Tag: 3BL

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) NatureVest and BTG Pactual’s Timberland Investment Group (TIG) have released a new 2024 Sustainability Report showcasing how conservation science is being integrated into TIG’s timberland management practices. The report highlights measurable benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience, and local communities—alongside improved operational efficiency and reduced business risk.

In an accompanying video, Matt Arnold, Global Head of Impact Finance and Markets at TNC, and Gerrity Lansing, Head of TIG, discuss how this collaboration is advancing smarter asset management that aligns environmental impact with financial performance.

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) was signed into law—an historic piece of legislation that is reshaping America’s clean energy future. With sweeping changes to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), domestic manufacturing incentives, and battery energy storage eligibility, the bill represents both a massive opportunity and a pressing deadline for businesses and industries across the country.

For companies considering solar or storage investments, the time to act is now. BioStar Renewables, a national leader in solar development, compliance, and project financing, has released a guide to help businesses navigate the complexity of the new law and maximize their returns.

OBBB: A Game Changer for Clean Energy

The OBBB accelerates the ITC phase-out, reshaping the economics of commercial solar. Among its key provisions:

• ITC Available Through 2027: Projects beginning construction by July 4, 2026, remain eligible, but must be completed by December 31, 2027.
• No ITC Beyond 2027: Projects that miss these deadlines lose ITC eligibility entirely.

“This law sets a ticking clock on tax credit eligibility,” says BioStar’s ITC experts. “Businesses that don’t move quickly risk losing out on millions in incentives.”

IRS Guidance: Physical Work Matters

The IRS clarified its rules in Notice 2025-42 (issued August 15, 2025). To qualify, projects must begin “physical work of a significant nature”—not just permitting or feasibility studies. Examples include installing racking systems or manufacturing custom transformers for a project.

Importantly, the safe harbor provision based on 5% spending has been eliminated for projects over 1.5 MW, meaning developers must show real construction activity to lock in tax credits.

Financial Impacts: Opportunities and Risks

The OBBB changes the economics of solar and storage in several ways:

1. 100% Bonus Depreciation
   • Eligible projects can deduct their full cost in year one—replacing the traditional 5-year depreciation schedule.
2. Domestic Manufacturing & FEOC Restrictions
   • Beginning January 1, 2026, projects using equipment from “Foreign Entities of Concern” (e.g., Chinese components) risk losing ITC eligibility altogether.
   • Compliance will tighten annually, with domestic content requirements rising to 60% by 2029.
   • This shift is already driving 10–40% equipment price increases as developers rush to source pre-FEOC materials.
3. Battery Energy Storage (BESS) Advantage
   • BESS projects remain ITC-eligible through 2033. With wholesale electricity prices projected to spike, storage-plus-solar is positioned as a high-return strategy.

The Safe Harbor Advantage

Projects that secure equipment or start construction by July 4, 2026 can lock in ITC benefits under current rules. For example, a $1 million commercial solar system can save hundreds of thousands in tax incentives and depreciation when safe-harbored on time.

Why BioStar?

Navigating the OBBB requires expertise and timing. BioStar Renewables offers:

• Innovative Financing: PPAs, leases, and loans with no upfront costs.
• Proven Track Record: Over a decade guiding projects through ITC compliance.
• Nationwide Reach: Backed by Faith Technologies Inc. (3,000+ employees).
• Strategic Action Plan: Secure domestic content, safe harbor projects by July 4, 2026, and capture the 10% domestic content ITC adder.

Act Now

The OBBB has rewritten the rules of solar and storage development, creating an unprecedented but time-limited opportunity. BioStar Renewables is ready to help businesses act quickly, avoid rising costs, and capture the full spectrum of available incentives.

Download BioStar’s ITC Guide to the One Big Beautiful Bill here.

Contact BioStar today:
(913)-369-4100
BioStarRenewables.com
David Smart – dsmart@BioStarRenewables.com

In the latest blog, Cascale’s Senior Manager, Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, Lindsay Wright shares insights on the latest Better Buying Garment Scorecard, which offers a snapshot of where purchasing practices stand today, the results of which raise important questions for our industry. Wright outlines the unparalleled opportunity to accelerate industry action on purchasing practices at scale with Better Buying now a part of Cascale.

