Tag: 3BL

Craig Martinez never expected to trade in his police badge for a magenta one. But after nearly three decades in law enforcement and the military, the calling that had defined his life — to protect, to serve, to help those in need — found a new uniform at T-Mobile.

Today, Martinez leads public safety strategy for T-Mobile’s emergency response teams, ensuring that first responders across the country have the connectivity and technology they need when every second counts. And earlier this year, Martinez drew on his firsthand understanding of emergency operations to help launch T-Mobile’s T-Priority — a cutting-edge 5G solution built specifically for first responders. For him, the work is still about answering the call, but on a scale he never imagined.

“This opportunity meant I still get to help first responders and communities not only where I live but across the country,” Martinez said.

That spirit of service is also at the heart of T-Mobile’s annual holiday time Giving Season, the company’s celebration of how employees show up for their communities and each other. Funded by the T-Mobile Foundation, which aims to make a difference by mobilizing its brand, technology and people for social good, the company encourages all employees to give back throughout the year in big and small ways, volunteering time or donating to charities they are passionate about. In 2025, the spotlight shines on first responders: the firefighters, EMTs and officers who run toward danger so the rest of us can stay safe.

Starting on National First Responders Day, Oct. 28, the T-Mobile Foundation will provide employees a $25 donation credit to put toward an organization of their choice during its Giving Season, which runs through Nov. 21. Additionally, the T-Mobile Foundation will provide a 2:1 match on employee donations to selected first responder causes that include Tunnel to Towers, American Red Cross, First Responder Children’s Foundation and American Heart Association.

The company is also empowering its customers to take part in charitable efforts on a national scale through T-Mobile Tuesdays via the T-Life app. On National First Responders Day, customers are encouraged to click to have T-Mobile donate up to $250,000 to Tunnel to Towers, supporting the families of fallen first responders. On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, people can click to donate to First Responders Children’s Foundation, with T-Mobile matching and donating up to $200,000 in total.

Since 2020, T-Mobile has given $43 million and volunteered more than 134,000 hours to support over 20,000 nonprofits across the U.S. during Giving Season.

For Martinez, it’s personal.

“I always said if I decided to retire after 27 years of being in law enforcement and the military, I need to do something that I love because I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” Martinez said.

A marine fresh out of high school who rose to the rank of police chief in Utah, Martinez’s extensive background in roles such as patrol, investigations and public information officer has equipped him with a unique set of skills to lead T-Mobile’s public safety teams.

“At T-Mobile we have almost 50 retired police officers on our public safety teams with almost 1,400 years of combined experience,” he explained. “To me that says something. It’s a huge benefit not only for my first responder brothers and sisters but for the company as a whole, because when I talk to police leaders about why T-Mobile is such a powerhouse, we know we are the best choice. We understand their needs and are always in their corner to make sure they have the tools and connectivity in any type of setting.”

For half a decade, Martinez says he and members of T-Mobile’s emergency response teams across the country have been a constant partner with agencies and its responders — advising them on connectivity needs and community support. From natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, to more recent events this year such as wildfires in California and floods in Texas, he has been involved in every stage of preparing and responding to support first responders and the communities they serve no matter where they are or the circumstance.

“We’re ready today for the event that may happen tomorrow,” he said. “The way I love to look at it is you don’t have to get ready if you stay ready.”

Martinez says his team has more tools than ever at their disposal, like 5G-powered drones and AI and automation-driven technology that monitors performance and makes real-time adjustments to cell towers. He’s also constantly assessing how to best use T-Priority to provide connectivity in places that are experiencing extreme network congestion during emergencies or without traditional cell coverage.

“What I really love about our teams is the fact we are coordinating across all of T-Mobile all the time to support first responders and the community as a whole,” Martinez said.

Through T-Priority, T-Mobile delivers an evolving suite of technologies designed specifically for public safety and emergency response. This program combines a dedicated 5G network slice — providing lower latency, faster speeds and the highest priority access across all 5G bands on its network — with new tools that extend connectivity even further.

And T-Priority also continues to grow through new collaborations with organizations such as Airgain, Cellhub/TriCascade, Global Telecom, Sonim and Siyata Mobile. These organizations are equipping first responders and public safety agencies with an even wider range of connected devices — from rugged smartphones and in-vehicle routers to fleet management and situational awareness tools — all capable of supporting real-time video, data and voice communication in the field.

