Tag: 3BL

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Solutions updated today will deliver greater transparency on credible, actionable social and labor compliance data to drive decent working conditions in global supply chains. Cascale’s Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM) and the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) from the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) address systemic labor challenges and advance fair working conditions across global supply chains, while minimizing audit fatigue for manufacturers and suppliers.

The SLCP has updated its CAF with a new version (1.7), further enhancing the ability to provide reliable social and labor compliance data. The Higg FSLM is built on SLCP’s CAF, and is part of Cascale’s Higg Index suite of tools, which are exclusively available on Worldly, the leading supply chain sustainability data insights platform.

“The Higg FSLM is a critical tool underpinning Cascale’s Support Decent Work for All strategic pillar, through which we aim to champion workers’ rights, ensure fair purchasing practices, and streamline audits to foster safe and equitable workplaces,” said Jeremy Lardeau, SVP of Higg Index at Cascale. “Especially at a time when tariffs highlight the fragility of global supply chains, these tools are critically important. When companies use a common benchmark to measure and improve performance, they build efficiencies that reduce audit fatigue and, ultimately, save time and money.”

Janet Mensink, CEO of SLCP, commented: “This update is part of our multi-year CAF roadmap, designed to ensure that the Converged Assessment Framework remains both relevant and scalable in an evolving regulatory environment. Version 1.7 introduces enhancements that will not only maintain high-quality reports and provide credible, actionable data, but also better align with emerging human rights due diligence standards. The new version also includes features that make it easier to identify and address social and labor issues, enabling facilities to share critical findings with brands during the assessment, rather than waiting for a final report.”

“Behind every supply chain are real people whose working conditions define the integrity of global businesses,” said Adele Stafford, Chief Growth Officer, Worldly. “With standardized assessments like the Converged Assessment Framework in the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module, companies get a clearer picture of risk — but visibility alone isn’t enough. Worldly turns that data into action, helping businesses proactively improve working conditions, protect workers’ rights, and strengthen their supply chains for the long term.”

“Adopting the CAF and Higg FSLM has been a good addition to our ecosystem,” said Khawaja Faheem Uddin, GM Systems & Compliance at Artistic Milliners Private Limited. “By streamlining our compliance processes and consolidating requirements, we’ve saved time and resources while still meeting rigorous industry standards. These tools not only support us in upholding decent work for our 17,500+ employees but also enable us to build stronger partnerships with our brand customers through greater transparency and accountability. We believe that it is a good beginning, and we should continue to improve the system collectively.”

Ray Zhang, global social compliance manager at Avery Dennison, commented, “The Higg FSLM/CAF have helped us significantly reduce audit duplication—hundreds of unnecessary audits avoided globally in the past few years. Beyond streamlining compliance, the tools enhance visibility into our supply chain, empower suppliers to manage their own social performance, and allow us to focus our resources where they matter most: building capacity and improving working conditions.”

Alongside the CAF update, SLCP is expanding verifications to 44 new countries and offering tool translations in additional languages for the self-assessment process. The CAF will now be available in Latin American Spanish, as well as already existing translations of English, Chinese, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

The Higg FSLM CAF v1.7 update enhances alignment with due diligence and governance requirements, ensuring a more standardized and structured approach to social and labor performance assessments while enhancing supply chain transparency in the consumer goods industry, making businesses more resilient and avoiding hidden risk. This structured approach enables facilities to systematically identify, address, and mitigate critical issues, reinforcing worker rights, well-being, and assess overall working conditions. Additionally, it more clearly identifies non-compliances across the data and aligns with Better Work Zero Tolerance Protocols and ILO Core Conventions, ensuring consistency with global labor standards.

The CAF and the Higg FSLM are updated annually by SLCP, Cascale, and Worldly in response to stakeholder feedback, ensuring relevance and improved functionality.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the industry’s leading sustainability data insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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ABOUT SLCP

The Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with over 270 signatories striving for decent working conditions in global supply chains. The Program aims to unite and support all stakeholders by implementing a universal social assessment tool called the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) that delivers credible and actionable data designed to support Human Rights Due Diligence implementation and enable collaborative action. By reducing duplication in social audits, the CAF helps save resources to redeploy towards improvement actions. Over 15,000 facilities have adopted the CAF, and over 95 brands and standard holders publicly accept SLCP assessments.

