Tag: 3BL

Three Points to Remember

1. Leidos continues to strengthen its social impact through partnerships that create real opportunities for people and communities.
2. Leidos earned national recognition for developing young talent, with silver partnership status award from the John Egging Trust.
3. Leidos teams joined Carma for a tree-planting day at Mary Hale School to support the local community and its environmental accomplishments highlight in our UK Sustainability Report.

Empowering Young People Through Partnership

Leidos believes real progress happens when people and communities grow together. This year, the company is proud to be recognised for exactly that with a silver partnership status award from the Jon Egging Trust (JET). This achievement reflects shared goals – investing in talent, creating opportunities, and building a positive legacy where we live and work.

Leidos’ partnership with JET builds on this belief. The JET Blue Skies programme supports young people who may be struggling with a lack of confidence and self-belief and who are at risk of disengaging from school. Together, the two groups help them build resilience, communication skills, and a clearer sense of what their future may hold.

In the inaugural event with JET, Leidos’ Whiteley office welcomed 20 Year 8 students from nearby Miltoncross Academy in Portsmouth, with the day focusing on three key competencies: communication, teamwork, and resilience. Collaborative and engaging activities across the day included:

• The LEGO Challenge: A fun and fast-paced team task that tested collaboration, attention to detail, and communication
• Interview with a Professional: A powerful session where students explored real-life stories of resilience and overcoming adversity
• Airport Scanner Challenge: A practical, problem-solving activity inspired by one of Leidos’ very own UK-developed technologies.

Reflecting on the day, Fi Collins, JET’s director of communications and fundraising, said “We are incredibly grateful to Leidos for your vital funding support and for the horizon-broadening workplace visits you facilitate for our students. These visits enable our students to build self-belief and aspiration, meet inspiring professional role models, and see the real-world application of subjects they are studying at school. Thank you!”

Leidos is proud to continue this journey with JET throughout the 2025-26 academic year.

Leidos’ commitment to developing the next generation defence workforce is also demonstrated by its partnership with La Fosse Academy. The programme opens doors for people from a wide range of backgrounds — from career changes and those who didn’t go to university to early-stage professionals simply seeking a new direction — by providing an intensive 12-16 week training bootcamp, providing them with a variety of skills, from software and systems engineering to cyber and data. After completing training, participants join Leidos as associates for two years, working alongside our teams and continuing to build their skills in a real-world environment. Our Leidos x La Fosse Mentor Programme pairs each associate with an experienced engineer to support their growth and guide their development.

Since 2021, 96% of La Fosse associates have moved into permanent roles with Leidos and contributed across 46 programmes of work. The programme is designed to create opportunities for those who might not otherwise access careers in the sector, with 25% of associates being women, 85% of associates from lower-income backgrounds, and 56% from ethnic minority backgrounds. The partnership reflects the possible impact when traditional barriers to entry are removed, and talent is recognised in all its forms.

Planting Roots for the Future

Last month, Leidos colleagues joined forces with Carma, a UK-based climate action organisation supporting veterans, and Mary Hare School for a day of environmental action and community connection. Together, they planted trees and hedgerows around the school ground. For many who took part, it was a chance to reconnect with our Corporate Social Responsibilities to create social impact.

Stuart Dance, Air Safety Compliance and Assurance Lead at Leidos, summed it up perfectly: “More importantly, Leidos is committed to walking-the-walk and giving back to our local communities. The Mary Hare school relies on generating its own funds, so to help improve its grounds by planting trees for future generations of children to enjoy watching grow, at no cost to the school, is a really warm feeling.”

I really enjoyed the chance to meet some more of the Leidos team and being able to put something back into the Community is a worthwhile use of corporate resources. It was a pleasure to be able to see first hand how Leidos is putting into practice what they stated they would do during their tender bid.

