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WASHINGTON, October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Fairtrade America, the organization behind the world’s most recognized label for social justice and sustainability, the Fairtrade Mark, commissioned three new murals in celebration of Fairtrade Month this October.

Recent research showed that 92 percent of consumers are interested in learning more about the farmers who grow the ingredients in their preferred products. Created in partnership with local artists and installed at grocery stores dedicated to sustainable sourcing, these murals help connect shoppers with the people behind their food. Each depicts a farmer who grows Fairtrade certified cocoa or coffee sold inside the store.

Boise, ID: The cocoa grown by Carlixta and Francisco Contreras Martinez is an ingredient in products from Navitas Organics, which shoppers can find on shelves at Boise Co-op.Buffalo, NY: The coffee grown by Ibu Rahmah is an ingredient in products from Gimme! Coffee, which shoppers can find on shelves at Lexington Co-op.Denver, CO: The cocoa grown by Salamatu Katta is an ingredient in products from Hu Kitchen, which shoppers can find on shelves at Leever’s Locavore.

The murals are part of Fairtrade America’s annual Fairtrade Month campaign, ‘We are Fairtrade,’ which connects shoppers, grocers, brands and farmers to celebrate their roles in creating a world where the people who grow our food get paid a price that allows them to thrive.

Shoppers, brands and retailers can celebrate Fairtrade Month by:

Choosing Fairtrade certified products when shoppingSharing ‘We are Fairtrade’ content onlinePromoting Fairtrade products in-store and hosting events

Through October 31st, 2024, shoppers can also enter for a chance to win the Fairtrade Month Grand Prize Giveaway. Three winners will receive a Cuisinart soft serve ice cream maker and one-year’s supply of Fairtrade certified goods from Gimme! Coffee, Hu Kitchen and Navitas Organics.

“The longstanding profit-over-people-and-planet approach to international trade must change. Two million Fairtrade farmers and workers are telling us it’s simply not sustainable,” said Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America. “Shoppers, retailers, and brands who choose Fairtrade stand with farmers in their pursuit of fairer pay. With this campaign, we amplify their stories and commemorate their work in the form of public art to inspire more allies to join our movement to build more equitable food systems.”

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to trade that is based on partnership instead of exploitation. The farmers featured in the murals represent the more than two million Fairtrade farmers and workers in Fairtrade certified cooperatives that grow valuable products like coffee, cocoa and bananas. Products bearing the Fairtrade Mark are certified against rigorous economic, social and environmental standards from the farm to the shelf, helping shoppers easily purchase products that align with their values in stores and online.

About the Farmers

Carlixta and Francisco Contreras Martinez, mural by Bobby Gaytan, located at Boise Co-Op Market, Boise

Carlixta and Francisco Contreras Martinez are siblings from Monte Plata, Dominican Republic. Together, they care for three cocoa farms that they inherited from their parents, who were cocoa farmers for many years. Their cocoa beans are Fairtrade and Organic certified.

The siblings say the climate has changed a lot in Monte Plata. When it’s too hot and there is not enough rain, the cocoa pods cannot fully develop. In recent years, this has caused as much as 60% of their production to spoil. Because of their affiliation with Fairtrade, Carlixta and Francisco have received trainings about climate change and best practices for adjusting to changing weather.

“Climate change is a reality. The climate has changed a lot, and we have been affected. In the last couple of years, we have been strongly affected,” said Francisco. “We feel proud to belong to the cocoa region, and we have kept up our production,” he continued.

“My favorite moment in the farming process is when we harvest it and make our money! You know, the money we use to survive on this earth!” Carlixta said with a laugh.

The siblings’ farms are part of Fairtrade certified cooperative Fundación Dominicana de Productores Orgánicos (FUNDOPO), from which Navitas Organics sources cacao for their Organic Cacao Powder. Navitas Organics’ Organic Cacao Powder is available for purchase at Boise Co-Op Market.

Ibu Rahmah, mural by Julia Bottoms, located at Lexington Co-op, Buffalo 

Ibu Rahmah serves as chairwoman for Ketiara Cooperative, the largest coffee farming operation in Indonesia. Ketiara Cooperative has been in business for more than 60 years and is the primary source of jobs for neighboring communities. Four generations of Rahmah’s family have been involved in coffee farming or trading.

“Growing up surrounded by coffee plantations, warehouses, and factories, coffee has always been imprinted in my daily life. From a young age, I observed the processes of planting, caring for, harvesting, and processing coffee. Every day after school, I used to visit our coffee plantation nearby. Red coffee beans even became my favorite candy as they tasted sweet,” said Ibu Rahmah.

