Tag: 3BL

Annual philanthropic event celebrates national charity partners: ASPCA®, Make-A-Wish®, Meals on Wheels America, and National Park Foundation, plus over 825 local hometown charities

CAMDEN, N.J., October 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced its annual philanthropic Subaru Share the Love® Event will return for its 17th consecutive year. Through this year’s event, Subaru and its participating retailers will aim to reach a cumulative total of nearly $320 million in donations to local hometown charities along with returning national charity partners; The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®), Make-A-Wish®, Meals on Wheels America, and the National Park Foundation.

Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc: “Supporting the causes closest to our hearts is top of mind during this time of year. Subaru and our retailers celebrate the holiday season by showing what makes the Subaru community so considerate, both nationally and in the communities we call home. Our retailers and customers are at the heart of what we do and why we strive to be a force for good, helping to create positive change with our partners and truly showing what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company®.”

For every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at any of the more than 640 Subaru retailers from November 21, 2024, through January 2, 2025, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of charity.* Retailers can also add local hometown charities with causes important to their communities to receive at least an additional $50 for each vehicle sold or leased. Additionally, many retailers will donate $5 to their registered hometown charity for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the campaign period.

Over the last sixteen years of the Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and its participating retailers have already donated over $288 million to causes around the country and supported nearly 2,300 hometown charities. To learn more, visit: www.subaru.com/share.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) 
Subaru is the largest corporate donor to the ASPCA. For more than 150 years, the ASPCA has been on the frontlines to save, transform, and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty, revolutionizing the way society cares for animals. Through their hands-on work and in collaboration with local partners nationwide, the ASPCA provides lifesaving protection and care to animals in need. Whether it’s rescuing animals from abuse and neglect, advocating for humane legislation, or supporting animal shelters across the country, the ASPCA helps animals live better lives. Through our partnership with the ASPCA during the Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru has had a significant impact on the rescue, transport, well-being, and adoption of more than 134,000 animals across the country.

Make-A-Wish® 
Subaru is the largest automotive donor to Make-A-Wish. Research shows that children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. A wish replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope. The impact of just one wish has the power to transform the lives of everyone involved and helps wish kids and their families believe in better days ahead. Through our partnership with Make-A-Wish during the Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and our retailers have helped to grant the life-changing wishes of more than 3,600 kids with critical illnesses.

Meals on Wheels America 
Subaru is the largest automotive donor to Meals on Wheels America. Meals on Wheels America provides leadership to local, community-based programs dedicated to fighting hunger and isolation among our nation’s homebound seniors. Through our partnership with Meals on Wheels during the Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and our retailers have helped deliver more than 4.6 million meals and friendly visits to America’s seniors.

National Park Foundation 
Subaru is the largest corporate donor to the National Park Foundation. The National Park Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service, works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. Through our partnership with the National Park Foundation during the Share the Love Event, Subaru is providing critical funding to programs and projects that help protect America’s more than 400 national parks.

*Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 21, 2024, through January 2, 2025, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Subaru will donate a total of $5 to their registered Hometown Charities for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the campaign period. A routine visit includes customer payment of $5 or greater, or any service that includes a genuine Subaru oil filter. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 10, 2025. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

About Subaru of America, Inc. 
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Diane Anton 
Corporate Communications Manager 
(856) 488-5093 
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter 
Corporate Communications Specialist 
(856) 488-8668 
aleiter@subaru.com

At Maximus, our diversity is the cornerstone of innovation and success. This September, our leaders and employees amplified our outreach efforts, participated in college fairs, and hosted insightful Employee Resource Group (ERG) sessions, all with a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).

“Maximus’ commitment to HBCUs and HSIs is a reflection of its dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace,” said Dr. Arvenita Washington-Cherry, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “These institutions nurture students with unique perspectives, experiences, and skills, which are invaluable to our company. By actively recruiting from HBCUs and HSIs, we’re not just expanding our talent pool; we’re enriching our company culture.”

In addition to highlighting some of our HBCU and HSI graduates, the DE&I team offered online sessions to provide opportunities to network and grow professionally. Every ERG also schedules monthly chats to serve as a safe space for employees to share experiences, learn from one another, and build a sense of community.

“The creation of ERGs and the support DE&I programs receive from our leaders is a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard,” Cherry explained.

