Tag: 3BL

Originally published on LinkedIn

Feeding 2.5 million people over three weeks is no small task—but our Sysco Houston team makes it happen. From months of planning to supporting a diverse food scene, Sysco is proud to fuel the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. And when the event wraps up, we ensure leftover food is donated to the Houston Food Bank, minimizing waste and maximizing impact.

A huge thank you to our incredible colleagues for their hard work and dedication, and to KHOU 11 for sharing our story! 

View original content here.

BioStar Renewables is proud to have partnered with Seaboard Energy, LLC to develop and construct a behind-the-meter solar array that is producing renewable electricity for the Seaboard’s renewable diesel plant in Hugoton, KS.

The 15 MW solar array is located at the Seaboard plant 2.5 miles west of Hugoton city-center and consists of more than 27,000 solar panels. The project is capable of producing more than 30 million kWh of electricity each year, reducing the reliance on the local utility, with the potential of displacing more than 21,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, the equivalent of providing nearly 3,000 homes with electricity or 3.3 million gallons of gasoline consumed for an entire year.

BioStar developed, provided engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the project, and successfully delivered a project that supports Seaboard’s commitment to clean energy.

To learn more about this project and our other renewable energy projects, visit, https://BioStarRenewables.com.

CNH brand, New Holland, received a Davidson Prize for Engineering Innovation.

IntelliSense™ technology, a new option for New Holland’s BigBaler high-density (HD) balers, helps operators increase productivity, bale quality, fuel efficiency and comfort by automating essential baler and tractor functions.

This technology has been recognized with one of the highest distinctions bestowed by American agricultural engineers.

Created to highlight breakthrough innovations in agricultural, food and biological systems engineering, the Davidson Prize is awarded from entries selected for AE50 – a group of fifty agricultural engineering products chosen by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for their innovation, significant engineering advancement and market impact. Following this selection, ASABE collaborates with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to identify the three most innovative products worthy of the Davidson Prize. This year, New Holland’s IntelliSense™ baler automation system was one of the three winners.

IntelliSense™ is compatible with New Holland T7 Long Wheelbase, T7 HD and T8 AutoCommand tractors, as long as they have ISOBUS Class 3 functionality unlocked for direction and speed control, as well as differential GPS for even greater accuracy.

Read more about IntelliSense™ here. 

Published by Action Against Hunger.

April 3, 2025 /3BL/ – On the night of April 1 to 2, US-led air strikes hit a health center supported by Action Against Hunger in northwestern Yemen. These attacks are part of a worrying upsurge in hostilities in the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula.

As a result of the air strikes, the Huqah health facility in Washhah district, Hajjah governorate, was completely destroyed and a nearby school damaged. Since May 2024, a reported 9,670 children and 401 pregnant and breast-feeding women have received healthcare at the health facility.

“Fortunately, as it was a night strike, all the health professionals working in the facility and members of our team are safe“, explains Anne Garella, Director of Operations for Action Against Hunger in the Middle East. “Medical facilities and personnel are explicitly protected under international humanitarian law. We remind all parties to the conflict that it is imperative to guarantee the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers“.

The intensity of strikes has increased considerably in recent weeks in northern Yemen, controlled by the Houthi authorities. On March 15, bombardments killed at least 53 people, including five children, and wounded around a hundred in a residential area of the capital Sanaa, according to local authorities.

Action Against Hunger is concerned about the consequences of escalating armed violence on civilians, in a country plunged into a devastating decade-long conflict. “We note that air strikes are now reaching densely populated areas and civilian infrastructures: this is a worrying trend,” stresses Anne Garella. “These attacks are threatening people’s access to livelihoods and the ability of humanitarian organizations to intervene, while humanitarian needs continue to grow, particularly in the north of the country”.

19.5 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in Yemen, an increase of 1.3 million compared to 2024. Food insecurity is rampant, with around 2.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women in need of treatment for acute malnutrition, and 55% of children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition.

Operating in Yemen since 2012, Action Against Hunger supports the rehabilitation of sanitary infrastructures and access to drinking water and hygiene, provides psychological and psychosocial support to people affected by violence and abuse, supports health centers in areas most affected by malnutrition, and works to strengthen the capacity of households to generate income and access food in markets. In 2023, our programs supported more than 323,000 people across the country.

