Tag: 3BL

Baker Tilly’s podcast series specifically for professionals in the multifamily housing industry

On this episode of BuzzHouse, hosts Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson are joined by Baker Tilly colleagues Michelle Isenhouer-Hanlin and Joe Marchese to explore the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). The discussion dives into how this funding supports low-income and disadvantaged communities through green banks and community lenders, what types of projects qualify and how developers can prepare to access these resources. The team also shares actionable insights for community lenders and project developers, including strategies to meet funding criteria and maximize impact.

Listen in for key details about this initiative and how it can shape the future of clean energy and affordable housing.

Multifamily housing resources

For articles, webinars and additional resources for developers, housing authorities, property managers, state housing credit agencies and lenders, visit Baker Tilly’s multifamily housing page.

North Wilmington, Delaware now has a new resource for the community as the Chemours Community STEM Hub at EastSide Charter School officially opened its doors. The Chemours Community STEM Hub is a state-of-the-art, premier access point for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The new building houses EastSide Charter School’s APEX (Middle School Honors) and STEM programs and includes a maker’s space, 3D printing, engineering, and other STEM-related activities. 

In addition to serving the students of EastSide, the Hub also doubles as a community center after school, on weekends, and in the summer with out-of-school programming spanning mentoring, robotics, coding, chemistry, biology, renewable energy, and Science Olympiad competitions.

Part of Chemours’ ChemFEST school partnership program launched in 2021, focused on championing change toward a more diverse STEM workforce, EastSide Charter School was among the first school partners, receiving a $4 million dollar donation which spurred the creation of the new Hub. Investing in under-resourced middle schools in its footprint communities, Chemours works to ensure that younger students are exposed to STEM education early on, which research has shown is critical and most influential when started before students reach high school and begin choosing their courses. 

Chemours President and CEO, Denise Dignam shared, “Through my own journey to becoming a chemical engineer, I understand that giving students access to STEM resources can help inspire and allow them to see themselves in a STEM career. That’s important because these students will be a part of our next generation of innovators and problem solvers–our future STEM workforce.”

The new Hub supports workforce development, offers health services, and enhances STEM education opportunities for local students, helping to meet the critical need for current and future scientists, engineers, technologists and more.

Did you know? We partner with a number of organizations each year to help support our communities.

Last week, many of our employees participated in a variety of MLK Day Of Service volunteer events. From donating clothing to assembling care packages for our military and their K9 pals, we’re PSEG Proud of all their great work.

Learn more about our employee volunteerism at http://spr.ly/6040xrWV2

View original content here.

Griffith Foods is thrilled to announce that our manufacturing site in Bangalore, India, has achieved ISO 14001 certification for environmental management! This prestigious certification reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental performance.

A huge shoutout to our exceptional cross-functional teams – from quality, operations, and engineering to supply chain, HR, and sustainability – who collaborated seamlessly to meet the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and innovative solutions have been key in reducing our environmental footprint and driving positive change.

This achievement marks not just a milestone but a continued pledge to improve our environmental practices and make a lasting impact on our planet. To learn more about our sustainability initiatives please visit us at https://griffithfoods.com/sustainability/

View original content here.

Key Points

Marathon Petroleum has trained nearly 800 employees, including 700 fleet drivers, to identify and report human trafficking through its partnership with the nonprofit Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT).The company is bringing awareness to other parts of the business, including safety teams and employee network groups, with collaborative sessions involving industry, law enforcement and government representatives.TAT emphasizes recognizing trafficking signs, taking action by reporting suspicious activity, and spreading awareness to protect vulnerable individuals.

Marathon Petroleum has expanded its partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). Since launching the initiative in 2023, Marathon Petroleum has trained nearly 800 employees in the Transportation and Rail organization to identify human trafficking situations on the road and how to report suspicious activity. Nearly 700 of those certified are fleet drivers.

“Human trafficking isn’t something you think about daily but having this training helps keep me aware of any suspicious activities and anyone that may need help,” said Nicole Heinricy, Marathon Petroleum Transport Driver in Minnesota. “It gave me the ability to take action when needed to make an impact in the community, not just at work but while I’m off duty.”

Company leaders have been encouraged by the positive response to the initiative.

“One common characteristic among our driver workforce is their willingness to help those in need,” said Rob Leipheimer, Senior Manager at Marathon Petroleum. “I have been humbled to see the outpouring of generosity from our fleets when a co-worker and their family is in need or when we partner with community donation drives. Our drivers’ overwhelming participation in TAT training further demonstrates their willingness to offer a hand to anyone in need.”

