Tag: 3BL

Originally published on 3M News Center

In a display of artistic innovation and athletic homage, 3M unveiled “Shimmering Victory,” a captivating art installation honoring the 2024 3M Open Champion, Jhonattan Vegas.

Created by the renowned Minnesota artist Jimmy Longoria, this unique piece seamlessly blends the worlds of sport and art, capturing the essence of Vegas’s triumph.

Longoria, known for his bold style and community-driven work, used scrap 3M materials to create “Shimmering Victory,” including 3M FASARA™ Glass Finishes, 3M Dichroic Glass Finishes, and 3M Scotchlite™ Reflective Film. The upcycled result is a vibrant silhouette that shifts and gleams with every change in perspective, beautifully capturing the movement, energy and brilliance of Vegas’s championship victory.

Vegas, the Venezuelan golf sensation, clinched the 2024 3M Open title after a masterful performance, solidifying his status as a presence on the PGA Tour and marking a significant milestone in his career. “Shimmering Victory” stands as a vibrant tribute to his achievement and the inspiration he provides both on and off the course.

“The beauty of this artwork lies in its dynamic nature. The color transforms as you move and view it from different angles, which is a testament to the 3M materials used,” explained Longoria. “It’s all about perspective, a feature made possible by the innovative use of 3M FASARA Glass Finishes, 3M Dichroic Glass Finishes, and 3M Scotchlite™ Reflective Film.”

Longoria is also the founder of Mentoring Peace Through Art, an initiative that champions the transformative power of creativity to connect and uplift communities.

His influential artwork is featured in prominent collections nationwide, including those of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Cascale’s senior director of brand and retailer membership, Joleen Ong, joined a panel at the recent Innovation Forum in New York to discuss the impact of tariffs on the global trade and sourcing landscape and explore strategies that can streamline supply chains, build resilience, and drive sustainability.

Ong moderated the discussion titled “Global Disruptions: Navigating Responsible Sourcing for Efficient and Resilient Value Chains,” joined by Annie Agle, vice president of impact and sustainability at Cotopaxi, and Chana Rosenthal, apparel consultant, manufacturing and supply chain, at NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business.

Kicking off the discussion by setting the stage, Ong highlighted the crucial inflection points in the global consumer industry where tariff shifts, climate disasters, and shifting sourcing patterns are converging. She emphasized the importance of building agile strategies that are not only equitable but also align with climate goals.

Highlighting the impact of ongoing cost pressures and shifting market demands on suppliers, Ong shared data insights from Better Buying that noted less than 49 percent of suppliers were paid enough to cover production costs. She explored how companies can balance short-term agility with long-term supplier viability — and the role responsible purchasing practices have to play in building more resilient supply chains. For companies selling through retailers rather than direct-to-consumer, margin flexibility is also shaped by retailer price negotiations and consumer expectations.

Ong concluded by emphasizing the importance of implementing sourcing strategies that can mitigate physical climate risk and support decarbonization. She noted how climate stressors such as heatwaves, floods, droughts are influencing sourcing decisions and highlighted investment in shared renewables and Higg FEM aligned roadmaps, and supporting regional decarbonization efforts as solutions to help mitigate climate risks.

 

A case-study of Pompeian’s Sunrise Olive Ranch by SCS Global Services

Executive Summary

Pompeian, the leading olive oil brand in the U.S., demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainable agriculture through innovative practices at its own Sunrise Olive Ranch in California. Already certified to SCS’ Sustainably Grown® certification, the ranch continues to strengthen its environmental leadership, reinforce ESG commitments, and invest in biodiversity-enhancing farming practices. Recently the ranch implemented a creative biological solution to eliminate the need for chemical algae control in water reservoirs while creating a closed-loop ecosystem. 

“At Pompeian, we’re proud to work with growers like Sunrise Olive Ranch who go beyond certification requirements to implement truly innovative sustainability practices. Their fish farming initiative showcases the kind of forward-thinking approach that strengthens our entire supply chain and reflects our brand’s commitment to environmental stewardship.” 