 

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

By Lara Warren

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 3, 2025 /3BL/ – Regions Bank is proud to announce it has received the 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for employee engagement. This award recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world. This is the 11th year Regions has been recognized by Gallup.

“The engagement of our associates is foundational to our company’s success,” said Dave Keenan, Regions Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer. “Engagement creates a workplace where current talent wants to stay, and new talent wants to join. This award is an honor, and it is motivation to continue our efforts around creating a workplace where our associates can grow and thrive throughout their careers at Regions.”

Despite the momentous challenges in the rapidly evolving workplaces of the world, Gallup found that Regions has continued to engage and develop its associates in innovative ways, setting new benchmarks for workplace excellence.

The engagement of our associates is foundational to our company’s success.

Dave Keenan, Regions Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer

“Your commitment to creating an environment where employees feel valued, heard and empowered to do their best work is truly remarkable,” said Jon Clifton, Gallup’s chief executive officer. “By prioritizing both people and performance, you are shaping the future of work and proving that exceptional workplaces drive real results.”

Gallup’s meta-analysis on team engagement and performance is the most comprehensive workplace study ever conducted, with data on more than 3.3 million employees in 347 organizations across 53 industries and 90 countries. Highly engaged organizations significantly outperform their peers on important business outcomes, including customer ratings, profitability, productivity, turnover, safety incidents, shrinkage, absenteeism, quality, wellbeing and organizational citizenship.

For a complete list of winners, visit the 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winners page. Learn more about the awards here.

About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $157 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,250 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

About Gallup
Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world.

The textile and apparel industry woke up today facing more questions than answers. Business leaders around the world are scrambling to understand the immediate and long-term implications of President Trump’s announcement of substantial global tariffs, particularly as only 3% of apparel sold in the U.S. is manufactured domestically.

While the economic and logistical impacts are significant, it is essential we also recognize the profound human implications of these tariffs. Thousands of workers and their families across countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, and China rely on the textile and apparel industry for their livelihoods. Sudden disruptions caused by these tariffs could undermine decades of progress in social and economic stability, pushing vulnerable communities deeper into poverty.

We live in a globally interdependent world. Responsible business practices and quality manufacturing are not confined within any single country’s borders, including the U.S. As our industry navigates the turbulence ahead, maintaining strong international partnerships rooted in mutual respect and pragmatism is critical.

Farmers, factories, manufacturers, logistics providers—every stakeholder along the supply chain deserves responsible, thoughtful management and sustained investment. Now, more than ever, industry leaders must unite in collective advocacy to ensure global trade policies support not just economic stability but also environmental sustainability and social equity. Sustainability remains a business imperative.

As we respond to this challenge, our collective action must remain firmly focused on safeguarding livelihoods, advocating for fair and sustainable trade practices, and ensuring that economic policies recognize their human impact. Together, we can and must ensure that our global industry’s future is resilient, responsible, and inclusive for all, now and in the future.

To achieve net-zero carbon by 2050, Saint-Gobain North America must reach key milestones by 2030. In our latest episode of Journey to 2030, Saint-Gobain is showing how circular economy practices can be successful! 

When it comes to finding ways to recycle gypsum we are always looking for bolder practices to eliminate landfill waste and reduce our emissions. Discover the ways in which our plants across North America are sourcing and reusing this useful material in the production of wallboard.

About Journey to 2030

With approximately 37% of CO₂ emissions coming from the built environment, we have a responsibility as the leader of light and sustainable construction to move towards net-zero carbon by 2050. But before we can get there, Saint-Gobain has milestones we’re trying to achieve by 2030. 

Join us on our Journey to 2030 and watch the entire video series on YouTube.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 

This article is authored by Jose La Loggia, Group President, EMEA, Trane Technologies.

As the climate continues to change, and risks to human health and well-being continue to grow, one critical area demands our attention: the use of energy recovery technology in our cities to decarbonize buildings and transport.

Buildings represent more than 30%¹ of all emissions, with transport responsible for another 20%². That’s more than half of the world’s emissions that Trane Technologies can help address.

To reduce emissions and decarbonize our cities, we must revolutionize energy used in buildings and transport. Any heat released into the environment can be considered wasted, and since it takes energy to produce heat, wasted heat is wasted energy. By preventing and recovering waste heat, we are helping decarbonize buildings, industry and transport systems – transforming them from energy sinks into energy sources.