“In 2010, my curiosity and an opportunity led me and the Ketiara Cooperative to engage with Fairtrade. Having my roots in coffee farming and being involved in the coffee industry for a long time and starting from scratch, I can confidently say that Fairtrade has offered key advantages to us coffee growers: fair prices, improved farming practices, and guidance in running and maintaining a transparent collective business model. These benefits have been instrumental in the growth of our cooperative, as evidenced by the increasing number of farmers eager to join without the need for our invitation,” said Ibu Rahmah.

Ibu Rahmah and her Ketiara Cooperative are a sourcing partner of NY-based coffee roaster Gimme! Coffee. Gimme!’s Fairtrade certified coffee is available for purchase at Lexington Co-op.

Salamatu Katta, mural by Chelsea Lewinski, located at Leevers Locavore, Denver 

Salamatu Katta is a 29-year-old cocoa farmer who is farming like the future depends on it – because it does.

Katta, from Sierra Leone in West Africa, was given her father’s cocoa farm as an inheritance when he passed away. Her farm is part of Munafa Cooperative, which is Fairtrade and Organic certified. Being part of a certified cooperative helps her to earn more when selling her cocoa beans.

“I hire young adults to carry out underbrushing and pruning. My dream is to become a cocoa farmer entrepreneur, creating jobs for our youth – for the future of our community,” said Katta.

“Through Munafa, since I became a Fairtrade/Organic farmer, I have observed my yields increasing due to the organic practices ensuring that we do not use chemical inputs. As farmers, we don’t want to destroy the environment or create more health issues for ourselves,” said Katta.

Katta and Munafa Cooperative are a sourcing partner for Hu Kitchen, which buys 100% of the cocoa in their products from Fairtrade certified cooperatives. Hu Kitchen’s chocolate bars are available for purchase at Leever’s Locavore.

Editor’s Note: Photos and videos available upon request.

Media Contact: Liz Davis, Fairtrade America | ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org, +1 937.776.3493

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Quotes from Artists, Brands, and Retailers 

Artists

“Many years ago, my grandparents migrated up north to work in the Idaho farmlands. All they had was a dream and a lot of will. After the harvest seasons, a lot of migrant families would return to their southern homelands. Those that stayed would eventually call Idaho home and raise kids that grew up to be freedom fighters and great contributors to this society. Working and fighting hard so that future generations could have the opportunities their ancestors dreamed of. I dedicate a lot of my art to my family, my community, and all the migrant farmworkers who continue to work hard and contribute to this beautiful land we now call home,” said Bobby Gaytan, Boise Co-Op Market Mural Artist and Meridian Arts Commissioner.

Brands

“The big business of coffee will always dictate the terms of trade for millions of smallholder producers. Fairtrade is the only large-scale, global intervention to an exploitative international coffee trading system. We stand behind the standards of Fairtrade because they provide a price floor, mandatory premiums and procedure-centered trade requirements. We believe it is a tide that lifts all ships upon which quality-differentiated coffees can thrive and coffee producers can lead dignified lives,” said Colleen Anunu, Head of Coffee, Gimme! Coffee.

“When members of our team traveled to Sierra Leone, we met many of these farmers as we visited communities within their cooperatives. In that trip, we learned quite a lot, but one of the core takeaways was just how positive an impact Fairtrade can have on the farmers that take part. We saw cooperatives working to strengthen social bonds across villages through the building of shared community spaces, investing in health and wellbeing by creating private spaces for expecting mothers, and fortifying their businesses through collective seedling nurseries and solar drying facilities,” said Daniel Klausner, Director of Commercial Strategy & Impact, Hu Kitchen.

“Investing in smallholder organic farmers and prioritizing a fair and equitable wage while providing healthy working conditions, is a no brainer. We’re helping to create economic opportunities and strengthen global rural economies across the supply chain, and there’s nothing more rewarding, humbling and important than that,” said Max Darcey, Director of Sustainability and Quality, Navitas Organics.

Retailers

“This mural celebrates Fairtrade Month by highlighting the vital role of Fairtrade in promoting equality, dignity, and respect for farmers and workers worldwide. Through this vibrant artwork, we hope to inspire conversations about the positive impact of choosing Fairtrade products and support a more equitable world,” said Tyler Schnur, Director of Marketing, Boise Co-op Market.

