Tag: 3BL

Originally published on PSEG NesRoom

MORRISTOWN, N.J., November 26, 2024 /3BL/ – PSE&G is focused on maintaining a safe gas distribution system. As part of our efforts, we partnered with first responders from Morristown, New Jersey in a safety exercise that simulated a gas emergency.

The three-hour exercise allowed PSE&G and other safety professionals to practice keeping the public safe in the event of an incident at PSE&G natural gas facilities. The exercise, on Mt. Kemble Avenue in Morristown, also provided the opportunity to test incident command and evacuation procedures.

“Keeping our communities, customers and employees safe is a top priority and these exercises help us protect lives by enhancing our emergency response, our coordination and our partnerships,” said Beth Acquaire, PSE&G senior director, Gas Field Operations. “To be prepared for various situations, we practice drills as we did today, which was a simulated attempt to damage our equipment.”

“The Morristown Bureau of Police appreciates the relationship we have with all of our local utility providers and recognizes the importance of operational readiness for all first responders, should an emergency occur,” said Morristown Police Lieutenant Brian LaBarre. “We thank Public Service Energy & Gas for including the first responder community in their emergency training exercise. Training for emergency incidents as a group improves communication and ensures a more effective response and an efficient resolution to emergency situations.”

Training is valuable

Training with first responders also is important because some procedures for handling natural gas are different from those they are used to. For example, the evacuation distance is farther for a gas emergency, turning off power may not be possible, and automatic generators or solar panels can be potential sources of ignition.

Exercise participants and observers included representatives from: PSE&G, Morristown Fire Department, Morristown Police Department and Morris County Bomb Squad.

This event marks PSE&G’s sixth gas safety exercise this year. These safety exercises and training initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to educate community members within PSE&G’s service area about emergency preparedness.

Important reminder about Call 811

We also use opportunities like this safety exercise to remind the public what they can do to help prevent gas emergencies and what to do if you smell gas.

We’re consistently working to educate customers, the public and contractors, about the law that requires a markout before digging to help keep underground equipment safe. Even digging for small projects like to plant a tree or mailbox, can be hazardous. Digging without a markout presents significant risk to the excavator, our communities and natural gas infrastructure. The best way to prevent emergencies caused by digging is to always abide by markout laws.

Last year, we responded to 853 calls concerning excavation damages (736 gas and 117 electric). We respond to 99.9 percent of gas emergency calls within one hour. Many of these leaks are avoidable with a simple call to 811. Digging without knowledge of the location of underground utilities can result in serious injuries, service disruptions and costly repairs.

Customer gas safety tips

Prevention is key:

Call 811 at least three and no more than 10 business days before each job to have underground pipes, conduits, wires and cables located and marked. Markouts remain valid for 45 business days.Before work begins by excavators, contractors or customers, confirm that a call to 811 has been made and the markout was completed. By law, all digging projects require a call to 811.Both property owners and contractors must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within 2 feet of marked lines, or the area known as the Tolerance Zone, to find the existing facility.Various colors are used when marking lines; to learn what each color represents, visit https://www.nj1-call.org/resources/faqs/#color.

What to do if you smell gas:

Leave the building as quickly as possible and move 350 feet away from the structure. Take all others with you. If you smell gas outside, move well away from where you suspect the gas is leaking.Call 911 immediately and call PSE&G at 1-800-880-PSEG (7734). (Do NOT call from inside the building. Wait until you are outside and a safe distance to call).

Learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning:

Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable.More information about carbon monoxide and other gas safety tips are available on our website.

More information about 811 are available at nj1-call.org or on the PSE&G website: pseg.com/safedigging. #Call811 #CallBeforeYouDig #PSEGSafety

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PSE&G 
Public Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation’s largest utilities. PSE&G has won the ReliabilityOne® Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 23 consecutive years. For the third consecutive year, PSE&G is the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category. In addition, in 2023 J.D. Power named PSE&G number one in customer satisfaction with residential and business electric service in the east among large utilities. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 16 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).