Read the full blog, titled: Sneak Peek: What This Year’s Better Buying Garment Scorecard Tells Us About Industry Progress (and What Still Needs Fixing)

MOBRIDGE, S.D., August 20, 2025 /3BL/ – The Wells Fargo Foundation recently announced a $1 million philanthropic investment to support small business growth across South Dakota, with a focus on empowering entrepreneurs in rural and tribal communities. The funding will be distributed evenly between Akiptan, a Native-led community development financial institution, and GROW South Dakota (GROW SD), a statewide economic development organization, providing critical resources and capital to small business owners and agricultural producers throughout the state.

As Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) highlighted at the announcement in Mobridge, investing in rural small businesses means investing in the future of South Dakota: “Small businesses are an essential part of the fabric of our communities and our way of life in South Dakota. They provide good-paying jobs and opportunities for so many hardworking folks across our state. This investment will go a long way in helping them grow and create new jobs, especially in rural and tribal communities.”

Jason Rosenberg, head of Public Affairs for Wells Fargo, emphasized the bank’s history in South Dakota at the event and the importance of community investment: “Wells Fargo is proud to support small businesses by expanding avenues to capital as they create economic growth and bring jobs to towns throughout the state and the country. With this new funding, Akiptan and GROW SD can help more small businesses thrive in rural and tribal communities across South Dakota.”

Akiptan expands opportunities for agricultural producers

Akiptan’s mission is to transform Native agriculture and food economies by delivering creative capital, leading paradigm changes, and enhancing producer prosperity across Indian Country. Since lending operations began in 2019, Akiptan has addressed the gap in access to capital by offering patient, non-extractive lending tailored for producers across Indian country. For Akiptan, each agricultural operation is more than just a business – it’s a family legacy and a way of life.

“We are excited and humbled to receive these funds from Wells Fargo,” said Skya Ducheneaux, Executive Director, Akiptan. “We can’t wait to put these dollars to work in Indian Country by supporting agriculture operations. Especially in South Dakota, agriculture is a root-level driving force of the economy that we are proud to support.”

GROW SD supports rural small business success

GROW SD will directly support rural economic development by expanding access to capital and by providing business support for small business owners, enabling business growth and the preservation or creation of jobs. All participating businesses will also benefit from customized technical assistance, including one-on-one advising and targeted training in areas such as cash flow forecasting, credit counseling, and marketing.

“Access to capital remains one of the greatest challenges in our rural communities, and this collaboration allows us to deliver the critical funding and assistance that local entrepreneurs need to grow and succeed,” said Marcia Erickson, GROW SD Co-CEO. “It is also a privilege to work alongside Akiptan in this partnership and to support its efforts in serving farm producers.”

“This $1 million investment into South Dakota from Wells Fargo will strengthen local economies and create a lasting impact across the communities we serve. We are grateful to be able to expand the reach of our work across rural communities,” Lori Finnesand, Co-CEO, added.

For more information, small business owners can visit www.akitpan.org or www.growsd.org.

###

Media Contacts:

Maureen Nelson, GROW South Dakota, maureen@growsd.org

Dawn LeBeau, Akiptan, dawn@akiptan.org

Kim Erlichson, Wells Fargo, kim.erlichson@wellsfargo.com

When disasters strike, timing is everything. The faster Heart to Heart International (HHI) can respond, the more lives we can touch. But speed and impact don’t happen without training and preparation.

Thanks to the generous support of FedEx, 2024–2025 has transformed HHI’s training and readiness programs. With expanded virtual courses, hands-on simulations, and role-specific learning, our staff and volunteers are more prepared than ever to meet the demands of real-world disaster response. That readiness means we’re able to reach more people, faster, and with better care.

The value of this investment was clearly seen during hurricanes Helene and Milton, which devastated communities across seven states in the fall of 2024. These dual disasters tested our team and systems, but thanks to focused training, our team rose to the challenge. Volunteers who had completed advanced courses stepped into key leadership roles. One volunteer, trained in our new Power and Communications module, managed all field technology for a 15-person team. This allowed staff to focus on delivering $2.2 million in medical aid and reaching more than 400 patients with care, including administering 239 lifesaving vaccines.

This kind of capability is the new standard thanks to our evolving training strategy. In April 2025, HHI hosted its most comprehensive Emergency Medical Team (EMT) simulation yet. Volunteers and staff worked side-by-side to set up mobile clinics, coordinate logistics, and triage patients in a controlled but realistic environment. The goal? Ensure that when a disaster hits, no one is figuring things out for the first time.

