Tag: 3BL

In the coming decades, humanity will achieve feats that would have seemed like magic to our grandparents. The rapid acceleration of progress, fueled by artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies, is enabling us to solve problems once thought impossible. Some leaders are even calling this new era the intelligent age.

As our capabilities grow, businesses are embracing AI and other technologies strategically. SAP is leading the way, offering a smarter approach to business transformation services, combining cutting-edge tools with human expertise to help organizations unlock the full potential of these advancements.

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In this new era, cloud technologies, AI, and human intelligence are converging, resulting in remarkable advancements in areas like demand forecasting, supply chain resilience, and process automation. As a result, businesses are increasingly shifting their focus to high-value tasks and real-time collaboration, allowing them to unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation.

While the opportunities are immense, the benefits are not guaranteed. The winners in this new era will be those organizations that can transform their operations digitally in increasingly more intelligent ways to set themselves up for success. For example, getting the most from business AI requires first moving your systems to a cloud ERP with SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

Winning in the age of intelligence requires a newer and more intelligent approach to business transformation and the stakes could not be higher.

Combining the Power of Human Expertise with Technology

While the potential of AI-driven cloud systems is vast, some companies still struggle to fully leverage them. Many digital transformations fail to meet their objectives. Common pitfalls include a lack of technical expertise and employee engagement, inadequate management support, poor cross-functional collaboration, and a lack of accountability. Furthermore, sustaining a transformation’s impact typically requires a major reset in mindsets and behaviors.

Often the most difficult part of transforming businesses isn’t determining what to do, but rather how to do it. To address these challenges, SAP is building on a time-tested approach, combining cutting-edge tools with the power of human judgment, and taking it to the next level.

At the heart of this strategy is RISE with SAP, a game-changing initiative designed to help businesses continuously transform. To date, 7,000 companies – representing 32% of the global economy – have embraced RISE with SAP. These companies are already experiencing the benefits, including two percent lower operating costs and three percent lower inventory.

The critical “human” component of the RISE methodology are the enterprise architects, transformation experts who guide businesses through the intricacies of their digital transformation, ensuring they maximize the value of SAP tools and services.

Enterprise architects not only help customers utilize the RISE with SAP Methodology, but also harmonize all elements of the transformation, guiding customers to the modular cloud suite. This ensures a cohesive, effective process whereby the enterprise architect becomes a trusted advisor for the customer. By leveraging SAP’s integrated toolchain — across SAP Signavio, SAP LeanIX, SAP Cloud ALM, SAP Business Technology Platform, and WalkMe — enterprise architects help SAP customers transform holistically through their processes, data, systems, and their people, supporting their long-term success.

SAP has already seen a strong internal response to this approach, seasoned individuals are lining up for the role. Our recruitment and tailored enablement efforts are in full swing, with hundreds of cohorts currently going through training. We are also fine-tuning our enterprise architect operational and commercial model to simplify how we engage with customers and the early customer response has been very positive.

Shaping the Future of Business Transformations

Our early customer successes show the power and the potential of SAP’s intelligent transformation approach. By combining human expertise with advanced AI and cloud technologies, SAP is setting a new standard for what is possible through business transformations. As we look to the future, this integrated approach will continue to enable businesses to unlock new value and drive sustainable success.

At SAP, our vision is to redefine the way businesses transform, setting a benchmark for intelligent and integrated business transformations that drive real, measurable results. And for those organizations that adopt it, the possibilities in this new age are limitless.

Thomas Saueressig is a member of the Executive Board of SAP SE, leading Customer Services & Delivery. 
Thomas Pfiester is executive vice president and head of Global Customer Engagement & Services at SAP.

In October, Tapestry UK celebrated UK Black History Month with panel discussions, celebrations, and events for associates. Internally, a panel featuring inspiring changemakers who have paved paths in Fashion, Beauty, Media, and Medicine was hosted. Participants include Jamelia Donaldson, Bianca Saunders, Dr. Joan Langley, and Selma Nicholls who shared their experiences around self-expression, inclusion, and mental health. The panel delved into topics such as overcoming industry barriers and strategies for fostering a more inclusive environment. Each speaker brought unique perspectives from their respective fields, making it a truly enriching experience for all attendees.

Externally, Tapestry partnered with the UK Black Business Show and proudly sponsored the Black Fashion Talks. The discussion, “Finding Your Career Path in the Fashion Industry,” was moderated by the dynamic Jay-Ann Lopez, a visionary leader in the gaming industry and founder of Black Girl Gamers, who has previously partnered with Coach. The UK Black Business Show, founded in 2017, highlights the achievements and contributions of Black businesses to the economy and provides invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business from some of the UK’s leading Black professionals. Tapestry is honored to partner with this organization and looks forward to what’s next.

Tapestry also partnered with Bola Sol, host of The Bola Sol Show, Financial Advisor, and Author. Her mission to build a community where women are equipped and encouraged to engage in financial conversations makes her a powerful advocate for financial empowerment. Tapestry had the opportunity to style Sol in pieces from the kate spade new york and Stuart Weitzman collections.

UK Black History Month concluded with catering from 2NigerianBoys. The jollof was delicious and the vibes were immaculate.

Learn more about Tapestry’s people and culture here.

