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Advances in technology continue to make increased demands on networking and technology professionals. In just a few years, AI has become an integral part of how networks are designed, managed, and secured—driving a shift in the skills most critical to IT professionals. Instead of being network operators, network engineers now need to be orchestrators, bringing together various forms of automation and AI.

At Learn with Cisco, our core commitment stays the same: to ensure every IT and networking professional has access to the skills needed to thrive, grow, and lead. For those just entering the field, it means being job-ready: able to configure, secure, and troubleshoot modern networks on day one. For experts, it means making the best use of the AI tools that are fast becoming part of technical environments. For employers, it means access to IT professionals with validated skills who can contribute from the start. And for everyone, it means translating technical acumen into business outcomes, engaging productively with stakeholders, and making better decisions in high-stakes environments.

That’s why I’m pleased to announce a range of training and certification updates across the Learn with Cisco portfolio, all designed to help networking professionals maintain their edge in an AI-driven era.

CCNA: Fortifying the foundation

Cisco certifications help professionals gain credibility, advance their careers, and stay current with evolving technologies. Cisco certifications are structured across multiple levels, including Associate, Professional, and Expert, each designed to validate different expertise and career stages in networking and IT.

The Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) covers foundational networking knowledge and has been earned by more than 1.8 million individuals in 190 countries. As AI reshapes networking roles, CCNAs need to remain fully job-ready.

In response, we’re launching the first major CCNA blueprint change since 2019. Exam blueprints provide learners with a detailed guide to the topics, skills, and tasks to be covered in the exam, and define its scope and depth.

The new CCNA blueprint is built on pillars that define the modern CCNA: network infrastructure, troubleshooting and problem-solving, developing a security-first mindset, and understanding the role of AI in network management and operations. The updated CCNA integrates essential skills across these pillars, reflecting the realities of today’s hybrid, AI-driven infrastructures.

We don’t make these changes lightly. Changes in exam topics are vetted by leaders in our Cisco Certified community, Distinguished Engineers, IT leaders, and representatives from our customers, ensuring that new network engineers arrive with a toolkit that meets employer expectations.

We’re also evolving the way we train for and validate these skills, blending recall with results. As learners use our new training to prepare for the exam, they’ll encounter more experiential learning opportunities and spend more time in hands-on labs. This moves our learners beyond theoretical understanding to authentic skills development. Correspondingly, the new CCNA exam will test learners’ practical skills, further validating job-readiness.

The exam topics are available on May 20, 2026, and the refreshed exam will be available on February 3, 2027. To help our community build these new skills, we’ve started releasing foundational training materials and tutorials at no cost through Cisco U., and we’ll continue to do so—including new premium training—until the updated CCNA exam goes live in February 2027.

We’ve deliberately created a long runway to help every learner prepare. For those currently studying for the current version of the CCNA, there’s no reason to change gears. The CCNA is and remains the global gold standard in IT certifications. That exam will remain live until the new exam goes into effect.

CCIE: Showcasing AI-readiness

Expert-level engineers are accustomed to solving complex, real-world problems with the best technical tools available. Right now, many of those tools use AI, and AI is a significant productivity enhancer. But before long, AI will be a job requirement.

To allow CCIEs to validate their skills in using AI to support network operations, we’re launching the CCIE AI Deploy, Operate, and Optimize Module. With an embedded AI module, the CCIE exam better reflects the actual environment in which CCIEs work.

The new AI module will be accompanied by a change in exam format. The AI Deploy, Operate, and Optimize Module will be an hour-long module, and the Design Module will be a two-hour exam (rather than three hours). The existing Design Operate and Optimize component in the exam will continue to be a five-hour assessment. All three modules are served by a single blueprint.

The new Module introduces an AI assistant for configuration, troubleshooting, and code creation. CCIEs should be comfortable using these tools for repetitive tasks and other heavy lifting, so that they can focus on higher-level decision-making and thinking.

In the AI Deploy, Operate, and Optimize Module, candidates will be asked to show their facility with AI for both soft and augmented engineering. Soft engineering includes using a general-purpose LLM for problem scoping, diagnostics, output validation, and assisted coding. The augmented engineering topics will assess CCIE’s ability to use AI tools for network operations (AIOps)

AI Deploy, Operate, and Optimize will be rolled out in phases. CCIE Data Center (DC) exam topics will be available at Cisco Live Melbourne in November 2026.​ CCIE DC practice labs will be available at Cisco Live London in February 2027, and the exam with the AI Deploy, Operate, and Optimize Module will go live at Cisco Live US in 2027.​

The human skills necessary to use AI

Employers consistently call out the importance of uniquely human skills to ensure AI is used effectively and responsibly. With AI automating rote tasks, successful network engineers are increasingly asked to serve as a bridge between the technical and business sides of an organization. This is where network engineers transform from tactical technicians to strategic IT advisors. To facilitate this journey, we’re introducing four new “human skills” tutorials on Cisco U. at no cost, helping IT professionals sharpen their critical thinking and business communication skills. These are the skills that help professionals connect technology to business value, amplifying both impact and growth.