Brian Storey, THOR Delivery Manager, National Armaments Director Group

The Mary Hare School tree planting day builds on Leidos UK’s wider partnership with Carma, as detailed in the latest Sustainability Report. It’s a real-world example of the company’s ongoing effort to minimise environmental impact and strengthen the communities where it operates.

Turning Commitments into Measurable Impact

As outlined in Leidos UK’s Sustainability Report, the company has already achieved a 32% overall reduction in carbon emissions between 2019 and 2024 – a major step toward its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2040.

The report also highlights how Leidos is engaging employees in sustainable practices. Since 2022, all UK employees have been taking part in personalised programmes designed to help them reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment. Between January and August 2025, employees collectively committed to reducing 20,898kg of carbon, saved more than 1 million litres of water, and eliminated over 1,700 single-use plastic items.

These collective actions – from office initiatives to hands-on volunteering – represent how Leidos is turning its environmental commitments into measurable impact.

Building a Lasting Legacy 

Across every initiative – whether it’s developing young talent, empowering disadvantaged students, or restoring green spaces – Leidos people are leading the way. By combining education, community engagement, and sustainability, Leidos is turning its social value goals into real-world progress and building a lasting legacy for future generations.

learn more about social value in the uk

As the new year approaches, we’re looking back at the four most popular episodes of Season 5 of the Healthy Spaces podcast. Co-hosts Dominique Silva and Scott Tew sat down with finance leaders, technologists, sustainability experts and academic partners to explore what happens when bold ideas turn into real impact.

Together, these episodes provide actionable insights for business leaders at the intersection of sustainability and technology.

If you want a snapshot of how climate-smart innovation is facilitating sustainable solutions for the planet, these episodes are a great place to start.

1. The ROI of Sustainability: A CFO’s Perspective

In this episode, Trane Technologies Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Chris Kuehn and Trane Services Account Manager Erin Garrity unpack a topic that’s top of mind for many leaders: How sustainability can drive ROI.

Chris describes how sustainability can be a powerful engine for growth and resilience. Listeners hear how strategic decarbonization investments can strengthen the bottom line while delivering benefits for shareholders, customers and the planet. Later in the episode, Erin highlights how new service offerings and business models can amplify sustainability efforts while also creating business value.

For finance, sustainability and operations leaders, this episode offers an actionable look at how to make a compelling business case for sustainability.

2. Connecting the Dots: Unlocking Innovation with Systems Thinking

In this episode, Trane Technologies Senior Vice President and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer Mauro J. Atalla and Sustainability Engagement Program Manager Hannah Black talk about what happens when leaders use systems thinking to link sustainability, technology and innovation.

Mauro shares how taking a holistic perspective helps teams spot connections across products, services, supply chains and the built environment — and why creating those linkages matters for decarbonization. Instead of focusing on one-off projects, he encourages listeners to build portfolios of solutions that work together, support each other and grow over time. Culture matters, too: Hannah highlights practical ways to motivate teammates to become sustainability advocates and make the connection between sustainability efforts and customer needs.

For leaders building a decarbonization roadmap or driving change inside large organizations, the conversation offers a real-world guide to linking strategy, culture and innovation while keeping both people and the planet in focus.

3. AI for the Planet: From Tech Labs to Real Life

Artificial intelligence (AI) often feels abstract, but in this episode, guest co-host Rebecca Handfield, VP of Marketing at BrainBox AI and host Dominique Silva ground this technology in real-world decarbonization solutions.

Guests Jean-Simon Venne (BrainBox AI co-founder and CEO) and Dr. David Rolnick (McGill University assistant professor and co-founder of Climate Change AI) discuss how AI can help tackle complex climate challenges — from optimizing building performance to supporting biodiversity. The episode also takes listeners inside the new Trane Technologies AI Lab in Montreal, where teams are developing the next generation of AI-powered innovations for the built environment.

For anyone curious about the role of AI in decarbonization, this episode offers a deeper look at how connected intelligence and human expertise can work together to accelerate sustainable innovation.

