Tag: 3BL

By Julie H. Case, Editor, Team Rubicon

The 2024 hurricane season is (hopefully) in the books, and once again it showcased above-average activity. From the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record—Hurricane Beryl—to back-to-back major Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the season set records. And, punished the American southeast.

After making landfall as a major Category-4 Hurricane on September 26, Helene swept into the southern Appalachians causing catastrophic flooding there, and widespread wind damage from the Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains. The National Hurricane Center’s preliminary data indicates Helene was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005.

Then came Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category-3 near Siesta Key, FL, on October 9 and spawned an outbreak of 46 tornadoes across the state. Those tornadoes, plus the torrential rainfall and localized flooding as well as the destructive storm surge Milton brought at least $3.17 billion in insurance claims within Florida to date.

In response, veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit Team Rubicon spun up operations across five states to help survivors recover from the storms. According to Deputy Director for Operations Support Lashelle Bullock, Team Rubicon leaned heavily on FedEx to deliver everything from clothing for volunteers—known as Greyshirts—to the tech equipment necessary for serving hurricane survivors to the disaster zones.

As the temperatures dropped, especially in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the nonprofit used FedEx gifts-in-kind to ship hoodies, beanies, and other cold-weather gear to 10 different Forward Operating Bases across five states. Additionally, Team Rubicon leaned on FedEx to ship critical Field Technology kits, which Greyshirts use to capture details on damage to homes that need repair as well as homeowner information.

Getting the supplies Greyshirts need into a disaster zone is no easy feat, but it is one FedEx has become quite accustomed to over the years.

“We operate like a well-oiled machine when it comes to disaster relief efforts. Being proactive to organize and plan our response into an affected area is key to helping those affected quickly,” says Heather Harshbarger, Communications Advisor at FedEx. “So, as a disaster like Hurricane Helene or Milton approaches, and in the hours after it passes, FedEx teams are meeting internally and with our supported NGOs like Team Rubicon to evaluate damage and outages in the affected areas and the routes leading to them. Then we determine what we must do to get around them.”

“Knowing that disaster relief volunteers like those with Team Rubicon will be responding as soon as possible, our FedEx teams quickly figure out how to deliver vital supplies into disaster zones,” explains Harshbarger.

To date, FedEx in-kind shipments have already helped 1,500 Greyshirts serve more than 37,500 Hurricane Helene and Milton survivors in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Originally published on NRG Energy Insights

By NRG Editorial Voices

Each year, organizations all over the globe dedicate the month of October to the promotion of breast cancer screening and prevention. At NRG, our people believe in the power of hope, and we’re deeply committed to amplifying that hope through action. Our Wear Pink, Power Hope campaign was born out of a desire to contribute to healing — not just through words, but through real, tangible support for those impacted by breast cancer.

Whether as survivors, patients, or caregivers standing beside someone with a breast cancer diagnosis, we all have a role to play in this journey. And through this campaign, we’re turning our shared experiences into a force for positive change.

Shared stories, shared strength

The true heart of Wear Pink, Power Hope lies in the stories of our employees; we’re inspired by each person’s willingness to share their experience. These are testimonies of finding joy in new perspectives, embracing strength in the face of adversity, and powering hope for others walking a similar path.

Meet Frank McKay, proud supporter of his wife Ginger, who recently underwent breast cancer treatment.

Watch Frank and Ginger’s story here

Geraldine Bendezu is a loving mother to two toddlers who was diagnosed just before her 30th birthday. Hear her story.

Watch Geraldine’s story here

Survivor Sonia LeCoq is an advocate of early detection after being diagnosed with breast cancer following her annual mammogram 12 years ago. Learn about her experience.

Watch Sonia’s story here

Michelle Cresswell was just 40 years old when she was diagnosed with and underwent treatment for breast cancer in 2011. Hear from her and her children as they reflect on the experience.

Watch Michelle’s story here

Together for hope

At NRG, we understand that awareness is just the beginning. To truly make a difference in the lives of those impacted by breast cancer, we’re channeling our energy into three key goals:

Raising funds for research

The solution to breast cancer requires more than awareness — it demands resources. That’s why we’ve launched an online storefront offering pink NRG clothing items. Not only do these items show solidarity, the money raised from our generous colleagues’ purchases have gone toward the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Breast Cancer Canada to fund the solutions that bring us closer to a world without breast cancer.