By focusing on the generated power that’s being wasted, what we call demand-side management, we can have a significant impact on addressing energy waste and reducing energy demand.

Energy recovery: a game changer for the built environment

Historically, buildings have relied on fossil fuels and natural gas for their heating and cooling needs. Most buildings have also typically used separate heating and cooling systems that operate independently, causing higher emissions – especially during cooling processes that generate heat, which is typically wasted and released into the atmosphere.

But our vision for the buildings of tomorrow is clear: a future in which renewable energy production, the heating and cooling of buildings and energy storage operate in unison to create highly energy-efficient buildings. Such buildings generate enough energy to run their own facilities without drawing from the grid, re-purposing what would otherwise be wasted while driving significant energy efficiencies. If decarbonized buildings became the norm, we could breathe cleaner air and live in smarter, healthier and more resilient cities that are less reliant on fossil fuels.

The concept of thermal management for temperature control is central to this vision. Energy recovery technology like heat pumps can capture naturally-generated heat as a byproduct, instead of rejecting it into the atmosphere, and repurpose it for another use, such as comfort heating and hot sanitary water. This “free heating” approach translates into substantial cost savings compared to conventional boiler systems. By using heat pumps, building owners and city planners can also integrate heating and cooling systems and draw from another untapped free source of energy: waste heat.

In fact, heat pumps can re-purpose wasted heat to address other heating demands at a building or city level. A prime example of an innovative thermal management system is Trane Technologies’ project in the Dutch city of Aalsmeer. Excess heat from a data center is repurposed to provide hot water to a local school and gymnasium. This project saved Aalsmeer 400 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually – equivalent to the emissions generated from 48 homes. Adopting a simultaneous heating and cooling thermal management system, which can heat and cool at the same time, not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but it is also much more efficient.

Driving down carbon emissions in transportation

New industry standards for emissions reduction and efficiency are being set for commercial transportation. Trane Technologies specializes in transport refrigeration, to ensure the safety of foods and medicines – in a sustainable way. The Thermo King AxlePower energy recovery system, for example, harvests energy when a trailer rolls or brakes, capturing and storing the power in a high-voltage battery that powers the refrigeration unit. Such high-performance, hybrid or fully electric systems can make significant CO2 savings.

During a trial on Woolworths’ long-haul N1 route in South Africa, the vehicle’s battery operated for a distance of 15,000 kilometers to cool the load and only engaged the diesel engine 3% of the time. On the route between Johannesburg and Cape Town, carbon emissions dropped by 27 tons.

Challenging the current mindset around decarbonization

By now, it should be clear that obstacles to creating decarbonized cities are not technological. So, what is? One common misconception is that sustainable solutions are prohibitively expensive. In reality, the energy efficiency and CO2 reductions achieved through these technologies often result in short payback periods, sometimes within just two to three years.

Another myth is that these systems are complex and only applicable to new building construction. This is far from the truth. Almost 75% of existing building stock in the European Union has a poor energy performance that can be considerably improved with smart heating and cooling solutions³ . When we replace cooling-only machines with those capable of simultaneous heating and cooling, the incremental cost is more manageable. And for fleet owners looking to switch to electric solutions, next-generation energy recovery systems (e.g. Thermo King AxlePower) are also more efficient, less reliant on recharging stations and fossil fuels.

Financing, often perceived as a barrier, is also readily available. The key is to finance the future, not outdated systems.

The future is now: time for action

The path to decarbonizing our cities lies in these sustainable, thermal management and energy recovery solutions. As we move forward, policymakers, industry leaders, and communities must work together to embrace this vision.

Decarbonizing our cities is within reach, and the benefits for our planet and future generations are immeasurable.

A version of this article originally appeared in the Financial Times.

Article Sources (3)

• [1] IEA, “Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2023: Buildings,” 2023.
• [2] IEA, “Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2023: Transport,” 2023. 
• [3] European Commission Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2024 and data collected by Trane Technologies.

The recent EU Omnibus package may propose to ease the reporting burden for companies in the EU, but many headlines have in fact triggered uncertainty and alarm.

If we can cut through the noise, proactive business leaders can not only prepare for these changes but seize the opportunity to drive strategic business value and even transformation.