4. Cooling the Cloud: Innovation at the Heart of Data Centers

Behind every video call, favorite streaming series or AI breakthrough is a network of data centers working in the background. These facilities are now a core part of modern infrastructure, and their growing energy demands pose challenges for organizations trying to meet decarbonization goals.

In this episode, Scott Smith, Director of Mission Critical Offerings at Trane Technologies, joins Dr. Dereje Agonafer, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, to discuss how advances in climate technology can help increase the sector’s energy efficiency.

For data center operators, IT leaders and building owners, the message is clear: with AI driving steady increases in energy use, digital climate technology will play a central role in shaping a more resilient and sustainable connected future.

Subscribe to keep exploring

These four episodes are just a starting point. From new circularity models to cross-industry collaborations, Season 5 of Healthy Spaces showcases actionable strategies to decarbonize the built environment while creating business value.

Across the season, you’ll hear everything from CFO perspectives on sustainability to stories about AI labs and climate technology for data centers.

Subscribe to Healthy Spaces on your favorite podcast platforms or explore the full episode library on the Trane Technologies website.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
YouTube 
Amazon Music

Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.

Explore careers that make an impact at Trane Technologies.

As the new year approaches, we’re looking back at the four most popular episodes of Season 5 of the Healthy Spaces podcast. Co-hosts Dominique Silva and Scott Tew sat down with finance leaders, technologists, sustainability experts and academic partners to explore what happens when bold ideas turn into real impact.

Together, these episodes provide actionable insights for business leaders at the intersection of sustainability and technology.

If you want a snapshot of how climate-smart innovation is facilitating sustainable solutions for the planet, these episodes are a great place to start.

1. The ROI of Sustainability: A CFO’s Perspective

In this episode, Trane Technologies Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Chris Kuehn and Trane Services Account Manager Erin Garrity unpack a topic that’s top of mind for many leaders: How sustainability can drive ROI.

Chris describes how sustainability can be a powerful engine for growth and resilience. Listeners hear how strategic decarbonization investments can strengthen the bottom line while delivering benefits for shareholders, customers and the planet. Later in the episode, Erin highlights how new service offerings and business models can amplify sustainability efforts while also creating business value.

For finance, sustainability and operations leaders, this episode offers an actionable look at how to make a compelling business case for sustainability.

2. Connecting the Dots: Unlocking Innovation with Systems Thinking

In this episode, Trane Technologies Senior Vice President and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer Mauro J. Atalla and Sustainability Engagement Program Manager Hannah Black talk about what happens when leaders use systems thinking to link sustainability, technology and innovation.

Mauro shares how taking a holistic perspective helps teams spot connections across products, services, supply chains and the built environment — and why creating those linkages matters for decarbonization. Instead of focusing on one-off projects, he encourages listeners to build portfolios of solutions that work together, support each other and grow over time. Culture matters, too: Hannah highlights practical ways to motivate teammates to become sustainability advocates and make the connection between sustainability efforts and customer needs.

For leaders building a decarbonization roadmap or driving change inside large organizations, the conversation offers a real-world guide to linking strategy, culture and innovation while keeping both people and the planet in focus.

3. AI for the Planet: From Tech Labs to Real Life

Artificial intelligence (AI) often feels abstract, but in this episode, guest co-host Rebecca Handfield, VP of Marketing at BrainBox AI and host Dominique Silva ground this technology in real-world decarbonization solutions.

Guests Jean-Simon Venne (BrainBox AI co-founder and CEO) and Dr. David Rolnick (McGill University assistant professor and co-founder of Climate Change AI) discuss how AI can help tackle complex climate challenges — from optimizing building performance to supporting biodiversity. The episode also takes listeners inside the new Trane Technologies AI Lab in Montreal, where teams are developing the next generation of AI-powered innovations for the built environment.

For anyone curious about the role of AI in decarbonization, this episode offers a deeper look at how connected intelligence and human expertise can work together to accelerate sustainable innovation.

