Tag: 3BL

As the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) opens in Baku, Azerbaijan, the global community continues to face an urgent call to action on climate change. Coordinated, innovative solutions are paramount to addressing this complex crisis, and advanced technology – especially AI – stands as a powerful enabler for transitioning to a net-zero economy. Recognizing AI’s potential to drive climate action, SAP has delivered two use cases that highlight how AI-driven sustainability software can streamline processes, eliminate manual work, and enhance precision.

With automated Emission Factor Mapping in SAP Sustainability Footprint Management and AI-assisted ESG Report Generation in SAP Sustainability Control Tower, SAP can support companies in setting meaningful environmental targets, ensuring compliance, and managing carbon footprints with heightened efficiency and accountability.

“Sustainability executives are on board with artificial intelligence. More than half say improving data analysis and consolidation using AI are top actions they will be taking over the next three years to enhance ESG capabilities.”

-Addressing the Strategy Execution Gap in Sustainability Reporting, KPMG, February 2024

Emission Factor Mapping in SAP Sustainability Footprint Management

To calculate product carbon footprints accurately, companies must assign emission factors to thousands of purchased products. Ideally, emission factors are provided directly by suppliers, but often companies need to use industry averages based on product attributes like name, category, or location. Up until now, this mapping process has been a manual, time-consuming, and error-prone task that required expertise in lifecycle assessment (LCA), determining the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the lifecycle of a product, process, or service.

Drive scalability, standardization, and trust in carbon data exchange across your supply chain

Learn more

To help make this process easier and more efficient, SAP has introduced an AI-based capability within the SAP Sustainability Footprint Management solution. SAP’s AI engine can automatically suggest emission factor mappings for purchased products and services and can assign a similarity score to each recommendation.

For the mapping, SAP generates embeddings for both, emission factors from LCA databases and product data from the ERP system. Embeddings are vector representations – numerical representations of textual information to provide context and meaning of a text. Both sets of embeddings are saved in SAP HANA Cloud vector engine.

The system compares these embeddings to help identify the quality of the mapping and provide suggested results. This helps businesses reduce manual effort by up to 80% and calculate product and corporate carbon footprints quicker and with greater precision, even without LCA experts. It can also accelerate their sustainability reporting timelines and help them respond faster to regulatory demands.

AI-Assisted ESG Report Generation in SAP Sustainability Control Tower

In addition, SAP embedded a generative AI-powered reporting capability within SAP Sustainability Control Tower. Creating sustainability reports that align with internal strategies and meet external standards, such as the CSRD, is essential for staying compliant and transparent. However, gathering relevant environmental, social, and governance data and drafting these reports can be highly resource-intensive, involving multiple teams and complex data sources.

That’s why SAP’s AI capability helps generate comprehensive ESG report drafts based on best-practice templates and the company’s available ESG metrics. Once users select a template, AI can automatically collect the most relevant metrics from SAP Sustainability Control Tower, create graphs to visualize the data, and generate a polished report draft. That helps companies spend up to 98% less time collecting ESG metrics and up to 80% less time in creating a report.

Some key benefits of the feature include:

Efficient data utilization: The AI-powered solution leverages large language models and SQL grounding techniques, which help transform natural language inquiries into precise database queries that access real-time data from structured databases. That’s how it transforms raw data from customers’ systems into accurate, comprehensive reports tailored to specific timeframes.Visualization: The AI generates insightful textual content through SQL-based data retrieval, helping to ensure data integrity and compliance. Additionally, it creates visually appealing charts and tables to help enhance report clarity and understanding.Automated verification: Our robust system prioritizes data security by avoiding direct SQL query execution and employing a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) process to help safeguard against informational discrepancies.

Watch a demo to learn more.

The Future of AI in Sustainability

The use cases above are just the beginning. AI’s potential to transform sustainability management is enormous, and at SAP we are accelerating the creation of use cases to be at the forefront of our customers’ sustainable transformation journeys. For example, users will be able to interact through natural language with SAP’s AI copilot Joule that can offer actionable recommendations and simulations to help improve environmental and social performance. And we will continue to apply AI to make the acquisition of sustainability data easier.

