Tag: 3BL

Congratulations to Jessie Wasser, Tapestry Senior Manager of Sustainability, for making the 30 under 30 list at Trellis! Trellis’ annual list recognizes young environmental leaders that have been responsible for helping their companies mitigate climate change. Each year, Trellis recognizes these professionals for the measurable success they have had in sustainability in the corporate world. Jessie joins an accomplished group of 270 rising young sustainability professionals Trellis has honored since 2016. Tapestry is proud that Jessie has been recognized for her contributions to our sustainability efforts.

In addition to her work at Tapestry, Jessie is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University in the M.S. in Sustainability Management program. Over the last three years, she has taught a course on ESG-aligned Corporate Governance. Her background includes social purpose for Edelman and ESG consultancy work for Fortune 500 companies.

We connected with Jessie, and she shared a bit more about her role at Tapestry:

Q: Can you share your role, how long you’ve been at Tapestry and a few details about what your team oversees? 

I have been with Tapestry for over four years on our NYC-based Sustainability Team. I manage ESG reporting, focused on management of sustainability-related data, alignment with regulations, and development of the company’s annual corporate responsibility report. I also lead the company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, and programming relating to energy, water and waste for the company’s own operations. Development of the company’s climate-related strategies is a part of my day-to-day priorities including decarbonization, climate risk assessments, and renewable energy.

Q: What is your proudest moment/achievement at Tapestry? 

One of my most gratifying achievements at Tapestry has been supporting the development and execution of the company’s global renewable energy strategy to achieve our target of 100% renewable electricity across our own operations. Thanks to several projects we engaged with around the world, we achieved 96% renewable energy last year and are firmly on track to attain 100% renewable power by the end of 2025. I feel incredibly proud to contribute to milestone goals that will ultimately reduce our company’s carbon footprint.

Q: What words would you use to describe our culture?

In the four plus years I’ve been at Tapestry, sustainability has evolved into an integral part of our business strategy. Tapestry leaders empower collaboration across the company that fuels innovative solutions to complex challenges like climate change. Our ‘Fabric of Change’ motto rings true – we unite behind the shared goal of balancing beauty with responsibility in all that we do.

SLB Capturi is driving European carbon capture forward with two major project milestones officially reached this month: the launch of Norway’s Longship full carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain project, including the official opening of Heidelberg Materials’ carbon capture cement facility in Brevik, Norway, and the official opening of the carbon capture and utilization (CCU) project of Twence’s waste-to-energy carbon capture plant in the Netherlands.

Longship in Norway — the first CCS full value chain in operation

Officially launched on June 17, the Longship project establishes Europe’s first complete full-scale value chain for CCS. This initiative enables CO₂ capture from industrial sources and transports it for permanent storage beneath the North Sea via the Northern Lights project.

SLB Capturi is providing the carbon capture units for two of Longship’s stakeholders in Norway — the Heidelberg Materials cement facility, and Hafslund Celsio’s waste-to-energy facility in Oslo.

“The Longship project is a powerful demonstration of how we can scale and accelerate industrial decarbonization,” said Gavin Rennick, president of New Energy, SLB. “It also demonstrates that achieving lower carbon and maintaining economic competitiveness of industries are mutually compatible goals.”

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the positive impact collaboration can have on industrial decarbonization,” said Egil Fagerland, CEO, SLB Capturi. “The Heidelberg Materials and Hafslund Celsio plants set a benchmark for future carbon capture initiatives.”

Tell me more

The facility in Brevik is the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture plant at a cement facility. Powered by SLB Capturi’s technology, the plant completed construction in December 2024 and will be inaugurated June 18, marking the operational start of CO₂ transport for permanent storage and enabling the production of net-zero cement by capturing up to 400,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually.

In January 2025, SLB Capturi, with Aker Solutions, was awarded the EPCIC contract to deliver the carbon capture solution at Hafslund Celsio’s waste-to-energy facility in Oslo. This second Longship plant will utilize SLB Capturi’s modular Just Catch™ 400 unit and is expected to capture 350,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.

Cross-border CO₂ transport and storage in Europe

Northern Lights forms the transport and storage component of the Longship project. It is also the first company to offer commercial CCS services, with the aim of cross-border CO₂ transport and storage in Europe.

