Tag: 3BL

In this latest blog, Lindsay Wright, Director, Communications and Strategic Partnerships, Better Buying, explains why supplier participation in the Better Buying ratings cycle is essential to amplifying their voices and driving improvements in purchasing practices. Wright highlights how the data and insights gathered not only help buyers understand the impact of their practices on suppliers but also empowers suppliers with valuable knowledge to strengthen their own business relationships.

Read the full blog, titled: Why Should Suppliers Participate in Better Buying’s Rating Cycle?

For many South Australian farmers, the 2024 season was severely impacted by drought and frost. The latest agronomic knowledge and technology has helped some farmers to make the most of what they could, but when conditions were too challenging to achieve reasonable crop outcomes, CNH Capital has been able to help ease the strain.

To mitigate the impact of last year’s challenging weather conditions, South Australian farmers have relied on improved agronomic practices, and in some cases the assistance of finance providers.

The northern parts of South Australia saw one of the hardest seasons to date, with some grain crops not even reaching maturity due to severe drought conditions.

In the mid-north and York Peninsula region, such as the Clare Valley and around Freeling, the situation was relatively better, though still challenging. Crops like wheat, lentils, and canola were able to perform reasonably well in these central areas, despite the lack of rainfall.

Vater Machinery is a long-term New Holland dealer and, with its Dealer Principal, Roger Vater, has been supporting the South Australian farming community since 1960.

According to Roger, improved seeding, nutrition, weed control, and crop adaptability enabled farmers to better withstand challenging conditions and still achieve reasonable crop outcomes. But when conditions were tough, having the support of finance providers like CNH Capital has been able to reduce risk and ease financial strain.

“Agronomy over the last several years has improved so much that the timing of seeding, the nutrition, weed control, all those things have culminated to give those farmers the best chance of getting a good crop and a good return,” he said.

“Remarkably, lentils yielded reasonably well in most areas. They held on well in the dry and in some cases, had multiple flowerings. Wherever we got a late rain, the crops certainly made use of it.

Vater Machinery was one dealer in Australia that demonstrated New Holland’s next gen CR11 combine, ahead of its retail availability for the 2025 harvest.

New Holland’s next generation CR combines have been heralded as game changers, designed to provide higher productivity with close-to-zero grain loss, improved residue management, and maximum uptime—which is vital in challenging years when every grain counts towards farmers’ profitability.

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Early reporting company insights, powered by Nasdaq Sustainable Lens®

Nasdaq Sustainable Lens analyzed the companies that have released their CSRD-aligned annual reports. Insights from this analysis include double materiality trends, reporting formats, and depth of disclosures, which are important to note amid the CSRD evolution and EU regulatory discussions on global competitiveness and Omnibus efforts. 

Access the tracker to learn more.

In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a strong signal to the pipeline industry: it’s time to embrace Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS). As part of this initiative, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) is encouraging all regulated pipeline owners and operators to voluntarily adopt safety management systems (SMS) based on industry best practices like American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Recommended Practice 1173.

“We are committed to carrying out President Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy in all ways – big and small,” said Secretary Duffy. “Enhancing pipeline safety through innovative management systems is just one way we can boost our energy security and lower costs for the American people.”

The announcement was accompanied by the release of PHMSA’s Advisory Bulletin ADB-2025-01, reinforcing the agency’s long-standing position that PSMS enhances pipeline safety, strengthens operational discipline, and supports a culture of continuous improvement. This effort is also backed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has recommended implementation of PSMS for years.

“Safety Management Systems bring about a much-needed evolution of internal pipeline safety structures,” said PHMSA Acting Administrator Ben Kochman. “We encourage all operators to fully embrace the continuous improvement and safety benefits that come with implementing a pipeline SMS.”

What Is a Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS)? 

A PSMS is a comprehensive, organization-wide framework designed to improve safety performance in pipeline operations. It provides a structured, proactive approach to identifying and managing safety risks, while fostering a culture of accountability and improvement.

PSMS is based on principles outlined within API RP 1173, which was developed by the API in collaboration with PHMSA, state regulators, and stakeholders after incidents like the 2010 oil release into the Kalamazoo River and the San Bruno gas explosion. These events highlighted a critical need for improved safety oversight and risk management within the energy industry.

Why is PSMS so Important Right Now? 