Supporting skills from operator to orchestrator

As AI continues to reshape the technology landscape, the skills of Cisco Certified professionals remain critical to ensuring its successful use. With these changes to our certification portfolio, Learn with Cisco ensures that IT and networking professionals are prepared to contribute, grow, and lead at all phases of their careers.

Find more information on the upcoming CCNA release here.

Find more information on the upcoming CCIE release here.

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NEW YORK, July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – Louis D. Coppola, CEO and Co-Founder of Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A Institute), a leading US-based sustainability and ESG consulting firm, has been appointed Chair of the Stakeholder Council of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). He will serve alongside Adekemi (Kemi) Adisa, GM of Sustainability & Shared Value at MTN Nigeria Communications, who was appointed Vice Chair.

Coppola said, “Stepping into this role at such a consequential moment for sustainability reporting is a real honor. As ISSB, ESRS, and a growing set of other standards join the landscape, I expect GRI to matter more, not less. I’ve come to think of it as a kind of Rosetta Stone for reporting – the shared foundation companies build on to connect their reporting across multiple requirements.”

Coppola added, “In my view, AI is fast becoming one of the most important frontiers in sustainability disclosure — both as something companies need to report on and as a tool reshaping how reporting gets done. It’s an area where multistakeholder input matters enormously. I’m looking forward to working alongside Kemi and colleagues to help steward that work in the years ahead.”

The Stakeholder Council is a multistakeholder advisory body to ensure diverse perspectives inform GRI’s priorities. The Council advises the GRI Supervisory Board, Management Board, and Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB).

Coppola and Adisa were selected to lead the Council through GRI’s formal governance nomination process. They will serve two-year terms beginning on July 1, 2026.

Hank Boerner, G&A Co-Founder and Chairman, said, “Twenty years ago Lou and I built G&A around a conviction that transparency, done rigorously, makes companies better — and GRI gave that conviction a structure. We went on to serve as GRI’s Data Partner for Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and we’ve gone on to devote two decades to helping companies put the Standards to work. It’s a full-circle moment to see Lou go from helping companies use the Standards to playing a leading role in the multistakeholder process behind them.”

GRI’s research on 2025 reporting trends demonstrated that companies recognize its continued value even as reporting is being reshaped by ISSB, ESRS, and a growing set of standards. GRI is the most widely used sustainability reporting standard globally — used by 40% of large listed companies, representing 62% of global market capitalization. Notably, 80% of companies using ISSB Standards and 70% of those reporting under ESRS also reference GRI. Early findings from G&A’s forthcoming Russell 1000 research reinforce this pattern, suggesting that GRI is the connective foundation on which companies build their reporting practices.

About G&A Institute, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Governance & Accountability Institute (G&A) is a New York–based sustainability consulting and research firm with deep advisory experience supporting corporate leaders and investors in integrating sustainability into governance, risk, enterprise performance, and evolving regulatory and stakeholder expectations. Backed by rigorous disclosure research and one of the industry’s most comprehensive benchmarking databases, we deliver insight that strengthens transparency, enhances competitiveness, and drives measurable return on investment.

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

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES & INTERVIEWS, CONTACT
Louis D. Coppola, CEO & Co-Founder
Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.
Tel 646.430.8230 ext 14
Email lcoppola@ga-institute.com

HAMILTON, BERMUDA, 16 July 2026 /3BL/ – Family-owned Bacardi has signed a new global agreement with ecoSPIRITS, deepening the companies’ collaboration on circular packaging and broadening the access of Bacardi brands to the ecoSPIRITS’ technology platform. The agreement builds on a successful collaboration that began in August 2023, when Bacardi became the first spirits company to introduce circular packaging in the cruise industry.

Under the terms of the new global licensing agreement, Bacardi will have access to the full ecoSPIRITS circular technology platform, including ecoTOTE™, SmartPour™, ecoPLANT™ and the CircularONE™ software platform.

Working with ecoSPIRITS and Carnival Cruise Line, Bacardi helped demonstrate that circular packaging can operate effectively in high-volume cruise environments without compromising quality or operational performance. Since launching a pilot in 2023 with BACARDÍ® Carta Blanca rum, the collaboration has eliminated more than 130,000 single-use glass bottles and removed more than 82,000 kilograms of packaging waste.

Building on that foundation, the agreement creates a framework for Bacardi to explore potential future applications across additional brands, channels and sectors over time. It also reflects growing interest in reducing reliance on single-use glass and moving toward more circular solutions.