Knowledge is power

Breast cancer awareness isn’t just about wearing a ribbon — it’s about starting conversations. Throughout October, we’re encouraging all NRG employees to wear their pink apparel to work. Whether it’s a pink hard hat or learning about our colleagues’ experience in treatment, sparking dialogue reminds us of the importance of early detection and community support.

Together, we’ll turn our workplaces into symbols of hope, where every pink item serves as a reminder that no one fights this battle alone.

Prevention and support

Early detection is crucial to outcome, and that’s why we’re hosting educational webinars designed to increase knowledge about breast health, early detection, and how to approach important conversations with healthcare providers. These sessions will equip employees with the tools they need to be proactive about their health, while also offering guidance on how to support others facing a diagnosis.

In addition, we’ll be assembling HOPE kits filled with comforting and helpful items for patients undergoing treatment. These kits are a small way to show our care, letting patients know that they are seen and supported in their journey.

United for healing

At NRG, we recognize that breast cancer is a journey no one should ever face alone. Through the Wear Pink, Power Hope campaign, we’re standing united with the common goal of being part of the solution. Together, we can power hope for a brigher future, one where breast cancer is met with strength, solidarity, and unwavering hope.

Want an inside look at CES? Visit our landing page and follow our updates on 3M social channels.

Originally published on 3M News Center

Each January, the world’s biggest brands gather in Las Vegas for the most powerful tech event on the planet, CES, to unveil ground-breaking innovations that shape our future.

At CES 2025, 3M will showcase how we serve as “uncomplicators,” empowering our customers with advanced material science solutions to tackle their toughest challenges.

For our teams, CES is also a celebration of the work we’re doing in fields like mobility, climate tech, consumer products and data centers. Here’s a look at what we’re bringing to the tech event in 2025.

Spotlight on innovation

Under the theme of “uncomplicated,” 3M will focus on four key areas that reflect our drive for smarter, more sustainable solutions:

Consumer: Redefining electronics with advanced adhesives and display films, enhancing products like Lenovo’s screens

Mobility: Transforming transportation with lightweight materials that improve EV efficiency and safety, aiding automakers like GM

Climate tech: Contributing to sustainability with energy-efficient films and recyclable filter technologies

Data centers: Supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging tech with solutions for energy efficiency and sustainability

A space built for discovery

We’re making a statement this year with a 3,500-square-foot, two-story exhibition space designed to immerse CES attendees in 3M’s story. Highlights include:

Daily product launches: We’ll unveil exciting new creations, from reusable Filtrete™ Air Filters to cutting-edge robotics.

The Co.Lab experience: This hands-on area will give attendees an up-close look at what we do. Imagine seeing foldable phone displays flex without cracking or experimenting with other forward-thinking 3M solutions.

Thought leadership sessions: Every day, 3M experts will team up with partners to lead discussions on how our collaborative efforts are shaping the future of their industries — proof that innovation thrives on partnership.

The bigger picture

CES gives 3M a unique chance to connect, create and collaborate. It also allows genuine innovation to thrive. At CES 2025, we’re teaming up with brands like GM, Lenovo and others to show how our technologies bring their solutions to life.

“We’re trying to change how people think about us as a product catalog and more as ‘uncomplicators’ for the problems companies around the world are trying to solve,” said Collin Hummel, senior brand manager, who’s helping shape 3M’s CES presence. “Whether it’s foldable phones or electric vehicles, 3M is helping uncomplicate those problems for customers.”

Looking forward

Whether it’s unveiling new technology, building stronger partnerships or exploring the future of sustainability, CES drives results and fuels innovation. At 3M, we’re excited to keep the momentum going.

Want an inside look at CES? Visit our landing page and follow our updates on 3M social channels.

Saint-Gobain North America, through its building products subsidiary CertainTeed, has reduced natural gas consumption and saved nearly 1,000 metric tons of CO2 in the last year at its roofing facility in Oxford, North Carolina. These reductions represent the equivalent of CO2 emissions from nearly 112,000 gallons of gasoline consumed.1

The project, which was honored as a top sustainability initiative for Saint-Gobain North America in 2023, is part of the company’s continued efforts to implement its global Grow and Impact strategy. This strategy includes ambitious environmental sustainability goals, such as reducing the company’s energy consumption and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The achievement comes as CertainTeed Roofing nears completion on a new glass mat plant on the Oxford campus, the company’s largest-ever investment in a roofing facility in the United States.