Using SAP’s ERP-centric, cloud-based, AI-enabled approach, we’re working to ensure AI’s massive potential turns into both real business transformation and sustainability outcomes. AI and technology can help us better understand and monitor the environment, improve energy efficiency, optimize resource management, and develop innovative solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As COP29 convenes in Baku, it is essential for global leaders and decision-makers to fully explore AI’s transformative role in addressing climate change. The urgent demands of this crisis call for the kind of innovative, AI-driven solutions that can unlock greater precision, efficiency, and impact. By leveraging AI not only to streamline business operations but also to set and meet ambitious environmental goals, we are shaping a future where technology empowers businesses to thrive responsibly, contributing actively to a sustainable and resilient planet.

Gunther Rothermel is chief product officer and co-GM for SAP Sustainability.

ASHEVILLE, N. C., December 5, 2024 /3BL/ – This month, the first of 10 million trees pledged by the Arbor Day Foundation to accelerate tree recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton will be handed out in Asheville. The Arbor Day Foundation will work in collaboration with local planting partner, Asheville Greenworks and funding partners, Bank of America and MathWorks.

“Asheville was undoubtedly among the most impacted by the back-to-back hurricanes this fall. Yet, in the wake of such immense disaster, hope still stands,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Our team has been awed by the resilience of Asheville Greenworks and their eagerness to replant trees following Helene and Milton. We’re grateful to be in a position to empower these tree champions and lead on tree recovery efforts in Asheville and the many other communities and forestlands hit by these hurricanes. We know the road to full recovery is long, but we’re going to be there every step of the way, ready with millions of trees.”

By the end of December, 1,200 free trees will have been made available for reservation online at ashevillegreenworks.org/shop.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s pledge to help restore tree canopy in the six states affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton will bring 10 million trees to the region over the next four years. The Foundation has been heavily invested in assisting disaster-affected communities and forestlands since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005 and has planted and distributed millions of trees as a result. The work has aided recovery efforts following hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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With harvest having just wrapped in some regions, and being full-steam ahead in others, CNH brand, Case IH, is already looking to 2025 with its combine ordering period for next year now open.

The Axial-Flow 260 Series includes dual Pro 1200 displays, providing a comprehensive view of every aspect of the 260 Series’ operation. The large displays feature an anti-glare screen for optimum visibility and allow for instant grain quality imaging for a real-time, high-definition look at harvested grain.

Case IH’s Harvest CommandTM combine automation technology really comes to the fore in the Axial-Flow 260 Series, and AF9 and 10 Series, designed to help refine the harvesting process by reducing the number of functions operators need to monitor in the cab.

The AF9 and AF10 Series have been designed with enhanced power, efficiency, sustainability and throughput in mind. The AF9’s 634 horsepower and the AF10’s 775 horsepower provide the power to maximise crop flow while increasing speeds, but without putting any additional pressure on the machine.

Read the full story here.

As Comcast NBCUniversal celebrates Veterans Day, they are proud to announce their recognition, for the third consecutive year, as the nation’s leading telecommunications company and a top-three overall employer in the Military Times’ “Best for Vets” rankings. Additionally, they are honored to be named a Top 10 Military Friendly® Spouse Employer for the first time, highlighting their ongoing commitment to supporting military families.

“At Comcast, we recognize that hiring and empowering veterans and military spouses strengthens our company,” said Mona Dexter, Vice President of Military and Veteran Affairs.

Our military-connected employees bring invaluable skills, adaptability, and dedication to their work, and we are proud to be recognized for creating an environment where they can thrive personally and professionally.

Mona Dexter

Vice President of Military and Veteran Affairs

In less than a decade, Comcast NBCUniversal has hired over 21,000 veterans, military spouses, and National Guard and reserve service members, offering them meaningful careers and opportunities for advancement. Their commitment to inclusivity and support is also reflected in their military-ready employee benefits, such as Military Spouse Transfer Assistance and their best-in-class Military Concierge services, which have set a high standard across the industry.

Comcast’s Veterans Network (VetNet) employee resource group is another great example of how their connection to the military community has influenced their company culture. With over 7,000 members, this group serves as a vital support system for their military-connected teammates, providing opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development. VetNet members also engage in several community-driven initiatives each year, including Wreaths Across America and Operation Old Glory.