-Teresa Garcia, Director of Sustainability, Pompeian

The Challenge: Algae Management Without Chemicals

Sunrise Olive Ranch was determined to eliminate chemical use in managing algae growth in its irrigation reservoirs – an essential step toward maintaining their Sustainably Grown standard commitments towards ecosystem health and biodiversity. Working within this comprehensive standard, the ranch sought natural solutions that would support both water quality and environmental health without compromising agricultural productivity, aligning with Pompeian’s broader sustainability goals.

Innovative, Nature-Based Solutions

The team developed an innovative biological algae control system through the integration of native fish into the water reservoir system that aligned perfectly with the Sustainably Grown standard framework. Introducing algae-eating fish as a replacement for standard chemical controls proved to be a breakthrough, greatly accelerating the reduction of algae. Beyond controlling algae, the fish produced waste that became organic fertilizer, enriching the soil naturally. As ecosystem health improved, more bird species flocked to the ranch, further boosting biodiversity. This holistic solution not only supported certification requirements but elevated the ranch’s environmental stewardship beyond expectations.

Results & Impact

The ranch achieved remarkable results with approximately 70% reduction in chemical treatments within just 10 months—well ahead of their projected timeline. Implementation of the Sustainably Grown program drove these creative biodiversity efforts through its continuous improvement approach to building ecosystem health. Sunrise Ranch’s improved outcomes were noted and recognized during the annual on-site audit process. Beyond meeting certification requirements, this initiative delivered numerous additional benefits:

Key Outcomes:

• A natural algae control system was created in the water
• Developed an organic fertilization source, reducing dependency on external
  inputs
• Significantly reduced chemical treatments
• Enhanced biodiversity with increased bird populations and healthier ecosystems
• Strengthened alignment with ESG goals and Sustainably Grown certification
  standards

“This biological control system is extremely beneficial and effective. It motivates us to continue developing new sustainable solutions that work with nature to improve our olive growing practices. As we refine our methods, we’re creating a healthier environment that benefits our entire ecosystem and supports our goal to farm in harmony with nature.”

– Lorena, Sunrise Olive Ranch

Download Pompeian’s case-study here.

For more information about Sustainably Grown certification, please contact:
Kevin Warner
Director, ESG Certification
+1.510.407.0091 direct
kwarner@scsglobalservices.com

August 7, 2025 /3BL/ – In response to modifications announced by the White House on August 1, 2025, to Executive Order 14257 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), Fairtrade America issued the following statement from Amanda Archila, Executive Director:

“Tariffs on goods that cannot be grown or produced in the U.S. damage the American businesses that are the heartbeat of our towns and cities. Coffee shops, local grocers and corner produce stands all hurt when they must purchase steeply tariffed coffee, cocoa and bananas. According to the National Coffee Association, coffee supports nearly 2.2 million U.S. jobs and adds more than $343 billion to the U.S. economy every year.

“The consequences of these tariffs ripple downstream to higher prices for American consumers and upstream for the farmers around the world who will likely receive less for their labor. To avoid price increases that unnecessarily punish hardworking businesses, consumers, and farmers, exemptions are necessary for grocery store staples, like coffee, cocoa, and bananas. All of which cannot be grown domestically at the scale needed to meet American consumer demand.

“It has been asserted that the goal of imposing these tariffs is to equalize trade deficits in the name of ‘fair trade,’ but they will only exacerbate longstanding inequality among the most vulnerable farmers and workers in the supply chain. Tariffs put more strain on farmers and workers, who have long faced extreme ups and downs when it comes to pricing, demand, and now supply due to climate disruptions. Fairtrade America works with businesses across the U.S. that are dedicated to supporting these producers while creating jobs and opportunity within their own communities. We support tariff exemptions on products that cannot be grown in the U.S. and call on consumers and businesses to demand that the balance of power between farmers, businesses, consumers, and governments is spread equitably. This is real fair trade.”

