Tag: 3BL

AI has the potential to significantly bolster sustainability efforts.But we should not view it as a silver bullet — it also has drawbacks.Managing those drawbacks and ensuring the right return on investment in AI tech is key.

Originally published by World Economic Forum

The global community stands at a critical juncture. With 2023 recording the hottest temperatures to date, we are on the verge of surpassing the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels. The climate crisis is intensifying, and without swift, decisive action, we risk hitting irreversible tipping points.

Businesses must step up as key drivers of change. The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainability presents a unique opportunity to accelerate climate action.

However, while AI is often hailed as a “silver bullet” for addressing climate change, it is important to understand its true potential – and its limitations. AI can help scale and expedite sustainability efforts, but like kryptonite, its energy demands could undermine its benefits if not managed carefully.

So, can AI propel us forward, or will its costs weigh us down?

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As a young gay professional, Terrell Parker spent several years working at the National Minority AIDS Council in Washington, D.C. during his 20s, advocating to help end the HIV epidemic and reduce stigma.

When Terrell moved back home to Indianapolis, he ran into an issue with his insurance that left him unable to get his prescription for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP – a once-daily medication that helps prevent HIV infection. Despite his new physician submitting three authorizations for PrEP within a three-month period, each authorization request was rejected and considered medically unnecessary.

“As part of my work, I strive to increase access to PrEP so it was ironic that I faced the reality that PrEP wasn’t accessible to me,” Terrell says.

To compound matters, it was during this same period that he discovered he was living with HIV. “I was always proactive about prevention and treatment and felt like I was an HIV expert, so I couldn’t believe this was happening,” he recalls.

Terrell shared his journey and underscored the resilience needed to navigate HIV healthcare barriers when he spoke earlier this year at Gilead’s inaugural Global Health Equity Summit – part of the company’s commitment to improve health equity and advance access to care.

“I feel I can offer a unique perspective on the benefit of taking PrEP, what’s it’s like to be living with HIV, and now being on treatment to help keep my HIV undetectable,” explains Terrell.

Today Terrell works as the Chief Operating Officer at the Indiana Youth Group (IYG), the longest-running LGBTQ+ center in the United States. IYG offers services to LGBTQ+ youth in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, including assistance in accessing PrEP and testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Last year alone, 10 young people were diagnosed with HIV through the program and then assisted with access to treatment.

The organization also focuses on eliminating stigma through its judgment-free environment and its focus on addressing the social determinants of health that prevent young people from getting the care and support they need.

“We want to make sure we support every aspect of their lives and empower them to use the prevention tools available,” he says.

Mental health therapy is one such tool available to anyone ages 12 to 24, regardless of their ability to pay. Community-wide educational sessions are available to IYG clients as well as programs that help support caregivers navigating their child’s LGBTQ+ identity.

The center’s long-term goal is to expand so every child within the state can live within an hour of an LGBTQ+ resource center, as well as to open centers in neighboring states.

“The reality is that stigma looks different regionally, and it also looks different in each community,” says Terrell. “That’s why it’s important to broaden our reach and open centers like this that are accessible for youth throughout the state and beyond.”

Originally published by Gilead Sciences

Climate change is both an urgent issue needing immediate action and a topic that requires long-term planning for positive transformation. Balancing these two horizons can be a challenge and key to making progress is defining a north star. Three years ago, Cisco announced its north star: a goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our value chain by 2040, and in 2022 that goal was approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In 2023, we revealed The Plan for Possible, Cisco’s next generation environmental sustainability strategy. Aligned with the work we will do to reach net zero, one of the key pillars in our strategy is accelerating the transition to clean energy.

As we celebrate our three-year anniversary, we want to highlight some of the progress we’ve made so far and look ahead to what solutions might be available to help us, and the planet, on our journey to net zero.

