonathan also carries with him in his day-to-day life. By leading with love, Jonathan is able to advocate for his community, live true to himself, and encourage others around him to do the same.

Jonathan’s ability to use love as an antidote provides courage for the next generation to continue in his path. He aims to help shape a future where more people can be their authentic selves not solely in the workplace but in every facet of life. Jonathan’s journey shows that when individuals are empowered to be themselves, they open doors for those to come.

Jonathan says, “being open and vocal about your identity allows others to feel safe to do so as well.”

See Jonathan and Henkel colleagues celebrating Pride across the globe and sharing the message Love Unites All.

In 2018, Cisco and Destination: Home embarked on a partnership to tackle homelessness in Santa Clara County. While our primary focus was on the development of supportive housing and homelessness prevention, we also saw an opportunity to leverage technology to improve lives. While not a panacea, technology can play a critical role in helping individuals experiencing homelessness access vital resources, and can enhance the efficiency and service delivery of the organizations serving them.

Assessing technology needs in Santa Clara County’s supportive housing system

We began with a technology needs assessment of Santa Clara County’s supportive housing system, which aimed to identify opportunities to leverage data and technology to strengthen the system of care. The findings were insightful: both homeless service providers and people receiving services expressed a need for better communication between staff and clients, as well as the need for systems that allow individuals to access services and manage their own information.

Based on these insights, the assessment recommended the development of a client-facing portal. The envisioned tool would provide secure access for e-signatures, appointment scheduling, document management, and direct communication between clients and providers. This laid the foundation for what would eventually become MyConnectSV.

Building MyConnectSV: A collaborative effort

Building MyConnectSV was not quick. Destination: Home followed a thoughtful and inclusive process to ensure it was done right. Systems-level changes, such as updating policies around electronic releases of information at the County level, were necessary before implementation could begin.

Throughout the design, development and testing process, the Destination: Home team consistently engaged service providers and people with lived experience of homelessness to help create a solution that would truly meet their needs.

The result? A secure, user-friendly platform designed to empower individuals and streamline service delivery.

Key features of MyConnectSV include the ability to:

• Update contact information in real time
• Track upcoming appointments
• Upload and access personal documents
• Access critical resources, such as food and medical care information
• Sign and upload key documents electronically
• Communicate directly with case managers
• Track their position in the housing queue
• Share their location with case managers via a “drop pin” feature

These functionalities save weeks of time, prevent missed opportunities, and expedite the journey to stable housing. For individuals experiencing homelessness, this means staying connected to essential resources and support systems. For service organizations, it means improved outreach and efficiency in delivering care.

The team continues to improve the tool by actively listening to users and incorporating their feedback into ongoing development—ensuring that MyConnectSV evolves to meet the needs of those most impacted.

The broader impact of technology in homeless services

The benefits of technology like MyConnectSV extend beyond time savings. It democratizes access to information, making critical resources available to all, and is both replicable and scalable. In partnering with Clarity by Bitfocus, a platform currently used by over 75 communities across the country, we ensured that this client-facing module could be easily adopted by Bitfocus users across the United States.

What began as a local initiative in Santa Clara County is now a replicable, impactful solution with the potential to make a difference nationwide. And while there’s still much work to be done, this is a reminder of how technology, when designed with empathy and purpose, can truly improve lives.

To learn more, check out Destination: Home’s latest newsletter, Breaking Down Barriers to Housing.

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by Will Wiseman, CEO & co-founder of Climatize

It began with a question – What if climate action could be scaled by giving people direct access to invest in the energy transition? That question is what my cofounder and I asked ourselves a few years ago — and it’s how Climatize became a U.S. investment platform focused on renewable energy project offerings.

As of September 2025, more than $10 million has been invested through Climatize, helping to fund 22 renewable energy projects across the country. Our community now includes over 2,400 members. To date, more than $2.4 million has already been returned to investors between principal and interest.

This article goes into what investing in renewable energy projects looks like on the ground. You’ll find stories and videos from the field, a map of every project funded so far, and a closer look at how everyday people are stepping into the energy transition, one project at a time. We’ve seen what’s possible when projects get the support they need.

