Tag: 3BL

Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of public affairs at Cascale, recently attended the Green Button in Berlin, Germany, to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The Green Button is a certification label of due diligence for more sustainable textiles. Launched in 2019 by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Green Button was the first sustainability label on a product based on due diligence criteria. The event, hosted by GIZ as the Green Button Secretariat honored the Green Button’s successes and discussed how the state textile seal can continue to actively shape a more sustainable supply chain.

Alongside parliamentary state secretary Dr. Bärbel Kofler and other key industry stakeholders, von Reitzenstein participated in open discussions and working groups focused on corporate due diligence processes, their implementation, and how to incorporate sector-specific topics to heighten existing criteria for sector stakeholders. 

Von Reitzenstein highlighted Cascale’s commitment to driving positive change within the textile, apparel, and footwear industry. She pointed to key achievements in Cascale’s efforts to promote smart, harmonized regulations and support members on their compliance journey, including the “Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index” series and the recently concluded Brand & Retail Forum, which took place in Brussels and brought leaders from across the consumer goods sector together with policymakers to explore actionable strategies for a sustainable and equitable future.

The KeyBank Foundation is donating $50,000 to support the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s efforts to prevent and intervene in child abuse as well as advocate for victims. The McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, which opened in Syracuse in 2002, has helped thousands of child abuse victims and their families by providing legal, medical, psychological and social services, all in one place under one roof.

“McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit that our community simply can not live without,” said Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President. “The services and comfort they provide to children who have experienced the horrors of abuse is transformative and we are proud to support them as they continue their innovative work of responding to this great need while also advocating for the victims they selflessly serve.”

“We are incredibly grateful to KeyBank for their generous donation of $50,000 to McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy. This significant contribution will enable us to enhance our programs and provide critical support for children and families in our community,” said Colleen Merced, Executive Director, McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy. “With the help of partners like KeyBank, we can continue our mission to advocate for and protect the most vulnerable among us. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children who need it most.”

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Centers’ streamlined approach partners with law enforcement, children and family services, social workers, medical professionals, victim advocates, prosecutors, therapists, and volunteers under one roof – and preserves the best evidence for investigators in cases of child abuse or human trafficking.

Whenever possible, children tell their stories only once to a highly trained forensic interviewer who knows the right questions to ask without re-traumatizing the child. The child then connects to a victim advocate, gets one medical exam, and meets with a therapist. Team members work together to provide the child and family with the support services they need—all the way through trial and beyond.

The work done at McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center is critical and the statistics are astounding and frightening: about 1 in 10 children are sexually abused; every eight minutes a child is sexually abused; and nearly five children die every day from neglect and abuse. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect occur every day in our community. Fortunately, McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center is here to help, currently seeing more than 1,000 victims each year. The center also works to educate the public to prevent abuse.

“McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center is a shining example of an organization that helps and lifts individuals in their time of need and makes our entire community better,” said Tamika Otis, KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer in Central New York. “They are experts at bringing the right resources together at moment’s notice to help children process and overcome trauma.”

Since 2017, KeyBank has proudly invested more than $725.3 million in Central New York, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philanthropy.

Learn more about KeyBank’s commitment to helping clients and communities thrive

Originally published by Digital Insurance on Dig-In.com

Ken Hugendubler, principal at Baker Tilly, said in a previous interview with DI that he predicts M&A activity will increase across the insurance landscape next year as firms seek capital to invest in technology, AI in particular.

“Insurance has seen a technology revolution for the last 15 years, largely accelerated by insurtech,” Hugendubler said. “Almost every insurance organization has recognized the need to automate manual processes and find ways to solve challenges surrounding unstructured data, but many don’t have the capital to address these issues.”

These resources address only one part of the tech puzzle however, as firms must be careful to have proper guidelines and oversight in place to minimize the risk of misuse.

Continue reading here

Authored by Ken Hugendubler

Visit Baker Tilly’s financial services page to find more insurance insights.

Southern Company

Plant Vogtle Expansion Complete

Plant Vogtle is now the largest generator of clean energy in the nation following the successful completion of the site’s nuclear expansion project. This monumental achievement represents a long-term investment that will benefit our customers and communities for the next 60-80 years, helping ensure we meet the energy demands of our growing economy. Units 3 and 4 are the first newly constructed nuclear units in the U.S. in over three decades. Operated by Southern Nuclear, these new units will support 800 permanent, high-paying jobs.

