Tag: 3BL

On November 9, Lenovo, in collaboration with the Shanghai Natural History Museum, launched the “Awakening Earth’s Majestic Creatures with AI” digital exhibition. This groundbreaking project uses Lenovo’s proprietary spatial computing with AI-generated content (AIGC) technology to digitally resurrect three iconic specimens from the museum: the Yangtze River Baiji dolphin, the fin whale, and the mammoth. Visitors can immerse themselves in a VR experience, exploring the lifelike depictions of these majestic creatures in custom-themed environments, enhancing the educational and interactive aspects of the museum visit.

The story behind these iconic specimens

The selection of these iconic creatures—Qiqi the Baiji dolphin and the stranded fin whale—was driven by their remarkable histories and the emotional impact they leave behind.

On July 14, 2002, the world bid farewell to Qiqi, the only successfully captive-raised Baiji dolphin. A 25-year-old male, Qiqi passed away at the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Measuring 2.07 meters and weighing 98.5 kilograms, Qiqi was a unique ambassador for his critically endangered species.

Baiji dolphins, native to China’s Yangtze River, are among the rarest aquatic mammals, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild. Captured by fishermen in 1980, Qiqi spent nearly 23 years in captivity, providing invaluable data that advanced global knowledge of freshwater cetaceans. His story attracted visitors and media worldwide, raising awareness about the plight of his species.

Meanwhile, another unforgettable story unfolded on March 20, 2017, when a stranded fin whale was discovered at the confluence of the Yangtze River and Hangzhou Bay. This incident attracted widespread attention, as the whale’s unusual location sparked a deep public interest. Over the next three and a half years, the Shanghai Natural History Museum meticulously cleaned, degreased, and mounted the whale’s skeleton. Today, the 22-meter-long male fin whale stands as the longest fin whale skeleton in China.

AI enhances museum experience

These stories are not just about loss—they are about preserving the legacies of these magnificent creatures. The exhibition brings the stories to life through immersive VR experiences. Technology transports visitors to the depths of the ocean, the flowing waters of the Yangtze River, and the icy realms of the past, where they can witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitats.

Lenovo carefully designed three major themes for this digital showcase:

The Yangtze River Dolphin – The Vanished Goddess of the YangtzeThe Fin Whale – The Deepest-Dwelling Giant MammalThe Mammoth – A Beast from the Ice Age.

For example, the fin whale exhibit allows visitors to dive deep into the ocean and swim alongside the largest mammal on Earth, uncovering its migration patterns, feeding, and reproductive behaviors.

‘AI + Culture’

Lenovo harnessed the power of AI to digitally “revive” Earth’s majestic creatures, creating lifelike experiences that allow audiences to explore these animals as they once were. This was made possible through high-precision scans of the three specimens, combined with AI algorithms and manual restoration techniques, which helped create accurate digital models. This innovative approach not only preserved the creatures’ physical characteristics but also brought their stories to life, making the experience both educational and emotionally engaging.

The spatial computing with AIGC technology used in this project takes things a step further, processing large datasets quickly to create high-quality 3D models and interactive experiences. Lenovo is a pioneer in integrating spatial computing with AIGC, creatively transforming cultural heritage and paving the way for future innovation.

Mao Shijie, Vice President of Lenovo Group and Head of Lenovo Shanghai Research Institute, said, “As new technologies like AI continue to evolve, the fictional worlds of sci-fi are now becoming a reality. AI advancements are breaking down barriers to knowledge, allowing more people to directly experience and understand biodiversity. This ‘Awakening Earth’s Majestic Creatures with AI’ digital exhibition project is our new attempt at expanding ‘AI + Culture’ applications.”

Through this groundbreaking digital project, Lenovo demonstrates the potential of blending cutting-edge technology with the protection of the planet’s biodiversity. The “Awakening Earth’s Majestic Creatures with AI” exhibition serves as a powerful call to action—inviting the world to join the movement for biodiversity conservation, while envisioning a future where humanity and nature coexist in harmony.

WALLDORF, Germany, January 23, 2025 /3BL/ – SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) announced the general availability of the SAP Green Ledger solution, the most comprehensive carbon accounting system globally that integrates directly with customers’ financial data.

Part of SAP Sustainability solutions, SAP Green Ledger allocates carbon emissions to specific economic activities and transactions captured by ERP solutions from SAP. This innovation empowers organizations to accurately account for, analyze and report carbon footprints across products, services, and organizational units.