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ABOUT WORLDLY

Worldly is the leading supply chain sustainability data insights platform, trusted by 40,000+ major brands, retailers, and manufacturers in fashion, outdoor, home goods, toys, and more. Worldly uniquely collects high-resolution primary data specific to companies’ value chains, operations, and products, providing insight into true impacts across carbon, water, chemistry, and labor. Featuring the most comprehensive source of ESG data for global manufacturers and the largest library of materials and product impacts, Worldly empowers businesses to scale responsibility into their global operations, faster and more accurately. Hosting, connecting with, and supporting the leading industry solutions and methodologies, including ZDHC, Bluesign, and the Higg Index — developed and owned by the global nonprofit alliance Cascale — Worldly delivers the insights businesses need to reduce their impact, comply with emerging regulatory and financial disclosure requirements, and meet the expectations of a new generation of customers. worldly.io

STAMFORD, Conn., April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Henkel’s Dial® brand, a trusted brand for over 75 years, is proud to announce its new ‘Clean Sheet’ program partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation. As part of this program, Dial® will donate an initial $50,000 to DonorsChoose, an education nonprofit that supports public school teachers and students nationwide, and for every clean sheet in a U.S. Senior National Team soccer match, Dial® will donate an additional $5,000 for a total contribution of $100,000 over the next year. Dial® hopes to engage soccer fans as they cheer on the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams while giving back to the teachers who do so much for students around the country.

”Preventing the opposing team from scoring any goals, delivers a ‘clean sheet’ match for the winning team. This is a mark of defensive excellence and is a significant achievement for both the goalkeeper and the entire defensive line, demonstrating the power of teams,” said Phil Schaffer, Corporate Senior Vice President of Henkel Consumer Brands North America. “Like the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, Henkel’s success is also driven by our passion for team play, which is why we are so excited to not only celebrate with the fans, but also to give something back to the community through education grants to engage and inspire the future generation.”

A longtime goal and brand mission of Dial® is to give educators the tools they need to teach the next generation and foster healthier communities by providing resources that support clean skin and proper hygiene practices now and in the future. To help continue Dial® ‘s brand mission to support educators and future generations, the brand has once again partnered with DonorsChoose to support its new ‘Clean Sheet’ program.

“Henkel is a proud partner of the U.S. Soccer Federation, and we at Dial® are thrilled to take the partnership further with the launch of our ‘Clean Sheet’ program,” said Allison Feldman, VP of Marketing – Personal Care at Henkel. “For years, a primary goal for the Dial® brand has been to support charitable organizations that focus on helping their local communities. Donations as a result of the ‘Clean Sheet’ program will enable us to show our commitment to local communities and support future generations to chase their goals.”

Announced in November 2024, Henkel’s multi-year portfolio partnership with U.S. Soccer is designed to help to grow the game, elevate performance, and inspire the next generation of players. In addition to the Clean Sheet program, through the partnership, Henkel is also the presenting partner of U.S. Soccer’s Young Player of the Year Awards and community youth soccer clinics, and a supporting partner of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. The partnership marks Henkel’s first-ever portfolio deal and will leverage a range of its more than 30 popular brands in North America, to promote the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, as well as the Youth and Extended National Teams, during the most exciting, unprecedented time for the sport in the United States over the next several years.

For more information on Henkel’s partnership with U.S. Soccer and Dial’s ‘Clean Sheet’ program, please visit henkel-northamerica.com.

*antibacterial liquid and foaming

About Dial®

America’s trusted brand for 75 years, Dial® delivers clean, healthy feeling skin for you and your family with products for Women, Men, and Kids. From bar soap, body wash, and hand soap, our products provide a wide variety of cleansing benefits for our consumers. See www.dialsoap.com for full details.

About Henkel in North America 

Henkel’s portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes all®, Purex® and Persil® laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Dial® soaps, Schwarzkopf® hair care, as well as Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2024, North America accounts for 28 percent of the company’s global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X @Henkel_NA.

About DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose is the leading way to give to public schools. Since 2000, 6.3 million people and partners have contributed $1.7 billion to support over 3 million teacher requests for classroom resources and experiences. As the most trusted crowdfunding platform for teachers, donors, and district administrators alike, DonorsChoose vets each request, ships the funded resources directly to the classroom, and provides thank yous and reporting to donors and school leaders. Charity Navigator and GuideStar have awarded DonorsChoose, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, their highest ratings for transparency and accountability. For more information, visit www.donorschoose.org.