Visit PSEG at: www.pseg.com PSEG on Facebook PSEG on Twitter PSEG on LinkedIn PSEG Energize! PSEG on Instagram

Funds will support more than 50 feeding programs as holidays approach and communities recover from HeleneEfforts begin with Yam Jam, a volunteer event in Greenville that packages 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes for the hungry this Thanksgiving

GREENVILLE, S.C., November 26, 2024 /3BL/ – Every community in South Carolina is home to families who face hunger. The statistics are startling – nearly 700,000 of our friends and neighbors lack consistent access to high-quality meals. That’s 1 in 8 people facing hunger in our state every day, and 1 in 6 of those are children.

As the holidays and colder weather approach, those families and more are also still reeling from a major natural disaster as communities work to restore, rebuild and renew after the historic impacts from Helene.

“Those statistics are the unfortunate baseline for many families in South Carolina,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president. “That’s why it’s important for Duke Energy to support the organizations who do the great work to fight hunger across our state.”

This week, Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation kick off a monthlong campaign to support organizations in South Carolina that address food insecurities and inequities across the state. The monthlong initiative will provide over $500,000 to more than 50 feeding programs through Giving Tuesday and will support organizations including Mill Village Farms, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, FoodShare South Carolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank and AIM, among many others.

“Our hope is by shining a light on these organizations they will continue to receive the support they need to help reduce and hopefully one day eliminate hunger in our communities,” Pearson said. “They are fighting the good fight every day in our communities, but they cannot do it alone.”

To celebrate the start of the monthlong campaign, Duke Energy joined Mill Village Farms, WYFF and Bon Secours Wellness Arena for this year’s Yam Jam on Nov. 7 in Greenville. The community event brought together 170 volunteers from companies and organizations around Greenville. Participants bagged nearly 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving food boxes to be distributed by FoodShare South Carolina hubs and other food programs across South Carolina. Additionally, the Duke Energy Foundation is contributing $100,000 to FoodShare South Carolina organizations across the company’s service territory, including $30,000 to Mill Village Farms.

“As we enter the holiday season and navigate the ongoing effects of Hurricane Helene, Mill Village Ministries is doubling down on our commitment to food access for every resident in our community,” said Dan Weidenbenner, executive director of Mill Village Farms and Mill Village Ministries. “Mill Village Farms’ FoodShare program is central to this mission, bringing fresh produce to communities – no matter their location or income level. In these challenging times, we’re grateful for the dedicated support from Duke Energy, allowing us to reach even more neighbors with the healthy food they deserve.”

In addition to presenting Yam Jam, Duke Energy employees will also provide their time and talents volunteering with organizations throughout the month to assist in packing and distributing food boxes, preparing backpacks for weekend food programs for students and providing sweat equity to senior mobile food programs and other feeding initiatives in their neighborhoods.

“We also know customers struggling to put food on the table are making decisions about what bills to pay at home, including their electricity bill,” Pearson said. “That’s why it’s important for us to also share information that can assist families to manage their energy bills when times are tough.” To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Ryan Mosier 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

Funds will support more than 50 feeding programs as holidays approach and communities recover from HeleneEfforts begin with Yam Jam, a volunteer event in Greenville that packages 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes for the hungry this Thanksgiving

GREENVILLE, S.C., November 26, 2024 /3BL/ – Every community in South Carolina is home to families who face hunger. The statistics are startling – nearly 700,000 of our friends and neighbors lack consistent access to high-quality meals. That’s 1 in 8 people facing hunger in our state every day, and 1 in 6 of those are children.

As the holidays and colder weather approach, those families and more are also still reeling from a major natural disaster as communities work to restore, rebuild and renew after the historic impacts from Helene.

“Those statistics are the unfortunate baseline for many families in South Carolina,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president. “That’s why it’s important for Duke Energy to support the organizations who do the great work to fight hunger across our state.”

This week, Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation kick off a monthlong campaign to support organizations in South Carolina that address food insecurities and inequities across the state. The monthlong initiative will provide over $500,000 to more than 50 feeding programs through Giving Tuesday and will support organizations including Mill Village Farms, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, FoodShare South Carolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank and AIM, among many others.

“Our hope is by shining a light on these organizations they will continue to receive the support they need to help reduce and hopefully one day eliminate hunger in our communities,” Pearson said. “They are fighting the good fight every day in our communities, but they cannot do it alone.”