A cross-functional team analyzed data from embedded manufacturing systems, resulting in increased coordination between departments. In alignment with Saint-Gobain’s commitment to smart, agile manufacturing, the Oxford plant was able to innovate to increase operational efficiency. These efficiencies resulted in reductions in natural gas usage and carbon emissions.

“Innovation is fundamental to Saint-Gobain, and our achievements at Oxford demonstrate our commitment to manufacturing innovation and Industry 4.0. Empowering broader teams with data is the future of manufacturing,” said Carmen Bodden, President of CertainTeed Roofing. “This success shows, once again, our commitment to be leaders in light and sustainable construction. Thank you to the entire Oxford team for your contributions to Making the World a Better Home.”

This project follows several other recent actions taken by the company to solidify its commitment towards sustainability:

Last month, Saint-Gobain announced that it had reduced waste by 49% at its CertainTeed Roofing facility in Shreveport, Louisiana by enhancing recycling practices and implementing key measures to prevent cross contamination.In October, Saint-Gobain announced CarbonLowTM, a new wallboard line that will contain up to 60% less embodied carbon. The line will be produced starting in 2025 from CertainTeed Canada’s facility in Montreal, which will be North America’s first zero-carbon (scopes 1 and 2) wallboard facility.Also in October, Saint-Gobain launched RenuCoreTM, technology that enables the recycling of asphalt shingles to be reused in hot mix asphalt paving.In September, the company’s Ceramics division achieved net-zero manufacturing at its Surface Conditioning facility in Anaheim, California.In August, Saint-Gobain enhanced operational practices at its glass mat plant in Charleston, South Carolina, saving over 4,500 MWh of energy.In July, Saint-Gobain announced that it will save over 10 million gallons of water per year through the installation of smart water submetering systems and other equipment upgrades at its CertainTeed Siding facility in Jackson, Michigan.In April, Saint-Gobain achieved Core Living Building Ready designation from the International Living Future Institute for its CertainTeed Innovation Center in Malvern, Pennsylvania.In March, Saint-Gobain announced that its CertainTeed Siding business had reduced manufacturing related emissions by 96% at three facilities in the United States.In February, Saint-Gobain completed the installation of a heat recovery system at its gypsum facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, which will lead to a 15% reduction in Scope 1 carbon emissions.

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

About CertainTeed

With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home. 

A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. www.certainteed.com

About Saint-Gobain

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

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023  
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries  
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

1 https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator#results

Watch video: Support Local Charities When You Get a New Subaru During the 2024 Subaru Share the Love® Event

Sharing the love isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Through the Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and our retailers are proud to have supported nearly 2,300 hometown charities, and by the end of this year, we will have donated nearly $320 million to charity, like the ASPCA. Learn more about the charities Subaru and our retailers support during the Subaru Share the Love Event at subaru.com/share.

In this latest blog Cascale’s Executive Vice President, Andrew Martin, shares reflections from Cascale’s Brand & Retail Forum in Brussels, where brands, manufacturers, and policymakers tackled the challenges of compliance, transparency, and harmonized action. With a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, Martin highlights the importance of alignment across the supply chain, the evolving role of tools like the Higg Index, and how EU policies such as CS3D and CSRD are shaping a more sustainable future.

Read the full blog, titled: Why Alignment, Harmonization Key at Brand & Retail Forum in Brussels

CHARLOTTE, N.C., December 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Integrating sustainability into supply chain operations is more than an ethical imperative—it’s a smart business move. A study by DP World, conducted in partnership with Supply Chain Dive’s studioID, reveals that 82% of supply chain professionals believe organizations that embrace sustainability achieve improved financial performance over time.

The report, “Sustainability Drives Financial Benefit Across Supply Chains” surveyed 150 supply chain, operations, and procurement professionals from various industries across North America. The findings reveal a significant shift in how businesses view and implement sustainability, as sustainability investments reshape how companies manage resources, select partners, and measure success.