Our journey so far

In alignment with climate science, our net zero goal encompasses our value chain, which includes both our suppliers’ and our customers’ use of energy. Here are a few ways Cisco has been addressing this and actions you may consider to reduce your organization’s footprint:

Direct operational emissions: We are increasing the energy efficiency of our buildings, with a focus on electrification, to reduce emissions from our operations. We have also been working to transition our vehicle fleet to electric vehicles (EVs).Indirect operational emissions: Cisco joined the RE100 initiative, which brings together businesses committed to sourcing 100 percent renewable electricity. Beyond helping us address our own goals, joining RE100 supports our ambition to increase clean energy access and contributes to private sector demand for renewables.Value chain emissions: We also set a goal that 80 percent of Cisco component, manufacturing, and logistics suppliers by spend will have a public, absolute GHG emissions reduction target by fiscal year (FY) 2025. As of FY23, 92 percent of these suppliers have a public, absolute GHG reduction goal.

Note: Direct operational emissions are Cisco’s Scope 1 emissions; indirect operational emissions are Cisco’s Scope 2 emissions; value chain emissions are Cisco’s Scope 3 emissions, as defined by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. Learn more about how corporate GHG emissions are calculated in this blog.

What the future may bring

In our work to advance Cisco’s net zero goal, we are encountering many new opportunities that could potentially help other companies, countries, and even individual cities reach their net zero goals as well. Here are a few notable examples:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainability: As AI adoption spreads across different sectors, it opens numerous opportunities for climate change mitigation and adaptation through predictive analytics, data analysis, and machine learning. For example, AI can help reduce energy and water use through real-time monitoring and control.Climate technology investments: Climate technology aims to find innovative solutions to climate change, like smart grids that monitor and manage the distribution of electricity more efficiently, and devices that capture CO2 emissions. Climate investing has grown over the past few years, with more than 330 new sustainability, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), and impact funds launched from 2019 through 2022. Globally, annual clean energy technology investments are expected to exceed $900 billion by 2030, helping to spur innovation.Accelerating the transition to clean energy: Clean energy adoption is on the rise. Wind and solar energy overtook fossil fuel power in the EU for the first time for the first six months of 2024, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) now projects that demand for certain fossil fuels will peak this decade even without any new climate policies. Increasing the use of renewables, improving energy efficiency, reducing methane emissions, and enhancing electrification can achieve over 80% of emissions reductions needed by 2030.

Working together toward net zero

Progressing toward net zero is a task that requires the collective effort of individuals, businesses, and governments. We are proud to be leading this important work for Cisco, and to be collaborating with partners, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to turn the vision of a net zero future into reality.

Visit Cisco’s ESG Reporting Hub to learn more about our environmental goals.

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As the modern world continues to progress faster each year, we are facing both societal challenges and opportunities for creating a more sustainable world. Climate change, nature loss, social inequality, and public health are some of the most pressing issues of our time, and they require bold and collaborative action from all sectors of society. We believe in the power of partnerships to find the best solutions to big challenges. By working together with our customers, regulators, policymakers, and communities our products can help enable important applications that deliver on societal goals, such as transitioning to clean energy, advancing electronics and electrifying transportation, progressing a greener and more inclusive future, and helping improve lives everywhere.

That’s why we are leaning in and deepening our commitment to sustainability, putting it at the center of everything we do, from the way we operate our facilities, to the way we innovate our products, to the way we engage with our stakeholders and employees. We organize our sustainability strategy around four pillars: Environmental Leadership, Innovation & Sustainable Solutions, Community Impact, and Greatest Place to Work. These pillars are built upon our values, inspired by our vision, and guide our actions and decisions every day. We know we cannot achieve our goals alone, and that is why we are strengthening our partnerships as a way to accelerate progress. I want to highlight just a few examples of the progress that makes us proud and the partnerships that we know will allow us to go even further:

Under the Environmental Leadership pillar we are focused on reducing our environmental footprint and enhancing our positive impact. We set an ambitious target for 2030 to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 60%, and we are thrilled that Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) recently approved our near-term target. Our Scope 3 target for 2030 to reduce by 25% per ton of production was also approved by SBTi, and we look forward to providing further detail on that goal in next year’s report. In this report, we celebrate that we have already achieved a 52% reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2018, and we are sharing our decarbonization roadmap to 2030 and beyond. Looking toward the future, we recognize that we must go beyond climate and understand our intersections with nature. That is why we partnered with the Wildlife Habitat Council in 2023 to begin assessing our impacts and dependencies on nature and continue that partnership through the launch of a Chemours’ signature initiative aimed at natural habitat renewal across our sites.

Through the Innovation & Sustainable Solutions pillar, we are developing and delivering products and solutions that enable our customers and end-users to achieve their own sustainability goals. We have already demonstrated that 48% of our revenue comes from products that make a specific contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). For example, our Nafion™ membranes play a vital role in hydrogen production, fuel cells and energy storage – three transformative energy areas. Through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, an innovative public-private collaboration that brings together the U.S. Department of Defense, the University of Delaware, Chemours, Plug, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), we expect to further advance membrane performance in order to drive down the cost of clean hydrogen production and improve efficiency in converting hydrogen to energy. Further, the Center for Clean Hydrogen at the University of Delaware, supported by investment from Chemours and part of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, will enable real-world fabrication and testing of hydrogen technologies at commercial scale.

In the Community Impact pillar, we are making a positive difference in the communities where we live and work. In 2023, we awarded more than $5.6 million in grants for initiatives that increased access to STEM skills, advanced safety, and created more sustainable environments within our communities – bringing our total investment since 2018 to more than $24 million. Our partnership with Discovery World Museum in Parkersburg, West Virginia, will provide a hands-on entry point to STEM concepts, activities and experimentation for young visitors. The Chemours grant helps fund Science Saturdays, supplies admission passes for underserved children and families, and gives Chemours volunteers the opportunity to share their passion for STEM with the next generation of problem-solvers while creating a pipeline of future talent for our industry.

Finally, under the Greatest Place to Work pillar, we are committed to living our values and the safety and wellbeing of our employees. We celebrate having 15 global regions certified as a Great Place to Work® in 2023, covering more than 92% of our global workforce. We also added an eighth Employee Resource Group (ERG) in 2023 with the launch of the Native American Employee Network. Our ERGs act as internal partners to help us recognize and celebrate the strength that lies in our diversity.

We are proud of what we have achieved so far, and we know that there is still more work to do. Guided by our values, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our performance, increase our impact, and strengthen our partnerships. 

Read the full Chemours 2023 Sustainability Report

 For more about Chemours and its 2030 Goals, visit our site.

September 25, 2024 /3BL/ – The Biomimicry Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing a Nature Positive, inclusive, and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius, today announced the launch of its ambitious 10-year strategy at New York Climate Week.

Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of The Biomimicry Institute, commented, “Our new strategic plan acknowledges the critical urgency of today’s environmental and societal challenges, yet we approach these issues with optimism and enthusiasm. We are confident that biomimicry can play a transformative role in creating a Nature Positive future, where our solutions not only address these challenges but do so with a sense of joy and hope, aligning human systems with nature’s wisdom”

This new plan directly addresses three critical global challenges: climate change and biodiversity loss, the disconnection between humans and nature, and the pervasive ‘take-make-waste’ culture.

The Biomimicry Institute seeks to harness natural strategies, encouraging human systems to learn from living systems in order to develop innovative, sustainable solutions. The organization’s programs and AskNature Hive platform supports this endeavor by enabling professionals across various fields— business, designers, innovators, educators, and others—to integrate nature’s genius into their work to solve pressing global issues.

During New York Climate Week, the Institute will unveil its new 10-year strategy at an immersive event at the COOKFOX Architects Office. In conjunction with the strategy, a new website will launch to showcase this vision while providing a comprehensive guide to the future of biomimicry and the role it plays in building a sustainable world.

