Tag: 3BL

Nearly three billion people have never used the internet, most of whom are women and girls. This, in turn, leaves them shut out from the social and economic benefits of connectivity. In this session, hosted by the Concordia and CARE, speakers from GSMA, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and CARE, share insights into how the private sector and partnerships can play a critical role in advancing progress to improving digital access for marginalized communities.

More information on the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) – a joint effort between USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate progress on closing the gender digital divide – can be found at widef.global. Applications are currently open for the next round of technical assistance in scaling private sector solutions to tackle the gender digital divide.

Watch the full session here.

As the frequency and severity of extreme weather events rise, regulatory bodies and investors are placing greater emphasis on climate-related disclosures, making it essential for companies to integrate climate considerations into their strategic planning. Businesses must proactively assess their vulnerability and resilience to such disruptions.

To help your business prepare for this reality, we’ve put together a primer on what climate scenario analysis entails, why it’s indispensable for businesses today, and the key steps involved in conducting a robust analysis.

Understanding Climate Scenario Analysis

What is climate scenario analysis?

Climate scenario analysis is a strategic tool used by businesses to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on their operations, assets, and overall business strategy. It involves creating and analyzing a range of plausible future scenarios based on different assumptions about climate policies, technological advancements, and socio-economic trends. These scenarios help organizations assess the potential physical and transition risks associated with climate change and identify opportunities that may arise.

The analysis typically includes both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Qualitative assessments involve narrative descriptions of different future states, while quantitative assessments use models and data to estimate the financial implications of each scenario. Examining these differing scenarios helps businesses better understand the range of possible futures and develop strategies that are robust across different potential outcomes.

How climate scenario analysis helps identify risks and opportunities

Climate scenario analysis allows companies to evaluate a range of potential future scenarios and their impacts on business operations. Key risks and opportunities include:

Increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, and heatwaves that can disrupt supply chains, damage infrastructure, and impact workforce availability.The regulatory changes and shifting market demands, as well as the opportunities to innovate and improve operational efficiencies that come with a global economy shifting towards low-carbon technologies.

Importance of meeting investor and stakeholder expectations

Investors and stakeholders are increasingly concerned about the sustainability and resilience of the companies they support. Climate scenario analysis is a vital step in enhancing stakeholder confidence and trust. By transparently disclosing climate risks and demonstrating proactive management strategies, businesses can strengthen their reputations, attract sustainable investments, and foster long-term relationships with key stakeholders.

Overview of Frameworks and Regulations

Several frameworks and regulations guide businesses in conducting and reporting climate scenario analysis. By adhering to these guidelines, companies can ensure their scenario analyses are comprehensive, consistent, and aligned with best practices.

These frameworks and regulations provide a structured approach for identifying, assessing, and disclosing climate-related risks and opportunities, which helps businesses build credibility with stakeholders and meet regulatory expectations.

Frameworks

The TCFD framework

The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) provides a comprehensive framework for companies to assess and disclose their climate-related risks and opportunities. Scenario analysis is a core recommendation, helping businesses understand potential impacts under different climate futures.

CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)

CDP questionnaires are widely used by institutional investors and companies to evaluate a company’s climate preparedness. Utilizing climate change scenario analysis to inform the management of climate-related risks and opportunities and disclose results and relevant actions through the CDP questionnaire can help demonstrate sound climate change management strategies to a company’s stakeholders.

IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)

The IFRS Foundation has introduced IFRS S1 and S2 standards. The IFRS S1 standard sets general requirements for disclosing sustainability-related financial information, which can include climate-related risks and opportunities. The IFRS S2 standard is specifically focused on climate-related disclosures, with scenario analysis being a key component.

Regulations

The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

The SEC has proposed rules mandating that public companies disclose their climate-related risks. If a company uses scenario analysis to assess climate-related risks, results of such analysis and a description of methodology need to be reported.

EU CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)

This directive mandates disclosure of resilience of an organization’s strategy and business model in relation to climate change, including the use of scenario analysis, making it a core part of sustainability reporting.

US FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation)

Federal agencies have proposed to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require certain federal contractors to disclose climate-related financial risks through the CDP questionnaire. The proposed rule does not mandate the use of scenario analysis, but it can facilitate assessments of climate-related risks.

