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In the ever-evolving landscape of food safety, the journey from Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) systems and audits represents a pivotal shift towards heightened standards and rigorous expectations of customers and retailers. This transition underscores a commitment to excellence and reflects the dynamic interplay between regulatory compliance and consumer trust. The many complexities of this transformation also bring myriad benefits for companies and consumers — from bolstering food safety protocols to enhancing market competitiveness.

In this blog, we explore some of these benefits along with the challenges of transitioning from GMP to GFSI, as well as how SCS Global Services can help you achieve your food safety goals. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about GFSI, such as:

What is GFSI and what does it do?What are the differences between GMP and GFSI audits?What are the advantages of GFSI certification?What are the challenges of GFSI implementation?How do I choose the right GFSI recognized audit for my business?How can I prepare my company for a successful GFSI audit?How can SCS help you with GFSI auditing, training, and consulting?

Who is GFSI and what does it do?

GFSI is a non-profit founded in 2000 by the Consumer Goods Forum, a global network of retailers and manufacturers. GFSI’s mission is to provide continuous improvement in food safety management systems to ensure confidence in the delivery of safe food to consumers worldwide.

GFSI does not conduct audits or certify food facilities. Instead, GFSI sets the benchmark for food safety standards and recognizes the schemes that meet its criteria. GFSI also facilitates the collaboration and harmonization of food safety practices across the industry and provides guidance and resources for food businesses to improve their food safety performance.

Some of the most popular GFSI-recognized schemes are:

BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard)SQF (Safe Quality Food)FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification)GLOBALG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices)PrimusGFS (Global Food Safety)

Each scheme has its own scope, requirements, and certification process, but they all follow the GFSI benchmarking framework, which ensures a consistent and high level of food safety across the global food supply chain.

What are the differences between GMP and GFSI audits? 

GMP audits serve as the basic level of food safety audits, and they focus on the hygiene and operational conditions of a food facility. GMP audits are based on the regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), depending on the type of food product. GMP audits are also conducted by state and local authorities and by third-party certification bodies, such as SCS.

GFSI audits are the advanced level of food safety audits, and they cover the entire food safety management system of a food business. GFSI audits are based on a rigorous benchmarking framework, which incorporates the Codex Alimentarius principles and the specific requirements of each scheme. GFSI audits are only conducted by accredited certification bodies, such as SCS Global Services, that are approved by the scheme owners, and that have qualified, trained auditors who understand the complexity of the products they are assessing.

Some of the main differences between GMP and GFSI audits are:

GMP audits are a great entry point to establishing food safety programs, but GFSI is more robust and already approved by customers and retailers.GMP audits are checklist-based, while GFSI audits are performance-based.GMP audits are usually announced, while GFSI audits have a mandatory, unannounced cycle.GMP audits are usually shorter than GFSI audits because GMP audits are not benchmarked to meet minimum duration requirements.GMP audits do not require food safety culture commitment, which is becoming a regulatory requirement.

What are the advantages of GFSI certification?

GFSI certification has many benefits for food businesses, such as:

Enhancing food safety and quality and reducing food safety risks and incidentsImproving customer confidence and satisfaction and increasing market access and competitivenessReducing audit duplication and complexity and saving time and moneyAligning with the best practices and standards in the industry and demonstrating leadership and commitmentSupporting continuous improvement and innovation and fostering a food safety culture

What are the challenges of GFSI implementation? 

With the increased rigor and higher standards associated with GFSI, implementation can pose some challenges for food businesses, such as:

Requiring more resources and expertise, often involving more internal stakeholders and greater responsibilityRequiring more policies and procedures, which bring more record-keeping and traceabilityRequiring more training and education plus more internal and external auditsRequiring more investment and maintenance along with more corrective and preventive actionsRequiring more time spent planning along with more change and adaptation

Although these challenges may be experienced upon initial preparation, a committed team that is knowledgeable and supportive can ease these constraints while increasing your business profitability, brand protection, and growth.