“This strategy is a significant step for the Biomimicry Institute, amplifying our mission to inspire and empower others to design in harmony with nature, fostering a future where human systems support and sustain the natural world,” said Kent Snyder, Board President of the Biomimicry Institute.

As the Institute looks to 2035, it aims to achieve several key disruptive outcomes through its strategy. Nature-inspired knowledge will guide the transition to a Nature Positive future. Human-built environments and working landscapes will offer ecological benefits comparable to those provided by healthy ecosystems. Nature-inspired Nature-based solutions will become central to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, while new materials and processes inspired by nature will support the growth of a regenerative economy. By integrating Indigenous wisdom with Western science, the Institute also aims to rekindle humanity’s appreciation of and connection to nature.

For more information on the Biomimicry Institute and to learn how to support the vision, visit biomimicry.org.

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About the Biomimicry Institute 

The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2005 that connects individuals to enable a nature-positive, inclusive and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius. To advance the solution process, the Institute offers AskNature.org, the largest free, living database of biological strategies for sustainable innovation. Recently, the Institute launched the AskNature Hive, a globally engaged community designed to foster collaboration and innovation with members dedicated to a Nature Positive future. The organization also runs the Ray of Hope Accelerator, which supports nature-inspired startups in scaling systemic solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The Institute also launched a new collaborative initiative called Design for Transformation, which will pilot technologies that convert discarded clothes and textiles into biocompatible raw materials.. For more information, visit www.biomimicry.org.

Media Contact:

Director of Communications

media@biomimicry.org

Originally published by Robert Nieminen on BUILDINGS.com

[Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a two-part report on the inaugural IWBI Healthy Buildings Summit held in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 16th. Read the second installment.]

If you’re reading this, the chances are high you’re in an indoor environment, given that we spend 90% of our time indoors. Now, take a deep breath.

How certain are you that the air in your building is clean or at least not going to make you sick? Unless your facility is equipped with indoor air quality sensors, you’re probably not sure.

That’s a problem more significant than many building owners and facilities managers realize. And it’s a challenge that was addressed head on at the inaugural International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) Healthy Building Policy Summit held at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 16, for which BUILDINGS served as a media sponsor. The McCourt School’s new building, designed during the COVID pandemic, has achieved LEED Platinum designation and was the perfect backdrop for the event, which was the first public gathering in the space following its ribbon cutting ceremony.

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Read the second installment of this two-part series.

September 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Otis Elevator Korea (hereafter, Otis Korea, CEO Ikseo Cho) has announced that its Manufacturing & Engineering Center has obtained ISO 50001 certification – the global energy-management systems standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving energy management. With this latest milestone, Otis now has 11 manufacturing factories with ISO 50001 certification. Otis Korea is a subsidiary of Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacture, installation and servicing company.

During the certification process, a comprehensive energy review of the facilities was conducted. New manuals that comply with ISO standards were implemented, and the system was built and managed with ongoing efforts to identify and address areas to enhance energy performance.

Otis Korea Operation Business Division’s Byeong-Min Cho said: “We are proud to have received this ISO 50001 certification, thanks to the focus and rigorous efforts from many colleagues. Our ISO 50001 factory certification effort is part of our ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with our published ESG goals.”

The center also successfully renewed its certification for ISO 14001, the environmental management systems certification. It first received its ISO 14001 certification in 2021, in line with Otis’ published ESG goal of completing ISO 14001 certification for all Otis factories by 2025. Otis achieved this goal several years ahead of schedule, demonstrating effective environmental management of its factories.