DAVOS, Switzerland, HAMBURG, Germany, December 10, 2024 /3BL/ – Today, the names of the Top 20 Chief Sustainability Officers of Europe that are nominated for the CSO Awards 25 were revealed by Futur/io Institute. The members of the Grand Jury that will select the winners of the CSO Awards are also released.

The final winners will be announced during the World Economic Forum Week at the Futur/io CSO Awards Gala Ceremony on 20 January, in Davos, Switzerland.

The 20 CSO Awards Nominees are, in alphabetical order:

Anna Celsing Klingberg – Alfa LavalChristoph Nabholz – Swiss ReClaire Lund – GskCléa Martinet – Renault GroupConstance Chalchat – BNP Paribas CibElena Valderrábano – TelefónicaIngrid De Ryck – Ab InbevKarin Reiter – The Adecco GroupKatharina Stenholm – DSM-FirmenichKatie McGinty – Johnson ControlsLena Hök – SkanskaLinda Freiner – Zurich InsuranceMárcia Balisciano – RelxMelanie Kubin-Hardewig – Deutsche TelekomNicolas Mounard – Barry Callebaut GroupNoémie Bauer – Pernod RicardPascal Brun – ZalandoPetra Wicklandt – Merck GruppeRajita D’Souza – STMicroelectronicsSaskia Günther – Swisscom

The Grand Jury, who will choose the three winners among the 20 nominees, showcases a diversity of influential and inspiring sustainability voices:

Sandrine Dixson-Declève, co-president of the Club of Rome; Author & Chair of Earth4AllJohn Elkington, Founder & Chief Pollinator at Volans, known as “the Godfather of Sustainability”Claudia Malley, President and Managing Director of Partnerships at Economist ImpactLivio Scalvini, co-founder and executive director of the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society at Imperial College LondonHelle Bank Jorgensen, CEO and founder of Competent BoardsJosé Manuel Gomes, Business Development Director at Medialivre, PortugalChris Luebkeman, Head of the Strategic Foresight Hub at ETH Zürich and founder of [y]our2040Isabelle Grosmaître, Author and Founder and CEO at Goodness & Co.Harald Neidhardt, CEO and Curator of the Futur/io Institute, as the Chair of the Grand Jury

Now in its second edition, the CSO Awards Europe is an initiative of the Futur/io Institute, a pioneering organisation dedicated to nurturing and inspiring leadership in sustainable innovation and building the most impactful network of CSOs globally. The North American edition of the CSO Awards had its first edition during the New York Climate Week 2024.

“With the CSO Awards, we want to create a tradition of celebrating the most prominent Chief Sustainability Officers of the world, highlighting the importance of championing change within corporations. That’s a tough challenge, but key to building desirable futures and a sustainable world,” says Harald Neidhardt, CEO & Curator of the Futur/io Institute.

“The purpose of having a Jury in our CSO Awards is to integrate the human factor into the evaluation criteria for our CSO Awards, helping to identify and promote CSOs who are not only effective sustainability leaders, but also empathetic, innovative, and capable of fostering positive change within their organisations and beyond.” added Harald Neidhardt.

The Top 20 names have been drawn from the Top100 CSOs of Europe list, compiled by Futur/io using an extensive database including all the major European companies. The shortlist was defined using a four-quadrant model criteria, developed by Futur/io and scientific partner the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society at Imperial College Business School, and supported by knowledge partners Denominator, specialized in human-centric data, Rainforest Partnership, focused on biodiversity and ClimateGPT by Erasmus.ai adding a balanced public sentiment on the Top 100 CSOs.

The four quadrant model takes into consideration the maturity of corporate behaviours, regulatory performance on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) criteria, environmental and human impact and also a self-assessment survey.

Now, the members of the Grand Jury will add the human factor to the selection process, using their expertise to choose the final winners. Their names will be announced at a gala ceremony on 20 January 2025 in the iconic Schatzalp Hotel in Davos, Switzerland, during the week of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. The CSO Awards Europe is supported by premium partner IntegrityNext.

CSO Awards Europe Grand Jury

Sandrine Dixson-Declève 

Co-President of the Club of Rome and Earth4All initiator. She chairs the European Commission’s Expert Group on Economic and Societal Impact of Research & Innovation (ESIR), and is involved in climate missions and advisory boards for organisations like BMW, UCB Climate KIC, and Imperial College London.

A TED global speaker and author, Sandrine’s recent publications like Earth4All aim to guide humanity towards a sustainable future. She was recognised most recently by Reuters as one of 25 global female trailblazers and by GreenBiz as one of the 30 most influential women across the globe driving change in the low-carbon economy and promoting green business.

John Elkington

Founder of Volans and chief pollinator. A true pioneer and foundational figure in the global sustainability movement, John brings over 50 years of experience as a strategic advisor to businesses across the world. 

Known as the creator of the “Triple Bottom Line” concept—People, Planet, and Profit—John’s visionary approach has become a fundamental part of business strategy worldwide. He has been at the forefront of movements such as the Global Reporting Initiative, Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, and B Lab UK, and continues to guide sustainability conversations globally. 

John has addressed over 1,000 conferences around the world and was a faculty member of the World Economic Forum from 2002-2008. He is the author or co-author of 21 books including the best-selling Green Consumer Guide and the recently published “Tickling Sharks”.

Claudia Malley

President and Managing Director of Economist Impact, leading the global partnership business rooted in designing transformational solutions combining the rigour of a think tank with the creativity of a media brand to drive meaningful impact for organisations and the World.