Our investment platform offers direct investments in vetted renewable energy projects, such as solar arrays, batteries, or EV chargers. Each offering is up to $5 million and is made possible because of the SEC’s Regulation Crowdfunding, a legal framework that unlocks new opportunities for investors at all levels.

Read Will’s full article and check out several impactful videos here– https://greenmoney.com/new_version/investing-in-renewable-energy-a-success-story-of-community-powered-climate-action

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AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., September 17, 2025 /3BL/ – Cascale today released a new China Country Report: Macroeconomic and Sustainability Analysis, analyzing the energy landscape, workforce and social responsibility, export and consumer goods market trends, and policy, as well as regional insights from its Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), exclusively available on Worldly. The report sheds light on how China’s textile and apparel sector is navigating sustainability challenges while seizing opportunities to lead the global industry toward a cleaner, more innovative future.

“Cascale’s Higg FEM data is a powerful lens into where the industry is headed,” said Jeremy Lardeau, senior vice president, Higg Index. “China remains a critical player in global textile and apparel manufacturing, and has demonstrated it can lead the way in innovation, new technology adoption and scaling. The opportunity now is to leverage sustainability and innovation not only to meet regulatory and buyer demands but to build long-term competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.”

As the industry’s most widely used environmental assessment tool, the Higg FEM measures factory performance across energy use, emissions, water, wastewater, and chemical management within consumer goods value chains. Recent data analysis shows that while China’s vast manufacturing base faces mounting pressure to decarbonize and improve working conditions, the country is uniquely positioned to transform into a hub of low-carbon, circular, and tech-driven production. These include:

• Green Growth and Renewable Energy: With China’s massive investments in solar, wind, and hydro power, factories can increasingly run on clean electricity, lowering emissions and costs. Higg FEM data shows measurable progress among facilities adopting energy efficiency and renewable power solutions, setting the stage for “low-carbon apparel” as a new competitive advantage.
   
• Circular Economy and Recycling: National initiatives to build a textile recycling system by 2025 align with Higg FEM findings on the growing adoption of water recycling and waste reduction practices. Chinese companies are positioned to pioneer chemical and mechanical recycling solutions that can close material loops and reduce the country’s annual textile waste of more than 20 million tons.
   
• Technological Innovation and Digitalization: The adoption of automation, AI, and smart factory models – already reflected in operational efficiency gains reported in the Higg FEM – offer pathways to increase productivity while reducing waste.
   
• Market Diversification and Domestic Upgrading: As Western demand stabilizes, China’s focus on emerging markets and domestic brand building presents new avenues for growth. The Higg FEM shows that higher-performing facilities are already aligning with global buyers’ sustainability requirements, making them well-placed to capture new business.
   
• Policy Support and Global Collaboration: Chinese factories benefit from policy incentives for green technology adoption and are increasingly engaging with international sustainability frameworks. Cascale’s Higg FEM data provides the transparency and benchmarking needed to align with these initiatives.

Cascale’s analysis suggests that China’s textile and apparel sector is at a pivotal juncture. If the industry embraces renewable energy, recycling, and digital transformation, it can not only reduce environmental impact but also maintain its role as a global leader in textile and apparel production. And opportunities exist: For example, Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) helps manufacturers (members and non-members) develop and validate Science-Aligned Targets (SATs) to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions across the consumer goods industry. To date, MCAP has engaged 13 manufacturers in China and four have set validated goals with a collective CO2 reduction potential of over 145,000 tCO2e.

Additionally, although social responsibility is not measured by the Higg FEM, broader analysis included in Cascale’s China Country Report shows rising wages and improved safety standards have lifted living conditions for the country’s estimated 7.8 million textile and apparel workers, but challenges remain around long hours, limited worker representation, and compliance. However, global scrutiny and legislation has spurred greater transparency, traceability, and formalization across supply chains. Chinese manufacturers that act decisively could establish themselves as benchmarks for low-carbon, circular, and socially-responsible production.