For more information on our environmental efforts and management systems, please see our latest ESG Report.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.3 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.3 million customer units worldwide – the industry’s largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world’s most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 71,000 people strong, including 42,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo

This is the first buyers’ cohort through the Energize program, a pharmaceutical and healthcare sector initiative to decarbonize the shared supply chain and reduce Scope 3 emissions, to procure renewable energyThree Energize program sponsors Takeda, Teva Pharmaceutical, and UCB, along with five industry suppliers, have signed a multi-buyer PPA with developers Zelestra and Bruc adding more than 280 MW of new solar capacity to the European gridThe Energize program has been extended until 2028 with Almirall, Bayer, Kenvue, Sandoz, and Schott joining as sponsors in 2024

NEW YORK, September 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced exciting progress for the Energize supply chain decarbonization program, on behalf of the program’s sponsors. The first buyers’ cohort from the Energize program brings eight companies together to procure renewable energy through seven new solar projects in Spain with two developers.

Healthcare systems account for nearly 5% of all global emissions with the majority falling under Scope 3 emissions. The Energize program aims to address the current and future challenges of climate change and its impact on human health by supporting decarbonization across the global industry supply chain.

Together, three sponsors of the Energize program, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, and UCB, and suppliers, Avantor, Organon LLC, Perrigo, and West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., have collaborated to execute an aggregated total purchase of 305 GWh of renewable energy from Zelestra. Additionally, Takeda, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Labcorp, and West Pharmaceutical Services have purchased 258.7 GWh of renewable energy from Bruc.

In total, the eight companies executed 27 PPAs for 563.7 GWh of renewable energy per year for a 10-year term. This represents an estimated 393,795 metric tons of CO2 avoided per year, or the equivalent of 51,355 households’ annual energy consumption[1]. The combined investment will support three new solar projects built by Zelestra and four new solar projects built by Bruc in Spain; the total capacity of these projects exceeds 280 MW.

This multi-buyer PPA exemplifies Energize’s mission of increasing access to renewable electricity for the pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain, while mitigating the overall environmental impact of the industry. To date, the program (established in 2021) has provided education and support on renewable electricity procurement to over 750 suppliers. Five new sponsors – Almirall, Bayer, Kenvue, Sandoz, and Schott – have also joined Energize this year. The group of 24 sponsoring companies has extended their commitment to the program until 2028.

“As a collaborator of this virtual Power Purchase Agreement, we are demonstrating leadership and commitment to renewable energy not only within our industry but also as a key member of initiatives like Energize. By covering most of our electricity needs in Europe and nearly half globally, we are setting the standard for responsible energy use and driving toward our long-term goal of net zero emissions,” said Amalia Adler Waxman, Head of Sustainability at Teva Pharmaceuticals

“The Energize Program is an important component of Avantor’s climate action strategy, enabling us to add significant renewable electricity to our portfolio,” said Rachel Kaufman, Vice President of Sustainability for Avantor. “As a key partner to the pharmaceutical industry, we’re also pleased to support their efforts to decarbonize their supply chain emissions.”

“Planetary health is critical for patient health, and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to reduce the environmental impact of our business and our value chain,” said Thomas Wozniewski, global manufacturing and supply officer at Takeda. “This program will be an important lever in helping us achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in our value chain by 2040.”

“As we confront the urgent reality of the climate crisis, we understand that collective action is essential. At UCB, we’re committed to driving the ecological transition also through renewable energy. By forging key partnerships, such as the Energize program, we strive to achieve significant decarbonization outcomes and extend our impact beyond what we can achieve alone. Together, we’re building a more sustainable future,” said Katiana Iavarone, Chief Procurement Officer at UCB.

“We are thrilled the first Energize deal has been announced which marks an important milestone in the collaboration’s history. We co-founded Energize in 2021 and the programme is an important part of our plan to reduce our value chain emissions by 80% from 2020 to 2030,” said Lisa Martin Chief Procurement Officer at GSK. “This new solar energy deal, including four of GSK’s suppliers in Europe, highlights our collective commitment to decarbonize and support the industry’s transition to renewable energy.”

Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Business served as the advisor to the eight cohort participants throughout the PPA procurement and negotiation process. The Sustainability Business will continue to serve as the Energize program manager supporting the collaboration with program sponsors and the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) to increase access to new and innovative renewable electricity procurement options.