T-Mobile launched T-Satellite with Starlink as part of the broader T-Priority ecosystem. It’s the first direct-to-cell satellite service in the country that enables life-saving emergency texts where no cell tower could reach. The company most recently announced the technology is also powering data on popular apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps and AllTrails on most smartphones from the last four years. That means essential tools like app-based voice and video chat, mapping, weather and social media sharing are also now part of the T-Satellite experience.

“Ultimately the way I look at connectivity and the solutions and services that we provide is the ability to affect lives,” Martinez said. “In law enforcement and firefighting, time saves lives. The speed and reliability of secure communications can save lives. Things like T-Priority and T-Satellite can save lives. We already have quantified data that shows that these solutions have affected lifesaving efforts. The proof is there.”

It’s another reason why T-Mobile’s Giving Season is focusing on first responders this year — because behind every emergency response are men and women whose quiet heroics keep communities safe, often without recognition.

“I love the support that T-Mobile and our senior leaders are giving to first responders because honestly, we’re doing the right thing,” Martinez said. “I just flew back from New York, attending events with members of Tunnel to Towers. I watched the CEO Frank Siller stand on a stage with hundreds of people in attendance and specifically shout out T-Mobile for what we’re doing to give back to our first responders. It made me emotional.”

The emotion and pride that washed over Martinez that day is not just as a T-Mobile employee, but as someone who spent his life in the same shoes as the first responders being honored. He says Giving Season is just another way for him to keep answering the call. For all of T-Mobile and its employees, it’s a chance to stand with him — and with every first responder who shows up when it matters most.

Learn more here about the many tools and advanced technological solutions Martinez and the T-Mobile Emergency Response teams use to help support first responders and keep communities connected when it’s most important. And don’t forget to visit T-Mobile Tuesdays via the T-Life app on National Responders Day, Oct. 28, and Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, where you can click to donate to Tunnel to Towers and First Responders Children’s Foundation respectively.

Direct Relief announced today that it has delivered more than $2 billion in medical and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, underscoring the nonprofit’s role as one of the largest private philanthropic supporters of the country’s health system.

In addition to the $2 billion in aid, Direct Relief has committed more than $60 million in financial support to local healthcare providers and organizations providing care in Ukraine and other countries, including Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, that have opened their doors to Ukrainian refugees.

From the first airlifts of trauma kits in February 2022 to the installation of battery-backup systems in hospitals during winter blackouts, Direct Relief has worked in continuous collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, regional authorities, and local healthcare providers.

Forty-four tons of medical aid bound for Ukraine departed from Direct Relief’s warehouse on June 17, 2022. (Lara Cooper/Direct Relief)

“Surpassing the $2 billion mark is not just a measure of what has been delivered. It’s a reflection of the trust placed in Direct Relief by donors and the resolve of Ukraine’s health providers, who have held their system together under extraordinary strain,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief. “This milestone underscores what can be achieved when private philanthropy and mission-driven partners act decisively together. As the war continues, our focus remains on ensuring consistent access to care, from medicines and rehabilitation to resilient power, mental health support, and essential medical services for displaced and vulnerable populations.”

In partnership with the Ministry of Health, Direct Relief has aligned its support with Ukraine’s national recovery priorities — supporting health facilities serving internally displaced people, rehabilitating critical infrastructure, expanding access to advanced therapies for chronic and rare diseases, and funding organizations providing psychosocial and trauma recovery programs. This sustained engagement reflects a transition from crisis response to system reinforcement, ensuring that aid continues to deliver impact well beyond the immediate emergency.

“Direct Relief has been consistently supporting Ukraine’s healthcare system throughout the war. This assistance is coordinated with the Ministry of Health, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most. We highly value this partnership, which saves Ukrainian lives and strengthens the resilience of healthcare services. In the most challenging moments — when hospitals operate under shelling, when the power goes out but doctors continue treating patients — the support of Direct Relief is especially tangible,” said Viktor Liashko, Ukraine’s Minister of Health.

“It stands as an example of effective international solidarity, embodied in concrete results: modern equipment, medicines, backup power systems, and the development of rehabilitation and mental health services. We are deeply grateful to the Direct Relief team and to everyone helping to reinforce Ukraine’s healthcare system, ensuring it remains effective, strong, and resilient.”

Essential Medicines and Supplies

Delivery of Direct Relief-donated medicines in March, 2023, to Kharkiv, Ukraine (Kharkiv Renovation Fund)

At the center of Direct Relief’s work is the provision of critical medicines and supplies. To date, the organization has delivered more than $2,046,000,000 in wholesale value, including more than 449 million defined daily doses of essential medicines used for trauma care, chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, and maternal and child health. These shipments are directed by real-time requests from the Ministry of Health and local providers to ensure every delivery meets urgent and specific clinical needs.

