Tag: 3BL

GOLDEN, Colo., July 23, 2026 /3BL/ – The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a $56-million technology program funded by Wells Fargo and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), announced the recipients of a pool of $750,000 in philanthropic funding as part of its second Scalable Tech Track. Through its Scalable Tech Track, IN2 helps corporations, municipalities, universities, and nonprofit organizations pilot validated technologies that deliver operational efficiency and measurable business impact.

IN2 awarded funding to four organizations for pilot projects of innovative energy technologies with expert support from NLR researchers. From affordable housing to grid modernization, the winning projects address real-world energy demands and market challenges.

“These organizations are eager to deploy technology,” said Sarah Derdowski, the IN2 program manager. “This funding helps end-user companies implement innovative solutions into their portfolio of buildings and campuses with the expert support and siting from the lab, all while generating insights for others to follow.”

Awarded Pilots

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) is focusing on integrating efficient building solutions into affordable housing for wildfire-impacted communities. With the pilot funding, Habitat LA will leverage three technologies to streamline their planning and building efforts and ultimately expand their capacity to address the growing housing burden in Los Angeles County.
• National Grid is exploring new approaches to enhancing the speed and flexibility with which energy demands connect to America’s constrained grid distribution infrastructure. Through this pilot project, National Grid will enable an automated connection study tool to connect new customers faster and improve speed-to-power lag times while maintaining safe and reliable service.
• WinnCompanies aims to utilize new data streams and automated controls to make multifamily housing more affordable and efficient. Through this pilot project, WinnCompanies will implement networked building controls across affordable housing properties to shift and shed electricity loads, lowering utility costs for residents.
• Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is partnering with the City of Tucson to build a more resilient microgrid-powered cooling center, which can ultimately save lives in the extreme heat of Pima County, Arizona. With their IN2 funding, TEP will pilot two new technologies including using artificial intelligence tools to quantify microgrid benefits and enhance overall system reliability.

“We are proud to embrace innovative solutions that can help wildfire-impacted families return home faster and strengthen the way affordable housing is delivered across Los Angeles County,” said Erin Rank, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. “By combining emerging technology with Habitat LA’s decades of housing expertise and deep community partnerships, we have an opportunity to accelerate recovery, reduce barriers to rebuilding and create a model that can serve communities facing housing challenges well beyond this disaster.”

With the support of IN2’s pilot funding, Habitat LA plans to integrate three technologies: an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered proptech GIS and search platform, an AI site-planning and underwriting tool, and a mobile robotic micro-factory designed to help streamline the process of planning, building and delivering new homes. While the initiative will initially focus on supporting communities affected by wildfires, these technologies also have the potential to advance affordable housing solutions throughout Los Angeles County and Habitat networks in other regions.

A panel of judges selected these four winning organizations based on their feasibility, impact, pilot readiness, and dedication to knowledge sharing. Pilot projects will launch within six months, demonstrating the program’s focus on rapid results and actionable insights to advance adoption. Read more about the organizations and their projects on NLR.gov.

Five other organizations that were part of the Scalable Tech Track cohort did not receive funding this round but will join an “adoption-ready” network of Energy Champions to gain curated access to NLR and a community of peers committed to collaborative innovation. Energy Champions drive impact beyond funded pilots and foster progress across America’s energy ecosystem.

The National Laboratory of the Rockies is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, operated under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308.

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About the Innovation Incubator (IN2): 

The Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a $56 million dollar program funded by Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies. IN2 advances and de-risks energy solutions from concept to commercialization. Bridging the gap between high-potential startups and market adopters, IN2 fosters collaboration across a growing ecosystem—convening entrepreneurs, industry partners, and research experts. Through this networked approach, IN2 accelerates real-world implementation and scaling of impactful technologies in the built environment and infrastructure sectors, driving a more resilient, adaptable future. For more information, visit www.in2ecosystem.com.

IN2 Media Contact: 

Stacy Parker

303-630-2147

stacy.parker@nlr.gov

For over 12 years, the Covia Foundation has helped the dependents of our employees turn their educational aspirations into achievements, opening doors to opportunities throughout the United States and Canada. Through our Aspire Scholarship programs, we invest in the next generation by recognizing academic excellence, encouraging personal growth, and providing meaningful support as students pursue their postsecondary education. These scholarships allow students to pursue their dreams with confidence, enabling them to focus on what matters most: their education.

An impressive group of applicants from the United States and Canada applied for the 2026 scholarship program. After a thorough evaluation by an independent selection committee, eight outstanding students were selected to receive scholarships. This year’s recipients are Emily Bonnell, Elizabeth Cox, Isabelle Cox, Tamya Curry, Hrish Dave, Gracie Dean, and Thompson Willoughby. Along with one recipient who has chosen to remain anonymous, these students exemplify academic achievement, dedication, and future potential.

“The Covia Foundation’s scholarship program reflects our commitment to investing in the future and creating opportunities for the next generation. We are proud to celebrate these students as they pursue their educational dreams and look forward to continuing this tradition of developing tomorrow’s leaders,” said Bruno Biasiotta, Covia’s President and CEO.