Dial Contact:

Carolanne Coviello, Creative Media Marketing
Phone: 212-979-8884
Email: carolanne@cmmpr.com

Henkel North America Contact:

Erica Cooper
Phone: 475-232-4973
Email: erica.cooper@henkel.com

An expanding frontier of risk oversight 

Reputation and brand management oversight involves strategically governing how a brand is perceived and managed in the marketplace. Brand management focuses on creating a coherent narrative that resonates with target audiences, while reputation refers to the collective perception of stakeholders based on their interactions with the organization.

Effective board governance in this area is essential for organizations to prevent reputational crises and ensure long-term growth. In an evolving and volatile risk environment, managing reputation and brand has shifted from being a byproduct of operational success to a strategic asset that requires active oversight. Boards of directors are uniquely positioned to protect and guide this essential asset amid the distinct challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI). These factors have altered the speed, scope and complexity of managing reputation and brand, compelling boards to place reputation oversight at the forefront of their governance strategies.

The strategic importance of reputation

Reputation is a critical asset that influences stakeholder relationships — including those with investors, employees, customers, regulators and communities. A strong reputation can enhance customer loyalty, engagement, access to capital and long-term profitability. Conversely, a damaged reputation can lead to financial losses, regulatory scrutiny, talent attrition and erosion of shareholder value.

Trust is a valuable commodity, and boards must recognize reputation as a key performance indicator (KPI) that requires continuous assessment, protection and enhancement.

The evolving risk landscape 

Social media — and AI tools to automate social media — have significantly accelerated the pace and breadth of public discourse. A genuine or perceived mistake can escalate into a major crisis within hours. Hashtag movements, viral content and influential voices can quickly bolster or undermine years of reputational investment. The decentralized structure of social media also allows for the unchecked spread of misinformation, fake news and targeted attacks—forcing organizations to engage in reactive damage control.

AI presents both opportunities and threats to reputation management. In one instance, AI-driven tools can offer advanced sentiment analysis, predictive monitoring and crisis forecasting, enabling organizations to take proactive measures. In another instance, AI technologies — such as deepfakes, generative content and automated misinformation campaigns — can unpredictably threaten corporate reputations. Boards must understand AI’s ethical, legal and operational implications while ensuring its responsible application within the organization.

Why boards should prioritize reputation oversight 

Today’s stakeholders demand greater transparency, accountability and alignment with societal values, making concerns about cybersecurity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors increasingly tied to corporate reputation. The role of the board is to ensure their organization complies with regulatory requirements and actively engages with stakeholders on critical issues. Reputation is fundamentally linked to various business risks, including cyber threats, regulatory compliance, supply chain vulnerabilities and environmental impacts.

For example, a data breach should not be viewed solely as a technical error but as a reputational event that can erode customer trust. Therefore, boards must adopt a holistic risk management approach that places reputation in decision-making. Additionally, while AI can significantly enhance these efforts by providing advanced analytics and predictive capabilities, it raises concerns that can impact reputation and brand. Data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the ethical use of AI can lead to public scrutiny and potential backlash if not managed responsibly.

Crisis preparedness is a board-level responsibility. In our fast-paced digital age, reputational crises can escalate rapidly, leaving boards no room for a reactive stance. Directors must ensure that crisis management frameworks are robust, well-practiced and adaptable. This involves conducting comprehensive scenario planning, providing media training and preparing organizational leadership to respond swiftly and authentically under pressure.

When it comes to accountability in the use of AI, boards must oversee the deployment of AI within the organization, particularly in areas that impact public trust — such as marketing, data privacy and decision-making algorithms. Establishing clear governance policies for AI, including ethical guidelines and bias mitigation strategies, is essential to maintain and enhance reputation.

Insights on the importance for boards 

• Impact on oversight: Boards play a crucial role to ensure that all facets of an organization are aligned with its strategic goals. By prioritizing reputation management, boards can provide effective oversight over risk management practices, crisis response protocols and the implementation of AI technologies. This proactive approach can help mitigate potential risks before they escalate into crises.
• Governance implications: Effective governance requires boards to establish policies and frameworks that uphold ethical standards, compliance and transparency. By addressing the evolving risk landscape, boards can implement robust governance measures that enhance accountability and trust. This includes establishing guidelines for the responsible use of AI, monitoring social media activities and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Reputation and brand management: A strong reputation is a valuable asset that can differentiate an organization in a competitive market. Boards must recognize that reputation management is integral to brand management and long-term success. By actively engaging in reputation oversight, boards can protect and enhance the organization’s brand, foster customer loyalty and build trust with stakeholders.