“Cascale and its members are committed to Combat Climate Change and Support Decent Work,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO, Cascale. “Our new China Country Report reveals that pursuing these objectives in tandem – pairing action on decarbonization with that on working conditions – is critical for the industry to sustain competitiveness and meet growing expectations.”

Editors: For more information, please contact cascaleforster@forster.co.uk. 

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

A robust Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) is crucial for pipeline operators in today’s energy industry. The American Petroleum Institute (API) provides a framework for this system through API Recommended Practice (RP) 1173. While RP 1173 is a voluntary best practice, it’s widely recognized as the standard language for pipeline safety across the industry. The framework was developed following a number of high-profile incidents that caused significant financial loss and environmental damage, and it was created to help operators prevent similar incidents from happening again. Implementing an RP 1173 program helps organizations operate more safely, communicate more effectively, and improve consistency across their entire network.

Key Elements of a PSMS and Common Challenges

API RP 1173’s framework is built on 10 core elements designed to be a company-wide system, ensuring all parts of an organization operate under the same umbrella. This approach prevents inconsistencies that can arise from different geographic regions or operational groups.

While the framework is comprehensive, companies often struggle with specific elements. The two biggest pain points are:

• Leadership and Management Commitment: Gaining buy-in from management and key individuals is critical but can be difficult. Without this commitment, the program may not be effectively implemented, leading to inconsistent application across different regions or departments.
• Continuous Improvement: Some companies adopt a “check the box” mindset, implementing the program once and considering the job done. However, RP 1173 is predicated on continuously re-evaluating the program’s adequacy as conditions change and new gaps are identified. Without this focus, the program can become a giant “paperweight” that isn’t truly implemented or effective.

Other key elements of the framework include:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Disseminating the framework from upper management to field personnel who interact directly with property owners and communities. A related recommended practice, API RP 1185, is purely focused on engaging with external stakeholders and communities.
• Risk Management and Operational Controls: Evaluating the risks of operating assets, particularly in high-consequence areas like protected swamps, and putting in place safety devices and inspection protocols to manage those risks.
• Incident Investigation: Establishing a common, company-wide process for investigating incidents to improve and prevent recurrence, rather than simply getting an asset back online.
• Emergency Response: Having established, company-wide protocols for notifications, mobilization, and community engagement in the event of an incident.
• Competence, Awareness, and Training: Ensuring that all individuals and specific roles receive proper training and are aware of the program’s expectations.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintaining records of program changes, inspections, and training to allow for periodic reviews and reassessment.

The Business Case for Voluntary Adoption

Despite being a voluntary framework, there is a strong business case for implementing RP 1173. Following the practice offers significant reputational value, especially in the event of an incident, as it allows a company to demonstrate that it had preventative measures in place. The federal government, through organizations like PHMSA (Pipeline Hazardous Substance Safety Administration), has also issued bulletins suggesting companies adopt a PSMS, which is seen by many in the industry as a precursor to potential mandatory regulations. API is also releasing a revised version of the standard, which is expected to create more visibility and push for wider adoption, especially among smaller operators.

How Antea Group Helps

Antea Group helps companies implement RP 1173 by combining our extensive expertise in safety management systems with our direct experience in the energy sector. We take a collaborative, “get in the trenches” approach with clients to develop a program that is implementable and fit for purpose, rather than a generic, one-size-fits-all solution.

• Program Development: We can work with companies to develop an RP 1173 program from scratch, taking existing programs and repackaging them to align with the framework.
• Gap Closure: We can assist clients in preparing for an assessment or work with them after an assessment to close identified gaps and improve specific areas.
• Continuous Improvement: Our approach to continuous improvement is based on the “plan, do, check, act” framework. We can help clients conduct root cause analyses following incidents and recommend program changes to prevent reoccurrences.
• Key Partnerships: Antea Group is heavily involved with key industry associations, including API, GPA (Gas Processors Association), and AGA (American Gas Association), and is part of the pipeline safety committee for GPA. This involvement provides us with up-to-date knowledge and insights in this area.