The Most Destructive Storm in Georgia Power’s History

Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing 140 mph winds and flooding rains as it moved north into Georgia.

The storm left catastrophic damage in its wake. For Georgia Power, Hurricane Helene was the most destructive storm in the company’s 140-year history.

By Oct. 7, Georgia Power had restored service to 99 percent of the nearly 1.5 million customers, about the population of New Hampshire, impacted by the storm. This monumental effort involved more than 20,000 personnel, including teammates from Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and numerous other companies.

Atlanta Gas Light (AGL), with support from teammates from Virginia Natural Gas, safely completed more than 1,000 emergency leak calls in Augusta alone across the final four days of September. That figure represents more calls than AGL received in the first five months of 2024 combined.

The damage was so severe in places that entire sections of the power grid had to be rebuilt.

11,800+ power poles broken

1,500+ miles of downed power lines

5,800+ transformers damaged

3,200+ trees impacting lines

345+ transmission structures rebuilt or repaired

Excelling at the Fundamentals

Exemplary Nuclear Performance

During its multi-year evaluation, both Plant Farley and Plant Hatch achieved the highest performance ratings possible from the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO). This recognition represents three consecutive years of exemplary ratings for Plant Farley and the first exemplary rating for Plant Hatch since 2014. For the first time in nearly a decade, plants Vogtle 1 and 2, Farley, and Hatch are all concurrently rated as exemplary by INPO.

Solar Surge

In 2023, solar energy accounted for more than half of new U.S. electricity generating capacity for the first time, with Southern Company playing a pivotal role. Since 2015, Southern Company’s retail electric utilities have added over 2,800 MW of solar generating capacity. Estimates see a near tripling of solar by the early 2030s, with approximately 20,000 MW of renewable capacity and storage by 2030. In April 2024, Southern Power announced the commercial operation of its 30th solar site, the South Cheyenne Solar Facility. It is the company’s first site in Wyoming and expands its operational footprint to 15 states. Additionally, Southern Power announced two expansions of the Millers Branch Solar Facility in Texas, which will make it Southern Power’s largest solar facility to date and bring the total generating capacity of Millers Branch to 512 MW.

Fort Eisenhower Energy Upgrade

Georgia Power is partnering with U.S. Army Garrison Fort Eisenhower and fellow Southern Company subsidiary PowerSecure on a $72 million utility energy service contract (UESC) to enhance energy efficiency, resiliency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the 55,000-acre installation near Augusta, GA. This largest-ever UESC for Georgia Power is expected to be completed by early 2026 and is estimated to cut energy costs by $6 million annually.

Self-Healing Network Success

Mississippi Power announced that 95 percent of its customers are now served by a self-healing network, which significantly reduces the frequency and duration of outages by isolating faults and automatically restoring service to unaffected customers. Initiated in 2010 as part of the Department of Energy’s Smart Grid Investment Grant, this project has prevented nearly seven million outage minutes from the beginning of 2023 through May 2024. Over 1,000 reclosers have been installed, achieving the goal of extensive network coverage and improving grid reliability and customer satisfaction.

Mutual Assistance for Beryl

Hurricane Beryl was the earliest-forming Category 5 hurricane on record, forming in late June. After tearing through the Caribbean, Beryl, made landfall south of Houston as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8, leaving a staggering 2.3 million Texans without power. In response, more than 1,100 system crew members and contractors from Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power assisted in restoration efforts as part of the mutual effort.

Winter Storm Heather

The Southern Company system reliably served a historic amount of electricity on Jan. 17, reaching an all-time record winter peak load of 39,934 MW. The figure surpasses that of past winter weather events, including 2014’s polar vortex and 2022’s Winter Storm Elliott.

Grid Improvement Grant

Georgia Power has been awarded over $160 million by the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office to enhance grid flexibility and resilience through the GRIP Program. This funding will support the deployment of new grid-enhancing technologies, help improve the resilience of the power system against extreme weather, ensure access to affordable, reliable electricity and unlock opportunities for renewable generation deployment.

