Tag: 3BL

As the New Year begins, it is the perfect time for businesses to reflect on their environmental impact and establish meaningful goals for the year ahead. Climate change continues to challenge industries and communities worldwide, but businesses have a unique opportunity to lead the way in creating a sustainable future. More than ever, organizational responsibility matters. Increasingly your customers, employees, and key stakeholders want to see what you’re doing to better the world. Here are 12 impactful resolutions your business can adopt in 2025— with each one tailored to a specific month for maximum climate impact—so that you can help keep the planet healthy this year.

1 – January: Establish a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Kick off the year by measuring your carbon footprint. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to identify where your business has the most significant impact. Use this data to inform your sustainability strategy for the year. If you’re newer to this process, read our guide here to learn the three key steps of creating a GHG inventory. It also contains tips on how to navigate tools that will help your team collect accurate, actionable data, like the Climate Solutions Platform.

2- February: Set Reduction Targets for Your Carbon Emissions

With your GHG inventory in hand, establish reduction targets aligned with global climate goals like the Paris Agreement or the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Break down these targets into actionable steps, such as reducing energy use, transitioning your vehicle fleet, or leveraging verifiable carbon reductions to offset your emissions.

3 – March: Optimize Operational Efficiency

As you wrap up the first quarter of the year, now is a great time to evaluate your operational practices. Identify areas where efficiency improvements can reduce your scope-1 emissions and costs for the rest of the year. This might include streamlining production processes, optimizing logistics, or implementing energy-saving measures across your facilities.

4 – April: Conduct Energy Audits

Spring cleaning isn’t just for homes. Partner with energy efficiency experts to audit your facilities. Identify outdated lighting, HVAC systems, or manufacturing processes, and prioritize upgrades that deliver cost savings and environmental benefits. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, installing smart thermostats, or switching to LED lighting or motion-sensing lights throughout the office. These small investments can lead to significant reductions in your scope-2 emissions over time.

5 – May: Minimize Office Waste

Ahead of summer events and projects, tackle waste reduction by conducting a waste audit. Introduce policies like mandatory recycling, eliminating single-use plastics, and encouraging digital workflows to minimize paper use. Set up clearly labeled recycling stations throughout your office, and even consider offering incentives for employees who consistently engage in waste-reduction practices.

6 – June: Implement a Carbon Neutral Event Policy

Events can have a significant carbon footprint if not managed with sustainability in mind. With summer conferences and events and holiday party season on the horizon, use tools like the Event Emissions Calculator to measure and offset event-related emissions. Make it a standard practice for all company-hosted or sponsored events.

7 – July: Empower Employees with Green Choices

Encourage sustainable behaviors like carpooling, public transit, and remote or hybrid work schedules during the busy summer travel season. Provide incentives such as transit subsidies or recognition programs for employees who adopt green habits.

8 – August: Audit Your Supply Chain Emissions

Take advantage of the slower summer months to evaluate your—scope-3 emissions which are usually the most difficult area for organizations to fully capture. Collaborate with suppliers to identify areas for improvement, such as transitioning to low-emission transportation or sourcing from sustainable vendors.

9 – September: Support Community Climate Initiatives

As fall brings a focus on community and giving back, start looking for ways to engage with local projects like urban greening or renewable energy programs. Host volunteer days for employees and partner with nonprofits to make a tangible impact in your community. 

10 – October: Offset Hard-to-Avoid Emissions

Prepare for year-end reporting by offsetting emissions that can’t be avoided through credible sources like Climate Vault’s compliance-based solutions. Ensure the offsets are transparent and verifiable.

11 – November: Report Your Progress Transparently

As stakeholders review annual performance, share your climate actions and results in a transparent and impactful way. Use tools like sustainability dashboards or detailed reports to highlight measurable progress and areas for future growth.

12 – December: Plan for Innovative Climate Solutions in 2026

End the year by looking ahead. Explore investments in carbon capture technologies, carbon accounting software, or circular economy initiatives. Use your insights from this past year to set ambitious and achievable goals for the next year and the solutions you will need to accomplish them.

Start the New Year Right

By adopting these resolutions, your business can be a champion for creating a healthier, more sustainable planet all year long. Research shows that doing good for the planet is also good for business and more consumers take into consideration the climate action of the businesses they support. Whether you are just starting your climate action journey or building on existing efforts, every action matters. Cheers to a year of meaningful impact and measurable results for a greener planet.