Rehabilitation & Prosthetics: Restoring Lives, Rebuilding Futures

Team sports and regular exercise sessions at the gymnasium are part of life at Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv. (Unbroken)

As Ukraine’s health system continues to absorb the human cost of war, thousands of civilians and service members have lost limbs and now face long paths to recovery. Direct Relief’s support for rehabilitation and prosthetics has focused on strengthening national institutions and independent organizations working to restore mobility and rebuild lives.

Among them is the Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv, now a national hub for advanced rehabilitative care. With support from Direct Relief and others, Unbroken has transformed a seven-story building into a fully equipped center where patients living with limb loss and other injuries relearn daily routines.

Direct Relief also supports the Protez Foundation, a U.S.- and Ukraine-based nonprofit that manufactures and fits custom prosthetics for civilians and soldiers injured in the conflict. The foundation has expanded its workshops and training programs with help from Direct Relief, enabling hundreds of amputees to receive modern prosthetic limbs and specialized therapy, free of charge.

Ukrainians who have lost limbs during the war are given prosthetics and learn rehabilitation exercises at the Protez Foundation. (Olivia Lewis/Direct Relief)

A growing number of those receiving care are also joining the workforce to help others. At U+ System in Kyiv, a Direct Relief–supported organization, veterans who once depended on prosthetics now produce and fit them for new patients — part of an emerging trend of amputees becoming prosthetists. “When a technician is an amputee himself, it’s easier to share this experience and help patients realize how they can recover after such a trauma,” said surgeon Oleksandra Mostepan.

Protez has launched a similar initiative, employing veterans and equipping workstations for people with disabilities. “We already have two veterans working — Danyl and Mykola — and we’re preparing more,” said Yury Aroshidze, the foundation’s CEO.

Together, these programs are redefining rehabilitation in Ukraine, shifting it from a story only defined by loss to one that includes leadership, skill-building, and community resilience.

Expanding Access to Health Services Across Ukraine

Ukrainian NGO Charity Fund Modern Village and Town, with the support of Direct Relief, provided medical consultations to kids in need of care in Kirovohrad, Ukraine. Specialists examined and consulted with 250 children from newborn to 18 years old, free of charge. (Photo courtesy of Charity Fund Modern Village and Town)

As millions of people have been displaced internally, and many communities continue to experience intense conditions, Direct Relief supports medical outreach programs that expand access to both primary and specialized healthcare for residents and internally displaced persons throughout Ukraine. These programs strengthen local health capacity by equipping healthcare facilities, mobile teams, and regional networks to deliver consistent, high-quality care to people who have lost access to regular medical services.

Through these efforts, Direct Relief helps health providers respond to the evolving needs of their communities. This includes managing chronic conditions and prenatal care, as well as providing essential consultations, medicines, and diagnostics in areas hosting displaced populations.

By reinforcing healthcare delivery networks nationwide, Direct Relief ensures that people affected by conflict and displacement can access safe, reliable care close to where they live. This work sustains the continuity of Ukraine’s health system through unprecedented challenges.

Power Resilience for Health Facilities: Keeping the Lights on in Crisis

In the town of Derhachi, five miles northwest of Kharkiv, two Tesla Powerwalls donated by the Polish government were installed last November at the local 100-bed hospital. “Now we can be sure that all operations will go ahead and that no patients are lost because of power outages,” said head surgeon Oleg Donchak. (Nick Allen/Direct Relief)

Electric grid attacks have become a recurrent tactic in Ukraine, severing power to homes and health facilities alike. To address power outages at critical facilities, Direct Relief supported the purchase and installation of battery-backup systems under its Power for Health initiative, donating more than 2,000 battery storage units to hospitals and health facilities across the country.

This critical infrastructure powers surgical suites, neonatal incubators, oxygen concentrators, and electronic health records systems during blackouts. At Kharkiv Regional Hospital alone, the battery units help the facility operate autonomously, absorbing grid outages and enabling continuous care.

Ukraine’s Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, noted that each attack on the energy grid directly threatens patients’ lives, saying, “Every day, our medical facilities are subjected to targeted attacks … Ensuring uninterrupted medical care under any conditions … is our main task in the realities of war.”

In one harrowing case, doctors performed a critical surgery during a blackout by switching to battery power mid-procedure, an operation that would have otherwise been interrupted. Such incidents underscore the life-saving role of backup power in wartime.

By investing in resilient energy systems, Direct Relief helps preserve the backbone of Ukraine’s health infrastructure — allowing doctors to save lives even when the grid goes dark.