To celebrate the start of the monthlong campaign, Duke Energy joined Mill Village Farms, WYFF and Bon Secours Wellness Arena for this year’s Yam Jam on Nov. 7 in Greenville. The community event brought together 170 volunteers from companies and organizations around Greenville. Participants bagged nearly 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving food boxes to be distributed by FoodShare South Carolina hubs and other food programs across South Carolina. Additionally, the Duke Energy Foundation is contributing $100,000 to FoodShare South Carolina organizations across the company’s service territory, including $30,000 to Mill Village Farms.

“As we enter the holiday season and navigate the ongoing effects of Hurricane Helene, Mill Village Ministries is doubling down on our commitment to food access for every resident in our community,” said Dan Weidenbenner, executive director of Mill Village Farms and Mill Village Ministries. “Mill Village Farms’ FoodShare program is central to this mission, bringing fresh produce to communities – no matter their location or income level. In these challenging times, we’re grateful for the dedicated support from Duke Energy, allowing us to reach even more neighbors with the healthy food they deserve.”

In addition to presenting Yam Jam, Duke Energy employees will also provide their time and talents volunteering with organizations throughout the month to assist in packing and distributing food boxes, preparing backpacks for weekend food programs for students and providing sweat equity to senior mobile food programs and other feeding initiatives in their neighborhoods.

“We also know customers struggling to put food on the table are making decisions about what bills to pay at home, including their electricity bill,” Pearson said. “That’s why it’s important for us to also share information that can assist families to manage their energy bills when times are tough.” To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Ryan Mosier 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

At Griffith Foods, we are committed to advancing our workplace health and safety standards. Our Health and Safety Management Program (WHS) is aligned with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Standard, ensuring that we adhere to all applicable health and safety laws and regulations. Currently, five of our 20 sites are ISO 45001 certified, and we are actively working toward certifying additional locations. Through regular risk assessments, hazard identification walk-throughs, and audits, we continuously strive to enhance our safety measures.

Achievements and Strategic Improvements 

In fiscal year 2023, we made significant strides in improving our health and safety performance:

Reduction in Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR): We successfully reduced our global TRIR by more than 35% from FY22 to FY23, demonstrating fewer injuries requiring medical treatment per 1 million hours worked.Zero-Injury Target: We have made notable progress toward eliminating life-altering events and reducing lost-time injuries. Our unwavering focus remains on providing a safe and accessible workplace for all employees.

Policy and Management Enhancements in 2023 
Our efforts to cultivate a culture of safety include several key initiatives:

Cultural and Behavioral Safety Enhancements

“Safety Built In” workshops: These two-day leadership workshops aim to drive safety performance through cultural improvement. They have been held in Scarborough, Canada; Alsip, Illinois; Lithonia, Georgia; and Costa Rica, with plans to expand to more locations in FY24.Employee engagement: By involving employees in our safety strategy through regular workplace observations and continuous improvement processes, we enhance their participation in reducing incidents.Ergonomic risk reduction: We have implemented a global systematic approach to reduce ergonomic risks associated with material handling, promoting safer work conditions.

Global Safety Systems

New technology: We upgraded to an improved software system for tracking incidents, implementing corrective and preventive actions, and soliciting employee safety concerns.Workplace Health and Safety Perception Survey: The results of our inaugural survey have been shared with employees. Actions are being taken at all manufacturing locations to enhance safety performance based on the feedback.

Continuous Improvement and Compliance 
Our commitment to continuous improvement and compliance is reflected in our health and safety committees:

Health and Safety Committees: These facility-level committees are essential in implementing our health and safety policies. They identify specific challenges and lead local training initiatives. They report to our Global Workplace Health and Safety Committee, which meets monthly, and to our WHS Community, which convenes quarterly.

By fostering a culture of safety, Griffith Foods ensures that all employees work in an environment where their health and wellbeing are prioritized. We will continue to build on these achievements and strive for excellence in workplace safety.

Our Sustainability Journey 
At Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2023 Sustainability Report. 

About Griffith Foods 
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

View original content here.

Highlights:

Qualcomm to provide connectivity products and AI-enabled chipsets to Honeywell for various industrial applications to enhance operational efficiency and real-time feedback in the energy sector.Enabling customers in the energy sector to use intelligent handheld devices and, battery-powered low power wireless access (LPWA) sensors to monitor critical systems and use connected hub/gateways for aggregating essential sensor data.Collaboration aims to drive industrial digital transformation, improve efficiencies, and support automation and energy transition megatrends.

