Tag: 3BL

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 25, 2025 /3BL/ – The highly anticipated 26th season of Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers (ROR) cleanups begin Saturday, March 1, at Valley Creek. In 2025, ROR Coordinator Mike Clelland has 28 cleanup events lined up, running through October 31, with additional dates to be announced.

“We’re kicking off another quarter-century,” said Clelland, who expects to distribute approximately 5,000 ROR T-shirts to volunteers. Last year, nearly 3,400 volunteers removed about 107 tons of trash from Alabama’s lakes and waterways, contributing to a 25-year total of over 104,000 volunteers and 13.4 million pounds of debris cleared.

ROR cleanups have become a staple in Alabama Power’s environmental efforts, with strong participation from company volunteers, homeowner and boat owner groups (HOBO), and environmental organizations. Clelland noted an increase in volunteer recruitment this year, particularly among lake associations, indicating growing enthusiasm for the program.

“The energy for the program is still there, and it’s even increasing in some instances,” Clelland said.

The program has seen a steady rise in volunteer numbers post-pandemic, with high school and college students, scout groups, and community members eager to contribute.

Volunteers are encouraged to stay updated on cleanup schedules through their local lake associations, as dates may shift due to weather conditions.

For more information on the Renew Our Rivers initiative and to find a cleanup event, visit AlabamaPower.com/RenewOurRivers.

2025 ROR cleanup schedule

March 1: Valley Creek: Adger, Birmingham, Bessemer and Providence

March 22: Minor Heights Community at Village Creek

March 28-March 29: Lake Eufaula (Chattahoochee River)

March 29-April 5: Logan Martin (Coosa River)

April 12: Lay Lake (Coosa River)

TBD: Lay Lake at E.C. Gaston Plant (Coosa River)

April 17-18: Smith Lake (Winston County)

April 25: Smith Lake (Cullman County)

April 26: Weiss Lake

May 3: Lake Jordan (Coosa River)

May 10: Lake Mitchell (Coosa River)

May 20-21: Smith Lake (Walker County)

May 31: Chattahoochee River (Plant Farley)

June 7: Holt Reservoir

Aug. 9: Valley Creek- Fairfield, Midfield, Hueytown, Pleasant Grove and Brighton

Sept. 4-5: Smith Lake (Winston County)

Sept: 17-18: Smith Lake (Walker County)

Sept. 19-20: Lake Demopolis

Sept. 22-27: Neely Henry Lake (Coosa River)

Sept: 27: Village Creek

Sept. 30: Dog River (Mobile County)

Oct. 1-2: Mobile River (Plant Barry)

Oct. 4: Lake Mitchell (Coosa River)

Oct. 9: Plant Miller (Locust Fork)

Oct. 10: Smith Lake (Cullman County)

Oct. 21-23: R.L. Harris (Tallapoosa River-Lake Wedowee)

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Lake Martin (Tallapoosa River)

About Alabama Power

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides reliable electricity to 1.5 million customers across the state. Learn more at AlabamaPower.com.

SOURCE Alabama Power

For further information: Media inquiry line: 205.257.4155

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Last November, Covia’s Roff Plant accepted the Wildlife Habitat Council’s challenge to build birdhouses as part of WHC’s Artificial Nesting Structure Challenge. This initiative was created in response to the decline of cavity nesting birds over the years due to habitat loss. Providing these artificial nesting structures is an important way to support bird populations and gain insight into the local bird community. Today, Covia is proud to be recognized by the WCH with the Best New Build Award.

The house is perched 10 feet off the ground and features a predator guard to keep pesky critters away. This stunning custom home is perfect for purple martins, when the adult birds show up in Oklahoma from March through May. The team is excited to keep an eye on the house as Covia’s Roff Plant approaches the optimal nesting season for purple martins.

Covia’s Roff Plant is honored to be recognized with this award from the Wildlife Habitat Council. By providing these artificial nesting structures, the Roff Plant is contributing to WHC’s mission to help local bird populations thrive.

Learn more about the Tandem Global Nesting Structure Challenge here.