Marathon Petroleum is bringing awareness to other parts of the business, including safety teams and employee network groups. In October, Marathon Petroleum and its midstream component MPLX sponsored a training session in Dickinson, North Dakota, that brought together members of the trucking industry, law enforcement, government officials and other groups.

“Many people who participated in the session had no idea that trafficking was a growing issue, even in North Dakota,” said Patty Furuseth, Advanced Personal Safety Professional at Marathon Petroleum. “Trafficking is a crime of exploitation, and education and awareness are key in protecting the vulnerable.”

TAT is a nonprofit organization focused on educating others about human trafficking, how to identify it and how to report suspicious activity. Here are some key points from TAT:

Recognize the Signs:

Individuals who appear to be under control or are not allowed to speak for themselves.Signs of physical abuse or neglect.Lack of personal identification or documentation.

Take Action:
If you suspect human trafficking, report it to 911 or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Spread Awareness:
Share the information with colleagues and partners. Encourage others to participate in TAT’s training programs and use the provided resources.

Case IH and parent company, CNH, had their labs and equipment used in a study to promote AI use in the agriculture industry. 

The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is dominating conversations around the globe, and the agriculture sector is no different, with the main questions around what it means for the industry and how it can be used to the greatest effect.

Katrina ‘Treen’ Swift is a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, who is focusing on the advantages AI could introduce to grain-growing operations into the future. With farm and landscape-level sustainability data of increasing interest across the supply chain, Treen says she can see enormous potential in using AI to analyse this data to improve management of natural capital, inputs and operations and provide time-saving benefits to growers.

“Why aren’t we talking about how AI is going to benefit our businesses, whether it’s as simple as using number plate recognition when we’re managing trucks coming in for deliveries, or the machinery space and what brands like Case IH are doing – I wanted to learn more.”

She had her chance at the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security (CFS) event in Italy late last year where she met Luca Ferrari, the Global Manager of Robotics for Case IH’s parent company CNH. Luca invited her to visit CNH’s labs in Modena, where so much of the company’s technology is developed.

“It was a fascinating experience,” she said, and opened her eyes to the progress being made in machinery and the potential for AI to assist farmers in managing the increasingly complex regulatory space, particularly with regards to emissions and environmental impacts.

“Looking more at practices that are less reliant on chemical use is one area where there is a lot of interest in Europe at present, and I can certainly see a role for AI in this space. Emissions reduction is another area of global focus and with so much data around it, the average farmer will need help in processing this.”

Treen’s visit to the CNH labs in Italy also gave her a new appreciation for the increasingly sophisticated machinery being developed by brands like Case IH, an appreciation she found of value when her family farming business had the unique opportunity to trial two new Case IH AF Series combines late last year.

“By harnessing AI’s capabilities for applications within our industry, we have so much to gain with increased productivity, and better-informed decision-making from an economic and environmental perspective. This will help reinforce our competitiveness on the global stage and drive greater sustainability to ensure we can be proud of what we’re leaving for future generations of farmers,” she said.

Read the full story here.

EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 28, 2025 /3BL/ – SCS Standards is pleased to announce that version 2.0 of the SCS-003 Certification Standard for Responsibly Managed Peatlands is now available for public review. 

The Standard was first introduced in 2017 to establish a comprehensive framework and common set of environmental, social, and quality requirements for the production of responsible peat moss and to stimulate continuous improvement in the peat moss industry. 

The SCS Responsibly Managed Peatlands Standard was revised to include: 

Clarification around language usage, scope and limitations and definitionsUpdated requirements around Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventoryAdded requirements and guidance around claims associated with the StandardAdded requirements for entities seeking to make claims relating to purchased peat

The public is welcome to comment on version 2.0 updates to the standard until February 28, 2025. To submit comments, please reach out to standards@scsstandards.org, or please visit https://www.scsstandards.org/standards/responsibly-managed-peatlands-veriflorar-standard-responsible-horticultural-peat-moss.

About SCS Standards

SCS Standards is an organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent, and collaborative approach. SCS Standards is the official standards development body for Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. For more information, visit www.SCSstandards.org. 

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January 28, 2025 /3BL/ – AEG Germany, operator of the Uber Arena, Uber Eats Music Hall and Uber Platz in Berlin and the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, has reached another milestone in its commitment to sustainability. AEG Germany’s arenas are the first in Germany to receive Greener Arena certification.