The carbon landscape is complicated. Climate Vault’s team of experts have compiled your comprehensive guide to carbon credits, offsets, and more in the new Carbon Landscape eBook. Download your copy today and achieve your 2025 climate goals with detailed insight into carbon markets, emission allowances, carbon offsets, RECs, and CDR, as well as reporting frameworks and standards.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

By Sophie Harris, Senior Video Producer and Director of GoDaddy’s “Big Water Summer: A Creation Story”

We are thrilled to announce the release of Big Water Summer: A Creation Story, a captivating short film directed and produced by GoDaddy, now available for streaming on the Documentary Channel.

This deeply intimate film delves into the power of entrepreneurship to uplift a community, showcasing the journey of Cherilyn Yazzie, a determined farmer on the Navajo Nation. Overcoming unexpected challenges, Cherilyn and her husband embark on a tumultuous business venture to grow food for their community through Coffee Pot Farms.

As a former social worker, Cherilyn grew tired of telling children to eat healthier when that is often impossible. There are only 14 grocery stores on the Navajo Nation, a reservation over 27,000 square miles. Seeking change, Cherilyn returns to her family’s ancestral land and starts a business growing local produce. Despite facing the complexities of a changing climate and personal loss, Cherilyn’s resilience shines through as she navigates the hurdles of her entrepreneurial endeavor.

Inspired by Cherilyn’s story, our team connected with her through the Empower by GoDaddy program, a social impact initiative supporting small business owners in underserved communities. We were drawn in by her laughter, her courage in the face of vast odds and her unfaltering honesty.

Coffee Pot Farms, like 30% of homes on the Navajo Nation, has no running water or electricity. While for many farmers that would be the end to their story, Cherilyn is unphased by that challenge. Instead, the film captures Cherilyn’s consistent kindness and warmth when approaching, for example, her neighbors about a subscription to her produce delivery service. Or when crying openly about the effect of the pandemic on her community and family.

As a testament to her civic engagement and her magnetism, since filming, Cherilyn ran and was elected to the Navajo Nation Council, the 24-seated legislative arm of the tribal government.

We are privileged to capture Cherilyn’s remarkable story, her bravery in times of uncertainty, and the growth of her business in this documentary. I believe her journey will resonate with anyone who has taken on an unknown challenge, advocated for improvements in their community, or navigated the weight and strength of their heritage.

As Cherilyn’s father would say, “With creation stories, none of the things that happened were easy… you’ve just got to keep going.”

Witness Cherilyn’s journey in Big Water Summer: A Creation Story, now streaming on the Documentary Channel.

Originally published on HARMAN Newsroom

CES 2025, LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2025 /3BL/ – HARMAN, an automotive technology leader and subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., announced a roster of new collaborations with leading companies across the tech and automotive sectors. Together, they are accelerating the consumer technology-driven transformation of the automotive industry by adding empathy and contextual awareness to the car.

HARMAN’s latest collaborations are driving the creation of intelligent and intuitive user experiences in the car. From bringing brilliant, life-like visuals to in-vehicle displays or an AI system that fosters a natural bond between occupants and technology, HARMAN’s collaborations push the boundaries of automotive excellence.

“At HARMAN we believe that when it comes to transforming the industry we are better together, and collaboration is the key to unlocking everyone’s full potential,” said Christian Sobottka, President of HARMAN Automotive. “By working with industry leaders across the automotive and technology sectors, we are embracing collective intelligence to create a new level of in-cabin experiences that adapt to what consumers want and automakers need.”

At CES 2025, HARMAN will showcase how its latest collaborations are propelling the automotive industry forward and transforming the ways that we interact with our vehicles.

Ushering in A New Era of Intelligent, Empathetic Journeys

HARMAN, in collaboration with Cerence AI, is leading the way in integrating generative AI into vehicles. CES 2025 marks the launch of the “Luna” avatar powered by Ready Engage, HARMAN’s new emotionally intelligent AI system, completely transforming how people engage with their car. Designed with flexibility in mind, it features pre-integration with Cerence AI’s voice assistant platform while remaining adaptable to the rapidly evolving advancements and continuous step changes in AI technology. Offering personalized AI-powered interactions that anticipate needs and respond naturally through voice and visuals, Ready Engage creates a connection that feels friendly, easy, and approachable.