Find out more about Covia’s community involvement and charitable efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• A well-crafted EHS policy gives structure and accountability to what might otherwise remain good intentions, anchoring leadership’s commitment in something employees and stakeholders can actually reference and act on.
• The strongest policies are built around four foundational questions: why EHS matters to your organization, who will read the policy, what scope it covers, and who will sign it.
• Customization is what separates a useful policy from a generic one. The needs of low-risk offices look nothing like those of heavy manufacturing facilities, and your policy should reflect that difference.
• If your organization is pursuing or maintaining ISO certification, alignment with standards like ISO 14001 or 45001 needs to be built into the policy from the start.
• Regular communication through training, internal refreshers, and visual tools transforms a written commitment into a cultural one.

Showing a commitment to environment, health, and safety (EHS) remains a priority for not just customers, but for investors, NGOs, and employees too.

In recent years, that commitment has taken on new urgency as companies respond to ESG disclosure requirements, growing stakeholder expectations, and the need to demonstrate resilience through clear governance. Capturing these priorities in a formal policy helps ensure consistency across operations and provides a clear reference point for accountability.

Let’s take a deeper dive into creating a strong and compelling EHS policy, customizing it for your company, and then communicating it to your target audience.

Creating Your EHS Policy

An EHS policy makes leadership’s commitment tangible by defining how environmental, health, and safety priorities are built into daily operations and decision-making. It’s a critical reference point for employees and stakeholders, outlining the function, philosophy, and authority of EHS within the organization. Without it, even the best-intentioned programs can lose direction.

To create a meaningful and compelling EHS policy for your organization, leadership should consider the following:

Purpose: Why is EHS important to us?

Defining your purpose is an opportunity to tie EHS into company values and business strategy. This could include protecting employees, reducing accidents, ensuring environmental protection, and/or maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and consensus standards.

Audience: Who will be reading the EHS policy?

Will this only be shared internally or will it be published on your company’s external website? Possible audiences include customers, suppliers, investors, employees, and the public. The policy should be tailored to the intended audience and their interests wherever possible.

Scope: What parts of the business are included?

Who and what is affected by the policy? Is it single facility, multiple facilities, suppliers, or surrounding environments? The scope is important in ensuring that the policy can be properly applied and implemented. This becomes especially critical if going for ISO certification.

Signature: Who will sign the policy?

Ideally, the policy is signed by the highest-level executive within the organization.

To get insights into the above, leaders can review results from past audits, materiality assessments, customer questionnaires, industry reports, and community feedback. It’s also crucial to make sure you have buy-in from all stakeholders before proceeding.

Customizing Your EHS Policy

Once the framework is in place, the next step is adding detail. While most EHS policies share the same overarching goals of demonstrating leadership commitment and addressing material EHS topics, they should reflect the specific risks and realities of your organization. Think of a tech company with low-risk offices as compared to a heavy manufacturing company; the EHS priorities and needs of each are very different, which should be reflected in their respective EHS policies. Will the organization’s operations involve activities such as data centers or warehousing that may affect (or have the perception of affecting) local communities? The policy should address these challenges through its commitments, but it’s important to ensure that the commitments remain practical and achievable. Overextending commitments and not achieving them will often do more harm than good.

Tone matters, too. The language and presentation of your policy should reflect your organization’s culture, whether concise and pragmatic or detailed and formal. Reviewing policies from peer organizations can provide inspiration, but your version should ultimately sound and feel like your company.

Layering in this perspective helps you create an EHS policy that is fit-for-purpose and aligned with company values and culture.

ISO Alignment/Conformance

Is your organization ISO certified, planning to become certified, or simply looking to align to ISO standards such as 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems), and/or 50001 (Energy Management Systems)? If so, ensure that, when developing your organization’s policy, it also aligns with the expectations and requirements of these standards.

Communicating Your EHS Policy

Once your EHS policy is finalized, the next step is to make it part of daily operations. The launch of a new EHS policy is an ideal opportunity for company leadership to publicly communicate the policy and demonstrate leadership’s commitment to EHS.

Integrating the policy into existing EHS programs, trainings, and company presentations helps ensure it is understood and applied consistently. If the EHS policy is new (rather than an update of an existing policy), consider offering trainings to help employees understand their roles and responsibilities. Ongoing internal refresher communications, like EHS newsletters, printed copies of the policy at every office, or other types of information sharing are vital for keeping employees informed and engaged. You can also extend communication through intranet dashboards, sustainability updates, or briefings for managers and key stakeholders.

To relate your EHS policy back to the real world, try including examples of incidents and success stories, office location maps, or quotes from employees. If you want to take things a step further, develop interactive or visual tools like videos, infographics, or interactive websites to tell your EHS story.

Following the internal launch, brands with many external customers might choose to post the policy publicly for easy access, while smaller companies with fewer clients might choose to keep access more limited.