One of the commercial contracts of Northen Lights is to transport and store CO₂ captured at Ørsted Kalundborg CO2 Hub, Denmark. SLB Capturi will deliver the carbon capture units for this project, including five Just Catch™ 100 units and additional equipment such as liquefaction systems, temporary CO₂ storage and on-/offloading facilities. When operational, the facilities will capture up to 430,000 metric tons of CO₂ per year.

Twence in the Netherlands — A CCU value chain completion

On June 18, Netherlands-based sustainable energy supplier Twence will officially inaugurate its first modular carbon capture plant at its waste-to-energy facility in Hengelo, Netherlands, with Her Majesty Queen Máxima attending. SLB Capturi commissioned and handed over the carbon capture plant to Twence in January 2025.

The Twence plant, capable of capturing up to 100,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, is a milestone for the country’s climate objectives and SLB Capturi’s modular Just Catch™ design. This modular approach reduces onsite installation work, offering a cost-efficient, deployable solution for rapid emissions reduction. The captured CO₂ will be reused in, amongst others, the horticulture and food and beverage sectors.

“We are proud of our collaboration with Twence to bring this facility to life,” said Egil Fagerland. “Our modular solutions provide the speed, scale and techno-economic advantages needed to encourage decarbonization across hard-to-abate industries globally.”

Find out more at www.capturi.slb.com

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CINCINNATI, June 18, 2025 /3BL/ – Fifth Third (NASDAQ: FITB) has awarded $16 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs) to three facilities in Atlanta and Cincinnati that will help spur economic mobility and community revitalization in historically disinvested neighborhoods.

“Our approach to community development at Fifth Third is place-based and people-first, and it considers the total wellbeing of all residents who call a neighborhood home,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “These investments represent a commitment by Fifth Third to ensure that residents of these neighborhoods can thrive in and be proud of the place they call home.”

The awards are part of a $50 million allocation in federal New Markets Tax Credits that the Fifth Third New Markets Development Company (NMDC) received from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund in September. The NMDC is an affiliate of the Fifth Third Community Development Company, LLC (CDC).

“Fifth Third’s innovative, place-based approach to working in neighborhoods and working at a neighborhood scale is a true community development success story,” said Susan E. Thomas, president of the Fifth Third CDC. “As we have become increasingly active in place-based development and lending, adding New Markets Tax Credits to our toolbox helps our team effect even more positive change within the communities that we serve – as these projects demonstrate.”

The New Markets Tax Credit Program helps economically distressed communities attract private investment capital. The federal tax credit helps to fill project financing gaps by enabling investors to make larger investments than would otherwise be possible. Communities benefit from the jobs associated with investments in manufacturing, retail and technology, as well as from greater access to housing and public facilities such as health, education, and childcare.

The inaugural NMTC recipients include:

• Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA (Atlanta): The NMTC equity will support the return of the Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA to Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood after a decade-long closure. Originally built in 1951 on the campus of Spelman College, the YWCA was a vital center for civic and social life among African American residents, including housing the first integrated dining room. When it reopens later this year, the revitalized facility will once again serve the community – offering an Early Learning Academy, a hands-on Digital Skills Academy, space for health services providers focused on family wellness, and flexible classroom and meeting spaces designed to foster connection and growth. Fifth Third has awarded $5 million in New Markets Tax Credits and invested $5.5 million in equity in the project.
• Findlay Community Center (Cincinnati): The Findlay Community Center project will create a new, state-of-the-art facility that will offer both a community and recreation center as well as an early learning childcare center. The $100 million city-owned center will strengthen Cincinnati’s North Over-the-Rhine neighborhood through the amenities and daily programming it will offer, and the high-quality jobs that will be created to operate the facility. Services will be available to all community members regardless of income. Fifth Third has awarded $6 million in New Markets Tax Credits, invested $4.46 million in equity, and the Fifth Third Foundation has committed $2.5 million to the project. Construction began in May 2025 and is expected to conclude in fall 2026.
• Talbert House Hamilton County Crisis Center (Cincinnati): The Hamilton County Crisis Center will offer essential healthcare and mental health services, including a primary care clinic and pharmacy addressing clients’ physical, mental, and emotional health needs. With the capacity to serve approximately 1,600 clients annually, the $11.7 million facility is set to be a vital resource for those in crisis and seeking support in the community. Fifth Third has awarded the center $5 million in New Markets Tax Credits and invested $3.77 million in equity. Owned and operated by nonprofit Talbert House, the center is expected to open in 2025 in Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood.

Community economic development is a cornerstone of Fifth Third’s Neighborhood Program, which creates and implements innovative place-based community development strategies to effect positive change in historically disinvested neighborhoods across the Bank’s footprint.