The Military Times Best for Vets: Employers ranking is based on a rigorous, voluntary survey that assesses companies on their policies, practices, and benefits for veterans and their families. Similarly, the Military Friendly® Spouse Employers rating celebrates organizations that excel in supporting military spouses through policies that foster a supportive culture, provide career advancement opportunities, and ensure compliance with military-related regulations.

“Organizations earning the Military Friendly® Employers designation have wholeheartedly invested in comprehensive and impactful initiatives that bring about positive, life-changing results for our valued service members, dedicated military spouses, and esteemed veterans within their ranks,” said Kayla Lopez, Sr. Director of Partnerships at Military Friendly®. “We salute these exemplary employers who raise the bar and understand that hiring military personnel is not merely an act of goodwill but a testament to a standard that truly embodies sound business wisdom. Their commitment to integrating military personnel into their workforce not only reflects their compassion but also underscores their business acumen.”

In addition to these honors, Comcast NBCUniversal has earned the 2025 Military Friendly® Supplier Diversity Program Award, Top 10 Military Friendly® Brand Award, and Top 10 Military Friendly® Company Award.

To learn more about their commitment to the military community, visit military.comcast.com. Jobseekers can explore opportunities at Comcast Careers and NBCUniversal Careers.

By Liz Peters

This holiday season, it’s not a hit movie ticket or must-have toy you should be concerned with getting your hands on: it’s a pass to IWBI’s Social Sustainability Summit in New York City. On December 13, this groundbreaking, full-day event will be solely dedicated to driving the future of social sustainability. Don’t miss out.

Aligned closely with the “S” in ESG, from IWBI’s perspective, social sustainability is the practice of managing and optimizing an organization’s impact on its people, community and broader societal systems. Through IWBI’s ESG and Sustainable Finance initiatives, we bring this definition to life. We offer evidence-based interventions that help organizations improve health outcomes, track their progress and align their efforts with broader goals. This includes leading the conversation on integrating social sustainability into financial strategies.

Two powerhouses help activate this work. With a mixed background in public health, finance, law, sustainability–and of course, getting things done–Kelly Worden, Vice President, ESG and Social Sustainability, and Minjia Yang, Vice President and Head of Sustainable Finance, set an agenda for progress.

Hear from true experts as they break down why you should care about the influence of social sustainability now more than ever before.

In straightforward terms, what does “social sustainability” mean to you? How does it best relate to the built environment, organizational strategy and community empowerment?

Kelly:

Social sustainability means emphasizing the “people” arm of the original “people, planet, profit” definition of “sustainability.” From a profit-focused perspective, this emphasis makes sense as people are what give any company value: employees, customers, communities, supply chains and investors are all composed of people.

From a public health-focused perspective, this emphasis also makes sense as companies impact population health particularly through the social and economic determinants of health.

Social sustainability will manifest differently depending on the industry. Within my focus, I’ve seen a significant increase in market engagement with social sustainability over the past 10 years. Real estate companies first focused on occupant experience, then community engagement and now, increasingly, supply chain impacts.

Minjia:

Social sustainability is about embedding equity, inclusion and opportunity into the very fabric of how organizations operate. From my perspective, it’s not only about the built environment but also about creating systemic change through regulations and financial strategies that shape corporate and financial market behavior.

For example, regulatory frameworks like the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are pushing companies to be more accountable for their social impacts, and sustainable finance is enabling organizations to translate these social priorities into measurable outcomes. Social sustainability relates to how businesses can address the needs of their employees, supply chains, consumers and communities, ensuring that their strategies create value for all stakeholders while reducing risk and driving long-term success.

IWBI’s approach to social sustainability is rooted with a people-first, community-centric lens. Why is it important for organizations to care about social sustainability? Why should employees?

Minjia:

Organizations that integrate social sustainability into their strategies are future-proofing themselves. By addressing regulatory requirements or leveraging sustainable finance mechanisms, they’re not just complying but leading. This proactive approach reduces risk, builds trust with investors, and demonstrates a commitment to long-term value creation.

For employees, working at an organization that prioritizes social sustainability means being part of a workplace that values their well-being, equity and professional growth. It’s about creating environments where people feel valued and empowered, which drives engagement and innovation.