SAN DIEGO, November 26, 2024 /3BL/ – Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Honeywell announced an expanded collaboration to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-powered intelligent solutions for the energy sector. Through the collaboration, Honeywell will incorporate Qualcomm Technologies’ connectivity and AI technologies into AI-powered applications, such as the Honeywell Field Process Knowledge System (PKS). By integrating these new capabilities, Honeywell’s Field PKS will provide connectivity to remote corners of plant and manufacturing facilities enabling greater data capture and analytics at the edge.

Qualcomm Technologies’ portfolio of low power AI-enabled processors with native wireless connectivity (450 MHz, Wi-Fi, LPWA, modems and private 4G/5G networks), software, and computer vision combined with Honeywell’s extensive portfolio of sensing technologies will enable the development of a family of industrial sensors used for monitoring process parameters, asset parameters or environmental conditions. These new capabilities will deliver more information to field and service technicians, enabling faster delivery of answers that can result in time savings, greater accuracy, and interactive results.

“We are committed to developing on-device generative AI solutions that will propel the expansion of the connected intelligent edge to help drive digital transformation,” said Nakul Duggal, group general manager, automotive, industrial and embedded IoT, and cloud computing, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This collaboration with Honeywell enhances how industries and businesses interact with their environments through intelligent and responsive technology. Our recent acquisition of Sequans’ 4G IoT technology adds to Qualcomm Technologies’ broad portfolio, further strengthening our technology offerings for Industrial IoT applications.”

“The combination of Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading on-device AI processors with Honeywell’s AI-enabled technology will help field workers to work smarter, make systems more efficient and improve the overall performance of the process industry,” said Pramesh Maheshwari, President of Honeywell Process Solutions. “With the introduction of AI solutions such as Honeywell’s Field PKS, Multi-Modal Intelligent Agent and sensor technologies, we are advancing what’s possible for the process industry with mobile field technicians and autonomous operations.”

Earlier this year, the companies collaborated on an AI-enabled Multi-Modal Intelligent Agent powered by Qualcomm Technologies that allows mobile workers in distribution centers and retail industries to interact with handheld devices through voice, pictures, and video. Coming in 2025, Honeywell will add Computer Vision capabilities in the Multi-Modal Intelligent Agent to Honeywell’s Field PKS. To learn more about how Honeywell is leveraging AI across process industries, visit: https://automation.honeywell.com/us/en/solutions/productivity. 

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Our proven solutions drive transformation across major industries, and our Snapdragon® branded platforms power extraordinary consumer experiences. Building on our nearly 40-year leadership in setting industry standards and creating era-defining technology breakthroughs, we deliver leading edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.

Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering and research and development functions and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patented technologies are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.

About Honeywell

Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world’s toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter, safer and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

The Parker Family Health Center (PFHC), which provides free medical care for uninsured or underinsured residents of Monmouth County, NJ, recently celebrated its newly expanded and renovated facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony, with members of Quest’s team in attendance to show support.

Based in Red Bank, NJ, PFHC receives no-cost lab testing from Quest Diagnostics as part of the Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) initiative. The facility’s renovations included additional exam rooms, multi-purpose conference spaces, private patient areas, and telehealth services—including a dedicated phlebotomy room.

“We are so grateful for the support of Quest Diagnostics and the Quest for Health Equity team, as it enables us to provide access to lab testing on-site, rather than having to send our patients to the hospital for bloodwork,” said Suzy Dyer, Executive Director of Parker Family Health Center. “This critical service helps us provide increased access to healthcare for our patients, and we were so glad that members of Quest’s team could join us to celebrate our updated space, which gives us the ability to further meet the needs of our patients.”

Mike Prevoznik, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Quest Diagnostics, and co-Executive Sponsor of Quest for Health Equity, and Stacey Ingram, Senior Manager, Quest for Health Equity, attended the special ceremony, where they also received a guided tour of the new facility, showcasing the much-needed improvements.

“We were honored to show our support for Suzy Dyer and her dedicated team at Parker Family Health Center, who provide essential healthcare services in their local community,” said Prevoznik. “The work that PFHC does day in and day out embodies our Purpose at Quest, working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time, and we are proud to support their efforts.”