“This has been an exciting opportunity to beautify our Hertel location while celebrating the story of the farmers whose knowledge and labor makes possible the coffee we enjoy every day! We look forward to sharing this one-of-a-kind mural with the entire community and bringing more awareness to Fairtrade products,” said Jennifer White, Marketing & Communications Manager, Lexington Co-op.

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.

About Boise Co-op Market

Boise Co-op Market is a community-owned, natural foods market committed to nurturing everybody in our community without compromise. We offer responsibly sourced products and prioritize quality, ethics, sustainability, accessibility, and care in everything we do. Visit us at boise.coop to learn more.

About Gimme! Coffee

Gimme! has a proven history of coffee expertise in coffee preparation standards, supply chain sustainability, and equipment installation and maintenance, but their employee-owned structure gives a renewed sense of meaning to what this coffee thing is all about: economic prosperity from coffee producers to baristas rooted in sensory and community experiences. Their distinctive specialty coffees are Gimme’s platform to elevate the standards of hospitality and manufacturing to create meaningful work and ensure that coffee systems thrive.

About Hu Kitchen

Founded with a mission to unite simple ingredients and unbeatable taste, Hu prioritizes not only those enjoying their products but also better supporting the livelihoods of the farmers that grow the ingredients we source to make our products. As a proud partner of Fairtrade, Hu sources 100% of its cocoa, coconut sugar, cashews, vanilla, and quinoa on Fairtrade terms.

Hu is a values-driven organization and by adhering to Fairtrade standards, Hu invests in a system that aims to better empower farmers voices while contributing premiums that directly support farmers who harvest the high-quality ingredients found in their products.

Through this partnership, Hu continues to deliver indulgent, simple ingredient chocolate and support a more secure livelihood for the people and communities behind their ingredients.

About Leevers Locavore

At Leevers Locavore, our mission is to create a community hub centered around food and beverage. We believe in redefining the local market in a modern and fun way. We believe in creating unique opportunities for quality local producers, our employee owners, and like-minded vendor partners. We believe that collectively we can do some good in our small part of the world and truly benefit the communities in which we operate.

About Lexington Co-op

Lexington Co-op was founded in 1971 by a group of community members – owners – looking for access to fresh, organic, and locally sourced foods. Today, with two stores in Buffalo, N.Y., the co-op has over 20,000 owners and carries products from more than 120 local vendors, including 40 farms. Increasing access to local foods and supporting and sourcing from Western NY farms and producers continues every day! From year-round local apples to fresh dairy, Buffalo-made pierogi, to locally brewed beers, natural meats from Western NY farms and local ingredients in our prepared foods, the co-op is committed to building the regional economy.

About Navitas Organics

At Navitas Organics®, the mission is simple. They are committed to creating a healthier world through regenerative organic farming and plant-forward lifestyles. Founded in 2003 from a belief in the power of plant-based, whole foods to help us live healthier, more enriching lives, Navitas Organics® now offers 60+ USDA certified organic SKUs including baking products, wellness staples, functional snacks, and beverages. All Navitas Organics® products are Organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. Navitas Organics® Cacao Wafers and Cacao Nibs are Fairtrade certified and their Cacao Powder is Fairtrade certified and Regenerative Organic Certified®. Navitas Organics® is proudly a purpose-driven, B-Corp company with a vision of using business as a force for good.

Aligned organizations Cascale and Worldly held a first-ever joint event during New York Climate Week. Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition) is the global nonprofit alliance for the consumer goods industry; Worldly is the exclusive platform for Cascale’s Higg Index and the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform.

At the co-hosted “Chatting Climate & Consumer Goods” event held in New York City’s Garment District, speakers and attendees delivered deep supply chain decarbonization insights, building on presentations at the Cascale Annual Meeting and Worldly Customer Forum in Munich earlier this month. Attendees included Cascale members PVH, Patagonia, Lululemon, The Children’s Place, as well as guests including LVMH, among others. Hosts and speakers offered expertise on decarbonization, identifying improvements in supplier engagement, and setting science-based targets.

Colin Browne, CEO, Cascale; Scott Raskin, CEO, Worldly; and Tamar Hoek, Cascale Board Chair and senior policy director sustainable fashion, Solidaridad began the event with a call to action. “You only get so far with voluntary actions,” Browne said, outlining how sustainability regulation will change our workforce and become an imperative, while Raskin invited the audience to challenge the discussions adding, “Let’s not have the same conversations.” “If we really want to have a good future for future generations, then we have to save planet earth,” Hoek said, conveying hope but acknowledging the “long road ahead.”