The bottom line 

The evolving risk landscape, driven by AI, necessitates a comprehensive approach to reputation management. Boards must prioritize oversight, governance and accountability to safeguard the organization’s reputation, navigate potential risks and maintain stakeholder trust. This proactive stance not only mitigates potential threats but also strengthens the organization’s overall resilience and brand value.

Three key steps boards should consider 

1. Embed reputation into strategic discussions: Boards should prioritize reputation as a core governance issue, integrating it into strategy reviews, risk assessments and performance evaluations.
2. Enhance board competency: Directors should commit to continuous education on emerging technologies, social media dynamics and reputation management strategies. Adding directors with experience in these areas can further strengthen the board’s oversight capabilities.
3. Leverage technology for oversight: Management should ensure the effective use of AI-powered tools for sentiment analysis, reputational monitoring and early warning systems. These tools can provide actionable insights into stakeholder sentiment and emerging risks.

Ten questions boards should ask 

To address the evolving risk landscape driven by AI, navigate the complexities of AI-driven risks and ensure robust reputation management, boards should begin by asking these questions:

1. What are the specific AI-related risks that could impact our organization’s reputation?
2. How have other organizations in our industry managed similar risks?
3. What potential future AI developments could pose new risks to our reputation?
4. How might changes in public perception of AI affect our stakeholders’ trust?
5. What measures can we implement to proactively manage AI-related risks?
6. How can we leverage AI to enhance our reputation and stakeholder trust?
7. How do our current crisis management plans address AI-related risks?
8. What lessons have we learned from past AI-related incidents that can inform our future strategies?
9. How do our stakeholders perceive our use of AI, and what concerns do they have?
10. What values and principles should guide our AI governance to maintain trust and accountability?

Baker Tilly is here to help you navigate these risks and build a road map to enhance governance. Connect to learn more.

As longtime business and community partners, KeyBank and the Buffalo Sabres have come together time and again to support the Buffalo community. Key is the official bank of the NHL team and the Sabres play their home games at KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo.

Key is proud to continue the longstanding partnership through a donation to Sabres captain and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who launched the Rasmus Dahlin Foundation this season.

The Rasmus Dahlin Foundation was founded in 2024 with a mission to improve the lives of children with various needs around the Buffalo community. The foundation supports initiatives that enhance the quality of children’s lives, focusing on health, wellness, and providing resources to underserved communities.

Key recently presented a check for $31,031 to Rasmus Dahlin as part of a collaboration with the Sabres and Dahlin’s foundation. Key made an initial contribution of $26,000 of the total donation, a nod to the number Dahlin wears on the ice – 26. The remaining funds were raised through a “Text to Donate” program supported by Key, which gave fans the opportunity to donate directly to the Rasmus Dahlin Foundation by texting “Dahlin” to 86225.

“KeyBank is proud to have partnered with Rasmus Dahlin to support the launch of his foundation,” said Sean Moskal, KeyBank commercial banking executive. “We’d like to thank all the Sabres fans who donated though the ‘Text to Donate’ program. Each one of you are helping make a difference for the children supported by the Rasmus Dahlin Foundation. We at Key are passionate about the Buffalo community, and our values strongly align with the foundation’s mission to help children in our community thrive. We are grateful for all the work that Rasmus Dahlin and his foundation are doing to uplift and support the community and we’re honored to help build a better future and have a positive impact on the children of Western New York.”

“I’m overwhelmed by the support from KeyBank and our fans and so thankful for their commitment to our community,” Dahlin said. “The goal of my foundation is to inspire hope and create opportunities for children in Buffalo and we are able to reach more children and provide meaningful help to families who need it most throughout the community because of this incredible generosity.”

• Awards recognize Veolia for sustainability initiatives at the company’s hazardous waste treatment plant in Gum Springs, Arkansas
• Recognition focused on a 5-megawatt solar panel installation which will supply electricity to a new thermal incinerator, set to open later this year
• Over the next 25 years, the solar panels and other sustainability innovations at the facility will lead to a 90% reduction in Scope two carbon emissions from electricity consumption

BOSTON, April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Veolia, the largest provider of environmental services in the world, recently received industry awards for a series of sustainability initiatives at the company’s hazardous waste treatment facility in Gum Springs, Arkansas — particularly the installation of a solar panel installation covering over 30 acres.

