We’re proud that TIME has named Yum! one the Best Companies for Future Leaders for the second consecutive year! This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to developing tomorrow’s talent and empowering our employees to reach their full potential. Check out the full list here: https://time.com/collection/best-companies-for-future-leaders-2025/
Tag: 3BL
International Olympic Committee news
The Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 achieved an unprecedented 54.6% reduction in carbon emissions compared to previous editions, as detailed in the newly published Paris 2024 Sustainability and Legacy Report. The first Games to fully embrace Olympic Agenda 2020 – the IOC’s strategic roadmap which aims to make the Games more sustainable – Paris 2024 drove unparalleled progress in sustainability and delivered lasting and tangible benefits for local communities that will resonate for generations to come.
Key highlights of the Paris 2024 Sustainability and Legacy Report include:
Carbon footprint halved: Paris 2024 emitted a total of 1.59 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, reducing emissions by 54.6% compared to the average emissions of London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Lower-carbon venues: With 95% of venues already existing or temporary, Paris 2024 minimised new construction to just three key sites, incorporating low-carbon materials and eco-friendly designs.
Renewable energy: Renewable energy accounted for 98.4% of the energy generated for the Games. This was achieved by connecting temporary and existing venues to France’s renewable electricity grid, eliminating reliance on diesel generators. Electricity was sourced from certified renewable energy providers such as wind and solar. Temporary solar projects, such as floating solar panels on the Seine, showcased innovative renewable energy solutions.
Circular economy leadership: Nearly all of the Games’ 6 million assets were rented, reused, recycled or repurposed. Sports equipment and uniforms were donated to local associations, while unsold goods were distributed through dedicated resale and donation platforms.
Plastic reduction: Plastic use was halved compared to previous Games thanks to measures introduced by Paris 2024 and Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola, with initiatives such as refillable water stations and a reduction in single-use plastics through the use of beverage fountains and biodegradable cutlery.
Low-impact mobility: 87% of spectators used public or active transport, supported by extensive cycling infrastructure
Local economic impact: Over 80% of contracts were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises (TPE-PME) that embrace social economy.
“For almost 10 years, Paris 2024 has been pursuing this ambition, and we have achieved it: to offer Games for a new era, that are more responsible and just as spectacular. Right from the start, Paris 2024 set out to achieve its ambition to offer a new era of Games that are more responsible and just as spectacular,” said Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. “Everywhere, we have sought to do with less, to do better and to leave a useful legacy to reduce the impact of the world’s biggest event on the environment and the climate.”
“Paris 2024 exemplifies the Olympic Movement’s commitment to sustainability, setting new standards for future Games,” said Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Corporate and Sustainable Development. “Its bold approach helped to minimise environmental impact and created lasting benefits for the host communities. This achievement shows the importance of integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of event planning and execution.”
Looking to the future
Paris 2024 marks an enormous step forward for major sporting events around the world, testing and proving new tools, methodologies and techniques. From eco-design guidelines to carbon reduction strategies, Paris 2024 will remain a blueprint for making global events more responsible for years to come.
As the Olympic Movement continues its journey, the IOC reaffirms its commitment to delivering more sustainable Olympic Games and innovative solutions tailored to each host city’s needs and unique circumstances.
“Future Olympic Games will reflect the unique context and capacities of their hosts while creating a positive legacy that advances the host region and serves its communities,” Marie Sallois said. “We celebrate this milestone and look forward to working with future hosts to uphold the Olympic ideals of sustainability, legacy and progress for all.”
Our team has put together a comprehensive dashboard tool to view all international holidays in one place. With our Global Holiday Dashboard you can view overall trends, search by upcoming weeks or months, or in the final tab search by specific holiday, month, date or country. This enables global teams to be aware of public holidays and out-of-office dates to help with scheduling purposes and to foster better international relationships with your colleagues or clients.
As the world grows increasingly interconnected, understanding and appreciating different cultures and traditions has become more crucial than ever. Beyond the diverse cuisines, languages, and landscapes, one aspect that unites people worldwide is the celebration of holidays. From colorful festivals to solemn religious observances, holidays offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of global customs.
“I think the most interesting part for me was understanding how different calendar types work – especially lunar calendars. It reminds me of learning a new language, where direct word-for-word translation often fails because the process is more complex. Looking at holidays from different calendar bases is similar. For example, the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. This date does not correspond to a specific day in the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based, leading to a shift in the Gregorian date of Eid al-Fitr each year. This distinction highlights the challenges of making a global calendar that captures the important dates across the world, like languages,” Jill Berry, digital solutions team, Antea Group USA.