A skilled executive with over 30 years of experience working at the intersection of purpose and media, Claudia has led corporate partnership business at global brands, including Disney, National Geographic and Runner’s World, driving both growth and impact by transforming the business model with new enterprise-wide partnership paradigms, award-winning brand storytelling, and purpose-based digital community platforms.

She is known as a valued partner across a range of Fortune 500 companies, creating ‘what’s next’ and helping to navigate critical global issues using her purpose-driven brand expertise, creative energy, and solution-based approach.

Livio Scalvini 

Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society at Imperial College London and leads the Sustainable Development Strategy of Imperial College Business School. 

With over 30 years of international experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, social impact, and venture capital, Livio’s expertise spans diverse sectors including finance, sustainability, and education. His extensive background includes serving in C-level roles at financial institutions, advising start-ups, and co-founding the GOLDEN for Impact Foundation.

He has published books and articles on entrepreneurship, sustainability, business strategy, strategic planning, and risk management. He served as an advisor and investor in a wide range of start-ups and NGOs across Europe and Africa. Livio holds a Degree in Economics & Business Administration, MSc in Macroeconomics, and Executive Education in Exponential Technologies at Singularity University.

Helle Bank Jorgensen

CEO and founder of Competent Boards, the world’s first globally accessible board training program, Helle is a leading global expert on governance and sustainable business practices, with a 30-year record of turning environmental, social, and governance risks into innovative and profitable business opportunities. 

Helle’s Amazon bestseller, Stewards of the Future: A Guide for Competent Boards, was published in 2022. She is a regular contributor to FTs Agenda and interviewed by many leading publications.

A business lawyer and certified public accountant by training, Helle is an internationally recognized voice on governance, sustainability, climate, and nature and serves at Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence’s Sustainability & ESG Insights Council; World Economic Forum (WEF) Expert Network for Corporate Governance, Leadership, and Emerging Multinationals; and as co-chair, global expert panel, Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) established by HM King Charles III, among other roles.

Board members and executives in over 55 countries – many from Fortune 500 companies – have achieved certification from Competent Boards, and have gone on to help their companies mitigate the risks and seize the opportunities presented by the ever-evolving governance landscape.

In addition to Competent Boards, Helle has a few other brainchildren, including the world’s first green account, the first integrated report, the first holistic supply chain program and many innovative business solutions, and latest The Future Boardroom.

José Manuel Gomes 

Business Development Director at Medialivre, one of the main media conglomerates in Portugal. He leads the commercial area and develops growth and innovation strategies for the company.

He started his professional career in 1998 with the launch of Jornal de Negócios. José Manuel led the launch of Negocios.pt, initially being responsible for the editorial area and later becoming the general manager. With the acquisition of the newspaper by Cofina, he became the digital commercial director of the group, where he continued to expand his skills in management and business development.

In 2014, José Manuel was promoted to Deputy General Commercial Director of the entire commercial area of Cofina Media. In this position, he was responsible for the group’s 360º offering, which includes advertising on TV, newspapers and magazines, digital, Branded Content, Events, and Activations.

In addition to his corporate career, José Manuel has also dedicated himself to academia, teaching at Porto Business School, Universidade Europeia, and Universidade Católica Portuguesa. His academic background includes a degree in Management from ISG, a Postgraduate degree in E-Business from ISEG, an Executive MBA from ISCTE, the AMP Advanced Management Program from Universidade Católica and Kellogg School of Management (Chicago), and the Strategic Leadership Program from ISEG and Columbia University (New York).

Chris Luebkeman 

Head of the Strategic Foresight Hub within the Office of the President at ETH Zurich, and founder of [y]our2040 community which is focused on creating pragmatic positive scenarios for the future.

His career to date has spanned professions and geographies. It started with a multidisciplinary education which was encouraged by his Mid-Western USA family of educators and entrepreneurs (Vanderbilt: degrees in geology and civil engineering, Cornell: structural engineering, entrepreneurship and at ETH Zurich: Doctorate in Architecture). He was then a faculty at the University of Oregon, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and at MIT where he taught courses on Design and Technology.

He joined Arup in London to lead the Research and Development group in 1999 and became a corporate intrapreneur by founding the Foresight, Innovation and Incubation teams. He is proud to have been accused by the Guardian of having a mindset “in league with the future”. For twenty years he travelled the globe sharing his observations and insights by leading projects focused on the future for Arup, Arup’s clients and for many of the world’s leading institutions.

He has spoken at TED, WEF, Aspen Design, keynoted hundreds of other conferences around the world and is a member of the nominating committee for the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize.

Isabelle Grosmaître

Founder & CEO of Goodness & Co, a new kind of change management consultancy to serve CEOs, leaders and organisations on a mission to shift purpose into practice. Author of “Business as a Force for Good – How Courageous Leaders Shift Purpose Into Practice”.

As Catalyst of Change, Isabelle is at the heart of leadership movements, acting for better futures. She is the Steward of the For Good Leaders movement, Co-founder of the “Board Member Program” of ChangeNOW, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of the Value Balancing Alliance (VBA), and Co-founder of Generation Glasgow. She has joined the 100 Women @Davos, the global community of impactful women leaders of the World Economic Forum.

Chair of the Grand Jury: Harald Neidhardt

CEO and Curator of the Futur/io Institute, where he has grown an influential faculty and think tank of innovators, futurists and thought leaders – home to the co-creators of desirable, regenerative futures. He is the initiator of the Futur/io CSO Awards for sustainable leadership and the host of the CSO Impact Podcast.