Related resources:

How The pharmaceutical supply chain addresses the renewable energy transition:Interview with AvantorInterview with Labcorp

About Schneider Electric 

Schneider’s purpose is to create Impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency.

We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers.

We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.

www.se.com

[1] This household energy reference uses a US households equivalency calculator. See more here: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next-generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights.

About Energize

The Energize program is a supply chain renewables initiative designed and delivered by Schneider Electric Sustainability Business and endorsed by the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI).

Current sponsor companies include: Almirall, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Charles River Laboratories, Chiesi Group, GSK, Haleon, Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue, Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, Schott, Takeda, Teva, and UCB

https://hub.zeigo.com/energize

September 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Olympic rower Imogen Grant from Great Britain, Olympic beach volleyball player Lina Taylor from Bulgaria, Swiss Olympic and the International Hockey Federation have been named the winners of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Climate Action Awards 2024, in recognition of their efforts to help address climate change and make the world of sport more sustainable.

Supported by Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Deloitte, the IOC Climate Action Awards reward innovative projects from National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs) and athletes that are aimed at reducing the environmental impact of sport while inspiring the wider Olympic Movement to take action.

In addition to the four winners, the Mauritius NOC and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) have been recognised in the “Highly Commended” category for the innovative nature of their efforts to reduce emissions.

The announcement was made by the IOC and Deloitte during Climate Week NYC – an annual event that brings together business leaders, decision-makers and civil society to drive action to address climate change.

“As climate change accelerates, the Olympic Movement is accelerating its efforts to address it,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “This year’s winners of the IOC Climate Action Awards show that the Olympic Movement is taking its responsibilities seriously: reducing our impact, while inspiring others to take action. We congratulate the winners for their innovative and impactful projects that are making the world of sport more sustainable. We hope these efforts inspire others – in sport and beyond – to join the collective effort to address one of the toughest challenges our world is facing today.”

“The path to a more sustainable future will be driven by innovative technologies and creative approaches, and Deloitte is proud to work with the National Olympic Committees, International Federations and athletes to support their efforts in furthering sustainable behaviour change at scale,” said Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte Global CEO. “As the supporting partner of the IOC Climate Action Awards, Deloitte congratulates and celebrates the 2024 winners, and those distinguished as highly commended, who are taking concrete measures to help address climate change within the Olympic Movement.”

The four winners were selected from amongst the 15 finalists announced during the Olympic Games Paris 2024:

In the athlete category

Imogen Grant (rowing, Great Britain) was instrumental in the launch of the Clean Water Sport Alliance to improve river health and water quality. In addition, as part of the UK National Training Centre sustainability group, Imogen has helped introduce measures such as the composting of food waste, the recycling of plastic waste and the regular testing of water quality at the national training centre in Caversham. As an ambassador for the Rivers Trust, Imogen has also contributed to over 2,400 river surveys and inspired people to participate in water-testing campaigns and initiatives, which saw over 9,000 people join September’s “Big River Watch”. She has spoken at a number of events across the UK to raise awareness and educate athletes on sustainability.

Lina Taylor (beach volleyball, Bulgaria) is using her background as a scientist, Olympian and coach to help address climate change. Through her Climate Executive Coaching non-profit, Lina is helping accelerate climate action through science-based climate education, professional coaching and collaboration with professionals from government, corporations and NGOs. In just two years, Lina has worked with over 2,000 people in 30 countries and across 60 organisations. Lina is also supporting fellow athletes and NOCs, coaching them individually on climate solutions.