Over the next 25 years, the solar panels and other sustainability innovations at the facility will lead to a 90% reduction in Scope two carbon emissions from electricity consumption compared to similar facilities consuming 100% of their electricity from the current Arkansas grid. This system for locally-based energy decarbonization is a key booster for Veolia’s global GreenUp strategy for growth and innovation, leading to greater sustainability for customers and communities.

The work being done by Veolia at Gum Springs was singled out by two leading environmental publications – Energy + Environment Leader and Climate Change Business Journal – in making the hazardous waste industry more environmentally sustainable and operationally efficient.

• Energy + Environment Leader recognized the Veolia Gum Springs initiatives with a Project of the Year Award for 2024. “Every year, our judges look to recognize the businesses that are truly moving the needle and striving for sustainability and operational efficiency,” said Kay Harrison, Vice President and head of the E+E Leader Awards program, adding that the Veolia initiatives reflect “the kind of forward-thinking strategies and technologies that companies need to stay ahead in an increasingly complex energy and environmental landscape.”
• Climate Change Business Journal recognized the Veolia Gum Springs project with an annual Business Achievement Award for outstanding business performance and achievement in the climate change industry. The publication applauded Veolia’s “applied innovation focus on operations and sustainability.”

The solar project is one of many pioneering sustainability initiatives at the Gum Springs facility including:

• A forest management program, covering over 1,000 acres surrounding the facility, which includes over 600 acres of active reforestation and the planting of 124,000 trees in 2025.
• A first-of-its-kind innovation for capturing heat to generate electricity. This feature will make use of a 7-megawatt steam turbine to generate power.
• Advanced technologies for monitoring wildlife and biodiversity near the facility. In partnership with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France, a cutting-edge LEKO (Light Emission and Kinetic Observation) biodiversity monitoring tool is installed on the property, using sensors to listen, identify and count species in the surrounding habitat.

The solar installation was completed in 2024, utilizing advanced technology for improved energy production output. Additionally, a single-axis tracker racking system was employed to provide maximum electricity generation during daylight hours by tracking the sun’s movement from east to west across the sky. Environmental benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced pollution and greater energy independence.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized by these industry outlets and organizations for the sustainability work we are doing at Gum Springs,” said said Bob Cappadona, President and CEO of Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services business. “These initiatives demonstrate Veolia’s vision for creating a brighter future for the hundreds of communities in the U.S. under our three pillars: depollution, decarbonization and preserving essential resources in waste, water and energy. Veolia’s GreenUp strategy hinges on a commitment to providing innovative solutions for environmental challenges, as demonstrated through the work and vision being carried out at Gum Springs.”

Last year, the Gum Springs sustainability projects were recognized with the Diamond Award for environmental leadership from the Arkansas Environmental Federation.

ABOUT VEOLIA

Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024.
www.veolia.com

ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA

A subsidiary of Veolia group, Veolia North America (VNA) is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent.
www.veolianorthamerica.com

CONTACT
Carrie Griffiths
(781) 491-3117
carrie.griffiths@veolia.com

DENVER April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), an energy technology program funded by Wells Fargo and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), announced its 2025 Channel Partner Strategic Award winners today. With $1 million in funding, this year’s awards support seven national projects, focusing on commercialization and pilot opportunities to drive advanced energy innovation.

The selection committee evaluated applications based on the potential for capacity building, regional collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and action-oriented initiatives to strengthen the energy-tech ecosystem. Selection criteria prioritized proposals that address commercialization gaps for energy startups or created pilot opportunities by connecting startups with new markets through partnerships. Winners received funding between $100,000 to $200,000.

“This year’s awardees embody the bold, collaborative spirit that fuels energy innovation,” said Sarah Derdowski, IN2 program manager at NREL. “By closing commercialization gaps and building partnerships that connect startups with prospective end users, these projects are not just advancing individual ventures—they’re shaping a more resilient and adaptable energy future.”

Awarded projects:

• Energy Tech Nexus (Houston, TX), in partnership with Browning the Green Space (Boston, MA), will facilitate technology pilots in Houston and expand upon a successful partnership with local organizations to serve the Gulf Coast region.
• Evergreen Climate Innovations (Chicago, IL), in partnership with Grid Catalyst (Minneapolis, MN), will develop a catalytic investment model for early-stage technologies in Minnesota. This initiative will launch a new fund to address the commercialization funding gap and deliver the first round of investments in the region. The awardees will develop a toolkit to help other regions replicate this impactful approach, driving innovation and fostering growth.
• Dominion Energy Innovation Center (Ashland, VA), in partnership with Spark Innovation Center (Knoxville, TN), will create an interstate coalition of resources, events, and networks, drawing on each partner’s programming strengths to fill gaps in the regional innovation ecosystem. The result will be a robust pipeline for startups in Virginia and Tennessee, leading to better commercialization outcomes.
• mHUB (Chicago, IL), in partnership with Centrepolis Accelerator (Detroit, MI), will develop a regional supplier, manufacturer, and entrepreneurial support network that will lower the barriers to hardtech development and create an economic engine of increased manufacturing activity. This partnership builds upon the organizations’ existing supply chain work in Illinois and Michigan by sharing additional knowledge, support, services, and referrals while connecting startups to more regional opportunities.
• Cleantech San Diego (San Diego, CA) will pilot a voucher program to provide startups in its Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN) support for engineering and manufacturing services needed in prototype development, design, and testing. The program will leverage partnerships with member companies and local prototype engineering firms to help SCEIN startups de-risk their energy technology for investors and accelerate their path to market.
• Launch Alaska (Anchorage, AK) will bridge the gap in regional project development by developing a toolkit and enhancing program elements for its Tech Deployment Track accelerator program. The funding will create a shared understanding that enables municipality leaders and startups to explore opportunities together.
• Urban Future Lab (New York, NY) at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering will launch an action-oriented event featuring peer-to-peer workshops, where startups assess market readiness while collaborating with local organizations and industry experts to develop criteria for pilot project implementation.

“The variety of regional representation in these awards, from Alaska to Chicago to Tennessee and more, demonstrates the need for, and potential of, capacity-building and commercialization pathways,” said Jeffrey Schub, head of sustainability for Wells Fargo. “By fostering collaboration and connection among startups, organizations, and municipalities, these awards help support the deployment of energy innovation and resilient solutions nationwide.”

IN2 launched the Channel Partner Strategic Awards program in 2017 to nurture the Channel Partner ecosystem, which includes more than 60 energy technology incubators, accelerators, and universities. Since its inception, the IN2 Channel Partner Strategic Awards program has distributed more than $9 million, supporting 90 IN2 Strategic Awards.

About the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2)
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a $55-million energy technology program funded by Wells Fargo and coadministered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. IN2 advances innovative energy solutions from concept to commercialization. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge startups and market adopters, IN2 fosters collaboration across a growing ecosystem—convening entrepreneurs, industry stakeholders, and research institutions. Through this networked approach, IN2 accelerates real-world implementation and scaling of transformative technologies in the built environment and infrastructure sectors, driving a more resilient, adaptable future. For more information, visit www.in2ecosystem.com.

• Grants awarded to three Habitat for Humanity affiliate organizations
• Affordable housing investments from the company top $200,000 in Florida since 2020
• Duke Energy Florida employees volunteer to build homes in Citrus and Orange counties

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Duke Energy Florida and its foundation announce $75,000 in grant funding to several Habitat for Humanity organizations in Florida. This brings the five-year total investment in affordable housing initiatives in the state to more than $200,000.

“Habitat for Humanity builds homes, communities and hope,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Supporting nonprofit organizations like Habit for Humanity allows the company to improve the vitality of the communities we serve while making a lasting difference in the lives of individual customers.”

To advance home affordability in the state, Duke Energy Foundation has provided the following grants to directly support new homes and workforce training:

• Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and Greater Apopka: $5,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Lake Sumter: $20,000
• Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside: $30,000

Additionally, Duke Energy has provided $20,000 to support these nonprofit organizations’ operations this year.

“We appreciate the support from companies that recognize the significance of affordable homeownership and the need to assist hard-working families within our communities,” stated Mike Sutton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. “Both Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside and Duke Energy Florida are committed to a shared vision of constructing safe, affordable and energy-efficient homes that advance our communities.”

In addition to foundation grants, employees will be building homes during volunteer events in west Orange and Citrus counties later this year. Through this volunteer effort, teams will contribute not only time and labor, but also a sense of community and hope, reinforcing our long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity to leave a lasting impact.

Working together to support neighbors and customers through Habitat for Humanity is a longstanding tradition across Duke Energy. Since 2020, Duke Energy Florida and its foundation have contributed over $200,000 in the state. These funds are part of $1 million in donations and over 10,000 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity across all jurisdictions.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s work through its 49 affiliate organizations across Florida, or to find the local Habitat for Humanity in your community, please visit here.