Here at Inogen Alliance, and in our globalized work environment, acknowledging and respecting holidays can foster stronger relationships, enhance cross-cultural communication, and ultimately help us navigate the intricacies of international collaborations. So, enjoy going through a journey with us to explore holidays around the world and uncover the significance of embracing these cultural treasures to manage our work effectively across borders.
Wish your colleagues a Happy Lunar New Year in February across many Asian countries, Anzac Day in April in Australia and New Zealand, and Eid al-Adha across numerous countries in June.
February 17, 2025 /3BL/ – Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) has been recognized with several prestigious industry awards for its exceptional corporate governance and ESG efforts. The awards were given by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) and jointly from the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies (CHKLC) and Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).
Lenovo’s Gold Award in the Most Sustainable Companies/Organizations category of the Best Corporate Governance and ESG Awards, organized by the HKICPA, highlights its outstanding performance in both corporate governance and ESG practices. This accolade reflects Lenovo’s commitment to integrating these principles into its group’s values, strategies, and operations. Notably, this marks the twelfth consecutive year that Lenovo has received awards from the HKICPA. According to the judges’ report, Lenovo was awarded the Gold Award for its thorough articulation of key risks and relevant disclosures in its annual report, ongoing investment in diversified business growth, appointment of the lead independent director, provision of direct access for investors to engage with independent directors, promotion of a diverse board, development of its own ESG data management system and collaborations with accredited third parties on verification for certain environmental data.
Furthermore, Lenovo received the Award of Excellence in Corporate Governance and Award of Excellence in ESG under the Hang Seng Index Constituent Companies category, organized by CHKLC and the Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy (CCGFP) of HKBU. These awards recognize listed companies for their robust governance practices and structure that fuel the business growth, as well as their comprehensive ESG strategies. Lenovo’s governance structure, and board diversity and independence were praised by the judges, along with its mature ESG management system and innovative actions.
Early this month, Lenovo was awarded the Platinum Medal by EcoVadis, the leading global provider of business sustainability ratings. With a score of 85/100, this recognition places Lenovo in the top 1% of all companies rated by EcoVadis worldwide and underscores its ongoing commitment to sustainability.
For more information on Lenovo’s global sustainability, environmental and social impacts and governance practices, please refer to the latest Environmental, Social and Governance Report published in June 2024.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a US$57 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #248 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.
9th consecutive year Dow technologies have won BIG Innovation AwardsSix Dow technologies awarded, more than any other companyHighest number of BIG Innovation Awards Dow has won in a single year, matching the record set in 2024
MIDLAND, Mich., February 17, 2025 /3BL/ – For the 9th consecutive year, Dow (NYSE: DOW) has been recognized for innovation by the Business Intelligence Group (BIG). In the 2025 BIG Innovation Awards, Dow technologies won six awards in the Transformative Products category—more than any other company. This matches the record number of BIG Innovation Awards Dow received in 2024.
“Once again receiving six BIG Innovation Awards is a testament to the unwavering commitment and ingenuity of our team,” said A. N. Sreeram, senior vice president of R&D and chief technology officer. “These awards not only highlight our dedication to developing transformative products that address the evolving needs of our customers but also reinforce our passion for driving sustainable and impactful innovations.”
2025 BIG Innovation Award Winners
The Dow technologies listed below were all awarded in the Transformative Products category.
ACUSOL™ Prime 2 Polymer is a biodegradable dispersant with high bio-based carbon content for automatic dishwashing applications offering excellent shine performance while contributing to more sustainable cleaning.
AXELERON™ FO 6321 BK Telecom Cable Compound is a black, UV-stabilized HDPE cable jacket material designed for mini- and micro- fiber optic applications but useful across all power and telecommunication applications. It allows for more fibers in smaller cables that are easy to identify and trace, allowing for more efficient installations. Its high-performance properties support cables that are tough, weather-resistant, and can be produced quickly.
DALPAD™ A Plus Coalescing Agent is a low SVOC low-odor additive used in aqueous coatings and emulsion polymers to help form a homogeneous, strong coating during the drying process. It enables more sustainable coating solution with > 60% SVOC reduction for significantly improved indoor air quality and less worker exposure during application and ensures that the coating has excellent performance. The product has high efficiency in reducing the minimum film-forming temperature of the emulsion, as well as adapting to lower operating temperatures and reducing the impact of low temperatures on the decoration period. Coatings with DALPAD™ A Plus Coalescing Agent remain viscosity stable even after freeze-thaw or heat storage. And the coating has good low-temperature crack resistance and scrub resistance.