Kelly:

There is a growing body of research linking “social performance” to financial performance. IWBI’s Investing in Health Pays Back campaign highlights this research. [See infographic above.]

With various financial frameworks and systems taking greater steps to integrate ESG considerations, can you share a success story that highlights the real-world impact of this work?

Kelly:

Throughout the course of this year, IWBI teamed up with GRESB, the leading provider of ESG benchmarks for real estate, to host a series of industry roundtables focused on improving real estate investor engagement on social sustainability. With widespread interest, the roundtable series convened over 60 market leaders in New York, Sydney and London. Those discussions provided a glimpse into an industry in transition.

There is growing recognition of social sustainability’s importance. There are also remaining challenges related to standardization and measurement. Insights from the roundtables will inform the development of resources to guide more effective engagement on social sustainability, including developing a social sustainability dashboard that communicates the real estate industry’s social performance based on data currently gathered by the GRESB Real Estate Assessment.

Minjia:

We are glad to see more organizations using WELL as a social performance indicator in driving sustainable finance strategies. CapitaLand Development recently secured two sustainability-linked loans totaling $600 million, aligned with the WELL Standard and Singapore’s Green Mark certification. This dual alignment highlights a commitment to both environmental and social sustainability. By embedding measurable ESG targets into its financial strategy, CLD demonstrates how financial frameworks can drive meaningful progress in sustainable development and well-being, supporting broader goals like net-zero emissions and healthier communities.

There are several esteemed speakers set to attend the event in a beautiful, WELL Certified space. What’s the one reason we can’t afford to miss this event?

Minjia:

The panel Global Sustainability Regulations – Navigating the New Frontier provides an opportunity to delve into sustainability regulations from a genuinely global perspective, featuring insights from experts representing Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. As regulatory landscapes shift, understanding their regional interconnections is essential for businesses aiming to stay competitive and compliant. This session allows attendees to hear directly from policymakers and advisors shaping these frameworks, offering practical strategies to align operations with evolving ESG and sustainability standards. For those looking to navigate the complexities of global regulations effectively, this is a must-attend discussion.

Kelly:

I am most excited about how the Summit’s positioned to explore the topic of social sustainability through a variety of lenses and perspectives. Panel discussions will provide a look at how leading companies across industries are taking action, including the pharmaceutical, biotech, real estate and financial industries. We will close out the day by focusing on the critical topic of the just transition: how to elevate people and social equity as we transition to a greener, more sustainable economy.

Register today.

View original content here.

Eastman

KINGSPORT, Tenn., December 5, 2024 /3BL/ — A groundbreaking new study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering reveals that cellulose diacetate (CDA)-based foams made with Eastman Aventa™ compostable materials rapidly biodegrade in the marine environment. The article concludes that biodegradable, CDA-based foams are commercially useful and will not persist in our oceans as plastic pollution.

Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the world’s leading independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean research, exploration and education, led the study. WHOI’s research and journal article focuses on CDA-based foams made with Aventa, which lost up to 70% of their mass after 36 weeks of incubation in seawater. In contrast, polystyrene foams — a material commonly used for food packaging — showed no signs of degradation. The study found that CDA foams degrade faster than any material evaluated under environmentally relevant marine conditions — more than quadruple that of paper and up to 1,000 times greater than solid polypropylene, polystyrene and polylactic acid (PLA).

“Foaming biodegradable bioplastics like Aventa offer a promising strategy to reduce the environmental impact of frequently mismanaged consumer plastics, particularly in food packaging applications,” said Collin Ward, associate scientist at WHOI and lead researcher for the study. “These materials not only degrade rapidly in the ocean but also support circularity and material efficiency.”

The study dives deeper into a systems-level assessment for redesigning plastic articles for food packaging applications, considering material performance, economics, sustainability and circularity. Aventa is a cellulosic material derived from sustainable wood pulp, ensuring a renewable and sustainable beginning of life, and its compostability translates into a sustainable end of life.