In the first session, Lewis Perkins, president and CEO, Apparel Impact Institute, joined the stage alongside Browne for a conversation on “Scaling Decarbonization.” The executives discussed the collaborative work between Aii and Cascale and how the organizations are aligning on critical solutions and financing strategies. “Going forward, carbon is going to be an important metric.” Browne said of optimized sourcing strategies. “We need to do less to do more.”

Perkins outlined four components of the “Industry Decarbonization Roadmap,” or IDR, as well as Aii’s $250 million-dollar Fashion Climate Fund and interlinked Climate Solutions Portfolio. IDR is a roadmap for companies operating in regions where greenhouse gas emissions are highest to map, identify, and act. He then shared four key components to the IDR, which include a standardized technical methodology, development of a facility carbon benchmark, funding and financing, and engagement and commitment. “I’m not here to push debt on any suppliers,” he said, stressing that the “holy grail” for brands and retailers should be long-term partnership agreements. Perkins mentioned The Future Supplier Initiative, which aims to reduce the financial burden for suppliers by working in unity with fashion brands to lower costs.

Next, in a special pre-recorded session, “Manufacturer Message: Live from Jakarta,” Sunil Shewakramani, CEO Busana Apparel Group, and Andrew Martin, executive vice president of Cascale, discussed the synergy between brands and suppliers and the moral imperative to do right by people and planet. Shewakramani said doing good is a “competitive advantage” in terms of how the 49-year-old business looks at green investments. Busana Apparel Group ranks among the largest garment manufacturers and exporters globally, with 24 global facilities and a number of Leed Certifications from the Green Building Council. Martin emphasized Cascale’s intent to elevate manufacturers’ voices, to which Shewakramani added: “The whole thing needs to change from ‘I’ to ‘we.’”

After a networking break, Cascale’s director of Higg Transparency, Chris Marshall, joined the stage to moderate the panel “Climate Engagement and Action in Tier 2.” Speakers included Jimmy Summers, vice president – EHS/sustainability at Elevate Textiles, Inc.; Xiaofei Li, senior manager, material sustainability and transparency at Eileen Fisher; and Stefanie Kato, Worldly associate director of accounts.

“The thing that does motivate us is business — across the board,” said Summers. “One of the promises was that [the Higg Index] would reduce the number of audits — and promise delivered. We went from 12 audits at a facility to maybe three.” Kato spoke of the ways Worldly is match-making brands with suppliers in the same network, so data points are aligned, and. stressed the need for quicker frequency in data. Finally, Li shared how Eileen Fisher is approaching the Tier 2 decarbonization journey. “We worked very hard to have our suppliers adopt Higg FEM. To incentivize that we incorporated Higg FEM in our Tier 1 scorecard and Tier 2 mill scorecard,” she said, confirming the importance of supporting suppliers with expertise and financing.

In a final session, “Transparency In Action,” Worldly’s Scott Raskin and Natalie Grillon, CEO of Open Supply Hub, explored the potential for data harmonization in facilities. The organizations are in close collaboration offering an API integration for the data.

As moderator, Raskin explored several critical themes during the discussion. He began by asking Grillon to outline the latest developments at Open Supply Hub (OSH), seeking insight into its current priorities and areas of exciting progress. This set the stage for a deeper exploration of industry trends, particularly the movement toward data harmonization within the consumer goods sector, highlighting the growing importance of integrated and standardized data. He also delved into how the adoption of OSH by multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) improves collaboration across supply chains, reflecting his interest in how these partnerships can strengthen supply chain relationships and shared goals. He reinforced that transparency in data is Worldly’s mission.

Grillon gave a recap of her career trajectory working in international development with farmers in countries from Uganda to Mali before founding Open Supply Hub in 2019. Since its launch, Open Supply Hub has expanded its mandate into broader consumer goods and now has nearly 500,000 users today across the value chain, with a target of five million by 2026. Through the platform, users can access information on facility names and locations, as well as organizations affiliated with a specific facility, which promotes shared solutions. “The idea behind these initiatives is shared progress,” Grillon said.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 30, 2024 /3BL/ – Truist Foundation today announced it will donate an additional $500,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in communities most impacted by the historic destruction from Hurricane Helene, including Western North Carolina, making its total contributions $1 million. The funds will be distributed to IT Disaster Resource Center, United Way Worldwide, the American Red Cross and Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund.

“Many of the communities we serve are experiencing historic and catastrophic flooding and millions are still without power and access to everyday essentials,” said Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. “Truist Foundation is supporting trusted partners who are on the ground in the hardest hit areas, tirelessly working to restore power, cell service and clear roadways. We are committed to putting our purpose into action with additional funds to help those in impacted communities get connected – digitally and physically – as soon as possible.”