Originally published in Lenovo’s 2023/24 ESG Report

A statement on oversight and management of Environmental, Social and Governance

The oversight of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs, and the approach and strategy of Lenovo towards the management of ESG matters was set out in a statement issued by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and management of Lenovo. Details of which are set out below:

ESG governance structure

Board oversight

The Board has the highest level of oversight for ESG programs and reporting and manages this responsibility. The Board’s oversight of Lenovo’s ESG programs and processes includes support and evaluation of Lenovo’s management of and response to key ESG-related risks and opportunities, in the context of strategy, decisions on major transactions, risk management policies, and long-term value-creation across its business operations. Board members are regularly briefed on and have discussions about critical ESG risk areas, opportunities and key ESG practices during Board meetings, and are tasked with approving the ESG Report. ESG-related topics are included in the agenda items of the Board and Board Committee meetings throughout the financial year, and ESG is a standing agenda item at least twice annually. Regular newsletters with updates on ESG issues, including updates on topics discussed by the ESG Executive Oversight Committee (EOC) and ESG developments of Lenovo, are also provided to the Board and its Committees from the Chief Legal & Corporate Responsibility Officer (or her delegates).

ESG oversight is supported through the Nomination and Governance Committee, which oversees the corporate policies and practices regarding governance and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee has a complementary role in the effective management of risks and safeguarding Lenovo’s resources, through oversight of the Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) systems, both of which support overall ESG risk management practices. The Audit Committee also has annual review of the adequacy of resources, staff qualifications and experience, training programs, and budget on the Group’s ESG performance and reporting. The Chief Legal & Corporate Responsibility Officer provides executive leadership for Lenovo’s ESG position and ensures regular reports are made to the Lenovo Executive Committee (LEC), and the Board and its Committees. The LEC consists of senior management who have delegated authority established by the Chief Executive Officer to manage operational performance, including strategic decisions.

In addition, the ESG EOC, chaired by the Chief Legal & Corporate Responsibility Officer, provides strategic direction, and facilitates the coordination of ESG efforts across Lenovo, including proposing recommendations for the effective management of ESG programs. The ESG EOC is comprised of senior management from across the business and functional areas and is chartered to promote a culture that encourages strong ESG performance, including compliance and leadership activities.

The ESG EOC is responsible for:

Monitoring emerging ESG trends, impacts, and opportunities;Representing the voice of the customer in ESG strategy decisions;Recommending ESG initiatives, investments, and disclosures to management and the Board;Ensuring the Group’s ESG strategy appropriately addresses risks and obligations;Evaluating ESG programs and investments for effectiveness;Supporting ESG disclosure and messaging initiatives;Acting as executive champions for Lenovo’s ESG culture and values.

The Board is aware of the importance of continuous improvement of its own collective performance in the leadership of Lenovo, including addressing climate-related risks and opportunities and the oversight of ESG matters. Through a formal process that is led by the Nomination and Governance Committee, all directors conduct Board evaluation via an online platform, the aim of which is to evaluate and advance the performance and effectiveness of the Board and its committees, including the oversight of ESG matters. This evaluation is conducted every two years or as agreed by the Board members.

As part of the Board’s continuous professional development program, Directors from time to time receive training on ESG matters including anti-corruption, climate, water, ESG risks and opportunities, and other relevant topics in the form of presentations from ESG professionals. Directors are also updated on a continuing basis by Lenovo Secretary on ESG news releases by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and other professional organizations. This facilitates Board members’ understanding of Lenovo’s ESG practices, supports the continuous development of ESG competencies within the Board’s skills matrix, and increases awareness of ESG impacts on Lenovo’s operations.

Concentrated discussion on ESG issues, including climate change, assists the Board in making the most appropriate decisions and providing oversight based on the long-term risks and opportunities that impact Lenovo’s stakeholders and the business. At least annually, the Board is briefed on Lenovo’s ESG Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including its climate strategy and progress towards its climate change mitigation goals.

ESG management approach

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the Board, through management process, delegates authority to the ESG EOC for the following ESG oversight activities:

Overseeing the assessment of Lenovo’s environmental and social impacts, including Lenovo’s annual materiality assessment process;Ensuring alignment of Lenovo’s ESG programs with regulatory requirements and investor expectations;Understanding the risks of ESG issues on Lenovo’s operating model and ensuring that actions taken to address the risks are appropriate and well-followed;Ensuring that ESG considerations are part of business decision-making processes.

As part of Lenovo’s ESG program, a materiality assessment is conducted annually with internal and external stakeholders to identify ESG-related risks and opportunities and their impacts on the business and stakeholders. The results are reviewed and approved by the ESG EOC and included in the ESG Report that is reviewed and approved by the Board. This assessment guides the objectives for Lenovo’s ESG programs, including goals and targets, informing the business strategy, targeting communications, and the disclosures in the ESG Report.

