Tag: 3BL

Empowering our communities
Giving back to our communities, and empowering them, is at the core of our corporate mission. In 2024, our focus on corporate social responsibility made a meaningful difference in the lives of our customers and communities, resulting in an economic impact of $153.52 million across our service area. Our dedicated employees were vital to this success, contributing more than 122,000 hours of volunteer service, valued at $4.09 million.

Bill assistance for our customers in need
With 40% of our 3 million residential customers living in poverty, Entergy is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve. When temperatures soared last summer, we donated $3 million to help our low-income customers become more energy efficient and save money on their energy bills.Through Entergy’s Beat the Heat program, our customers received bill payment assistance, fans, energy efficiency kits, home weatherization and invaluable support from localcommunity partners.

Free tax preparation for our customers
For more than 15 years, we have provided free tax preparation for our low-to-moderate-income customers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites across our service area in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Every year, our IRS-certified employees help customers file their taxes and access valuable information on tax credits and deductions they are eligible for, maximizing their tax refunds. In 2024, Entergy helped low-to-moderate-income customersreceive $55 million in federal tax refunds. Of that amount, $21 million were Earned Income Tax Credits. Since 2009, our support of VITA sites has helped return $333 million to nearly 200,000 customers in our service area.

The Civic 50 honoree  
We were honored to be named an honoree of The Civic 50, Points of Light’s prestigious annual list recognizing the top community-minded companies in the United States. This is the ninth time we have been included on this list, and we were also named as this year’s Utilities Sector Leader for the second year. This recognition highlights our commitment to corporate citizenship and sets a national standard for driving social impact.

Read the full report here.

Originally published on TriplePundit

Subaru recently committed to sponsor the largest community tree distribution in the Arbor Day Foundation’s history. Dan Lambe of the Foundation explains more about the power of trees and the impact this effort will have on communities and ecosystems across the U.S.

It’s easy to take trees for granted since they’re embedded in the landscape of our lives. They grow strong and silent, never asking for anything and always giving something. Clean air. Cool shade. A sense of peace. But in order for us to continue to enjoy the benefits of trees in the future, we can’t afford to overlook them in the present.

Right now, communities across the country are enduring mounting challenges like rising temperatures, frequent extreme weather events, and poor air quality. These pressures put a strain on infrastructure, threaten public health, and disrupt daily life. Trees have a remarkable ability to help us address these impacts and make our communities more resilient in the process.

Unfortunately, we’re losing trees at an alarming rate. Factors like urban developments, natural disasters, and disease are thinning our tree canopy at a moment when we need it most. According to the U.S. Forest Service, cities and neighborhoods lose approximately 36 million trees annually — equivalent to 175,000 acres of coverage each year. The Arbor Day Foundation’s Canopy Report found more than half of Americans must drive to reach their nearest green space.

We feel the absence of trees in tangible ways. In the lack of shade at our children’s playgrounds. In the rising summer energy bills. In the flooding after periods of heavy rain. This isn’t just about statistics — it’s about the strength of our communities.

We need to bring an abundance of trees to our cities and neighborhoods, but we can’t do it alone. Because something that is bigger than all of us, takes all of us. While no single organization, company, or individual can solve our environmental challenges alone, together we can grow solutions at the scale our changing world demands.

This understanding drives the impactful partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and Subaru. As the world’s largest tree planting nonprofit, the Arbor Day Foundation has collaborated with hundreds of corporate partners to foster healthier cities and forests. Last year, Subaru joined our extensive network and has committed to sponsoring the largest community tree distribution in the Foundation’s history. Through this work, Subaru will activate its nationwide network of retailers to support more than 600 tree distribution events this year. More than 95 percent of Subaru’s retailers volunteered to be part of this initiative, all energized by the opportunity to make their respective communities greener. Thanks to their participation, there will be distributions in every state in the continental United States and Alaska, and luckily, the work is already well underway. This hands-on, community-driven approach is helping to create a ripple effect of environmental impact, with Subaru’s retailers serving as local hubs for environmental action.

In a moment that demands bold action, Subaru is a continued force for environmental stewardship. Subaru has already demonstrated its commitment to social impact through its Subaru Love Promise. The Subaru Love Promise is built on five core pillars including the environment, health, education, pets and community. The company has already helped plant 1.1 million trees in forests affected by wildfires while also supporting and protecting U.S. national parks. In addition to being a leader in the Arbor Day Foundation’s community tree planting initiative, Subaru is also collaborating with the Foundation to help plant 20,000 trees in forests of greatest need. A commitment of this scale is important as we continually seek to drive positive impact through tree-based initiatives.