California Senate Bills 261 (CA SB-261)

The California Senate Bill 261 requires disclosure of climate-related financial risks for companies that generate total annual revenues of more than $5 million and do businesses in California. The proposed rule does not mandate the use of scenario analysis, but it can facilitate assessments of climate risks. 

Risk Scenarios

Climate scenario analysis involves understanding both physical and transition risks. Physical risk scenarios focus on the direct impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, and temperature fluctuations, which can affect infrastructure, operations, and supply chains. Transition risk scenarios, on the other hand, address the economic, regulatory, and technological changes associated with the shift to a low-carbon economy.

Physical risk scenarios

The following physical risk scenarios are based on Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), which describe how atmospheric pollution and the amount of heat trapped by greenhouse gases (radiative forcing) will change over time. The full list of RCPs is available here, but we’ve highlighted key ones below.

IPCC RCP 1.9

The IPCC RCP 1.9 scenario is the IPCC’s lowest emission scenario, aimed at keeping global warming below 1.5°C by the end of the century, aligning with the aspirational goal of the Paris Agreement.

IPCC RCP 4.5

The IPCC RCP 4.5 scenario represents a “planned transition” to a low-carbon economy, where significant energy transition activities are delayed by 15-20 years from now. In this intermediate stabilization pathway, the increase in radiative forcing is stabilized at about 4.5 watts per square meter after 2100.

IPCC RCP 8.5

RCP 8.5 is the IPCC’s high-end scenario, where the amount of heat trapped by greenhouse gases exceeds 8.5 watts per square meter by 2100 and keeps increasing afterwards. This scenario leads to a global temperature rise of 4-5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

Transition risk scenarios

Transition risk scenarios are frameworks used to assess the potential impacts of the transition to a low-carbon economy on businesses and investments. These scenarios consider a range of factors that could affect companies as the world shifts towards more sustainable practices, including regulatory changes, market dynamics, and technological advancements.

IEA Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario

The IEA Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario outlines policies and technologies necessary for achieving a net-zero economy by 2050, aiming to limit global warming to under 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100. It includes aggressive decarbonization through rapid deployment of renewables, electrification of transport, and energy efficiency improvements. Policy measures involve stringent carbon pricing, green technology subsidies, and fossil fuel phase-outs. Technological innovations like CCS, hydrogen energy, and advanced batteries are crucial, alongside global cooperation on climate policies and financial aid for developing countries.

IEA Announced Pledges Scenario

The IEA Announced Pledges Scenario assumes that all announced but not yet implemented global climate policies will be enacted, presenting a more optimistic outlook than current policies. It anticipates governments fulfilling commitments like those in the Paris Agreement and national climate action plans. This scenario includes increased investment in clean technologies such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and sustainable infrastructure. It also forecasts the expansion of carbon trading schemes to incentivize emissions reductions.

IEA Stated Policies Scenario

The IEA Stated Policies Scenario, also known as the Current Policies Scenario, assumes a conservative approach where only existing climate policies continue without significant new commitments or advancements. This scenario features:

No major new climate policies are introduced, maintaining the status quo.Technological development proceeds slowly with reliance on existing technologies.Emissions decrease at a pace insufficient to meet ambitious climate goals.Emphasis on economic stability over aggressive climate action, minimizing market disruptions.

Selecting Appropriate Climate Scenarios for Your Business

Selecting appropriate climate scenarios involves a thorough assessment of your business’s specific risks, opportunities, and strategic goals. This assessment is crucial for understanding how climate change impacts could affect your operations, supply chains, and market positioning. Engaging in third-party assessments can provide valuable insights and expertise in identifying and evaluating these risks and opportunities objectively.

Third-party assessments bring independent analysis and specialized knowledge to the process, offering a comprehensive view of potential climate impacts that may not be apparent from internal perspectives alone.

Explore how Antea Group can help you with climate scenario analysis.

In response to local food insufficiency, our Sheridan, Arkansas, team came together to plant a community garden, complete with a watering system and chock full of fruit and veggies galore.

Thanks to garden supply donations from area businesses, the team was able build ten 4’ x 8’ raised beds planted with tomatoes, squash, zucchini, watermelon, and a variety of peppers. Community members in need can pick produce for their families, and anything remaining will be donated to the local food pantry.