HBCUs and HSIs have a rich history of providing access to high-quality education for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Established during a time when African Americans were largely excluded from higher education, HBCUs have been instrumental in cultivating Black leaders, innovators, and pioneers. Similarly, HSIs have been pivotal in providing educational opportunities to the Hispanic and Latinx communities, fostering growth and success. Both types of institutions have also prepared many others from a variety of backgrounds who come grounded in these values.

Engaging with HBCUs and HSIs isn’t just about recruitment – it’s about investing in communities. Through outreach efforts and participation in college fairs, recruiters educate and provide students with opportunities to learn about our industry, gain real-world insights, and explore potential career paths.

As our DE&I culture continues to grow and evolve, employees are not just celebrating these institutions of higher learning, but also the diversity, innovation, and excellence they bring to our workforce.

ST. PAUL, Minn., October 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Antea Group USA, a leading global environment, health, safety and sustainability consulting firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Erica Pann as the new Executive Director of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER). Pann will succeed Daniel Pierce, who is retiring from Antea Group after a distinguished career.

BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Convened and facilitated by Antea Group for nearly two decades, BIER has been instrumental in driving progress on critical sustainability issues such as water stewardship, climate change, and sustainable packaging.  

“We are thrilled to have Erica take on this important role,” said Brian Ricketts, CEO of Antea Group USA. “Her deep expertise in environmental sustainability and her passion for catalyzing positive change align perfectly with BIER’s mission. We are confident that under her leadership, BIER will continue to be a driving force in advancing sustainable practices within the beverage industry.”

Pann brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served as BIER’s Associate Director and a key practitioner and consultant within Antea Group’s Sustainability Practice. Her expertise spans a wide range of sustainability disciplines, including water stewardship, carbon and climate accounting, corporate reporting and disclosure, and sustainability strategy development.

“I am honored to be appointed as the new Executive Director of BIER,” said Pann. “I am excited to work with the BIER members to build upon the organization’s strong foundation and drive even greater progress in environmental sustainability. Together, we will continue to develop and implement innovative solutions that address the challenges facing the beverage industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

Pann will be responsible for leading BIER’s efforts to develop and implement sustainable solutions, foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, and promote best practices in environmental sustainability. Learn more about BIER’s work here.

“We know that addressing the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow are bigger than one industry, company or person. Achieving and sustaining positive impacts and real transformation requires engaging multiple stakeholder groups, creating space for differing perspectives and being able to facilitate consensus that drives forward progress,” concludes Ricketts.

About Antea Group 

Antea Group USA is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. For over two decades, we have been catalyzing the power of collection action through our work with the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council and Data Center Safety Council.

About Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable 

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Formed in 2006, BIER is a common voice across the beverage sector, speaking to influence global standards on environmental sustainability aspects most relevant to the sector, affect change both up and down the supply chain and share best practices that raise the bar for environmental performance of the industry. By doing so, BIER is able to monitor data and trends, engage with key stakeholders, develop best practices, and guide a course of action for the future. Learn more at https://www.bieroundtable.com.

ST. PAUL, Minn., October 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Antea Group USA, a leading global environment, health, safety and sustainability consulting firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Erica Pann as the new Executive Director of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER). Pann will succeed Daniel Pierce, who is retiring from Antea Group after a distinguished career.

BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Convened and facilitated by Antea Group for nearly two decades, BIER has been instrumental in driving progress on critical sustainability issues such as water stewardship, climate change, and sustainable packaging.  

“We are thrilled to have Erica take on this important role,” said Brian Ricketts, CEO of Antea Group USA. “Her deep expertise in environmental sustainability and her passion for catalyzing positive change align perfectly with BIER’s mission. We are confident that under her leadership, BIER will continue to be a driving force in advancing sustainable practices within the beverage industry.”

Pann brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served as BIER’s Associate Director and a key practitioner and consultant within Antea Group’s Sustainability Practice. Her expertise spans a wide range of sustainability disciplines, including water stewardship, carbon and climate accounting, corporate reporting and disclosure, and sustainability strategy development.

“I am honored to be appointed as the new Executive Director of BIER,” said Pann. “I am excited to work with the BIER members to build upon the organization’s strong foundation and drive even greater progress in environmental sustainability. Together, we will continue to develop and implement innovative solutions that address the challenges facing the beverage industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

Pann will be responsible for leading BIER’s efforts to develop and implement sustainable solutions, foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, and promote best practices in environmental sustainability. Learn more about BIER’s work here.