Trees are a proven and vital community asset. For example, a single tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people while also absorbing nearly 10 pounds of polluted air each year. Collectively, urban and community trees across the country remove 711,000 metric tons of air pollution annually. Communities with robust canopies experience reduced rates of asthma and other respiratory problems. Trees also add value through their water management abilities. One mature deciduous tree intercepts 500 to 700 gallons of water annually, helping to prevent erosion, filter pollutants and manage the impact of urban flooding. Trees can even reduce high temperatures by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, a potentially lifesaving amount in an increasingly warmer world. Beyond these physical health benefits, research shows that people living near parks and green spaces report better mental health.

As part of its Subaru Loves the Earth initiative, the automaker’s partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation is not only an investment in trees, but also an investment in public health and community resiliency.

Work is already underway and as these trees take root across America, they’ll do more than strengthen our urban canopies. They’ll demonstrate how strategic partnerships can address environmental challenges while building happier and healthier neighborhoods. Each tree planted through this initiative will serve as a living testament to what can be achieved when we work together. Because the power of a tree extends far beyond the moment it’s planted. It’s the beginning of a long legacy, benefiting our communities and our planet. 
Trees have the answers to some of the most challenging issues facing our world today.

They just need bold leaders ready to plant them.

This article series is sponsored by Subaru of America and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team. 

Dan Lambe is the CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, founded in 1972, which has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Dan leads the strategic development of programs and partnerships through which the Foundation strives to educate, recognize, and empower people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.

Originally published in Lenovo’s 2023/24 ESG Report

Stakeholder engagement: Lenovo 360 Circle – Unveiling the origins and mission

As part of Lenovo’s stakeholder engagement efforts, Lenovo 360 Circle was established to increase collaboration and enhance its relationships with channel partners. Lenovo’s robust network of channel partners helps to deliver smarter technology to millions of customers around the world. When it comes to devices, infrastructure, and services and solutions, Lenovo provides channel partners with the resources needed to succeed in a highly competitive market. In 2021, Lenovo expanded that partner support to include sustainability resources through a partner community called Lenovo 360 Circle.

Built with inputs from channel partners, Lenovo 360 Circle was established as a community for partners to come together for collective learning opportunities and collaboration on addressing key issues in sustainability. The community is based on a self-service portal that follows a similar structure to the engagement process established by the UN Global Compact for private and public sectors.

Partners can apply for membership to Lenovo 360 Circle with their company’s sustainability lead and, through the application, identify where they stand in their sustainability efforts into one of three stages: “Connect” partners, who are just starting out and need some help getting their strategy up and running, “Learn” partners, who have a structure in place and are ready to expand their strategies, and “Lead” partners, who are considered ‘advanced’ in their strategies and may already have a track record of goals and success in their sustainability efforts. Once the partner stage is identified, partners are then connected with a set of resources that are tailored to their specific needs – from assessment tools to tailored curriculums, to access to subject-matter experts and community events and webinars.

Lenovo envisions the Lenovo 360 Circle not only as a strategic advantage, but also expediting the shift to more sustainable business practices and models. As a community, the Lenovo 360 Circle addresses sustainability as a new business driver, while unlocking new business opportunities and aligning on common ESG goals.

Thriving together: Collective learning, collaboration, and partnerships in action

FY 2023/24 Lenovo 360 Circle in a few numbers:

• Since September 2023, 343 members joined. The community now counts 363 members representing 2,181 local partners in 43 countries
• 379 sustainability experts as part of the Lenovo 360 Circle community coming from members, from third party’s advisors as well as from Lenovo, representing a year-to-year increase of 102%.
• The community forum participation increased by 179% since the broader opening of the community (~50% panelists coming from members).
• 280+ hours of collaboration through focus groups, sustainability workshops, regular interlocks.
• 5.5 hours training resources developed to support channel sellers and sustainability experts representing 14 courses and 65 modules (~50% industry agnostic content).
• The overall engagement of Lead partners into the community common goals⁴ keeps improving year over year:

Percentages of Lead partners engaged⁵ in or reached common goals in FY 2023/24

(percentage changes compared to prior year)

Goal-category	Renewable Energy	Alignment with SBTi	Circular economy	Philanthropy	Women in Leadership
Engaged	65% (+5%)	65% (+0%)	91% (+1%)	57% (+2%)	78% (+3%)
Reached	33% (+13%)	33% (+2%)	n/a6	54% (+18%)	67% (-6%)

FY 2023/24 key projects linked to Lenovo 360 Circle Priorities:

• Scope 3 inventory management: The Mode of Transportation (MOT) dashboard is providing detailed emissions data for transported goods for channel partners. It allows them to move away from spend-based assumptions to more accurate calculations, consolidating Scope 3 emissions from transportation based on real logistics data, depending on MOT (including air, sea, and truck) and detailed route from manufacturing location to destination. The MOT dashboard has been developed by Lenovo’s Global Supply Chain, while integrating partner feedback.
• Products sustainability attributes: Facilitating access to product sustainability attributes while ensuring transparency and reliability is a key focus of the Lenovo 360 Circle. For this reason, in Spring 2023 the community has joined the “Product ESG Data Transparency” project led by Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) and CONTEXT. This project has been built in consultation with IT vendors, IT distributors, and IT resellers to create an ESG data platform, primarily focusing on environmental attributes as a first step.
• Packaging: The Lenovo 360 Circle supported Lenovo’s EMEA Education team to design and launch an initiative called ‘Turning Waste into Educational Wonder’, which encourages students and educators to sustainably repurpose Lenovo’s packaging. This initiative comprised a dedicated webpage, instruction booklet in multiple languages and a STEM competition for students to promote skills such as design, engineering, and problem-solving. Overall, there were 160+ submissions from 4,000+ students in 23 countries with nine winners.
• Learning and Development: Leveraging the dedicated focus group and answering to a requirement coming from founding partners, Lenovo has developed the Lenovo 360 Sustainability Learning Paths. The training, primarily targeted at sales and sustainability leaders, offers four learning paths, comprised of courses and interactive, bite-sized modules, to provide essential sustainability knowledge and skills. Learners embark on a journey from sustainability fundamentals, to understanding Lenovo’s ESG approach, and skills to embed sustainability within their business practices. Upon completion, individuals will receive credentials and partners receive Lenovo 360 Accreditation and progression through the levels of Lenovo 360 Circle membership status, where applicable.

As an active participant of the UN Global Compact, Lenovo 360 Circle is also consistently promoting the initiative’s solutions amongst the members of the community while supporting the SDG 17: partnerships for the goals.

Championing sustainability across the value chain

Lenovo 360 Circle has been recognized with Champion status in the 2023 Canalys Global Sustainable Ecosystems Leadership Matrix for outstanding achievement in sustainability-focused partner programs and robust sustainability strategies at an organizational level. Lenovo 360 Circle was also awarded the Best Value Chain Initiative of the Year at CRN’s inaugural Sustainability in Tech summit. This award recognizes a company, or partnership of companies, which are taking steps to reduce emissions across their entire supply chain, reduce waste and resource usage, and provide tangible results of the impact they are making on the environment.

Testimonials from participants:

“Connection is honored to participate as a charter member of Lenovo 360 Circle initiative. Participating in this community has been a tremendous learning experience and has served as a tipping point for Connection to invest in the creation of policies and develop executive sponsored initiatives focused on Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility.”

Brian Hicks, Senior Vice President Product Management and Operations at Connection

“Tackling complex social and environmental challenges is a team sport. The Lenovo 360 Circle systemic approach is a visionary and ambitious, yet complex journey we can all learn from”.

Arnaud Mourot, VP – Global Corporate Alliances and Changemaker Companies at Ashoka

Embracing tomorrow: Mapping out the year ahead for Lenovo 360 Circle

As Lenovo embarks on its journey forward, Lenovo 360 Circle commits to:

• Actively seek out new members who share its vision and values,
• Prioritize and cultivate strategic partnerships that amplify its mission and magnify its impact,
• Quantifying its impact and enhancing its methodologies and tools.

Stakeholder engagement: Corporate Compliance Summit

Lenovo continues to focus on engaging its various stakeholders who may be impacted by its ESG efforts and whose actions can affect Lenovo’s value. On January 15, 2024, Lenovo held a Corporate Compliance Summit in Beijing, inviting guests from the government, industry, university, and research field to discuss corporate compliance issues, jointly exploring new trends, challenges and opportunities, promoting internal compliance management, enhancing risk prevention awareness, and promoting high-quality development of enterprises to create a healthy market environment together

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⁴To become a Lead member, companies must set at least three out of the five common goals relevant to five topics.

⁵Engaged is defined as companies who have set a goal.

⁶“n/a” as circularity goal for each partner is defined individually thus incomparable between the companies.

Logitech Blog

With strict criteria and a growing emphasis on sustainability, the iF Design Awards continue to be one of the industry’s most prestigious and celebrated awards. This year, the iF Design Awards had close to 11,000 entries from 66 countries, and Logitech was awarded four awards for the following products: Logitech G Racing Sim, MX Creative Console, EVERBOOM and MINIROLL. 