Lenovo recognizes that risk management is the responsibility of everyone within the organization, and that risk is best managed when business functions take responsibility and are accountable for them. Rather than being a separate and standalone process, risk management is therefore incorporated as part of Lenovo’s annual strategic planning process across all major functions.

Lenovo’s official ERM process details various business risks that include environmental, social, and governance risk categories. Annually, Lenovo requires each business unit to identify risks, assess their impacts on executing its strategy, and develop risk mitigation plans. The results of this assessment ensure that effective risk management and internal control systems are in place.

ESG-related information is periodically audited using an internal control framework as part of a broader corporate risk assessment that incorporates audit processes to provide independent and objective assurance that Lenovo’s ESG disclosures, statements, and metrics are accurate and aligned with Lenovo’s risk management approach. Lenovo has been following a long-standing integrated approach for internal control which is consistent with the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) internal control framework. This internal control framework is overseen by the Audit Committee.

Lenovo’s ESG disclosures, statements, and metrics are managed by a dedicated team that is focused on monitoring the effectiveness of the ESG initiatives and reporting the organization’s progress against the goals and targets.

Review of progress and relevance to the business

The ESG EOC conducts regular meetings to assess the progress of Lenovo’s ESG initiatives, including climate change and net-zero targets, their relevance to stakeholder expectations and Lenovo’s long-term business strategy, and the direction of and investment in ESG programs.

Lenovo sets targets to address Lenovo’s material impacts through a variety of related processes, including Lenovo’s ISO 14001:2015 (environmental), ISO 50001:2018 (energy management), ISO 45001:2018 (occupational health and safety), and ISO 9001:2015 (quality) management systems. In addition, relevant teams and departments within Lenovo including Strategy, Human Resources, and others may set KPIs related to their own impacts which may be integrated into the corporate ESG KPIs as appropriate. Lenovo’s corporate ESG KPIs are developed with approval from the ESG EOC and supported by the LEC and the Board.

The ESG practices and related goals and targets, KPIs and progress are periodically reviewed by the Board and are aligned with credible industry and science-based standards, and ESG reporting frameworks. Lenovo’s progress is disclosed in the ESG Report that is reviewed and approved by the Board.

ESG performance metrics and climate-related considerations are factored into certain executive officer’s remuneration policies where KPIs are tied to variable compensation or may result in non-monetary incentive such as recognition including employee awards.

The Board acknowledges that the corporate ESG landscape is evolving, and that the effective governance of ESG matters is fundamental to a company’s ESG accountability. As Lenovo regularly evaluates the ESG risks and opportunities faced by the industry and the potential impacts on Lenovo’s business continuity plan, the Board strives to strengthen the oversight of ESG programs and practices that will help to build a more resilient future for all.

Ethics and integrity

Ethics and integrity serve as the foundation of all Lenovo business practices. Results from the 2023 ‘Lenovo Listens’ survey highlight one of Lenovo’s greatest strengths: ethical business practices. Specifically, 97% of Lenovo’s workforce believe Lenovo is ethical in all its business dealings. Lenovo recognizes its success hinges on its steadfast commitment to these values. This commitment is reinforced among the workforce through Lenovo’s core values, which emphasize the significance of “Teamwork with Integrity and Trust,” one of Lenovo’s four fundamental cultural tenets.

Lenovo’s Ethics and Compliance Office (ECO) was established to foster a culture that is committed to implementing these values. The ECO works in partnership with stakeholders across the globe to promote legal and ethical operations. The ECO actively raises awareness about the importance of ethical and compliant business practices to Lenovo and serve a critical role in providing employees with the information, resources, and training they need to make informed ethical decisions.

The ECO also oversees Lenovo’s Code of Conduct (Code), which establishes clear expectations for employee compliance with its policies related to lawful and ethical business conduct. The Code reflects Lenovo’s culture of trust and integrity, holds employees accountable for their behavior, and helps employees determine when and where to seek advice. The Code, policies, and related awareness and training materials are provided electronically and through periodic communications. Specifically, Lenovo’s new hires are required to take Code training. In order to successfully complete the training, all employees are required to provide attestation of their adherence to the Code and Lenovo policies. Furthermore, in FY 2023/24, 99.9% of all direct labor employees completed mandatory Code training.