How do I choose the right GFSI scheme for my business? 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each GFSI scheme has its own advantages and disadvantages, and each food business has its own needs and preferences. That being said, some of the following factors can help your organization make an informed decision:

Your product category and scope plus the suitability of the scheme for your type of foodYour customer requirements and expectations and the acceptance of the scheme by your target marketsYour familiarity and experience with the scheme and the availability of the scheme resources and guidanceYour technical resources and capabilities along with the availability of the scheme auditors and certification bodiesYour cost, budget, and the return on investment of the scheme

How can I prepare my company for a GFSI audit?

Preparing for a GFSI audit can seem like a daunting task, but with commitment and diligence, it can also be a rewarding opportunity to improve your food safety performance and achieve your certification goals. Some of the steps that can help you prepare for a GFSI audit are:

Register with the scheme owner and select the certification body, such as SCS Global Services, that will conduct your audit.Download the scheme standard and checklist and conduct a gap assessment to identify your strengths and weaknesses.Develop and implement your food safety management system and document your policies and procedures.Train and educate your staff with key, required training such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and scheme standard requirements.Communicate the steps needed to ensure compliance with your management team.Conduct internal audits and mock exercises to verify and validate your food safety plan.Address any non-conformities and corrective actions in a timely manner.Review, challenge, and update your records and traceability.Confirm your audit date and scope with the Certification Body and Auditor.Prepare your facility and staff for the audit day by increasing training, interviews, and team meetings.

How can SCS help you with GFSI certification?

SCS is an international leader in third-party food safety certification, and we have over 40 years of experience and expertise in the food and agriculture industry. We offer a full range of services to help you achieve your GFSI certification. In the sections below, we walk through several of the specific services that may benefit your company.

Training and Consulting

We offer public, private, and on-demand interactive training on various topics, such as HACCP, preventive controls, food defense, food fraud, food safety culture, and specific GFSI schemes. We provide trainings in both English and Spanish to ensure competency throughout your facility.

Consulting

We also offer consulting services to help you develop, implement, and improve your food safety management system. We do this through documentation preparation, onsite gap assessments, and verification activities that ensure the audit readiness of the site and team.

Auditing and certification

We offer auditing and certification services for various GFSI-recognized schemes, such as BRCGS, SQF, GLOBALG.A.P., and PrimusGFS. We have a team of qualified and experienced auditors who can conduct your audit in a professional and objective manner. We also have a team of technical and customer service staff who can support you throughout the certification process.

Other services: We offer other services that can complement your GFSI certification, such as product claim verifications, including gluten-free, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, as well as sustainability; standards development and strategic consulting, such as life cycle and gap assessments.

SCS Global Services looks forward to helping your organization move from GMP to GFSI. If you are interested in learning more, consider watching the replay of our webinar, “Unraveling GFSI certification – Pathway to move beyond GMP & Non-Accredited Audits.” And if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Denise Webster, Vice President of Food Safety: dwebster@scsglobalservices.com.

There has been a lot of discussion and inquiries surrounding CSRD and how will it impact business and operations. Let us walk through some of the basics and outline immediate implications and possible anticipations for companies with business in the EU.

The main takeaway is that the context and conditions of doing business in Europe are in transition towards a sustainable economy. This policy & regulation driven transition is all centered around integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria into business operations. Commonly predicted effects of this integration are:

Stakeholders will have access to more detailed and comparable ESG information.Verification of non-financial ESG information will be like for financial reporting.The conditions for acquiring investments and loans will be more attractive for sustainable activities.

History of the EU Green Deal

The first commitments made by the international community to reduce GHG emissions were in the Kyoto Protocol in force since 2005. In Europe, the EU Green Deal was adopted in early 2020 with the goal of being the first climate-neutral continent transforming the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring:

net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050economic growth decoupled from resource useno person and no place left behind

This became the framework for a range of directives and regulations to deliver the EU Green Deal ultimate goal: a sustainable economy.

The Green Deal is complex. Its elements are launched over a period of several years. The elements are based on best available knowledge, and therefor subject to change. Constant additions, negotiations and changes will be part of the deal. It will be essential to understand the basic implications, requirements and timelines set forth. For both EU companies and companies outside the EU with EU business dependencies.