The program is designed to increase financial access and spur economic mobility for all, creating a positive ripple effect that leads to community revitalization, small business growth, affordable housing, financial and workforce education and development, and healthy safe spaces.

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About Fifth Third
Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ^® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

About the New Markets Tax Credit Program
The New Markets Tax Credit Program, established by Congress in December 2000, permits individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a non-refundable tax credit against federal income taxes for making equity investments in financial intermediaries known as Community Development Entities (CDEs). CDEs that receive the tax credit allocation authority under the program are domestic corporations or partnerships that provide loans, investments, or financial counseling in low-income urban and rural communities. The tax credit provided to the investor totals 39% of the cost of the investment and is claimed over a seven-year period. The CDEs in turn use the capital raised to make investments in low-income communities. CDEs must apply annually to the CDFI Fund to compete for New Markets Tax Credit Program allocation authority. Since the inception of the NMTC Program, the CDFI Fund has completed 20 allocation rounds and has made 1,667 awards totaling $81 billion in tax allocation authority. This includes $3 billion in Recovery Act Awards and $1 billion of special allocation authority used for the recovery and redevelopment of the Gulf Opportunity Zone.

To learn more about the New Markets Tax Credit Program, please visit www.cdfifund.gov/nmtc.

CONTACT
Amanda Nageleisen (Media Relations)
amanda.nageleisen@53.com 

Matt Curoe (Investor Relations) 
matthew.curoe@53.com | 513-534-2345

Leverage Innovative solutions to help scale health outcomes in the residential sector

With the recent launch of the WELL for residential pilot program, the world’s first holistic framework for designing, operating and maintaining healthy homes, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) delivered the first roadmap for creating residential spaces that promote health and well-being. The strong market response underscores the surging demand for WELL’s people-first approach for delivering healthier, more resilient spaces for everyone…

“We’ve already seen strong adoption by projects of all sizes and price points in over a dozen countries during the pilot phase,” said Liz Miles, IWBI’s Vice President of Residential. “To create healthy homes for as many people as possible, we need scalable and innovative solutions that advance health impact from design to construction and maintenance.”

Miles also emphasized the two core principles driving this movement: health and affordability. “The industry is stepping up with solutions that make homes healthier, more sustainable and affordable while reducing energy costs and carbon footprints,” she added.

Innovation as a key driver

Today, technologies and concept-changing designs are redefining what it means to live in a healthy home where indoor environmental quality, comfort and well-being are integrated from the ground up. With the help of today’s cutting-edge solutions, innovative early adopters of the WELL for residential framework set a new benchmark for healthy living. With occupant health, energy efficiency and climate resilience top of mind, today’s home innovations are creating safer, healthier spaces for people everywhere.

Caplow Manzano: combating climate challenge by proactively addressing humidity in Miami

CM1, a future-proof single-family home in Miami’s Silver Bluff neighborhood, the first-ever certified WELL Residence. Designed by Caplow Manzano, the elevated home addresses flood risks and persistent humidity, both common challenges in Miami’s climate. The design includes removable wall panels for easy plumbing access, supporting better mold prevention. Its forward-thinking design strategies received media attention from The Miami Herald and The Architect’s Newspaper.

Assembly OSM: modular solutions at scale

New York-based Assembly OSM, a tech-driven prefabrication company, recently achieved the WELL Residence certification for its 147 Saint Felix Street project in Brookly, New York, making it the first modular building globally and the first project in New York State to achieve this designation. By building offsite in a modular format, the company integrates sustainability and health-focused design while minimizing carbon emissions. The project serves as a prototype of modular homes that prioritize sustainability and occupant health – offering a new approach to delivering healthier and more resilient homes at scale.

Corvias: health is in the air, water, and the light

Corvias, a major housing operator for the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, recently earned WELL Residence designations for projects at Fort Meade and Fort Liberty. Corvias’ strategies focus on improving indoor air and water quality, and installed circadian lighting systems that align with the human body’s natural day-night cycles, enhancing sleep, mood and overall well-being for service members and their families. “Corvias’ achievement of WELL Residence certification stands as a testament to our dedicated approach to partnership and innovation,” said Chris Wilson, Corvias Chief Executive Officer when pointing out Corvias’ steadfast commitment to ensuring healthy housing for military families. “We are encouraged by the scalability of this program to achieve third party indoor health certification and the prospects of broad adoption of these strategies across our peer companies in privatized military housing.”