The agreement also formalizes a closer technical collaboration between the two companies. Bacardi provided direct input into the development of the ecoTOTE 3.0SC Cruise Edition, a purpose-built solution engineered for maritime environments with enhanced corrosion resistance and compliance with United States Public Health hygiene regulations. Under the new agreement, the companies will continue to collaborate on technology solutions for demanding operational environments, including cruise ships, resorts and high-volume hospitality venues.

“Our collaboration with Bacardi began with a bold idea: bringing circular packaging to the cruise industry for the first time. Since then, we’ve demonstrated what this model can deliver in a complex, high-volume environment,” says Paul Gabie, CEO, ecoSPIRITS. “This new global agreement marks an important next step in our collaboration and creates a framework to explore broader future opportunities together across additional channels and sectors. The technical collaboration we’ve built with Bacardi also shows how brand owners and technology partners can work together to accelerate the transition away from single-use glass.”

“At Bacardi, Good Spirited is about making better choices for both people and planet, while continuing to grow our business the right way,” says Rodolfo Nervi, VP, Corporate Sustainability, Global Safety & Quality, Bacardi. “Expanding our work in circular packaging builds on real progress we’ve already made to reduce waste across our portfolio and reflects our ambition to keep raising the bar. This agreement shows how collaboration and innovation can help accelerate positive change at scale.”

As part of its Good Spirited corporate sustainability program, Bacardi is focused on reducing packaging waste and environmental impact across its portfolio, which includes BACARDÍ rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, PATRÓN® tequila, MARTINI® vermouth, and DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky. This includes increasing the use of packaging that is reusable, recyclable or biodegradable, as well as removing plastic pourers from bottles and eliminating plastic from secondary packaging and point-of-sale materials.

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Media Contacts

For media enquiries about ecoSPIRITS, please contact info@ecospirits.global. 

For media enquiries about Bacardi, please contact Anisa Ghuloom, Director, Corporate Communications, Bacardi, at aghuloom@bacardi.com.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 164 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology has been adopted in 28 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 3,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have chosen the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow further in 2026. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For more information, please visit: www.ecospirits.global

Dedicated and passionate EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) leaders understand that even the most robust safety policies are ineffective unless there is a culture that promotes – and even celebrates – safety.

A workplace culture that treats safety as a shared commitment by every member of the organization, from top leadership on down, benefits both individual well-being and organizational success. 

Read on to learn how you can establish and foster a culture of safety in your own workplace, and make sure to check out our podcast episode on Bridging Occupational Safety Across Border and podcast episode on Beyond Compliance: Building a Strong Safety Culture.

 

Key Takeaways

• Safety culture is built through leadership, employee engagement, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Organizations with strong safety cultures proactively identify hazards before incidents occur.
• Regular training, reporting, and safety surveys help measure and strengthen workplace safety culture.
• Building a culture of safety requires commitment from everyone, not just the EHS team.
• Psychological safety encourages employees to report concerns and near misses without fear.

 

What Is a Positive Safety Culture?

Positive safety culture is an organizational ethos that prioritizes the health and safety of its employees above all else. It is the foundation upon which safe work practices are built and sustained, embedding safety as a core value within the company’s operations and decision-making processes. The fundamental element that sets positive safety culture apart is the proactive nature of how companies address safety issues. It should also be flexible to evolve as risks and environments change.

Safety culture encompasses the shared values, attitudes, behaviors, and everyday decisions that influence how people think about safety at work. Rather than being limited to written procedures, safety culture shapes how employees identify hazards, communicate concerns, and respond to risks. When safety becomes part of daily decision-making, organizations are better equipped to prevent incidents before they occur.

By contrast, a negative safety culture is reactive, addressing safety issues only after they occur. This can lead to repeated incidents and an underreporting of hazards. In a setting like this, employees often feel disengaged and excluded, further exacerbating an unsafe environment and leading to higher accident rates and a disregard for safety procedures.

“I think we’re in a continual state of learning, and humans and the workplace are constantly evolving. As we change and evolve, the risks are changing and evolving too.” – Alizabeth Aramowicz Smith

To see how organizations are putting positive safety culture into action, explore Promoting Safe and Healthy Workplaces.

 

What Does Safety Culture Encompass?

A strong safety culture generally encompasses three interconnected elements:

1. People

Employee attitudes, behaviors, and shared responsibility for safety.

2. Processes

Policies, procedures, risk assessments, reporting systems, and training.

3. Leadership

Visible commitment, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement.

 

While different organizations may define safety culture differently, most successful programs combine engaged people, effective safety processes, and committed leadership.

 

Benefits of a Strong Safety Culture

A strong safety culture involves a collective commitment to safety at all levels, from top management to frontline employees. When safety is deeply embedded in the corporate culture, accident and injury rates are lower, employee morale is higher, and overall efficiencies improve.