Before the training, only a few volunteers rated themselves as “very prepared” to deploy. Afterward, that number more than doubled, with 100% of participants saying they felt more confident and equipped to respond. The training didn’t just build skills, it built trust, strengthened relationships, and empowered people to lead.

One volunteer shared, “Acting out a deployment, from communications to patient care, really demonstrated what it’s like. The amount of preparation that goes into this shows how much HHI cares. That’s why I choose to be a part of it.”

Through the LearnUpon Learning Management System, HHI has scaled training access even further. Now, staff and volunteers can learn anytime, anywhere, with courses in disaster medicine, logistics, cultural sensitivity, and more. Already, 91 users have completed 20 courses, with many more in development. These tools are preparing responders before they ever set foot in the field. So when the time comes, responders are ready to serve.

Every hour of training is an investment in someone else’s survival. Thanks to FedEx’s support, HHI is prepared to reach more people, provide better care, and show up stronger in every emergency.

Thank you, FedEx, for making this possible. Together, we’re proving that with the right training, we can respond wherever we’re needed most.

Written by Amy Lafferty, Senior Manager, Communications, Heart to Heart International

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program

By Chris Jung, President & CEO, LG Electronics North America

This summer marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the groundbreaking civil rights law that transformed access to public spaces, digital tools and employment for the tens of millions of people with disabilities. As we reflect on this legacy, one of the most promising frontiers for continued accessibility is emerging in a B2B space you may encounter daily: the kiosk.

Self-service kiosks have become ubiquitous—from ordering at quick-serve restaurants and navigating airports to checking in at hotels and checking out at retail stores. But for individuals with different vision, mobility or hearing abilities, traditional kiosk designs often present significant barriers. Now, thanks to LG Electronics and our partners in the disability community, accessibility is being built into kiosk design from the ground up.

Leadership in Accessible Kiosk Design
As part of our “Better Life for All” ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) vision, LG has just unveiled a new generation of accessible kiosks aimed at inclusive interaction. Our new kiosks are thoughtfully designed with height-adjustable screens, tactile input options, voice guidance, and screen reader compatibility—making them usable by people in wheelchairs or those who are blind or low vision.

These B2B kiosks, which will be rolled out in food & beverage, hospitality retail, healthcare, and transportation sectors, are just one component of LG’s broader accessibility strategy, which includes accessible home appliances, audio-narrated manuals, and smart home integration via voice assistants.

What sets LG apart is not only the hardware design, but its collaborative approach. The company works with advocacy groups, accessibility researchers, and disability advisors to build interfaces that address real-world challenges. Working with accessibility experts at Tech for All and alongside people with disabilities throughout testing and development, accessibility isn’t treated as an add-on – it’s embedded in the DNA of our new Gen2 kiosks.

Industry-Wide Momentum
LG is proud to co-chair the Accessibility Committee for the Kiosk Manufacturer Association, which represents dozens of companies investing in accessible kiosk design. Many new systems now include Braille labeling, gesture or voice controls, haptic feedback, and AI-driven personalization that adapts to user needs. Some restaurants and transit hubs are piloting kiosks that automatically adjust interfaces based on the proximity of assistive devices like wheelchairs or screen readers.

Encouraging industry collaboration and accommodating a range of accessibility needs, LG’s kiosks support various advanced assistive technologies; examples include Vispero’s JAWS^® for Kiosk screen reader for audio navigation, Storm Interface’s tactile AudioNav™ keypads (6- and 9-key layouts) and SoundHound AI’s voice interface for hands-free commands. The kiosks also support Epson receipt printers and modular barcode/QR scanners, while a webcam accessory is in development to expand functionality.

ADA at 35: A Catalyst for Innovation
The ADA created a legal foundation for accessibility. Today, it serves as a moral and technological catalyst. As we celebrate 35 years of progress, accessible kiosks represent more than just convenience—they embody a broader shift toward equity, dignity, and independence for all.

With companies like LG driving innovation through inclusive design, the next chapter of ADA implementation promises to go beyond compliance—to a world where accessibility is seamlessly built into every public interaction. A Better Life for All is a future worth designing for.

Recently, 26 of our incredible employees and summer interns spent time volunteering at the Food Bank of South Jersey, packaging a whopping 9,540 pounds of food – enough for nearly 7,630 meals – to support our neighbors across Salem, Burlington, Gloucester and Camden counties. 