The ECO is supported by the following committees:

Board Committees

The Audit Committee is annually briefed by the ECO on matters including the adequacy of resources for ESG reportingThe Nomination and Governance Committee oversees the corporate policies and practices about governance and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements

Other Committees

The Executive Ethics Committee provides executive-level oversight and guidance to the ECOThe Investigation Oversight Committee works closely with the ECO to oversee the Group’s internal investigation process and speak up initiativesThe Regional Ethics and Compliance Committee provides the ECO with global support, perspective, and insight

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BOSTON, March 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Sappi North America Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, today announces its President and CEO Michael “Mike” Haws has been recognized as a Mainebiz 2025 Business Leader of the Year in the CEO of the Year category. The Mainebiz Business Leaders of the Year awards recognize executives across Maine’s industries who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment to economic growth in the state.

The recognition highlights Haws’ leadership in driving environmental innovation, workforce development and strategic investment, strengthening both Sappi’s industry standing and its impact on Maine communities.

Under Haws’ leadership, Sappi North America continues to transform the pulp and paper industry through Project Elevate, a more than $400-million capital investment at the Somerset Mill. This initiative expands and converts Paper Machine No. 2 into a cutting-edge production line for fiber-based packaging, offering a renewable alternative to single-use plastics. Together with Sappi’s broader environmental goals, Project Elevate positions the company as a leader in responsible manufacturing.

“Mike’s leadership has been instrumental in Sappi’s growth and transformation,” said Patti Groh, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Sappi North America. “His vision has not only strengthened our business but deepened our roots in Maine, where our mills and our people play such an important role in the local economy and community fabric.”

Beyond capital investment, Haws has championed employee engagement, safety and recruitment. Under his guidance, Sappi has maintained its EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fifth consecutive year, placing it in the top 1% of organizations globally for sustainability. He has also prioritized modern workforce strategies—including digital outreach and co-op programs—to ensure a strong pipeline of talent for the future of manufacturing.

“I’m honored to be named a Mainebiz 2025 Business Leader of the Year,” said Haws. “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire Sappi team, who continue to push boundaries in both innovation and environmental stewardship.”

With major operations in Skowhegan, Westbrook and Portland, Sappi North America remains a key contributor to the state’s economy and a long-time supporter of Maine’s forestry sector. The Somerset Mill, alone, supports nearly 1,000 direct jobs and thousands more across the supply chain—from loggers and truck drivers to local businesses. Through continued reinvestment and partnerships such as the Maine Forestry Program, Sappi is helping shape a resilient and sustainable future for the state.

For more information about Sappi North America and its sustainability initiatives, visit www.sappi.com. 

About Sappi North America, Inc.   

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. Our four diversified businesses – high-quality Graphic Papers, Dissolving Pulp, Packaging and Specialty Papers – deliver premium products and services with consistent quality and reliability. Our high-quality Coated Printing Papers are used for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Pulp, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers. We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries.   

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries. www.sappi.com   

Contact

Patti Groh 
Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications 
Sappi North America    
(617) 423-5409 
patti.groh@sappi.com

Award features NovaLT™ gas turbine technology to be provided to TURBINE-X Energy Inc., part of Baker Hughes’ network of authorized data center packagers

HOUSTON and LONDON, March 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR), an energy technology company, announced an award from TURBINE-X Energy Inc. for its NovaLT™ gas turbine technology to address power demand growth from the data center market. This follows an announcement earlier this month that Baker Hughes will partner with Frontier Infrastructure to provide key carbon capture and storage (CCS) and power generation technologies for data centers and industrial customers.

Part of Baker Hughes established global network of strategic packagers, TURBINE-X Energy Inc. is a supplier of industrial gas turbine packages in combined cycle configurations for U.S. data center project developers and power producers. As part of the award, Baker Hughes is providing TURBINE-X Energy Inc. with its NovaLT™ gas turbine technology and associated equipment – including gears and power generation generator technology – for multiple data center projects across North America.

The NovaLT™ gas turbine is a multi-fuel solution that can start-up and run on different fuels including natural gas, various blends of natural gas and hydrogen, and 100% hydrogen, providing customers with the flexibility to adapt and meet their specific reliable and sustainable power requirements.