Polystyrene is commonly used in food packaging, but it is not biodegradable and is difficult to recycle. The study concludes, through calculations that include annual consumption rates and the social costs of pollution, that switching from polystyrene to CDA-based foams for food trays could potentially save society more than $1 billion by reducing costs associated with plastic pollution. The study highlights the need for holistic assessments of environmental impact to avoid swapping one issue for another.

“Traditional plastic foams face challenges in end-of-life management, often unintentionally ending up as plastic pollution in the environment,” said Jeff Carbeck, vice president of Eastman corporate innovation and care solutions technology.  “Eastman Aventa materials offer a sustainable alternative, and this research shows that CDA-based foams will not contribute to persistent marine plastic pollution.”

Aventa is also being used as a compostable solution for other single-use applications such as disposable straws and cutlery.

For more information, read the full article in the October 2024 issue of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c05822 or visit www.eastman.com/aventa.

About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, nonprofit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate an understanding of the ocean’s role in the changing global environment. WHOI’s pioneering discoveries stem from an ideal combination of science and engineering — one that has made it one of the most trusted and technically advanced leaders in basic and applied ocean research and exploration anywhere. WHOI is known for its multidisciplinary approach, superior ship operations, and unparalleled deep-sea robotics capabilities. We play a leading role in ocean observation and operate the most extensive suite of data-gathering platforms in the world. Top scientists, engineers, and students collaborate on more than 800 concurrent projects worldwide — both above and below the waves — pushing the boundaries of knowledge and possibility. For more information, please visit www.whoi.edu.

About Eastman 

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

CALGARY, Alberta, December 5, 2024 /3BL/ – Benevity, Inc., the market-leading global provider of corporate social responsibility solutions, announced that over $140 million was donated to nonprofits through its platform on GivingTuesday. This marks another milestone day of donations and volunteer efforts supported on Benevity’s platform with 637 companies participating this year.

With more than 148,000 individuals coming together to support over 56,000 nonprofits across 122 countries and territories this year, Benevity saw donation dollars per donor increase by an estimated 2% year over year. The most popular causes that companies and individuals contributed to this year include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and United Way Greater Toronto.

“In a year marked by polarization, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly challenging social climate for companies, the corporate community has demonstrated the power of standing united in purpose and generosity, showing how collective action can bring us together,” said Christopher Maloof, CEO of Benevity. “This year’s remarkable GivingTuesday results are a testament to the corporate community’s unwavering commitment to doing good, even giving both of their wallets and time with a notable growth in volunteering time committed to nonprofits. GivingTuesday continues to inspire ongoing action, showing the powerful impact of aligning corporate influence with employee-driven purpose and passion.”

This year’s corporate efforts also went beyond employee donations and matching programs, shining a spotlight on volunteer initiatives as interest and engagement in volunteering continue to surge. Almost 260,000 volunteer hours were logged by more than 21,000 individuals – a remarkable 17% increase in individual participation compared to 2023.

“This year’s record-breaking donations and participation demonstrate the incredible power of collective action,” said Asha Curran, CEO, GivingTuesday. “Together, through our collaboration with partners like Benevity, we united millions, raising $3.6 billion in the US alone. Each donation, each act of generosity, showcases the enduring spirit of people around the world.”

To learn more about Benevity, please visit: https://benevity.com/.

About Benevity
Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is the market-leading provider of corporate social responsibility (CSR) solutions supporting corporations around the world to activate their CSR strategies and measure impact. Recognized as one of Fortune’s Impact 20, Benevity offers cloud solutions that power purpose for many iconic brands in ways that better attract, retain and engage today’s diverse workforce, embed social action into their customer experiences and positively impact their communities. Through community investment and employee, customer and nonprofit engagement solutions in over 22 languages, Benevity has processed more than $15 billion in donations and 79 million hours of volunteering time to support 470,000 nonprofits worldwide. The company’s solutions have also facilitated 1.3 million micro-actions and managed 845,000 grants worth $16 billion. For more information, visit benevity.com.

Media Contact:
press@benevity.com

The first report explores scenarios of AI’s electricity consumption over the next decade, while the second report demonstrates how AI-powered HVAC systems can improve energy efficiencyThe research was published during IEA’s global conference, where the company is in attendance

RUEIL-MALMAISON, France, December 5, 2024 /3BL/ – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today released two reports from its Sustainability Research Institute (SRI). These reports fill key knowledge gaps regarding AI’s impact on sustainability, particularly in energy use.