“We know that addressing the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow are bigger than one industry, company or person. Achieving and sustaining positive impacts and real transformation requires engaging multiple stakeholder groups, creating space for differing perspectives and being able to facilitate consensus that drives forward progress,” concludes Ricketts.

About Antea Group 

Antea Group USA is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. For over two decades, we have been catalyzing the power of collection action through our work with the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council and Data Center Safety Council.

About Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable 

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Formed in 2006, BIER is a common voice across the beverage sector, speaking to influence global standards on environmental sustainability aspects most relevant to the sector, affect change both up and down the supply chain and share best practices that raise the bar for environmental performance of the industry. By doing so, BIER is able to monitor data and trends, engage with key stakeholders, develop best practices, and guide a course of action for the future. Learn more at https://www.bieroundtable.com.

October 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Each year on October 15, communities around the world come together to recognize Global Handwashing Day, an international advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective way to prevent diseases and save lives.

To commemorate and contribute to this important day, Bath & Body Works donated 250,000 hand soaps to make proper handwashing more accessible, combat hygiene poverty and help prevent the spread of germs. Bath & Body Works works in partnership with the global nonprofit Good360 to distribute excess personal care products to underserved communities locally and across the country. The brand taps into Good360’s vast network of more than 100,000 nonprofit partners to target donations where they’re needed most—shelters, food banks, disaster recovery, and more—giving products a new life and reducing waste.

The hand soaps provided by Bath & Body Works are crafted with the highest quality ingredients in new and most-loved fragrances which can offer an uplifting, comforting moment to those in need.

“We’re proud to support the health and well-being of our community by giving back this Global Handwashing Day,” says Rhoe Fields, AVP of Community Relations & Philanthropy for Bath and Body Works. “Through the power of fragrance, our donations can spark joy while at the same time fulfilling a critical need. For more than 30 years, we’ve been dedicated to making a positive difference in the communities where we do business, and our ongoing partnership with Good360 is helping us create an even greater impact.”

“Good360 is on a mission to provide essential products to families and children in need, and Bath & Body Works has been one of our steadfast partners in helping us reach this goal,” says Jonathon Cannon, Good360 CEO. “Together, we support thousands of communities, ensuring that everyone has access to the basic items they need to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.”

Learn more about Bath & Body Works’ philanthropic efforts and community outreach at bbwinc.com.

By Mel Campbell

Four students will soon enjoy some significant help in continuing their education.

Quarterly in 2024, Regions awards four winners of the Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest. Each winner will each receive a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to their designated accredited college.

In 2024, Regions revamped the scholarship contest to provide more opportunities for students to apply. The contest invites eligible high school and college students to submit a video essay or traditional written essay on someone they know in their community who has inspired them and helped them build the confidence to achieve their goals.

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests.For each quarterly contest, eligible entries are grouped according to form of entry (written essay or video essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges.A total of four (4) quarterly contest scholarship prizes will be awarded in each quarterly contest, consisting of two (2) prizes for the written essay group and two (2) quarterly contest prizes for the video essay group.Regions will promote the scholarship contest throughout the year and students may submit an entry in each quarterly contest.

Second quarter winners and the individuals they highlighted in their award-winning submissions include (follow links to read/watch their submissions):

Erin Petersen, Bradenton, Fla., who detailed her mother’s (Mignonette Peterson) story of coming to the U.S. from the Philippines and her perseverance and strength.Micah Wagner, Norcross, Ga., who wrote of the influence his mother, Elizabeth Wagner, has had on him and how her advocacy for him has made a positive impression.Algieria Thomas, Miami, Fla., who honored her mother, LaMekka Noble, and the inspiration story of her journey from homelessness to successful entrepreneur.Tyler Patterson, Columbus, Ga., who was inspired by the example of Evon Black, the first African American woman to hold a student leadership role at Gallaudet University and tireless leader and advocate for the deaf community.

To learn more about the Riding Forward Scholarship, visit www.regions.com/ridingforward.

See full contest rules for complete details, including eligibility and written essay and video essay requirements.

See first quarter winners and their submissions and their winning submissions on Doing More Today.

If you know of a young person – in college or headed that way – please share this information with them and with the guidance counselor at their school. 

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship contest has awarded over $1.4 million in educational assistance to more than 400 students over the past 12 years.