• Lower accident and injury rates: One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of a strong safety culture is a reduction in workplace accidents and injuries. This is achieved by identifying and mitigating risks before they result in harm.
• Higher employee morale: When employees see that their safety is a top priority, their overall job satisfaction and engagement levels increase.
  Improved brand reputation: Organizations with a strong safety culture are often perceived as responsible and trustworthy by customers, investors, and the general public. Companies known for their strong safety culture can position themselves as leaders in their industry.
• Increased efficiencies: A strong safety culture can also lead to significant improvements in operational efficiencies. When safety is a priority, processes are designed to minimize risks.

 

Developing and Maintaining a Positive Safety Culture

Creating and sustaining a positive safety culture requires concerted efforts across multiple areas of an organization. It starts with a firm commitment from top management and extends through to active participation by all employees. 

The following elements are critical for successfully establishing a positive safety culture in your organization.

 

Top management demonstrates a commitment to safety

A positive safety culture begins with leadership. When leadership is sincerely committed to safety, it sets the tone for the entire organization. This commitment is evident through actions and decisions that prioritize safety above all else. This requires:

• Visibility: Leaders actively participate in safety meetings and initiatives, demonstrating their dedication to maintaining a safe workplace.
• Resources: Adequate resources, including funding for safety programs and investment in safety equipment, are allocated to support ongoing safety efforts.
• Policy: Safety is integrated into all aspects of organizational policy and strategic planning, making it a core component of the company’s operations.

 

Clear and effective safety policies and procedures are established

Safety policies and procedures form the foundation of a safe working environment. For these policies to provide effective guidance for safe behavior and operations, they must be clearly stated and readily accessible.

Steps to take when establishing safety policies:

1. Develop comprehensive policies that cover all aspects of workplace safety, including equipment usage, hazard identification, and emergency response protocols. A risk assessment is an excellent starting point for identifying concerns and establishing protocols, as well as an EHS culture survey.

2. Make safety policies easily accessible to all employees. Ensure that everyone is aware of and understands the guidelines through various communication channels such as postings, handbooks, and regular briefings.

3. Establish a process for regularly reviewing and updating safety policies to reflect new regulations, industry standards, and insights gained from past incidents.

 

Open and transparent communication regarding safety

Effective communication is vital for promptly identifying and addressing safety issues within an organization. Open and transparent communication ensures that all employees are aware of safety concerns and can actively contribute to finding solutions. This includes implementing easy-to-use and confidential reporting mechanisms for employees to report safety concerns, incidents, and near misses. Additionally, holding frequent safety meetings allows for discussions about ongoing safety issues, sharing updates, and gathering feedback from employees.

 

Workplace Culture EHS Surveys 

Many employers are opting to use culture surveys to assess the current state of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) and employee well-being within their organizations to capture perceptions from employees and management. After deploying culture surveys and reviewing the results, employers gain a better understanding of where they need to focus their efforts to ensure optimal EHS and employee well-being in their organization.

Employee culture surveys can provide snapshots into employees’ and/or management’s perceptions of available resources at a company. A survey provides your c-suite the hard data on which to make decisions, demonstrating their dedication to their most valuable resource – their employees. Having the opportunity to provide honest feedback helps those employees trust their senior leadership.

The employees, in return for being heard, will be more cohesive in understanding their risks, and mindful of their ownership of their organization’s safety. The bolstering of confidence, performance, and communication can extend throughout a department, division, or company. This can continue to break down any proverbial silos amongst an organization and have the added benefit of beginning to reconnect workers and their management.

Additional benefits of employing culture surveys include boosting employee retention, improving organizational efficiency, and identifying potential biases.

 

Employees actively participate in regular safety training

Employee involvement is essential for a robust safety culture. Regular safety training ensures that all employees are knowledgeable about safety protocols and equipped to handle potential hazards. 

These trainings should be regularly updated and tailored to address specific safety needs and emerging risks, ensuring that all employees, from new hires to seasoned veterans, take part in a unified approach to safety. Interactive training sessions that incorporate hands-on activities, simulations, and real-world scenarios are an excellent way to reinforce learning and offer employees the opportunity to ask questions.

 

Regular safety audits and inspections are conducted

To maintain a safe working environment, thorough safety audits and inspections should be conducted regularly. Scheduled audits can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs and pinpoint areas needing improvement. Routine inspections of facilities, equipment, and work practices can help detect and mitigate risks. When issues are identified, it is imperative to take prompt corrective actions to prevent future incidents and ensure compliance with internal and regulated safety standards.

While these best practices are an excellent framework, professional guidance can help you identify the tools and resources you need.

 

FAQs

What is a safety culture?

A safety culture is the shared values, behaviors, and practices that determine how safety is prioritized throughout an organization.

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What does safety culture encompass?

A positive safety culture encompasses people, leadership, and safety processes that work together to identify hazards, reduce risks, and continuously improve workplace safety.

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How do organizations develop a culture of safety?

Organizations develop a culture of safety by demonstrating leadership commitment, engaging employees, providing ongoing training, encouraging open communication, measuring performance, and continuously improving safety practices.