Harald is an advisor to the UNFCCC Resilient Frontiers initiative, Future Council of the Berlin Expo 2035 initiative and a prior expert member of the World Economic Forum workgroup on digital platforms & ecosystems projects. He is a Singularity University alumnus and is a keynote speaker on sustainable innovation at many international conferences, including COP26, TEDx (Hongkong, Hamburg, Marrakesh), SXSW, SingularityU Summit (NL/USA/DE), Wired, Next, MWC/4YFN and is a speaker at corporate executive events.

He’s published five books, most recently “Leadership for Sustainable Futures”, “Moonshots for Europe”, and “Before this Decade is Out”.

Selection Criteria: the Four Quadrant Model

1 – Science & Behaviour Based Maturity Index – Imperial College (External Research Based): 

The Leonardo Centre at Imperial College has created a comprehensive global dataset that analyses corporate sustainability behaviours, enabling a thorough assessment of the maturity levels of the top 100 companies. Utilising this dataset, the Impact Maturity Index ranks companies within various sectors and geographies, providing valuable insights into their sustainability performance.

2 – ESG Qualitative Rating (External Research Based): 

Using publicly available ESG Ratings, it was assessed which companies are exceeding regulatory requirements in their advancements on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.

3 – Planet (Internal & External Research Based) & People (External Research Based):

Futur/io trained an AI tool to analyse 100 sustainability reports from the companies of the Top 100 shortlisted CSOs for the CSO Awards, extracting pertinent information on Greenhouse Gas emissions, Biodiversity measures, and Water usage. Additionally, research partner Rainforest Partnership carried out an in-depth analysis on biodiversity aspects of each company.

Finally, research partner Denominator created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) matrix score and research partner Rainforest Partnership created a matrix score for rainforest impact to assess relevant data in these areas. After that, scores were assigned for these five impact areas (GHG, Biodiversity, Water, DEI and Rainforest Impact).

4 – Survey & Self-Assessment (Internal Research Based):

The Top 100 CSOs were invited to contribute to a Survey & Self-Assessment, based on external ESG Ratings and the Imperial College Maturity Index.

About Futur/io Institute 

We believe in co-creating desirable futures where ideas and innovation drive a regenerative economy that benefits people and the planet within the planetary boundaries.

The Futur/io Institute is a pioneering organisation to serve the most impactful network of Chief Sustainability Officers dedicated to transforming businesses to drive positive impact for people, planet and prosperity. We do this through publications, podcasts and convening at inspiring locations like Davos, Basel, Lisbon, Venice and New York.

With a mission to inspire ambition, action and cross-pollination to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the institute provides a platform for thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers to shape the futures of business and society.

Futur/io works with organisations like the UNFCCC or corporations in leadership training and curates Executive Programmes to inspire future leaders in sustainable innovation. Each year in Davos, the institute organizes executive receptions and recently debuted the annual CSO Awards to shine a light on the leadership role of Chief Sustainability Officers.

Futur/io is based in Hamburg and works as a think-tank with a selected international and diverse faculty of 100+ leaders in sustainability. The most recent book “Leadership for Sustainable Futures” was published in May 2024 with Murmann Publishers. CEO & curator Harald Neidhardt hosts the CSO Impact Podcast.

futur.io

Additional Info

https://www.csoawards.org/europe

Pictures of the 20 Nominees and Grand Jury Members are available on our Press Folder.

Media Contacts

Barbara Axt – Media Relations 
barbara@futur.io

Luciana Prestes – Head of Marketing 
luciana@futur.io

December 10, 2024 /3BL/ – A new scorecard released today shows how 10 federal financial regulators have implemented hundreds of actions in the last 18 months to address the systemic financial risks of climate change. However, U.S. regulators have much more work to do to address these risks as the frequency and severity of weather disasters continue to increase.

The 2024 Climate Risk Scorecard: Assessing U.S. Financial Regulator Action on Climate Financial Risk found most of the assessed regulators have made meaningful strides in producing research and data on climate risk and incorporating these risks into their oversight of regulated entities. However, urgent action is required to improve climate-related disclosures, increase transparency in climate-related risk management practices, including within regulatory frameworks, implement climate-related scenario analysis, and assess climate risks on financially vulnerable communities.

Among those assessed include the Federal Reserve Bank (the Fed), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

“Our latest scorecard reveals a critical narrative: U.S. financial regulators increasingly recognize the profound economic risks from climate change. However, there is so much more to do to catch up with global counterparts,” said Steven M. Rothstein, Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets. “From initial hesitation to proactive strategies, there has been a meaningful evolution in the past four years with how these institutions approach climate-related financial risks. We remain hopeful that future administrations will continue to build upon this momentum, implementing forward-thinking policies that safeguard and strengthen the resiliency of our financial systemin the face of unprecedented challenges related to a warming planet.”

Notable progress in this year’s scorecard includes:

The Federal Reserve System (Fed), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) published the final interagency guidance Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions.The three banking regulators adopted a historic interagency update to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations, incorporating climate resiliency and disaster preparedness provisions for the first time, and representing the most significant changes to the CRA in 20 years.The SEC finalized its landmark climate disclosure rule requiring all U.S. publicly listed companies to report climate-related financial risks.The U.S. Treasury published the Principles for Net Zero Financing and Investment in September 2023 and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles in March 2024 with the White House, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Energy.The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) published climate-related risk management guidance for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and Home Loan Banks.