Healing the Invisible Wounds of War: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

A Ukrainian emergency psychologist interacts with children in a flood-affected community. (Melinda Endrefy/Hromada Hub)

Beyond physical devastation, the war has inflicted deep psychological wounds on the people of Ukraine. Daily threats of violence, displacement, and loss have left millions facing anxiety, depression, and trauma. In response, Direct Relief has made mental health and psychosocial support a central element of its ongoing humanitarian work, supporting organizations that are building national psychosocial support networks and expanding the availability of trained counselors and clinical psychologists.

In addition, Direct Relief is supporting an effort to train mental health professionals and civil defense first responders to assist people in the immediate aftermath of attacks, flooding, and other crises. The model is designed to help communities stabilize quickly and recover.

Sustained Commitment

A mother plays with and puts a cover on her son on the way between Medyka and Przemyśl in Poland. (Photo by Oscar Castillo for Direct Relief)

Since February 2022, more than 2,300 medical facilities in Ukraine have been damaged, including 305 fully destroyed, according to the Ministry of Health. The World Bank and European Union estimate that the country’s health sector faces $19.4 billion in recovery needs — a scale of loss that underscores both the urgency and the importance of sustained private humanitarian engagement.

Direct Relief accepts no government funding, relying solely on private donations and in-kind contributions to maintain the speed and flexibility required in crisis response. The organization will continue to support the country’s health system — from medicine deliveries and rehabilitation programs to expanded healthcare access, resilient power, and mental health — to ensure care remains available into the future.

BETHESDA, Md., October 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Tandem Global is pleased to announce the publication of its latest Executive Roundtable Summary: “Supply Chain Collaboration for Sustainability,” reflecting insights from the Roundtable held in Madrid on October 1-2, 2025, sponsored by CRH. The full summary is available now at: https://bit.ly/3WlXs1W

Key Highlights

The summary draws on candid, solutions-oriented discussions among 30 senior sustainability and procurement executives from global companies, facilitated by Tandem Global and moderated by industry experts.

Topics covered include:

• How companies can cascade sustainability goals throughout their value chains and engage suppliers in meaningful ways.
• The importance of supplier training, data transparency, and dual dashboards to strengthen supplier responsiveness.
• Challenges and best practices for leveraging AI, tracking Scope 3 emissions, and developing more sustainable products through supplier collaboration.

Sponsors and participants included major industry players and experts from sectors including chemicals, construction, aerospace, and energy.

Why this Summary Matters

In an era where the bulk of many companies’ environmental and social impact lies deeper in their supply chains, the need for collaborative, strategic action is more urgent than ever. According to the Roundtable, the keys to meaningful progress include:

• Building a shared understanding of sustainability challenges across customers and suppliers.
• Aligning procurement and sustainability teams to integrate sustainability into core business practices—not just as a separate function.
• Leveraging digital tools and data (including AI and dashboards) for multi-tier supplier engagement and performance tracking.
• Cultivating supplier empowerment, training, and co-innovation rather than top-down mandates alone.

For sustainability leaders, procurement professionals, and value-chain stakeholders, this summary offers actionable insights and a forward-thinking framework to drive supplier collaboration initiatives.

Availability

The Executive Roundtable Summary is freely accessible as a PDF download at https://bit.ly/3WlXs1W

Tandem Global encourages professionals engaged in supply-chain sustainability and supplier collaboration to review and share the document with relevant teams and stakeholders.

Upcoming Executive Roundtable

February 25–26, 2026 | Washington, D.C. | Sponsored by Beveridge & Diamond

As part of its Executive Roundtable Series, Tandem Global will convene 35 senior sustainability, communications, and legal experts from global companies across North America and Europe to explore the topic: Ambition Meets Regulation: Strategy and Risk Management in Sustainability – Goal-Setting and Disclosures.

This invitation-only roundtable will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

To request participation or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Frank Werner at fwerner@tandemglobal.org.

About Tandem Global

Tandem Global (formerly WHC and WEC), provides the know-how and the network to move business and the environment forward, together. Across sectors and at all levels of its 100+ member organizations, Tandem Global connects leading thinking with practical solutions that positively impact climate, nature, and water. From field operations to boardrooms and beyond, corporate leaders turn to Tandem Global for impact strategies and resilient solutions that can support a better future. tandemglobal.org.

EMERYVILLE, Calif., October 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Foresight has entered into a strategic agreement with SCS Global Services to assist manufacturers seeking SCS Recycled Content Certification for their products. Foresight, which provides EHS, energy, and sustainability services, is now an approved contractor for Recycled Content Certification support.