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – An Introduction

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is bringing together, in a more cohesive and comparable framework, much of the data and technical EHS reporting that your company should already be tracking. It is an update of the Non-Financial Disclosure Regulation- NFDR, aligning it with other regulations and standards, like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

It will not be a one-size-fits-all. Understanding through ‘double’ materiality assessment of what matters most to your business is the key. ‘Double’ means to be about the material impact of your business activities on the environment and society, and how sustainability issues are impacting your business. Within the CSRD framework, the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) provide a standardized format for reporting about material topics and sub-topics.

CSRD – Timelines and Structure

Based on the status of deployment of the Green deal in January 2024, multinationals will begin reporting in 2025 based on FY2024; large enterprises in 2026 based on FY2025; and publicly listed SMEs in 2027 based on FY2026 (with an opt out option to 2028). As the definitions and criteria for these groups are subject to changes, please refer to official EU sources for the actual details.

ESRS and new concepts for sustainability reporting 

The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) contains the criteria for reporting, based on the double materiality assessment for each company to decide which elements to include in their own reporting. There will be mandatory third-party verification audits. Data would eventually be XBRL tagged (digital tag) for easier comparable searches online.

The ESRSs require understanding of material risks and opportunities in the full value chain. For example, in the case of an apparel company, with the circumstances surrounding the sourcing of materials for clothing in Vietnam from another company in your supply chain are of material concern. Expanding materiality across the value chain brings about a larger data requirement for companies, requiring engagement upstream, even when those businesses outside of the EU.

New to CSRD is the inclusion of “nature” as a silent stakeholder to be considered in assessments and reporting. Companies should consider the implications of how operations are impacting nature or creating a more sustainable path.

Moving Forward

Companies will need to start evaluating their current data and gaps to CSRD and understand reporting timelines and requirements needed. This policy & regulation driven transition is all centered around integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria into business operations in order to disclose non-financial information about material sustainability impacts of a company’s business. CSRD is part of a coherent set of elements of the EU Green Deal. All of these elements are designed to work in harmony to create transition to a climate neutral and sustainable economy in the EU and beyond.

Our global network of Associates can support your sustainability reporting including CSRD.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about the both of you and what you currently do at GoDaddy?

Renee Deines serves as the Manager of Care Incentives, affectionately known as ‘Dr. Fun,’ within the Incentives and Recognition Team at GoDaddy. With over eleven years of experience at the company, she plays a pivotal role in developing contests, recognition programs, events, and fostering a vibrant company culture.

Lanie Moser, on the other hand, is the Director of Employee Relations. As part of a dedicated team, she specializes in employee engagement, performance management, and navigating employee relations, including policy interpretation and addressing policy violations. Lanie has been with GoDaddy for twelve years, now!

Outside of work, you have a party equipment rental business. Would you mind sharing more about it and how it came to be?

Throughout their time at GoDaddy, Lanie and Renee have cultivated a strong friendship, bonded by shared experiences such as navigating IVF journeys and welcoming children within a close timeframe. Their conversations often revolved around their entrepreneurial aspirations and the dream of launching their own businesses. This dream took shape when they decided to partner in creating Queen Creek Soft Play. They are firm believers in the power of manifestation. Just a month after their decision, they officially launched their business and were thrilled to receive booking requests almost immediately.

Outside of work, Lanie and Renee embarked on an exciting venture in the events and entertainment industry. Initially unsure of which specific direction to take, they were confident in their ability to succeed no matter the path. During their exploration, Lanie stumbled upon a remarkable opportunity: the previous business she had used for her daughter’s birthday was up for sale, complete with all its equipment!

Recognizing the potential, Lanie and Renee arranged to meet with the business owners, negotiated a deal, and successfully purchased the entire operation. Over the course of just one month, they transformed their vision into reality. They diligently moved all the equipment, developed a professional website, established an email account, opened a business bank account, and meticulously cleaned each piece of equipment.

To enhance their brand, they partnered with a talented marketing company for logo design and website content, and hired a professional photographer to capture stunning product images. Throughout this whirlwind of activity, they managed to balance their responsibilities at GoDaddy while also being present for their families, showcasing their dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.