While approximately 86% of the 2.3 million miles of U.S. gas distribution pipelines are now covered by some form of PSMS, many smaller operators, especially those serving fewer than 25,000 customers, have yet to begin implementation.

This is where the new bulletin matters. It urges operators, particularly smaller and mid-sized ones, to recognize the scalability of API RP 1173 and to take the next steps in building or maturing their safety management systems. The bulletin also aligns with Section 205 of the PIPES Act of 2020, which directs PHMSA and state authorities to promote and assess PSMS frameworks.

The API RP 1173 Framework: A Proven Path 

API RP 1173 provides the basis for implementing an effective PSMS and focuses on building best practices to achieve the following:

• Improve pipeline integrity
• Identify and mitigate safety risks
• Embed continuous improvement into daily operations
• Strengthen coordination between leadership, employees, and contractors

Whether you’re just beginning your safety management journey or looking to refine existing programs, the framework is scalable and adaptable to operators of all sizes.

The 10 Core Elements of PSMS 

1. Leadership and Management Commitment
2. Stakeholder Engagement
3. Risk Management
4. Operational Controls
5. Incident Investigation and Lessons Learned
6. Safety Assurance
7. Management Review and Continuous Improvement
8. Emergency Preparedness and Response
9. Competence, Awareness, and Training
10. Documentation and Recordkeeping

These elements are not just procedural, they represent an integrated safety program where each function supports and reinforces the others.

Worker Participation: A Critical Factor 

Your front-line employees often hold the key to understanding and solving operational risks. That’s why worker participation is a foundational element of a successful PSMS. Employees should be empowered to:

• Communicate risks and identify improvement opportunities
• Assist in developing and reviewing procedures
• Engage in shared learning to prevent repeat incidents

Open communication, transparency, and mutual trust between field personnel and leadership drive the success of any safety initiative, especially a program as critical as PSMS.

The Role of Safety Culture 

PHMSA emphasizes that a strong safety culture is the core of effective pipeline safety management. This culture is built through everyday decisions, reinforced by leadership behavior, and sustained by organizational values that prioritize safety above compliance.

A mature safety culture helps eliminate complacency, reduce normalization of risk, and ensure that everyone, from the CEO to the field, feels responsible for safety.

How PSMS Affects Your Business 

A robust PSMS program will produce the following:

• Reduce risk of accidents, fines, and operational disruptions
• Improve safety outcomes for people and the environment
• Enhance compliance readiness and adaptability to future regulations
• Increase stakeholder confidence and public trust
• Strengthen operational performance through better coordination and decision-making

Where to Begin 

To get started, PHMSA recommends conducting a gap assessment to compare your current practices against those outlined within API RP 1173. From there, the following tasks can be prioritized and pursued:

1. Develop a roadmap and define priority actions.
2. Create a cross-functional PSMS team.
3. Engage leadership and workers in defining safety goals and values.
4. Identify and involve internal and external stakeholders.
5. Align the PSMS with your business strategy to ensure measurable impact.

Learn more from a real case study: An Action Plan & a Roadmap: Implementing Pipeline Safety Management Systems 

Final Thoughts 

Pipeline Safety Management Systems are not just about compliance, they’re about leadership, accountability, and protecting what matters most. PHMSA’s latest advisory bulletin, along with endorsements from DOT, the NTSB, and industry associations, makes it clear: adopting PSMS is a critical step for businesses looking to build resilience, reduce risk, and lead with safety.

Do you have questions about your Pipeline Safety Management System? We’re here to help. Get answers to your questions from our team of experts today!

Complimentary Webinar:

Understanding the EU CSRD: The Dos and Don’ts of Double Materiality Assessments

Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CET (11:00 a.m. ET, 8:00 a.m. PT)

Register Here

For companies in any stage of their sustainability journey, a materiality assessment is critical to prioritize corporate sustainability efforts and expectations, as well as meeting external stakeholder expectations and ESG regulations. The EU CSRD regulation requires a double materiality assessment focusing both on financial materiality – how sustainability issues are impacting your company’s finances – and impact materiality – the actual impact of your company on society and the environment. The process includes benchmarking impacts to peers and top ESG performers, engaging with stakeholders and estimating relative impacts. The task is not easy, and the pitfalls are many! However, significant strategic benefits are expected from this exercise.