My key takeaways for business:

• Large companies still have to report, while SMEs can gain an advantage through voluntary reporting
• Streamlined and integrated data management remains key for compliance and business value creation
• Get ahead by starting today

Sustainability regulations have been on a rollercoaster ride lately. To address concerns about the administrative burden, harmonization, and competitiveness, EU lawmakers have undertaken critical reviews of key policies, most notably the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Initial reactions to the Omnibus package ranged from celebratory to cautionary, with some media outlets pointing out “costly confusion” and even “catastrophic changes.” The slightest changes to any regulatory framework can spark confusion, but there is no need to panic. While still subject to final approval, the Omnibus package should provide companies extra time to prepare and reduced metrics to track.

Despite these proposed changes, business leaders should ensure their data management systems are equipped to handle the required sustainability metrics. Systems and processes for data management need to be instituted, KPIs identified, stakeholders managed — all of which takes time. As a rule of thumb, auditors recommend two years of preparation time before a reporting deadline hits. From automated collection and reporting to insights that drive measurable business value, an integrated data system has the potential to make sustainability data so much more than a mere component of compliance.

What are the changes in the Omnibus?

The Omnibus adjusts compliance thresholds, shifts reporting timelines, and removes the burden of CSRD reporting for small and midsize enterprises. Proposed changes include:

• Companies not yet required to report on FY 2024 will have a two-year delay (until 2028) before they must report with the CSRD
• Companies must have 1,000 employees and €50 million net turnover, or €25 million balance sheet to meet CSRD reporting threshold
• Limited assurance requirements are implemented in place of reasonable assurance
• Sector-specific reporting mandates have been eliminated
• Value chain data is only required from suppliers that also meet the reporting threshold
• Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) due diligence intervals increased from each year to every five years

All proposed changes are still subject to final approval.

What remains untouched in the Omnibus proposals?

Large European companies — those that were required to report with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) — are still required to report with the CSRD this year for FY 2024, and are required to continue reporting despite the proposal. The pool of companies required to report will still expand, but now with a two-year delay and the timeline for non-EU parent companies has not changed. Companies with a two-year delay will still need to start preparing at least 12 months ahead of their new reporting deadlines.

Supply chain emissions, double materiality assessments, KPI identifying and tracking, and transition planning are all still fundamental to the CSRD. Supply chain data insights are still requirements of the CSDDD and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The metrics on which companies are required to report are likely to be reduced and simplified, but regulatory compliance still remains a data challenge that requires integrated solutions. For companies that are no longer required to report, voluntary reporting can prove beneficial if data insights are deployed strategically. With the right solutions, sustainability data can unlock valuable insights to improve business performance.

How can sustainability data improve business performance?

With all the new compliance measures businesses have to navigate, it can be easy to get reporting tunnel vision and lose sight of the wider goal: sustainable business outcomes and value creation for the business.

Rigorous sustainability reporting should drive operational efficiency. Combined with a wealth of sustainability data, supply chain scrutiny and systems analysis lay the groundwork for deriving strategic business value. For example, sustainability data supports effective risk management through visibility into risks and their strategic and financial impacts, lowers costs by creating efficiency gains, and provides the insights needed to take action.

Collecting and managing data to comply with sustainability regulations requires data management software. The bare bones solution is the helpful, yet error-prone, Excel spreadsheet, while at the opposite end of the data management spectrum is the ERP-centric system.

The spreadsheet might manage to painstakingly serve the compliance function, but it lacks the ability to provide real-time insights that align sustainability goals with financial goals. What’s worse is that after data is collected and reported, it lives — and dies — on the spreadsheet, offering no added value, and certainly driving no business transformation.

In contrast, by using an ERP-centric system, data needed to comply with sustainability regulations can be pulled, aggregated, and integrated into business systems like finance, procurement, and HR. In fact, an ERP-centric system can provide access to as much as 85 percent of the quantitative data required for CSRD compliance.

ERP systems are the catalyst for strategic business transformation and streamlined regulatory compliance. ERP combined with SAP Sustainability solutions can provide access to sustainability data that permeates all business functions. Business leaders obtain the necessary insights to reduce carbon and material usage, accelerate CSRD compliance, and accurately measure the financial and sustainability impact of their decisions.