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Why is safety culture important?

A strong safety culture helps reduce workplace injuries, improve employee engagement, strengthen compliance, increase operational efficiency, and build organizational resilience.

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What are the characteristics of a positive safety culture?

Characteristics include:

• leadership commitment
• employee involvement
• open and transparent communication
• accountability
• continuous learning
• proactive hazard identification
• regular training
• continuous improvement

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Who is responsible for workplace safety culture?

Everyone contributes to workplace safety culture. While leadership establishes expectations and provides resources, employees, supervisors, contractors, and managers all play an active role in creating a safe workplace.

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How can you improve safety culture?

Organizations can improve safety culture by listening to employees, encouraging reporting, conducting safety surveys, investing in training, recognizing safe behaviors, and reviewing performance regularly.

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What is the difference between safety culture and safety climate?

Safety culture reflects long-term values and behaviors within an organization, while safety climate measures employees’ current perceptions of safety at a specific point in time.

 

Discover how Inogen Alliance can support your organization in building a positive safety culture.

 

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

Across industries, organizations are navigating complex environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) challenges, from evolving regulations and operational risks to circularity, workforce safety, and supply chain pressures. While those challenges vary by sector, one thing remains consistent: progress happens faster through collaboration.

For over 20 years, Antea Group has facilitated industry consortiums that foster open dialogue, peer benchmarking, and collective problem-solving in a trusted environment governed by the Chatham House rule and anti-trust measures. Beyond our role as facilitator, Antea Group leads the committees and advisory boards within each group, provides project management and support, coordinates in-person meetings, and looks for opportunities for each group to leverage their expertise to advance their respective missions. At their core, these groups help industry leaders learn from one another while advancing meaningful progress for common challenges within a sector.

“Industry consortiums create a powerful space for organizations to work together on shared challenges that are often too complex for any one company to solve alone,” said Angelique Dickson, EVP of Partnerships and Networks, Antea Group USA. “By bringing the right partners to the table, we can help turn collective knowledge into practical solutions that move entire industries forward.”

Today, these global consortiums support industries ranging from healthcare and beverage manufacturing to technology and the rapidly growing data center sector. Below is a look at the three consortiums we facilitate, and some of the recent work taking place across these groups.

 

Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER)

BIER is a coalition of global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability through technical collaboration and shared industry action.

As BIER marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, the organization continues to expand its work across sustainability challenges affecting the beverage sector. Originally founded around water stewardship, BIER’s focus has evolved to include climate action, sustainable agriculture, circular packaging, sustainability reporting, and supply chain resilience.

In addition to facilitating collaboration among members, Antea Group provides technical support and subject matter expertise that helps advance BIER’s research initiatives, benchmarking programs, technical guidance, and collective action projects.

Initiatives and areas of focus include:

• Technical guidance and tools related to greenhouse gas emissions and water circularity
• Quarterly sustainability and environment, social, and governance (ESG) regulatory roundups
• Collective action initiatives focused on watershed collaboration and sustainable cooling solutions
• And more:

Industry Benchmarking

For nearly two decades, BIER’s benchmarking program has helped member companies and the larger beverage industry measure environmental performance and identify opportunities for improvement across water use, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. By collecting and analyzing standardized data from beverage facilities around the world, the program provides the beverage industry with valuable insights into operational performance, emerging trends, and areas of potential risk.

The benchmarking initiative also supports peer learning by enabling companies to compare performance against industry averages, identify leading practices, and make more informed decisions around resource efficiency and sustainability investments. As environmental expectations continue to evolve, the program remains an important tool for tracking progress and driving continuous improvement across the beverage sector.

Charco Bendito Watershed Initiative

One example of BIER’s collective action approach is the Charco Bendito watershed initiative in Jalisco, Mexico. The project brings together companies that share reliance on the same watershed to support long-term water resilience through restoration activities, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative resource management.

By working together across organizations and sectors, participants are helping address shared water challenges that would be difficult for any one company to tackle independently. The initiative demonstrates how collective action can create meaningful environmental and community benefits while supporting the long-term sustainability of critical water resources. BIER continues to look for opportunities around the world to launch similar impactful initiatives.

Sustainable Coolers Coolition

BIER also continues to advance the Sustainable Coolers Coolition, a collaborative effort focused on reducing the environmental footprint of commercial beverage refrigeration equipment.

The initiative brings together beverage companies, equipment manufacturers, and technical partners to explore opportunities and innovations for improved energy efficiency, circularity, and lower-emission cooling technologies. Through shared research, industry engagement, and innovation-focused programs such as the Cool Challenge, participants are helping accelerate the development and adoption of more sustainable refrigeration solutions across the beverage sector. BIER continues to provide a trusted, non-competitive environment where beverage companies can collaborate on practical, science-based approaches to shared environmental challenges.