This alliance also enhances HARMAN’s Ready Link Marketplace developer ecosystem.    Cerence AI’s CaLLM™ Edge automotive-grade, on-device small language model (SLM) is now integrated into Ready Upgrade. This makes it easier for third-party app developers to create in-car applications that bring consumers’ preferred, personalized content into the vehicle while ensuring that personal data remains secure. The integration offers advanced and cost-effective SLMs embedded into Ready Upgrade software for in-vehicle use which developers can access through a standardized interface provided by HARMAN.

Uniting Advanced Driver Assistance and In-Cabin Experiences

In response to growing expectations for fresh and up to date in-cabin and driving experiences, HARMAN and HL Klemove are working together to deliver the best of cockpit and ADAS domains in one integrated solution. Together, the two companies have built a light central compute unit (CCU) based on HARMAN’s Ready Upgrade cockpit domain controller and HL Klemove’s Level 2 software stack and ADAS sensor set. This collaboration unites HARMAN’s deep in-cabin expertise and HL Klemove’s market-proven ADAS solutions. In the next level of their collaboration, HARMAN and HL Klemove are now developing a product-grade CCU platform that will integrate their latest cockpit and ADAS feature sets and offer automakers shorter time to market and full flexibility to customize.

Delivering Exceptional Consumer Experiences In-Cabin

Leveraging Samsung’s consumer electronics expertise, HARMAN’s in-cabin experiences meet the performance and design standards of today’s personal devices. A key example: HARMAN Ready Display products are powered by Samsung Neo QLED and offer industry-first automotive-qualified cadmium-free Quantum Dot technology and Blue Mini LED-based local dimming displays. These innovations bring home-theater quality into the vehicle with enhanced brightness, intelligent algorithms, and sleek design. Together, HARMAN and Samsung are pushing the boundaries of in-vehicle display performance, co-developing the HDR10+ automotive standard with Ready Display as the industry’s first HDR10+-compliant product in early 2025.

Harnessing Near Real-Time Technology to Support Safety and Wellness

HARMAN is working closely with industry leaders, including Miovision and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to ensure its award-winning Ready products deliver the right information at the right time, supporting safety.

HARMAN Ready Aware, a new vehicle-to-network (V2N)-based SaaS solution, enhances driver’s situational awareness with a focus on traffic lights and road hazards. In collaboration with Miovision, a global leader in intelligent traffic solutions, Ready Aware offers contextual and intelligent alerts, including time to green and red-light assist, to help navigate intersections and support safe driving experiences.

HARMAN and Qualcomm Technologies are redefining automotive connectivity with the HARMAN Ready Connect 5G telematics control unit (TCU), which achieves an industry-first milestone by bringing satellite communication to a TCU. Based on the Snapdragon® Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2, this technology collaboration enables mobility services such as emergency messaging based on satellite network operator (SNO) coverage. Together, the two companies are delivering ubiquitous connectivity while maximizing upgradability, scalability, and usability to meet the evolving needs of the automotive market.

Enhancing Driver Safety and Comfort with Personalized In-Cabin Interventions

Furthering its multi-year collaboration with Gentherm, the global leader in thermal management and pneumatic comfort technologies, HARMAN and Gentherm continue to enhance the in-cabin experience by prioritizing safety and comfort. HARMAN Ready Care, an industry-first product that measures a driver’s visual and cognitive load as well as vital signals in real-time, now integrates with Gentherm’s new in-cabin comfort product WellSenseTM, delivering personalized in-cabin interventions, such as seat-based heating and cooling based on the driver’s level of stress, distraction, and drowsiness. 

Better Together: Leading the Way in Future-Ready In-Cabin Innovation, Today

By collaborating with leading innovators across industries, HARMAN continues to shape the future of the automotive industry. Through the power of collective intelligence, HARMAN is turning cars into intelligent and empathic companions. Discover how HARMAN is driving this transformation firsthand at CES 2025, where the company will unveil its latest collaborative breakthroughs that promise to inspire the next generation of in-cabin experiences. For more information on HARMAN’s latest news, visit the HARMAN CES 2025 media kit.

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ABOUT HARMAN

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

For more information, contact:

Jessica Sader

Communications Manager, Automotive

jessica.sader@harman.com

Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom

NEWARK, N.J., January 10, 2025 /3BL/ – The PSEG Foundation celebrated a decade of community impact through its Neighborhood Partners Program (NPP), hosting a special event to honor more than 400 nonprofit organizations that have received nearly $8 million in grants since the program’s inception. This year, the program set new records, with an 11% increase in applications and $1.2 million in total giving—a 20% rise from last year’s $1 million. 