SCS Recycled Content Certification, adhering to the SCS-103 Recycled Content Certification Standard, is one of the market’s most sought-after sustainability claims. Certification provides credible authentication to buyers seeking more sustainable products that have incorporated recycled content. To qualify, at least five percent of a product must be made with pre- or post-consumer recycled content.

Earning this product certification provides a concrete way for a company to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. Certified products may display a certification logo on product and are also listed on SCS’ Certified Green Products Guide.

Certification can also expand market access for products through preferable purchasing agreements and the LEED® rating system. The most popular categories for recycled content are:

• Electronics
• Building materials
• Packaging
• Textiles
• Home goods and more

Foresight, with its extensive experience in product certifications including BIFMA LEVEL and the Declare Label, can provide support throughout the auditing process helping streamline certification for product manufacturers. This can be very useful for companies that have not been through a certification process. As a neutral, third-party auditor, SCS is barred from providing guidance to companies seeking certification.

“We’re excited to work with SCS to make this process more accessible to manufacturers who want to take the next step,” said David DeYoung, head of sales at Foresight. “Incorporating recycled content into products is an essential part of developing a circular economy, but it’s also a strategic decision to align with what the market wants. We look forward to helping more manufacturers along this journey.”

“We are pleased to have such an experienced and solid consulting provider in Foresight to help more companies access the certification,” stated Youssra Elkhatib, program manager for Material Content at SCS. “We look forward to a successful working relationship to drive increased adoption of this broadly recognized certification across multiple industries.”

Read More

About Foresight 
Foresight is a full-service sustainability, energy, and EHS firm built for manufacturers. Since 2007, it has supported companies across automotive, furniture, CPG, aerospace, and more. Foresight blends deep engineering, consulting, and software, with a relentless focus on ROI, data integrity, and strategic impact. Services include carbon management and reporting, energy procurement, facility audits, product certifications, compliance advisory, supply chain support, and renewable feasibility studies. Backed by a team of experts, Foresight acts as a trusted partner to turn ambition into action and help organizations thrive sustainably. For more information, visit https://www.fsmgmt.co/.

About SCS Global Services 
SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, and standards development, currently celebrating its 40th year of services. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

 

Media Contacts: 

Foresight: 
Carolyn Buck, Communications Manager, Email
 

SCS Global Services: 

Stephanie Flynn, Marketing Manager, Email

NEW YORK, October 28, 2025 /3BL/ – The swirl of change around corporate sustainability reporting can create what feels like an increasingly crowded “alphabet soup” of directives, standards, frameworks, and mandates. Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A), a leading corporate sustainability consulting and research firm, has released a one-page guide to support companies in navigating the essential frameworks for sustainability reporting.

The quick reference guide, “The ABCs of Corporate Sustainability: Deciphering Key ESG Reporting Frameworks” is meticulously crafted to present the most concise possible explanation of essential mandatory and voluntary frameworks.

While not fully comprehensive, the guide presents the frameworks most often encountered by corporate sustainability reporters. It also provides links to further resources for deeper exploration of each framework or standard.

This quick reference guide aims to help users navigate the ABCs of corporate reporting frameworks with:

• A concise definition of each framework and its implementation status;
• Resource papers and briefs to go deeper into scope and requirements;
• Overlapping relationships among the frameworks, along with links to more guidance on interoperability.

Charlotte Perrottey, G&A Vice President of Sustainability Consulting, commented, “This guide fits a lot of information into a handy, small package. It captures what companies most need to know about the key frameworks at this moment in time — even as things continue to evolve — and efficiently relays not just definitions, but also the latest implementation status and how the frameworks relate to one another.”

The one-page guide is freely available within G&A’s resource center and can be downloaded here.

About G&A Institute, Inc.

G&A Institute is a leading sustainability consulting and research firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 2006, Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A) is a sustainability consulting and research firm headquartered in New York City. G&A helps corporate and investor clients recognize, understand, and develop winning strategies for sustainability and ESG issues to address stakeholder and shareholder concerns. G&A’s proprietary, comprehensive full-suite process for sustainability reporting is designed to help organizations achieve sustainability leadership in their industry and sector and maximize return on investment for sustainability initiatives.

Since 2011, G&A has been building and expanding a comprehensive database of corporate sustainability reporting data based on analysis of thousands of ESG and sustainability reports to help steer strategy for our clients and improve their disclosure and reporting.

More information is available on our website at ga-institute.com.