Innovating How We Make, Move and Serve Energy

NCCC Reaches Milestone

The National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), managed and operated by Southern Company on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, has surpassed 150,000 hours (about 17 years) of technology testing. This milestone advances cost-effective, commercially viable carbon management technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-based power plants and industrial sources. The center’s research also progresses technologies for carbon conversion and direct air capture.

Battery Storage Enhances Resiliency

The first grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) in Georgia Power’s history entered commercial operation at the Mossy Branch Battery Facility, capable of storing 65 megawatts (MW) of energy to enhance grid resiliency and reliability. Approved as part of the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), this facility supports the efficiency of renewable energy sources like solar by storing excess energy for use during high demand periods.

Renewable Gas Initiative

Virginia Natural Gas and Chattanooga Gas entered their first renewable natural gas purchases. The emissions reductions from the transactions are estimated to be equivalent to the carbon sequestered by over 12,000 acres of U.S. forest or an area the size of Manhattan. In April, VNG began serving more than 310,000 residential and small business customers with 100 percent Next Generation Natural Gas.

Advancing Nuclear Reactor Technology

Southern Company Services led the DOE Licensing Modernization Project (LMP) and the Technology Inclusive Content of Application Project (TICAP), pivotal efforts in modernizing the regulatory framework for advanced reactor licensing, which have now been endorsed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). These initiatives, aimed at reducing regulatory uncertainty and encouraging safer reactor designs, have significantly streamlined the licensing process for non-light water reactors, emphasizing safety and efficiency. The endorsement of the TICAP guidance underlines Southern Company’s key role in advancing the deployment of new reactor technologies, marking a milestone in collaboration between industry, the NRC, DOE, and national labs.

GM Hydrogen Fleet

General Motors, in partnership with Southern Company and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SuperTruck 3 program, will deploy a fleet of hydrogen fuel-cell medium-duty trucks. This $65 million project aims to demonstrate hydrogen as a viable alternative to diesel and to create a hydrogen-based worksite ecosystem, reducing carbon emissions. Southern Company will use the trucks as shop vehicles at its worksites, highlighting the potential for hydrogen technology in utility operations.

Growing Our Company and Communities

Expanding Smart Neighborhood Project

Nicor Gas is expanding its partnership with Habitat for Humanity to create a second Smart Neighborhood community of 13 energy-efficient homes for first-time homeowners in Northern Fox Valley. These homes will feature high efficiency building designs, solar panels, energy storage, and smart technologies to help ensure manageable energy bills and enhanced living standards.

Customer Experience Transformation

Southern Company’s multi-year customer modernization program has delivered significant value this year for our electric operating companies. In 2024, we implemented a new Meter Data Management system, centralizing and validating meter data for billing, analytics, and customer use. Additionally, the program has created and enhanced tools for our metering, customer service, and marketing teams, empowering our employees with better resources. Finally, we introduced an advanced data and analytics platform that unifies customer and meter data, making advanced analytics faster and more efficient. These updates are allowing our operating companies to use modern tools to anticipate evolving customer needs and improve first-contact engagement and resolution.

Meta’s New Alabama Facility

Alabama Power played a crucial role in bringing Meta’s $800 million data center and 100 jobs to Montgomery. The 715,000-square-foot facility will join Meta’s other Alabama data center campus in Huntsville, representing an investment commitment of $1.5 billion in the state. The project, known as “Project Slate,” required significant collaboration and a commitment to renewable energy, with Alabama Power ensuring reliable, clean energy to meet Meta’s needs.

By the Numbers

Southern Company is committed to its goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. As part of this goal, the company is aiming to reach a 50 percent reduction in GHG emissions from 2007 levels by 2030.

In 2024 we reported:

$201 million to advance racial equity and social justice in our communities since 2021.

Through our foundations and corporate giving, we invested over $90 million in grants, sponsorships and impact investments across our territories in 2023.

This year, we continued to deliver strong shareholder returns. Southern Company increased its dividend by 8 cents per share, bringing the annualized rate to $2.86 per share. This marks the 76th consecutive year that Southern Company has paid a dividend on its common stock that is equal to or greater than the previous quarter. Additionally, the company achieved record closing stock prices in Q4.

