Tag: 3BL

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.​

December brings a close to our 40th anniversary year as a global leader in third-party certification, auditing, and standards development. In 2024, we have achieved significant milestones that have further solidified our commitment to excellence in sustainability.

Earlier in the year we launched our Global Heat Reduction Initiative to help organizations better measure and manage super pollutants such as methane and black carbon. In addition, we launched the first new certification program for water stewardship and resiliency since 2010. We also became an approved verification/certification body for the following certification standards:

Sustainable Food Groups Sustainability StandardAquaculture Stewardship Council’s pioneering new Feed StandardU.S. Farmed™ CertificationCalifornia Proposition 12 Farm Animal Confinement InitiativeGlobal Steel Climate Council’s (GSCC®) Steel Climate Standard

And in October, SCS was named one of the fastest growing private companies in the San Francisco Bay area by the San Francisco Business Times at its annual Fast 100 celebration.

The phenomenal growth we have achieved over the last three years is a testament to the greater visibility and value of sustainability certifications within the global marketplace and the dedication of our employees and auditors. In fact, we’ve created new support and training opportunities for our expanding base of global auditors as we continue to look for more auditors to fill the corporate certification and verification needs throughout many regions of the world.

Below we offer a recap of the latest auditor and service updates — plus, get ready to mark your calendars with upcoming webinars, tradeshows, and events.

What’s New for Auditors

With great growth comes a great need for more technical experts — so we are pleased to announce important updates to our Auditor Hub. Now with specialized resources for auditors, the Auditor Hub serves as one of the most important places where we meet the increasing demands of our rapidly growing organization. As a pioneer in third-party assessment and standards development, and as a global leader in environmental auditing for four decades, we recognize our auditors as the keystone in the SCS arch of sustainability expertise. SCS is always looking for individuals that have the relevant technical backgrounds, who demonstrate a strong sense of curiosity and persistence, and have a passion for working towards a sustainable future.

Auditor Trainings:

These self-paced training courses are convenient, affordable, and always accessible.

Ethics and Auditing (2 hours – English or Spanish)Conflict De-escalation (2 hours – English, French, or Spanish)Forced Labor (2 hours – English)

In addition, SCS offers live instructor-led trainings. These include: “Writing Nonconformities”, “Interviewing”, and “ISO 19011: ISO 19011 Auditing Skills, Principles, and Protocols ILT”. If you do not see a session available, please be sure to add your name to the waiting list.

SCS also offers FSC Lead Auditor Training for both Forest Management and Chain of Custody auditors. SCS is hosting an FSC training in February 2025 in Emeryville, California. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to the SCS Auditor Hub directly (auditorhub@scsglobalservices.com).

Register Here (For a 10% discount, use code EOYN at checkout.)

Blog: Life Cycle Assessment: The Ultimate Tool for Reducing Product Environmental Impacts

For more than two decades, life cycle assessment (LCA) has served as the keystone of environmental product impacts analysis and product declarations (EPD). As consumer expectations for corporate responsibility soar, LCA helps companies meticulously analyze and mitigate their products’ environmental impacts. This rigorous approach not only meets regulatory requirements, but also satisfies the demands of a more informed and discerning public, reinforcing a company’s commitment to sustainability.

On our blog, we delve into the intricacies of LCA and how this process can transform a company’s sustainability strategy, ensure transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance, all while mobilizing meaningful sustainability changes across a company’s operations.

Read Blog

Blog: Navigating New Norms: Retailer Requirements for Biodiversity and Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) can be a daunting consideration for agricultural growers, farmers, and producers — especially since it’s become a requirement of some major retailers intending to remain responsive to rising social and environmental concerns.

Explore our latest blog, Navigating New Norms: Retailer Requirements for Biodiversity and Pest Management, to learn more about the evolving landscape of IPM certifications and how some of the biggest names in retail — Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods, for example — are setting new sustainability benchmarks. This blog offers an accessible overview of established and emerging certification programs, the benefits and challenges they present, and how agricultural companies can meet these stringent requirements to stay competitive in today’s market.

Read Blog

EUDR Self-Paced Training

While reporting has been pushed back one year for EUDR compliance, educating your teams about what’s coming is still essential. In preparation for EUDR deadlines, we are pleased to announce the launch of our new self-paced training course, “Understanding the EU Deforestation Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR): A Comprehensive Guide.” This course offers a detailed exploration of the EUDR, equipping participants with the knowledge necessary to understand and comply with this important regulation aimed at preventing deforestation within global supply chains.