Conclusion

Implementing an API RP 1173 PSMS is a proactive strategy for pipeline operators to enhance safety, improve consistency, and manage risk. While the task may seem daunting, particularly with challenges like securing leadership commitment and ensuring continuous improvement, partnering with a knowledgeable firm can make the process manageable and effective. Antea Group’s combined expertise in safety management and the energy industry, along with a tailored, collaborative approach, makes us a valuable partner for developing and optimizing your pipeline safety program.

ATLANTA, September 17, 2025 /3BL/ – The Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP), the nation’s leading advocate for corporate social impact professionals and purpose-driven companies, welcomed more than 400 corporate social impact leaders to Atlanta this week for their 2025 Annual Conference. This milestone event was the largest conference to date and marks ACCP’s 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of advancing corporate citizenship as an essential force in strengthening businesses and communities.

The conference arrives at a pivotal moment for the profession, as companies balance heightened public scrutiny, shifting political and economic dynamics, and increasing demands to align social investments with business strategy. Over three days, industry leaders shared innovative approaches, explored emerging trends, and spotlighted strategies for scaling community engagement and sustaining investments in areas most critical to business and society.

“Corporate citizenship isn’t just about doing good — it’s about building resilient, sustainable companies while creating positive change,” said Andrea Wood, President and CEO of ACCP. “Our community of social impact professionals is rising to meet today’s challenges with clarity and courage. As we celebrate 20 years, ACCP is equipping leaders with the tools, connections, and strategies to continue driving bold, purpose-driven impact.”

Andrea Wood is a nationally recognized CSR leader with more than two decades of experience at Best Buy, Target, and now ACCP. During the conference, Wood unveiled a three-point framework to guide professionals navigating the turbulent landscape:

1. Develop allies within your company by aligning social impact with business priorities.
2. Build strong external partnerships with communities and nonprofit leaders.
3. Be relentless about making the business case for corporate social impact by demonstrating measurable impact and advancing both company and community goals.

CSR Insights Survey: Social Impact is Holding Strong

The conference builds on insights from ACCP’s 2025 CSR Insights Survey, conducted in partnership with Blackbaud, which reveals that companies are not retreating from social impact amid scrutiny—but are adapting to align more closely with business needs. The survey and its insights were featured in an Inc.com piece during the summer.

A few of the survey’s key findings include:

• Shifting priorities: Companies are moving away from more polarizing issues and prioritizing education (particularly K–12), workforce development, and community revitalization.
• AI adoption accelerating: CSR professionals report AI usage jumped to 73%, with productivity gains cited as a top benefit.
• Employee engagement rising: Budgets for employee engagement saw the sharpest increase, while foundation and operations budgets largely held steady.
• Increased visibility of CSR roles: Public scrutiny is elevating the profession, creating more opportunities for career advancement and reinforcing the need to link impact with business outcomes.
• Political pressures reshaping DEI integration into CSR: As political scrutiny intensifies, corporate social impact professionals are navigating both real and perceived risks related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), resulting in 71% of CSR professionals report changing the language around DEI efforts, 44% have decreased external communications about DEI, and 36% have seen increased legal oversight of DEI initiatives.

Looking Ahead: Leading Boldly into the Next Era

ACCP’s anniversary celebration highlights not only its 20-year history but also its evolving role as a career-long partner for social impact leaders. The organization announced new offerings including expanded learning opportunities, local community events in major U.S. cities, and expanded advisory services for companies.

“Now more than ever, corporate social impact professionals must lead boldly—telling their stories with clarity and conviction, and never losing sight of the measurable impact their work delivers,” Wood concluded.

For more information about ACCP’s Annual Conference, visit https://accp.org/conference/.

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About Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) 
ACCP is the preeminent membership organization advancing the practice of corporate social impact. ACCP increases the effectiveness of CSR & ESG professionals and their companies by sharing knowledge, fostering solutions, and cultivating inclusive and supportive peer communities. ACCP amplifies the voices of its practitioner network to elevate strategies that work, provide innovative solutions, and expand impact. Learn more at www.accp.org.