Addressing the growing consensus that decarbonization is required to combat climate change, SAP Green Ledger helps companies:

Track and account for carbon footprints in relation to their financial impactLower emissions alongside financial optimization and thus facilitate carbon budgetingEstablish carbon planning for carbon neutrality and net zero targetsBenchmark departments, business units and profit centers from both a financial and environmental perspectivePrepare for sustainability auditsImprove supplier-based processes to decrease carbon emissions in the supply chain (2025)

SAP Green Ledger builds on existing financial and ERP solutions from SAP that are established in thousands of companies worldwide. By extending these solutions to integrate emissions data, businesses can make more informed, sustainable decisions that link environmental impact with financial performance, enhancing compliance, efficiency and transparency.

“Enormous investments are required to abate CO2 in order to curb global warming. Besides smart, reliable regulation also accurate data on emissions along the supply chain is paramount to trigger the necessary investment,” said Dominik Asam, CFO and member of the Executive Board of SAP SE. “Only by moving from averages to actuals – audited at reasonable assurance – can freeriding and greenwashing be avoided, thereby protecting such valuable investment and our planet. SAP Green Ledger delivers precisely that.”

Today, SAP Green Ledger provides a first step for businesses to address regulatory requirements by integrating financial and environmental data. It helps companies navigate the complex global landscape of sustainability regulations, such as EU CSRD*, while establishing a scalable foundation over time, to adapt to evolving regulations such as EU ETS** and EU CBAM†, as well as to international standards such as ISSB††. The launch of the solution marks the beginning of a new era in carbon accounting systems, which are expected to significantly impact businesses worldwide as decarbonization becomes a legal and market imperative.

SAP Green Ledger was developed with support from companies such as Accenture, Deloitte, EY, PwC and TCS (Tata Consulting Services) as well as with pilot customers such as Covestro. Covestro is currently evaluating SAP Green Ledger in an early pilot phase and testing the linking of carbon dioxide values to SAP Green Ledger, as they are generated during the manufacture of specific products in the supply chain.

Accenture is helping organizations achieve their net-zero and sustainability targets in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. “As organizations seek to gain visibility into both the financial and environmental performance of their businesses, SAP Green Ledger can provide the sustainability metrics and insights needed to enhance decision-making that reduces emissions, drives efficiencies and optimizes performance,” said Stephanie Jamison, global resources industry practice chair and global sustainability services lead at Accenture. “As a strategic co-innovation partner, Accenture helped shape the development of SAP Green Ledger and can apply our understanding of the technology and its capabilities to help our clients get the most for their organization.”

Through its Strategic Advisory Group for Green Ledger, SAP was able to gain insights from Deloitte’s breadth and depth of knowledge in sustainability measurement and reporting. “SAP Green Ledger offers new levels of precision in carbon accounting for organizations as they track, manage and report their greenhouse gas emissions, and provides leaders with a holistic view of the costs and benefits of sustainability initiatives, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that can build business resilience,” said Jennifer Steinmann, Deloitte Global Sustainability Business leader.

Deloitte is working with companies as they adopt sustainability disclosure standards and get ready for assurance. “Technology solutions can help generate traceable, bottom-up emissions data,” said Veronica Poole, Deloitte Global IFRS and Corporate Reporting leader. “Leveraging the robust governance and controls of enterprise systems is needed to help organizations achieve the rigor that enhances corporate accountability and enables a move to reasonable assurance.”

Norman Emmenlauer, partner for CFO-Led Sustainability at EY Business Consulting, said about SAP Green Ledger: “This is a solution that integrates carbon accounting into the core financial processes, making sustainability a tangible part of business operations.”

Carina Schoellmann, partner for ESG Data & Tech at EY Technology Consulting, added: “This solution will help our EY clients by seamlessly integrating carbon accounting into their financial systems, enabling more informed and sustainable decision-making.”

Amy Brachio, EY global vice chair for Sustainability, pointed to the strategic nature of the topic: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything organizations do; business operations such as procurement, manufacturing and logistics are great examples. SAP Green Ledger will enable granular and auditable data capture across the value chain, supporting organizations to transform ESG from compliance exercise to value-creation strategy.”

Sameer Shah, partner at EY Technology Consulting, added: “SAP Green Ledger is a game changer for sustainability practitioners, providing the tools needed to measure, manage and report on carbon emissions with the same rigor as financial data.”