Find out more about BIER here.

BIER contact: Celine Morris

 

Data Center Safety Council (DCSC)

This collaborative industry group is focused on improving health, safety, and workforce wellbeing across data center operations through shared best practices, training, and alignment.

DCSC continues to expand its collaborative efforts across workforce development, operational safety, and industry alignment. During a recent in-person steering committee meeting, members identified several potential new workstreams for 2026 and beyond, including Benchmarking and Metrics Harmonization and the Standardization of Qualified Electrical Worker Requirements. Discussions also explored the potential development of a broader Data Center Construction Coalition to further extend collaboration across the industry ecosystem.

One of DCSC’s major ongoing initiatives is the Data Center Safety Awareness Certificate, developed in partnership with Certus to establish a consistent baseline of safety awareness for personnel working in live data center environments. The training focuses on common operational risks including electrical hazards, fire and heat exposure, and access control while helping create more consistent onboarding and shared safety language across multi-employer sites.

Additional 2026 priorities include expansion of the High-Risk Activities (HRA) Resource Library, and continued DCSC Exchange bi-monthly forums for data center hyperscalers, owners, and operators. Together, these initiatives support DCSC’s broader mission of advancing holistic health and safety across the data center lifecycle through collaboration, knowledge sharing, workforce development, and practical industry guidance.

DCSC also recently released a new video featuring steering committee members reflecting on the mission, growth, and impact of the organization, and how collaboration across the industry is helping advance consistent safety practices, address shared risks, and improve worker wellbeing throughout the data center lifecycle.

Learn more about DCSC here.

DCSC contact: Tracy Taszarek

 

Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC)

HPRC is a cross-sector coalition of globally recognized organizations working to improve the recyclability of plastics and packaging used throughout healthcare environments. With active initiatives across the United States and Europe, HPRC brings together stakeholders from across the healthcare plastics value chain to develop practical, scalable recycling solutions.

At HPRC’s Spring 2026 Full Council Meeting, collaboration across the healthcare plastics value chain remained a central theme, with discussions focused on how manufacturers, healthcare systems, recyclers, and suppliers, can work together to address persistent recycling barriers.

HPRC’s 2026 roadmap includes several ongoing and new initiatives designed to improve healthcare plastics recycling infrastructure and implementation, including:

Houston Regional Healthcare Plastics Recycling Playbook

Building on work from previous years, HPRC is helping advance a regional healthcare plastics recycling model in Houston, Texas, in collaboration with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), the Vinyl Institute, and the Houston Methodist healthcare network. The initiative aims to develop a playbook that will allow other healthcare systems across the US to implement practical, economically viable programs for healthcare plastics recycling.

Hospicycle Resource Refresh

Working alongside the Healthcare Facility Advisory Board (HFAB), HPRC is updating and expanding Hospicycle tools and resources to better support healthcare facilities that are implementing plastics recycling programs.

Recycling Infrastructure Mapping

This initiative is focused on understanding barriers and opportunities for recycle-ready healthcare packaging and materials selection while developing a publicly available map of participating hospital recycling programs and infrastructure.

Standardized Packaging Labeling

HPRC is working to improve end-of-life material identification by exploring more standardized labeling approaches for flexible and rigid medical packaging.

Volume and Value Tool Development

Building on data gathered during previous project work, HPRC aims to develop a predictive tool that helps healthcare facilities better understand recyclable material volumes and how purchasing decisions influence recycling outcomes.

Learn more about HPRC here.

HPRC contact: Tracy Taszarek

 

Looking Ahead: The Future of Industry Consortiums

From advancing beverage sustainability and healthcare plastics recycling to improving data center safety, each of these consortiums demonstrates the value of bringing industry peers together to address shared challenges. Through benchmarking, technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective action, these groups help organizations move beyond individual efforts and make meaningful progress on issues that affect entire industries.

As environmental, health, safety, and sustainability priorities continue to evolve, the consortiums facilitated by Antea Group will continue providing trusted forums where organizations can exchange ideas, develop practical solutions, and help shape the future of their industries.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these consortiums or exploring opportunities to participate, please reach out today.

July 15, 2026 /3BL/ – DP World is expanding the electrification of its port operations in Chile with the introduction of seven 100% electric Internal Transfer Vehicles (ITVs) and a dedicated charging station at its terminal in San Antonio.

The US$1.5 million investment makes San Antonio the first port terminal in central Chile to operate electric ITVs and supports DP World’s long-term transition from diesel-powered equipment to electric alternatives.

The new vehicles will handle approximately 12% of all container yard movements at the terminal while reducing emissions by around 329 tonnes of CO₂ and eliminating up to 120,000 litres of diesel consumption each year.