We’re thankful to have employees who dedicate their time to give back to our communities and for the contributions of our interns who helped make a difference this summer. 

View original content here.

NEW YORK and LONDON, August 20, 2025 /3BL/ – In an environment of intensifying geopolitical tensions, shifting regulatory frameworks, and inconsistent stakeholder expectations, AccountAbility CEO, Mr. Sunil (Sunny) A. Misser urges global corporate leaders to recalibrate for a balanced approach to sustainability and business resilience at this time of uncertainty and volatility.

 

Mr. Misser outlined a pragmatic path forward during his annual interview with Nareit, the leading voice for US-based REITs and real estate companies, at their Washington, D.C. headquarters.

“Geopolitical risks — from state backed armed conflict, to commercial aggression, to the erosion of civic freedoms — very quickly manifest themselves in adverse geoeconomic outcomes like supply shocks, inflation, and unemployment,” said Mr. Misser. “Corporate resilience will depend on the ability of business leaders to anticipate, adapt, and respond to these larger forces at play.”

Five Key Themes Shaping Corporate Sustainability in 2025

“Businesses face a convergence of risks that are systemic, complex, and constantly evolving,” said Mr. Misser. “Leaders must move toward a proactive and integrated approach to sustainability — one that embeds risk management, collaboration, and innovation at the core of their operations.”

Mr. Misser emphasizes five key themes that emerged from AccountAbility’s recent report, Rethinking Sustainability in Corporate America – 2025:

 

1. The Trump Test — While political shifts have not halted sustainability efforts, they have reshaped external messaging and stakeholder engagement. Companies are focusing on material issues and further aligning sustainability initiatives with business needs in order to maintain resilience amid regulatory uncertainty.

    

2. The Brussels Effect — Companies with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and EU regulatory frameworks post significant cost and resource burdens, but they nonetheless are seen as a pathway towards global standardization. U.S. companies with European operations continue to heavily invest in reporting resources and legal teams to meet these stringent standards.

    

3. From the Sideline to the Bottom Line — Sustainability functions are expected to drive financial value, reflecting and requiring comprehensive business integration. Companies embedding sustainability within their core business strategy are unlocking greater value through innovation and operational efficiency.

    

4. The Supply Chain Black Box — Companies struggle to measure Scope 3 emissions and comply with global Supply Chain mandates. Despite increasing investor and regulatory pressure, supply chain data and information remain inconsistent and difficult to verify.

    

5. Green Finance, Red Tape — Access to sustainable finance remains limited due to shifting government incentives and wide-ranging investor expectations. Companies must navigate a labyrinth of requirements to unlock green funding and investment opportunities.

    

The report draws on extensive interviews with Chief Sustainability Officers across industries and geographies, revealing the growing integration of sustainability across organizations, extending beyond ESG or compliance efforts into risk management, strategic planning, operations, and capital allocation.

 

Three Major Systemic Risks

“People often tend to focus on a risk based on the probability and likelihood of its occurrence – which is critical. I also tend to evaluate risks on their intensity and the impact that they are likely to create. A risk with a slightly lower probability of occurrence that can wipe you out should be taken very seriously”, said Mr. Misser.

These themes exist within a backdrop of three primary categories of systemic risk that companies must be prepared to navigate immediately and in the near future:

1. Geopolitical Events and Geoeconomic Shocks — state-backed armed conflict and escalating commercial aggression can have serious consequences including supply chain disruption, volatility in the cost and supply of energy, and amplify unemployment, inflation, and the cost of capital.

    

2. Environmental Risks — ranging from extreme weather events (which are becoming more commonplace and routine) to biodiversity loss combined with intensifying pollution and natural resource depletion (water, air, food), require advanced risk modeling, resilience planning, and mitigation efforts.

    

3. Technological Threats — the rapid increase in technological connectivity combined with the exponential advancement in computing power creates a high-risk environment for rampant and unethical AI misuse, cyberterrorism, and unintended societal consequences.

 

A Strategic “Way-Forward” Framework for Sustainability Management

To help companies navigate this complex terrain, Mr. Misser highlights AccountAbility’s proven framework, “The Three C’s” — Collaborate, Calibrate, and Commercialize. The framework is not a singular effort but an ongoing process that must be rigorously embedded to enable organizations to remain resilient and competitive.