One of the industry’s oldest independent design organizations, iF Design curates one of design’s most sought-after accolades: the iF Design Award, which highlights outstanding design throughout several disciplines — including product, packaging, UX, and UI.

Additionally, Logitech designers Sean Su, head of design in APAC, and Xinyue Zhou, head of UX for Personal Workspace, were named to the jury, which consisted of over 100 designers from all over the world. They did not participate in evaluating Logitech’s iF submissions. 

“We are honored to receive continued recognition from the iF Design Awards as we strive to design and innovate with purpose,” said Sean Su. “It was equally a privilege to represent Logitech Design and serve alongside a distinguished panel of jurors and engage in thought-provoking discussions about the inspiring entries from across the globe.”

Thank you iF Awards for your ongoing recognition of Logitech Design.

See the full list of winners here.

PARIS and HAMBURG, Germany, April 16, 2025 /3BL/ – Chief Sustainability Officers of the most influential corporations of Europe will gather at the Futur/io CSO Reception on 24 April in Paris to discuss the future of the fashion industry.

The event is part of the ChangeNOW Summit, known as “The World Expo of Solutions for the Planet”. For 3 days, 40 thousand people will gather at the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées to discuss innovative solutions to the pressing challenges of our time and to take action together.

The Futur/io Institute, a pioneering organisation dedicated to nurturing and inspiring leaders in sustainability, has partnered with ChangeNOW for this exclusive event.

“In uncertain times, being part of a purpose-driven community is the key to building up resilience and innovative strategies,” said Harald Neidhardt, CEO & Curator of the Futur/io Institute. “Our CSO Reception brings together leaders in sustainability to share insights and co-create the bold plans necessary to shape desirable futures.”

In the setting of the Palais’s Rotunda, an intimate yet inspiring space, change-makers will discuss the role of France and Europe in leading global change. A carefully curated panel of executives in the fashion industry will share their views on how CSOs can shape business transformation and design a more sustainable sector.

Futur/io CSO Reception

The event will take place on 24 April at 12h, at the Grand Palais, in Paris.

The panel “The Role of the CSO in a Shifting World” will include Ulrike Sapiro, CSO at Henkel, and Carine de Boissezon, Chief Impact Officer at EDF. Harald Neidhardt, CEO of Futur/io, will be the moderator.

The panel “Sustainable Futures in the Fashion Industry” will feature Dounia Wone, CIO at Vestiaire Collective; Barbara Martin-Coppola, Board Director at INSEAD and Former CEO of Decathlon; and Geraldine Vallejo, Sustainability Programme Director at Kering. Isabelle Grosmaître, Founder & CEO at Goodness & Co, will moderate.

Additional speakers will include Patricia Torres, Global Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions, Bloomberg Global; Ingmar Rentzhog, CEO at We Don’t Have Time; and Joachim Swensson, CEO of Made in Sustainability and co-founder of Waste Equity.

Futur/io CSO Executive Leadership Programmes

With a proven track of sustainable leadership events and initiatives, the Futur/io Institute has built a powerful community of thought leaders around the world. Amongst the Institute’s initiatives is the CSO Awards, which celebrate the most impactful corporate sustainable leaders in Europe and North America. The Awards ceremonies take place annually in Davos, during the World Economic Forum annual meeting, and in New York, during Climate Week. For the first edition of the CSO Awards Latin America in November 2025, the celebration will be set in the Amazon region during the COP 30 in Belem, Brazil.

The Futur/io House (Davos & Belem) is hosting several day-long series of talks about the intersection of innovation and sustainability in sectors such as energy, technology, finance, and desirable futures.

The CSO Impact Podcast interviews leaders in sustainability every week, reflecting on the role of the Chief Sustainability Officer and how companies can make a positive impact on the planet. And finally, the Futur/io Leadership Forums are exclusive gatherings where carefully curated thought leaders meet in countries such as France, Portugal, and Germany.

About Futur/io Institute

We believe in co-creating desirable futures where ideas and innovation drive a regenerative economy that benefits people and the planet within planetary boundaries.

The Futur/io Institute is a pioneering organisation to serve the most impactful network of Chief Sustainability Officers dedicated to transforming businesses to drive positive impact for people, planet, and prosperity. We do this through publications, podcasts, and convening at inspiring locations like Davos, Basel, Lisbon, Venice, and New York.

With a mission to inspire ambition, action, and cross-pollination to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the institute provides a platform for thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers to shape the futures of business and society.

Futur/io works with organisations like the UNFCCC or corporations in leadership training and curates Executive Programmes to inspire future leaders in sustainable innovation. Each year in Davos, the institute organizes executive receptions and recently debuted the annual CSO Awards to shine a light on the leadership role of Chief Sustainability Officers.