“Due to surging demand for generative AI, we see increasing opportunities for our power generation solutions to support behind-the-meter power requirements for data centers,” said Ganesh Ramaswamy, executive vice president of Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes. “We’re ready to drive progress at scale, leveraging our expertise and network of strategic partners to quickly provide market-ready reliable, flexible and efficient solutions to partners in the data center market, as well as broader industrial adjacencies where access to power is business critical.”

With a comprehensive portfolio of diverse, reliable and clean power solutions, including natural gas, geothermal, hydrogen, cogeneration, and the Net Power platform, Baker Hughes is able to provide market-ready, efficient and flexible solutions for data center hyperscalers, project developers, packagers and end users.

About Baker Hughes 
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com. 
 

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations 
Chiara Toniato 
+39 3463823419 
chiara.toniato@bakerhughes.com

Investor Relations 
Chase Mulvehill 
+1 346-297-2561 
investor.relations@bakerhughes.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Discovery Education is collaborating with select partners to present the Spring 2025 slate of free virtual field trips. These engaging virtual events empower educators and students to explore amazing places and dive into exciting new topics all from the comfort of their classroom.

The new line-up of virtual field trips connects students and educators to the real world through unique experiences paired with high-quality instructional materials. In order of the premiere date, the new virtual field trips include:

Unleashing Life Skills with Golf Virtual Field Trip 
Grade: 6-8 
Premiered: February 19; Now Available On-Demand

Travel to the LIV Golf Team Championship in Dallas, Texas, where teams of professional golfers work together to improve their performance and win using communication, problem-solving skills, and mindset techniques–the same STEM principles needed to cultivate fundamental life and career skills. In this behind the scenes look, students learn about the ways LIV Golf champions sustainability, like using locally-sourced food for concessions, offering refillable water stations, trash sorting and recycling, and more!

This experience is from LIV to Learn, a program with LIV Golf, offering young people ages 11-14 and educators digital resources that explore STEM, life skills, and career opportunities, while also addressing topics of teamwork and sustainability.

The Superpower of Story: A Virtual Field Trip to Warner Bros. Studios 
Grade: 6-12 
Premiere Date: April 18

In the Superpower of Story: A Virtual Field Trip to Warner Bros. Studios, students journey to DC headquarters at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, to into the world of legendary DC Super Heroes uncovering the secrets of how stories evolve, from bold ideas to iconic comics and animated series to jaw-dropping live-action spectacles on the big screen. Along the way, students hear from the creative minds who shape the DC Universe, and get an insider’s look at the magic that brings their favorite characters to life.

Meet the Magnets: A Virtual Field Trip to the U.S. National Science Foundation National High Magnetic Field Laboratory 
Grade: 1-5 
Premiere Date: May 6

Join Sesame Workshop and Discovery Education for an exclusive virtual field trip to the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and discover the powerful science of magnets. Students learn how science is all around and ask questions as they meet the scientists and technicians who build, maintain, and use magnets that impact daily lives.

Total Health: A Virtual Field Trip 
Grade: 3-8 
Premiere Date: May 15

Dive into total health with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how professional basketball players from the Timberwolves and Lynx maintain their health on and off the court. This virtual field trip inspires students to live a healthy lifestyle by showcasing the NBA and WNBA’s dedication to mind and body wellness for their world-class athletes. Highlights include special access to state-of-the-art facilities, meeting dedicated health and fitness experts, and a visit with Timberwolves Center Rudy Gobert.

Educators can sign-up their classrooms to attend these virtual field trips using the registration page here. Each virtual field trip is available on-demand at no-cost after its release at 7 AM ET of the premiere date. Additional resources to support learning, such as a standards-aligned companion guide with hands-on activities and educator support content. Discover more Discovery Education virtual field trips here or on the Virtual Field Trips channel on the essential classroom companion, Discovery Education Experience.

“Virtual field trips give students exposure to the real world and new ideas. Covering so many topics, these virtual field trips give educators new ways to help students explore and learn,” said Ashley Powers, Senior Director of Partner Impact at Discovery Education.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

###

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, K-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts 
Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., March 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), a vital initiative that supports manufacturers globally to begin their decarbonization journey to set Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction targets emissions, will broaden its reach to welcome new participants in 2025. MCAP is expanding this year with two new cohorts, offering more manufacturers – both Cascale members and non-members – the opportunity to advance their multi-year decarbonization efforts. 

Launched in 2024, the 18-month program offers a focused first step for manufacturers looking to build their decarbonization journey. MCAP complements the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR), developed by Cascale and Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) as a comprehensive approach to drive measurable progress on decarbonization. Under Cascale’s “Combat Climate Change” pillar, these programs aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the global consumer goods industry by 45 percent by 2030.