FORT WORTH, Texas, October 15, 2024 /3BL/ – As Hurricane Milton barreled down on Florida’s Gulf Coast, more than 200 American Airlines team members at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Maintenance Hangar were packing more than 12,000 hygiene kits for distribution by Feeding America®.

The hygiene kits, filled with personal care items and other necessities, will be distributed to communities in western North Carolina, ensuring those impacted by Hurricane Helene receive the support they need during this challenging time.

In addition, American is donating food items and blankets, and in partnership with Baby2Baby, is transporting nearly 5,000 lbs. of diapers, wipes, formula, body wash, blankets and baby food to be distributed to impacted areas.

About a dozen CLT-based pilots also volunteered to fly their personal aircraft to deliver more than 30,000 lbs. of supplies to counties across western North Carolina. Additionally, in partnership with CLT, team members organized a donation drive to fill a box truck with requested items such as non-perishable food items, toiletries, infant essentials, new clothing and cleaning supplies.

American’s commitment throughout North Carolina is evident through the nine cities the airline serves and the more than 17,500 team members who help support our operation statewide. CLT is home to American’s second largest hub where the surrounding airports continue to connect thousands of passengers day in and day out.

AAdvantage® members have donated more than $4.3 million to support the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts following the devastation caused by the hurricanes and tropical storms in 2024.

With hurricane season running through Nov. 30, the need for support remains urgent. Through Oct. 18, 2024, AAdvantage® members can earn 10 AAdvantage® bonus miles for every dollar donated to the Red Cross with a minimum $25 donation. To support relief efforts, please visit redcross.org/aa to make a donation.

With a large footprint in India, Viatris has a broad program supporting communities there. We focus on a variety of health, education and community welfare initiatives including health awareness and screening programs, health workers and capacity building, constructing school buildings and sanitation facilities, promoting organic farming and improving access to clean, healthy water.

In 2023, our work included:

Continuing to support Akshaya Vidya, a supplementary education program that encourages underprivileged children to continue their educations through evening classes offered at 40 neighborhood locationsDeveloping a watershed in Ranga Reddy District to enhance the availability of groundwater and increase agricultural productivity that promotes resilience for agriculture, livestock and food securityPartnering with the Sportz Village Foundation in Hyderabad to promote fitness among children as a way to improve physical and mental health, improve attendance in schools and encourage students to participate in sports

Removing Barriers to Care to Fight India’s Growing Cancer Burden

More than 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed in India every year. Of the more than 1 billion people who live in the vast country, 64% are in rural communities, where many are too far from and unable to afford treatment at the country’s few urban cancer centers.1

To address the growing cancer burden in India, Viatris and Tata Memorial Center, launched a collaboration in 2015 on a multipronged approach to remove barriers to diagnosis, treatment and care. More than 8 million people have been screened for oral cancer under the Access to Affordable Cancer Care for One and All program, which also aims to build healthcare capacity and technical support for early detection, screening, prevention and treatment of cancer. The program has been such a success that what started in just six districts of Maharashtra has now been scaled to all 34 districts in Maharashtra and level to six states – and continues to grow.

Through the program, specialized training for physicians, nurses, technicians and health workers is provided so they can diagnose and manage cancer cases within their local communities, decentralizing cancer care and supporting early diagnosis for patients. Protocols for screening for the most common cancers in India – oral, breast and cervical cancers – were also developed, enabling early detection. These protocols were implemented through screening and awareness programs conducted at the district level across the state.

Improving Liver Health in India

India’s Healthy Liver Healthy Delhi program, sponsored by Viatris, addresses the increasing incidents of liver diseases in the country. As many as 40 million people in India are living with hepatitis B and as many as 12 million with hepatitis C.2

The program provides a state-of-the-art mobile unit that offers liver health check-ups, screenings for hepatitis B and C, and general public awareness of liver diseases and treatments. The unit is able to operate six days a week, with as many as 40 people screened each day. The program began in 2017, and has resulted in more than 30,000 screenings to date.

Sources 
1 World Cancer Day 2024: Addressing Cancer Care in India 
2 WHO Hepatitis Fact Sheet 

Supporting Farmers in India Adopt Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Decades of reliance on chemical fertilizers and other agents used improperly, the growing impacts of climate change and the economic impacts of urbanization, among other pressures, have led to poor soil quality, pest infestations and lower yields.1

The problems are repeated across India, where about 70% of the country’s rural households depend primarily on agriculture for their llivelihoods. About 82% of the country’s farmers operate small or marginal farms with less than two hectares of land.