Regulators were assessed on progress achieved from July 2023 through November 2024 across key categories, using previous years as a baseline, measuring whether each regulator has:

Publicly affirmed climate as a systemic riskExpanded internal climate-related capacitiesIncreased transparency regarding climate-related risk management activitiesAssessed climate risks on financially vulnerable communitiesProduced research and data on climate changeConducted climate-related scenario analysisImproved climate-related disclosureIncluded climate risk in supervisory guidanceIncluded climate risk in regulation

The full methodology can be found here.

2023 and 2024 were record years for the U.S., with dozens of weather disasters where losses exceed $1 billion in damages, costing over $92.9 billion in 2023 and $61.6 billion in 2024, according to the latest estimates. With the frequency and severity of these disasters expected to increase over the years, the economic challenges presented by these events will affect everything from insurance and housing to banking and the stock market, and could endanger the stability of the entire financial system, underlining the need for federal regulators to accelerate their efforts to address this systemic risk as part of their existing responsibilities.

The 2024 Scorecard follows up on three previous scorecards, assessing nine categories outlined in the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s October 2021 Report on Climate-Related Financial Risk.

 About Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets 

The Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets is center within Ceres that aims to transform the practices and policies that govern capital markets by engaging federal and state regulators, financial institutions, investors, and corporate boards to act on climate change as a systemic financial risk. For more information, visit ceres.org/accelerator.  

Media contact:  

Diane May, Ceres   
dmay@ceres.org 

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2024 /3BL/ – American consumers are concerned about the cost and quality of the groceries they consume every day, as evidenced by the results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Food brands should keep this in mind as they plan for 2025, particularly when it comes to their sustainability goals, because global trade trends will have consequences for Americans’ wallets and values.

Research commissioned by Fairtrade America and carried out by the independent insights firm, GlobeScan, in 2023 found that 61% of shoppers see inflation as the most important challenge facing the world. Poverty and climate change ranked second and third, respectively.

Fairtrade America forecasts the following trends for 2025 and calls on brands to strategize around them as the New Year approaches.

High Global Commodity Prices Are Here to Stay

The history-making coffee and cocoa price spikes seen in 2024 are not anomalies. Prices for commodities grown by smallholder farmers in tropical regions hit hard by climate change will increase due to reduced supply. For American consumers, this will likely mean paying more for bananas and other produce, herbs and spices, and nuts and oils, in addition to coffee and cocoa.

Smallholder farmers in these regions are unable to quickly adapt to climate change because of long-standing issues, including the exploitative underpayment of farmers, a lack of investment in aging farms that have lower production potential and rising production costs.

To lessen the sting of price fluctuations, commodity traders and food companies must invest more in the farms they source from. Only when climate change adaptation at the farm level becomes a shared responsibility across the supply chain will global market prices stand a chance of stabilizing.

Europe’s Regulations Will Redefine Expectations Globally

The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation and the European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive have set higher bars for environmental, economic and social sustainability that food companies will need to reach to sell into Europe. Seen by many as the strictest sustainability laws created to date, both signal greater scrutiny on and enforcement of responsible corporate behavior.

Supply chains are global. Food brands will be impacted by these regulations whether they are selling in Europe or not.

Even if U.S. policy continues its inaction on corporate sustainability and social responsibility, there is growing consumer demand among Americans for more sustainable products. Millennial and Gen Z shoppers, who are positioned to have the most purchasing power by 2030, are driving this trend. Considering that consumers have ranked national governments, international entities (like the United Nations) and large corporations as the most responsible for moving the needle on human rights and environmental due diligence, brands that become early adopters can capitalize on the lack of progress from the other two groups to gain consumers’ favor and strengthen their position on the global stage.

Consumers Demand Proof

Sustainability claims are no longer enough. Building shoppers’ trust in your sustainability efforts across environmental, economic and social issues is key. This is a challenge because concern for greenwashing has grown alongside rates of general corporate distrust.

Sustainability claims must be proven, or consumer trust will be lost. In today’s environment of information overwhelm, brands must concisely, transparently and repeatedly communicate the difference they are making and be able to back up their statements with evidence and impact reporting. Companies that make sustainability a core tenet of their brand will be well positioned to capture younger generations’ business come 2030.

“No amount of isolationism in U.S. politics will protect American shoppers and their wallets from these global realities,” said Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America. “Every day spent denying current crises puts affordability, livelihoods, and the very land needed to feed people at risk. Many consumers have recognized that climate change is no longer an existential threat, and their purchasing motivations have changed accordingly. Now, it’s on food companies to adapt.”

Fairtrade America urges food companies to consider these factors as they reevaluate their sustainability efforts for 2025. Steps brands can take to chart a more sustainable way forward in 2025 include:

Understand how climate change is affecting supply chains and invest in climate adaptation at the farm levelPrepare farmers in your supply chain to be compliant with evolving sustainability lawsPartner with Fairtrade America to source sustainable products and leverage our impact reporting and communications support

Find more information about Fairtrade and the process of certification at fairtradeamerica.org/get-certified.