###

Editor’s Notes

• Coffee supports nearly 2.2 million U.S. jobs and adds more than $343 billion to the U.S. economy every year. Coffee consumers spend nearly $110 billion each year. Coffee businesses pay nearly $38 billion in local, state, and federal taxes annually (National Coffee Association).
• The confectionery industry, including chocolate and cocoa, supports nearly 700,000 U.S. jobs and generates $49 billion in economic outputs and $13.7 billion in federal, state and local taxes (National Confectioners Association).
• The U.S. fresh produce & floral industry supports 2.2 million jobs, $120.1 billion in labor income (International Fresh Produce Association).
• The U.S. is one of the biggest consumers of bananas in the world, with the 2024 import value estimated at $3.23 billion. The majority of imports come from South and Central America (U.S. Import Data).

VIDEO: Watch Season 5 Episode 4: Electrification of Transport

Electric vehicles are growing in popularity – small cars, SUVs, even pickup trucks. But what about electric long-haul tractor trailers? How can we extend the benefits of electrification to larger vehicles?

Reducing carbon emissions on the road

It’s true that, owing to the size of the batteries required, electrification of heavy-hauling trucks is a difficult task. However, disruptive innovators have capitalized on this gap in the sector. Thanks to groundbreaking electrification solutions, one customer was able to drive 265,000 kilometers over two years without ever re-charging their trailer battery.

In this episode, we speak to Abdullah Jaber, CEO and Managing Director at Trailer Dynamics, and Roland Duquesne, Director of Key Accounts for the EMEA Region at Thermo King. 

We’ll discuss game-changing trailer technology, and how the electrification of long-haul transportation not only reduces carbon emissions, but also helps truckers get to their destinations faster.

Featured in this Episode:

Hosts:
Dominique Silva, Marketing Leader EMEA, Trane Technologies
Scott Tew, Vice President Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies

Guests:
Abdullah Jaber, CEO and Managing Director, Trailer Dynamics
Roland Duquesne, Key Account Director, Thermo King EMEA, Trane Technologies
Davide Previsdomini, Product Manager, Truck, Thermo King EMEA, Trane Technologies

About Healthy Spaces

Healthy Spaces is a podcast by Trane Technologies where experts and disruptors explore how climate technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, learn and play.

This season, hosts Dominique Silva and Scott Tew bring a fresh batch of uplifting stories, featuring inspiring people who are overcoming challenges to drive positive change across multiple industries. We’ll discover how technology and AI can drive business growth, and help the planet breathe a little bit easier.

Listen and subscribe to Healthy Spaces on your favorite podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
YouTube 
Amazon Music

How are you making an impact? What sustainable innovation do you think will change the world?

Share your story with us and learn more about the Healthy Spaces Podcast.

VIDEO: Watch Season 5 Episode 4: Electrification of Transport

Electric vehicles are growing in popularity – small cars, SUVs, even pickup trucks. But what about electric long-haul tractor trailers? How can we extend the benefits of electrification to larger vehicles?

Reducing carbon emissions on the road

It’s true that, owing to the size of the batteries required, electrification of heavy-hauling trucks is a difficult task. However, disruptive innovators have capitalized on this gap in the sector. Thanks to groundbreaking electrification solutions, one customer was able to drive 265,000 kilometers over two years without ever re-charging their trailer battery.

In this episode, we speak to Abdullah Jaber, CEO and Managing Director at Trailer Dynamics, and Roland Duquesne, Director of Key Accounts for the EMEA Region at Thermo King. 

We’ll discuss game-changing trailer technology, and how the electrification of long-haul transportation not only reduces carbon emissions, but also helps truckers get to their destinations faster.

Featured in this Episode:

Hosts:
Dominique Silva, Marketing Leader EMEA, Trane Technologies
Scott Tew, Vice President Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies

Guests:
Abdullah Jaber, CEO and Managing Director, Trailer Dynamics
Roland Duquesne, Key Account Director, Thermo King EMEA, Trane Technologies
Davide Previsdomini, Product Manager, Truck, Thermo King EMEA, Trane Technologies

About Healthy Spaces

Healthy Spaces is a podcast by Trane Technologies where experts and disruptors explore how climate technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, learn and play.