In this training, you will learn:

The EUDR’s legal framework and its impact on international trade and product importsHow to collect, manage, and verify data needed for compliance, including supply chain transparency requirementsThe role of geospatial data in monitoring deforestation risk and how to leverage these tools for complianceA comprehensive overview of certification systems and how they contribute to meeting EUDR standardsThe responsibilities of businesses, importers, and other key stakeholders in implementing the regulationStrategies for addressing compliance challenges across different regions and industries, andWhere to seek support and guidance from the appropriate authorities across the different governing entities involved in EUDR compliance.

This course is an invaluable resource for professionals in sustainability, regulatory compliance, supply chain management, and more.

Register Now!

Verification of Corporate Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Assurance of ESG Metrics Gathering Steam

Does your company disclose its GHG Inventory? Have you had it verified by a third party? What about other metrics do you report on? Third-party verification for organizational GHG Inventories and ESG Metrics builds confidence in the reporting for all stakeholders. Now, with the advent of new regulations in California, the EU’s CSRD, and other looming mandates, assurance is moving beyond voluntary. While the timeframes for mandated verification vary by company size and location, the time to start the process is now.

It’s best to have a year or two of verification experience to work out potential findings and gaps before reporting verification is mandatory. The demand for verifiers with a strong background in GHG accounting and complex social reporting is at an all-time high so it is important to establish a relationship with a verification organization sooner than later. If you are new to GHG Verification, you may want to sign up to attend this webinar on January 29, 2025: Prepare for New GHG Inventory Verification Regulations – The Experts Take Your Questions.

Register for Webinar

Lower Carbon Products and Packaging Claims: A Certification Standard for Decarbonizing the Chemicals Industry

Last week SCS Standards hosted a webinar showcasing the value of its evolving standard for the chemicals industry — SCS-115: Certification Standard for Product Carbon Intensity and Reduction for Chemicals and Co-products. This standard provides a methodology for calculating the carbon intensity and/or reduction of a chemical or co-product, which in turn will allow downstream supply chain entities to make credible lower carbon product and packaging claims. Separate modules describe the requirements for applying the following decarbonization levers:

Renewable Electricity (published)Biofeedstock and Recycled Content (for pilot use)Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (Now open for public comment until January, 24, 2025 – please visit our website, www.scsstandards.org, to review and comment on the draft)Renewable Energy (to be developed)Asset Efficiency Improvement (to be developed)

Watch the replay of the webinar or you can reach out to an SCS team member to learn more about certification of your products to this standard.

Global Heat Reduction Initiative News

The Global Heat Reduction Initiative is working to slash super pollutants – and we can’t do it without you.

We have made some exciting progress over at the Global Heat Reduction Initiative!

We recently hosted a webinar: “Your climate strategy has a major blind spot: How to measure and manage super pollutants now.” If you’re a business leader, decision-maker, or designer of climate action plans, carbon emissions management or net zero targets, you should watch the recording here.Triple Pundit published a story on the impact of climate super pollutants and how GHR is working to tackle them. Read the full article here.US leading climate scientist Dr. Drew Shindell speaks about what makes GHR different and critical. Watch the video here.

Slowing Global Warming now requires you to know your full climate impact. Reach out to the GHR team now and find out how easy it is to turn your current Corporate GHG Inventory into a Total Climate FootprintTM which will provide all of the critical data to make a difference now. Contact us at info@heatreduction.com to schedule a meeting.

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

Certification to the new ASC Feed Standard will be required for ASC-certified products using feed by October 31, 2025.

Approximately 70% of global aquaculture production requires feed, which is costly and complex to produce. High-quality, responsible aquaculture feed is essential for the nutrition and welfare of finfish and shrimp. Responsible production ensures supply chain transparency and reduces risks of deforestation, overfishing, and other environmental and social issues.

Join SCS Global Services’ Brian Ahlers and Adam Daddino on January 29th for an informational webinar on the ASC Feed Standard and how to get certified before the mandatory deadline of October 31st, 2025.

Register Here

December brings a close to our 40th anniversary year as a global leader in third-party certification, auditing, and standards development. In 2024, we have achieved significant milestones that have further solidified our commitment to excellence in sustainability.

Earlier in the year we launched our Global Heat Reduction Initiative to help organizations better measure and manage super pollutants such as methane and black carbon. In addition, we launched the first new certification program for water stewardship and resiliency since 2010. We also became an approved verification/certification body for the following certification standards:

Sustainable Food Groups Sustainability StandardAquaculture Stewardship Council’s pioneering new Feed StandardU.S. Farmed™ CertificationCalifornia Proposition 12 Farm Animal Confinement InitiativeGlobal Steel Climate Council’s (GSCC®) Steel Climate Standard

And in October, SCS was named one of the fastest growing private companies in the San Francisco Bay area by the San Francisco Business Times at its annual Fast 100 celebration.