What advice would you give to others who are looking to start a side hustle while working full-time?

If you’re considering starting a side hustle while juggling a full-time job, Lanie and Renee have some valuable advice to share. First and foremost, leverage your network. Tap into the strengths and insights of those around you, and don’t hesitate to accept help when it’s offered. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to build and grow a successful business!

Make the most of the resources available at GoDaddy. Beyond the exceptional products, there’s a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the community. From building and troubleshooting to engaging with our Employee Resource Group, GoDaddy Entrepreneurs in Tech, that offers learning opportunities and coaching, the support network at GoDaddy is vast and has played a crucial role in Lanie and Renee’s success. Remember, everyone at GoDaddy embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and will be cheering you on!

Lastly, embrace the power of positive self-talk. Lanie and Renee live by the mantra, “What you talk about, you bring about.” Share your visions of success, articulate your goals, and discuss your aspirations for the future—whether that’s one year, five years, or ten years down the line. Manifest the reality of becoming the business owner you aspire to be, and watch as those dreams begin to materialize. Lanie and Renee are thrilled to have launched Queen Creek Soft Play and are grateful to share their journey with their GoDaddy colleagues, having spoken their vision into existence together.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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Keysight’s CSR summer intern has been experiencing firsthand the role of volunteerism in corporate citizenship, culture, and employee engagement. Read what she has to say about her learnings this summer in helping support community engagement and employee volunteerism.

My love of volunteering began in high school. Spending my time helping other people and working towards a mission was the first time I believed I was making a positive impact in the world. I was finally working towards something that was much larger than myself.

This love of volunteering eventually grew into an interest in non-profit work. I wanted to know how things functioned and unpack the inner workings of what makes programming possible. Through that process, I became fascinated by the intersection of business, impact, and society, so it came as no surprise that I found myself in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) this summer. I first learned about CSR in one of my college classes, and I knew immediately that it was a space I wanted to explore.

Corporate Support of Employee Volunteerism

CSR is an integrated business framework that manages and tracks a company’s impact on society across environmental sustainability, positive social impact, and ethical business governance, with accountability to stakeholders. For Keysight, CSR is embedded into the Keysight Leadership Model, which defines how the company operates. Keysight’s CSR program is structured across six foundational pillars: ethical governance, the environment, responsible sourcing, people, communities, and solutions.

My role this summer primarily focused on the “communities” pillar, which touches on supporting charitable and educational organizations and participation in local and global volunteer efforts. One of my projects for the summer was to put on a community engagement event to encourage volunteerism and test some of Keysight’s resources that make volunteering possible.

Supporting employee volunteerism is good for companies, communities, and employees. According to Jessica Rodell of Harvard Business Review, “many studies have shown that volunteer programs boost productivity, increase employee engagement, and improve hiring and retention.”1 Keysight recognizes that companies play a role in the prosperity of local and global communities, so it is important for the company to play an active role in supporting, uplifting, and investing in the communities in which Keysight does business. Such engagements not only help accomplish these goals but also brings great benefit to the employees themselves.

Win: Win: Win

Before exploring different community engagement ideas, I wanted to identify a group of employee volunteers that may be interested. I quickly landed on the other Keysight interns at the site. I believed that having the interns participate in a community engagement event would not only foster teamwork and camaraderie, but also give an opportunity for the interns to impact the community they called home for the summer.

After circulating through different options and getting feedback from the interns, it was clear a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education volunteer event aligned with the needs of the community and the interests of the volunteers. To put together this event, I turned to the Keysight’s After School program.

Keysight After School has several hands-on experiments that teach students about certain STEM subjects from electronics to physical and earth-sciences. Keysight fully funds the program’s experiment kits and its delivery by employee volunteers, at no cost to the host organizations or participating students.

After a month of planning, I finally had everything set-up for the event. I decided to go with one of the most popular STEM kits, the Solar Racer Kits, for students to build. The volunteers were set to go, and sooner than later, a local summer school made their way over to the Keysight Colorado Springs office to learn more about solar energy. In total, we had 13 students ranging from 6-12 years old and 15 intern volunteers. The volunteers assisted in building the solar racer cars with the students while teaching them about solar energy. After building the cars, the kids had some time to decorate and personalize their own special racers. After a day of learning and building, we finished our day by racing the cars outside. The students were able to take their cars home and continue their learnings of solar energy.