Morten Johansen, Chief Operating Officer of DP World Americas, said: “As we observe the transformative shift in supply chain practices, it’s evident that sustainability is not just a trend but a foundational element for modern business strategies. This report highlights how integrating sustainability measures can serve as a catalyst for substantial improvements in both economic efficiency and strategic innovation. Companies are now recognizing that sustainable practices enhance operational resilience and are essential for long-term profitability.”

Key highlights from the report include:

Efficiency and Resilience Lead the Way: Over one-third (36%) of respondents are driven by the efficiency or financial gains from sustainability initiatives, while 30% highlight improved supply chain resilience. Nearly one-third (32%) see sustainability as a critical competitive advantage.Sustainability Gains Momentum. Compared to three years ago, 74% of respondents report a greater focus on supply chain sustainability and decarbonization. Additionally, eight in 10 plan increase resources, both financial and through headcount, toward sustainability over the next three years.Adapting to Change: Despite Scope 3 emissions being excluded from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s 2024 rulemaking, many organizations are incorporating similar requirements. Top strategies include reconfiguring supply chains, such as nearshoring or reshoring (25%) and collaborating across industries to achieve decarbonization goals (25%).Preparing for Carbon Accountability: Organizations are building capabilities to measure and report emissions. Top strategies include improving collaboration between accounting and supply chain teams (35%), investing in tools and systems for carbon accounting (33%), and setting clear emission reduction targets (33%).Supplier Decarbonization Capabilities: Nearly half (44%) of respondents state that a supplier’s decarbonization and sustainability capabilities are a key factor in future partnerships.

Sarah Mouriño, Senior Director, Sustainability for DP World Americas, said: “Investment in supply chain sustainability is proving its value beyond compliance and stakeholder reputation. Moving forward, supply chain decision-making – for everything from partner selection to budget allocation and network design – will consider both the economic and environmental benefits of sustainability.”

The full report, “Sustainability Drives Financial Benefit Across Supply Chains,” is available for download from the DP World website.

Survey Methodology

DP World collaborated with Supply Chain Dive to conduct an online survey, polling 150 respondents in operations, supply chain, and procurement roles across various industries. The respondents represented a diverse range of sectors, including industrial manufacturing (39%), healthcare/hospitals (20%), consumer products manufacturing (9%), and technology (9%). The largest segment of respondents came from organizations with annual revenues between $101M-$500M (19%), followed by $51M-$100M (16%), and $1.1B-$10B (15%). The survey respondents were based in the United States and Canada.

For more information, visit DP World.

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications 
M: (+1) 704-605-6159 
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World 

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses — Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW 
TO CHANGE WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

We recently marked the end of another great growing season in the Associate Garden on the Marysville campus. Thanks to our incredible group of captains, the facilities team and weekly volunteers, we harvested a total of 7,041 pounds of fresh produce that helped our local communities and even our onsite Scotts Cafe.

Associates working together

Content Manager Melissa Bond and Sr. Scientist Amy Enfield, Ph.D. lead a team of weekly volunteers and garden captains from different departments across SMG, all united in their goal to grow, educate and give back. They put in hard work and reap the rewards.

We are proud to partner with local organizations to ensure that what we grow reaches the people that need it:

Marysville Food Pantry, our primary partner, assists over 100 families each weekDublin Food Pantry receives an average of 1,000 visits from individuals and families per month. That includes serving 1,500 children and over 300 senior citizens every month.Columbus Food Rescue distributes food to local food pantries, and also uses it in their own kitchens to prepare meals and host cooking classes.

A GroMoreGood tradition

Since 2009, the gardens, along with R&D field trials, have grown and donated close to 75,000 pounds of fresh veggies—that’s more than 37 tons! Hundreds of families and thousands of individuals are impacted by our harvest donations. Now that’s how we GroMoreGood.

We grow much more than food in the Associate Garden. New growers benefit from our incredible captains and volunteers’ knowledge. For experienced gardeners, there’s always something to discover at the Associate Garden: new people to meet, new things to learn and new plants to grow, like this year’s giant corn!

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.

View original content here.

Written by Kim Allman| Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy

Gen Blog | Impact

In 2024, we’ve seen Gen make a positive impact on a global scale. Over the past fiscal year, we reached more than 5.3 million people with our Cyber Safety education and training efforts, and more than 55% of our team members participated in  programs, supporting meaningful causes with our time and expertise.