Accolades

Fortune Magazine’s #1 most admired electric and gas utility company worldwideJ.D. Power – Georgia Power ranked as the leading utility in the South for Electric Utility Business Customer SatisfactionDisability Equality Index – Top score of 100 for the eighth consecutive year, “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion”Top 10 2025 Military Friendly Employer – Honored for 18 or more yearsHuman Rights Campaign – Score of 100 on the 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index for the seventh consecutive yearInvestor’s Business Daily Most Sustainable Companies – No. 1 utility

Southern Company received the Energy Transition Award for Power at the 2024 Platts Global Energy Awards for excellence in generation, grid modernization, innovation and grid asset modernization.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this communication is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning projected growth, estimated renewable generation and storage capacity additions and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Southern Company cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward- looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Southern Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the impact of recent and future federal and state regulatory changes, including tax, environmental and other laws and regulations to which Southern Company and its subsidiaries are subject, as well as changes in application of existing laws and regulations; the extent and timing of costs and legal requirements related to coal combustion residuals; current and future litigation or regulatory investigations, proceedings, or inquiries, including litigation and other disputes related to the Kemper County energy facility and Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4; the effects, extent, and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets in which Southern Company’s subsidiaries operate, including from the development and deployment of alternative energy sources; variations in demand for electricity and natural gas; available sources and costs of natural gas and other fuels and commodities; the ability to complete necessary or desirable pipeline expansion or infrastructure projects, limits on pipeline capacity, public and policymaker support for such projects, and operational interruptions to natural gas distribution and transmission activities; transmission constraints; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction, and operation of facilities or other projects due to current and/or future challenges which include, but are not limited to, changes in labor costs, availability, and productivity, challenges with the management of contractors or vendors, subcontractor performance, adverse weather conditions, shortages, delays, increased costs, or inconsistent quality of equipment, materials, and labor, contractor or supplier delay, the impacts of inflation, delays due to judicial or regulatory action, nonperformance under construction, operating, or other agreements, operational readiness, including specialized operator training and required site safety programs, engineering or design problems or any remediation related thereto, design and other licensing-based compliance matters, challenges with start-up activities, including major equipment failure or system integration, and/or operational performance, challenges related to pandemic health events, continued public and policymaker support for projects, environmental and geological conditions, delays or increased costs to interconnect facilities to transmission grids, and increased financing costs as a result of changes in interest rates or as a result of project delays; legal proceedings and regulatory approvals and actions related to past, ongoing and proposed construction projects, including Public Service Commission approvals and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and NRC actions; the ability to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any environmental performance standards and the requirements of tax credits and other incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction; investment performance of the employee and retiree benefit plans and nuclear decommissioning trust funds; advances in technology, including the pace and extent of development of low- to no-carbon energy and battery energy storage technologies and negative carbon concepts; performance of counterparties under ongoing renewable energy partnerships and development agreements; state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations, including rate actions relating to return on equity, equity ratios, additional generating capacity, and fuel and other cost recovery mechanisms; the ability to successfully operate the electric utilities’ generation, transmission, and distribution facilities, Southern Power Company’s generation and battery energy storage facilities and Southern Company Gas’ natural gas distribution and storage facilities and the successful performance of necessary corporate functions; the inherent risks involved in operating nuclear generating facilities; the inherent risks involved in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and transportation and storage of natural gas, including accidents, explosions, fires, mechanical problems, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases and other environmental risks; the performance of projects undertaken by the non-utility businesses and the success of efforts to invest in and develop new opportunities; internal restructuring or other restructuring options that may be pursued; potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial to Southern Company or its subsidiaries; the ability of counterparties of Southern Company and its subsidiaries to make payments as and when due and to perform as required; the ability to obtain new short- and long- term contracts with wholesale customers; the direct or indirect effect on the Southern Company system’s business resulting from cyber intrusion or physical attack and the threat of cyber and physical attacks; global and U.S. economic conditions, including impacts from geopolitical conflicts, recession, inflation, tariffs, interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts; access to capital markets and other financing sources; changes in Southern Company’s and any of its subsidiaries’ credit ratings; the ability of Southern Company’s electric utilities to obtain additional generating capacity (or sell excess generating capacity) at competitive prices; catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events, political unrest, wars or other similar occurrences; the direct or indirect effects on the Southern Company system’s business resulting from incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid, natural gas pipeline infrastructure, or operation of generating or storage resources; impairments of goodwill or long-lived assets; and the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard-setting bodies. Southern Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