Aeroseal: Collaborative approach to seal air leaks for vulnerable families

Ohio-based Aeroseal offers a technology-driven air sealing solution that improves indoor air quality, enhances comfort and boosts energy efficiency. Its technology seals leaks in HVAC ducts and building envelopes, cutting energy costs and improving indoor air quality for better health. In 2022, Aeroseal was selected for Illinois’s Healthy Homes program, a collaboration between Nicor Gas, Blue Cross Blue Shield and a local asthma advocacy group. The initiative helps low-income families dealing with pediatric asthma by sealing ducts to reduce harmful pollutants. Joe St. Pierre, a contractor integrating Aeroseal’s solutions in a clean-and-seal blended process, described the work as “emotionally empowering,” sharing how proactive sealing directly improved health outcomes for families in these communities.

Nicor Gas’s white paper highlighted the benefits: cleaner indoor air, safer living conditions and reduced energy burdens. “Tech solutions like ours act as force multipliers,” said Maggie McCarey, Aeroseal’s Vice President of Policy and Market Development. “They help create healthier, people-first spaces while fighting climate change.”

Creating Opportunity through innovation

As a tech-savvy and health-conscious generation enters the home market and starts driving demand for better living environments, it’s essential to guide this momentum with affordable, accessible design. Innovations will be key, helping to not only elevate health, but create greater opportunities to reach everyone.

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BUFFALO, June 18, 2025 /3BL/ – The KeyBank Foundation is investing $750,000 to support efforts to make homeownership more sustainable, safe and affordable through Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. This funding will help launch Belmont’s new “Key to Healthy Homes Initiative” (KHHI) program, which will provide home repair grants to low-income residents of Buffalo’s East Side at or below 80% of Area Median Income.

“Efforts that make homeownership more affordable and sustainable strengthen our neighborhoods and help them grow and thrive. The Key to Healthy Homes Initiative will have a transformative effect on families and communities across Buffalo and Western New York,” said Michael McMahon, KeyBank Buffalo Market President. “KeyBank is proud to partner with Belmont Housing and support their work to lift up and make a difference in the communities we proudly call home.”

Belmont’s mission is to expand affordable housing opportunities throughout Western New York. As a leading advocate for quality affordable housing, the nonprofit provides services to over 15,000 low-income households, generating over $30 million in rental assistance payments to property owners annually. The KHHI program will help Belmont expand efforts to provide more funding for home repairs in the areas in serves.

“KeyBank has been a long-standing partner to our team at Belmont Housing, and they have consistently demonstrated their commitment to making strategic investments here in Western New York. We face unprecedented challenges with housing affordability at this time and the funding through this initiative will prove critical to rehabilitating our housing stock, sustaining homeownership for City residents, and improving living conditions for families,” said Brad Packard, Incoming President for Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. “We applaud this effort by KeyBank and truly appreciate this opportunity to better assist residents on the East Side of Buffalo.”

“This program’s impact will be far reaching in that it will support the stabilization of neighborhoods through improved housing stock, helping homeowners build intergenerational wealth and helping seniors age in place,” said Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank Buffalo Corporate Responsibility Officer. “We are excited to provide this assistance to support Belmont and look forward to seeing the transformative impact this investment will have in our communities for years to come.”

“Across Masten District and across the city, we have some of the nation’s oldest housing stock and thousands of homeowners who struggle to make ends meet. When these folks are scrapping together just to pay the bills and necessities, four- or five-figure home repair projects are simply not within reach. As a result, far too many of our neighbors are exposed to contaminants like lead and asbestos in the home, unsafe housing conditions, and energy inefficiencies that raise utility costs and affect our environment,” said Masten District Common Council Woman Zeneta Everhart. “I applaud the KeyBank Foundation for stepping up with $750,000 to help local families protect their health, improve their homes, and invest in our communities. This funding will be truly transformational for families and neighborhoods, and I urge eligible households to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Since 2017, KeyBank has made more than $1.5 billion in investments in Buffalo and Western New York, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philanthropy.

Homeowners interested in applying to the KHHI program can contact Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. Senior Housing Rehab Program Manager Eric Schiffman at (716) 884-7791.

ABOUT KEYCORP

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

ABOUT BELMONT HOUSING RESOURCES FOR WNY, INC.