Futur/io is based in Hamburg and works as a think-tank with a selected international and diverse faculty of 100+ leaders in sustainability. The most recent book “Leadership for Sustainable Futures” was published in May 2024 with Murmann Publishers. CEO & Curator Harald Neidhardt hosts the CSO Impact Podcast.

futur.io

Additional Info
https://www.futur.io/events/paris-cso-reception-2025 
Photos of the speakers are available in our Press Folder.

Media Contacts
Barbara Axt, Media Relations – barbara@futur.io
Luciana Prestes, Head of Marketing – luciana@futur.io

April 16, 2025 /3BL/ – Reuters Events: Net Zero USA 2025 (May 6-7, San Diego) is built to be the West Coast meeting point for you and 200 senior sustainability leaders to have candid discussions, forge new partnerships and create a community that will help you and your company in its quest to decarbonize operations and de-risk the business from future climate impacts.

3BL Members can attend with an exclusive discount code. Register and use the code NZ3BL100 to save $100 on your pass.

This year’s agenda focuses on giving leaders the opportunity to have candid discussions on scope 3, supplier engagement, demonstrating the profitability of sustainable business and building an engaged sustainability culture. 
This is a must-attend event for those working to decarbonize their business through real relationships and human connections.

Speakers joining in May: 

• Jeff Fyre, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kontoor Brands
• Erin Augustine, Co-lead Global Sustainability and VP Sustainability Operations and Supply Chain, Oatly
• Sara Neff, General Manager – Sustainability, Microsoft
• Hugh Welsh, President – North America, DSM Firmenich
• Holly McHugh, VP Sustainability and Social Impact, Mejuri
• Jenna Stauffer, Climate Strategy Lead, Google
• Katina Boutis, Director of Sustainability, Everlane
• Laura Sweitzer, Director of Sustainability and Strategic Sourcing, TCHO
• Kristen Spalding, VP Investor Network, Ceres
• Shea Jameel, Senior Director – Head of Sustainability, Marsh McLennan
• Virginia Li, Executive Director – Sustainability and ESG, Nexteer

Join us in May as we address climate risk and build supply chain resilience.
Register and use the code NZ3BL100 to save $100 on your pass.

For information on speaking, attendance or sponsorship, please contact: Claire Tillotson, Project Director

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Nature-based solutions for water play a significant role in the overall approach Dow takes to environmental stewardship. By valuing nature and building it into our business models, everyone benefits—our customers, our communities and the planet.

This article showcases some exemplary projects, partnerships and initiatives that highlight how industry can support resilient watersheds and healthy ecosystems by implementing robust water conservation initiatives and land management practices that conserve natural environments, enable business growth and deliver long-term value.

Take a tour of how Dow has supported and continues to support sustainable watershed management and habitat conservation around the world.

Water and ecosystem conservation projects in North America

Michigan: Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Dow and Ducks Unlimited have announced a multi-year, multi-national partnership to restore and conserve natural habitats across North America. One of the initial projects from this collaboration includes the restoration the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, one of Michigan’s largest managed wetland complexes.

This initiative, focused in the area where the Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, Cass and Flint Rivers converge, aims to improve the resiliency of the region by increasing biodiversity, improving water quality and enhancing flood storage capacity.

Louisiana: Loch Leven project

In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Ecolab, the Caterpillar Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other partners, Dow supported the Loch Leven project, a conservation initiative in an area of the Mississippi River watershed located about 70 miles upriver of Baton Rouge.

The goal of this work is to restore and enhance 10,000 wetland acres and provide 12.1 billion gallons (45.8 million cubic meters) of flood storage capacity to local communities within the Mississippi River Delta’s Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Louisiana.

Arkansas: Mining site restoration

In Arkansas, Dow tackled the challenge of acidic water with high zinc levels seeping from an abandoned mining site. By constructing a sinuous channel lined with limestone, Dow increased the water’s alkalinity, which in turn raised the pH and created conditions for reducing metal concentrations through biological processes.

This innovative solution resulted in a natural streambed that requires no operational and maintenance costs, ensuring that the mine seep water is treated before reaching downstream creeks.

Kentucky: Wetland for fire prevention

The Dow manufacturing site in Elizabethtown needed a way to retain storm water and a barrier to help manage fires. Rather than constructing a conventional retention pond, they instead opted to construct a five-acre wetland.

This solution helps to reduce downstream flooding and filters storm runoff for cleaner water. The design also supports the containment of fires should the need arise.