Southern Company is a holding company that conducts its business through its subsidiaries; accordingly, unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to Southern Company’s operations refer to those operations conducted through its subsidiaries.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, providing access to quality education and workforce readiness is more than a mission—it’s a global responsibility. Since 1997, Cisco Networking Academy has been at the forefront of this mission, equipping tens of millions of students worldwide with essential IT, AI, cybersecurity, and networking skills. But how do we truly measure the impact of this initiative? And how can we ensure it drives sustainable change for those who need it most?

As the Head of Business Insights for Cisco Networking Academy, my role involves building a robust framework to assess the program’s impact. This framework goes beyond counting class enrollments and students earning badges and certifications; it’s about understanding how we engage, empower, and elevate students globally.

Engage: Reaching Students Where They Are

Impact starts with engagement. It’s about meeting students in their communities—whether in rural schools across Africa and India, vocational centers in Latin America, community colleges in the United States, or wherever our independent learners call home. Cisco’s partnerships with local educators, non-profits, and governments create a tailored approach that bridges the gap between learners and learning opportunities.

Education research shows that engagement is most effective when it includes hands-on learning experiences, high-quality interactions with educators, and localized resources and support networks. Through our global partnerships, students receive the reliable quality of Networking Academy courses developed by experts around the globe, delivered in their own communities. This focus on local engagement ensures that students aren’t just participants but active, supported learners.

Empower: Building Skills That Matter

It’s not enough to engage students; we must empower them with skills to meet real-world demands. Cisco Networking Academy’s curriculum is designed with direct input from industry experts. This ensures our students gain the skills that companies are actively seeking. To illustrate, according to our recent outcome surveys, 98% of students viewed the skills they learned through Networking Academy as important to their career, and 96% said they regularly use the skills they learned in their daily lives.

Cisco Networking Academy further empowers learners by supporting agency and self-determination. We have designed our learning offering, pathway, delivery, and certification options specifically to create opportunities for students to personalize learning goals and outcomes. Indeed, our students report compelling courses, customizable learning, and the ability to self-pace among the top drivers of their success in the program. As Networking Academy helps individuals explore and understand their learning opportunities, we are helping them explore and understand themselves—and to make professional aspirations, once undreamed or considered out of reach, a reality.

Elevate: Creating Agents of Change

When learners are engaged and empowered, they are prepared to elevate beyond their new skills and ready to take flight. We measure success by how well students can leverage their new skills to drive positive change for themselves and in their communities. For many learners, this starts with job placement. For others, the confidence gained through the Networking Academy opens doors to entrepreneurship, leadership roles, and further education.

These job opportunities mean more than a paycheck—for many of our learners, they represent a pathway out of poverty and a step toward long-term career growth, with 80% of students saying that taking our courses helped them improve their financial standing.

The ultimate goal, however, is to empower students to become change-makers. For example, former students in India are using their skills to improve local infrastructure, while alumni in Africa have launched tech startups that hire within their communities. And 90% of our students tell us they have made a positive impact on their communities, often through knowledge and resource sharing. This ripple effect—where empowered students create opportunities for others—is the essence of sustainable impact.

“My aim is to create sustainable and impactful solutions that improve people’s lives, like developing renewable energy sources or designing more efficient ecosystems.” -Kishan, West Bengal, India

A Data-Driven Approach to Impact

Our work at Cisco Networking Academy is guided by rigorous research and a data-driven approach to impact assessment. By continually evaluating our engagement strategies, empowerment processes, and elevation outcomes, we aim to refine our framework and ensure it remains effective and inclusive. And while our framework helps us measure impact, the real success stories are those of students whose lives are transformed—one skill and one opportunity at a time.

As we look to the future, I invite fellow educators, policymakers, and business leaders to join us in expanding this impact.

Are you ready to be part of this journey?

The Networking Academy is more than an educational program; it’s a catalyst for global change. By engaging students where they are, elevating their skills, and empowering them to lead, we can create a more inclusive and skilled workforce. And as we continue to gather insights and refine our framework, we remain committed to making a tangible difference for the communities we serve.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all metrics are derived from the fiscal 2024 Student Outcome Survey, focusing on respondents who have completed at least one Networking Academy course.