Duke Energy Foundation
Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

About Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy 
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Ana Gibbs
Media line: 800.559.3853
Email: ana.gibbs@duke-energy.com
X @DE_AnaGibbs

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By Kelly Petrich

In 1991, the US established April as National Volunteer Month. Today, that scope has expanded, and it’s recognized as Global Volunteer Month. Since Cisco’s founding 40 years ago, giving back to our communities has been a part of our tradition.

Giving back as a habit is part of what it means to work at Cisco today. It’s an important aspect of our culture and supported by a variety of programs. Simply put, our employees love to help their communities and Cisco supports their efforts.

Employees Volunteer, Cisco Donates

Our industry-leading Matching Gifts Program matches eligible employee cash and stock donations dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 each year—but it’s not just monetary donations that are eligible for matches. Through the program, employees can also get their volunteer time matched with a $10-per-hour donation from Cisco to the organization where they gave their time.

In FY24, employees gave 720,000 hours in volunteer time and used the Matching Gifts Program to get their eligible hours matched with a donation from Cisco.

For example, in Kraków, employees recently partnered with Hearty Foundation, a local organization that supports children’s education and social welfare. Cisco employees organized a series of workshops for students focused on cyber security, programming, and other essential digital skills. They also developed a full-day Future STEM Heroes event designed to ignite an interest in science and technology. Altogether, employees volunteered 36 hours of their time to help students resulting in a Cisco donation of $3,600 to the foundation.

In London, our Meraki Gives EMEA chapter organized a virtual volunteering event with the Psychiatry Research Trust. Employees from around the globe attended and learned about the organization’s groundbreaking research, as well as the importance of both resilience in our communities and the value of reducing mental health stigma.

“Cisco’s $10 match per volunteer hour added a special dimension to our partnership with the Trust,” said Meraki Gives Global Co-lead Racha Tfaili. “By getting their time matched with donations, employees not only learned about the important work this group is doing, they also raised more than $3,500 to keep this critical research going.”

Always-On Opportunities 

Our always-on Community Impact Portal is a digital tool that enables employees both to organize volunteer events for others to join and to sign up for volunteering. Volunteering can be in-person, virtual, or team-based. Our employees volunteer for everything from local food kitchens to international aid organizations to digital camps that help kids learn about technology.

“In FY24, our customer engineering team had 100% participation in volunteering” says Customer Delivery Leader Monica Huerta Castillo. “Cisco’s Community Impact Portal helped us identify volunteer opportunities. We’ve done everything from virtual volunteering to on-site activities to going out to volunteer on projects in the field. We do it because it’s part of who we are. We also find that our team culture—which includes our values of trust, humility, empathy, and curiosity—is strengthened when we volunteer together. If we can impact the world as a team, imagine what we can do inside Cisco!”

In 2025, we’re making it easier for employees to find and join volunteer events through our new companywide quarterly Global Week of Giving. Started organically by one of our business units, we recognized the power of a focused week that brings our employees together. That’s why we’re expanding the program to be available to all employees. We partner with community groups in focus areas such as education, sustainability, food security, and poverty.

Paid Time Off for Volunteering

Another way we support employee volunteerism is through our Time2Give benefit, which provides each employee up to 10 days of paid time off per year to volunteer. Some employees have taken a two-week block to travel on international volunteer missions. Others spread their time out with regular volunteering in schools. Still others have used their time to give specialized skills to nonprofits such as coding and pro bono legal work.

Stella Au, an executive assistant in New York, traveled to Vietnam where she was joined by six Cisco colleagues from Australia. Together, they used their Time2Give benefits to help build a home for two sisters in Thai Binh. “I traded my laptop for shovel and trowel and got my hands dirty—mixing cement, cutting steel wires, and laying bricks,” said Au. “One of the new homeowners burst into tears overwhelmed with joy that she no longer has to run to a neighbor’s house every time it rains. That’s when it really hit me: this was more than just a house—we were building security, hope, and a brighter future. Cisco’s Time2Give made it possible for me to do this.”

It All Adds Up

In FY16, we set a goal to have 80% of employees give back to their communities at least once in the year by 2020. We achieved this milestone and have sustained it each year since.

One of the ways we did this was by recognizing that giving back takes a lot of different forms. Organized volunteer efforts have value, but so can doing something good for a neighbor in need. That’s why employees can also contribute to our 80% goal through Cisco Citizen, a program that recognizes volunteer efforts not covered by other programs.

In FY24, we once again hit our 80% goal with 70,000 Cisco employees around the world acting in service of people, planet, and society.