This season, hosts Dominique Silva and Scott Tew bring a fresh batch of uplifting stories, featuring inspiring people who are overcoming challenges to drive positive change across multiple industries. We’ll discover how technology and AI can drive business growth, and help the planet breathe a little bit easier.

Listen and subscribe to Healthy Spaces on your favorite podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
YouTube 
Amazon Music

How are you making an impact? What sustainable innovation do you think will change the world?

Share your story with us and learn more about the Healthy Spaces Podcast.

Ever since the season finale of The Last of Us, the internet has been a buzz. Even if you haven’t been keeping up with the show, it’s hard to miss the commentary around this post-apocalyptic video game turned TV hit.

Set in the U.S. after a worldwide fungal outbreak causes humans to transform into mushroom-like zombies, the show, so far, has followed the journey of Joel and Ellie. Together, they navigate threats from both human and Cordycep-infected walking dead.

But this story isn’t just about Joel and Ellie’s journey. If you look closely, The Last of Us also holds real-world lessons around the critical role of operational and environmental risk mitigation. From the importance of following protocol to the power of nature, here are some of the most significant ways The Last of Us teaches us about environmental risk management.

Four Lessons The Last of Us Teaches About Environmental Risk

1. Climate is the driving force

At the beginning of The Last of Us series, the Cordycep outbreak occurs because the human population wasn’t prepared for the effects of climate change. While people were aware of global warming, they were not looking ahead enough to anticipate that the conditions would create a fungal pathogen that thrived in warmer temperatures and infect humans.

Now, we are not expecting a mushroom zombie apocalypse anytime soon, but it would be foolish to think that climate change isn’t already affecting our health. According to the CDC, global warming has led to an uptick in air pollution, pollen, and allergen-related health issues. Ignoring these environmental changes now will only lead to more challenges in the future.

However, we don’t have to operate like they do in The Last of Us to manage environmental risks. Whether it’s the avian flu, wildfire smoke, or temperature extremes, the best thing we can do is act proactively, arming ourselves with the tools that promote health and safety.

2. Protocol is powerful

One of the best ways to mitigate future environmental-related issues is by implementing and following a protocol – practices that create structure and enable faster, more coordinated responses in moments of crisis. In The Last of Us, humans survive despite civilization breaking down. Different communities like the QZ, the Fireflies, and Joel and Ellie’s homestead in Jackson, Wyoming, all have their own protocols for day-to-day life. Measures like pathogen testing, food rationing, border patrols, and communal living all contribute to their survival.

The takeaway for business is clear: establishing a solid protocol pays off, both for present-day operations and possible future threats.

Businesses can do this by implementing thoughtful risk management systems that anticipate potential issues before they arise. When you look ahead and align today’s actions with tomorrow’s needs, you make health and safety management more proactive and less reactive. Clear protocols also remove guesswork, making it easier to protect people and operations consistently

Learn more: Risk Management vs. Compliance: Key Differences & Strategic Impact

3. Nature is unpredictable

Humans often make plans, and nature laughs. The Last of Us engages with nature in several ways. For one, it is an unexpected evolution in fungi that causes the Cordycep epidemic. Also, if you watch the show, you’ll observe that nature quickly reclaimed areas that were once dominated by people. Buildings are overrun with vines, animal life returns to urban areas, and new ecosystems emerge.

In the real world, nature is equally unpredictable, and natural disasters are far more common than we would like. Having an emergency response plan for these events is crucial and can literally help your business and workforce weather a storm. Communication is also key. You should always keep employees informed about changing weather conditions and provide clear guidelines on when they should and should not travel to or from worksites.

Learn more: Safeguarding Businesses from Hurricanes and Wildland Fires

4. Adapting to change is key to progress

Much of Season 2 of The Last of Us takes place in a peaceful settlement in Wyoming. With all government systems collapsed (and fungus zombies still a threat) survivors have to adapt. They build barricades, enforce strict protocols, and embrace communal living. It’s this willingness to adapt that allows them to thrive in a changed world.