Representatives from over 100 nonprofits that have benefited from the program attended the event, sharing testimonials about its impact on their communities. The NPP provides grant funding to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that demonstrate effective programming aligned with the PSEG Foundation’s three strategic pillars: environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment.

“In ten years, the Neighborhood Partners Program has not only awarded millions in grants but has stood alongside hundreds of community-led organizations to create lasting change throughout New Jersey. NPP now serves as a role model for other funders who also seek to be catalysts for progress at the neighborhood level,” said Calvin Ledford Jr., President of the PSEG Foundation. “We are proud to support these transformative partnerships, which embody our unwavering commitment to empowering communities, tackling critical environmental and socio-economic challenges, and advancing equity—especially for those with the greatest need—so that all communities can thrive in a more sustainable and just New Jersey.”

The NPP celebration, held at PSEG’s General Office in Newark, welcomed nonprofit leaders and community members who shared stories of the program’s transformative impact. Among them were grantees from this year including HomeFront, the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, and the Northern NJ Community Foundation, whose work has touched thousands of lives across the state.

HomeFront Elevates Families in Need
HomeFront, a long-time NPP partner, has provided shelter, food, and housing support to over 25,500 New Jersey residents, including more than 700 individuals in permanent housing. This year’s NPP grant helped sustain their Food Pantry Program, which delivered over 1 million free meals and groceries to families in need.

“HomeFront is deeply grateful to the PSEG Foundation for helping us transform lives and pave the way for brighter futures,” said Meghan Cubano, Director of Development for HomeFront. “Together, we’re creating lasting change for families across Central New Jersey.”

Boys & Girls Club of Newark Enriches Lives Through STEM and Family Support
For more than 20 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Newark has received over $600,000 in PSEG support, enabling critical services such as STEM education, food assistance, and family resource programs.

“PSEG’s partnership has helped us serve thousands of youths and their families,” said Ameer Washington, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Newark. “Their support during the COVID-19 pandemic was vital, and the ongoing commitment from leaders like Calvin Ledford Jr. and Maria Spina makes them part of our family in serving Newark.”

Northern NJ Community Foundation Advances Environmental Justice
The Northern NJ Community Foundation (NNJCF) utilized NPP funding to develop the Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice Program, addressing flooding and environmental concerns.

“With the PSEG Foundation’s support, we’ve created a model rain garden, environmentally-focused public art, and a resident-led group advancing environmental justice,” said Leo Vasquez, Executive Director of NNJCF.

As the PSEG Foundation looks ahead to the next decade, it remains committed to adapting the Neighborhood Partners Program to meet evolving community needs while deepening its impact.

To view the full list of 2024 grant recipients and learn more about the PSEG Foundation’s programs, visit PSEG.com/Foundation.

About PSEG Foundation
The PSEG Foundation (501(c)(3), the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), prioritizes investments in promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment. 

Contacts:
PSEG Foundation
CorporateCitizenship@pseg.com

Media Relations
Lauren Ugorji
908-952-4381

Las Vegas Sands

The 2024 Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build achieved a major milestone in Sands’ decade-long partnership with Clean the World and its affiliated nonprofit organization, The WASH Foundation. In assembling 70,000 kits for people facing hardships in Sands’ regions, Team Members surpassed the 1 million mark for Clean the World hygiene kits built since 2014.

Marina Bay Sands Team Members put Sands over the milestone during its kit build on October 2 when more than 600 Team Members assembled 30,000 hygiene kits including shower amenities, dental care items and special messages of encouragement. Clean the World and The WASH Foundation distributed kits to people in need through Children International in the Philippines and locally by Singapore Red Cross.

“We had a lot to celebrate this year – our 10th anniversary of the annual kit build with Clean the World and our one millionth hygiene kit assembled,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility initiatives, said. “But what is most important to celebrate is the way our Team Members have made helping people facing hardships a beloved annual volunteer event with their enthusiastic and giving spirit. These milestones have happened because they’ve embraced the program so fully.”

Sands China held its build at the end of October, when 350 Team Members and community volunteers assembled 30,000 hygiene kits in just three hours. The kits were distributed to 15 community groups in Macao, Hong Kong and the Philippines for people facing hardships, natural disasters and other crises.