4. Cooling the Cloud: Innovation at the Heart of Data Centers

Behind every video call, favorite streaming series or AI breakthrough is a network of data centers working in the background. These facilities are now a core part of modern infrastructure, and their growing energy demands pose challenges for organizations trying to meet decarbonization goals.

In this episode, Scott Smith, Director of Mission Critical Offerings at Trane Technologies, joins Dr. Dereje Agonafer, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, to discuss how advances in climate technology can help increase the sector’s energy efficiency.

For data center operators, IT leaders and building owners, the message is clear: with AI driving steady increases in energy use, digital climate technology will play a central role in shaping a more resilient and sustainable connected future.

Subscribe to keep exploring

These four episodes are just a starting point. From new circularity models to cross-industry collaborations, Season 5 of Healthy Spaces showcases actionable strategies to decarbonize the built environment while creating business value.

Across the season, you’ll hear everything from CFO perspectives on sustainability to stories about AI labs and climate technology for data centers.

Subscribe to Healthy Spaces on your favorite podcast platforms or explore the full episode library on the Trane Technologies website.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
YouTube 
Amazon Music

Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.

Explore careers that make an impact at Trane Technologies.

This holiday season, Entergy proudly sponsored the annual gift giveaway for The Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund in New Orleans, marking an impressive 130 years of spreading joy and generosity this holiday season. Our leadership team and employee volunteers came together to share warmth and happiness, handing out thousands of toys to children and families in need — an initiative Entergy has supported since 2016.

Each year, this charitable event draws large crowds who line up outside in the early morning hours, eager to participate. An estimated $120,000 is allocated to purchasing toys, thanks to the generosity of individual donors and sponsors, including Entergy, UPS, River Parish Disposal, Fox 8 News, Element, Fidelity Bank, Folgers, and The Times-Picayune. Approximately 100 volunteers generously gave their time to help ensure the event ran smoothly.

Hosted at Xavier University of Louisiana, more than 30 Entergy employees rolled up their sleeves to unbox and distribute gifts to families facing challenging circumstances across the New Orleans area.

“The Doll and Toy Fund event embodies the true spirit of the holidays and highlights the importance of giving back,” said Drew Marsh, Entergy’s chair and CEO. “We are honored to partner in this initiative, which brings so much joy to families in the communities we serve.”

As families gathered in the parking lot, the excitement and anticipation were palpable, with thousands eager to engage in this cherished annual celebration. Last year, the fund successfully distributed over 12,000 gifts throughout the metro area, and this year’s event proved just as impactful.

At Entergy, our commitment to giving back extends well beyond the holiday season. Alongside our dedication to providing reliable power to our customers, we strive to make the communities we serve a little brighter through a variety of strategic initiatives.

View original content here.

Southern Company

December 16, 2025 /3BL/ – Southern Company is proud to announce the company has earned the No. 1 ranking in the United States on this year’s Military Times Best for Vets: Employers list. This marks the second time Southern Company has earned the top spot on this prestigious list, which recognizes companies that demonstrate exceptional dedication to hiring, retaining and supporting America’s veterans.

The Military Times Best for Vets list is a highly respected, independent evaluation that is compiled by surveying hundreds of companies and organizations across the country. The methodology used in evaluating employers includes recruitment and onboarding practices, retention and career advancement programs, and support for veterans and military spouses.

“Southern Company’s recognition as the No. 1 Best for Vets Employer is a powerful testament to the strength of our long-standing commitment to those who serve our country,” said Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company. “We believe in the power of our veterans and are dedicated to being a great place for them to work because their leadership, discipline and dedication truly enrich our company and the communities we serve. It is important to us that we support our veterans as they transition into civilian life and grow their careers within our company, and I’m proud that commitment is something shared across our company.”