To help these small farms survive, Viatris is supporting a pilot project in India in Anneswara Gramapanchayath to teach farmers about more sustainable ways of working. The project with Adarsha Rural Health and Economic Development Society (ARHEDS) includes strengthening farmer education and training programs, promoting the availability and affordability of organic materials, streamlining certification processes, enhancing market infrastructure, and providing financial incentives and support for organic farmers.

The program aims to address the barriers that currently prevent farmers in India from adopting organic practices. These barriers include limited access to organic materials like organic manure and biofertilizers; a lack of knowledge and capacity in organic pest and disease management; the difficulty for small-scale farmers to obtain organic certification; a lack of robust supply chains and market infrastructure to help organic farmers connect with consumers and fetch fair prices; and the challenges that come with scaling up organic farming

If the project is successful, the intention is to scale it in order to empower more local farmers.

Community Programs Addressing TB in India

A quarter of the world’s TB cases can be found in India.2 The chronic infectious disease is a leading cause of death in people living with HIV and also a major contributor to AMR. In India, the government has set a goal to end TB by 2025, and in addition to our core business of scaling access to treatment, Viatris is working in communities to address the burdens of TB in three unique ways.

In partnership with the Society For Education Action Research in Community Health (SEARCH), we are working to control TB in rural and tribal areas of Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The program, which was launched in 2023, aims to mitigate TB incidence, reduce complications and lower mortality rates in these communities through awareness campaigns tailored to local languages, house-to-house screenings conducted by trained health workers, sputum collection and microscopy for diagnosis, and counseling sessions following national guidelines.

A second program addresses the significance of nutrition for TB patients, something the government of India drives as a priority to improve treatment outcomes for TB patients. Working with Doctors For You (DFY), Viatris is providing nutritional support to about 1,050 people living with TB in Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Bihar and Odisha. This includes conducting nutritional assessments, providing education, leveraging public distribution systems, distributing monthly nutrition kits, and assessing the impact of nutrition interventions.

We are also working to strengthen the connection between diagnosis and treatment for people living with drug-resistant TB (DRTB) in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh. Together with our partner Foundation for Innovative New Diagnosis (FIND), we are working to enhance the diagnosis of DRTB and address the challenge of locating undiagnosed patients in high TB burden areas of Uttar Pradesh.

In 2023, more than 80,000 people in India benefited from Viatris’ work to address TB.

SOURCES 
1UN India At a Glance 
2 WHO Global Tuberculosis Report

View the full 2023 Sustainability Report.

Originally published on Rayonier.com

What are Land-Based Solutions?

The term “land-based solutions” refers to land uses that address the environmental needs of the world. In this summary, we examine land-based solutions Rayonier is positioned to provide that could have a significant positive impact on the world.

As our world seeks to transition to a low-carbon economy, the demand for land and renewable forest products is on the rise. We believe these resources will play a key role in addressing the impacts of climate change and the excess carbon in the atmosphere.

Many strategies to enhance and sustain the health of our planet will come from the proper use of land. As a landowner responsible for millions of acres of forests, Rayonier is eager to deliver the land-based solutions our assets can provide.

These land uses address some of the key environmental needs of the world. We believe it’s our responsibility to lead, innovate and collaborate with others to ensure a healthy and sustainable future. We are working closely with community and business leaders to leverage our forestlands to make the greatest positive impact.

Rayonier views land-based solutions through the following broad categories:

Positioning land for alternative and additional uses

Alternative uses include solar and wind farms, which produce clean energy, powering homes and businesses while drastically reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions required to produce that energy.

“Renewables produce energy with a lot less carbon emissions than other traditional forms of power production, such as coal and gas,” explains our Vice President of Energy Resources Rob Fancher.

Renewable energy producers support a healthier environment by reducing air pollution, mitigating climate change, conserving water compared to fossil fuel plants and minimizing noise pollution. They also provide local jobs, increase tax revenue and make communities more attractive to new businesses.

“Many businesses are interested in lowering their carbon footprint and they’re looking to relocate their facilities to areas that have options for renewable energy,” Rob explains.

Leasing land for wind and solar farms

Sites with strong solar and wind potential are plentiful across Rayonier’s ownership, which is attractive to solar companies because of our large land base and proximity to power substations.