Texas: Seadrift constructed wetlands

The Seadrift constructed wetlands project in Texas is an example of engineered natural technology. In 1996, the Dow Seadrift manufacturing site, located about 60 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, converted 110 acres of a water treatment pond into wetlands that have been fully compliant with regulations for almost 30 years.

These constructed wetlands have provided treatment for 5 million gallons of industrial wastewater daily as a natural filtration system. The land also serves as a wildlife refuge, supporting various species and local biodiversity.

This innovative project demonstrates how manufacturing can coexist with and even enhance natural ecosystems. It is also a proof point of valuing nature as a business strategy. The project cost about $1.4 million, a fraction of the $40 million price tag for an industrial wastewater treatment plant.

Michigan: Ash pond to wetland transformation

Utilizing the Ecosystem Services Identification & Inventory Tool, also known as the ESII Tool, developed by The Nature Conservancy and Dow, a restoration plan was developed for 23 acres adjacent to the Dow Michigan Operations manufacturing site.

Located along the Tittabawassee River, this project exemplifies the valuable transformation that is possible for industrial areas through sustainable land management practices. It involved excavating ash and soil for secure disposal and reintroducing over 25,000 native plants. The restoration improves water and air quality, supports biodiversity, and connects to a network of parks and trails in Michigan.

Louisiana: Coastal wetland restoration

Ducks Unlimited and Dow have partnered to enhance about 2,030 acres of coastal freshwater wetlands between Cameron Prairie and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana.

This project aims to protect critical natural infrastructure, improve habitat for migratory waterfowl and wildlife, and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities. The first phase, completed in 2023, included infrastructure improvements like levee refurbishment and water-control systems.

Nature-based solutions and biodiversity projects in Latin America

Brazil: Erosion protection solution

In 2009, the excavation of an area on Matarandiba Island in Aratu, Brazil created 24-meter-high embankments that were slowly eroding and causing safety concerns. Rather that stabilizing the slopes with conventional solutions like concrete and tie-back anchors, the local team installed green gabion walls made from steel mesh and natural fiber filled with locally sourced stones. Native vegetation was planted over the top to create a living wall that protects against soil erosion.

The approach to this project reduced costs and the amount of energy and materials needed for the solution while enabling a lower-emissions scope for the project and more natural plants in the local area.

Brazil: Biodiversity assessment for eucalyptus farming

EcoMetrix Solutions Group, The Nature Conservancy and Dow have collaborated to develop tools for assessing biodiversity around the Dow Breu Branco site in Pará, Brazil. These tools help local businesses understand their impact on biodiversity so they can make informed decisions that support business goals and ecological health.

The project revealed that Dow’s eucalyptus plantations significantly improve biodiversity compared to the surrounding farmland through minimizing soil disturbance, carefully managing crop rotation and conserving natural corridors throughout the site. This initiative underscores the role that valuing nature has in achieving sustainable business practices.

Brazil: Amazon rainforest conservation initiative

Project Ybá is a collaborative initiative by Dow, Natura cosmetics, The Nature Conservancy, and the Peabiru Institute to conserve biodiversity and support sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest. The work focuses on the sustainable extraction of forest resources, such as Andiroba seeds, to produce bioactive ingredients for cosmetics, supporting a local community economically.

Through biodiversity mapping, sustainable harvesting training, and the breeding of stingless bees for honey production, this initiative aims to combine conservation with social transformation, promoting a sustainable bioeconomy in Brazil.

Sustainable water resource and habitat management in Europe

Germany & Netherlands: Protecting shared water resources

The Dow manufacturing sites in Böhlen, Germany and Terneuzen, Netherlands, have launched the Reshape Water Use Initiative to reduce freshwater intake intensity by 20% at key water-stressed sites. The project includes increased water recycling, digitalization, raising awareness about water resources, and local collaborations with stakeholders.

As part of this initiative, in tandem, Dow is taking part in the EU-funded AquaSPICE project to trial new water treatment technologies and develop a digital model of the water network for better decision-making. This initiative aims to sustainably reduce freshwater withdrawals, stabilize water supply, and enhance efficient use of natural resources.

Germany: Advanced wetlands as an additional freshwater source

As part of the Reshape Water Use Initiative, the Dow Böhlen site in Germany expects to achieve at least a quarter of its targeted water savings by treating captured rainwater through advanced wetlands and using it as an additional freshwater source. This project employs an innovative, close-to-nature technology for treatment, helping to secure an important resource for Dow in a water-scarce region. The wetlands are expected to enter test operation in the fall of 2025. Starting in May, more than 50,000 plants will be planted, which will grow over the summer and help treat the rainwater in the future.