An EHS policy is the cornerstone of an effective EHS management system for all companies. No matter which industry you’re in, a compelling and well-communicated EHS policy establishes a solid foundation for successful environment, health, and safety programs.

Antea Group experts have helped companies all over the world create and implement EHS policies that reflect their values, priorities, and needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com 

For more than two decades, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation^® has helped shape the national response to violence against women through its 21-year commitment as Presenting Sponsor of the Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW). As the Foundation marks its 30^th anniversary, this strategic, sustained investment in saving lives, strengthening systems, and building safer communities nationwide is a cornerstone of the Foundation’s key initiatives toward ending domestic violence and better supporting survivors.

A National Platform for Real-World Change
Each year in Dallas, the Conference on Crimes Against Women convenes one of the largest, most comprehensive gatherings of professionals dedicated to combating gender-based violence. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, advocates, healthcare providers, and social service organizations come together to share best practices, educate on new technological advancements, and remove roadblocks to ensure they are addressing the most relevant and widespread issues facing survivors and frontline responders.

The scale and impact are significant. From the data reflected in the conference’s recent infographic:

• 2,483 attendees participated, representing all 50 U.S. states and 4 countries or territories.
• 280 workshops were delivered, offering practical, real-world strategies.
• 270 expert speakers shared insights from across disciplines.
• 80 scholarships helped expand access to critical training.

“This is one of the nation’s most important training and collaboration forums, equipping thousands of frontline professionals with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed to better identify, prevent, and respond to violence against women,” said Michael Lunceford, President of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation Board of Directors. “Year after year, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation is honored to serve as Presenting Sponsor. By investing in individuals and organizations supporting survivors and strengthening systems of accountability, we help expand access to safety, healing, and justice – creating a safer world for women everywhere.” 

This aligns directly with the Foundation’s broader mission. Since its founding in 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has granted more than $100 million to initiatives focused on domestic violence prevention and response, as well as cancer research. Its work consistently targets areas where funding can drive meaningful, measurable outcomes.

“For more than 20 years, Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW) has been honored to stand alongside the Mary Kay Ash Foundation in a shared commitment to ending domestic violence and strengthening the professionals who respond to it every day,” said Becky Park, Executive Director, Conference on Crimes Against Women. “Because of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation’s partnership, CCAW has trained more than 60,000 professionals nationwide. Each trained professional represents countless survivors who are met with greater understanding, trauma-informed responses, and coordinated systems of support within their communities.”

Honoring a Founder’s Vision
Mary Kay Ash built her company and her legacy on the belief that women should feel safe, valued, and empowered. That philosophy continues to guide the Foundation today. Its partnership with CCAW is a direct extension of that vision: 

• A future where every woman can live free from violence is not aspirational – it is actionable.
• By supporting CCAW for 21 consecutive years, the Foundation has demonstrated that real change requires consistency, collaboration, and long-term commitment.

Building a Network That Works Year-Round
While the annual conference remains the cornerstone, the Conference on Crimes Against Women is the tip of a much broader ecosystem of education and collaboration, including:

• Advanced summits focused on specialized issues in gender-based violence
• Ongoing training platforms that extend learning beyond a single event
• Community-based initiatives that strengthen coordinated responses in underserved areas
• Storytelling and awareness channels that elevate survivor voices and expert insights

Together, these efforts ensure that progress doesn’t stop when the conference ends – it continues in courtrooms, hospitals, shelters, and communities across the country.

Why This Work Matters Now More Than Ever
Violence against women remains a persistent and complex issue, requiring informed, coordinated cross-sector responses. The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® understands that solving this challenge demands more than awareness – it requires education, resources, and sustained investment.

Through its partnership with CCAW, the Foundation is addressing a critical gap: ensuring that those who respond to survivors are equipped with the most current, evidence-based tools and strategies available. This is how systemic change happens – not in isolation, but through shared knowledge and collective action. For 22 years, CCAW has been a beacon of hope, healing, and working to make positive changes within a broken system. 

Learn more about the Foundation’s mission and impact in the Mary Kay Ash Foundation’s 30^th Anniversary Report and discover how sustained partnerships are making a lasting difference nationwide.

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About the Mary Kay Ash Foundation^® 

Guided by Mary Kay Ash’s dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® raises and distributes funds to end domestic violence and invest in breakthrough cancer research to find cures for women-related cancers. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed more than $100 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer, donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayashfoundation.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

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We’re helping solve our customers’ big challenges by innovating and delivering solutions that are better for their business and for the environment. Through our Gigaton Challenge, we aim to reduce 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our customers’ footprints by 2030.

PROJECT AT-A-GLANCE:

The opportunity:

Significantly reduce refrigerated trailer fleet emissions and improve efficiency.

The solution:

AxlePower dynamic energy recovery system from Thermo King®, a Trane Technologies company.

Sustainability outcomes:

• Reduces CO2 emissions by up to 7.5 tons per vehicle annually for typical long-haul operations, and up to 12 tons for intensively used trailers.
• Enables Logista to operate 84% of transport miles with sustainable fleet technology.
• Eliminates dependency on diesel-powered refrigeration units during battery operation.