In addition to technology and infrastructure support, including converting trucks and trailers into Wi-Fi hotspots and connectivity centers, the selected organizations will use their grant funds to identify and deliver the most critical immediate community needs such as access to food, shelter and medical services. A portion of the donation will be focused on medium- and long-term recovery informed by disaster experts in partnership with those in the affected communities.

Last week, Truist Foundation announced an initial $500,000 grant to help prepare, respond and recover in communities impacted by Helene as quickly as possible. These funds – along with Truist Foundation’s $1 million grant made earlier this year to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program – helped the American Red Cross establish 10 disaster relief operations across 10 states, provide 1,400 disaster workers, support 70 shelters, and deploy 45 emergency response vehicles – with about two dozen more enroute. Funds also helped provide food, shelter, emotional support, comfort kits and other immediate relief supplies to thousands of families and individuals impacted by Helene.

About Truist Foundation 
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the foundation’s leading initiatives — the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

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Media Contact: 
Kristen Fraser 
media@truist.com

Verizon

Terry Beltrán meets with Ask the Latina app user Melissa Enciso in the Mexicantown neighborhood of Detroit.

When Terry Beltrán was a student at Michigan State University, she remembers being the only Latina in her industrial engineering program. In difficult moments, she felt she could have benefited from more support. “I always look back and think, had I had a role model that looked like me, it would have made a difference,” Beltrán says.

Today, Beltrán, who lives in the greater Detroit area, is an entrepreneur with decades of success under her belt. In addition to holding marketing roles at several major Fortune 500 companies, she also launched two businesses as a solopreneur. Vista Latinos helps brands target Hispanic audiences; Beltrán Media provides marketing expertise to Hispanic-owned small businesses.

To help the next generation, Beltrán decided to create a mentorship app called Ask the Latina, which connects Latina professionals to Latina students hoping to start careers in STEM and finance. As Beltrán points out, Latinas are underrepresented in those fields. “I felt like that needed to change,” she says. And although Beltrán runs two thriving media and marketing companies, she turned to Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to gain valuable skills she needed to create the app.

The most impactful aspect of the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program, Beltrán says, was that it connected her to an “awesome” engineering mentor, who helped her figure out how to price the app and sort through proposals from developers. “[My] mentor was already part of building apps as an engineer—it was like a perfect match,” she explains. Beltrán was early in the app process, working on wireframes, which are like blueprints for an app. By working with her mentor, Beltrán was able to bring the app to reality—called minimal viable product in the field—and reduce the development costs by 25%, she says.

A one-on-one session with a Verizon Small Business Digital Ready finance expert also helped Beltrán realize that launching the Ask the Latina app would necessarily be different from her other ventures. Her businesses are service-oriented, and after the finance session, Beltrán realized, “This was a totally different area … I’m going in and developing a product this time, not a service.” A financial structures course helped her create a new business model for the app.

Through additional self-paced and live courses, Beltrán learned to hone her social media strategy, including using social media to target mentors and younger mentees. She says she increased followers on one social media site by 50%, hired a social media content creator, and redesigned her website to include Ask the Latina under her umbrella brand.

Indeed, Beltrán found that even with her experience and record of success, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready offered new learnings – and ones she was able to apply to all three of her current ventures. “I think that the nice thing about Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, is it’s actually great for anybody in any stage of their career, any stage of their business, whether they’re startup or further down the line,” Beltrán says, “because I find that there’s something in there for no matter what stage you’re in.”

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is part of Verizon’s goal to support 1 million small businesses by 2030 with the resources to thrive in the digital economy. Visit CitizenVerizon.com to learn more about the company’s responsible business efforts. To sign up for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, visit digitalready.verizonwireless.com. An individual user’s experience may vary and results are not guaranteed.

We partnered with 93.7 WSTW to support the Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program, which provides healthy food packs to kids in need during weekends and school breaks. As the proud presenting sponsor of 93.7 WSTW’s Radiothon, we helped raise money for this initiative, which partners with nearly 200 organizations throughout Delaware to distribute between 4,000-6,000 bags weekly to students in need. Our 20 dedicated volunteers assembled more than 1,250 backpacks at the Food Bank in Newark!

This effort not only ensures that children have access to nutritious food but also fosters a sense of community and support. A big thank you to our team of volunteers and the Food Bank of Delaware for their unwavering commitment to providing food for kids in need. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of many families.