 

1. Collaborate — Establish continuous, structured coordination both internally and externally. Internally, sustainability must be fully integrated with finance, legal, operations, and other key functions. Externally, companies must actively engage their stakeholders — suppliers, regulators, investors, and civil society to build trust, share data, and scale impact.

    

2. Calibrate — Regularly assess and realign sustainability strategies, governance, and risk frameworks in response to evolving geopolitical, environmental, and technological risks. Companies must continuously iterate and prioritize what matters most — adjusting metrics, investments, and oversight to reflect current realities.

    

3. Commercialize — Move sustainability from a compliance obligation to a driver of competitive advantage and growth. Companies must systematically identify and develop innovative, revenue-generating opportunities linked to sustainability, positioning these efforts as core to business performance.

“As the velocity of global change accelerates, we are seeing the basic algorithm of governance shifting from the hierarchical model to a collaborative one. Businesses and their ecosystems will require a fundamental reset.”

________________
 

About AccountAbility

Established in 1995, AccountAbility is a leading global consulting and standards firm dedicated to advancing the sustainability and ESG agenda. The firm works with businesses investors, governments, and multilateral organizations to improve sustainability performance, drive innovation, and create lasting impact. Operating as a Public Benefit Corporation, AccountAbility has a global presence with offices in New York, London, Riyadh, and Dubai. The firm has been recognized by the Financial Times, Forbes and Capital Finance International for its excellence in sustainability, strategy, and governance and its website is archived by the United States Library of Congress.

 

Media Contact

Evan Achiron

Head of Marketing & Communications

(646) 507-5903

evan.achiron@accountability.org

Sofidel

What is the Net Zero goal
A company to achieve a net-zero (Net-Zero) emissions state must consistently reduce its emissions at source, to the lowest point that techniques in its economic sector allow, by going to counterbalance the impact of emissions that remain unaffected (so-called hard-to-abate emissions) through techniques for removing excess carbon from the atmosphere and then storing it permanently (including through actions outside its value chain).

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a valued partner supporting sustainability goals
For this journey, Sofidel will collaborate with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi promotes best practices in sustainability and aids companies in setting greenhouse gas reduction targets grounded in scientific evidence. Sofidel will have 24 months to see its decarbonization pathway validated by SBTi.

Key initiatives in Sofidel’s 2050 decarbonization roadmap
The strategy to accomplish this highly ambitious objective is based on a comprehensive plan that not only focuses on activities directly managed by Sofidel but also involves stakeholders throughout the entire supply chain. The most significant actions include:

• Introducing technologies and solutions to further enhance the energy efficiency of the Group’s facilities, and in the future, electrifying some production processes currently reliant on fossil fuels.
• Increasing the proportion of self-generated electricity from renewable sources or procured through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) from newly built renewable installations.
• Escalating the use of bio-based fuels sourced from local supply chains, by-products from other processes, and sustainably managed sources. These fuels encompass solid biomass, biomethane, and bio-syngas.
• Deploying green hydrogen in collaboration with technology partners and public entities. Sofidel UK has already secured significant subsidies to introduce this fuel at its facilities.
• Implementing sustainable forest management practices, aiming to eliminate deforestation throughout Sofidel’s supply chain. Forests play a pivotal role in climate regulation and are a vital ecosystem to ensure biodiversity conservation.
• Developing and introducing products with reduced packaging or packaged with renewable materials, targeting low carbon emissions. This aligns with Sofidel’s longstanding commitment to halve the use of conventional plastic in its productions in favour of paper packaging.
• Selecting and utilising more efficient transportation methods, potentially powered by plant-based fuels, hydrogen, e-fuels, or electricity in the future.
• Exploring carbon removal technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) or biological storage through afforestation or reforestation projects, to mitigate residual carbon emissions.

Learn about the path to energy efficiency
Learn about our commitment to sustainability

KeyBank recently contributed $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo in support of the annual “2 Pack A Backpack” school supply drive with WGRZ-TV. This initiative plays a vital role in helping families across Western New York access the essential supplies their children need to begin the school year prepared and confident.

“For many families, the rising cost of school supplies can create unnecessary stress at the start of the school year,” said Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank Buffalo Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Officer. “We’re proud to stand behind the 2 Pack A Backpack campaign and commend the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo and WGRZ-TV for their commitment to easing this burden and supporting students throughout our community.”