CONTACT:
Louis D. Coppola, Executive Vice President & Co-Founder 
Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.
Tel 646.430.8230 ext 14 
Email: lcoppola@ga-institute.com

PORTLAND, Ore., October 28, 2025 /3BL/ – The Green Building Initiative (GBI) has announced that the Global Electronics Council’s (GEC) EPEAT® ecolabel will serve as an additional pathway for evaluating the sustainability and efficiency of products within GBI Ascent^™ and Green Globes®certifications. This alignment strengthens the connection between product-level sustainability and building-level performance, enabling more holistic evaluation of energy efficiency across the built environment.

“We are pleased to promote EPEAT as a trusted resource for procurement professionals and manufacturers to support delivery and implementation of the most efficient products available,” said Vicki Worden, GBI CEO.

“Energy use in the built environment is exploding, led by rapid data center growth and increasing power demands to run the servers, networking equipment, and data storage equipment housed in them,” said Bob Mitchell, CEO of the Global Electronics Council. “Integrating EPEAT into the Green Globes and Ascent certifications ensures that energy use and all other sustainability impacts of ICT equipment used in data centers and all GBI certified buildings are minimized. We are thrilled with this exciting new collaboration and look forward to working with GBI to help their members adopt EPEAT registered ICT equipment.”

GBI’s Green Globes and Ascent certifications are designed to align with industry standards and offer multiple compliance pathways, making sustainability certification more accessible to a broad range of building types. The integration of EPEAT adds both flexibility and accountability for Green Globes and Ascent users, helping to reduce risk while achieving measurable outcomes. Together, GBI and GEC are equipping project teams to achieve deeper, measurable sustainability impacts.

To date, over 25 million square feet of data centers have been certified or are pursuing Green Globes or Ascent certification in 18 states and Canada, underscoring the scale and impact of sustainable choices in this rapidly growing sector. EPEAT registered office equipment, including computers and imaging equipment – can also now be used to meet GBI’s product level sustainability criteria in other built environments.

Today, data centers account for roughly 1.5% of global electricity consumption used to power data center ICT equipment and accompanying cooling strategies. This figure is predicted to double by 2030. GEC offers EPEAT registered Servers and Solar Panels and Inverters among its product categories, providing a method of standardization and comparison among the market, and EPEAT registered Network Equipment is expected soon. EPEAT registered data storage equipment is expected to be available in FY27. Recognizing EPEAT registered products in data centers will continue to improve data center performance. EPEAT registered products are also third party verified as meeting criteria which catalyze climate change mitigation in the ICT manufacturing process and advance circularity, use of safer chemicals, and responsible supply chains. EPEAT registered office products can now also be used to help meet GBI’s Green Globes and Ascent criteria requirements.

GBI and the GEC share a mission to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and improve performance. By aligning GBI Green Globes and Ascent certifications with GEC’s EPEAT® ecolabel, the organizations are advancing a more integrated approach to building sustainability—empowering owners, operators, and manufacturers to make informed choices that contribute to healthier, more efficient, and resilient buildings worldwide.

 

About GBI 

GBI is an international nonprofit organization and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer dedicated to reducing climate impacts by improving the built environment. Founded in 2004, the organization is the global provider of the Green Globes®, Ascent^™, Journey to Net Zero^™ and federal Guiding Principles Compliance building assessment and certification programs. GBI also issues professional credentials, including the Green Globes Professional (GGP) and Guiding Principles Compliance Professional (GPCP). To learn more about opportunities to become involved with GBI, contact info@thegbi.org or visit the GBI website at www.thegbi.org.

 

About the Global Electronics Council

The Global Electronics Council (GEC) envisions a world with only sustainable electronic technology that enhances the well-being of people and the planet. Our mission is to accelerate the transformation of markets toward prioritizing the most sustainable electronic products and services.

As stewards of the EPEAT® ecolabel, we set global standards for electronics that empower brands, their value chains and their buyers to achieve ambitious sustainability goals. Through our thought leadership, advocacy, and EPEAT ecolabel, GEC is helping to reshape the electronics industry into a driving force for environmental preservation and global well-being. Visit gec.org to learn more.

WASHINGTON, October 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Educators can learn directly from leading edtech experts on Tuesday, November 4, at Elevating Innovation: Thinking in an AI World presented by Digital Promise and Verizon. This virtual conference is free to all educators as part of Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative focused on closing the digital divide.

The fourth annual event will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and technology can reimagine the future of education and amplify powerful learning by sparking learner curiosity, agency, purpose and connection. Attendees will gain fresh strategies, research-based practices and inspiration to transform their classrooms and schools.