Mastercard

Business travel is continuing to rebound faster than predicted — and with net zero deadlines looming, it’s even more important to reduce travel’s carbon footprint. The task is complicated and tricky, but data analytics supercharged by artificial intelligence can make it easier for companies to track travel-related carbon emissions and offer precise insights for more sustainable travel practices.

For example, PredictX’s artificial intelligence-powered platform gathers and crunches a company’s travel data to get a transparent accounting of carbon emissions, find cost savings and alert employees about more climate-friendly travel options, so a company can rein in CO2 emissions.

“A good analogy of how PredictX works in some ways is a wastewater treatment plant, except we’re cleaning dirty data instead of dirty water,” says PredictX CEO Keesup Choe. “If it’s not accurate and consolidated and clean, then whatever you calculate from it is going to be garbage.”

PredictX recently joined Mastercard’s extensive ecosystem of partners to support companies in better managing travel spend through policy compliance, auditing and sustainability insights. The Mastercard Newsroom recently spoke to Choe and Mastercard’s Lydie Charpin, senior vice president of corporate travel and B2B commercial card, about the challenges of tracking sustainable travel, what companies can do to lower their carbon emissions and how they can engage employees to come along for the ride.

When PredictX moved into the corporate travel space, what were your customers’ top concerns?

Choe: At the time, companies couldn’t answer the basic questions, like who spent what, with whom, let alone why they spent it. One of the reasons is that in travel, data is incredibly fragmented. There’s data from the travel management companies and then expense systems, card systems. Travelers can sometimes book directly with a hotel, airline or third-party site. So simple questions — even “How much do we spend?” — were difficult to answer. Once they started getting data, they needed the right tools to help them use it.

When did you start to see environmental and social sustainability become more of a priority for corporations in the context of business travel?

Choe: It’s not a coincidence that many of the pledges to get to net zero were made during the pandemic, when there was virtually no corporate travel. It seemed easier to meet some of these goals when the numbers didn’t look as challenging.

What makes tracking ESG metrics like carbon emissions so challenging in this space?

Charpin: As Keesup mentioned, it’s complex because it’s fragmented, but also, and very importantly, it’s not yet standardized. However, there’s been significant progress with groups emerging to help establish sustainability standards for the travel industry. For instance, Mastercard recently joined the Travalyst Coalition, which aims to bring consistent sustainability information to the mainstream to help business and leisure travelers make more conscious travel choices. Travalyst has so far focused on scaling sustainability data for aviation and accommodation such as the Travel Impact Model, which since its launch has shown flight emissions estimates to over 65 billion travelers at the point of booking.

While significant progress has been achieved with standardizing flight emission data, the hotel industry is considerably more difficult. There’s not yet a clear consensus that this given hotel has the equivalent of this specific carbon footprint. Rather, an online travel booking platform can use one measurement and a major hotel chain can use another. The push for standardization throughout the entire travel industry is more important than ever.

What should companies prioritize in their travel programs to accelerate their sustainability goals?

Choe: Companies really need to shift from passive annual reporting to active management. There’s no way any efficiency measures can be made when you’re measuring something once on an annual basis. More instant feedback motivates people to act.

Charpin: This feedback also enables companies to evolve their T&E policies in real time to meet their sustainability goals faster. Travel decision-makers across businesses also need to assess what trade-offs are permissible so employees travel more sustainably. Maybe it’s tailoring their T&E policy to not permit connecting flights, even if they are less expensive, or buying all electric vehicles for their corporate fleet.

What role do employees play in achieving a company’s sustainable travel goals, and how can they be engaged?

Choe: Education is key. Next is influencing them in the right way. PredictX has a module that identifies behavior that could be improved and automatically sends a little nudge to employees to consider a better option next time. It has to be part of an active strategy, reminding people to choose more sustainable travel as they are making the decision. I expect most people, when they’re reminded, will take the option with a lower environmental impact.

Charpin: You also have to ensure the information is provided in a meaningful manner that employees can easily understand. For instance, saying your flight’s carbon footprint is equivalent to the emissions produced by a household for a year will carry more weight than saying your trip will produce two tons of carbon emissions per passenger. And then you have to go one step beyond that and encourage the employee to make the right decision. I’ve heard of companies, for example, that gamify choices so the “greenest” team of travelers during a given month or quarter is rewarded.

What future innovations or investment areas is PredictX exploring to further enhance ESG metrics in travel management?