Mangrove restoration and ecosystem conservation in Asia Pacific

Thailand: Mangrove forest conservation and restoration

The Dow Thailand team has been working for over a decade to protect and restore mangrove forests, which are crucial for coastal protection, water quality, and biodiversity. The Dow & Thailand Mangrove Alliance collaborates with local governments, communities, and NGOs to advance conservation efforts across five provinces, covering approximately 2,000 acres.

Initiatives include reforestation, promoting eco-tourism, tackling marine debris, supporting carbon credit mechanisms, and fostering young conservation leaders through mangrove camps and educational materials for students. These efforts not only support the environment but also create economic and social opportunities for local communities.

China: Conserving the Yangtze River’s tributary water source

In collaboration with local partners, the Dow China team has launched a project to support the water source area of Qingyi River, one of the tributaries of Yangtze River which plays a vital role in the history, culture and economy in China. Various wild animals live in and alongside Qingyi River. Chinese universities and government organizations have been involved in ecological studies of local species like giant salamanders, fishes, frogs, etc.

Twelve villages populate the surrounding area. Some families have been there for multiple generations. Since 2024, residents have participated in a local “River Inspection Team” to collect real-time data on water quality while cleaning the river and shoreline. Later this year, Dow will help support sustainable agriculture training sessions for local farmers, aiming to advance knowledge and best practices which supports the continuous improvement of local water quality.

Building a resilient future through sustainable water stewardship

Nature is a shared resource. Through implementing environmental stewardship projects and sustainable practices for its use and management, Dow not only helps safeguard the environment but also ensures long-term business value. In fact, ahead of schedule, Dow surpassed its 2025 Sustainability Goal for valuing nature by realizing $1.2 billion in net present value (NPV) from business-driven projects that enhance nature.

The work of water and land management requires understanding local dynamics, utilizing advanced technologies, and collaborating with others. The projects, partnership and initiatives reflected in this article not only preserve vital ecosystems but also offer economic and social benefits to the communities and collaborators. By working alongside one another, a holistic approach to sustainability helps ensure a resilient future for the planet and everyone who lives here.

#Sustainability

About the article

This case study was developed by a cross-discipline team representing geographic and sustainability expertise across Dow, Inc. To learn more about the many initiatives Dow is involved with that enable a sustainable future, visit the Company’s Purpose in Action pages.

GENEVA, April 16, 2025 /3BL/ – The Tire Industry Project (TIP) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its external Assurance Group, boosting its subject matter expertise. Formed in 2006, the Assurance Group guides TIP on vital environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics, bringing in an independent, external view. The Group is comprised of renowned experts from various scientific and academic fields, providing TIP with objective counsel on research and strategic initiatives.

“Ever since its inception, the Assurance Group has served as a solid sounding board as well as a check point, helping us stay on track in pursuit of our goals. Their multi-faceted advice over the years has strengthened our scientific understanding of key topics with an external perspective. We are now expanding the Assurance Group with specialist knowledge in the areas of ecotoxicology, human health, environmental impact and environmental policy, in line with our enhanced ambitions for TIP 2.0”, says Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP.

The new members of the Assurance Group were selected following a rigorous process, based on their scientific contributions, relevance to TIP’s focus areas and fitment within the Assurance Group.

The four new Assurance Group members include:

• Dr. Masaharu Motoshita: A Research Group Leader at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan, Dr. Motoshita is a seasoned researcher with a focus on sustainable industrial practices, including Life Cycle Assessment, environmental impact assessment, and supply chain management.
• Dr. Iseult Lynch: Chair Professor of Environmental Nanosciences at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK, Dr. Lynch is a leading expert in the field of nanotechnology and its environmental impact. Her research focuses on the safety of nanoscale materials and their interactions with biological systems.
• Dr. Oludayo Olusegun Dada: A lead expert and advisor to the African Region Group on Chemicals and Waste Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Dr. Dada brings over three decades of diverse experiences in developing sustainable solutions to both regional and global environmental challenges, especially around pollution control.
• Dr. John Bucher: An internationally known toxicologist and retired leader of the US National Toxicology Program, Dr. Bucher has studied the health effects of chemicals (including those used in tire manufacture) for over 40 years. He has served on the National Academy of Sciences, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and World Health Organization committees.