Originally established in 1977 to administer federally funded Section 8 rental assistance programs, Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. (Belmont) has grown to be a full-service housing agency with a mission to expand affordable housing opportunities in Western New York by assisting low- and moderate-income households to obtain housing by producing and preserving housing units and by professionally managing affordable housing. Belmont also consults with municipalities and other non-profits on housing development and offers a broad menu of housing counseling services and financial capability programs. Belmont has 47 years of housing experience and became a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency in 1999. At Belmont, we believe that lives are changed when families and individuals have a safe, healthy, and affordable place to live and grow.

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SAN DIEGO, June 18, 2025 /3BL/ – My Green Lab®, the world’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sustainability in scientific research, today announces that its Converge Supplier Initiative has been endorsed by the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI). This endorsement from PSCI—the leading membership association for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies united to deliver responsible value chains—underscores growing momentum across the pharmaceutical industry to reduce supply chain (Scope 3) emissions and foster more sustainable lab operations.

My Green Lab’s Converge Supplier Initiative is a unique industry collaboration designed to support pharmaceutical suppliers—including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), and Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs)—in achieving My Green Lab® Certification. This certification framework enables suppliers to reduce environmental impact, cut energy and water use, lower costs, and align lab operations with corporate sustainability goals.

Leading pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, MilliporeSigma, Takeda, and UCB, have not only walked the talk by implementing My Green Lab Certification in their own labs to drive down emissions, but also have joined forces to educate and empower their outsourced research partners through the Converge Supplier Initiative. To date, over 147 supplier organizations have joined the initiative, with 32 already completing pilot certifications.

“The research supply chain represents a significant portion of the pharmaceutical industry’s environmental footprint,” said James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “This endorsement by PSCI reinforces the power of collaborative action and positions the Converge Supplier Initiative as a proven, scalable solution for driving impact reduction on the ground in the labs across the industry.” 

PSCI unites pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to advance responsible supply chain practices and drive improved safety, environmental, and social outcomes across the global value chain. Together, PSCI and My Green Lab are aligned in their vision for a more sustainable and collaborative future in science.

“Bristol Myers Squibb is excited to see two important relationships come together with PSCI and Converge. With Converge providing a hands-on, practical approach for suppliers with lab operations to address their footprint through My Green Lab Certification, it dovetails well with PSCI’s drive to see the adoption of sustainable practices in pharmaceutical supply chains. This partnership can accelerate the critical need for pharmaceutical supply chains to reduce their footprint while continuing their missions of delivering for patients,” said Devin Carsdale, Associate Director of Sustainability at Bristol Myers Squibb and PSCI Decarbonization Team Co-Lead.

“We proudly operate 17 labs globally, all of which have achieved My Green Lab Certification,” said Bill Sterling, Senior Director of Global Environmental Health and Safety at IQVIA Laboratories. “The My Green Lab program has been instrumental in fostering a culture of sustainability and engaging employees at all sites. It helps support our mission to accelerate innovation for a healthier world and features prominently in our annual sustainability report.” 

PSCI’s endorsement also supports the broader United Nations-backed Race to Zero campaign, which calls for 95% of participating organizations’ laboratories globally to achieve My Green Lab Certification at the highest ‘Green’ Level by 2030, a critical milestone in the path of net-zero emissions in science.

About My Green Lab

My Green Lab® is a nonprofit environmental organization with a mission to build a global culture of sustainability in science. The organization is the world leader in developing internationally recognized sustainability standards for laboratories and laboratory products—bringing sustainability to the community responsible for the world’s life-changing medical and technical innovations. Laboratories are some of the most resource-intensive spaces in any industry, but they don’t have to be. By introducing a new perspective and proven best practices within a carefully crafted framework, My Green Lab has inspired tens of thousands of scientists and lab professionals to make positive changes in their labs by reducing the environmental impact of their work.

My Green Lab® Certification is the world’s most trusted green lab certification, guiding scientists and lab teams toward actionable sustainability practices. Supported by third-party verification from Impact Laboratories, My Green Lab Certification has engaged over 4,360 labs in 50 countries, reaching over 46,800 scientists (as of June 2025).

For media requests, contact Christina Creager at christina.creager@mygreenlab.org.

For more information about My Green Lab, visit mygreenlab.org.

About PSCI

At the heart of the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) is the leading collaborative member association committed to promoting responsible supply chain management. Established in 2006 and legally formed as a nonprofit in 2013, the PSCI and its members focus on improving safety, environmental, and social outcomes across the global pharmaceutical value chain. Members deliver impact through three key strands of work (Audit, Capability Building, and Projects), which together drive best practices across the industry, supporting both members and suppliers to speak with one voice on responsible practices and enable efficiency and transparency.