“Having participated in the pilot program, we’re excited to see the launch of SAP Green Ledger, an essential digital approach for integrating carbon accounting and management into strategic business operations,” explained Will Jackson-Moore, global sustainability leader, PwC UK. “With SAP Green Ledger, businesses can seamlessly align financial performance with sustainability goals, while achieving the transparency and precision needed for real-time emissions reporting and resource management. Building on this foundation, PwC is developing CSRD-ready content to enable end-to-end reporting and steering, helping organisations meet regulatory requirements, prioritise sustainability at the C-level, and drive meaningful change in environmental accountability. We’re proud to support our clients in leveraging SAP Green Ledger to navigate complex sustainability challenges, achieve measurable decarbonisation and progress toward net-zero commitments at speed.”

SAP partner TCS has also cooperated on SAP Green Ledger, with a focus on accelerating action to achieve carbon neutrality. TCS Enterprise Solutions Global Head Vikram Karakoti said, “With our participation in the pilot program for SAP Green Ledger, TCS is embracing innovative sustainability solutions to build a better future. This will enable organizations to move beyond regulatory compliance and make sustainability a growth engine. By embedding carbon data into the enterprise planning process, organizations can unlock previously unexplored areas for growth, transformation and environmental renewal.”

Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP at @SAPNews.

*The EU’s CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) defines the rules concerning the social and environmental information that companies have to report. It entered into force on 5 January 2023. 
**The EU ETS (EU Emissions Trading System) is a “cap and trade” system to reduce emissions via a carbon market. Since 2005, it requires polluters to pay for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, covering emissions from the electricity and heat generation, industrial manufacturing and aviation sectors – which account for roughly 40% of total GHG emissions in the EU. 
†The EU CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) is the EU’s tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries. CBAM will apply in its definitive regime from 2026. 
††The ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) is developing – in the public interest – standards that will result in a high-quality, comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures focused on the needs of investors and the financial markets.

For more information, financial community only: 
Alexandra Steiger, +49 6227-7-60437, investor@sap.com, CEST

For more information, press only: 
Joellen Perry, +1 (650) 445-6780, joellen.perry@sap.com, PT 
Daniel Reinhardt, +49 6227-7-40201, daniel.reinhardt@sap.com, CEST 
SAP Press Room; press@sap.com

This document contains forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to materially differ. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors section of SAP’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 20-F. 
© 2024 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 
SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or its affiliates) in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices.

Driving Agility and Collaboration in a Shifting Landscape

Since its formation in 2006, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) has unified the beverage sector in its advancement of global environmental sustainability. By addressing critical challenges, driving change across supply chains, and sharing best practices, BIER has consistently elevated the beverage industry’s environmental performance. Through its ability to monitor data and trends, engage key stakeholders, and develop actionable strategies, BIER has emerged as a leader and a north star for environmental sustainability in the beverage sector. Approaching its 20th year, BIER is reaffirming its commitment to adaptability, innovation, and collaboration to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of environmental sustainability in the Beverage Industry and a renewed focus on supporting its members’ shifting priorities.

Building on the achievements of 2024, including the May Member Meeting hosted by Pernod Ricard and the September Member Meeting at AB InBev, BIER has demonstrated its proactive approach to fostering impactful in-person collaboration. These events tackled critical topics shaping the environmental landscape, including the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) implementation, Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) targets, and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). These timely discussions reinforced shared commitments to sustainability roadmaps, watershed health, and regulatory alignment while establishing a strong foundation for continued progress in 2025.

Industry Leadership and Agility

In 2025, BIER is leading with agility and determination, addressing the challenges of climate change and advancing sustainability across the beverage sector. With a commitment to collaborative solutions, BIER empowers the industry to lead in resilience and environmental stewardship. This year’s initiatives include updates to technical guidance, expansion of innovative programs, and strengthened collaborations across its five core pillars:

Water: Ensuring the sustainable management of water resources.Climate: Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advancing decarbonization.Reporting: Enhancing transparency and accountability in sustainability reporting.Circularity: Promoting resource conservation and waste minimization.Nature/Biodiversity: Protecting and restoring ecosystems to ensure long-term resilience.