The phenomenal growth we have achieved over the last three years is a testament to the greater visibility and value of sustainability certifications within the global marketplace and the dedication of our employees and auditors. In fact, we’ve created new support and training opportunities for our expanding base of global auditors as we continue to look for more auditors to fill the corporate certification and verification needs throughout many regions of the world.

Below we offer a recap of the latest auditor and service updates — plus, get ready to mark your calendars with upcoming webinars, tradeshows, and events.

What’s New for Auditors

With great growth comes a great need for more technical experts — so we are pleased to announce important updates to our Auditor Hub. Now with specialized resources for auditors, the Auditor Hub serves as one of the most important places where we meet the increasing demands of our rapidly growing organization. As a pioneer in third-party assessment and standards development, and as a global leader in environmental auditing for four decades, we recognize our auditors as the keystone in the SCS arch of sustainability expertise. SCS is always looking for individuals that have the relevant technical backgrounds, who demonstrate a strong sense of curiosity and persistence, and have a passion for working towards a sustainable future.

Auditor Trainings:

These self-paced training courses are convenient, affordable, and always accessible.

Ethics and Auditing (2 hours – English or Spanish)Conflict De-escalation (2 hours – English, French, or Spanish)Forced Labor (2 hours – English)

In addition, SCS offers live instructor-led trainings. These include: “Writing Nonconformities”, “Interviewing”, and “ISO 19011: ISO 19011 Auditing Skills, Principles, and Protocols ILT”. If you do not see a session available, please be sure to add your name to the waiting list.

SCS also offers FSC Lead Auditor Training for both Forest Management and Chain of Custody auditors. SCS is hosting an FSC training in February 2025 in Emeryville, California. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to the SCS Auditor Hub directly (auditorhub@scsglobalservices.com).

Register Here (For a 10% discount, use code EOYN at checkout.)

Blog: Life Cycle Assessment: The Ultimate Tool for Reducing Product Environmental Impacts

For more than two decades, life cycle assessment (LCA) has served as the keystone of environmental product impacts analysis and product declarations (EPD). As consumer expectations for corporate responsibility soar, LCA helps companies meticulously analyze and mitigate their products’ environmental impacts. This rigorous approach not only meets regulatory requirements, but also satisfies the demands of a more informed and discerning public, reinforcing a company’s commitment to sustainability.

On our blog, we delve into the intricacies of LCA and how this process can transform a company’s sustainability strategy, ensure transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance, all while mobilizing meaningful sustainability changes across a company’s operations.

Read Blog

Blog: Navigating New Norms: Retailer Requirements for Biodiversity and Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) can be a daunting consideration for agricultural growers, farmers, and producers — especially since it’s become a requirement of some major retailers intending to remain responsive to rising social and environmental concerns.

Explore our latest blog, Navigating New Norms: Retailer Requirements for Biodiversity and Pest Management, to learn more about the evolving landscape of IPM certifications and how some of the biggest names in retail — Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods, for example — are setting new sustainability benchmarks. This blog offers an accessible overview of established and emerging certification programs, the benefits and challenges they present, and how agricultural companies can meet these stringent requirements to stay competitive in today’s market.

Read Blog

EUDR Self-Paced Training

While reporting has been pushed back one year for EUDR compliance, educating your teams about what’s coming is still essential. In preparation for EUDR deadlines, we are pleased to announce the launch of our new self-paced training course, “Understanding the EU Deforestation Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR): A Comprehensive Guide.” This course offers a detailed exploration of the EUDR, equipping participants with the knowledge necessary to understand and comply with this important regulation aimed at preventing deforestation within global supply chains.

In this training, you will learn:

The EUDR’s legal framework and its impact on international trade and product importsHow to collect, manage, and verify data needed for compliance, including supply chain transparency requirementsThe role of geospatial data in monitoring deforestation risk and how to leverage these tools for complianceA comprehensive overview of certification systems and how they contribute to meeting EUDR standardsThe responsibilities of businesses, importers, and other key stakeholders in implementing the regulationStrategies for addressing compliance challenges across different regions and industries, andWhere to seek support and guidance from the appropriate authorities across the different governing entities involved in EUDR compliance.

This course is an invaluable resource for professionals in sustainability, regulatory compliance, supply chain management, and more.