Media Contact: Liz Davis, Media Relations Manager, Fairtrade America
ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org | 937-776-3493

About Fairtrade America
Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It’s about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade certification program —part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtradeamerica.org, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Logitech Blog

In October, Logitech took International Wellbeing Month to new heights. Over the course of the month, we highlighted the connection between feeling good and doing great work, empowering our community to prioritize their wellbeing—both at work and in life. It was all about sparking a deeper understanding of how the digital environment plays a crucial role in our overall wellness journey.

As part of this activation, Logitech partnered with creators to emphasize the importance of wellbeing in the workplace and encourage their audiences to find balance and prioritize digital wellness.

These creators authentically connect with topics like mental health, wellbeing, and ergonomic living. Through sharing their personal stories and insights, our message resonated deeply with their communities and sparked meaningful conversations around wellness, balance, and ergonomics in our digital world.

At Logitech, our mission is to inspire others to understand that when we work better, we feel better—and ultimately, we do better.

Logitech Blog

In October, Logitech took International Wellbeing Month to new heights. Over the course of the month, we highlighted the connection between feeling good and doing great work, empowering our community to prioritize their wellbeing—both at work and in life. It was all about sparking a deeper understanding of how the digital environment plays a crucial role in our overall wellness journey.

As part of this activation, Logitech partnered with creators to emphasize the importance of wellbeing in the workplace and encourage their audiences to find balance and prioritize digital wellness.

These creators authentically connect with topics like mental health, wellbeing, and ergonomic living. Through sharing their personal stories and insights, our message resonated deeply with their communities and sparked meaningful conversations around wellness, balance, and ergonomics in our digital world.

At Logitech, our mission is to inspire others to understand that when we work better, we feel better—and ultimately, we do better.

Violence has uprooted thousands of people in the Abyei Region, which lies on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. Many of them, like South Sudanese Adut Monywiir, were forced to flee with what little they could carry.

Adut ran for her life in April 2022 due to this ongoing conflict. The Abyei Region, which is just over 3,800 square miles, has been claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, who dispute the region’s status.

“I left because of the severity, for my children,” Adut said. “People burned houses at night. During the day war would erupt. They kill children and women. Anyone who gets in the way is normally killed. I decided it was better to run so we would not be killed.”

After fighting broke out in Abyei, local authorities advised Adut and her family to temporarily set up shelter in Akoong, South Sudan. The journey to safety was not easy — she and her five children trekked for six days on empty stomachs in the extreme heat. “My children and I traveled on foot. We did not travel by road,” she said. “We had to travel through the bush. If we were caught by the road we could have been killed. Hunger followed us on our walk. We had no food with us. We survived on wild fruit and leaves.”

There are more internally displaced people than ever before — at the end of 2023, 75.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) faced crises in their own country. In South Sudan, nearly 2.3 million people have been internally displaced, largely from conflict and climate shocks. Most, like Adut, are often forced to leave with little warning. Her story is not uncommon; in fact, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) have made similar journeys due to violence. For over two years, Adut has remained at an IDP settlement based in Akoong, where Action Against Hunger offers services for all displaced families.

When she arrived at the settlement, Adut was exhausted and hungry. She had very few items to her name. She had to watch over her children alone, since the intensity of the conflict prevented her husband from making the journey and joining his family.

Adut’s children were very sick from long days without water or food. One child was severely malnourished. Adut felt hopeless and uncertain of her family’s future. Her life was on pause as she waited to return home and wondered if it would ever happen. She set up a small living space in the IDP camp.

In Akoong, hundreds of other IDPs crowd in temporary homes made out of branches and sticks. Each family has very little space to shelter and rest. Resources in the area are very limited. “The challenge is food,” she said. “There is no land to cultivate, not for us IDPs.”

Three weeks after Adut settled in Akoong with her children, Action Against Hunger’s emergency team stationed in the area to provide nutrition services for hundreds of vulnerable families.

Action Against Hunger’s Multisectoral Emergency Team, nicknamed “MET,” helps communities facing urgent humanitarian needs. The MET often responds to some of the most remote, hardest-to-reach areas. Oftentimes, they are the only emergency teams for miles and miles. They provide lifesaving assistance until longer-term, more permanent programs can be developed. From urgent vaccine rollouts to postnatal care to treatment for deadly malnutrition, the MET works around the clock to provide services to those in need.

Oftentimes, the MET work in dangerous areas, with heightened levels of food insecurity and disease. With limited access to healthcare, the team is one of the only groups that can save lives and restore hope.

Adut was grateful for the support from MET. Her malnourished child was quickly treated and fully recovered. When they were discharged, Adut took advantage of Action Against Hunger’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program, where she received a hygiene kit filled with basic necessities.

Adut was also able to access maternity support; increased access to clean water and sanitation services; and psychosocial support through private counseling, group counseling, and weekly classes.

Susan, a psychotherapist on Action Against Hunger’s emergency team, created The Women’s Center, where women like Adut can take classes to learn new skills and save money. Classes include embroidery, sewing with a machine, beadwork, and hair braiding lessons. At The Center, women like to join hands to share stories, dance, and heal together.

Adut attends private counseling sessions that are run by Susan, the psychotherapist. Here, she learns ways to cope with life without her husband.

“I have learned the skills of being patient without stress,” she said. “Even though my husband is not present I can just be patient, earn money, and feed my children until my husband returns.”