BIER’s Cool Challenge 2025

As part of its forward-looking agenda, BIER proudly introduces the Cool Challenge 2025, an innovation competition under its Coolition workstream aimed at transforming commercial refrigeration. This year’s competition expands its scope to include bottle coolers, draught systems, dispensing systems, and vending machines, exclusively focusing on the beverage industry.

Award Categories:

Radical Change in Energy Efficiency: Cutting-edge technologies redefining energy efficiency.Incremental Improvement in Energy Efficiency: Optimizing existing systems for improved performance.Retrofit Solutions for Energy Efficiency: Upgrading systems to enhance sustainability.Circularity: Solutions promoting resource conservation and minimizing waste.Business Model Innovation: Transformative approaches driving industry-wide sustainability.Overall Best Solution: Comprehensive innovations addressing energy, circularity, and beyond.

Submissions close on February 14, 2025. Join BIER in shaping a sustainable future for the beverage industry. Submit your proposals here.

GHG Sector Guidance Version 4.3

Building on the groundwork of 2024, BIER released Version 4.3 of the Beverage Industry Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Sector Guidance in January 2025. This updated guidance provides tools to measure, manage, and report emissions across all scopes. Key updates include:

Alignment with Emerging Standards: Incorporating directives from CSRD and SBTi’s FLAG guidance.Enhanced Methodologies: Improving data allocation for recycling, transportation logistics, and cooling models.Focus on Transparency: Strengthening protocols for data verification and disclosure.

This guidance underscores the beverage industry’s journey toward net-zero emissions by 2040-2050 and exemplifies BIER’s dedication to decarbonization and climate resilience.

Watershed Collaboration: Charco Bendito

Building on the success of the Charco Bendito Watershed Collaboration in Mexico, BIER continues to lead impactful water stewardship initiatives. This project has improved water quality and availability while fostering collective action among stakeholders. The insights gained are being applied to new regions, including India, showcasing the scalability of this collaborative model.

Commitment to Collaboration

BIER envisions a global beverage industry that is authentically sustainable—anchored in science and data, supported by world-class environmental practices, and trusted by consumers, customers, and stakeholders alike. Its mission is to unite global beverage leaders in driving environmental sustainability through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technical advocacy for meaningful sector-wide change.

Collaboration remains the foundation of BIER’s success. By bringing together diverse perspectives across the beverage industry, BIER fosters a dynamic culture of innovation and shared learning. Reflecting on the achievements of 2024, BIER enters 2025 with renewed urgency and determination to address interconnected challenges. These efforts demonstrate BIER’s ability to anticipate global trends, respond proactively to emerging issues, and inspire collective action.

With a proven record of driving transformative initiatives and a forward-thinking strategy, BIER stands as a beacon of leadership in the beverage industry’s pursuit of sustainability. Together with its members, partners, and stakeholders, BIER is leading the charge toward a resilient and sustainable future for the industry.

Plant will capture up to 100,000 metric tons of CO2 annually for Netherlands-based sustainable energy supplier Twence.

Global energy technology company SLB (NYSE: SLB) announced today that SLB Capturi has completed commissioning and is handing over its modular carbon capture plant at Twence’s waste-to-energy facility in Hengelo, Netherlands.

The new plant has the capacity to capture up to 100,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, which will be used in applications for the horticulture and food and beverage sectors.

The carbon capture plant is based on SLB Capturi’s standard, modular Just Catch™ design, which reduces onsite installation and outfitting work — providing a more cost-efficient and easier-to-deploy option compared with other market alternatives.

“We are extremely proud of our collaboration with Twence to bring online the first modular carbon capture plant at a waste-to-energy facility,” said Egil Fagerland, chief executive officer, SLB Capturi. “As pressure mounts for industrials to reduce emissions and meet net-zero targets, access to affordable, effective carbon capture technologies is more important than ever. We look forward to continuing our mission to enable access to the capture technologies needed to achieve CO2 emissions reduction impact at scale.”

“We are excited to see the successful completion of our new carbon capture plant,” said Marc Kapteijn, chief executive officer, Twence. “This highly innovative and sustainable project was safely realized by a motivated and committed team and through intensive collaboration with SLB Capturi. In the spring, we will supply the first CO2 to the greenhouse horticulture sector. We are convinced that this technology plays a crucial role in our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and realize our sustainability ambitions.”

About SLB 
SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.