Southern Company has a longstanding commitment to supporting military members and their families through dedicated recruitment, career development and transition assistance programs. The company purposefully partners with military organizations and participates in veteran hiring initiatives to help service members successfully move into civilian energy careers, including a recent agreement with the United States Army Reserve’s Private Public Partnership signed in August. Southern Company has repeatedly been recognized by a variety of organizations lauding its efforts in fostering a workplace that values the leadership and technical skills held by veterans, including ranking No. 2 overall on the 2026 Military Friendly® Employer list and earning the status of a Gold Employer for Military Veterans by the U.S. Department of Labor.

It has been a long and difficult year for many professionals in the CSR, ESG, and Sustainability fields. For those individuals fortunate to still be employed, you’re facing unprecedented challenges with budgets and staffing being reduced but still being asked to produce significant impacts, while revamping your communications approach to limit external scrutiny. On a brighter note, it’s encouraging to see how companies and organizations are adapting to this new reality.

As we close out 2025 and welcome 2026, here’s how we’ve been told we stand out in these challenging times:

• Limited Budgets – We work with you, at no cost, to develop an approach that recognizes your budget limitations.
• Limited Staffing – We offer a flexible team framework, combining fractional and part-time experts with a few full-time staff to address a range of programmatic and administrative needs.
• Need for Experts – We have advisors and experts available for any specialized need, from employee engagement to impact reporting, business alignment, and stakeholder communication; our talent network is comprised of senior-level experts with both deep corporate and consulting experience.

It can be lonely to be a CSR professional in these times. We are here to be your guide, including a bridge to others facing similar challenges. Our partnership with organizations like ACCP helps to provide support, resources, and most importantly, a haven for individuals needing connection.

As the landscape continues to evolve, take comfort that CSR Talent Group is built to support you.

All of us at CSR Talent Group hope you have a peaceful holiday with family and loved ones.

ROCKY HILL, Conn., December 16, 2025 /3BL/ – During this season of giving, Henkel is celebrating the collective impact organizations can make together for local communities and young athletes. Through its multi-year partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, Henkel North America, a leading manufacturer of well-known consumer and industrial brands including Dial® soap, Persil® and , all® free clear laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Schwarzkopf® hair care and Loctite®, OSI®, Technomelt®, and Bonderite® adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, is partnering with organizations to improve access to the game of soccer by creating moments of community, inclusion and opportunity.

Building on this commitment, Henkel is working with U.S. Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to expand access to the game through free youth clinics, community equipment drives that provide needed gear, and the Dial® Clean Sheet program supporting classrooms nationwide—creating opportunities for kids to play, grow and thrive on and off the field.

“At Henkel, we are thrilled to team up with U.S. Soccer to empower the next generation,” said Jennifer Schiavone, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Americas. “Through our partnership with U.S. Soccer, we want to create more opportunities to increase access to the sport for young athletes while providing mentorship and needed equipment and giving back to our communities. This is what teamwork in action truly looks like.”

Creating Opportunity through AYSO Youth Clinics

This fall, Henkel hosted three clinics, two near Henkel offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and Stamford, Connecticut, and another in Tampa, Florida, that welcomed hundreds of young athletes for a day of coach-led drills, team activities and mentorship from American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) coaches and Henkel employee volunteers.

AYSO Youth Clinics offer children of all skill levels the chance to learn, play, and connect, building physical confidence, teamwork and a sense of community. Every participant left with their own soccer ball, T-shirt and Henkel gift bag, which included Henkel household products such as Dial® soap and Persil® laundry detergent for their families to use, along with memories that reinforce the company’s belief that sport helps youth grow academically, socially and personally.

“These clinics marked the beginning of our growing collaboration with Henkel, aimed at expanding access to the game and reaching even more children and families,” said Dan Howald, Senior Director, AYSO. “Looking forward to 2026 as we continue our partnership to share the joy of the game with kids of all ages and backgrounds and make soccer more accessible, more connected, and more fun for everyone, everywhere.” 

AYSO is one of U.S. Soccer’s 118 member organizations, which the U.S. Soccer Federation oversees as the governing body of the sport in the United States while collaborating to grow the game.