Register Now!

Verification of Corporate Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Assurance of ESG Metrics Gathering Steam

Does your company disclose its GHG Inventory? Have you had it verified by a third party? What about other metrics do you report on? Third-party verification for organizational GHG Inventories and ESG Metrics builds confidence in the reporting for all stakeholders. Now, with the advent of new regulations in California, the EU’s CSRD, and other looming mandates, assurance is moving beyond voluntary. While the timeframes for mandated verification vary by company size and location, the time to start the process is now.

It’s best to have a year or two of verification experience to work out potential findings and gaps before reporting verification is mandatory. The demand for verifiers with a strong background in GHG accounting and complex social reporting is at an all-time high so it is important to establish a relationship with a verification organization sooner than later. If you are new to GHG Verification, you may want to sign up to attend this webinar on January 29, 2025: Prepare for New GHG Inventory Verification Regulations – The Experts Take Your Questions.

Register for Webinar

Lower Carbon Products and Packaging Claims: A Certification Standard for Decarbonizing the Chemicals Industry

Last week SCS Standards hosted a webinar showcasing the value of its evolving standard for the chemicals industry — SCS-115: Certification Standard for Product Carbon Intensity and Reduction for Chemicals and Co-products. This standard provides a methodology for calculating the carbon intensity and/or reduction of a chemical or co-product, which in turn will allow downstream supply chain entities to make credible lower carbon product and packaging claims. Separate modules describe the requirements for applying the following decarbonization levers:

Renewable Electricity (published)Biofeedstock and Recycled Content (for pilot use)Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (Now open for public comment until January, 24, 2025 – please visit our website, www.scsstandards.org, to review and comment on the draft)Renewable Energy (to be developed)Asset Efficiency Improvement (to be developed)

Watch the replay of the webinar or you can reach out to an SCS team member to learn more about certification of your products to this standard.

Global Heat Reduction Initiative News

The Global Heat Reduction Initiative is working to slash super pollutants – and we can’t do it without you.

We have made some exciting progress over at the Global Heat Reduction Initiative!

We recently hosted a webinar: “Your climate strategy has a major blind spot: How to measure and manage super pollutants now.” If you’re a business leader, decision-maker, or designer of climate action plans, carbon emissions management or net zero targets, you should watch the recording here.Triple Pundit published a story on the impact of climate super pollutants and how GHR is working to tackle them. Read the full article here.US leading climate scientist Dr. Drew Shindell speaks about what makes GHR different and critical. Watch the video here.

Slowing Global Warming now requires you to know your full climate impact. Reach out to the GHR team now and find out how easy it is to turn your current Corporate GHG Inventory into a Total Climate FootprintTM which will provide all of the critical data to make a difference now. Contact us at info@heatreduction.com to schedule a meeting.

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

Certification to the new ASC Feed Standard will be required for ASC-certified products using feed by October 31, 2025.

Approximately 70% of global aquaculture production requires feed, which is costly and complex to produce. High-quality, responsible aquaculture feed is essential for the nutrition and welfare of finfish and shrimp. Responsible production ensures supply chain transparency and reduces risks of deforestation, overfishing, and other environmental and social issues.

Join SCS Global Services’ Brian Ahlers and Adam Daddino on January 29th for an informational webinar on the ASC Feed Standard and how to get certified before the mandatory deadline of October 31st, 2025.

Register Here

Nasdaq

Nasdaq has been ranked in the top 30 of the 2024 Verdantix Smart Innovators Report for Consulting Services for CSRD and ESG Regulation Readiness, which evaluated over 250 of the most prominent ESG and sustainability data management, reporting, and disclosure consulting providers.

Nasdaq received top rankings across our regulation readiness, reporting and disclosures, data and information digital management, and in-house consulting offerings.Verdantix also awarded Nasdaq strong rankings for our data governance and software selection deployment and implementation offerings.This recognition highlights Nasdaq’s commitment to excellence and innovation in ESG consulting, and robust capabilities in helping organizations navigate the complexities of CSRD and other global sustainability regulations.

Download the Verdantix Smart Innovators Report to unlock market insights to guide the selection of your strategic service provider for CSRD reporting and sustainability regulatory readiness.

Nasdaq

Nasdaq has been ranked in the top 30 of the 2024 Verdantix Smart Innovators Report for Consulting Services for CSRD and ESG Regulation Readiness, which evaluated over 250 of the most prominent ESG and sustainability data management, reporting, and disclosure consulting providers.