About SLB Capturi 
SLB Capturi is the joint venture between SLB and Aker Carbon Capture, dedicated to carbon removal and reduction solutions. The company’s proven modular technologies enable industries to deploy capture technology at speed and scale, meeting the requirements of tomorrow and the opportunities of today. The company is currently delivering seven carbon capture plants to bioenergy, waste to energy, and cement facilities. Find out more at capturi.slb.com

Media 
Josh Byerly – SVP of Communications 
Moira Duff – Director of External Communications 
SLB 
Tel: +1 (713) 375-3407 
Email: media@slb.com

Hanne Rolén – Head of Sustainability & Communications 
SLB Capturi 
Tel: +47 990 02 571 
Email: Hrolen@capturi.slb.com

Investors 
James R. McDonald – SVP of Investor Relations & Industry Affairs 
Joy V. Domingo – Director of Investor Relations 
SLB 
Tel: +1 (713) 375-3535 
Email: investor-relations@slb.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws — that is, statements about the future, not about past events. Such statements often contain words such as “expect,” “may,” “can,” “estimate,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “will,” “potential,” “projected” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as forecasts or expectations regarding the deployment of, or anticipated benefits of, SLB’s new technologies and partnerships; statements about goals, plans and projections with respect to sustainability and environmental matters; forecasts or expectations regarding energy transition and global climate change; and improvements in operating procedures and technology. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inability to achieve net-negative carbon emissions goals; the inability to recognize intended benefits of SLB’s strategies, initiatives or partnerships; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change; the timing or receipt of regulatory approvals and permits; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in SLB’s most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View original content here.

New Zealand-based Miraka, the world’s first dairy processor to get its power from renewable geothermal energy, has chosen Plex, by Rockwell Automation, to become even more efficient and sustainable.

The company will use Plex to integrate its enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. ERP is a software system that helps organizations streamline and automate their core business processes—including financial management, human resources, supply chain, sales, and customer relations—across the entire enterprise.

Miraka says its use of geothermal energy enables it to “emit 92% less manufacturing carbon emissions than traditional coal-fired factories, giving Miraka one of industry’s lowest global carbon footprints.” The dairy company will now use Plex to connect, automate, track, and analyze its operations—from the pasture to the factory floor— to take its core values of excellence and innovation to the next level.

Robert Bell, Miraka CFO, calls Plex a “single source of truth,” with intuitive tools that will help Miraka optimize their business and operational performance by increasing efficiencies.

Plex supports Miraka’s goals to become even more resilient, agile, and sustainable by offering a holistic view across the enterprise so Miraka quickly can respond to market demands and customer changes without interrupting production. The Plex software was built around the pillars of smart manufacturing, helping companies not only streamline their operations, but making it easier for them to follow industry standards, grow their business, and live their values.

“Plex is a modular system, so it can grow and adapt as needs change in the future, allowing companies like us to remain agile and stay ahead of the competition,” added Bell.

Learn more about how Miraka is combining geothermal energy with Rockwell’s Plex to become even more resilient and sustainable.

ST. PAUL, Minn., January 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Antea Group is pleased to announce the release of our 2023 Sustainability Report, designed to engage employees, clients, partners, and stakeholders in a shared commitment to transparency, progress, and sustainability. This report highlights our efforts to drive positive impacts on people and the planet while identifying opportunities for strategic growth and long-term resiliency.

“2023 marked a year of excitement and continued growth for Antea Group USA. Yet, our operational philosophy remains unchanged: Better Business, Better World®,” shared Brian Ricketts, CEO of Antea Group USA. “We believe in doing the right thing environmentally and socially, which we trust translates to improved business performance and secures market position. As a leading environment, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) consulting firm, we proudly lead by example for our clients, our employees, and our communities.”

The report provides a comprehensive overview of our 2023 environment, social, and governance (ESG) performance across both our operations and client work. While our operational footprint is relatively modest, our influence extends far beyond, as we collaborate with clients to address sustainability impacts globally. In 2023, we completed over 3,900 projects across 63 countries, demonstrating our far-reaching commitment to EHS&S.

Notable achievements from our own operations include:

Establishing a dedicated carbon team to implement our emissions reduction strategies and commitments.Launching the “Working Safely Everyday” campaign, empowering employees to champion health and safety in every aspect of their work.Securing formal approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal.

…and more.

“At Antea Group USA, we know we must be innovative, agile, and adaptable to new challenges that arise along the way. I am encouraged by our progress and am excited to share more details through this 2023 Sustainability Report. I invite you to learn more about who we are and how Antea Group USA is working to create a thriving future for us all,” concludes Ricketts.