“What struck me the most was the commitment and dedication of the PFHC staff and the passion they have for the work they’re doing,” said Ingram. “The team shared that during the extensive 18-month project, the center did not close to ensure that their patients were able to access healthcare services without interruption—which is remarkable based on how much work was done to the space. It took extreme flexibility and teamwork.”

The PFHC clinic has been in operation for over 23 years and, to date, has recorded nearly 190,000 patient visits. Its small staff is supported by over 130 volunteer doctors, nurses, interpreters, and administrative help.

Click here to learn more about the comprehensive services Parker Family Health Center offers in Monmouth County.

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 25, 2024 /3BL/ – In celebration of International Day of the Girl Child (Oct. 11), Plan International has announced a partnership with Paramount to launch a new global campaign, featuring Nickelodeon’s iconic Latina heroine Dora, to champion girls’ access to education and gender equality. Kicking off today, the multiplatform initiative includes:

The establishment of a new Dora Fund: Provides grants for youth-led organizations dedicated to girls’ education.Backpacks and supplies: Paramount will provide funding for the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies. Audiences can choose to contribute to this through Plan’s Gifts of Hope initiative.Global PSA: A powerful public service announcement airs across Paramount networks.A Plan International resource hub: Offers additional ways for audiences to get involved in the campaign and learn more.

Globally, 224 million children and youth are out of school, with girls facing the greatest barriers to education. To help address this crisis, Plan reached 10.5 million people through inclusive, quality education programs in 2023 alone. Building on this impact, the campaign invites the public to help break down these barriers and ensure all children, especially girls, have the opportunity to learn.

“This partnership showcases the power of education to transform girls’ lives,” said Shanna Marzilli, president and CEO of Plan International USA. “By partnering with Paramount, we are raising awareness about the barriers girls face and providing ways for people to help break them down. Together, we won’t stop until every girl can access the education she deserves.”

Bradley Archer-Haynes, senior vice president, cross company impact at Paramount, said: “We are so proud to partner with Plan International to encourage discussions about access to education and gender equality for the next generation of female leaders, innovators and groundbreakers around the world. Kids are powerful contributors to societal change, and we hope Dora’s legacy of empowerment, inclusivity and adventure continues to inspire positive transformation through this campaign.”

Campaign details

The campaign kicked off on Oct. 11 with a 60-second PSA airing across Paramount’s networks in more than 160 markets worldwide including Nickelodeon and MTV global feeds, as well as social media, along with a shorter version for broader distribution. The PSA celebrates the limitless potential of every girl, encouraging them to face challenges and pursue their dreams with courage and determination, embodying Dora’s core values of bravery and empowerment.

The campaign also offers an online landing page offering an opportunity for girl- and youth-led organizations to apply for grants to support their work to promote girls’ education, a quiz to test your knowledge of the futures girls want, inspiring stories of changemakers, and other content featuring practical information on how to support girls’ rights.

As part of the campaign, the “Dora Fund” has been created to provide grants to organizations that support projects aimed at advancing girls’ education in communities around the world. Paramount will also fund the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need, and audiences will be able to directly contribute to this effort through Plan’s Gifts of Hope initiative, an affordable way to address global challenges and injustices.

“This campaign opens doors for girls to become leaders, teachers or explorers by providing the resources, support and encouragement they need to pursue their dreams,” Marzilli added. “Through education and community, we can help girls break barriers and create the futures they want.”

Get involved

Be a part of the movement for change. Scan the QR code in the PSA or visit www.planusa.org/dora to join the campaign, apply for grants through the Dora Fund and discover more ways you can champion gender equality today.

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About Plan International 
Plan International is an international development and humanitarian nonprofit that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of challenges children face. We are there from birth until adulthood, and we support children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity, while particularly focusing on the experiences of girls. With more than 85 years of experience, we work to transform lives in more than 80 countries. We won’t stop until we are all equal.

About Paramount

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount’s portfolio includes CBS, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Paramount holds one of the industry’s most extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, the company provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions.

For more information about Paramount, please visit www.paramount.com and follow @ParamountCo on social platforms.