The 2024 Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build series concluded at corporate headquarters in early November, when Team Members worked over three days to assemble 10,000 hygiene kits that are being distributed through Clean the World’s Fresh Start Mobile Hygiene Unit, which offers free showers to homeless individuals; Project 150, which helps homeless and disadvantaged teens stay in school; The Shade Tree, Nevada’s leading domestic violence shelter and resource center; U.S. Vets; and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.

“It is amazing to consider the cumulative results of the Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build over the past 10 years,” Shawn Seipler founder and CEO of Clean the World Global and chairman of the board of Clean the World Foundation, said. “Thanks to the enduring commitment and passion of Sands and its Team Members around the world for this annual event and our mission, we have created and distributed through our partners more than one million hygiene kits to individuals and families facing hardship and crisis. They have made a difference in thousands and thousands of lives, and we thank all of the Sands Team Members who have participated for their continued contributions.”

The annual Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World supports Sands’ global priority on addressing hardship relief for people in need by delivering critical hygiene supplies to disadvantaged populations and aiding people in recovering from disasters and other crisis situations. The annual kit build is a major component of Sands’ partnership with Clean the World and The WASH Foundation. The company has provided more than $5.6 million in Sands Cares funding since 2014 to support the nonprofit organization’s water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives.

The hygiene kit build is one of three global Sands Cares programs along with the Sands Cares Global Food Kit Build and the Sands Cares Accelerator, which helps advance nonprofit organizations to achieve greater community impact. Together, these programs unify Sands’ regions around the world in helping to ensure their local communities remain great places to live, work and visit.

When it comes to laboratory environments, safety is paramount. Antea Group has created an engaging interactive tool that takes you on a virtual walk through a lab space, highlighting potential risks and management strategies.

This innovative graphic allows users to:

Identify potential EHS hazards in a typical laboratory settingLearn about risk management techniques specific to lab environmentsGain a deeper understanding of lab health and safety

By clicking through different areas of the virtual lab, users can discover various safety considerations and best practices for maintaining a secure working environment. This includes laboratory ventilation, fire safety/prevention, personal protective equipment, ergonomics, and chemical management/hygiene.

Why This Matters

For those in the bioeconomy and life sciences industries, understanding lab safety is crucial. With complex regulatory landscapes and unique challenges, proper EHS&S management is essential for:

Ensuring regulatory complianceProtecting researchers and staffSafeguarding valuable research and innovations

The Bigger Picture

This interactive tool is just one example of Antea Group’s commitment to supporting the bioeconomy and life sciences sector. With over 25 years of experience, we offer tailored solutions that address the specific needs of organizations in this field.

By providing such resources, we aim to be not just a service provider, but a strategic partner in helping bioeconomy and life sciences companies achieve their goals while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Whether you’re a lab manager, researcher, or simply interested in lab safety, this interactive graphic offers a unique and engaging way to explore the critical aspects of EHS in laboratory settings.

Check it out: 
Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content

Have questions? Reach out to our Bioeconomy and Life Sciences Team today!

About Antea Group USA

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 us.anteagroup.com.

Complimentary Webinar

Preparing for Aquaculture Feed Certification: Next Steps for Pursuing the New ASC Feed Mill Certification 

January 29, 2025 | 11:00 AM ET/8:00 AM PT

REGISTER HERE

Certification to the new ASC Feed Standard will be mandatory for ASC Certified products that utilize feed by October 31st of 2025. SCS Global Services is excited to offer a free webinar on January 29th to share the benefits, the process, and guidance to best prepare for ASC Feed Certification in 2025 and beyond.

Aquaculture feed is required in approximately 70% of global aquaculture production. However, feed is incredibly costly and complex to manufacture and therefore producing high-quality and responsible aquaculture feed is particularly critical for ensuring proper nutrition and welfare of finfish and shrimp production. As a result, ensuring responsible production, manufacturing, and provenance assurance of ingredients offers benefits including supply chain transparency, reduced risk of deforestation, overfishing, and other environmental sustainability and social responsibility issues of concern tied to aquaculture feed production.

If you are sourcing or growing ASC certified products, you will need to demonstrate feed compliance by October 31st, 2025. Beyond compliance, ASC Feed Certification can enhance your brand’s standing internationally, expand market opportunity in new regions, and drive positive change.