Download the Full Report Here

About Antea Group

Antea®Group USA is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through our work with multinational clients, our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the Inogen Alliance. Learn more at anteagroup.us.

AUSTIN, Texas, January 23, 2025 /3BL/ – “At the beginning of 2024, Whole Cities, Whole Kids and Whole Planet united as Whole Foods Market Foundation. Whole Foods Market Foundation is on a mission to nourish people and the planet by providing access to essential resources to improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability.

As we build on the strong roots of these three projects, the Foundation remains dedicated to investing in opportunities that foster deep, lasting change both in the United States and around the world. Our commitment lies in investing in sustainable, long-term solutions that tap into local expertise and empower communities to lead their own development and health.

During Whole Foods Market Foundation’s first year, we have built a strong framework that is only getting better. I’m excited to harness this momentum and am confident that united, we are only beginning to unlock the Foundation’s full potential. In 2024, we were able to increase our commitments to partners by $14 million in 39 countries across the world.

I look forward to more innovation, collaboration, growth and success in 2025!”

– Daniel Zoltani

Whole Foods Market Foundation Executive Director

 

Our Impact

Whole Foods Market Foundation invested $14 million in 39 countries around the world supporting 1,239 organizations and schools to help advance healthy food access, nutrition and economic opportunities.

Whole Cities – Expanding healthy food access

81 Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grants55 Cities*36 Fruit & Vegetable Growers26 Nutrition Education Programs11 Fresh Produce Distributors8 Collaborative Health Partnerships

*Programs located in the U.S. and Canada

Whole Kids – Improving Children’s Nutrition

1,108 Schools & Organizations*749 Garden Grants157 Salad Bars104 Bee Grants6 School Food Transformation Districts

*Programs located in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

Whole Planet – Alleviating Global Poverty

35,820 Income-Generating Opportunities for Micro-Entrepreneurs and Smallholder Farmers50 Partner Organizations38 Countries$475 Average First Microloan89% Women Entrepreneurs

Learn more 

 

2024 Spotlight Stories

Whole Cities | Zenger Farm

Whole Cities Community First Grant partner, Zenger Farm, believes that communities thrive when people have a direct connection to their food and where it grows. The working urban farm models, promotes, and educates about sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, community development, and increases access to fresh, healthy food.

Meet Whole Foods Market Team Member, Haley Benes, and see how the Community First Grant program supports home-grown solutions to help improve fresh food access.

Learn more

Whole Kids | Stratford Friends School

Whole Kids Garden Grant recipient, Stratford Friends School, supports elementary through 9th grade students with language-based learning differences. Their Food for Life program builds upon the school’s long tradition of gardening with cross curricular connections including hands-on lessons on growing, cooking, and enjoying healthy foods developed with an integrated STEAM approach.

Students explore horticultural, career education, financial education, and nutrition within reading, math, and science lessons with a goal to develop key life skill they can use as adults.

Learn more

Whole Planet | myAgro, Fansoto and CAURIE

Recently, WFMF Board Members joined the Whole Planet team in Senegal to visit three partners — myAgro, Fansoto, and CAURIE MicroFinance — that are helping microentrepreneurs and smallholder farmers increase their income and improve their financial resiliency.

These partners are implementing innovative solutions including support for farming adjustments to the changing climate, creating add-on loans for items that focus on sustainability, financial, and environmental health along with continuing to help launch and grow their businesses through microcredit.

Learn more

 

Together We’re Building Healthy and Prosperous Communities

Whole Foods Market Foundation is able to expand our impact thanks to the generous support of our lead donors.

AflacAmazon FreshBlackhawk NetworkMaryRuth’sThe Matt O’Hayer FoundationOcean’s HaloPrimal KitchenShoes For CrewsStonyfield Organic

Meet Our Sponsors

For more information, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org

####

About Whole Foods Market Foundation

Whole Foods Market Foundation works to nourish people and the planet by helping to advance economic opportunities, nutrition and food access in local and global communities. The registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, based in Austin, Texas, encompasses the projects of Whole Cities, Whole Kids and Whole Planet. For more information on the Foundation’s work, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or LinkedIn.