DOWFROST™ LC Heat Transfer Fluid is used for the direct-to-chip cooling of heat generating rack components in data centers. Cooling accounts for up to 40% of the energy demand from data centers, direct-to-chip cooling is an innovative solution offering a more effective option compared to conventional air cooling. DOWFROST™ LC Heat Transfer Fluid provides exceptional heat removal, corrosion protection, and compatibility with various materials, significantly reducing energy consumption. It extends the life of IT equipment, has minimal toxicity, is biodegradable, and has been rigorously tested for long-term reliability.
DOWSIL™ TC-3080 Curable Thermal Gel offers exceptional thermal management for advanced cooling technologies in high-performance computing (HPC) manufacturing and applications. As a dispensable or printable gel, it has low viscosity and can be cured at higher temperatures for accelerated curing. While incumbent solutions led to thermal failures and module shutdowns, TC-3080 maintained lower and more consistent temperatures. With its exceptional thermal gap-filling capability, it reduces total power consumption for cooling helping drive development of next-generation high-performance computing technologies.
TRITON™ FCX Surfactants are biodegradable alternatives to fluoro-containing materials, offering improved performance and sustainability benefits for paint formulations. Dow’s patented, multifunctional TRITON™ FCX Surfactants demonstrate superior block resistance and ease of use compared to fluoro-containing materials, making them safer for end users and cost-effective for paint formulators.
The BIG Innovation Awards celebrate organizations and individuals pushing boundaries and advancing their industries. Winners are evaluated by a panel of seasoned business leaders and executives who consider creativity, measurable results, and overall impact in their selections. For more information about the BIG Innovation Awards, visit their website.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.
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For further information, please contact:
Alicia Harpham
aharpham@dow.com
PowerSecure, a subsidiary of Southern Company and a leading provider of innovative energy solutions, announced its collaboration with Edged Energy to supply critical electrical and mechanical systems for its highly differentiated data center platform. This collaboration, part of a six-year alliance, marks a milestone with the opening of Edged Energy’s first North American data center in Atlanta.
“PowerSecure is proud to team with Edged Energy and to bring an innovative solution to our customers with a strong commitment to sustainability in this constantly evolving global technology and infrastructure environment,” said Chris Cummiskey, PowerSecure CEO. “Tremendous load growth is affecting utilities nationwide, and we are excited to see PowerSecure emerging as a critical service provider in the data center landscape.”
Edged data centers are uniquely optimized for energy efficiency and water conservation. The facilities are designed to cut overhead energy consumption by 74% portfolio-wide and operate efficiently, even in the hottest climates. Advanced cooling systems support high density AI workloads while consuming no water for cooling.
Key features of the Edged Atlanta Campus include PowerSecure PowerBlocks with EPA certified Tier 4 Final ultra-low emissions onsite backup generation. Tier 4 Final represents the most rigorous EPA emission standards for stationary diesel engines currently in place. Engines that comply with these stringent requirements contribute to cleaner air, enhanced fuel efficiency and superior performance.
The campus also has the capability to implement a patented autonomous frequency control system for robust and stable onsite power generation. Full microgrid connectivity with the local grid enhances the campus’s reliability and resilience, supporting continuous operations under adverse conditions.
Additionally, it features a fully automated, self-healing 24.9 kV medium voltage distribution system, which provides optimal energy efficiency.
The Edged Atlanta Campus, designed as a 168 MW critical IT campus, includes the recently completed 27 MW data center, a second 100 MW facility currently under construction and a third 41 MW facility.
This project exemplifies PowerSecure’s dedication to delivering sustainable, reliable and resilient power solutions, and reinforces Edged Energy’s commitment to a clean energy future.
About PowerSecure
PowerSecure, a subsidiary of Southern Company, stands at the forefront of the distributed energy infrastructure sector in the United States. With a rich history spanning two decades, PowerSecure’s dedicated team of professionals has successfully developed, installed, managed and serviced over 2 gigawatts of microgrid capacity. This achievement underscores PowerSecure’s commitment to advancing energy solutions that are both efficient and sustainable, having implemented energy efficiency upgrades valued at more than $900 million. To learn more, visit www.powersecure.com.