View original content here.

SWORDS, Ireland, December 23, 2024 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, has been named to the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the fourth consecutive year and the North America Index for the fourteenth consecutive year. The company performed in the 98th percentile in the Building Products industry in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA score as of November 22, 2024), with a score of 100 in the Energy category, highlighting excellence in energy consumption and management programs.

“Inclusion in the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices highlights our steadfast commitment and leadership in driving meaningful environmental change,” said Dave Regnery, Chair and CEO of Trane Technologies. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team members, who consistently strive to fulfill our purpose of boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world.” 

Trane Technologies’ inclusion in the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices highlights the company’s leadership and impact in sustainability, as well as its strong financial performance. 

In September, the company became the first in its industry to commit to a 40% reduction in embodied carbon by partnering with material suppliers and incorporating circular design criteria, addressing the significant carbon footprint of buildings. This commitment builds on Trane Technologies’ 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge, and its pledge to be net-zero by 2050. The company’s emissions reduction targets have been externally validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Renowned for its transparency, credibility and accountability, Trane Technologies has recently received several additional recognitions for its performance and culture. The company was named to The Wall Street Journal’s Management Top 250 ranking for the fourth consecutive year, honored in multiple categories of Extel’s 2024 All-America Executive Team and was included in TIME’s inaugural ranking of the World’s Best Companies for Sustainable Growth.

The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index represents the top 10% of the 2,500 largest companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index (BMI) based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. The North America Index represents the top 20% of the 600 largest U.S. and Canadian companies in the S&P Global BMI. The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) is an annual evaluation of companies’ sustainability practices, and its scores are used to determine which companies are included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

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About Trane Technologies 
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. For more on Trane Technologies, visit www.tranetechnologies.com.

About S&P Dow Jones Indices 
S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit: www.spglobal.com/spdji.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our earnings outlook, sustainability commitments and the impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Written by Emma Brownstein| Corporate Communications

Gen Blog 

Life often pulls us in many directions, but for caregivers, the demands can feel especially heavy. Balancing a career while caring for loved ones, whether children, aging parents or even yourself, requires patience, resilience and a strong support system.

At Gen, the CARES community has become a lifeline for employees navigating these challenges. Designed to provide a network of encouragement, resources and shared experiences, CARES encourages connection and understanding among working caregivers.

To understand its mission and impact, we spoke with Peter Courtney, P&C Business Partner at Gen and co-champion of CARES.

Personal Connection 

Peter’s journey with CARES is deeply personal. “I was leading Wellness at Gen when the opportunity came to co-champion CARES,” said Peter. “As someone in a caregiver role myself—my mom is 82 years old and lives in Florida—I knew I wanted to be part of a community that recognizes the unique challenges caregivers face.”

For Peter, caregiving means providing emotional support and making regular trips to be with his mom, all while managing his career. His experiences inspired him to lead CARES and share his journey with others who might be facing similar challenges.

Building a Supportive Community 

CARES isn’t just a resource; it’s a thriving community that provides employees with the tools and camaraderie to manage life’s complexities. From caring for an aging parent to raising children or focusing on self-care, CARES recognizes that caregiving takes many forms.

“Whether you’re supporting a loved one or navigating self-care, CARES is a place to share best practices, ask questions and connect with others who understand your journey,” said Peter.

Under Gen’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, CARES serves as a foundation for creating connection and support across Gen.

Safe Space for Connection 

Through meetings, webinars and a Teams channel, CARES creates a space where employees can share their challenges and triumphs. These platforms allow members to exchange ideas, hear from speakers and feel seen.

“These platforms allow employees to ask questions, share stories and learn speakers,” Peter says. “It’s all about creating a community where people feel comfortable sharing their lived experiences.”

Resources to Navigate Life 

The CARES webpage equips employees with practical tools and resources to help balance caregiving and work. Members have access to educational materials, webinars and TED Talks, as well as information about Gen’s benefits like the Employee Assistance Program and leave-of-absence options.

“We highlight programs like the Employee Assistance Program, which is a free benefit for all employees,” said Peter. “CARES ensures caregivers know about the resources available to them, so they can thrive.”