###

Media Contact:
Nikki Newman-Sobhani
Nikki.Newman@wholefoods.com 

There’s an 18-mile stretch of I-85 in west Georgia that serves as a testing ground for a number of sustainable transportation technologies. If you look out your window at the right time, you might spot a wildflower meadow with a skinny six-foot aluminum tower standing tall amidst the flowers. The Ray C. Anderson Memorial Highway runs from LaGrange to the Alabama border, and has been the site of 13 projects over nine years, focusing on safer highways, transportation infrastructure advancement and interstate pollution reduction and remediation, according to Allie Kelly, executive director of The Ray.

The Ray is a nonprofit created by the Ray C. Anderson Foundation based in Georgia that facilitates projects on the highway, among other nationwide sustainable transportation work. One of those 13 projects is what The Ray calls their Landscape Lab, and just last year, the PheNode was incorporated in the project, too.

Read the full story from The Telegraph.

Saint-Gobain North America, a leading manufacturer of light and sustainable building materials in the United States, has received a strong score of 90 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2024-2025 Corporate Equality Index, matching its score in 2024. The Corporate Equality Index is the United States’ foremost national roadmap and benchmarking tool for U.S. businesses on corporate policies, practices and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees.

Now in its seventh year on the Corporate Equality Index, Saint-Gobain North America was recognized for its commitment to workforce protections and non-discrimination policies, inclusive benefits, and long-running Live Open Employee Resource Group. Since the last survey, Saint-Gobain has remained involved in the LGBTQ+ community, holding several educational forums and events throughout the year and has given back to the community through philanthropic giving. In addition, the company continues to enhance its benefits, ensuring same- and different-sex families have the same access to benefits, all while offering ally training to employees across the North America region.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index again this year for our commitment to fostering a culture where all people feel comfortable and secure to grow and thrive in their careers,” said Jay Bachmann, President and CertainTeed’s Interior Product Group and the Executive Advisor of Saint-Gobain’s Live Open LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group. “As a company that believes the best teams are built in a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, we will continue to hold true to these values, and I thank all of my colleagues for their dedication and work to make it a reality.”

This recognition is the latest Saint-Gobain has received for its efforts to build a strong and vibrant workplace. Earlier this month, the company celebrated its tenth consecutive Global Top Employer Certification, one of only 17 companies around the world to earn this prestigious honor. The company is home to several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), including its LGBTQ Network – Live Open, Leading Efforts for Ancestral Diversity Network – LEAD, Women’s Network, Career Network, and Veterans Network.

With over 160 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada, every current and future member of the company’s team plays a vital role in achieving its sustainability goals. A current list of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations can be found on the company’s career website.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023 
160,000 employees, locations in 79 countries 
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

The Clorox Change Makers initiative spotlights people who actively celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and practice allyship, making a positive impact on our business and culture. 

In this installment, we focus on Kristen Moore, an enterprise data governance steward in our IT function. Kirsten was nominated by a colleague on her team, Annette Keil. We spoke with them to learn more about what Kristen’s allyship looks like in action.

Why did you nominate Kristen as a Change Maker? What makes her an ally?

Annette: I nominated Kristen as a Change Maker because she embodies the core behaviors of an ally: curiosity, empathy and courage. She actively seeks to understand her colleagues’ experiences, shows genuine compassion, and stands up for fairness and equity. Her actions inspire and create a positive, inclusive environment.

How has Kristen’s allyship made an impact for you and others at Clorox?

Annette: Kristen’s allyship has significantly impacted our team by fostering a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Her empathy and courage in addressing difficult situations, along with her commitment to promoting fairness and inclusion, have served as a powerful inspiration for me and others to be better allies.

What does IDEA, and specifically allyship, mean to you?

Kristen: IDEA is about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and safe being themselves. Allyship is a key pillar in supporting others to reach this goal. For me, allyship is really about getting to know people from different perspectives and different backgrounds and being open to truly listen to who they are, pausing judgment and coming from a place of curiosity.

What tips do you have for others to put allyship into action in their day-to-day lives?

Kristen: To put allyship into action, there are really three things I would recommend:

Have the courage to bring your full self to the table.Practice compassion by recognizing that we are all made of strengths and struggles and have taken very different roads to get to where we are.Connect with people through active listening and remember that every interaction is an opportunity to practice.

To live our purpose and values, we must build a workplace where every person can feel respected and valued, and fully able to participate in our Clorox community. We aim to lead by example, at every level within the company, and to continually challenge ourselves to do better. Learn more about our inclusion and diversity efforts here.