Despite the challenges of being a single parent, Adut has learned to be resilient. “I have learned that wherever you are, you need to work like a man,” she said. “As a woman, I can work hard. Right now, I am working while I wait for my husband. When you work you can earn money to feed your children, care for your home, and relieve your trauma. Before I would cry over my husband who is not here. Now, I have been taught to concentrate on the skills I have learned to help my family.”

Action Against Hunger’s emergency team advocates that “prevention is better than cure,” and Adut is committed to learning new ways to stave off illness and malnutrition. Today, she and her children practice good hygiene daily and rarely get sick or have diarrhea.

“My life before Action Against Hunger’s program compared to now is very different,” she said. “Before I enrolled in the program I was suffering. My children were sick. There was no way to get medication. My child was malnourished and there was no way to get treatment for malnutrition. When the emergency team intervened, my life changed.”

Now, if someone in her family gets sick, Adut has free and convenient access to medicine and health care. For the first time in years, she’s able to dream of a better future.

Adut aspires to open a hair salon one day and continue supporting her children with the techniques she learned from hair braiding classes. Her newly discovered passion has propelled her to move forward from her past.

“I am grateful to Action Against Hunger for the services they give, my child’s life has improved,” Adut said. “In addition, I ask Action Against Hunger to continue their work so that displaced children may also improve as my child has.”

About Action Against Hunger in South Sudan

Action Against Hunger is working to support internally displaced persons like Adut as they arrive in IDP camps. Along with malnutrition screenings and treatment, our teams provide psychosocial counseling sessions; ensure that families like Adut’s have access to clean water and sanitation services; distribute hygiene kits that include soap, buckets, plastic sheets, and water purification tablets; and supply mothers with medication and maternity care. Midwives deliver babies onsite weekly.

Action Against Hunger has worked in South Sudan since 1985. Last year, we reached over 1.1 million people. Our emergency programs help people fleeing the war in Sudan and a variety of intercommunal conflicts. We have provided hundreds of families who have been displaced by conflict with lifesaving, urgent assistance. Across the country, we are also distributing cash and building latrines.

Learn more about Action Against Hunger in South Sudan here.

Watch a video on the MET team here.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

**

Photos by Peter Caton

Violence has uprooted thousands of people in the Abyei Region, which lies on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. Many of them, like South Sudanese Adut Monywiir, were forced to flee with what little they could carry.

Adut ran for her life in April 2022 due to this ongoing conflict. The Abyei Region, which is just over 3,800 square miles, has been claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, who dispute the region’s status.

“I left because of the severity, for my children,” Adut said. “People burned houses at night. During the day war would erupt. They kill children and women. Anyone who gets in the way is normally killed. I decided it was better to run so we would not be killed.”

After fighting broke out in Abyei, local authorities advised Adut and her family to temporarily set up shelter in Akoong, South Sudan. The journey to safety was not easy — she and her five children trekked for six days on empty stomachs in the extreme heat. “My children and I traveled on foot. We did not travel by road,” she said. “We had to travel through the bush. If we were caught by the road we could have been killed. Hunger followed us on our walk. We had no food with us. We survived on wild fruit and leaves.”

There are more internally displaced people than ever before — at the end of 2023, 75.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) faced crises in their own country. In South Sudan, nearly 2.3 million people have been internally displaced, largely from conflict and climate shocks. Most, like Adut, are often forced to leave with little warning. Her story is not uncommon; in fact, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) have made similar journeys due to violence. For over two years, Adut has remained at an IDP settlement based in Akoong, where Action Against Hunger offers services for all displaced families.

When she arrived at the settlement, Adut was exhausted and hungry. She had very few items to her name. She had to watch over her children alone, since the intensity of the conflict prevented her husband from making the journey and joining his family.

Adut’s children were very sick from long days without water or food. One child was severely malnourished. Adut felt hopeless and uncertain of her family’s future. Her life was on pause as she waited to return home and wondered if it would ever happen. She set up a small living space in the IDP camp.

In Akoong, hundreds of other IDPs crowd in temporary homes made out of branches and sticks. Each family has very little space to shelter and rest. Resources in the area are very limited. “The challenge is food,” she said. “There is no land to cultivate, not for us IDPs.”

Three weeks after Adut settled in Akoong with her children, Action Against Hunger’s emergency team stationed in the area to provide nutrition services for hundreds of vulnerable families.

Action Against Hunger’s Multisectoral Emergency Team, nicknamed “MET,” helps communities facing urgent humanitarian needs. The MET often responds to some of the most remote, hardest-to-reach areas. Oftentimes, they are the only emergency teams for miles and miles. They provide lifesaving assistance until longer-term, more permanent programs can be developed. From urgent vaccine rollouts to postnatal care to treatment for deadly malnutrition, the MET works around the clock to provide services to those in need.

Oftentimes, the MET work in dangerous areas, with heightened levels of food insecurity and disease. With limited access to healthcare, the team is one of the only groups that can save lives and restore hope.

Adut was grateful for the support from MET. Her malnourished child was quickly treated and fully recovered. When they were discharged, Adut took advantage of Action Against Hunger’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program, where she received a hygiene kit filled with basic necessities.

Adut was also able to access maternity support; increased access to clean water and sanitation services; and psychosocial support through private counseling, group counseling, and weekly classes.

Susan, a psychotherapist on Action Against Hunger’s emergency team, created The Women’s Center, where women like Adut can take classes to learn new skills and save money. Classes include embroidery, sewing with a machine, beadwork, and hair braiding lessons. At The Center, women like to join hands to share stories, dance, and heal together.