In the NOC category 

Swiss Olympic reduced its 2023 greenhouse gas emissions by 66 per cent compared to 2022, largely due to the fact that it chose train over plane for Games-related travel in Europe. In addition, the NOC is focusing on providing funds to its national federations and their clubs, and partner organisations, through the “Swiss Olympic Climate Fund” to support their carbon-reduction efforts. For example, the NOC has contributed to the funding of a heat pump system for a 50-year-old swimming pool in Frauenfeld, Thurgau, which has the potential to save 500 tons of CO2 annually. The Swiss Olympic Climate Fund has also helped fund an electric bus for the Ticino Group of Blind and Visually Impaired Athletes. Moving forward, the NOC is aiming to support 100 other projects across all its member and partner organisations, leading to a long-term plan of reducing emissions across all sports within Switzerland in areas such as energy, athlete mobility and construction.

In the IF category 

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has reduced water usage by an estimated 60 per cent since 2012 through the development of innovative “Dry Turf” technology, which reduces the amount of water needed for elite hockey pitches. This new technology has already led to a 40 per cent reduction of water use between London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, and what is estimated to have been a further 20 per cent reduction for Paris 2024. The ultimate aim is to replace the 2,000 or so water-based artificial hockey pitches globally with dry turfs, saving approximately 7.6 billion litres of water per year. The FIH is also developing other innovative solutions, including “self-wetting balls”, which release water at the point of contact between the ball, the surface and the stick, to enable the sport to be played at the highest level on dry turf. The project is part of the FIH’s wide-ranging sustainability strategy and comprehensive carbon reduction and mitigation plan, which includes the first-ever carbon-zero artificial turf, inaugurated at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and the global “Give Back to Forest” tree-planting programme.

The following two finalists have been recognised in the “Highly Commended” category:

The Mauritius National Olympic Committee has developed a comprehensive carbon footprint reduction plan focusing on travel and procurement, achieving a 40 per cent reduction in 2023 from its 2022 baseline. Key initiatives include a local community-based project which has encouraged around 50,000 people to switch from plastic bottles to glass bottles in order to reduce plastic waste, and the design of a “bioclimatic gym” that uses sustainably sourced PEFC-certified wood, a self-sufficient waste system, climate-resilient architecture and 100 per cent renewable energy and natural air ventilation instead of carbon-heavy air conditioning – the first of its kind in Mauritius.

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has been working with TV broadcasters, in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union, to measure their carbon footprint during the 2023/24 World Cup season and identify initiatives they can implement to reduce emissions in the future, with the aim of providing learnings for other sports. The IBU is the first Olympic IF that has looked at systematically reducing its major events’ broadcasting emissions – an area that is often deemed difficult to address. The project is part of the IBU’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, which includes a commitment to reduce the sport’s climate impact by 50 per cent. The strategy takes into account the IBU’s own activities, but also IBU events and the activities of member federations, partners, sponsors, media and fans.

For more information about the IOC Climate Action Awards, click here.

Learn more about Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Deloitte, the supporter of the awards.

To find out more about the IOC’s work on climate, click here.

Latin America will be at the forefront of major global discussions on biodiversity this year. For the first time, my home country of Colombia will host the UN Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP16), which starts on 21 October in the city of Cali.

COP16: local solutions for a global crisis

The COP is the governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), an international treaty launched here in Latin America at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992. With the aim of driving global commitments to protect nature and ensure the sustainable use of our planet’s resources, this sixteenth edition has the theme, ‘Peace with Nature’.

COP16 will gather diverse actors, such as governments, civil society, businesses, financial institutions and academia, to catalyze collective action to transform our relationship with the natural world. Following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP15, this next international conference is a key moment to assess if this roadmap for action is having an effect in halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

A multi-dimensional problem

According to WWF, between 1970 and 2018 the world saw a 69% decline in species populations, largely due to deforestation, agricultural practices, overuse of natural resources, climate change, and pollution. The UN has reported, meanwhile, that one million species are threatened with extinction.

Biodiversity is also closely linked to economic activities and the role of businesses. The World Economic Forum’s New Nature Economy Report II found that over half of total global GDP is at risk as a result of biodiversity loss. Thus, reversing these alarming trends is crucial across multiple dimensions, including environmental, economic and human aspects.