The first research, Artificial Intelligence and Electricity: A System Dynamics Approach, examines four possible scenarios for AI’s electricity consumption over the next decade. Considering the growing concern around AI’s energy consumption, Rémi Paccou, Director of Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Research Institute, and Prof. Fons Wijnhoven, Associate Professor at the University of Twente (Netherlands), have built a system dynamics model that forecasts diverse scenarios for AI electricity demand, highlighting the path forward for sustainable AI development strategies and policies to mitigate environmental impacts.

The authors construct four scenarios of AI development and their associated impacts on electricity consumption. These scenarios, which are not predictions but rather tools to understand the complex factors shaping our future, span a range of possibilities: from Sustainable AI development to Limits to Growth, including more radical scenarios such as Abundance Without Boundaries and even the possibility of Energy Crises caused by AI. Alongside these forecasts and analysis, the report also contains recommendations for policymakers and decision-makers, contributing to a thoughtful and responsible approach to development, aiming for a path that balances progress with sustainability.

The second report, AI-Powered HVAC in Educational Buildings: A Net Digital Impact Use Case, also by Rémi Paccou and Gauthier Roussilhe, Research Fellow and Doctoral Student at RMIT, demonstrates how AI-powered heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems can enhance energy efficiency and environmental conservation in buildings. HVAC systems account for 35 – 65% of total building energy consumption. The study examined over 87 educational properties in Stockholm, Sweden, over an extended period under real-world conditions. Between 2019 and 2023, the study observed a total carbon emission reduction of 65tCO2e/y, roughly 60 times the actual embodied carbon footprint of the AI system deployed.

The research reveals opportunities for even greater carbon reductions in environments with more demanding heating, cooling, or air conditioning requirements. A comparative analysis between Stockholm and Boston showed that implementing the same solution in Boston could yield carbon emission savings seven times higher than in Stockholm.

The publishing of these reports coincides with the IEA’s Global Conference on Energy & AI, where Schneider Electric is in attendance. This conference gathers experts from the energy and tech sectors, government, civil society, and academia to discuss the potential impacts of AI on global energy systems and the opportunities for leveraging AI for energy and climate goals. Schneider Electric’s CEO, Olivier Blum, and Executive Vice President of its Data Centers & Networks Business, Pankaj Sharma, will participate in a high-level roundtable later today.

“The release of our reports comes at a crucial time, as the IEA conference highlights the transformative power of AI in the energy sector. As a company and as researchers, we are committed to keep shaping the future of energy and climate solutions”, stated Vincent Petit, Climate and Energy Transition Research SVP at Schneider Electric.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to create Impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency.

We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers.

We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.

www.se.com

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next-generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights.

At Covia, we believe in being there for our people – not just as an employer, but as a resource to support them personally and professionally. We strive to be there for our employees in both prosperous times and challenging moments, the latter of which is why we launched the Covia Cares Emergency Relief Fund.

When natural disasters strike or unexpected hardships occur, having a dedicated support system can make a massive difference. Read on to discover how the Emergency Relief Fund allows Covia to provide more direct, timely support for those affected by Hurricane Helene and other unforeseen hardships.

Adding Support Options for Employees in Times of Need

We established The Covia Foundation in 2008 to support our employees in every aspect of their lives. That commitment is why the Foundation continues to evolve as Covia’s employees’ needs change over time.

The seeds of the Emergency Relief Fund were planted in 2017 following Hurricane Harvey’s devastating impact on the Houston area. Recognizing the immediate needs of these communities, Covia established a fund to provide financial support for employees affected by federally declared natural disasters.

As the program grew, so did the desire to expand its capabilities. Covia partnered with the Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) so that we could provide timely support for events beyond federally declared natural disasters. This partnership allowed current employees in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to apply for up to $1,500 in assistance for other life-changing events, such as a house fire or a death in the family. The EAF’s expertise in this area allows the Fund to turn around grants for immediate assistance.

Employees also do not need to sacrifice their privacy to benefit from this aid. All applications are handled confidentially through EAF, with Covia’s role limited to verifying current employment status. This process ensures our employees can seek assistance without hesitation when facing difficult circumstances.