CINCINNATI, November 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Fifth Third is celebrating a decade of leadership in supplier diversity, and the bank’s award-winning supplier diversity program was in the spotlight at this year’s NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange in Atlanta, Ga. last month.

The theme of the event was “Defining New Norms”, and attendees heard from Fifth Third Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer Kala Gibson, who also serves as chairman of the NMSDC Board of Directors, as well as other industry leaders.

“The momentum we’ve built is palpable, and it’s a testament to the powerful, collective impact we’re making together,” Gibson said. “We’re not just rethinking business; we’re reshaping the future of economic opportunity for minority-owned enterprises. Together, we are laying the foundation for a new era of equity and innovation.”

Fifth Third’s three-pronged approach to supplier diversity and economic inclusion was in the spotlight at a NMSDC Power Talk event led by industry veteran Carla Cobb, director of supplier diversity for Fifth Third. Joining her in the discussion were Sadie Catlett of Progressive Business Solutions in Raleigh, N.C., and Kristen Dunning of Gently Soap in Atlanta, Ga.

“At Fifth Third, we believe that a robust, inclusive, and competitive supply chain is better for our business, our customers, our communities, and our employees,” Cobb said. “Supplier diversity is a strategic imperative for us, and our unique, three-pronged approach to supporting the supplier diversity ecosystem has helped us support and empower small businesses across our footprint.”

Cobb discussed how Fifth Third’s focus upon value-driving events, conference elevation and national partnerships has contributed to the growth of companies such as Progressive Business Solutions and Gently Soap.

Catlett and Dunning also shared how their experiences working with Fifth Third has helped them grow and make connections with companies across the nation.

“As my mother always said, ‘A goal without a plan is just a dream’,” Catlett said. “Thanks to Fifth Third, I now have that plan in place, and for that, I am forever honored and grateful. The time I’ve spent working with the team at Fifth Third has been invaluable, and I can’t express enough how impactful this experience has been.”

Fifth Third’s supplier diversity program was created in 2014 to encourage small diverse businesses to compete for contracting opportunities with the bank.

A decade ago, Fifth Third’s spend with diverse suppliers was less than 1%. Today, the bank’s spend with diverse suppliers is 11.2%. In 2023, Fifth Third’s program was also named “Best of the Decade” by Minority and Multicultural Business News.

Fifth Third’s industry leadership includes hosting an annual Supplier Diversity Summit at the Bank’s corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Oh., an event that draws hundreds of thought leaders from across the country and connects suppliers with representatives of Fortune 500 companies.

The Fifth Third Foundation is also a financial supporter of programs such as the NMSDC Centers of Excellence Certificate Program.

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About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

Next month, business leaders, government officials, policymakers, and innovators from all over the world will get together for COP29 to tackle the most pressing sustainability challenges. This is where innovative technology plays a huge role in efficiently acting on climate goals and achieving net-zero emissions. To transform the way companies collect, share, and analyze carbon-related data, SAP has announced the general availability of SAP Sustainability Data Exchange, a SaaS application that can enable standardized carbon data sharing.

While it’s relatively straightforward to control and reduce a company’s direct emissions, mitigating those that arise along the whole supply chain requires a lot of time, collaboration, and data sharing. One major challenge companies face is outdated tools, such as spreadsheets or questionnaires, and disconnected processes to collaborate with their network. Furthermore, the lack of standardized carbon footprint calculations and exchange methods has led to a variety of different approaches to collect and report on data, resulting in many organizations relying only on industry averages rather than actual numbers.

Managing carbon to accelerate a net-zero future makes measurability critically important. That is where technology and innovation can make a real difference. With SAP Sustainability solutions and our ERP-centric, cloud-based, AI-enabled approach, we support our customers to use integrated sustainability data and embed it holistically into their core business processes.

What Is SAP Sustainability Data Exchange?

SAP Sustainability Data Exchange helps facilitate standardized carbon data exchange between partners along the supply chain, supporting organizations to move from estimates to actuals in their upstream emission data. The application allows users to share emissions data to help implement their net-zero strategy and take climate action by identifying products or processes with high potential for CO2 reduction, avoiding double emissions counting, and optimizing footprints with actual supplier data. It helps drive scalability, standardization, and trust in carbon data exchange across the supply chain.