For more information about the PSCI, visit pscinitiative.org. 

SWORDS, Ireland, June 18, 2025 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, is proud to announce Cal Krause has been named to the Trellis 30 Under 30 list for 2025.

This recognition highlights Cal’s exceptional contributions to mitigating climate challenges through his innovative work in reducing embodied carbon in key materials. He joins an esteemed group of 270 rising young sustainability professionals who have been honored since the list’s inception in 2016.

Cal graduated from the University of Michigan with a BSE in Industrial & Operations Engineering and a minor in Environmental Science. He started his career at Trane Technologies as a Material Planner at the company’s Vidalia, Georgia plant, later advancing to Associate Category Manager for Steel, where he focused on integrating more sustainable options into the company’s sourcing strategies.

In 2022, Cal transitioned to the corporate sustainability team as an Embodied Carbon Specialist, and by 2024, he was promoted to Operational Impacts Manager. In this role, Cal leads Trane Technologies’ efforts to reduce embodied carbon and is spearheading the company’s commitment to a 40% reduction in embodied carbon in key materials by 2030.

Under Cal’s leadership, Trane Technologies joined the First Movers Coalition and SteelZero, resulting in millions of HVAC systems now containing low-carbon steel. His work in the Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (CEES) is a testament to Trane Technologies’ commitment to integrating sustainability practices into its operations and advancing its net-zero goals.

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About Trane Technologies
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane and Thermo King, and our environmentally responsible portfolio of products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation. Learn more at tranetechnologies.com.

Yum! Brands

Almost all of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees – 98% of nearly 61,000 locations, to be exact. And over 600 of those franchisees gathered in Sydney, Australia, in April for parent company Yum! Brands’ Global Franchise Convention (GFC), traveling as far as 10,500-plus miles to get there. For four days these franchisees, hailing from every continent but Antarctica, shared knowledge and listened to Yum! and its brands’ leadership outline their plans to continue growing iconic restaurant brands globally.

“This four-day event is two years in the making,” Yum! CEO David Gibbs said. “As the world’s largest restaurant company, our scale is unmatched. No one can do what we do, gathering committed, capable and capitalized partners across the globe to share a vision in building the world’s most loved, trusted and connected restaurant brands.”

Here’s what to expect from KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Habit Burger & Grill and Yum! Brands in 2025 and beyond.

The Power of One
Throughout the four days, executives threw out several figures to illustrate Yum!’s size:

• Yum! purchases 1.7 billion kilograms of poultry each year.
• It spends $1.4 billion on dairy products annually, but that’s less than 10% of the company’s overall spend.
• The company employs over 2,000 Digital & Technology employees, and KFC alone creates 60,000 new jobs every year.

Perhaps the most impressive number was the fact that Yum! spends billions in support of franchisees. This investment comes in the form of several initiatives, including the Yum! Franchise Office, which works to partner with the brands and franchisees across the globe to strengthen Yum!’s franchising foundation – from navigating legal contracts and benchmarking financial success – to the complex issues.

Also part of that spend is Byte by Yum!, a comprehensive collection of proprietary Software as a Service, AI-driven products, which simplifies both operations and the customer experience. Byte is a platform built by operators, for operators, and its support staff works as one cross-functional team to ensure that restaurant teams and engineers collaborate in real time to ensure the best experience for everyone. Since Yum! has developed and owns its own tech stack, the benefits to its franchisees are exponential. As Byte by Yum! President Joe Park said at GFC, “If you have a great idea, put it into Byte, and we’ll roll it out to everyone.”

This collaborative spirit speaks to the power of one Yum!. Since it is the world’s largest restaurant company, its purchasing power for poultry, dairy and other goods is unparalleled, securing the best prices for its partners. Innovation, whether that takes the form of technology, marketing or new menu items, is also shared across all four brands. It’s the reason Yum!’s newest brand, Habit Burger & Grill, has been able to scale so quickly according to CEO Shannon Hennessy, making her new mantra “more magic, more margin.”

Hospitality, Powered by Byte

In February, Yum! announced Byte by Yum!, and at GFC, franchisees got a close-up look. Byte by Yum! President Joe Park identified a clear need for the platform as many restaurant general managers were making decisions based on their experience and intuition. While mainly good, the time it took to make those decisions, he said, could’ve been used to create a better experience for team members and customers.