When Logista deployed its first AxlePower-equipped refrigerated trailers across Europe in 2024, one of the region’s top logistics operators took a major step toward revolutionizing cold chain transportation. Thermo King’s electric, self-charging trailer cooling system recovers energy that would otherwise be lost, cutting emissions while maintaining the precise temperature control that modern logistics demands.

Known for its commitment to environmental sustainability, Logista continuously seeks innovative ways to reduce vehicle emissions and improve efficiency. The company found its solution in AxlePower, a fully integrated system that generates its own electricity as the trailer moves down the road. The technology combines a generator axle made by German manufacturer BPW with a Thermo King ENERG-e battery pack and smart power management technology.

The technology behind this transformation is as innovative as it is practical. “AxlePower provides an innovative and efficient way to recover energy that traditionally would simply be lost,” said Claudio Zanframundo, President Thermo King EMEA, Trane Technologies. “By recuperating the energy, we reduce emissions, fuel consumption and dependency on external power sources, supporting the transition to greener transport and meeting the increasing environmental demands of the logistics industry.”

The environmental impact is substantial. A single AxlePower system can reduce the CO2 emissions of a typical long-haul refrigerated transport vehicle by up to 7.5 tons per year compared to a standard diesel truck. That number jumps to 12 tons per year for an intensively used trailer, one that logs over 3,000 hours per year.

The Thermo King AxlePower system is based on a proprietary, smart power management technology, which continuously monitors both road conditions and driving operations to recover as much kinetic and thermal energy as possible from the trailer’s e-axle. Fleet managers can monitor a single truck’s battery charge and performance remotely and in real time, making it possible to adjust the system from afar without driver intervention.

Unlike other energy recovery systems, AxlePower intelligently disengages the e-axle during uphill driving, reducing drag on the truck’s engine. This smart design minimizes fuel consumption and keeps operating costs low, while maximizing energy recovery on flat terrain and downhill stretches.

As an added benefit, the AxlePower system operates silently with zero CO2 emissions while running on battery power. This capability is especially valuable for deliveries in noise-sensitive areas and inner-city, Ultra-low Emission Zones.

Today, Logista operates sustainably for 84% of its transportation miles. The company aims to reach 90% by 2026 to meet its environmental, social and governance targets. “With this addition to our fleet, we continue to innovate to offer increasingly sustainable services and reduce the carbon footprint of our transportation division,” said Pedro de Bernardo, General Manager Iberia and Polonia at Logista.

With this addition to our fleet, we continue to innovate to offer increasingly sustainable services and reduce the carbon footprint of our transportation division.

Pedro de Bernardo
General Manager Iberia and Polonia, Logista

As Logista works toward its goal of operating 90% of its fleet sustainably by 2026, the company serves as a model for how large logistics operations can reduce their carbon footprint without compromising performance. For Thermo King and Trane Technologies, collaborations like this demonstrate that cutting-edge, energy recovery technology can transform even the most challenging transportation applications into sustainability success stories.

See how we’re making sustainability scalable. – Read our latest Sustainability Report.

To live healthier lives, people need access to health information, supportive services, nutritious food and opportunities for physical activity. Local organizations, advocacy groups, public institutions and private-sector partners are increasingly working together to address these challenges and connect people with resources where they live.

This collaborative approach was on display in Trenton, New Jersey, where Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) joined forces with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the City of Trenton with Mayor Reed Gusciora, and the Trenton Parks & Recreation Department to host the BMS Kickoff for Community Health event, designed to expand access to health resources and strengthen local connections.

The shared goal of the day was profound: making health and wellness resources more accessible to those who need it most. It celebrated the opening of a new mini-pitch, designed as a gift and permanent asset for the city of Trenton and its residents, providing a space for soccer, recreation and community connection for years to come. Families also enjoyed a community health fair with live music, connected with advocacy organizations, received educational health materials, learned about local services and received fresh groceries through a collaboration with Goodr, a social impact company working to address food insecurity across the United States.

More than 27,000 pounds of food—equivalent to approximately 22,500 meals—were distributed to 750 households representing 23 zip codes.

“At its core, health equity is about access and making sure where people live doesn’t determine the opportunity to be healthy,” said Andrew Whitehead, Vice President and Head of Population Health at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Around the world, access to care, health information and essential resources continue to shape health outcomes. The BMS Kickoff for Community Health brought that support directly to Trenton—combining food access, health education and key services in one place, while uniting community organizations, local leaders, advocacy groups and private-sector partners around a shared goal.

The event also left something permanent behind: a new mini-pitch that will continue to serve residents long after the day concluded. The mini-pitch represents a tangible symbol of what becomes possible when collaboration is rooted in the community itself.

This event was made possible through the collaboration of Bristol Myers Squibb, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, U.S. Soccer Foundation, the City of Trenton with Mayor Reed Gusciora, and the Trenton Parks & Recreation Department.

by Ying McGuire, Cascale CEO

A stack of reference notes sat on my desk with a glass of water within reach.