The impact of this event was clear. One volunteer shared that she loved watching the kids get excited about science and could see her younger self in them. Another volunteer noted, “The Keysight Volunteer event was a meaningful journey back to my roots as a former STEM camp volunteer. Teaching STEM to kids and engaging in hands-on experiences with them was both unique and unforgettable.”

It was a win all around. The students were able to engage and learn about STEM in a fun and interactive way; the interns were able to share their love of STEM and give back to the local community; and Keysight contributed to their key impact goal of engaging the future generation through STEM education.

A Full-Circle Moment

Putting together this volunteer experience was a very full-circle and fulfilling moment for me. For the first time, I was on the side of planning and heading up a volunteer event. I learned so much about certain internal processes in putting on an event like this. I also saw the power of volunteering in action. The volunteers were able to share their love of STEM with the future generation, and the kids had a fun day learning and engaging with STEM subjects. The best part was seeing the impact that this event made on both the kids and the volunteers.

My experience at Keysight taught me so much about the role of CSR and the intersection of business and society. The volunteer event affirmed for me my passion for impact-oriented work. I’m excited to apply everything that I have learned to my future endeavors and my commitment to making resources both accessible and approachable.

Sources:

1 “Volunteer Programs That Employees Can Get Excited About,” Harvard Business Review, January 2021.

Through a partnership with Convoy of Hope, we’ve been able to support communities across the U.S. in their recovery following natural disasters.

More than 200 truckloads have been donated so far this year through this American faith-based nonprofit organization, which provides food, supplies and humanitarian services to impoverished or needy populations throughout the world. The deliveries included over 21,000 products, including Pine-Sol, Clorox bleach and assorted wipes, Kingsford charcoal and pellets, and Hidden Valley Ranch dressing products. They were sent to places recovering from disasters such as hurricanes Beryl and Debbie; wildfires in California and New Mexico; flooding in the Midwest and Southeast U.S.; and tornadoes in Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, Iowa, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kansas, and Louisiana.

Recipients of these products, often located in rural areas and in desperate need of supplies after disasters, can’t afford them. Through this partnership, we were able to give people in these communities access to basic cleaning supplies, cooking products and more — reinforcing our IGNITE strategy of delivering purpose-driven growth that not only maximizes economic profit but also makes a meaningful, positive impact on the world around us.

Teva was recently named one of the most sustainable companies in the world by TIME magazine and data firm Statista. The inaugural list measured how some of the biggest and most influential companies are living up to their promises to protect our planet. We’re honored to be listed among these 500 companies and recognized for our efforts and ambitions.

Over the past several years, we’ve been on a journey to adapt sustainability at Teva to the constantly evolving landscape and world. Here’s a look at what makes our approach stand out.

Sustainability is a part of everything we do. Our sustainability strategy—Healthy Future—encompasses all we do to promote healthy people, a healthy planet and a healthy business, because they are all connected. It is our purpose in practice: we are all in for better health.

We’re taking bold action for a healthy planet. Our ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In 2023, we achieved a 27% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions (vs. 2019), meeting our 2025 target two years ahead of schedule. We’re targeting a 46% reduction by 2030 and a 25% reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030 (vs. 2020). And we’ve announced targets to achieve net zero emissions across our operations and value chain by 2045 and 100% renewable electricity across all Teva sites by 2035. We’re also working to address antimicrobial resistance, one of the biggest global health challenges. Teva was one of the first two companies to receive the new BSI certification program for responsible manufacturing of antibiotics.

To hold us even more accountable, we’ve linked targets to our business strategy. We’ve issued $7.5 billion in sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) that are tied to some of our key commitments, including our scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and access to medicines targets. Teva is the largest issuer of SLBs in the pharmaceutical sector and second-largest in the world.