Providing Immediate Support Following Hurricane Helene

While The Emergency Relief Fund gave Covia employees an avenue for support, Hurricane Helene was particularly overwhelming. Torrential rain and 100 mile-per-hour winds ravaged the Southeastern portion of the U.S., leaving entire communities without food and power. The unpredictability of the storm also made it difficult for people to properly prepare for the damage, as Helene’s path ended up impacting areas that were not originally forecast to be in its path.

“The devastating effects of Hurricane Helene challenged many people, including Covia team members in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia,” said Bruno Biasiotta, President and Chief Executive Officer of Covia. “When our people face unexpected challenges, we want them to know they’re not alone – they have the full support of the Covia family behind them.”

Covia created the Immediate Response Program (IRP) in response to Helene. The IRP provided $500 payments within 24 hours to employees affected by federally declared natural disasters. This program allowed more than 40 Covia employees who were in the path of the hurricane to focus on what matters most – caring for themselves and their families while beginning the recovery process. Navigating recovery efforts is an exhausting process, both physically and emotionally. The IRP was another step that Covia could take to prioritize the well-being of our employees.

Building a Culture of Support Throughout Covia

The Emergency Relief Fund exemplifies The Covia Foundation’s broader mission of supporting our employees and communities throughout life’s journey. While our other foundation initiatives focus on advancement and growth, the Emergency Relief Fund stands ready to provide crucial support during unexpected challenges.

We are also proud that a culture of community support is prevalent throughout our company. Covia employees were actively involved in recovery efforts, such as when Adam Beatty, Senior Plant Manager of Covia’s North American clay operations, and the team at Covia’s Hephzibah, Georgia, location rallied to support others while the region was without power for nearly two weeks. The Hephzibah team opened the plant following the storm to help employees fuel cars, and let the city borrow a front-end loader to clear fallen trees and debris blocking the roads.

While we may not be able to avoid natural disasters and other personal hardships, we do have control over how we respond to these challenging times. Our commitment to supporting our people remains unwavering, and The Covia Foundation continues to evolve as a result. The Emergency Relief Fund represents more than just financial assistance – it is a testament to our belief that we are stronger together, especially during life’s most challenging moments.

Our purpose is what unites us at Henkel North America: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. Our pioneering spirit is reflective of the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our employees and partners. They dare to make an impact on the world by collaborating to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives. Their contributions allow us to deliver products, services and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life. We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our series, “Pioneers for Good.”

As pioneers dedicated to the well-being of future generations, we are passionate about giving back to our local community and contributing to a better world. This International Volunteer Day, Henkel celebrates our employees’ caring spirit and recognizes their impact on communities.

Volunteering is part of a legacy of care upon which Henkel was founded. It remains our call to action to reimagine what communities can look like and then work to help them thrive. Employees dedicate their time and energy to meaningful causes close to their hearts. Their commitments help to advance equity and inclusion, from STEM education to fighting food insecurity, homelessness, cancer, and more.

They organize volunteer efforts with non-profit organizations from local foodbanks to national organizations such United Way so employees have the opportunity to volunteer for a few hours or a full day.

Henkel is proud to support our employees’ volunteerism through our Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) initiative which provides financial and in-kind donations to the non-profit organizations they support, as well as paid time off for employees who volunteer.

Hear From our Dedicated Volunteers:

“Henkel’s encouragement of volunteerism has shaped my experience, fostering a culture of empathy, teamwork, and impact. Community Impact Day empowers us to give back, bringing colleagues together with a shared purpose to make a lasting difference. It’s a true reflection of being pioneers at heart.” – Elif Affan, Director of Strategic Program Management, Sustainability & Employee Experience

“Being a pioneer for good means leading by example to drive positive contributions to our organization and in the community. Our culture prioritizes making strong bonds and connections within the community and inspires our employees to feel a greater purpose beyond the impact they make in their day-to-day role.”– Francis O’Hea, Director of Inside Sales, Henkel Adhesive Technologies

We’re excited to share a glimpse of our employees’ caring spirit and volunteer efforts this year and look forward to supporting more community impact in 2025!