MCAP’s first two cohorts included 58 manufacturers and seven nominating brands, working together to develop and set Science-Aligned Targets (SATs)—clear, credible goals aligned with global climate science. All 18 participants from MCAP’s first cohort have successfully submitted their targets for validation, representing a significant milestone for the program. Once validated, these targets will be publicly showcased on the MCAP disclosure dashboard, aligning with transparency practices of leading frameworks like Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

“Sustainability is at the heart of ITL Group’s operations,” said Jimmy Christopher, SVP Group Sustainability and Innovation, ITL Group. “Through MCAP, we received invaluable guidance and a clear roadmap, allowing us to confidently validate our climate targets. The collaborative approach made the process smooth and effective. We’re proud to support MCAP’s vital work in driving meaningful climate action across the fashion value chain.”

Through MCAP, manufacturers are trained to develop their GHG inventory, identify high emission facilities in their operations, set SATs, and connect with like-minded organizations. MCAP participants benefit from expert-led training in climate risk assessment, providing  an opportunity for manufacturers to identify risks  based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios. 

“Supported by PwC, we conducted the physical climate risk training to share common climate risks and mitigation strategies,” said Joyce Tsoi, Sr. Director, Decarbonization Program at Cascale. “Recognized as best practice by leading global frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the CDP, and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), many jurisdictions are requiring organizations to disclose their climate-related risks. We’re pleased that more than half of participating manufacturers are undergoing a climate risk assessment after the training sessions.”

With a commitment to credibility, MCAP collaborates with third-party validators and aligns with the SBTi framework, incorporating the latest IPCC science. MCAP is open to all manufacturers looking to start their decarbonization journey or wish to accelerate the adoption of science-aligned GHG reduction targets within their Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Interested parties can learn more about the program in the next MCAP information session, or enroll directly. For more information, visit Cascale’s website. 

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 most comprehensive sustainability data and 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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FLETCHER, Okla., March 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Georgia-Pacific’s gypsum facility in Fletcher, Okla., is experimenting with artificial intelligence to help make sure people go home the same way they came to work.

Maintenance planner Jimmy Stewart is developing an AI-powered app to enhance employees’ connection to GP’s safe work permitting standard, Save My Life (SML). The app, called SMLGPT, is meant to be used alongside the SML thought process and the original SML app to help the facility identify hazards and protect employees and contractors.

“I built this in order to help train others, especially newer employees.” Stewart said. “If they’re working after hours or there aren’t any safety personnel around, SMLGPT can help them get the answers they need.”

The SML thought process is built on three key questions:

1. When this fails, what will kill me or change my life?

2. What controls are in place?

3. Is that enough?

The original SML app guides employees and contractors through that thought process with a digital work permit template. The goal of SML is to ensure that the necessary controls are in place before work starts, both to prevent failures and to mitigate the impact of failures when they occur.

However, what if people don’t have the experience needed to know all the potential hazards that need controls? What if it’s the first time the facility is performing a task, so even veteran employees aren’t familiar with potential hazards? What if people understand the hazards but don’t know what controls could prevent or mitigate failures?

“We always asked contractors, ‘What could kill you or change your life?’” Stewart said. “And a lot of them didn’t know how to answer that question.”

SMLGPT is being trained to help close those gaps.

Employees will be able to upload photos and videos of a work area to SMLGPT. Or they can simply describe it in a prompt, like, “What hazards and controls should I consider in an area that has MOPED interactions?”

Then SMLGPT will help identify common High Potential Conditions (HPCs) and High Potential Events (HPEs) based on the prompt and recommend controls to protect people.

Stewart said he usually has the original SML app open on a tablet as he walks through the permit process, with SMLGPT open on another device to help answer questions or identify hazards.

Safety and health manager Chris Brown helps lead the implementation of SML across GP facilities. He said hazard identification is one of the biggest challenges for facility employees as they try to use the SML thought process. That’s especially true for newer employees with limited manufacturing experience who may not know what risks to look for.

“If you can take some photos or a video of an area, and the AI tool can help you identify the critical hazards, that’s huge,” Brown said. “And we would absolutely want workers to verify what AI provides as guidance, but I think it does bridge that gap between hazard identification and the permit.”