Join SCS on January 29th for an informative webinar. Brian Ahlers, Sustainable Seafood Specialist and Technical Sales Manager, and Adam Daddino, Director, Aquaculture, who will provide valuable insights on the following: 
– Overview of the ASC Feed Standard and its importance 
– Benefits of certification 
– Case studies to enhance your understanding of the standard in practice 
– A step-by-step description of the certification process

Register today to secure your spot!

By registering, you will get access to the webinar recording.

For inquiries, contact:

Madhumita Mohan 
Marketing Manager, SCS Global Services 
mmohan@scsglobalservices.com

MILWAUKEE, January 9, 2025 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual announced today that 174 of the company’s firms have been named to Forbes’ Best-in-State lists of Top Wealth Management Teams for 2025. This prominent national ranking signifies the teams’ industry leadership, elite capabilities, and commitment to clients.

“Millions of Americans are on a path to greater financial security thanks to the trusted partnership and expert guidance of Northwestern Mutual advisors,” said John Roberts, the company’s chief field officer. “Their commitment to clients stands apart in the industry and continues to earn well-deserved acclaim. Our 174 Forbes’ honorees – quadruple the number recognized just one year ago – are proof that Northwestern Mutual’s comprehensive approach to financial planning is resonating in the marketplace and is helping more Americans build financial security.”

The Forbes Top Wealth Management Teams lists – shown nationally and state by state – published today. The publication developed the list in conjunction with SHOOK Research, evaluating teams based upon a variety of key factors, including total revenue, headcount, assets under management and other quantitative measures, along with in-person interviews, service models, advisors’ skill sets and other qualitative criteria.

Northwestern Mutual’s financial experts continue to garner recognition, with nearly 200 named to Forbes‘ Best-in-State and Top Wealth Advisors lists earlier in 2024. The organization also leads the financial services industry with the most CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) professionals according to the publication Financial Planning.

The organization’s field force of financial advisors has never been larger, more diverse or more productive in the company’s 167-year history. At the close of the third quarter of 2024, Northwestern Mutual held more than $331 billion in client investment assets, up nearly 18% over the year prior – as well as more than $2 trillion in life insurance protection in force. With a combined $655 billion in company and client assets, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million Americans through life insurance, long-term care insurance, annuities, disability income, and brokerage and advisory services.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With over $655 billion of total assetsi being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 110 on the 2024 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2024. 

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

i Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

The value and impact of the New Zealand FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest could be seen on the face of the 2024 winner, George Dodson, when presented with his prize, and it’s a big part of the reason the CNH brand, New Holland, have come back on board as a major competition sponsor.

As part of his 2024 New Zealand FMG Young Farmer of the Year award, George received a New Holland Boomer 25C tractor, which was presented to him earlier this month by CNH Sales Manager Dave Knowles, and Alastair Robertson, from Cochranes, George’s local dealership.

George said he felt like he’d won the lottery, finally being able to get hands on his brand-new tractor.

“It’s going to be very handy around the farm, and we’ll be able to put it to work on a lot of jobs, like mowing roadsides and tanker roundabouts, as well as pulling the milk feeder to and from the bobby calves,” he said, thanking New Holland for sponsoring the competition and for the generous prize.

Dave said the competition was important for recognising the young talent within New Zealand’s agriculture industry and for highlighting the importance of agriculture and sustainability to the nation.

“New Holland is so proud to be a sponsor of this competition because these young farmers are the industry’s future, and anything we can do to encourage and support our young people to see agriculture as an exciting and important career path is a great investment,” he said.

“We’re delighted to have renewed our sponsorship for another three years and look forward to seeing the incredible talent on show for 2025 and in the future.”

In recent years, the conversation around PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—the so-called “forever chemicals”—has grown louder, and for good reason. Known for their durability and resistance to heat, oil, and water, PFAS are present in countless products, including cosmetics and personal care items. These substances not only serve functional purposes, like creating emulsions or providing oil-resistant properties, but they also appear unintentionally as contaminants or impurities in pigments, methicone, acrylates, and more.

PFAS can infiltrate the cosmetics and personal care items supply chain at multiple points, from ingredient sourcing and mixing to packaging and final product dispersion. As these chemicals persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, their potential health risks cannot be ignored.