In our latest episode of ESG Voices, we’re diving into the fascinating implications of the UK’s brand-new “failure to prevent fraud” offence. This legislation aims to be a game-changer for corporate accountability and ESG reporting, and we’re here to help you navigate it! Join us for an engaging chat with Annabel Reoch, Simon Stiggear, Michael Pollitt, and Ethan Salathiel, as they share valuable insights on how this offence enhances fraud risk assessments, tackles potential challenges, and offers approaches for your organization to maintains compliance and transparency in ESG reporting.
Originally published on 3M News Center
Sirish Subash, the winner of the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge, was recently celebrated at the Georgia State Capitol. Sirish, his family and his 3M mentor, Aditya Banerji, sat in the House Gallery while he was honored with a proclamation from House Minority Whip Sam Park.
The proclamation recognized his Challenge victory, and his innovative device called PestiSCAND, which can detect pesticide residue on produce. Following the ceremony, Sirish was presented with a framed copy of the proclamation and spoke with Rep. Park about his education and future plans.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by my state,” said Sirish. “It was a really cool experience. We got to go through the Capitol, and there was a recognition by my representative and my district senator.”
On the Senate side, Sirish was invited to the chamber floor by Senator Sheikh Rahman. Rahman delivered a statement about Sirish’s accomplishments, his recognition as “America’s Top Young Scientist” and his bright future. After the announcement, multiple senators introduced themselves to Sirish and asked about his work.
“It is incredible to see Sirish recognized in different forums and the level of interest his work on PestiSCAND has generated globally,” said Aditya Banerji, Sirish’s 3M mentor and senior research engineer in its corporate research process laboratory. “He is an exceptionally bright mind who is already looking ahead to how to solve the next societal issue while forging ahead with his studies.”
Those who met Sirish at the Capitol were eager to learn what Sirish is planning next. “I’ll be doing more work on PestiSCAND in the next few years, but for now I’m thinking on new projects, like a detector for microplastics in water—that’s what I’m currently working on,” said Sirish.
While 3M and its partners at Discovery Education will continue to celebrate Sirish’s achievement, they recently announced that the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge is now open to entries. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” The Challenge is kicking off its 18th season and entries will be accepted until May 1 at YoungScientistLab.com .
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Recently, Mosaic CCDA welcomed Whirlpool Corp. mentors and students from Benton Harbor High School’s Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program powered by Youth Solutions, Inc. for a morning of hands-on experience in project management, retail merchandising, sales and customer service. During the career exploration experience, students learned about community resources and even helped with the Whirlpool Corp. Feel Good Fridge initiative to fight food insecurity!
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the last-remaining major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas – 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
LINCOLN, Neb., February 17, 2025 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Foundation is investing in technology to help trees grow faster. This investment aims to draw millions of tons CO2 out of the atmosphere over the next decade, while restoring microbial biodiversity to thousands of acres of forests.
The global tree planting nonprofit’s Impact Fund, created to drive innovation in nature-based solutions, is supporting Funga PBC. The startup utilizes DNA sequencing and advanced data analysis to identify growth-promoting, native fungal communities that used to be present and have been degraded over time by land management practices and other factors. Funga then inoculates seedlings with these fungal communities at the nursery, so that these fungi will be established on the tree’s roots at the time of planting. Early results have shown that Funga’s inoculants can increase survival rates and boost tree growth by an average of 30%. This process not only restores and protects belowground biodiversity, but it also enables forests to pull more carbon out of the atmosphere.
“As a global leader in forestry, we feel a responsibility to find the next innovation in nature that can be a game changer to help solve some of the Earth’s biggest problems. That’s why our team is energized to help power Funga’s innovative work,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Funga’s method has the potential to create planet-shaping impact and deepen the layered benefits of tree planting.”
Funga was founded in 2021 by Dr. Colin Averill and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The organization has already helped to restore fungal biodiversity across more than 6,500 acres of managed forests.
“I used to plant Arbor Day Foundation seedlings in grade school. Many people’s first tree planting experience is tied to Arbor Day Foundation’s work. This investment is personally meaningful, and signals a broader realization within the reforestation community that belowground fungi are an essential component of not just planting trees, but revitalizing entire forested ecosystems,” said Dr. Colin Averill, Founder and CEO of Funga.
The Arbor Day Impact Fund makes strategic investments in leaders and startups whose solutions have the potential to accelerate the pace, scale and quality of work in alignment with the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission. Funga is the Impact Fund’s second portfolio company.
Parties interested in receiving funding from the Arbor Day Impact Fund can learn more and submit opportunities to arborday.org/impact-fund or email impact@arborday.org.
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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