CNH’s CASE Construction Equipment has updated its popular 580SV backhoe loader, with a host of improvements that will cut operating costs for customers and increase productivity for operators. With best-in-class engine power and torque, the 580SV delivers improved lifting and digging performance, with increased fuel efficiency.

A new transmission option incorporates Automatic Direct Drive, which engages in third and fourth gears, locking the power of the engine to the transmission. This reduces losses in the transmission, increasing gradeability and acceleration, resulting in reduced travel times for the operator and improved fuel consumption while travelling. The machine also benefits from lower noise levels at higher travel speeds, as the engine and transmission work together.

The 580SV also comes with a brake enable idle system, that allows the operator to use the machine in a cruise control manner, using the hand throttle to maintain engine and machine travel speeds. When it is necessary to slow the machine, pressing the foot brakes automatically switches the throttle to an idle position, making it easier to reduce speed.

Read more here.

• Howard Moore has had a remarkable 50-year career in engineering at Marathon driven by curiosity and innovation.
• Moore emphasizes collaboration and mentorship passing on wisdom to young engineers and students.
• His impact is evident through the success of his mentees and his continuous contributions to the company.

Howard Moore has had a remarkable journey in engineering. He’s been with the same company, though under different names, since 1975. Now, over 50 years later, Moore continues to make impactful contributions at Marathon driven by an insatiable curiosity and passion for innovation. His approach has always been rooted in problem-solving and perseverance.

“I’ve never done anything I knew how to do, but I’ve never seen anything I couldn’t figure out,” said Moore. “I just never accepted that there was something I could not do.”

This mindset has fueled a career marked by continuous improvement and a refusal to accept the status quo. Throughout his tenure, Moore has emphasized the importance of collaboration and mentorship. He credits early influences from people like his former colleague chemist Dwayne Chapman for instilling values of diligence and historical awareness in problem-solving.

“He told me to always find out what’s happened before you in any problem you work on,” said Moore. “Don’t try to invent something without knowing what other people have done. Nine times out of 10, the problem has already been at least partially solved, and we just forgot the answer. Building on what others have done, rather than starting from scratch, facilitates higher level innovations and is the basis for our civilization.”

Today, Moore passes on that wisdom by mentoring young engineers and chemical engineering students, helping the next generation tackle tomorrow’s challenges. He’s currently mentoring three undergraduate students from the University of Kentucky and Kansas State.

His mentorship has left a lasting impression on a former colleague who has found success in her career in refining. Engineer Cristal Rodriguez was working for a catalyst vendor at Marathon’s Galveston Bay, Texas, refinery in 2015. She would prepare refining unit reviews and try to anticipate every question Moore might ask.

“Those sessions taught me how to think critically, ask the right questions, and hold myself to a high standard,” said Rodriguez. “By the end of that period, we had developed a strong relationship, and together we even began training the young engineers during the unit reviews, so they could learn and grow into experts of their own units.”

She said she didn’t realize how much those moments would shape her career.

“Howard believed in me before I fully believed in myself, and that encouragement pushed me to grow,” said Rodriguez. “The foundation he helped me build is one of the reasons I’ve been able to excel in every company I’ve worked for since. I’ll always be grateful.”

Moore’s enduring enthusiasm for engineering is evident in his daily work. He thrives on new challenges and values the collaborative environment at Marathon. His belief in engineering’s power to improve the world remains steadfast, as does his commitment to shaping a better future through thoughtful innovation and mentorship.

“As a leader within the company, Howard has also been devoted to mentoring young engineers, encouraging them to strive for excellence,” said MPC Vice President Technology & Refining Services Jeff Sexton. “His impact on their careers is immeasurable. His story is a testament to the profound impact one engineer can have over a lifetime and beyond.

As Moore continues his journey, his legacy serves as a beacon of dedication, resilience and inspiration. He still finds interesting things to do at Marathon and plans to keep doing it for the foreseeable future.

Backed by more than twice the research and citations, the second edition of the Investing in Health Pays Back report establishes well-being as a definitive business imperative, featuring an extensive body of evidence showing how prioritizing health fuels productivity, strengthens retention and recruitment and enhances real estate value.