Advancing Port Decarbonization at Scale

The initiative is supported by a new on-site charging station featuring a 300kW fast charger with two charging connections, enabling vehicles to recharge from 20% to 80% battery capacity in approximately one hour when both connections are in use. The infrastructure also improves equipment availability while reducing operating costs, noise, and maintenance requirements.

The charging station will be powered by 100% renewable electricity. Since 2021, DP World’s operations in San Antonio have operated entirely on renewable energy, contributing to a reduction of more than 50% in the terminal’s CO₂ emissions over the past four years—equivalent to planting approximately 170,000 trees or removing more than 4,700 combustion-engine vehicles from the road over the same period.

San Antonio now joins DP World’s South Pier terminal in Callao, Peru, as the company’s second port terminal in the Americas to operate a dedicated electric charging station. Following the introduction of Latin America’s first charging station for electric terminal trucks in Callao, DP World is also constructing a dedicated charging station at its port terminal in Caucedo, Dominican Republic, as it expands fleet electrification in the region.

Scaling Electrification Across Chile 

The milestone also builds on DP World’s wider decarbonization efforts across Chile. Earlier this year, the company introduced Chile’s first fully electric container Reach Stacker at its multipurpose terminal in Lirquén, which is set to eliminate approximately 60,000 litres of diesel and preventing around 160,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions annually.

In Chile and across its global network, DP World continues to invest in fleet electrification, renewable energy, and low-carbon infrastructure as part of its decarbonization strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating how ports can reduce emissions while supporting the efficient movement of global trade.

Discover more about DP World’s Decarbonization Strategy here.

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom 

WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) today announced it is a presenting sponsor of the Kansas City Current’s 9th & Vant Brunt youth soccer league – a new, no-cost, no-barrier league that’s designed to increase youth soccer participation in Kansas City. The league reflects a long-term commitment between CVS Health and the Current to not only expand access to play, but also to improve community health and wellness across Kansas City.

On July 11, CVS Health representatives joined elected officials, youth participants, community members and more for an opening ceremony before the league’s inaugural matches. Additionally, prior to the first match, local CVS Health colleagues volunteered with the Current to distribute equipment bags that included shin guards, cleats and more, to help ensure league players have everything they need for a successful first season.

“We’re honored to have helped kick off the 9th & Vant Brunt Soccer League’s inaugural season as the club’s presenting sponsor,” said Hillary Crain, Region Director Emerging Leader at CVS Health. “We’ve seen firsthand the powerful role soccer plays in strengthening community health, and this league has the opportunity for a lasting, positive impact on Kansas City youth.”

The sponsorship is an extension of CVS Health’s existing support of the Kansas City Current; earlier this year, CVS Pharmacy became the club’s Official Retail Pharmacy, and CVS Health became the lower-back-of-kit partner. This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to bringing health and wellness resources directly into the community, which reinforces CVS Health’s goal of improving community-level health.

To learn more about how CVS Health is strengthening its communities through soccer, visit https://www.cvs.com/content/soccer.

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About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

CLEVELAND, July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – The KeyBank Foundation announced a $300,000 grant to the national nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) to support the expansion of the organization’s Youth Banking Connect (YBC) initiative, formerly known as Summer Jobs Connect. This investment will help more young people nationwide gain access to safe, affordable banking products, direct deposit, and financial education through government-connected workforce programs.

The three-year grant will enable the CFE Fund to expand its model beyond summer youth employment programs to reach young people participating in government-led workforce development opportunities. Through a cohort-based academy model, the initiative will provide technical assistance and support to at least 15 youth workforce programs nationwide over three years, helping them integrate banking access, financial education, and other financial empowerment strategies into their operations. As a result, the CFE Fund anticipates measurable increases in the number of participating youth who open safe and affordable bank accounts, receive wages through direct deposit, and engage in financial education programming.

“For many young people, a first paycheck represents a critical opportunity to begin building lifelong financial habits,” said Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO of the KeyBank Foundation. “KeyBank is committed to advancing economic inclusion and financial wellness in the communities we serve. Through our partnership with the CFE Fund, we are helping more young people access safe banking products, receive wages through direct deposit, and gain the financial knowledge they need to build a strong foundation for their futures.”

Banking access remains a key building block of financial stability. Over the past decade, the CFE Fund’s youth banking efforts have helped more than 180,000 young people open their first bank account and enabled more than 600,000 youth workers to receive their wages through direct deposit. The newly expanded Youth Banking Connect initiative will build on that success by reaching a broader range of youth workforce programs serving participants ages 14 to 24.

“An early job can be a transformative moment in a young person’s life; pairing that experience with access to safe banking and financial education can have lasting impacts on lifelong financial stability,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “We are deeply grateful to the KeyBank Foundation for its support of Youth Banking Connect. This investment will help local governments and community partners across the country equip young workers with the tools and resources they need to begin their financial journeys with confidence.”

Through the Youth Banking Connect Academy, participating workforce programs will receive no-cost training, technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and resources to help them establish partnerships with financial institutions, increase direct deposit adoption, and incorporate financial education into youth workforce experiences.