I had just finished recording my welcome message to Cascale members. After only a couple of retakes, I felt pleased — and more energized than I’ve felt in my decades-long career spanning Corporate America, entrepreneurship, and leading multistakeholder organizations. Needless to say, starting my first week as chief executive officer of an impact-driven organization whose mission is aligned to mine felt both exciting and deeply meaningful.

After our first Member Town Hall last month, I felt even more energized (some might call reference to the Energizer Bunny’s marching drumbeat).

While the excitement of this opportunity is contagious, it’s not a responsibility I take lightly. This responsibility transcends Cascale, across industries and communities, no matter their proximity to production. Because the climate crisis does not respect industry boundaries. And decent work cannot be an afterthought.

Manufacturing is personal to me. Having grown up in a textile family in China, I’ve seen its power to both build economies and strain ecosystems. I am here because I respect this industry’s potential and feel a deep responsibility to ensure its power is used to create a more sustainable and equitable future.

Cascale is not simply a job to me. It’s a mission, and I’m here as long as it takes to deliver on it confidently.

In my initial conversations with our members, the message has been clear. For too long, the industry has prioritized speed and cost over sustainable value, creating friction with our shared goals. What our community truly craves is standardization and simplified data collection—not just to reduce audit fatigue, but to redirect those precious resources and time toward driving on-the-ground impact. We need a clear, actionable path forward that we can all stand behind.

The chasm between our high-level climate ambitions and the grueling, on-the-ground realities of global production is widening, and vague promises will no longer bridge it. To move from fragmentation to real-world impact, we must transform our collective desire into immediate, coordinated action that shifts the discussion from what’s possible to what’s working and replicable. Only through this disciplined, unified effort can we turn the tide.

It’s Time to Act 

The urgency is clear. As noted in our State of the Industry report, carbon dioxide – the most abundant greenhouse gas – accounts for roughly two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions and is primarily produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. This industry, like others, has a long way to go in decarbonization, as well as in taking accountability for the human impacts.

The gap is only growing, and it’s dotted with more challenges.

I’ve heard directly from members that the environment they are operating in is not getting easier. It’s getting harder. There’s more scrutiny, more compliance needs, more cost pressures, more volatility, more traceability desires, more sourcing shifts, and more geopolitical uncertainty than ever before. Expectations are rising and the world’s tolerance for vague promises is gone.

Yet what makes industry challenges difficult to navigate alone is also what makes it so powerful to move forward together.

Throughout my career leading across NGOs and global technology companies, I’ve found the most enduring solutions come from bringing diverse perspectives together around a shared goal. Lasting progress happens when stakeholders align not just around ambition — but around action.

Honoring Our Legacy, Scaling Our Impact 

As I shared in my day one video, the biggest problems do not get solved by one company or NGO. This is the work of Cascale.

Just two weeks into my role with Cascale, I visited Rick Ridgeway, one of the founding fathers of Cascale, at his home at the Turtle Conservancy, hearing him share the story of how the CEOs of Walmart and Patagonia had the foresight to bring their peers to the table, catalyzing the standardization of sustainability measurement and data for impact. We must salute to the foresight of these long-time members — our sustainability pioneers — who worked tirelessly on the methodology and tools that drove the industry’s unmatched results in adoption. They are the foundation of our work and continue to be a vital part of our future. Our intent for expansion into adjacent consumer industries — which share a similar supplier base or manufacturing processes — is not a shift away from their legacy, but a strategic effort to amplify their work and best practices in this broader mission. Honoring the visionary foresight of our founders, we invite every sustainability leader in our community to take up this mantle, ensuring this shared mission remains a driving force as we scale our collective impact and write the next chapter of transformation together.

Many members have shared their vision of Cascale’s future as a big-tent convener to inspire change. To turn that vision into reality, I invite you to share your ‘magic-wand moments’ — let us know exactly what you need from us next to drive this change forward.

Share Your Insights in 2026 Cascale Awareness & Industry Impact Survey

In our most recent industry-wide survey, 86 percent of respondents said they are confident Cascale will drive meaningful change on decarbonization by 2030. Likewise, 87 percent expressed confidence in Cascale’s ability to help advance better working conditions across the industry.

Through the Higg Index, Cascale provides a trusted methodology and shared framework for measuring progress — from meeting regulatory compliance to adopting best practices — while ensuring data integrity through our verification process. Worldly serves as our exclusive technology partner, providing the platform for businesses to access these tools and scale their impact. Together we can turn data into meaningful action.

As I step into this role, you will see three pillars at the center of my first 90-day focus: I’m intent on removing blockers before they sideswipe progress, stewarding financial discipline, and seeking to align the foundation of member needs with Cascale strengths.

Now the work is to continue building from that foundation — together.

A Massive Responsibility Ahead 

The industry has its work cut out for itself to advance progress on climate and decent work. One ongoing challenge remains Tier 2 production, which can account for an estimated 45 to 70 percent of Scope 3 emissions. Addressing this part of the value chain is essential to driving meaningful climate progress at scale.