This echoes what Yum! Chief Marketing Officer Ken Muench said, “The more the world becomes digital, the more we’re going to crave human contact.” It’s also what KFC Global Chief Digital & Technology Officer Judd Knight called “tech-powered hospitality,” automating the mundane so team members can spark joy.

There are Byte by Yum! products in over 25,000 restaurants globally. In the U.S., Yum!’s brands are powered by multiple Byte products, with Byte’s digital ordering platform processing more than 300 million transactions annually. 

When Pizza Hut U.S. experienced its busiest day in its history during the NFL’s Big Game, there were no outages thanks to Byte by Yum! Commerce, and this success and these learnings are being shared amongst all four brands, with Taco Bell benefiting from Pizza Hut’s experience with Byte.

“During Taco Bell’s Taco Tuesday promotional launch, we were breaking global Yum! records,” said Yum! Chief Technology Officer Matthew McDole. “I can confidently say that Byte by Yum! powers Taco Tuesday.”

Go Bold or Go Home

While Yum! was founded in 1997, its brands have a longer history, and as Gibbs pointed out, their history is marked by innovation – like, when KFC invented the bucket, evolving quick-service restaurants from a single-use occasion to a group one and when Taco Bell created the phrase “value menu.” Likewise, Pizza Hut is credited with being the first item ordered on the internet in 1994.

That ingenuity is still manifesting today with Taco Bell’s Live Mas Café, Pizza Hut’s latest restaurant design in the U.S. and Yum!’s newest concept Saucy by KFC, which brings together 11 flavored sauces paired with boneless tenders seasoned with the brand’s signature 11 herbs and spices.

BETHESDA, Md., June 18, 2025 /3BL/ – Tandem Global, a leading NGO working at the intersection of business, climate, water and nature, is pleased to announce the election of a new Chairperson, Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ecolab, and the appointment of several new members to its Board of Directors.

Tenuta, who succeeds Connie Hergert, Vice President of Ontario Power Generation as Chair of Tandem Global, brings a wealth of experience in sustainability and corporate responsibility focused on environmental stewardship and helping customers operate more sustainably. He shares a deep commitment to advancing Tandem Global’s work with businesses to support long-term positive impacts on our shared environment. Tenuta served on the board of the World Environment Center (WEC) since 2019 and played a pivotal role in combining WEC and Wildlife Habitat Council to form Tandem Global earlier this year. In his role as Chair, he will help guide the strategic direction of the organization during a time of exciting growth and opportunity.

“We are thrilled to welcome Emilio as our new Board Chair,” said Margaret O’Gorman, CEO of Tandem Global. “He brings exceptional leadership and a clear vision for the future of Tandem Global as we are positioned to expand our network and share our proven strategies and expertise in supporting corporate actions for nature. We are also excited to welcome our new board members whose diverse perspectives and expertise will strengthen our ability to deliver on our mission.”

Joining the board are:

• Heather Brown, Vice President, Environment, Health and Safety, Ontario Power Generation
• Peter J Dulik, Global Head of Occupational Safety and EHS Management Systems, BASF
• Lynn Anne Sanguedolce, Senior Principal and Manager of Water, Waste, Land & Biodiversity, ExxonMobil
• Claire Schachter, Of Counsel, Beveridge and Diamond
• Steven Tomaszewski, Global Director, Environmental Operations, General Motors

“I’m honored to step into the role of Board Chair at Tandem Global during such a pivotal time,” said Tenuta. “The urgency and relevance of our mission have never been clearer. I’m inspired by the dedication of our board and leadership team, and I look forward to harnessing our collective strengths to drive bold, lasting impact around the world.”

For a full list of Board Members, visit Our People page.

About Tandem Global

Tandem Global (formerly Wildlife Habitat Council and World Environment Center), 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 works to facilitate long-term and lasting impact on all aspects of our natural world. 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. Tandem Global is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, with locations across the U.S., in Latin America and Munich, Germany. For more information visit tandemglobal.org.

Throughout the United States, towns and cities of all sizes are responding to the challenges posed by climate change by implementing solutions to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint and address climate risks. Focusing on building decarbonization in their communities not only supports environmental efforts, it also helps cities build a strong economy, jobs and a healthy community for residents. 

If you are a municipality just getting started on your decarbonization journey, you probably have a lot of questions. Veolia North America partnered with Climate Mayors to develop a clear roadmap that outlines a practical approach to building decarbonization that balances cutting carbon emissions with reducing costs for both public and private stakeholders.