“I feel very fortunate to work for a company that cares for not only employees’ wellbeing, but also our communities and environment,” said Digital Marketing Manager Vivien Chia, who is also the APJC Lead for Cisco’s Green Team Network. “In my opinion, giving back has the power to unite people to come together to make greater impacts. Even more significant and meaningful impacts can be made when there is support from businesses. Through the Matching Gifts Program, Time2Give, and the Cisco Citizen volunteer tracking program, we can raise more awareness and expedite urgent change.”

Making a Collective Impact

Our collective actions have contributed to building a culture where serving communities in need has become part of our DNA. Engaging at scale enables us to donate more to nonprofits, respond to more crises, increase volunteering support, and do more good for the world.

During Global Volunteer Month, we recognize and celebrate all the ways our employees make a positive impact.

To learn more about the impact Cisco employees are making, check out our “What We Accomplished” eBook about how we have supported our employees’ giving back efforts and transformed our collective contributions in the process.

View original content here.

At Gilead, putting people first is central to all we do. That’s why we’re proud to be recognized as a responsible company by patient advocacy groups representing more than 70 countries. In a new report from UK-based PatientView, we were ranked “best” at ESG by patient groups who work with us.

About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. 

Originally published by Gilead Sciences.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., April 9, 2025 /3BL/ – ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year LG Electronics has been recognized for its dedication to sustainability initiatives, securing globally recognized certifications for its 2025 OLED TVs.

The company said this recognition reaffirms its commitment to environmental responsibility and the development of advanced products that contribute to a more sustainable world. In the United States, two dozen LG OLED TVs are ENERGY STAR certified, second to none in the industry.

It is particularly noteworthy that LG OLED TVs received the “Reducing CO2” and “Measured CO2”² certifications from the Carbon Trust,³ a global climate consultancy advancing a zero-carbon future, for the fifth consecutive year. These certifications evaluate a product’s environmental impact throughout its entire lifecycle – from manufacturing and distribution to usage and disposal.

LG OLED TVs excel in these rigorous assessments due to their self-emissive technology, which eliminates the need for a backlight, reducing component count and overall material use. LG OLED TVs incorporate ultra-light composite fiber materials, reducing weight and plastic use. For example, LG’s 65-inch OLED evo TV is 20 percent lighter than conventional LCD TVs of the same size, and it uses 60 percent less plastic.

As a result, LG anticipates reducing plastic consumption in OLED TV production by approximately 16,000 tons in 2025 compared to an equivalent number of LCD TVs. The company also expects to lower carbon emissions by 84,000 tons across manufacturing and transportation – equivalent to the CO2 absorbed annually by a 30-year-old pine forest the size of 11,000 football fields.

New for 2025, LG’s latest OLED evo TVs have earned Resource Efficiency certification⁴ from Intertek, a globally recognized testing and certification body. This certification follows a thorough assessment of material efficiency – covering recyclable design, reduced use of harmful substances and ease of repair – as well as energy efficiency and the incorporation of recycled plastics.

In 2025, the company plans to increase its use of recycled plastic to 50 percent, expecting to recycle some 7,700 tons of waste plastic annually. In 2024, LG incorporated approximately 30 percent recycled plastic in the production of the company’s TVs, recycling around 6,300 tons of waste plastic.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR certified televisions such as LG OLED TVs are, on average, 25 percent more efficient than conventional models, saving energy in all usage modes: sleep, idle and on.

“With a strong commitment to sustainability, LG OLED TVs provide exceptional picture quality and advanced AI features within an eco-conscious design,” said S.P. Baik, global head of the Product Planning Division at the LG Media Solution Company. “Innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand, and we remain dedicated to protecting the planet while supporting a better life for all.”

¹ Carbon Trust Reducing CO2 certifications received by the 83/ 77/ 66/ 55-inch G5 models, as well as the 83-inch C5 model.
² Carbon Trust Measured CO2 certifications received by the 77/65/55-inch C4 model.
³ Applies to listed products sold in markets/regions participating in the Carbon Trust’s labeling program.
⁴ Resource Efficiency certification received by OLED evo M5, G5, C5 and B5 models.

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About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a smart life solutions company with annual global revenues of more than $60 billion. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. www.LG.com.

Media Contacts:

LG Electronics North America 

John I. Taylor 
+1 847 941 8181 
john.taylor@lge.com

LG Electronics USA
Chris De Maria
+1 908 548 4515
christopher.demaria@lge.com