SAP Sustainability Data Exchange is seamlessly embedded into the SAP landscape, connecting to SAP S/4HANA for master data replication and integrating with SAP Sustainability Footprint Management to help enable accurate product carbon footprint calculations on a large scale.

To Harness the Power of Networks, Standardization Is Key

To be able to exchange carbon footprint values, standardization and interoperability with industry networks and frameworks are key, as they foster co-innovation and collaboration without a loss of data sovereignty. SAP Sustainability Data Exchange is interoperable and compliant with the new standards set by the automotive network Catena-X and the Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT) by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

PACT, for example, developed the global standard for calculating and exchanging consistent, comparable, and credible emission data that occurs along a company’s value chain and is outside its direct control, known as scope 3 emissions. Catena-X works closely with PACT to establish a joint standardization foundation on carbon accounting and sharing while adding industry-specific extensions.

Catena-X has certified SAP Sustainability Data Exchange for its sustainability use case. WITTE Automotive, a tier 1 automotive supplier, was one of the first customers to harness the application when it faced challenges in calculating its product carbon footprint in a standardized way to exchange product carbon footprint values with both customers and suppliers. With SAP Sustainability Data Exchange, WITTE Automotive can integrate the supplier footprints it receives through the Catena-X network, precisely calculate the product carbon footprint of parts and components, and publish the calculated values of its finished products within the network.

“This open and collaborative data ecosystem perfectly reflects SAP’s vision to enable every organization to become a network of intelligent, sustainable enterprises and gives the companies leveraging the Catena-X automotive network access to a broad portfolio of SAP solutions, from enabling the traceability of products across multiple parties in the supply chain to tracking and calculating the scope 3 emissions.”

– Christian Klein, CEO, SAP SE

In addition, SAP Sustainability Data Exchange embraces the power of SAP Business Network, leveraging the depth and breadth of a global network trusted by millions of businesses, through which nearly US$6 trillion of annual commerce is executed via over 750 million transactions.

A Core Pillar of the Green Ledger

Having an accurate view of carbon emissions across the entire supply chain not only enables data exchange but can have a real impact on the bottom line. Many companies want to make carbon an integral part of the corporate balance sheet, measuring and managing it with the same precision as cash – therefore treating carbon like money. The use of SAP Sustainability Data Exchange and SAP Green Ledger, which will be generally available at the end of 2024, can provide a strong basis for making financial decisions.

Start the SAP Sustainability Data Exchange product tour here to learn more.

SAP Sustainability solutions can support even more than carbon management and environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related disclosures. Check out our sustainability page to learn more about support for operational compliance and material transition and subscribe to the sustainability newsletter to stay up-to-date.

November 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Ceres President and CEO Mindy Lubber issued the following statement after COP29, as global negotiators at the climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, finalized an agreement to help keep the world on track to reduce pollution dangerously overheating the planet.

“Today’s agreement shows once again that finance and markets will play a central role in achieving the world’s shared goal of preventing the worst impacts of climate change. While we would have liked to see more global ambition for funding to help developing nations adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate, we are pleased to see an expanded contributor base and clear standards for carbon markets worldwide. Ceres is confident that governmental efforts to direct funding toward these efforts will unlock exponentially greater private capital across the world.

“It is clear coming out of Baku that public and private sectors worldwide will continue to seek solutions to address the climate crisis. At the start of COP29, more than 650 investors with $33 trillion in assets signed the 2024 Global Investor Statement, calling for a whole-of-government approach to implement economy-wide policies in line with the Paris Agreement goal to prevent worsening and costly climate disasters. We also applaud the governments that issued new Nationally Determined Contributions as they aim to reduce pollution that is dangerously overheating the planet and to adopt innovative technologies that will drive their economies forward.

“As the U.S. prepares for a transition of power and an expected change in approach to climate policy, it must not lose sight of this continued global momentum in both the public and private sectors. America is amid a nationwide surge in clean energy investment, led by the private sector but facilitated by state and federal policies, that has it well-positioned to meet the growing demand around the world for solutions. Backsliding on U.S. policy would have negative impacts on its economic growth and global competitiveness as the world pushes forward to build and deploy clean technologies that will prevent the worst impacts of climate change.”

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.