Adut attends private counseling sessions that are run by Susan, the psychotherapist. Here, she learns ways to cope with life without her husband.

“I have learned the skills of being patient without stress,” she said. “Even though my husband is not present I can just be patient, earn money, and feed my children until my husband returns.”

Despite the challenges of being a single parent, Adut has learned to be resilient. “I have learned that wherever you are, you need to work like a man,” she said. “As a woman, I can work hard. Right now, I am working while I wait for my husband. When you work you can earn money to feed your children, care for your home, and relieve your trauma. Before I would cry over my husband who is not here. Now, I have been taught to concentrate on the skills I have learned to help my family.”

Action Against Hunger’s emergency team advocates that “prevention is better than cure,” and Adut is committed to learning new ways to stave off illness and malnutrition. Today, she and her children practice good hygiene daily and rarely get sick or have diarrhea.

“My life before Action Against Hunger’s program compared to now is very different,” she said. “Before I enrolled in the program I was suffering. My children were sick. There was no way to get medication. My child was malnourished and there was no way to get treatment for malnutrition. When the emergency team intervened, my life changed.”

Now, if someone in her family gets sick, Adut has free and convenient access to medicine and health care. For the first time in years, she’s able to dream of a better future.

Adut aspires to open a hair salon one day and continue supporting her children with the techniques she learned from hair braiding classes. Her newly discovered passion has propelled her to move forward from her past.

“I am grateful to Action Against Hunger for the services they give, my child’s life has improved,” Adut said. “In addition, I ask Action Against Hunger to continue their work so that displaced children may also improve as my child has.”

About Action Against Hunger in South Sudan

Action Against Hunger is working to support internally displaced persons like Adut as they arrive in IDP camps. Along with malnutrition screenings and treatment, our teams provide psychosocial counseling sessions; ensure that families like Adut’s have access to clean water and sanitation services; distribute hygiene kits that include soap, buckets, plastic sheets, and water purification tablets; and supply mothers with medication and maternity care. Midwives deliver babies onsite weekly.

Action Against Hunger has worked in South Sudan since 1985. Last year, we reached over 1.1 million people. Our emergency programs help people fleeing the war in Sudan and a variety of intercommunal conflicts. We have provided hundreds of families who have been displaced by conflict with lifesaving, urgent assistance. Across the country, we are also distributing cash and building latrines.

Learn more about Action Against Hunger in South Sudan here.

Watch a video on the MET team here.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

**

Photos by Peter Caton

Every day we are using our materials science to create a better, more sustainable future – and I couldn’t be prouder.

Growing up, I wasn’t sure what kind of career I wanted, but I did know I wanted to make a positive impact on people’s lives and on the world. Eventually I followed in my grandfather’s footsteps, joining Dow, and every day I go to work for a company that is addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges, including climate change.

I am proud to work for a company that is committed to decarbonization and accelerating the clean energy transition. Dow is doing its part, not only by utilizing renewable energy sources within its own operations, but also by delivering renewable solutions to the market.

An expanding population requires more energy, further driving demand for renewables. Dow is keeping pace by delivering solutions that improve the efficiency, reliability and durability of our customers’ products, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Providing critical materials to solar technologies

We are using our materials science expertise to deliver innovations that help drive the world’s transition to a low-emissions future. One example is our solutions for solar energy, which is the fastest growing source of energy globally.

For more than 40 years, we have been a leading player in the solar industry and a global leader for the supply of thermal fluids used in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. In fact, more than 50 large-scale CSP sites around the world are built with our versatile DOWTHERM™ A Heat Transfer Fluid, including Noor Energy 1, the world’s largest CSP project. Combined, these 50 sites generate a total capacity of more than 3 gigawatts of power, enough to meet the needs of 1 million homes, and save more than 6 million metric tons of CO2 emissions each year.

Our materials are also helping to enable the longevity and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules, more commonly known as solar panels. Optimized performance, lower lifetime costs, reliability and thermal management are crucial to solar panel manufacturers, and products like Dow’s ENGAGE™ PV Polyolefin Elastomers, DOWSIL™ Adhesives and Sealants and DOWSIL™ TC-5860 Thermally Conductive Compound can enable businesses to create more innovative solar panels and harness more power for the long term. Additionally, Dow’s portfolio of DOWSIL™ Adhesives and Sealants enable reliable sealing performance regardless of weather conditions or climate, preventing water from entering into the PV modules and contributing to their durability and longevity.

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Powering the energy grids of tomorrow

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy sources are projected to provide 44% of the United States’ electricity by 2050, compared to approximately 21% today. As the energy sector transitions to renewable energy and upgrades the existing electrical grid, demand for reliable high-voltage cables intensifies. The pressing need to decarbonize also means that cable manufacturers are seeking to create products with added sustainability benefits.

Dow’s ENDURANCE™ Compounds are used in high voltage transmission cables and can significantly reduce cable degassing times, resulting in lower CO2 emissions during the manufacturing phase. These innovative materials not only help our customers keep up with industry demand, but they also ensure their products meet both sustainability requirements and the needs of tomorrow’s power grid.

At Dow, we are making a positive impact on our world by delivering solutions that help our customers harness the power of the sun and support global decarbonization efforts. Every day we are using our materials science to create a better, more sustainable future – and I couldn’t be prouder.