Programs like Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) help manufacturers build the practical foundation needed to set and meet science-aligned targets. The MCAP Annual Report 2025 showed what’s possible when 85 manufacturers in 19 countries – spanning 446 facilities – get the guidance they need to champion decarbonization.

Together with more than 80 organizations, Cascale recently helped establish the definition for Foundational Environmental Performance (FEP) — an important step toward greater industry alignment around baseline environmental management practices.

And decarbonization can’t happen without supplier investment. Last year, under Colin Browne and Harsh Saini’s leadership, we began the formative work of integrating Better Buying into Cascale, bringing supplier-informed purchasing practices data into its Responsible Purchasing Practices (RPP) strategy and strengthening our ability to elevate supplier voices across global value chains. As another hallmark effort, Better Buying completed its ninth annual Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) cycle under Cascale, engaging 23 subscribing buyer companies and collecting 1,598 ratings from 1,360 suppliers.

We also saw a major milestone in 2025, with more than 13,500 Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) verifications completed across more than 70 countries.

Read More in Our Cascale Annual Report 2025

These are meaningful steps forward. But there is still more to do. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and deliver the progress this industry needs – and it starts with member voices.

Listening: The Heart of Collaboration

There’s inspiration found at every corner when we listen to members’ first-hand experiences. At my first public appearance with Cascale, we jointly convened brands with the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) and Worldly in Denver ahead of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) Traceability & Sustainability Conference. Our members sparked lively peer discussions and shared powerful examples of the tools at work.

This is merely one touchpoint of many. And these conversations transcend borders or boundaries – from the Member Town Halls, forthcoming “Huddles with Ying,” and culminating in the defining event of our year: the 2026 Annual Meeting in Athens, where we will come together to build our future together and translate our collective vision into the real-world impact that defines our next chapter.

Our new name, Cascale, was chosen to reflect our commitment to collective action at scale. My intent as CEO is to live up to that name by identifying the next major industry challenge we can solve together, using our past success in standardized measurement as the blueprint for what we can achieve. It starts with listening.

I firmly believe that our industry’s greatest potential is unlocked through collaboration. Luckily, even amid broader conversations around sustainability losing momentum, our members continue to tell us they remain committed to moving forward, combining a business case with personal passion.

Our members have made their voices clear: we remain deeply dedicated to moving forward together, turning our shared passion into a powerful, collective force for change.

Take the Newest Awareness Survey

More than 200 fifth graders from the Columbia Heights School District stepped inside Medtronic Operational Headquarters for a hands-on Medtronic Spark experience that brought the world of health tech to life.

Throughout the morning, students explored interactive activities that challenged them to think creatively, collaborate with their peers, and discover how innovation can help solve real health challenges. The experience offered an early look at how technology, engineering, and problem-solving come together to improve lives.

Held in May 2026, the event was made possible with the support of over 200 Medtronic employee volunteers who helped guide students through the activities and shared their passion for innovation in healthcare. 

Learn more at MedtronicSpark.com.

Sustainability policy in the European Union continues to evolve across reporting, product requirements, circularity, human rights, and supply chain due diligence. For companies in the consumer goods industry, these developments can influence internal planning, data needs, supplier engagement, and cross-functional coordination. To help members make sense of the evolving policy landscape, Cascale hosted the EU Policy Briefing for Cascale Members earlier this week.

Key Takeaways

• EU sustainability policy continues to evolve across reporting, product sustainability, circularity, human rights, and due diligence.
• Companies may need to monitor how different policy areas intersect, rather than treating each regulation or directive in isolation.
• Stronger data, internal coordination, and value chain visibility can help organizations prepare as policy timelines and requirements continue to develop.
• Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members gained access to expert interpretation, practical considerations, and live Q&A through a member-only EU policy briefing.
• The recording, slides, and continued discussion are available to Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members on Cascale Connect.

The member-only session brought together experts from Cascale, the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), and Policy Hub to discuss major EU policy developments, including corporate sustainability reporting, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the EU Forced Labour Regulation, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Circular Economy Act, the Waste Framework Directive, national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) developments, and the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.

Speakers – including Gabriele Ballero, manager of policy and public affairs at Cascale – focused on the strategic implications of these developments. The discussion also gave members an opportunity to ask questions directly of policy and subject-matter experts and consider what emerging requirements may mean for their organizations and value chains.

A central theme from the briefing was clear: While individual policy files and timelines may continue to shift, the need for readiness remains. Companies can benefit from strengthening the systems and relationships that support preparation across multiple policy areas, including reliable data, governance, traceability, supplier engagement, and cross-functional coordination.

Through policy briefings, expert-led discussions, and member-exclusive spaces such as Cascale Connect, Cascale helps members move from monitoring policy change to preparing for its operational implications. This work supports greater confidence navigating an increasingly complex policy landscape and helps members engage in the conversations shaping sustainability rules.

Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members can watch the recording, access the slides, and continue the conversation in the Policy & Public Affairs Knowledge Hub on Cascale Connect.

The webinar was intended to provide a strategic overview of policy developments and does not constitute legal or compliance advice.

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Published Data Shows that the Active Ingredient, Lotilaner, in Credelio Quattro:

• Kills existing black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) infestations faster² than leading competitors, within just 8 hours of treatment.ⁱ
• Kills the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) within 12 hours of infestation; achieving the fastest³ initial speed of tick kill compared to the competition.ⁱⁱ
• Achieves a rapid speed of kill⁴ on Day 0 and on Day 28, with no statistically significant drop-off in performance at the end of the dosing period.^i,ii
• Outlasts competitors whose speed of kill^2,4 performance declined at the end of the month. ^i,ii

INDIANAPOLIS, July 22, 2026 /3BL/ – When it comes to killing ticks, veterinarians and pet owners want it done fast. New data published in Parasites & Vectors, a leading peer-reviewed publication, demonstrates that Elanco Animal Health’s (NYSE: ELAN) Credelio Quattro™ (lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets) kills ticks¹ faster² than leading competitors Simparica Trio^® (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) and NexGard^® Plus (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets).ⁱ

Newly Published Data Found Credelio Quattro:

• Faster² Tick¹ Speed of Kill: Credelio Quattro is the only product proven to significantly reduce black-legged ticks within 8 hours.ⁱ Lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio Quattro also has the fastest initial tick speed of kill against the lone star tick – in just 12 hours – and sustains the advantage throughout the dosing interval.ⁱⁱ
• Outperforms the Competition: Outperforms Simparica Trio^® (12 hours) and NexGard^® Plus (24 hours) at the end of the dosing period (Day 28).ⁱ
• Consistency Over Competitors: Achieves 8-hour speed of kill¹ on Day 0 and on Day 28 with no performance drop-off. Rapid kill is critical for preventing Lyme disease transmission, which typically occurs 24-48 hours after attachment.ⁱ

“Speed of kill is a critical factor for veterinarians and pet owners when choosing parasite coverage because the longer a tick is attached, the more likely it is to transmit dangerous diseases, like Lyme disease, to pets,” said Dr. Casey Locklear, veterinarian and leading parasiticides expert at Elanco. “These results reinforce that lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio Quattro, not only starts working fast but maintains its speed of kill⁴ against multiple species of ticks⁵, providing veterinarians and pet owners with the confidence that their dogs are protected from the very start of the month to the very end.”

The black-legged tick is the primary vector for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. The study, which evaluated the speed of kill against Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), found that Credelio Quattro was the only product tested to achieve significant initial tick reduction² within just 8 hours of infestation. Notably, this rapid speed of kill¹ was maintained from the beginning of the month through Day 28, providing consistent protection for the entire dosing interval.ⁱ

“Ticks are on the move. They are no longer limited to the places or seasons where we have historically expected to find them,” said Dr. Kathryn Reif, Bailey-Goodwin Endowed Associate Professor in Parasitology at Auburn University. “As their geographic range expands, so does the risk of tick bites and exposure to the pathogens they carry. Because tick-borne diseases can threaten the health of people, pets, and livestock, raising public awareness is more important than ever as tick populations grow and spread into new regions.”

 

The findings are based on evaluation time points at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-treatment and reinfestation. The data demonstrates that Credelio Quattro outperforms Simparica Trio and NexGard Plus in rapid tick¹ reduction, particularly in the critical first 8 to 12 hours.ⁱ

Credelio Quattro also has a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved claim for prevention of Lyme disease in dogs as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.

Does Credelio Quattro Kill the Lone Star Tick?

Credelio Quattro is approved to protect dogs from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), and its active ingredient, lotilaner, also has the fastest³ initial speed of tick kill against the lone star tick – in just 12 hours – and sustains that advantage throughout the dosing interval.ⁱⁱ This aggressive and expanding tick species – established across the South, Midwest and Northeast, and continuing to spread – is one of the hardest to kill and is best known for its association with alpha-gal syndrome, or the red meat allergy in humans. It can also transmit dangerous disease-causing pathogens to dogs.ⁱ A 2024 head-to-head study published in Parasites & Vectors compared lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio (lotilaner) and Credelio Quattro with sarolaner in Simparica Trio and afoxolaner in NexGard^®, and found that lotilaner kills the lone star tick faster⁴ than sarolaner in Simparica Trio and afoxolaner in NexGard, protecting dogs against this pathogen-carrying tick.

“With a heavier tick season and emergency room visits from tick bites on the riseⁱ, pet owners should remain vigilant and keep their pets on year-round parasite coverage,” Dr. Locklear notes. “We continue to look for opportunities to make parasite protection stronger and evolve research around best-in-class medicines.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks and Credelio Quattro:

How fast does Credelio Quattro kill ticks? 