Get ahead by starting today

To stay ahead of current and upcoming regulations, streamlined and integrated management of data from operations and supply chain is essential. An ERP-centric approach can drive both sustainability and financial performance, with compliance being just the tip of the iceberg for ERP-centric sustainability data benefits.

Even with CSRD timelines extended for some companies, forward-thinking businesses have much to gain by continuing CSRD-aligned sustainability reporting now. This delay offers an opportunity to develop a strategic, technology-enabled approach to sustainability reporting that drives long-term business value.

Take action now and leverage SAP Sustainability solutions to transform your data management and sustainability reporting, ensuring your business not only complies but thrives in the evolving regulatory landscape. To learn even more about the Omnibus changes and how an ERP-centric system can benefit your business, read SAP’s latest white paper on mastering CSRD.

How to master the EU CSRD with SAP Sustainability solutions: New insights from the Omnibus proposal Read the White Paper here

^{Sophia Mendelsohn is chief sustainability and commercial officer at SAP.}

Las Vegas Sands

One of the four core priorities under the Planet pillar of Sands’ corporate responsibility program is incorporating environmentally friendly materials and resources into business operations. Through the stewardship of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability team in collaboration with departments company-wide, Sands is committed to avoiding and eliminating materials and resources that may negatively impact the environment and working to increase overall use of sustainable goods and services.

“Our desire to use sustainable materials and resources touches every part of the business, from procurement to food and beverage services, resort operations, engineering, development and more,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “The challenge in the hospitality industry is balancing selection of goods and services that are better for the environment with guest expectations for a high-end travel experience. That’s why system-wide collaboration among our teams is key.”

Sourcing Responsible Goods and Services

On a regular basis, Sands evaluates sourcing in key areas such as food and beverage services, hotel operations, and business and marketing materials to introduce or increase sustainable products and services. The company has placed special emphasis on addressing sustainability at company-owned restaurants and in catering operations.

Delivering outstanding food and beverage options is an essential component of creating a world-class guest experience, and Sands has focused on incorporating sustainable food into that experience. Efforts have included promoting sustainable sourcing to chefs and eliminating or reducing certain types of seafood from company-owned restaurants and food service operations. The company also targets sourcing of seafood products that are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

In addition, Sands has set a global target to source cage-free eggs for 100% of its operations by 2028. The company began this transition at select food and beverage outlets and in-suite dining in 2023 and will report on 2024 progress in its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) report to be published this spring.

Furthering the commitment of sourcing environmentally responsible products and services, Sands also strives to upcycle materials to avoid sending items to landfills. For example, Marina Bay Sands partnered with ChopValue, a company that turns chopsticks into stylish products, to repurpose one million of these used utensils into cube-shaped menu displays for Sands Expo® and Convention Centre events and banquets. Some of the chopsticks were sourced from the resort’s Wakuda restaurant.

Reducing Plastic and Packaging Use

Another initiative related to incorporating sustainable materials and resources is addressing plastic and packaging, especially single-use items. Sands has set a global target to transition 100% of its branded water bottles to reusable solutions or products made from sustainable materials by the end of 2025.

Marina Bay Sands achieved 100% sustainable solutions for branded water bottles as of 2023, while Sands China continues to address applications that have been challenging for incorporation of sustainable solutions. One area is on casino floors, which use smaller bottles with limited supply options for sustainable products. The company has undertaken various trials such as use of water dispensers to overcome this challenge.

Other efforts to replace plastic and packaging at Sands China have included replacing single-use bathroom amenity bottles with bulk products at The Venetian Macao, Sands Macao, The Parisian Macao and The Londoner Macao. In addition, Sands China has targeted reducing plastics and single-use disposables in its laundry operations.

At Marina Bay Sands, the resort also has addressed laundry-related plastics by eliminating single-use plastic covers for Team Member uniforms. Another major focus has been on eliminating plastic cling wrap in its kitchens, which uses an average of 19,000 rolls annually.

Efforts have included identifying plastic wrap applications to establish new processes and solutions, engaging with food and beverage leaders to address changes, initiating a phased approach to plastic wrap elimination across the resort and setting up monthly scorecards to track plastic wrap purchases and use.

Sands’ commitment to using sustainable materials and resources is one of four core environmental stewardship priorities, which also include transitioning to low-carbon operations, reducing waste and responsibly managing water. To learn more about the company’s initiatives to protect the planet, read the latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.