Why CARES Matters for Everyone 

Even employees who aren’t currently caregivers can benefit from CARES. As Peter points out, caregiving can come unexpectedly: “Whether it’s for a parent, a friend or yourself, being part of CARES prepares you for challenges you might face in the future. It’s about learning from others’ experiences and building resilience.”

The Bigger Picture 

CARES embodies Gen’s belief that life extends far beyond the workplace. Supporting employees reflects the understanding that well-being is essential for professional and personal success.

“At Gen, we have competing priorities, but life happens outside of work,” said Peter. “Being part of a community like CARES helps us learn from and support each other in meaningful ways. It’s a wonderful resource for anyone navigating caregiving or simply seeking connection.”

Southern Company

It has been an incredible year for Southern Company.

We did big things. We made history.

In 2024, we embodied Our Values and worked together as One Team to bring our vision of a clean energy system to life.

In April, we achieved a monumental milestone with the successful completion of the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion project. Bringing the first new nuclear reactors online in the United States in over 30 years was no small feat. Thanks to the relentless efforts of thousands of our team members, Plant Vogtle now stands as the largest generator of clean energy in the nation.

This year also brought unprecedented challenges. Hurricane Helene was the most destructive storm in Georgia Power’s history, grounding more than 1,500 miles of power lines and leaving millions of Georgians without electricity. Our system-wide response was nothing short of extraordinary. Over 20,000 personnel were mobilized, working tirelessly to restore power and rebuild critical parts of our energy infrastructure. Together, we built back our communities stronger.

It is an exciting time to be at Southern Company. The projected historic growth across our service territory presents incredible opportunities for both our company and the communities we serve. We continue to challenge our leaders to approach these opportunities with a vision of innovation and collaboration, always keeping our customers at the center of all we do.

Reflecting on our 2024 accomplishments fills me with immense pride. This year, we had the distinct honor of being named the No. 1 most-admired electric and gas utility by Fortune magazine. This recognition highlights the exceptional service of our 28,000 employees and demonstrates that how we approach our work is just as important as the work itself. Together, as One Team, I know we will continue to Rising Together in the upcoming year.

The best is yet to come.

Chris Womack

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Southern Company

As we work to build more sustainable sourcing practices throughout our supply chain at Bath & Body Works, an ingredient of immediate focus is palm oil. This is an ingredient we identified through our sustainable sourcing risk assessment, a tool that allows us to better understand the social and environmental implications of the materials used in the most critical areas of our business. One of the sustainability challenges with palm oil is deforestation caused by palm oil plantations that can have negative impacts to wildlife and biodiversity.

This year, we’re making progress on our sustainable palm journey by officially becoming a member of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). RSPO is the leading 3rd party membership organization and certification to promote the growth and use of sustainable palm oil through global standards. Solidifying our membership means a commitment to a reaching 100% certified palm oil. We also want to do our part to support more sustainable production models in the palm value chain. These efforts all contribute to Bath & Body Works initial commitment to source 100% sustainable palm oil through the purchases of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Mass Balance materials and Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) credits throughout our supply chain by 2030. This is an important first step as we pursue sourcing sustainable palm oil.

Getting on this path of ensuring that all our palm oil is sustainably sourced required an enormous amount of collaboration and research. We embarked on our sustainable palm oil journey in 2023. First, we worked to have a better understanding of what products and ingredients in our portfolio contained palm oil. A majority of our palm oil footprint is made of palm derivatives, which is palm oil that is processed further and used in materials that are in some of our most iconic products — like our candles.

Armed with the primary data on our palm oil footprint coupled with our new sustainability risk assessment tool, we established our palm baseline for 2022. We used the North American Sustainable Palm Oil Network’s list of palm derivatives to inform our baseline and start calculating our footprint. In parallel, our ESG data acquisition process which collects data from key packaging and formula suppliers, helped us review primary source and feedstock information where appropriate. All this information combined provided us with a more informed perspective on our palm oil usage. In calendar year 2022, we used approximately 26.5k metric tons of palm oil.1

We look forward to adapting our strategy in the future as we continue to learn, grow and align with evolving market trends and engage with our supply chain.

To learn more, check out our 2023 ESG report at bbwinc.com.