In light of these achievements, we’re proud that Gen has received several distinguished honors that recognize the difference we’re able to make together, including:

Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies for 2025Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2024Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024

We also won two Communitas Awards for our environmental sustainability initiatives and our work with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Gathering Insights from Experts and the Public 

Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies list for 2025 surveys 26,000 U.S. residents asking them to evaluate the country’s top 2,000 companies’ corporate citizenship reputations. Newsweek then examines the companies’ ESG programs based on more than 30 Performance Indicators. Against these criteria, Gen ranked 13th in our industry and 328th overall.

Additionally, Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families is based on data from more than 250,000 employees across the United States, including 113,000 working parents, who reviewed categories such as working environment, compensation & benefits, and work-life balance. On the resulting list of one thousand companies, Gen received a 4.5 rating out of 5. Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces list followed a similar methodology, interviewing more than 250,000 employees across 78 sectors, and we received a 4-star rating out of 5.

Protecting the Planet and Our Communities 

Gen also received two “Excellence in Corporate Responsibility” Communitas Awards in 2024. Winning in the “Making a Difference” category was our partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which provides the tools, skills and resources that girls and young women need to stay safe online and lead healthy digital lives. Norton, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, provides technical support for the Surf Smart 2.0, a badge earning course in digital citizenship, and Gen team members volunteered in person at this year’s Surf Smart 2.0 Program event at WAGGGS’ World Centre in Pune, India.

In addition, our Sustainability Home Improvement Program (SHIP) took home the honor for Green Initiatives. This benefit provides funding for Gen team members looking to make their homes more environmentally friendly. More than 29% of our global employee population participated in fiscal 2024. This led to the funding of more than 1,000 home sustainability projects, such as home solar systems, appliance upgrades, home gardens and more.

For more information about how we Power Digital Freedom, check out our 2024 Social Impact Report.

December 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Ceres Senior Director of Federal Policy Zach Friedman issued the following statement after the United States updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) toward global efforts to limit temperature increases from reaching catastrophic levels, pledging to achieve a 61-66% reduction in climate pollution by 2035. 

“Ceres applauds the U.S. for putting forward an ambitious, yet fully achievable, NDC that will position the country to capitalize on the private-sector momentum to build and deploy affordable, reliable, abundant American-made clean technologies and solutions.  

“As nations around the world press to reduce pollution that is dangerously overheating the planet and global demand soars for clean energy solutions, the U.S. is well-positioned to compete and lead in these critical industries. We are in the midst of a remarkable boom in clean energy and manufacturing investment, powered by the private sector and supported by federal and state policies that have unleashed it. Establishing this clear national goal will further ensure America remains a magnet for investment that delivers advanced manufacturing jobs, lowers energy costs, and boosts U.S. national security and energy independence.  

“That’s why major American businesses remain committed to staying aligned with the Paris Agreement and are calling for the U.S. to maintain its clean energy incentives and broader policy landscape. These policies provide predictability, certainty, and stability as the U.S. competes to lead in the industries that will define the future.” 

Announced after the nine-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the new NDC comes as global investors continue to call for urgent government action to address the severe financial risks of climate change. Earlier this month, more than 650 investors with $33 trillion in assets around the world announced the 2024 Global Investor Statement. Addressed to policymakers around the world, it called for a whole-of-government approach to implement economy-wide policies in line with the Paris Agreement goal to limit average temperature rise to prevent more worsening and costly disasters. Among them are policies to support industry efforts to reduce carbon emissions from high-pollution sectors and increasing private investment in climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation in emerging markets and developing economies. 

It also comes as the clean energy tax incentives included in the federal Inflation Reduction Act have unleashed a flood of private capital into building and deploying clean energy in the U.S. over the last few years. Because the law is helping to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and delivering investment to communities in red, blue, and purple states alike, it has widespread business support and has also gained bipartisan support in Congress. Last summer, 18 Republican members of the House of Representatives called for the law’s clean energy incentives to be preserved should Republican leadership seek to repeal or reform the law. And in early December, Ceres organized meetings between dozens of business leaders and more than 40 Republican Congressional offices to make the business, financial, and economic case for maintaining the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy incentives. 

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line—changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org. 

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org