Join SCS Consulting Services’ Senior Project Manager, Stephanie Ellis and CSRD Program Manager, Marie Blazy on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CET (11:00 a.m. ET, 8:00 a.m. PT) for a 45-minute debrief on the do’s and don’ts of Double Materiality assessments and lessons learned over the last year. We’ll focus on:

• Double Materiality: A pragmatic assessment of your business
• Impacts and Financial Risks and Opportunities: How they may be interconnected
• Scale, Scope, and Irremediability: Why value chain activities are important to consider
• Practical Applicability: Best practices for data collection and stakeholder engagement
• Integration with Business Strategy: How to align the results of your double materiality assessment with core business strategies
• CSRD Compliance: How to accurately convey your DMA data within your sustainability report for compliance with EU regulations

15 minutes will be allotted at the end of the presentation for Q&A.

Register Here

Every 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is committed to changing this reality by supporting initiatives that help women break free from abuse. This year, the Foundation awarded $100,000 in grants to four North Texas domestic violence shelters, furthering its mission to create a safe and healthy world for women.

Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support will utilize the funds to provide programming supplies and occupancy expenses at three local facilities, allowing them to continue providing lifesaving services and support to the over 2,800 women and children who will seek shelter in 2025. They continue to make great strides in not only providing life-changing services for women and children but also prevent and reduce future patterns of abuse.

The Family Place is the largest family violence service provider in Texas – providing shelter to 700 children, 616 women, 35 men, and 46 pets for a combined 42,140 nights of shelter in 2024. The Family Place provides comprehensive programs including two medical clinics, an animal shelter, counseling, and extensive community education. Funds will be used to further their mission and dedication to ending family violence through their work in prevention, intervention, and advocacy.

Denton County Friends of the Family is the sole provider of free, comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Denton County, serving 5,527 clients in 2024 and providing advocacy services for 15,121 individuals. They will use the grant to expand their outreach efforts and enhance services such as emergency housing and counseling. They are deeply committed to helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse on their path to safety.

Hope’s Door New Beginning Center continues to serve Collin County with their 24-hour emergency hotline, two emergency shelters, individual counseling, legal support, and Battering Intervention and Prevention Program among other services. In addition, HDNBC educated over 7 million community members through education and training. They remain committed to creating safer families and healthier communities.

Through these grants, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation is helping ensure that women in need have access to vital resources like trauma counseling, emergency shelter, child and medical care, mental health support, and legal aid. With over $58 million donated to domestic violence initiatives across the U.S. to date, the Foundation continues to lead the charge in creating a safer world for women free from abuse.

Photos courtesy of The Family Place and Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support

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Thrilled to share that KFC Kshamata – KFC India’s Purpose Platform – has bagged 14 awards in 2024, both nationally and globally, for the groundbreaking #SpeakSign campaign!

This trailblazing sign language training program, developed with a sign language expert, has empowered 17,000 KFC employees across 1,200 restaurants in 240 cities to embrace inclusivity.

The campaign has been celebrated at prestigious platforms like Effies, SABRE South Asia, PR Awards APAC, Kyoorius, Exchange4Media, and more, including Fulcrum, e4M Do Good Awards, ET Digiplus Awards, and others.

Proud to see our purpose-driven efforts make waves and foster change.

CAMDEN, N.J., April 1, 2025 /3BL/ – Subaru of America Inc. today announced the official launch of its nationwide tree distribution program in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation^® (ADF), the largest such corporate effort in the non-profit’s history. As part of the automaker’s Subaru Loves the Earth^® initiative, Subaru retailers will give away established and regionally appropriate trees (up to four feet tall, in one-gallon containers) in communities across the country, which will have tangible benefits for generations to come.

Trees provide oxygen, filter water, clean the air, prevent flooding, and cool environments to help build healthier communities and a more sustainable planet. But every year, American cities lose millions of trees due to age, disease, infestation, and extreme weather. To help address this tree loss, Subaru, its retailers, and ADF will supply and distribute 100,000 trees this year, building upon a legacy of supporting environmental causes that includes the replanting of 1 million trees in western states to address post-wildfire reforestation efforts.

Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc.: “Subaru has a long history of helping to protect and preserve the planet through programs that reduce waste, safeguard natural resources, and care for our natural spaces. With the unmatched expertise of the Arbor Day Foundation and the support of our Subaru retailers, we are creating a lasting impact that will grow for many years to come. One tree at a time, Subaru is proud to help make a more sustainable future for all.”

Donation distribution events will take place throughout the regional 2025 planting season. Anyone can visit Subaru.com/earth to find a participating retailer and reserve a tree on a first-come, first-served basis, though quantities are limited. Once reserved, customers will be given specific instructions on when to pick up a tree and how to plant and maintain it on their property.

Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation: “We are always trying to plant trees in the communities where they are needed most, and this program is helping extend that effort. Subaru’s collaboration and commitment to improving environmental and community well-being further exemplifies how powerful partnerships can be amid the urgent push to protect the planet. From helping address extreme weather events to improving overall community health, trees have the ability to infuse our communities with profound layers of benefits and help us grow a more resilient future.”

Throughout the campaign, two new advertising spots will run in English and Spanish on linear TV, streaming, digital video, and social media platforms in :30 and :15 second formats. The title campaign spot, Kids, includes fun and colorful artwork drawn by children to inspire us all, while Subaru Partners with the Arbor Day Foundation to Give Away Trees highlights the partnership between Subaru, its retailers, and the Arbor Day Foundation to address tree loss in communities nationwide. Paid media partners include CBS, ESPN, Hulu, Roku, Peacock, Telemundo, Univision, and YouTube, and the spots are available to view on the Subaru of America YouTube channel.

To learn more about Subaru Loves the Earth and the automaker’s commitment to protect, conserve, and help the planet thrive for future generations visit Subaru.com/earth.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

About the Arbor Day Foundation® (ADF)
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com

Jeff Salem
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Arbor Day Foundation
(402) 473-2024
jsalem@arborday.org

One of the most effective ways to significantly boost the impact of an NGO is by supporting training programs that enhance their capacity to reach and assist more people. These programs empower NGO staff and local partners, ultimately leading to a broader and more sustainable impact.

The Power of Training Programs

Take International Medical Corps, a relief agency we’ve collaborated with for many years, as a prime example. By supporting their training initiatives, we help them expand their ability to educate and empower doctors, nurses, hospital administrative staff, and community health workers.

Training health professionals yields immediate benefits. It broadens their knowledge base and hones their skills, enabling them to address a wider range of needs and treat more individuals affected by various disasters.

The impact multiplies exponentially when an NGO implements train-the-trainer programs. Each newly trained individual can, in turn, train others, thereby magnifying the overall reach and effectiveness of the initial training.

Real-World Examples: Lebanon and Jamaica

Lebanon (May 2023): In Lebanon, International Medical Corps trained 135 individuals, including 79 people on Primary Trauma Care and 56 on Stop the Bleed. Participants included their country mission staff and officials from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Out of these trainees, 22 took part in an intensive 5-day Train-the-Trainer session.

Additionally, International Medical Corps conducted a 30-person workshop for their Lebanon country mission to discuss their Emergency Preparedness and Response Program (EPRP). This program is crucial for each country office as it helps anticipate and organize effective responses to likely emergencies. The workshop covered hazard mapping, risk analysis, supply prepositioning, and the organizational process for activating a response. After the workshop, the team in Lebanon reported feeling significantly better prepared to handle future emergencies.

Jamaica (April 2025): Looking ahead, International Medical Corps will implement a comprehensive training program in Jamaica. This program will target healthcare personnel from regional hospitals affected by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.

The training will cover critical topics such as Stop the Bleed, Basic Emergency Care, and Mass Casualty Management. Participants will work together to develop triage and evacuation plans, assign roles for an incident command team, and simulate a mass casualty event. Over the course of nine sessions—three per topic—234 doctors, nurses, hospital administrative staff, and community health workers will be trained. This includes an estimated 14 individuals who will also participate in the Train-the-Trainer courses, further multiplying the program’s impact.

Why Support Training Programs?

The next time you collaborate with an NGO to enhance their capacity, consider funding training programs for their staff and partners. Investing in these initiatives not only strengthens the NGO’s immediate response capabilities but also ensures a multiplied return on investment through train-the-trainer programs. This approach will help you achieve your goal of amplifying their capacity by tenfold, creating a far-reaching and lasting impact.