Studies show that lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio Quattro kills ticks⁵ faster⁶ than the competition.^i,ii A 2026 study published in Parasites & Vectors shows that Credelio Quattro achieved significant reduction² of black-legged ticks within 8 hours of infestation.ⁱ A 2024 study shows that lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio and Credelio Quattro also has the fastest³ initial speed of tick kill against the lone star tick – in just 12 hours – and sustains that advantage throughout the dosing interval.ⁱⁱ

Why is it important to kill ticks quickly?

The risk of disease transmission increases the longer a tick remains attached, making rapid speed of kill a critical factor in preventing the transmission of disease. A 2026 study shows that Credelio Quattro was the only product tested that significantly reduced² black-legged ticks within 8 hours.ⁱ

Does Credelio Quattro lose effectiveness to kill ticks¹ quickly at the end of the month? 

No. The data shows that Credelio Quattro maintains its 8-hour speed of kill² on Day 28, whereas competitors showed a decline in performance.ⁱ

Are black-legged ticks linked to the red meat allergy in humans?

In the United States, alpha-gal syndrome, or red meat allergy, is usually associated with bites from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum); however, two Emerging Infectious Diseases studies link bites from black-legged ticks (deer ticks) and western black-legged ticks to potentially life-threatening alpha-gal syndrome.ⁱⁱ Additional work will be needed to determine a possible link, according to the researchers, but this continues to put emphasis on the need for tick bite protection for humans.

To learn more about Credelio Quattro visit CredelioQuattroVet.com.

PM-US-26-1188

1. Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick)
2. Based on the time to statistical significance vs. control in a head-to-head study on Day 0 post-treatment and Day 28 for reinfestations comparing Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard Plus (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) against Ixodes scapularis.
3. Based on the time to statistical significance vs. control in a head-to-head study comparing Credelio (lotilaner)—not Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard (afoxolaner).
4. Based on the time to statistical significance vs control in two separate head-to-head studies. The first study compared Credelio (lotilaner)—not Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard (afoxolaner) against Amblyomma americanum. The second study compared Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard Plus (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) against I. scapularis.
5. Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) and Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick)

NexGard and NexGard Plus are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. Simparica Trio is a registered trademark of Zoetis Services LLC.

Credelio Quattro, Credelio, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2026 Elanco or its affiliates

ABOUT ELANCO

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders and society as a whole. With 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to breaking boundaries and going beyond to help our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. Learn more at www.elanco.com.

Indications for Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1

Credelio Quattro is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease and the treatment and control of roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm infections. Credelio Quattro kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations and the treatment and control of tick infestations for 1 month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 3.3 pounds or greater. Credelio Quattro is indicated for the prevention of Lyme disease infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.

Credelio Quattro-CA1 is conditionally approved for the treatment of infestations caused by New World screwworm (NWS) larvae in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 3.3 pounds or greater.

Important Safety Information for Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1

Lotilaner, an ingredient in Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1, belongs to the isoxazoline class and has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions like tremors, incoordination, and seizures even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infections before Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1 administration as it is not effective against adult heartworms. The safe use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were vomiting and diarrhea.

Credelio Quattro-CA1 is conditionally approved by the FDA pending a full demonstration of effectiveness under application number 141-619. If you suspect that your dog is infested with NWS larvae, seek veterinary care immediately for treatment to include removal of larvae and appropriate wound care.

For complete safety information, please see the Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1 product label or ask your veterinarian.

Indications for Credelio
Credelio kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations and treatment and control of tick infestations (lone star tick, American dog tick, black-legged tick, brown dog tick, and longhorned tick) for one month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks and older and 4.4 pounds or greater. Credelio is indicated for the prevention of Lyme disease infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.

Important Safety Information for Credelio
Lotilaner is a member of the isoxazoline class of drugs. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, incoordination, and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving this class of drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. The safe use of Credelio in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are weight loss, elevated blood urea nitrogen, increased urination, and diarrhea. For complete safety information, please see Credelio product label or ask your veterinarian.

 

^{i Reif, K.E., Kollasch, T.M., Locklear, C.L. et al. Comparative speed of kill of induced Ixodes scapularis infestations following treatment of dogs with endectocides containing either sarolaner (Simparica Trio™), afoxolaner (NexGard® PLUS), or lotilaner (Credelio Quattro™). Parasites Vectors (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07559-y}

^{ii Reif KE, Kollasch TM, Neilson JC, Herrin BH, Ryan WG, Bell MC, Beltz MS, Dryden MW, Jesudoss Chelladurai JRJ, Miller KR, Sutherland CJ. Comparative speed of kill provided by lotilaner (Credelio™), sarolaner (Simparica Trio™), and afoxolaner (NexGard™) to control Amblyomma americanum infestations on dogs. Parasite Vectors. 2024 Jul 20;17(1):313.}

^{iii Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Where Ticks Live. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/where-ticks-live.html} 

^{iv CDC Data Show Weekly ER Visits for Tick Bites Higher Than Usual.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Apr. 2026,}

^{v Van Beusekom, Mary. “Research Ties Bites from 2 More Types of Ticks to Red Meat Allergy.” CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy), 4 Apr. 2025}

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