 

1Our palm oil baseline footprint is based on calendar year 2022 data and was calculated using a formula that multiplied our product weight, by the unit sales, by the percentage of palm derivative ingredients in the applicable products; this included all products that contain a material that is confirmed or potentially palm-derived. This baseline does not include the palm derivatives used to produce our fragrance oils.

​In a season filled with holiday traditions, many PNC markets celebrate the tradition of giving back to those in need in their local communities.

A warm tradition in Central Illinois​​

The Central Illinois volunteerism market, led by Jenna Wiesner and Dustin Wikoff in the Regional President’s office, has been teaming up with Operation Warm since 2019 to ensure local children have what they need for winter. This year, PNC distributed 1,630 new winter coats worth $40,000 to early education centers in Springfield, Decatur, Rantoul, East Peoria, Peoria and Bloomington. To date, PNC has provided over 5,500 coats to children in Central Illinois.

A fuzzy fashion drive in Jacksonville​​

North Florida teamed up with the Early Learning Coalition of Duval to provide Thanksgiving baskets and winter items like socks, slippers, hats, gloves and even stuffed animals to help families at The Weldon housing community stay warm.

Branches competed to collect the most donated items, with the winning branch earning a free employee breakfast. The Fort Caroline branch, managed by Melissa Larsuel, won and earned a grant for the organization by volunteering and donating for the drive. The team’s grant amount was doubled thanks to a Double the Impact challenge celebrating volunteer efforts during the 20th anniversary year of PNC Grow Up Great, the company’s signature philanthropic program focused on early childhood education. Finally, a team of PNC volunteers distributed the items at a family fun day that included games and nutrition education.

Stocking Minnesota teachers for success​

The Minnesota market gave back to pre-K teachers who are making a difference for our youngest learners through the Kids In Need Foundation. Teachers pay nothing to shop at KINF’s Resource Center in Roseville, Minnesota, to get the supplies they need to support their students. PNC volunteers took over the Resource Center for a day, helping teachers stock up on supplies to transform their classrooms and create environments where every child has the chance to thrive.

Inspiring innovative futures in Central PA​​

Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, a group of PNC volunteers, including PNC Regional President Jim Hoehn, joined United Way of the Capital Region in chaperoning low-and-moderate income elementary school students on a fun-filled trip to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. The Center features the PNC Innovation Zone, a state-of-the-art space that engages youths in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through purposeful gaming and innovative programming like afterschool programs and Girls Who Code.​

Building Brighter Futures in Northwest PA​​

For the 16th year, the Northwest Pennsylvania market distributed coats to more than 1,300 children across five counties through a PNC Grow Up Great grant and Operation Warm. The PNC team, including Regional President Jim Stevenson, spent a morning at Century Child Development Center helping students pick out their new coats – and shooting a few hoops as well.

The market also served as presenting sponsor for the Festival of Trees, an annual fundraising event for Children’s Miracle Network at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital and its Talent Attraction Program, which provides tuition assistance to students earning a degree in healthcare. Client and Community Relations Specialist Michelle Schrimper decorated the PNC tree, this year themed around Building Brighter Futures in recognition of PNC Grow Up Great’s 20th anniversary.

Finally, Northwest PA sponsored 10 Lincoln Elementary students and their families through a PNC Giving Tree. These Erie families will have a brighter holiday season as employees purchased clothes, toys and books. In all, 50 students will be receiving gifts through the Holiday Support Program and the United Way Community School Bank Coalition.

Giving the Gift of Joy in Toledo​​​

Each year, the PNC Toledo team comes together to celebrate the holidays by donating new, unwrapped gifts to foster children in Lucas County Children Services through WTOL-TV’s Gift of Joy sponsored by PNC.

Through this longtime partnership with the local news station, Bill McDonnell, PNC regional president for Toledo and Northwest Ohio, helps to promote the program through news spots, commercials, and a live interview on the event day.

For the celebration, PNC rents a trolley and loads it with toys, and employee volunteers deliver the gifts to the news station. Afterward, everyone gathers at the office to celebrate with a warm holiday luncheon. It’s one of PNC Toledo’s favorite days of the year – and results in thousands of toys to brighten the holidays for more than 2,000 children in the foster care system.​