The initiative primarily serves low- and moderate-income youth, many of whom are earning income for the first time and may be unbanked or underbanked. By connecting participants to banking accounts at the start of their working lives, the program aims to promote long-term financial potential, saving habits, and economic mobility.

The grant aligns with the KeyBank Foundation’s commitment to advancing economic inclusion and financial capability, helping individuals and families build stronger financial futures and creating pathways to greater opportunity in communities across the country.

• Non-profits and workforce development programs can apply for the YBC Academy here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=CitiesFE

The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund will host two informational webinars on the YBC Academy:

• First informational webinar: Wednesday, July 22nd at 2pm ET (Register here)
   
• Second informational webinar: Thursday, August 13th at 3pm ET (Register here)

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp’s roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key (NYSE: KEY) is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2026.

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 950 branches and approximately 1,100 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 CITIES FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT

The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting-edge experience with large-scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 150 cities and counties, and has disbursed over $75 million to local governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Bluesky at @cfefund.bsky.social.

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KEYBANK CONTACT: 

Lisa LoParo
Corporate Responsibility Communications
216-469-3815
Lisa_LoParo@KeyBank.com

CITIES FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FUND CONTACT:

Katie Plat
Chief of Communications and Development
818-970-2939
kplat@cfefund.org

PHOENIX, July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, will host its seventh Cleft Con at The Wigman in Litchfield Park, Arizona from July 17-19, bringing together cleft-affected individuals and their families for a dynamic weekend of connection and learning.

Cleft Con is Smile Train’s signature global event designed to unite the cleft community through shared experiences. The event features interactive sessions and honest conversations between individuals who have lived with a cleft, offering personal perspectives on the emotional and medical aspects of their journeys. Notable Smile Train cleft-affected ambassadors, including 2026 Miss Georgia Sophia Wootten; professional hockey player Nicole Hensley; and Dinè weaver and designer Naiomi Glasses, will also be in attendance.

“The cleft community is strongest when people have opportunities to connect and learn from one another,” said Iva Ballou, Cleft Community Manager, Smile Train. “Cleft Con celebrates those connections, bringing together voices from around the world to foster understanding and support one another.”

This year’s gathering will take place the weekend immediately preceding Smile Train’s second annual World Cleft Awareness Day on July 20, a global observance founded by Smile Train in 2025 to elevate awareness of cleft lip and palate and access to comprehensive care worldwide.

Together, Cleft Con and World Cleft Awareness Day reflect Smile Train’s ongoing commitment to building a global platform where people with clefts are seen, heard, and supported.

Although Cleft Con Phoenix 2026 is in person, there will also be a virtual Cleft Con on October 17, ensuring access for the global cleft community regardless of geography.

Registration details, agenda highlights, and speaker announcements are available at smiletrain.org/cleftcon.

About Smile Train

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train’s sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

Media Contact

Emily Gay | Public Relations

egay@smiletrain.org | (561) 308-0089

By Lamor Williams

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – Entergy Arkansas will host a series of in-person customer care events across the state beginning Tuesday, July 7, to connect customers with valuable resources like financial assistance for energy bills that increase with temperatures.

Entergy Arkansas works with community partners that administer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, which provides financial assistance to eligible households to help cover energy costs.

The events are designed to help customers better manage their utility bills, learn about available assistance programs and access trusted community resources—all in one place. Customers can speak directly with Entergy Arkansas representatives, partner utilities and nonprofit organizations about payment options, energy efficiency programs and other support services.

To make the process as seamless as possible, customers planning to apply for LIHEAP assistance should bring the following items:

• A driver’s license or state-issued ID
• Social Security card or number
• Proof of all income
• The most recent utility bill(s) for cooling and heating (regardless of service provider)
• Lease agreement (if living in subsidized housing or if utilities are included in rent)

Each event is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to the public regardless of electric service provider. No appointment is required. The event schedule and locations is as follows:

July 7 – Camden
First United Methodist Church
121 Harrison Ave SW

July 9 – Magnolia 
First United Methodist Church
320 W Main St.

July 20 – Star City
Star City Civic Center
201 Liberty St

July 8 – El Dorado 
Municipal Auditorium
100 W 8th St.

July 10 – Little Rock
Arkansas State Fair Grounds
2600 Howard St.

For more information about Entergy Arkansas programs such as the Bill Toolkit, visit entergyarkansas.com or call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749). The Bill Toolkit consolidates helpful resources for customers interested in exploring ways to lower their electric use and costs and learn more about different payment options the company offers. It also provides information on energy efficiency programs and the incentives and rebates associated with these programs.

About Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 735,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyArkansas.com and connect with @EntergyARK on social media.

Media inquiries:

L. Lamor Williams
lwill51@entergy.com
501-377-3525

View original content here.