NEW YORK, September 16, 2025 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) today released the second edition of its landmark report, Investing in Health Pays Back: The Business Case for Healthy Buildings and Healthy Organizations, offering a singular resource that brings together the largest collection of research to date that links investments in health and well-being to measurable economic returns.

The new report, released as the second edition, more than doubles the research and citations from the original, integrating academic studies, industry data and real-world case studies. This report offers a clear answer to a pressing question facing practitioners today: how should future projects be shaped to elevate human health while unlocking significant economic value? Collectively, it also makes a powerful case to policymakers, real estate leaders and institutional investors that investing in people is not just the right thing to do—it’s one of the smartest economic strategies organizations can pursue.

“We’ve gathered and distilled into one indispensable resource the strongest global evidence to date linking healthy buildings with human well-being and performance,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. “Whether you’re an investor, developer, architect, engineer or advocate, by giving you the data and insights you need to make the case for healthier buildings and the value of WELL, together we’re building the foundation for a healthier future.”

Among the report’s key findings:

• Investing in holistic employee health could generate nearly $12 trillion in global economic value and boost global GDP by up to 12%, according to a McKinsey Health Institute study.
• Improved ventilation can increase employee productivity up to $7,500 per person per year, according to a study led by Harvard researchers.
• Certified healthy buildings command rent premiums of 4% to7%, according to two independent studies, one from MIT researchers and another from researchers at the University of Cambridge.
• WELL Certified buildings report significantly higher employee satisfaction compared to non-certified buildings, including 18% more satisfied with access to sunlight, 17% more satisfied with acoustical privacy, 16% more satisfied with connection to the outdoor environment, 12% more satisfied with lighting, 11% more satisfied with thermal comfort and 10% more satisfied with both indoor air quality and air movement.
• Occupants in WELL Certified buildings are 39% more likely to report satisfaction with the building compared to those in green-certified buildings.

“With this report, we’re equipping everyone across IWBI’s global community with the data they need to drive faster adoption of healthy building practices,” said Dr. Jason Hartke, the lead author and IWBI’s Executive Vice President for External Affairs and Global Advocacy. “The message is clear: prioritizing health delivers measurable returns across productivity, talent retention, real estate value and operational resilience.”

The report also explores the rising importance of social sustainability, showing how health-related metrics are being embedded into sustainable finance vehicles—including green, social and sustainability-linked bonds—and reshaping investment decisions at scale. To date, WELL has been incorporated in 13 different types of financial instruments—including green bonds, social bonds and sustainability-linked bonds and loans—and featured in sustainable finance frameworks, regulatory guides, reports and case studies in 29 countries, spanning five continents.

Read the full report at: https://www.wellcertified.com/health-pays-back/

Quotes from the Report:

“Buildings—the places where each of us spends roughly 90% of our lives – must be at the heart of the solution to foster wellness and deliver positive health outcomes at scale, not to mention the many economic benefits for organizations implementing these science-backed strategies,” said Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States.

“What we see now—more clearly than ever—is that investing in healthy buildings and organizations is one of the smartest, most immediate returns we can make,” said Professor Alessandro Miani, Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) and University of Milan. “It not only protects and enhances human health, but also creates a host of powerful economic benefits, such as increasing real estate value, boosting productivity, and improving efforts to attract and retain top talent. Investing in health has clearly become a business imperative.”

“Transforming the health and well-being of the places and spaces where we live, work and gather presents an unprecedented opportunity to improve public health—while unlocking incredible economic value for organizations,” said Rick Fedrizzi, Executive Chairman, IWBI. “After all, people are the single largest investment of any organization, accounting for 90% of expenses. By linking healthier environments to measurable gains in productivity, satisfaction and retention, the findings enable organizations to move beyond intuition and make data-driven decisions that enhance their human capital strategy.”

“Employers increasingly recognize that accommodating individuals who think differently can provide a huge competitive advantage,” said Kay Sargent, author of Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media contact:

media@wellcertified.com

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