Much of the public attention surrounding PFAS focuses on their contamination of drinking water, a critical issue that dominates headlines and social media. However, PFAS in cosmetics and personal care products deserves equal attention, especially as global regulations evolve to address these “forever chemicals.” The products we apply to our skin, hair, and faces every day may be introducing harmful substances into our bodies, often without our knowledge.

Why Are PFAS Used in Beauty Products? 

PFAS are intentionally added to cosmetics, skincare, and haircare products because of their unique properties. These chemicals enhance product performance in several ways:

Waterproofing and Long-Lasting Wear: PFAS make cosmetics like mascara, eyeliner, and foundation resistant to water and sweat, ensuring long-lasting results.Smooth Application: PFAS act as emulsifying agents, helping to blend oil- and water-based ingredients for a silky, smooth texture.Improved Spreadability: In skincare products, PFAS can create a lightweight, uniform application that feels luxurious when applying on the skin.Shine and Gloss: In haircare products, PFAS can add shine and make hair appear smooth and polished.

PFAS have been found in a wide range of beauty and self-care products, including:

Cosmetics: Foundation, concealer, blush, highlighter, lipstick, and mascaraSkincare: Sunscreen, moisturizers, anti-aging creams, and makeup primersHaircare: Hair serums, leave-in conditioners, and styling spraysNail Products: Nail polishes and topcoats for their durability and smooth finishPersonal Care Items: Shaving creams, deodorants, and lotions

While these products deliver the performance consumers desire, they also pose potential risks, making it crucial for brands and consumers alike to understand the implications.

How PFAS Can Affect Consumers 

Recent studies, such as one conducted by Abraham & Monein (2022), have highlighted the risks of dermal exposure to PFAS. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and accumulate in the bloodstream over time. In this specific study, a volunteer who applied sunscreen containing a labeled PFAS compound (C13-labeled perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which is a legacy PFAS) saw detectable levels of PFOA in their blood plasma within 22 days.

This dermal absorption is particularly concerning given how cosmetics and personal care products are used:

Daily Exposure: Products like foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen are applied to the skin every day, increasing the potential for cumulative exposure.Prolonged Contact: Many cosmetics and skincare products are designed to stay on the skin for hours, giving PFAS ample time to penetrate.Use on Sensitive Areas: Products like lipsticks and mascaras are applied near mucous membranes, potentially accelerating absorption into the body.

For consumers, this means that products intended to enhance beauty and self-care could unintentionally expose them to harmful chemicals, contributing to long-term health risks.

The Industry’s Responsibility

Brands in the beauty and personal care sector face growing pressure to address PFAS-related concerns. Beyond the health and environmental implications, the presence of PFAS in products can damage consumer trust and brand reputation. Regulatory scrutiny is also intensifying worldwide, with governments introducing stricter guidelines to monitor and limit PFAS usage.

To navigate this evolving landscape, companies need tools and expertise to detect and mitigate PFAS risks effectively.

AI-Powered Screening for PFAS

Enter Antea Group’s PFAS Screening Tool—a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) based solution designed to empower businesses in the fight against “forever chemicals.” By leveraging this tool you can:

Identify PFAS not only as active ingredients but also impurities, or contaminants in supply chain chemicals.Analyze complex datasets to provide rapid and precise results.Offer actionable insights to support regulatory compliance and risk mitigation.

Why Act Now? 

Proactively addressing PFAS risks offers significant benefits:

Consumer Trust: Show your commitment to safety and sustainability.Regulatory Compliance: Stay ahead of tightening global regulations.Risk Mitigation: Protect your brand from liability and negative associations.

A Call to Action 

At Antea Group, we partner with organizations to tackle these business challenges head-on, providing the tools and expertise needed to minimize PFAS risks and safeguard health and the environment. In addition to our PFAS Screening Tool, our Global PFAS Regulatory Dashboard can help you stay up to date on the ever-changing regulatory landscape. This comprehensive, data-driven tool provides real-time insights into evolving regulations, helping businesses mitigate risks, manage legal liabilities, and stay ahead in sustainability practices—all while reducing the costs associated with non-compliance.

Together, we can reduce the prevalence of “forever chemicals” in our products and build a healthier future.

Ready to take action? You can check out our PFAS Screening Tool here, or learn more about our PFAS Regulatory Dashboard here.

Visit our website to learn more about our PFAS solutions and how they can benefit your business.

About Antea Group USA

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 us.anteagroup.com.