The facility is also experimenting with using SMLGPT to generate quizzes to assess employees’ understanding of SML and to recommend controls based on GP safety alerts. Meanwhile, Brown said Fletcher’s work with SMLGPT has helped his team think through how AI could enhance future versions of the original SML app.

It’s a timely example of how Principle Based Management™ can help GP realize its commitment to safety as its top priority. Stewart’s willingness to experiment with emerging technology will improve his teammates’ lives and close gaps, all while helping ensure people go home safely.

View original content here.

Join the Paramount Veterans Network for an inspiring, monthly podcast-style panel discussion and interview that brings together military veterans, families, and advocates for powerful conversations and stories. Each episode dives into the rich backgrounds and experiences of our guests—whether they’re veterans, veteran service organizations, or military-themed creators. From behind-the-scenes insights into your favorite military-themed shows, to personal stories of resilience and camaraderie, this is your front-row seat to engaging with the military community in an impactful way. Grab your coffee (or tea) and connect with those who’ve served and those who support them. 

Mary Calvi, the Morning Anchor for CBS News New York, moderated the interview with special guest Austin Stowell, star of CBS’ “NCIS: Origins”

In this episode, Austin discusses his experience working on an iconic television series from the NCIS universe. He talks about what it is like to play the beloved character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and his secret sauce to success. Austin also shows his appreciation for our nation’s service members.

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The automotive industry continues to evolve as the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to reshape the industry and global manufacturing supply chains. This transformation is not just about the vehicles we drive; it’s about a comprehensive overhaul of the entire manufacturing and logistics ecosystem.

Recent trends and forecasts underscore the magnitude of this shift. Reuters reports that globally, sales of fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids rose 25.6% year-on-year to 1.9 million in December 2024, totaling a record 17.1 million units sold for the year. In the U.S., EV sales reached 1.3 million units in 2024, marking a 7.3% increase from the previous year.

According to RMI, a leading think tank, EVs are projected to dominate global car sales by 2030, potentially accounting for 62% to 86% of all sales. This prediction aligns with data from Kelley Blue Book, which reported record-breaking sales of EVs in the U.S. during the first three quarters of 2023.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that, based on manufacturers’ targets, between 42% and 58% of global car sales could be electric by 2030. In the U.S., research indicates that EVs are on track to comprise 50% of new car sales by 2030, despite recent concerns about a slowdown in sales.

But the transition to EVs is complex – presenting both opportunities and challenges – and will impact manufacturing supply chains in several key areas across the board.

In this ever-evolving landscape, it’s crucial for stakeholders in the automotive and logistics sectors to understand and prepare for the changes that lie ahead. Here are four key areas that will be impacted by this transformation:

1.The Central Role of Batteries:

In the EV landscape, batteries emerge as the most critical and costliest component. This is driving focus on the proximity between battery production and EV assembly lines. The shift to EVs necessitates changes in factory infrastructure and logistics, along with specialized storage and transport solutions to address safety concerns and to accommodate the substantial weight and size of batteries.

2. Transforming Factory Floor Logistics:

Adapting to EV production requires substantial alterations in traditional car manufacturing facilities, such as new equipment for heavy battery handling. This includes a transformation in logistics, from traditional manufacturing processes to methods that accommodate the distinct nature of EVs. Including changes in storage, transport, and delivery to ensure safety and efficiency.

3. Changing Demands for Parts and Service:

Low-maintenance EVs offer a significant reduction in the number and complexity of parts and maintenance services compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. This evolution is leading to changes in supply chain and logistics practices, with a move towards more streamlined and efficient processes.

4. Integration of Circular Economy Principles: 

An interesting aspect of the shift towards EVs is the potential for a circular economy. The report emphasizes the importance of repurposing reusable minerals for new batteries, reducing dependence on imported minerals. This approach enhances supply chain reliability, reduces geopolitical risks, and aligns with our commitment to environmental sustainability.

The automotive industry will continue to evolve as it transitions towards EVs, and companies should be preparing now to navigate this transition. It’s imperative that stakeholders in the automotive and logistics sectors understand the implications today, so that they can plan for their supply chains of tomorrow.

DP World’s report, Navigating the Opportunities and Challenges of an Electric Vehicle-Centric Manufacturing Supply Chain, examines how the transition to EVs is impacting supply chains and offers valuable insights into how companies can navigate this transition, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities ahead.

To learn more, visit DP World’s website and download the report.