In this blog, we’ll outline each step on the roadmap to building a cleaner future through government action on building decarbonization. To learn more about these steps and see case studies from cities across the United States, download the full guide here.

Step One: Setting Goals and Establishing Baselines

Before municipalities can begin taking action to reduce their carbon footprint, they should establish a baseline understanding of their current building emissions. It’s important for municipalities to know what building decarbonization targets are realistic while still setting an ambitious and achievable goal.

First, municipalities should conduct a thorough inventory of buildings to better grasp typologies throughout the city, including use, age, energy uses and equipment systems. Creating a baseline of data from existing buildings is critical as it provides municipalities with the information they need to effectively set policies and programs to address building decarbonization. Municipalities should also create detailed plans outlining costs and associated impacts, which will help them build partnerships with local businesses, community organizations and state agencies to increase the likelihood of securing funding.

With this baseline, municipalities can then determine what goals they can achieve in both the short and long term. These goals should align with targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, as well as state climate targets and other established benchmarks.

Step Two: Focusing on City-Owned Assets

Municipalities are often significant land owners within their own cities, and thus are well-positioned to lead by example to advance community-wide building decarbonization goals. After gathering the necessary data, the next step for municipalities is to focus on reducing emissions from city-owned buildings. Actions towards this goal could include:

• Developing a reliable building energy management system for using data to measure progress, especially at points of consumption.
• Conducting an energy audit to identify inefficiencies that are contributing to emissions, and practical steps to address them.
• Implementing lighting retrofits of energy-efficient bulbs.
• Installing energy-efficient heat and cooling systems such as ground-source and air-source heat pumps.
• Streamlining management of city assets across agencies to minimize inefficiencies.
• Dedicating resources to address more challenging sources of emissions, such as older buildings with antiquated systems that are difficult to convert to electricity.
• Pursuing electrification and renewable energy sourcing to replace traditional fossil fuels for building energy needs. 

Step Three: Securing Funding and Partnerships

Ask any municipal leader about the greatest obstacle they face in achieving their sustainability goals, and the first answer is most likely to be “paying for it.” While upfront costs are important to consider, the long-term reduction of energy bills to municipalities and consumers will save taxpayer dollars and provide important community co-benefits over the life of the upgrades.

For building decarbonization, municipalities can tap into funding strategies like:

• Self-funded projects with economic return
• Tax-based funding
• Grants and incentives
• Public-private partnerships
• Green bonds

Successful projects often mitigate financial risk through a blend of public, private and philanthropic financing in the form of both grants and loans.

Step Four: Creating Policy Incentives

Adopting clear policies is one of the most important tools local governments have to implement building decarbonization across their community. Policies outline the city’s sustainability expectations, priorities and action plans. Municipalities should also consider public reporting requirements as part of their policy actions, which allows all stakeholders to be fully aligned while also holding all relevant parties accountable.

Policy options for municipalities could include:

• City ordinances
• Incentives and fees
• Green building recognition
• Reporting

Step Five: Developing Your City’s Workforce

Transitioning to a clean economy means more clean energy jobs and a need for more workforce development programs. According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Green Skills Report, the demand for trained personnel in green-focused jobs is far outpacing supply, with demand in the U.S. increasing by 9.8 percent from 2023 to 2024, and supply increasing by only 3.1 percent.

Efforts to address the “green skills gap” can begin in a number of ways — whether it’s job-specific training, apprenticeship programs or STEM programs and coursework in public schools and local universities.

Many municipalities have made it a high priority to ensure that low-to-medium income communities benefit from decarbonization strategies. Community nonprofit partners, community colleges and the trades play a central role in training and development for certain clean energy jobs. Municipalities can accelerate community buy-in for building decarbonization initiatives by implementing a stakeholder review board with local housing authorities and nonprofit organizations, in which everyone participating can be part of the process and monitor progress.

Starting Your Decarbonization Journey Today

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly severe and frequent, the need to reduce our carbon emissions is becoming more critical by the day. Municipalities across the U.S. are playing a leading role in implementing building decarbonization solutions to address this need. Through these policies and programs, cities can also drive resident engagement, reduce energy burdens for low- and medium-income communities and lower overall long-term costs.

By following this roadmap, municipalities can build a more sustainable future, with clear and actionable steps for making tangible change in their communities when it comes to building decarbonization efforts.