By supporting training programs, you contribute to building a more resilient and capable global community, ready to tackle future challenges with confidence and expertise.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Originally published by Action Against Hunger.

One in 11 people are dealing with severe levels of food insecurity, which the United Nations reports poses “grave risks to their health and well-being.” But how can we prepare for – or better, prevent – further deteriorations in communities facing this chronic problem? Monitoring situations and forecasting where things are set to get worse is crucial to saving lives.

That is why Action Against Hunger is working to identify the early warning signs of rising hunger and malnutrition. By forecasting hazards and predicting likely emergencies, we can work with our partners to pinpoint when and where to focus our resources for the greatest impact.

Predicting hunger and malnutrition

In Eastern Africa, Modeling Early Risk Indicators to Anticipate Malnutrition (MERIAM) is Action Against Hunger’s latest early warning tool under development. It aims to forecast elevated malnutrition prevalence rates and caseloads up to 12 months in advance, significantly longer than the 3-4 months projection horizons offered by existing systems. It complements other analytical processes by zooming in on the condition of children under five, who are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, and enabling more frequent updates of how the situation is set to evolve. Pilots are currently under development in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan.

In Central America, Action Against Hunger’s PREDISAN tool is monitoring and nowcasting food security across Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. The platform utilizes advanced machine learning tools, satellite imagery and remote sensing to identify the most vulnerable areas and estimate the number of people at various levels of food insecurity. Together with DATAface, it helps to better understand which populations are most affected by food insecurity so we can take targeted action.

Developing early warning systems 

Early warning systems are crucial tools that integrate hazard monitoring, disaster risk assessments, forecasting and communication to enable individuals, communities, governments, businesses and others to take timely actions to reduce disaster risks in advance of hazardous events (see e.g. REAP, 2022).

In South Asia, Action Against Hunger is focusing on new prediction capabilities in places most at risk. For example, an estimated 23.6 million people are food insecure in Bangladesh. Hunger is made worse by the country’s vulnerability to climate shocks. Cyclones and floods are a recurring threat to agriculture and livelihoods – and one that is growing worse due to climate change. By leveraging machine learning and predictive modeling, AI can detect early warning signs of potential hunger crises, such as those caused by extreme weather events in Bangladesh.

While significant progress has been made on early warning systems for cyclones via The STEP Project, tidal surges can be equally destructive and lack warning systems. That is the focus of promising projects like SURF-It (Support for Spatial Surge Forecasting Using Artificial Intelligence and Community Knowledge for Inclusive and Transformative Early Actions). This project will use AI to anticipate tidal surges, which are responsible for coastal flooding. AI monitors are installed along vulnerable coastline communities to sense water velocity, height of the tidal surfs, and other key indicators. The system sends all of this data to a central server. Action Against Hunger monitors the real-time data and notifies people of potential threats through text messages.

The idea of SURF-It is to understand the scope of the loss and damage to be expected from tidal surges “so people can better anticipate that tidal surge event and then they take some action in advance to save their standing crops,” said Tapan Kumar Chakraborty, Action Against Hunger’s Deputy Country Director for Bangladesh. “[Communities] will get this information so they will have two or three days to save their productive assets, to harvest their crops a bit earlier, and to take their livestock to safer places.”

These early-warning measures can make a meaningful difference for marginalized communities. For example, when cyclone Remal made landfall, it was the worst storm to hit Bangladesh in over a decade. While it caused widespread damage, people were prepared. Action Against Hunger had sent out early warning messages to those living in at-risk areas and provided guidance on how to stay safe and protect assets from homes to animals.

With help from the European Union, Action Against Hunger also provided approximately $40 in cash advance to 2,000 of the most vulnerable people so they could buy whatever they needed most urgently to prepare before the storm made landfall. Cash assistance is one of the most effective ways to help families in need. One recipient, whose house is made of wood and corrugated metal on a dirt floor, used the funding to secure their home by tying parts of it to a nearby tree. They also bought mesh to protect their small fishpond so the fish wouldn’t be washed away and bought dried food to eat. These small steps made a big difference in helping the family weather the storm while lowering the risk that they would go hungry once the skies cleared.

With a continued focus on predicting hunger hotspots and providing early warning to those most impacted, we can intervene early to stop hunger in its tracks.

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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.