Sustainability and social responsibility have been firmly anchored in the DNA of AEG Germany since the arenas were built. Independent projects have been initiated at each location and innovative processes have been implemented to promote environmental friendliness and social commitment. With the cross-site sustainability strategy that has now been developed, AEG Germany has taken another important step towards making a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole.

The strategy was developed in collaboration with the renowned agency PHAT Consulting, which specializes in sustainability management. The aim is to create a systematic and transparent approach for sustainability work that unites all arenas and promotes measurable progress.

A central component of this approach is the first cross-site transparency report, which is published at the same time as the Greener Arena certification is obtained. This report documents in detail the successes to date and provides an insight into the future goals of AEG Germany’s sustainability strategy.

“We are proud to be the first operator in Germany to receive Greener Arena certification for our venues. This is proof of the commitment of our entire team and our partners to setting and driving forward sustainable standards,” says Jan Kienappel, COO & CFO AEG Germany.

With this initiative, AEG Germany is not only confirming its status as an industry pioneer, but also setting new standards for sustainable entertainment in Germany and Europe. The vision: to combine sustainability and live entertainment and thus set an inspiring example for the entire industry.

The Greener Arena Improvers certification was achieved following a rigorous assessment process by not-for-profit sustainability specialists A Greener Future (AGF). The assessment involves detailed analysis of areas of sustainability such as transport, energy and power, waste, water usage, local environment, CO2 and food and beverages and involves an onsite visit by qualified AGF assessors.

Including the German venues, six AEG festivals and venues across Europe underwent the A Greener Future process in 2024. The O2 in London reassessed its certification with the status A GrenerArena, achieving Commended status. American Express Presents BST Hyde Park was awarded Greener Festival Highly Commended Certification, while All Points East was awarded Greener Festival Commended Certification.

Asia Pacific, January 28, 2025 /3BL/ – On November 13, 2024, Lenovo was honored with the Golden Peacock Global Award for ESG by the Golden Peacock Awards Secretariat and Institute of Directors. This is the third year that the awards cycle was held. India invited applications from all sizes of enterprises across the public, private and government sectors, receiving hundreds of applications in response to award opportunities at both the global and national (India) levels.

“Lenovo India is honored to receive this award in recognition of the best practices and commitments that extend across our global business,” said Shailendra Katyal, VP and Managing Director of Lenovo India. “Alongside all of Lenovo’s leadership, we are proud to implement and share Lenovo’s global expertise at the local level as an engaged corporate citizen – not just in India, but around the world.”

At an awards ceremony at Marble Arch in London on November 13, Lenovo was recognized by India’s 25th Chief Justice, the Honorable Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, and the esteemed jury members for their global leadership in ESG. The award reflects Lenovo’s leadership in ESG and presence as a global corporate citizen. Lenovo has been reporting its ESG impact and goals since 2007 and is in the first group of companies to have its net-zero emissions targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Alongside social impact commitments and proactive governance for its Smarter AI for All focus, Lenovo continues to ensure best practices and commitments are implemented throughout its global business.

Read more about Lenovo’s sustainability practices and ESG goals in the latest ESG Report.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$57 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #248 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

Inogen Alliance is pleased to announce the addition of a new Associate company, Terra Nexus in Dubai, UAE. The addition of this new Associate provides crucial complimentary coverage in this region expanding environmental services and expertise. In choosing new Associate companies to join the Alliance we have a thorough due diligence process to ensure alignment in values, services and complimentary coverage with our existing companies and approval by the Board of Directors.

Terra Nexus is a pioneering environmental consultancy firm offering a variety of technical and advisory services, headquartered in Dubai, serving projects across the GCC region (Gulf Cooperation Council). Through their services, they are guided by the principle of “Building with Nature”, where they ensure equilibrium between anthropogenic development and the natural environment. Terra Nexus brings a unique offering of environmental consultancy services that guide the design development process and provide comprehensive environmental solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of the Middle East.

“We are thrilled to join the Inogen Alliance, a global network of leading independent environmental and sustainability consultancies. This partnership marks an exciting milestone for our company as we continue to expand our reach and impact in the GCC region. By combining our multidisciplinary expertise with the resources and global perspective of the Inogen Alliance, we have strengthened our ability to deliver world class solutions to our clients while addressing the region’s unique environmental and sustainability challenges. As a proud Associate, we are also looking forward to enabling the Alliance’s growth and success in the GCC, fostering innovation and environmental stewardship,” Nivine Issa, Founder & Managing Director.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.