Choe: PredictX finds CO2-saving strategies and then broadcasts them so travel managers can execute. PredictX has a simulation engine that can tell you in advance how much a carbon footprint is going to be for, say, a conference or product launch. It can help you decide if New York or Atlanta is the right place to hold an event. Or maybe there’s a different city that could actually be much lower in terms of CO2. Perhaps your usual venue isn’t using sustainable electricity, so why not use this other hotel that is? It allows you to make all of these choices and analyze them, well before an event, to make sure you are making the right decisions. These sorts of forecasting and predictive tools are what we’re bringing to the market.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Originally published on 3M News Center

To help combat climate change, the world needs more people at all skill levels to join the green economy. With more than 300 million new “green jobs” possible by 2050, 3M is intensifying its commitment to climate innovation, using cutting-edge materials science to advance decarbonization, energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure and more. The innovation required to drive the green economy will require contributions from everyone, regardless of industry, expertise or experience.

3M’s new docuseries, “Green Works,” celebrates five people working to address climate challenges and the critical need for more talent to support the green transition. With roles in renewable energy, electric vehicles, climate education, reforestation, and sustainable fashion, they demonstrate the powerful impact of green jobs on our planet and its future:

Estefanía Pihen González, formerly the Program Director for Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS), has worked in sustainability education for over 15 years in the U.S. and has led teams in curricular development and professional training for teachers to support the integration of action-oriented sustainability education in classrooms. She recently joined the California Academy of Sciences as its Chief of Education and Learning.

Ka-young Hyun, Application Engineer, 3M Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division in South Korea, tests the limits of high-temperature flames to ensure the safety and performance of EV batteries.

Matthias Martensen, Co-Founder and CEO, Ostrom, is committed to driving Germany’s energy transition by making renewable energy more accessible and inclusive.

Dov Rosenmann, Head of Country, in Earthworm Foundation, Brazil, is passionate about promoting sustainable practices and enhancing organizational development.

Wang Yilei, Secretary General of China Outdoor Association, Founder, Sportsinnov.Club, has over a decade of experience in the Chinese sports industry and helps improve sustainable practices.

“Green Works” tells the human side of insights uncovered in the 3M State of Science Insights, a global original research study, that revealed 75% of people say green jobs are crucial to addressing climate change, and many expect to see growth in the green jobs market over the next five years.

Take the first step

3M is partnering with Work on Climate, a nonprofit on a mission to build the workforce needed to help solve climate change equitably and justly. Work on Climate is known for building the world’s largest online community that helps professionals find green jobs by offering resources such as mentorship programs, green job starter packs, networking opportunities, educational content and career guidance.

Also, Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS), featured in Green Works, is on a mission to cultivate the next generation of climate leaders by empowering students to make a real difference in their communities. Through CAPS, students gain hands-on experience in sustainability, working on paid projects that prepare them for thriving green careers while driving immediate change. Imagine leading initiatives that help under-resourced school districts save energy, switch to renewable resources, embrace clean transportation, and cut down on waste. These projects not only build climate resilience but also enhance students’ readiness for college and the workforce.

Learn more:

Students: If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and want to develop the skills needed for rewarding green jobs, explore Kickstart Your Career in the Green Economy.

Teachers and Administrators: If you’re eager to inspire your students and advance climate education while cutting your school district’s carbon footprint and operational costs, dive into Equip Students for the Green Economy.

Everyone: Interested in the future landscape of green jobs? Discover insights on the most in-demand roles and emerging opportunities in our “Future of Work is Green” report, created in collaboration with Accenture.

Watch 3M’s new docuseries, “Green Works” here.

Product launch supports customer sustainability goals and marks a notable milestone in Dow’s commitment to advancing circularityThis additional offering in the REVOLOOP™ Recycled Plastics Resins portfolio allows customers in all regions to incorporate post-consumer recycled (PCR) content into cable jacketing without compromising high quality and performance

MIDLAND, Mich., September 30, 2024 /3BL/ – Dow (NYSE: DOW) announces the launch of a range of REVOLOOP™ Recycled Plastics Resins that incorporate post-consumer recycled (PCR) material into cable jacketing to help address customers’ varying needs and circularity goals across the globe.

This latest addition to the REVOLOOP™ Resins portfolio prioritizes similar performance as virgin plastic material for cable jackets while offering sustainability benefits, marking a milestone in Dow’s commitment to advancing circularity.

Adopting PCR into wire and cable products helps divert plastic waste from landfills and the natural environment by introducing it to the circular ecosystem, underscoring Dow’s ambition to ”Transform the Waste” by commercializing three million metric tons of circular and renewable solutions annually by 2030.