An opening panel featuring educators and education leaders and moderated by Tiffany Taylor, president of ASU+GSV Summit, will examine what it means to think in an AI world. Other featured speakers include bestselling author Dan Fitzpatrick, a.k.a. The AI Educator, and Gerry Brooks, a former principal and current education humorist.

Interactive sessions will focus on topics such as: using AI as a partner in powerful learning; supporting students in choosing human and AI help; learning with immersive technology; the benefits of esports; and more.

Elevating Innovation: Thinking in an AI World is suggested for K-12 district and campus leaders, instructional coaches, and classroom educators who want to explore new ways to engage students in powerful learning experiences with or without AI.

“AI can be a catalyst for powerful learning when used to empower—not replace—the human side of teaching,” said Dr. D’Andre Weaver, Digital Promise Vice President and Chief Powerful Learning Officer. “We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Verizon to ensure educators can utilize AI and other emerging technology in classrooms; Elevating Innovation will highlight how educators can harness AI to deepen engagement, personalize learning, and inspire curiosity in every classroom.”

The virtual event will take place on November 4 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. ET on Verizon Innovative Learning HQ; a free account is required. Free registration can be found on Swapcard.

Press Contact:
Jessica Schuler
Digital Promise
410-598-9848
jschuler@digitalpromise.org

###

About Digital Promise
Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale innovations that support learners, especially those who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. Our vision is that every person engages in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website.

About Verizon Innovative Learning
Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, is celebrating over a decade of commitment to addressing barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers. Since 2012, the program has committed over $1 billion in market value, reaching nearly 9 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and emerging technology-infused learning programs —enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive extended reality (XR) educational experiences to all educators, including K–12 teachers, nationwide. A key program under the company’s responsible business plan, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to achieve the company’s goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030.

Las Vegas Sands

On Sept. 13, the National Hispanic Institute hosted a celebration to honor 84 Las Vegas high school students who participated in its leadership development programs this year, marking the organization’s fourth year in Las Vegas through funding from Sands Cares.

“With its continued support for our Las Vegas program, Sands is making an investment in bright futures for local students and the community, as we aim to give participants the skillsets, confidence and inspiration to invent ideas and actions for community advancement,” Nicole Nieto, executive vice president of NHI, said. “Some of this year’s graduating seniors completed the entire NHI journey, and we’ve seen their growth and increased confidence as strong, capable leaders.”

NHI’s curriculum aims to cultivate future civic and business leaders by developing participants’ skills in communication, community advocacy and policy-making, while preparing them for success in higher education.

Rising sophomores enter NHI’s program to prepare for the Great Debate, which emphasizes communications skills as a tool for self-advancement and community change. Rising juniors participate in the Lorenzo de Zavala (LDZ) Youth Legislative Session, which exposes students to governance, organizational development and policy design, and rising seniors participate in the Collegiate World Series, which has a dual focus of preparing students for college admissions and community leadership. Each program emphasizes asset-based thinking and trains youth to view themselves as capable of affecting change through their own resources and strengths.

The September celebration culminated the students’ participation in these progressive leadership development programs over the past year. After the event, Las Vegas students reflected on the empowering impact of the NHI experience:

Abbey Messner, senior, West Career and Technical Academy

“These programs teach you how to collaborate with different people from different geographies, who may have different ideas and ideals than you. I’ve heard so many different ideas and experiences, and I really feel so grown and mature because through NHI, I’ve gotten to interact with people from all over the world.

“Because of these programs, I have changed my plans from pursuing a pre-medical degree, and I want to become a lawyer. I realized it doesn’t matter how nervous I may feel speaking in front of people – I want to advocate for people. Being a part of NHI has brought that to light for me.

“NHI helped me find my community and helped me improve my skills and realize how important my impact is. I learned you can speak out. I get to be a whole new person because NHI gave me a safe space to try anything.”

Emmanuel Gutierrez, senior, West Career and Technical Academy

“What I remember most is the friends I made at the programs and the moments we shared. Being together for a week allowed me to foster strong connections and make long-lasting relationships.

“NHI has prepared me for the future by opening doors by networking with college recruiters and NHI staff. I learned so much about the college application process, and it has made my application so much more manageable.”

Moises Medina, senior, Rancho High School

“My most important takeaway was how powerful, loud and impactful someone my age can be. It might sound a little cliché, but doing NHI has really helped me find my voice and taught me the importance of advocacy. I gained the skills of leadership, advocacy and empathy. Talking with the other participants and learning about each other’s stories really shows how stories can impact and help someone.”