We extend our impact by working with suppliers that care as much as we do. We hold our suppliers to high standards, encouraging them to establish GHG emissions baselines and reduction targets in line with SBTi and participate in Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative audits and AMR Industry Alliance assessments to ensure responsible production of antibiotics.

We’re honest about our journey. Every year, we publish a report to share how we’re doing. And it’s not just TIME taking note of our progress. Last year, we improved our scores in four key ratings—MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS and EcoVadis. We also received an A- Climate score and B Water score from CDP, a non-profit that helps companies disclose environmental impact. 

It’s an honor to be recognized on this list and to be among many other companies working toward the same goals, because it’s going to take all of us, working together, to create the future we want to see.

To read more about our impact, check out this one-page summary of our 2023 progress.

By Gina DiPietro

When Hurricane Debby unleashed its fury on Florida and then carved a path through the Carolinas as a tropical storm, Duke Energy’s swift response was a testament to the power of preparation.

Grid strengthening measures and advanced technologies helped more than 10,000 line and tree workers in the field restore power to most customers within 24 hours of Debby’s arrival in each service area.

Here’s how our investments are keeping communities resilient amid another storm season:

Strengthening the grid to reduce storm impacts

The company makes strategic upgrades year-round to strengthen the energy grid, reduce outages and restore power faster for customers. Crews trim vegetation near power lines and strategically place outage-prone lines underground to minimize recurring disruptions for customers.

Duke Energy is also upgrading poles and wires to better withstand severe weather impacts; ongoing improvements include replacing wooden transmission poles with reinforced steel and installing stronger wires in some coastal and wind-vulnerable areas.

These infrastructure improvements will also help the company expand its power transmission capacity, important to meeting an extraordinary increase in demand for electricity, as well as innovative technologies like energy storage, electric vehicles and at-home charging stations.

Smart technology minimizes customer disruptions

As major storms become more frequent and intense, Duke Energy continues to expand its network of smart, self-healing technology. It works a lot like the GPS in your car – rerouting power around problems to reduce outage time for customers the way a GPS reroutes drivers around traffic accidents to avoid long delays.

More than half of customers are served by self-healing and automated restoration capabilities across six states. That represents around a 65% increase in customers served by these advanced technologies over the last two years.

During this latest storm, the company’s self-healing technology saved more than 500,000 hours of total outage time and automatically restored approximately 150,000 customer outages. A more resilient electric grid also frees up line teams and other essential workers who assist with storm response.

Duke Energy restored 93% of customers within 24 hours of Hurricane Debby making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend. And of the Carolinas customers who experienced an outage, 95% were restored within a day of Debby’s arrival.

“We know how much our customers depend on us to safely restore power quickly as possible after a major storm, and we appreciated their patience and support as we responded to power outages from Hurricane Debby,” said Scott Batson, senior vice president and chief power grid officer at Duke Energy. “Our crews worked through challenging conditions to deliver on those expectations, and we are grateful for the combined efforts of employees and contractors, many of whom traveled from out of state, to assist communities impacted by the storm.”

Flood walls in place to help keep substations dry

When Tropical Storm Debby made its way up the coast, flood walls were ready to help keep flood-prone substations in the Carolinas dry. Crews were prepared, too, with equipment and remote technology that enables them to monitor and access equipment during storms.

Substations are a critical part of the grid – they take the electricity carried by high-voltage lines from a power plant and convert it to a lower voltage compatible with smaller power lines in communities. If a substation is down, it can mean power outages for thousands of people.

With lessons learned from back-to-back historic floods across eastern North Carolina and the Pee Dee region of South Carolina in 2016 and 2018, the company reinforced substations and essential equipment around 13 substation perimeters in recent years.

Upgrades include flood barriers made of reinforced high-density polyethylene, and pumps inside the walled-off area help drain away rainwater, while stairs over the wall allow substation technicians to get safely inside if approaching by boat.

Year-round storm preparations

The company also credits its rapid response to Debby to year-round storm preparations and decades of lessons learned and key collaborations with state, local and community response agencies.

Ahead of the storm, crews and resources were staged near likely affected areas to allow for a quick and safe response to potential outages. In addition to its convoy of local crews, Duke Energy was able to draw on other resources from its service territories in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, as well as contractors.