We are currently undergoing environmental changes that require us to adapt. We are living with the effects of global warming in real time, and a company’s ability to adapt to this new normal is crucial.

If you haven’t already, begin to identify environmental, health, and safety (EHS) risks to ensure a better tomorrow. These plans help businesses adapt with ease and prepare everyone on your team for what comes next.

Learn more: Risk Identification and Management in EHS Due Diligence: A Business Imperative

Beyond The Last of Us’s Lessons in Environmental Risk Management

While the story that unfolds in The Last of Us is fictional, the insights it offers are very real. Preparedness, protocol, and adaptability are all crucial to creating stability in your business. Sure, nature is unpredictable, but you can manage environmental challenges with success when you take the time to evaluate and establish environmental risk management.

If you’re looking for help updating your EHS management systems or need to identify potential risks, connect with us today! Ultimately, collaboration will always yield the best outcomes for the future world.

Amanda Davis|Sr. Manager, CR and Environment

Our purpose, Powering Digital Freedom, includes a commitment to protect our world which means supporting a healthy planet. Throughout the year, we work internally and with our partners to manage our environmental impacts, minimizing our greenhouse gas emissions, engaging our employees in environmental stewardship and identifying new strategies to reduce our footprint, especially in our product line.  

We are a digital-first company and are proud that 98% of our products are delivered digitally. Although physical products account for only 2% of our annual revenue, we believe we have a responsibility to deliver those products in a way that supports healthy forests. That’s why we’re proud to report that in fiscal 2025, ~55% of our physical products were made using paper or cardboard that was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), our highest use rate on record.  We also plan to increase our use of FSC-certified cardboard in products made in Europe and Asia later this year.  

FSC is a trusted nonprofit organization that works to protect healthy, resilient forests. FSC certification ensures that our paper and cardboard come from responsibly managed forests. The organization sets criteria for forestry operations and chain of custody standards globally, prioritizing water quality, biodiversity, the prohibition of hazardous chemicals, the protection of local communities and workers, and more.   

Working with partners to reduce waste and plastic 

The Gen Global Supply Chain team leads multiple initiatives to reduce the impact of our physical products. These include managing assembly materials, such as inks, plastic and cardboard, and partnering with suppliers who embrace sustainability in their own operations.  

Our two primary suppliers, who produce more than 98% of our global physical product by spend, maintain environmental management systems that are ISO 14001-certified. We also collaborate closely with Tier 1 physical product suppliers on optimizing packaging, exploring renewable energy sources and reducing plastic use. As a result, our physical products now contain less than 0.5% plastic.  

Additionally, in fiscal 2026, our Supply Chain team is working with our suppliers to find possibilities to replace the plastic used in transport packaging with paper. For example, we are in the process of changing the bands used to hold products together from plastic to paper in our Americas and Asia Pacific regions, and in EMEA, we are in the process of changing packaging filler from plastic to paper. 

On the other end of the product lifecycle, we are members of several take-back initiatives in Europe that fund recycling programs for our consumer products. Gen also has an employee-focused computer buy-back program that resold 400 devices globally over the past financial year.  

Supporting a healthy planet 

These efforts are part of our broader commitment to promote sustainability across our business and communities. Recent activities include our AquaTower build with Planet Water Foundation to mark World Water Day, our series of volunteering events throughout Earth Month and our continued support for our team members’ green home projects through our Sustainable Home Improvement Program.  

In light of these initiatives, we’re honored to be recognized by Newsweek as one of the World’s Greenest Companies 2025. The annual ranking celebrates companies that are reducing their environmental impact in key areas like greenhouse gas emissions, water management and waste reduction. Learn more about our environmental strategy in our latest Social Impact Report.  