Selena Orejuela, senior, Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School

“The most important takeaway from NHI is learning that leadership is not about waiting for change but becoming the change yourself. NHI gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a Latino community that is dedicated to shaping the future, and it showed me that I have the ability to take initiative, build community and lead with purpose.

“NHI has prepared me for the next phase of life by teaching me to seek opportunities and embrace challenges with determination. Beyond academics, it showed me the importance of vision-driven leadership and gave me a community of peers who also believe in creating a brighter future for Latinos. The lessons I learned at NHI will continue to guide me as I move into college and beyond.”

Sands helped bring NHI to Las Vegas in 2022 and has supported the leadership development program annually since then. This summer, Sands Cares funding enabled NHI to introduce the Heroes, Heroines and Legends program as an entrée to NHI’s curriculum and its asset-based thinking approach. Since 2022, NHI has provided transformative learning experiences to more than 140 Las Vegas students.

Sands’ support for NHI is part of the Sands Cares focus on education and building the workforce of the future. To learn more about the company’s education initiatives, read its latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

Infrastructure systems around the world are under strain — from roads and bridges to power and water networks. Host Angie Dickson, President of the Inogen Alliance and EVP of Antea Group USA, is joined by Chris Perks, Sector Director of Transportation at Tonkin + Taylor in New Zealand, and Thomas Noack, VP of International Business at HPC in Germany. Together, they explore new funding models, sustainable design, and the growing role of private-sector innovation in building infrastructure that lasts.

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Rockwell Automation recently announced its continued collaboration with Energy Observer, supporting the development and launch of the Energy Observer 3 (EO3) watercraft. This next-generation laboratory vessel will test a variety of low-carbon solutions in real maritime conditions, setting new standards for decarbonization and innovation in maritime mobility.

Operating with no direct greenhouse gas emissions, the laboratory vessel pioneers a groundbreaking energy system that uses ammonia as a hydrogen carrier. EO3 integrates an ammonia cracker, dual fuel cells (proton exchange membrane and solid oxide fuel cell), a 100%-ammonia engine with NOx aftertreatment, batteries, automated wind propulsion wings, and a superstructure fully covered with high-efficiency solar cells.

Much more than a technology platform, EO3 will also serve as a space for experimentation, audiovisual production, educational outreach, and international events, bringing together engineers, researchers, artists, and decision-makers.

“Our partnership with Energy Observer is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation, expertise, and shared values come together,” said Emmanuel Guilhamon, global vice president of sustainability, Rockwell Automation, “For nearly a decade, Rockwell Automation has supported Energy Observer’s mission to pioneer sustainable energy solutions at sea. Energy Observer 3 represents the next chapter in our collaboration, combining advanced automation, data management, and human creativity to drive real progress in maritime decarbonization. Together, we are committed to building a more sustainable future — one voyage at a time.”

The first test bench preparing a simulation of the energy chain onboard of EO3 will include the latest IT/OT, visualization and data management solutions.

These technologies will support EO3’s hybrid energy systems, including ammonia cracking, hydrogen fuel cells, and battery storage, enabling real-time monitoring, optimization, and data-driven decision-making for both offshore and onshore operations.

By leveraging Rockwell Automation’s technologies and services, Energy Observer 3 will benefit from:

• Enhanced energy efficiency and autonomy, maximizing performance while minimizing environmental impact
• Robust data management and analytics, empowering the crew to innovate and optimize operations in real time
• Global service and support, with Rockwell Automation field engineers providing rapid response and technical expertise wherever the vessel operates
• Open, user-friendly platforms, allowing the Energy Observer team to manage, program, and maintain systems independently, even in remote environments

Rockwell Automation’s collaboration with Energy Observer began in 2016, providing automation solutions and global service support for the original Energy Observer 1 catamaran, which completed a seven-year global odyssey to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy systems. The collaboration has grown through continuity, trust, and shared commitment to sustainability, with Rockwell Automation’s technical teams remaining engaged throughout the journey.

“As Energy Observer embarks on its most ambitious voyage yet, our collaboration with Rockwell Automation is more than a technical partnership — it’s a shared journey toward a carbon-neutral future,” said Bénédicte Gallon, deputy CEO, Energy Observer. “The trust and continuity we’ve built together over the years have enabled us to push the boundaries of innovation and sustainability. With EO3, we are integrating world-class automation and data technologies, but we are also demonstrating how collective expertise and shared values can accelerate the energy transition for the maritime sector and beyond.”

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