“With the launch of REVOLOOP™ Resins for the global wire and cable industry, we are expanding our sustainability portfolio while helping our power and telecommunications customers meet their own targets,” said Edit Berczi, global wire and cable marketing manager for Dow’s Packaging and Specialty Plastics business. “This offering, along with our steadfast commitment to quality and reliability and the high importance we place on safety, helps support our customers’ approach to PCR across the globe.”

By combining its vast industry knowledge, cutting-edge technology development and reliability as a trusted one-stop-shop supplier for the wire and cable industry, Dow is contributing to a transformation in the processing and application of PCR ingredients – offering customers more global options to meet their goals.

About Dow 
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

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For further information, please contact:

Jennifer Varadi 
346-410-9006 
jvaradi@dow.com

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

It all started nearly three decades ago with a $3 million pledge to establish the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center — the first step in a long-standing commitment to supporting the treatment and cure of childhood cancer and blood disorders.

Fast forward to today, and that commitment has grown to include more than $184 million in donations, more than 32,000 My Special Aflac Ducks® delivered to pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients, and countless initiatives designed to raise awareness — all with the hope of adding a little more brightness for patients and their families.

Helping those facing childhood cancer and sickle cell is the core of our philanthropic mission, and this September — during Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month — we continue to build that bridge toward a brighter future.

Last September marked our first “Bridge to Brighter” initiative — a campaign designed to help shine a light on the visible and invisible challenges that often come with cancer and blood disorders. Throughout the month, we saw various cities across the country light up their bridges in burgundy and gold — the signature colors for these two causes. We saw local news anchors don burgundy and gold ribbons during their live broadcasts. We introduced a new Pediatric Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness plush duck, which happens to feature the same ribbons on its little backpack. And we partnered with athletes and celebrities to deliver My Special Aflac Ducks to thousands of pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients.

This year, it’s the same mission: raise awareness and support for those facing these illnesses. News anchors across the country will once again wear burgundy and gold while they help spread the word; familiar faces will share why they’re signed on to support our initiative — and My Special Aflac Duck will land in the arms of children for the first official delivery event in New York City. But we’re adding more resources for anyone who wants to help but isn’t sure where to start. The Bridge to Brighter campaign has tips on how to offer support, such as dropping off a meal or offering to run an errand, various ways to donate, and even premade social media posts to show your support and spread the word about these resources to others.

I hope you’ll join me in building this bridge to a brighter future. Visit Aflac.com/BridgeToBrighter to see all of the ways you can become part of this community of support for those facing cancer and blood disorders.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance. Aflac includes Aflac and/or Aflac New York and/or Continental American Insurance Company and/or Continental American Life Insurance Company.

Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2400842

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

It all started nearly three decades ago with a $3 million pledge to establish the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center — the first step in a long-standing commitment to supporting the treatment and cure of childhood cancer and blood disorders.

Fast forward to today, and that commitment has grown to include more than $184 million in donations, more than 32,000 My Special Aflac Ducks® delivered to pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients, and countless initiatives designed to raise awareness — all with the hope of adding a little more brightness for patients and their families.

Helping those facing childhood cancer and sickle cell is the core of our philanthropic mission, and this September — during Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month — we continue to build that bridge toward a brighter future.

Last September marked our first “Bridge to Brighter” initiative — a campaign designed to help shine a light on the visible and invisible challenges that often come with cancer and blood disorders. Throughout the month, we saw various cities across the country light up their bridges in burgundy and gold — the signature colors for these two causes. We saw local news anchors don burgundy and gold ribbons during their live broadcasts. We introduced a new Pediatric Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness plush duck, which happens to feature the same ribbons on its little backpack. And we partnered with athletes and celebrities to deliver My Special Aflac Ducks to thousands of pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients.

This year, it’s the same mission: raise awareness and support for those facing these illnesses. News anchors across the country will once again wear burgundy and gold while they help spread the word; familiar faces will share why they’re signed on to support our initiative — and My Special Aflac Duck will land in the arms of children for the first official delivery event in New York City. But we’re adding more resources for anyone who wants to help but isn’t sure where to start. The Bridge to Brighter campaign has tips on how to offer support, such as dropping off a meal or offering to run an errand, various ways to donate, and even premade social media posts to show your support and spread the word about these resources to others.

I hope you’ll join me in building this bridge to a brighter future. Visit Aflac.com/BridgeToBrighter to see all of the ways you can become part of this community of support for those facing cancer and blood disorders.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance. Aflac includes Aflac and/or Aflac New York and/or Continental American Insurance Company and/or Continental American Life Insurance Company.

Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2400842