Nasdaq received top rankings across our regulation readiness, reporting and disclosures, data and information digital management, and in-house consulting offerings.Verdantix also awarded Nasdaq strong rankings for our data governance and software selection deployment and implementation offerings.This recognition highlights Nasdaq’s commitment to excellence and innovation in ESG consulting, and robust capabilities in helping organizations navigate the complexities of CSRD and other global sustainability regulations.

Download the Verdantix Smart Innovators Report to unlock market insights to guide the selection of your strategic service provider for CSRD reporting and sustainability regulatory readiness.

December 20, 2024 /3BL/ – The O2, the world’s busiest live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination, owned and operated by AEG Europe, has announced that it has successfully secured ‘Commended’ status as ‘A Greener Arena’, certified by A Greener Future.

The ‘Commended’ status, which recognises arenas that show ‘demonstrable improvements’ and ‘a significant engagement in reducing negative environmental and social impacts,’ is reflective of the venue’s longstanding commitment to driving the sustainability agenda in the live industry.

This certification follows a stand-out year of industry-leading sustainability initiatives at the world-famous venue – most notably, hosting the world’s first carbon removed arena events at The 1975’s four headline shows in February, resulting in the extraction and removal of 545.9 tonnes – the equivalent yearly electricity usage of 395 average homes. Further to this, the venue has optimised energy efficiencies within the arena and made significant enhancements to waste management, with the full deployment of reusable cups and the installation of new waste sorting facilities both back and front-of-house.

As The O2 continues on its path towards net zero, the venue has also invested in electric powered vehicles to eradicate its fossil fuel emissions altogether, with works continuing into 2025 with the installation of electric forklifts for use across the full destination.

“From history-making moments like our carbon removed events, to the essential works we’ve done behind the scenes to create efficiencies and minimise waste and emissions, we’ve made incredible strides at The O2 this year and we’re proud to have this recognised by A Greener Future. The path to net zero is one that is constantly evolving, and we’re committed to continued innovation so that we can deliver world-class, sustainable events for our fans, bands, and brands,” said Sam Booth, Director of Sustainability at AEG Europe.

Claire O’Neill, CEO at A Greener Future added: “We’re really happy for The O2 and want to congratulate their team for all of their efforts to run a greener arena. When one of the most iconic venues takes visible action for a more sustainable live sector it reverberates throughout the industry. With all shoulders to the wheel, we look forward to seeing what will come next!”

The credentials come off the back of a consecutive year of record-breaking ticket sales, announced last week, with over 2.6 million tickets sold – a 3.5% uplift on 2023’s previously unsurpassed figure.

December 20, 2024 /3BL/ – The O2, the world’s busiest live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination, owned and operated by AEG Europe, has announced that it has successfully secured ‘Commended’ status as ‘A Greener Arena’, certified by A Greener Future.

The ‘Commended’ status, which recognises arenas that show ‘demonstrable improvements’ and ‘a significant engagement in reducing negative environmental and social impacts,’ is reflective of the venue’s longstanding commitment to driving the sustainability agenda in the live industry.

This certification follows a stand-out year of industry-leading sustainability initiatives at the world-famous venue – most notably, hosting the world’s first carbon removed arena events at The 1975’s four headline shows in February, resulting in the extraction and removal of 545.9 tonnes – the equivalent yearly electricity usage of 395 average homes. Further to this, the venue has optimised energy efficiencies within the arena and made significant enhancements to waste management, with the full deployment of reusable cups and the installation of new waste sorting facilities both back and front-of-house.

As The O2 continues on its path towards net zero, the venue has also invested in electric powered vehicles to eradicate its fossil fuel emissions altogether, with works continuing into 2025 with the installation of electric forklifts for use across the full destination.

“From history-making moments like our carbon removed events, to the essential works we’ve done behind the scenes to create efficiencies and minimise waste and emissions, we’ve made incredible strides at The O2 this year and we’re proud to have this recognised by A Greener Future. The path to net zero is one that is constantly evolving, and we’re committed to continued innovation so that we can deliver world-class, sustainable events for our fans, bands, and brands,” said Sam Booth, Director of Sustainability at AEG Europe.

Claire O’Neill, CEO at A Greener Future added: “We’re really happy for The O2 and want to congratulate their team for all of their efforts to run a greener arena. When one of the most iconic venues takes visible action for a more sustainable live sector it reverberates throughout the industry. With all shoulders to the wheel, we look forward to seeing what will come next!”

The credentials come off the back of a consecutive year of record-breaking ticket sales, announced last week, with over 2.6 million tickets sold – a 3.5% uplift on 2023’s previously unsurpassed figure.