In total, more than 10,000 line and tree workers, damage assessors and support teams deployed across Florida and the Carolinas, working alongside power plant workers, grid operators and storm response teams to restore power to around 850,000 customers in those states.

“Our goal is always to be ready to respond when a storm strikes,” Batson said, “and the combination of our people, advanced technology and a storm response process that we work to improve after every storm helps us maintain that readiness to serve our customers effectively when they count on us most.”

View original content here.

About 50% of household hot water use happens in the shower. So how can we save that energy from going down the drain?

Enter the Mira Advance Heatloop, the latest innovation from our incredible team at Mira Showers.

Heatloop is the first electric shower designed to work with RECOUP WWHRS wastewater heat recovery systems. Unlike conventional electric showers, Heatloop’s revolutionary technology intelligently corrects fluctuations in temperature and flow to reduce carbon emissions and save up to 40% on annual showering energy—without any change in your showering experience.

Check it out here. 

In the face of an environmental imperative, the global logistics and trade industry stands at a crucial crossroads. Transport and logistics are often considered hard-to-abate sectors due to their heavy reliance on fossil fuels and the technical challenges associated with electrification.

Nevertheless, the global push toward electrification of vehicles in these sectors is gaining momentum. According to industry reports, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in logistics could potentially reduce global CO2 emissions by up to 30% by 2050, assuming widespread integration of renewable energy sources.

As one of the leading entities in this sector, DP World acknowledges the significant environmental impact of port operations; however, we are steering the narrative toward a sustainable future. Earlier this year, we unveiled the first charging station for electric trucks at the Port of Callao, Peru. This pioneering move not only marks Callao as the first port terminal in Latin America to adopt such infrastructure, but also showcases DP World’s commitment to decarbonizing the maritime and logistics industries.

Electrification at the Forefront

The installation of the charging station at Callao is a strategic component of our broader objective to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This facility, powered entirely by renewable energy, features 10 fast chargers of 200 KW each, capable of servicing our fleet of 20 electric internal transport trucks (ITVs). The dual-vehicle CCS2-type connectors and a 2-megawatt substation ensure efficient energy distribution, while a smart charge management platform monitors and optimizes energy consumption and CO2 emissions savings.

In addition to reducing reliance on traditional power grids, 60 KW of rooftop solar panels supply additional green energy to the station, enhancing our operational efficiency and further diminishing our carbon footprint.

A Sustainable Milestone

The introduction of this electric charging station is anticipated to reduce DP World’s carbon emissions by 2,145 metric tons of CO2 equivalents annually at the Port of Callao. This significant reduction is not only a triumph for DP World but also a substantial contribution to Peru’s environmental health, particularly given the country’s ranking in global air pollution indices.

Broadening the Impact

DP World’s sustainability efforts at Callao are part of a larger, continuous drive for innovation. Last year, we integrated 15 new electric cranes into our operations, underscoring our dedication to more sustainable technologies.

This electrification project transcends the adoption of new technologies; it sets a global precedent within the maritime and logistics sectors. Our initiative is a call to the industry at large, urging a collective pivot to sustainable practices that can be adopted worldwide, thereby magnifying the impact of our efforts.

Pioneering a Greener Future

At DP World, we are not just participants in global trade but active stewards of a more sustainable and responsible industry. The steps we are taking at the Port of Callao exemplify our leadership in environmental innovation, setting a model for ports worldwide. As we continue to expand our efforts, our goal remains clear: to lead by example and inspire a global shift towards sustainable trade practices that ensure the health of our planet for future generations.

On this episode of BuzzHouse, hosts Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson discuss trends and insights on the multifamily housing industry’s second quarter of 2024. Don and Garrick discuss the general economic overview, an update on construction costs, new real estate updates, as well as trends and takeaways from the multifamily housing market. Listen in on what we can learn from recent events as we continue through the second half of 2024.

Download the Q2 2024 REcap here to read more about the multifamily housing sector and more.

Multifamily housing resources

For articles, webinars and additional resources for developers, housing authorities, property managers, state housing credit agencies and lenders, visit Baker Tilly’s multifamily housing page.