Seminario web complementario

¿Por qué las métricas de carbono actuales ignoran la mitad del problema climático y qué se puede hacer al respecto?

el lunes 25 de agosto de 2025 a las 11:00 AM (CDMX)

Registrar

Si bien la mayoría de las estrategias climáticas corporativas se centran en la reducción del dióxido de carbono, pocas abordan los impulsores más poderosos y menospreciados del calentamiento global en el corto plazo: supercontaminantes como el metano, el carbono negro y los HFC. Estos contaminantes de acción rápida retienen mucho más calor que el CO₂ a corto plazo y son responsables de casi la mitad del calentamiento global actual. Para las empresas de Asia, donde el riesgo climático, los cambios regulatorios y la complejidad de la cadena de suministro se están acelerando, abordar los supercontaminantes ofrece una oportunidad estratégica para:

• Acelerar el impacto climático priorizando inversiones que ralenticen el calentamiento global.
• Reducir los riesgos empresariales a corto plazo relacionados con el clima, al mismo tiempo que se busca la reducción de CO2 a largo plazo.
• Preparar estrategias climáticas para el futuro desde ahora, anticipándose a los nuevos estándares de información.

Únase al director de ventas de SCS para Latinoamérica, Eddie Gómez, el lunes 25 de agosto de 2025 a las 11:00 AM (CDMX) para un debate a fondo sobre cómo las empresas pueden alinear sus estrategias de impacto climático con los horizontes a corto plazo y los plazos realistas de planificación corporativa.

Después del debate, habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas en vivo.

¿Quiénes deberían asistir?

• Líderes empresariales y tomadores de decisiones en los sectores privado, público y de de organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG)
• Responsables del diseño e implementación de planes de acción climática, gestión de emisiones de carbono y/o objetivos de cero emisiones netas
• Personas interesadas en reducir los supercontaminantes climáticos y formar parte de la comunidad comprometida con la mitigación del calentamiento global.
• Profesionales de la sostenibilidad de todos los sectores.

¡Haga clic aquí para registrarse!

TAIPEI, Taiwan, August 4, 2025 /3BL/ – Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has announced its collaboration with FUSO to introduce 12 fully electric delivery trucks to its ground fleet in Taiwan. This initiative makes FedEx the first international logistics company in Taiwan to adopt electric vehicles for its delivery operations. The first batch of six electric trucks are already operational, offering extended driving range, regenerative braking technology, and powerful torque — ideal for urban deliveries.

FUSO’s evaluation reveals that when compared to traditional diesel trucks, the newly introduced electric truck can significantly reduce energy costs[1]. These trucks are specifically designed to meet the demands of urban deliveries in Taiwan, offering enhanced maneuverability and a driving range of up to 200 kilometers on a single charge when equipped with three battery packs[2]. Regenerative braking technology helps reduce the amount of downtime to charge, while responsive acceleration and start-up performance help ensure adaptability to Taiwan’s urban traffic conditions, boosting delivery flexibility.

“As FedEx works towards a goal of carbon neutrality across its global operations by 2040, fleet electrification is a key part of our roadmap to get there,” said Paul Sousa, managing director of FedEx Taiwan. “The introduction of electric delivery trucks demonstrates our dedication to environmental sustainability and offers benefits in energy costs and operational efficiency, laying a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the logistics industry in Taiwan.”

“FUSO is proud to deliver the all-electric FUSO eCanter to FedEx. This truck, tested worldwide, offers both performance and efficiency suited for Taiwan’s complex urban delivery needs,” said Jung Woo Park, CEO of Daimler Trucks Asia Taiwan. “FUSO aims to support businesses in Taiwan in achieving smart and sustainable logistics through proven technology and comprehensive after-sales support, contributing to the sustainable transportation industry development.”

In December 2023, FedEx introduced 5 e – tricycle Rapide 3 in Taiwan. Alongside the incorporation of the new electric trucks, FedEx will continue monitoring performance and continue taking a phased approach to electrifying its pickup and delivery fleet. FedEx is committed to enhancing its operational resilience in Taiwan through innovative transportation technologies and sustainable logistics strategies, leading the logistics industry toward a low-carbon, sustainable future and contributing to the company’s overall goal of carbon neutral operations by 2040.

[1] Daimler Trucks Asia Taiwan
[2] Daimler Trucks Asia Taiwan

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