Expanding Reach Through Community Equipment Drives

Two equipment drives were hosted in Chester, Pennsylvania in partnership with Leveling the Playing Field, and Orlando, Florida in collaboration with Sports 4 the Kids. The drives invite fans and families to donate gently used soccer gear—including balls, cleats and nets—to help more kids experience the game.

These efforts provide a way for fans to help, underscoring how small acts of giving can strengthen community connections and open doors for more children to experience the lifelong benefits of sport.

From the Field to the Classroom

Henkel has been longtime supporter of DonorsChoose – a nonprofit that makes it easy to help students in need by fulfilling teachers’ requests for classroom resources. Through its® Clean Sheet program, Dial® is making a donation for every “clean sheet” (winning team prevents opposing team from scoring) in a U.S. Senior National Team soccer match, while encouraging fans to also support.

To date Dial® has donated $100,000 to support 339 schools across the country and fund 3,219 pieces of sports and exercise equipment, 555 items of food, clothing and hygiene essentials, and 488 books—extending Henkel’s impact from the field to the classroom and helping inspire the next generation.

Together, these efforts capture the spirit of the giving season, uniting organizations to impact communities for generations to come. Henkel and its family of brands will continue to celebrate U.S. Soccer achievements and community impact programs in 2026.

ROCKY HILL, Conn., December 16, 2025 /3BL/ – During this season of giving, Henkel is celebrating the collective impact organizations can make together for local communities and young athletes. Through its multi-year partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, Henkel North America, a leading manufacturer of well-known consumer and industrial brands including Dial® soap, Persil® and , all® free clear laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Schwarzkopf® hair care and Loctite®, OSI®, Technomelt®, and Bonderite® adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, is partnering with organizations to improve access to the game of soccer by creating moments of community, inclusion and opportunity.

Building on this commitment, Henkel is working with U.S. Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to expand access to the game through free youth clinics, community equipment drives that provide needed gear, and the Dial® Clean Sheet program supporting classrooms nationwide—creating opportunities for kids to play, grow and thrive on and off the field.

“At Henkel, we are thrilled to team up with U.S. Soccer to empower the next generation,” said Jennifer Schiavone, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Americas. “Through our partnership with U.S. Soccer, we want to create more opportunities to increase access to the sport for young athletes while providing mentorship and needed equipment and giving back to our communities. This is what teamwork in action truly looks like.”

Creating Opportunity through AYSO Youth Clinics

This fall, Henkel hosted three clinics, two near Henkel offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and Stamford, Connecticut, and another in Tampa, Florida, that welcomed hundreds of young athletes for a day of coach-led drills, team activities and mentorship from American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) coaches and Henkel employee volunteers.

AYSO Youth Clinics offer children of all skill levels the chance to learn, play, and connect, building physical confidence, teamwork and a sense of community. Every participant left with their own soccer ball, T-shirt and Henkel gift bag, which included Henkel household products such as Dial® soap and Persil® laundry detergent for their families to use, along with memories that reinforce the company’s belief that sport helps youth grow academically, socially and personally.

“These clinics marked the beginning of our growing collaboration with Henkel, aimed at expanding access to the game and reaching even more children and families,” said Dan Howald, Senior Director, AYSO. “Looking forward to 2026 as we continue our partnership to share the joy of the game with kids of all ages and backgrounds and make soccer more accessible, more connected, and more fun for everyone, everywhere.” 

AYSO is one of U.S. Soccer’s 118 member organizations, which the U.S. Soccer Federation oversees as the governing body of the sport in the United States while collaborating to grow the game.

Expanding Reach Through Community Equipment Drives

Two equipment drives were hosted in Chester, Pennsylvania in partnership with Leveling the Playing Field, and Orlando, Florida in collaboration with Sports 4 the Kids. The drives invite fans and families to donate gently used soccer gear—including balls, cleats and nets—to help more kids experience the game.