The most biodiverse yet unequal region in the world

Latin America is home to 50% of the world’s biodiversity, including key ecosystems such as the Amazon, the most biodiverse tropical rainforest in the world; the Andes, the longest mountain chain on Earth; and the Caribbean, one of the regions with most marine biodiversity. At the same time, it is the region that shows the greatest declines in wildlife population abundance.

Latin America is also the most unequal region in the world, which magnifies the economic consequences of nature loss, with indigenous communities particularly vulnerable. One in five jobs are closely connected to biodiversity, according to analysis by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.Therefore, a just transition must not only protect nature but also ensure that the most vulnerable populations are supported, bridging the gap between sustainability and social equity.

In this context, sustainable business models that consider the impacts on nature can make a huge difference to the region’s prospects, environmentally, socially and economically. This is why a transition to a nature-positive economy is especially critical for Latin America, and why hosting COP16 in Colombia is a key opportunity to put nature at the heart of the global environmental agenda.

The role of impact reporting

Understanding and addressing the impacts of companies on nature is essential to foster conservation and halt biodiversity loss. That’s why GRI’s presence at COP16 will be centered on how to drive business accountability for their impacts on nature.

At GRI, we are shaping the global debate on the importance of biodiversity in the sustainable development agenda. At the beginning of the year, a major revision to the GRI Biodiversity Standard — GRI 101 — was published, to represent internationally agreed best practice in corporate transparency and biodiversity. At COP16 we will be focusing on our efforts to sustain momentum for biodiversity reporting, built on GRI 101:

Our pilot for the use of GRI 101 with early adopters within GRI Community members.We will share experiences from this program, which has been implemented at global and regional levels. In the GRI Latin America Network, we have been working with companies that span energy, services and civil society sectors, identifying opportunities and challenges on the use of GRI 101 to support their biodiversity disclosure efforts.To support reporters in their use of our Biodiversity Standard, the GRI Academy, the world’s leading education portal for sustainability reporting professionals, has launched Charting a greener path: reporting on biodiversity with GRI Standards. The online training provides the know-how on best applying GRI 101, and deep dives into biodiversity as a wider topic.In line with GRI’s commitment to make the Standards accessible to a diverse global audience, during COP16 we will introduce the Spanish and Portuguese translations of GRI 101. The Standard is also available in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.As part of our collaboration efforts to foster seamless reporting experiences, together with Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) a joint interoperability mapping resource has been published to help GRI’s 14,000 reporters globally align with the TNFD recommendations and assist TNFD adopters in their reporting according to GRI Standards.To bring business accountability on biodiversity impacts into the spotlight, during COP16 senior GRI representatives will be speaking at national, regional and international events and workshops. They will also engage with a wide range of stakeholders including policymakers, businesses, and government representatives.

Collective action and a shared responsibility

Protecting our natural heritage can only be done through a collective effort — including governments, the private sector, civil society, local communities, financial institutions and others. This multi-stakeholder ethos, as envisaged by GRI, needs to be a prerequisite for COP16 to stand any chance of succeeding in its aims.

If this shared responsibility can be realized, I believe COP16 can be the turning point for Latin America and beyond. It can deliver a lasting legacy that goes beyond supportive words from the global community about preserving biodiversity, and moves to the action needed to secure a sustainable future for the benefit of present and future generations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrea Pradilla leads GRI’s regional network for Latin America, based in Bogota, with responsibility for promoting sustainability reporting throughout the region by engaging with companies, capital markets and other stakeholders. Prior to joining GRI in 2014, Andrea headed the Colombian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism.

Earlier in her career, Andrea worked in international development for organizations in Washington DC. She has a MSc in Foreign Service from Georgetown University (USA) and a Degree in Law from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia). She serves on the boards of various non-profits and is an Adjunct Professor of Corporate Sustainability, CESA Business School (Colombia).