Thanks to advancements in technology, solar power has become one of the most affordable energy sources, with the levelized cost of electricity declining more than 80% from 2008 to 2022, according to this Berkeley Lab study.

Solar makes up more than half of new energy

Due to its relative affordability and positive impact on climate, solar is now making up more than half of all new energy being introduced into the grid, as reported here by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

In 2023, the first solar farm on Rayonier land came online in Polk County, Texas. Longroad Energy’s 150 megawatt project produces enough clean energy to power 30,000 homes, avoiding an estimated 250,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

“When we’re looking for solar developers to pursue a project, we really want a reputable, trustworthy company that shares our core values and our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship,” says Business Development Manager Zan Frederick. He says his team was pleased with the steps Longroad Energy took to protect the environment around the project site.

The solar farm, which includes about 600 acres of Rayonier land, implements water quality protection measures such as reservoirs and forest buffers. It also was built around wetlands to protect the ecosystems within its boundaries, with solar panels on only 1,300 acres of the approximately 2,500-acre site.

Providing Pore Space For Carbon Capture and Storage Opportunities

In addition to green energy sites, Rayonier owns land that is well-situated to provide carbon emitters, such as factories and power plants, access to pore space for carbon capture and storage—or, CCS—for their emissions.

CCS begins with the CO₂ producer, who captures the CO₂ from the atmosphere or the point source of the emissions and pipes them into an underground pipe system. This system transports the emissions to our land in liquid form. The CO₂ is then sent deep underground—a half mile or more—and injected into a rock formation that will store it permanently.

With more than half of the world’s 2,000 largest companies committed to net zero emissions, CCS is expected to be a major contributor to decarbonization. CCS demand is projected to grow rapidly, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 6.2 percent annually from 2023 to 2030, reaching more than 300 Mtpa (million tonnes per annum), according to the World Economic Forum.

Our southern land base includes large tracts of land with geologic capacity for CCS. Many of these properties are within close proximity to high-purity emissions sources as well as existing pipelines and rights-of-way.

Rayonier announced in 2024 the granting of 75,000 acres of underground pore space lease agreements. These leases allow emitters to use our land for CCS. By making land available for CCS, we are facilitating a critical solution for reducing carbon emissions, while still preserving the primary use of our land for timber operations.

“By providing CCS pore space while continuing to sustainably manage the forests above, we’re able to deliver even more environmental benefits through our land resources,” said Rayonier Executive Vice President and Chief Resource Officer Doug Long. “We’re committed to advancing these types of land-based solutions to combat climate change.”

Elevating the role our forests play in capturing carbon 

Trees capture and store carbon not only while they’re growing, but also store carbon in the products they become, such as lumber and plywood for housing construction.

Beyond these direct product uses, we are able to leverage our foresters’ expertise and change how our forests are managed to maximize the carbon captured. These management changes produce carbon credits to be sold in offset markets.

In New Zealand, we participate in the nation’s regulated carbon offset market, known as the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme. Through this market, registered forests generate credits known as New Zealand Units (NZUs). Companies looking to offset their emissions purchase the NZUs and “retire” them once they claim that credit. In 2023, Rayonier generated $23 million in NZU sales.

Across our U.S. lands, where carbon markets are voluntary, we are exploring opportunities to elevate the carbon sequestered within the forests we manage.

Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects currently under consideration could maximize our carbon sequestration using science-driven forestry techniques. This might include extending how long timberlands grow before they’re harvested, establishing alternative native species, or managing the land in a different manner.

Carbon credits can also be generated from afforestation activity, in which land that has been used for different purposes, such as cattle grazing, is converted into forests.

Rayonier is currently working on both IFM and afforestation carbon credit projects in the U.S.

Producing the wood fiber needed to fuel bioenergy and biofuel systems of the future

There is a rising need for the wood fiber we grow as manufacturing facilities seek to become more environmentally positive. Wood-based renewable fuels for airplanes, trains and vehicles as well as electricity generated through wood-based bioenergy reduce carbon emissions. Using these products in place of traditional fuels can significantly reduce the carbon intensity of the energy the world needs.

One specific area of opportunity is bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) facilities. BECCS is a growing area of interest to address manufacturers’ emissions, especially in the U.S. South, where a large portion of our timberlands are concentrated. BECCS facilities burn woody biomass for energy production and then capture and store the emitted carbon—aiming to create a carbon-negative cycle.

The demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, known as SAF, is also on the rise. Air travel is currently responsible for 12% of all transportation-related CO₂ emissions, according to this article by the U.S. Department of Energy. Existing aircraft can use a blend of SAF and jet fuel to reduce emissions.

Members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing more than 80 percent of global air traffic, have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050. IATA’s Fly Net Zero strategy relies on SAF for 65% of the emission reductions, which will lead to significant increasing demand for SAF in the future.

Embracing environmental and biodiversity conservation

We are committed to sustainable land management practices that balance various uses while ensuring the protection of critical natural habitats. This includes implementing conservation strategies, maintaining or enhancing biodiversity and adhering to environmental regulations to conserve the ecological integrity of significant areas under our stewardship.

We’re actively involved in conservation easement solutions that permanently preclude certain activities such as high-density development or mining from taking place on those properties. These solutions make larger conservation efforts possible in areas near our ownership.

Through biodiversity enhancement efforts such as afforestation of lands from other uses back to forests, we can prioritize habitat for vulnerable wildlife species, as well as help createcontinuity of wildlife corridors and sensitive areas, all in an effort to contribute to environmental conservation.

Proud to be Part of the Solution

At Rayonier, we’re proud to continuously seek more ways to be part of the solution. Through the land-based solutions we work with stakeholders to deliver, as well as our timber business’s climate-smart forest management, we can play an important role in advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy and addressing the risks posed by climate change.

October 15, 2024 /3BL/ – In advance of World Food Day on October 16, Action Against Hunger today released results from a survey finding that 71% of Americans would be more likely to vote for a U.S. presidential candidate who takes a stand on reducing global hunger than one who doesn’t, including a majority of Americans across every demographic category reflected in the survey: race, income, gender, region, educational attainment, home ownership status, marital status, parental status and political party. This includes 59% of Republicans, despite an official “America first” platform.

The survey, which was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Action Against Hunger, also found:

69% of Americans think that candidates in the U.S. 2024 election should discuss global hunger reduction.During this election season, global hunger is an area without a gender divide, as women and men are equally likely to express support for a candidate who takes a stand on global hunger (72% and 70%).Taking a stand on global hunger is more likely to sway the youth vote: 78% of Americans ages 18 – 34 hold this view, roughly 12 percentage points higher than those ages 55 – 64 (65%) and 65+ (66%).A majority of Republicans (59%) say they are more likely to support a presidential candidate who takes a stand on reducing global hunger. That rises to 70% of Independents and 87% of Democrats.There is no statistically significant difference between Americans in the Northeast (75%), South or West (72% each). Those in the Northeast are significantly more likely than those in the Midwest (67%) to support a candidate who takes a stand on the issue.

“This survey shows that Americans are united in their concern about global hunger and, I believe, are eager for moral leadership and action to address this issue. It is an area of common ground and a topic that a vast majority of Americans want to see political candidates discussing,” said Dr. Charles Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger. “The world produces enough food for everyone, so hunger isn’t just an issue of food; it’s an issue of equity. Food is a basic human right and everyone should enjoy a life free from hunger. If we can come together, we can create a world where every life is well nourished.”

The results are broadly consistent with a separate poll conducted on behalf of Action Against Hunger in 2019, which found that more than 80% of Americans think the U.S. government isn’t doing enough on global hunger, with younger generations most likely to demand greater U.S. leadership. At that time, Gen Z and Millennials were more likely to say that the U.S. is doing enough to address illegal immigration (35% and 40%, respectively) and terrorism (27% and 32%) than to say the U.S. is doing enough to address hunger in developing nations (16% and 25%). In 2019, voters look favorably on U.S. presidential candidates taking a stand against global hunger.

The new 2024 survey comes at a critical time. Nearly one in 11 people around the world face hunger, a number that is rising due to conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, Action Against Hunger’s 2024 Hunger Funding Gap analysis revealed a 65% gap between funding requests for hunger-related programs in countries dealing with crisis levels of hunger, up 23% from the previous year. 

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Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Action Against Hunger from September 26 – 30, 2024 among 2090 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is a global leader creating a future where every life is well nourished. We innovate to prevent malnutrition and respond to hunger hotspots, working in 59 countries and reaching more than 21 million people each year. Together, we are promoting resilience and working to end hunger for everyone, for good.