These efforts provide a way for fans to help, underscoring how small acts of giving can strengthen community connections and open doors for more children to experience the lifelong benefits of sport.

From the Field to the Classroom

Henkel has been longtime supporter of DonorsChoose – a nonprofit that makes it easy to help students in need by fulfilling teachers’ requests for classroom resources. Through its® Clean Sheet program, Dial® is making a donation for every “clean sheet” (winning team prevents opposing team from scoring) in a U.S. Senior National Team soccer match, while encouraging fans to also support.

To date Dial® has donated $100,000 to support 339 schools across the country and fund 3,219 pieces of sports and exercise equipment, 555 items of food, clothing and hygiene essentials, and 488 books—extending Henkel’s impact from the field to the classroom and helping inspire the next generation.

Together, these efforts capture the spirit of the giving season, uniting organizations to impact communities for generations to come. Henkel and its family of brands will continue to celebrate U.S. Soccer achievements and community impact programs in 2026.

The Bucharest University of Economic Studies and SLB, a global technology company, are collaborating to modernize academic spaces and introduce interactive learning experiences. This initiative is designed to enrich student learning and strengthen connections between academia and industry.

Read more here: https://energyindustryreview.com/events/bucharest-university-of-economic-studies-and-slb-collaboration/

At COP30, Bureau Veritas launched its Manufacturer Decarbonization Strategy Playbook.

This practical resource, developed with key contributions from Cascale, supports manufacturers, including SMEs, in setting and advancing decarbonization targets. The Paris Committee on Capacity-Building (PCCB) recently included the playbook in a small-to-medium enterprise discussion at COP30, where Cascale also participated in an associated Bureau Veritas member webinar.

At the “Decarbonization Playbook for Manufacturers” webinar, speakers included Cascale’s senior director of decarbonization Joyce Tsoi; Apparel Impact Institute’s senior director of sustainable finance and engagement Kristina Elinder Lijas; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit’s head of project (GIZ) Gundolf Klaehn; Gokaldas Exports Limited’s deputy general manager Mahantesh Bangari; and Bureau Veritas’ senior program specialist Hailey Wang, as well as head of decarbonization and cleaner production, Rakesh Vazirani.

The webinar laid the foundation for the decarbonization business case, with an inclusive focus on manufacturer perspectives and cultural nuance. It convened more than 500 participants, with over 40 percent reporting that they are either just beginning their decarbonization journey or are in the early stages of data collection and target-setting.

Participants highlighted the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) as a common industry tool for measuring carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, and noted key barriers to decarbonization including high costs, limited in-house expertise and resources, and the challenge of securing customer support to cover decarbonization investments.

Tsoi offered insights into how Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) accelerates climate action. Welcoming Cascale members and non-members alike, the 18-month MCAP program helps manufacturers across the consumer goods industry develop and validate Science-Aligned Targets (SATs) to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. To date, MCAP has engaged 70 manufacturers with a collective CO2 reduction potential of over 419,000 tCO2e from 16 validated participants.

At a high-level, Tsoi explored the steps manufacturers and suppliers can take today to make progress on decarbonization goals, starting with measurement and baseline setting. She encouraged attendees to understand their current energy usage, fuel types, and carbon footprints in their owned operations and supply chain.

Next, she explored the target-setting approach in greater detail. Her advice: Use standardized, science-based frameworks like those developed for MCAP or by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) For successful implementation, Tsoi recommended manufacturers prioritize and plan impactful, cost-effective actions, and delegate out further responsibilities.

Bangari, representing Gokaldas, a Cascale manufacturer member based in India India, described how participating in MCAP helped the company set science-aligned targets for their Scope 1 and 2 emissions. He described Gokaldas’ sustainability achievements, which include procuring 75 percent renewable energy, improving machinery efficiency, and increasing waste and water recycling rates, among others. Showcased among the certifications in the company’s recent investor report, Gokaldas’ average Higg FEM score was 89 percent.