In addition to the above, the following Assurance Group members will continue advising TIP during the 2024-25 work cycle:

• Dr. John Spengler: A professor of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, Dr. Spengler has done pioneering work on the impact of environmental pollution on humans. He also served as an advisor to the World Health Organization for air and indoor pollution.
• Dr. Emeric Frejafon: Currently at Bureau des Recherches Géologiques et Minières, France, scaling up industry innovation, besides being the Chairman of the European Committee for Standardization on Nanotechnologies, France. He specializes in environmental risk assessment, has won multiple awards for metrology and is the owner/co-owner of several world patents.
• Dr. How Yong Ng: Adjunct Professor at National University of Singapore (NUS), Changjiang Scholar Professor at Beijing Normal University, China, Fellow of Academy of Engineering Singapore and International Water Association (IWA), and Chair of the IWA Membrane Technology Specialist Group, focusing on sustainable water management and removal of emerging pollutants. Dr. Ng has over 500 publications and received multiple awards.

While welcoming the new members of the Assurance Group, TIP also expresses its sincere gratitude to the outgoing member Dr. Masahiko Hirao (University of Tokyo, Department of Chemical Systems Engineering School of Engineering, Japan), for his invaluable contributions since 2019.

“With the expanded Assurance Group now in place, we are better poised to pursue a sustainability agenda that is science-based, innovative and pragmatic”, comments Kryachkova.

About TIP

Formed in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a voluntary CEO-driven initiative with a mission to anticipate, understand, and address global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues relevant to the tire industry and its value chain. TIP acts by commissioning independent research of the highest standards, collaborating on sectoral solutions, and engaging with external stakeholders. The organisation currently brings together 10 leading tire companies that represent more than 60% of the world’s tire manufacturing capacity. For more information, visit The Tire Industry Project.

Traditional recruiting does not always enable people who are neurodiverse to demonstrate strengths and qualifications. That’s because while many people with neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia have extraordinary skills, many struggle to feel comfortable in a company’s hiring process.

Benefits of neurodiversity

Research shows there are business benefits to hiring employees with autism. People on the spectrum often demonstrate exceptional trustworthiness, sharp abilities to remember, reliability, adherence to rules and attention to detail.

They are also often good at coding, a skill that is in high demand at Rockwell and in many talent markets. Strong coding skills include “pattern recognition,” “strong attention to detail” and a “very direct” communication style. People with autism have special gifts when it comes to thinking outside the box and can be extremely creative.

Rockwell’s focus on neurodiversity

Rockwell partnered with CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, a neurodiversity employment program that brings neurodivergent people into the workforce.

Program participants begin as contractors at Rockwell. Two employees hired on full time through this program commented on its strengths and unique approach:

“I am surprised at how good I feel working here,” said Alice Ruel, a senior technician in Rockwell’s Mequon, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. “It is comforting to know my talents and skills are in full use here.”

“I am very proud to work with such a renowned company assisting in the development of technology that drives industry and improves lives across the globe,” added Craig Benedict, a senior technician also in Mequon.

“An important part of our culture is to empower every one of us—and our unique talents—because inclusive thinking drives both our engagement and innovation,” said Gabe Kinzer, team lead at the Rockwell Mequon facility. “Through this program, applicants engage in an extended interview process that focuses on workability, team projects, and skills assessment. This approach relieves candidates of the time pressures and anxiety of having only one chance to impress.”

Our neurodiversity hiring pilot program has had 100% success in the retention rate of new employees hired through this partnership.

Covia Mexico recently celebrated its 70th anniversary with a commemorative tour of three key plants in southern Mexico. The event was an opportunity to honor the company’s heritage and recognize the remarkable accomplishments of its plants and team members because of their hard work and dedication. The tour was attended by Covia’s Executive Leadership Team, who expressed pride, gratitude and encouragement to the local teams, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its employees and their contributions.

Covia’s Ahuazotepec Plant is recognized as Plant of the Year for the second consecutive year 

The celebration began at the Ahuazotepec plant with a sense of pride. For the second year in a row, this plant was recognized as the Plant of the Year. The event brought together the plant’s leadership team, who recognized their employees for their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results in quality, efficiency and culture. The team was congratulated for their hard work, leadership, and the significant impact they continue to make on the plant.

20 Years Accident-Free at Covia’s Tlaxcala Plant 

The second stop was the Tlaxcala plant, where a remarkable achievement was celebrated: two decades without a lost-time accident. Team members were recognized for working tirelessly to foster a strong safety culture. Covia’s leadership truly values this achievement, as it is a significant reflection of the dedication, responsibility and commitment to health and safety of every employee at the plant.

70th Anniversary of Operations at Covia’s Jáltipan Plant 

The last stop was Covia’s Jáltipan plant, which celebrated its 70th anniversary, a significant milestone for the plant. The event brought employees together, fostering a sense of community and shared history. During the celebration, a powerful message was delivered, emphasizing that this achievement is the culmination of the collective dedication of generations of team members who have shaped who we are today. The tour not only honored 70 years of history but also celebrated the employees who contribute to the company’s future every day.