Learn more about Kohler’s community impact initiatives.

SAN MATEO, Calif., September 5, 2024 – Franklin Templeton is pleased to announce its receipt of a top score of 100 in the 2024 Disability Equality Index® (DEI), which serves as a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions they can take to foster disability inclusion. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Franklin Templeton has received the “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” distinction.

Regina Curry, Chief Diversity Officer, Franklin Templeton, said, “We are so honored to receive this recognition of our DEI efforts to promote disability inclusion in the workplace. Our commitment to inclusion extends beyond the walls of Franklin Templeton, as we collaborate with peers, clients and organizations to provide equitable access to opportunities.”

Launched as a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Disability Equality Index is the leading independent, third-party resource for the annual benchmarking of corporate disability inclusion policies and programs.

“On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we’re extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow. Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today’s global market. Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.

The 2024 Disability Equality Index measured efforts across five scored categories: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits; Recruitment; Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement; Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; and Responsible Procurement (Non-Weighted). Participating companies receive a score, on a scale of zero to 100, with those scoring 80 or higher earning the distinction of “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the benchmark year.

Read more about Franklin Templeton’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at https://www.franklintempleton.com/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of July 31, 2024. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

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Copyright © 2024. Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.

Recently, I traveled from my hometown and remote work location in southeast Idaho to participate with fellow Cadence employees in the Silicon Valley Pride Parade. Although I have attended a handful of large-scale Pride events in Seattle, Denver, Boston, and Salt Lake City over the years, I have never marched in one—and I have never attended a Pride with professional colleagues.

Cheers to Cadence for these blissful milestones!

When I graduated from Idaho State years ago, I wanted to move to Silicon Valley, Seattle, or Portland, where I’d be free to live more openly. I am an only child, however, and with my mom only having a few years left to live, it was important that I stay close. I got a great job at a local semiconductor manufacturer and fell in love with mountain biking. As my career grew in a place where the commute between home, office, and the trails was mere minutes, my childhood home in Idaho simply became my home. When my mom passed away, my community and coworkers became my family.

Cadence Culture

In a 20-year career that’s spanned digital test, design, and marketing, I’ve tackled a lot of technical and organizational challenges. Through serendipitous timing and a solid networking connection, I joined Cadence in February of this past year.

To combat the sense of isolation that can develop while working remotely, I’ve joined a couple of Cadence’s Employee Resource Groups and paid keen attention to company communications pertaining to my areas of interest involving the LGBTQ+ community, STEM education and outreach, and volunteer opportunities. In the realms of community involvement and professional engagement, I am deeply motivated by the mantra: Be the kind of adult you needed as a child.

Growing up in somewhat rural Idaho, I would have benefited greatly from seeing other women and LGBTQ+ people succeeding in technical careers, participating in community endeavors, and simply being happy contributors to society. During this past Pride Month in June, I saw that the Cadence Giving Foundation donated to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth, and that the LGBTQ+ Inclusion Group would be a sponsor of Silicon Valley Pride and take part in San Jose’s downtown Pride Parade. I told my wife we had to go!

Cadence Pride

Employees from across the Cadence organization came out in support. We had representation from engineering, marketing, legal, program management, human resources, and customer support. We had our spouses, friends, kids, and kids’ friends. We had managers, directors, and executives—oh my!

Teens blasted bubbles while we waved and walked. Along with our smiles, we shared umbrellas and sunglasses with paradegoers—all were perfect for the sunny San Jose day.

As we lined up and waited for the parade to start, I made an effort to introduce myself and talk with the young people in attendance because that’s what I craved at their age—to be seen and included, to be treated like I belonged, and to grasp that no matter what my current situation might be, I can always contribute and have a place in this world.

In a nutshell, that’s what Silicon Valley Pride was about this past weekend—including one another, fostering a sense of belonging, and celebrating our unique contributions to this world. With my career changes in this past year entailing remote work along with everything encompassed in a new role at a new company, it’s like those messages were directed right at me.

I love that I got to hear those messages and experience it all as a Cadence employee with other Cadence employees. After enjoying the day and reliving moments through everyone’s festive photos…it’s time to get back to work!

The Henkel Scholarship Program was established to assist the children of employees in North America who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs.

Henkel believes education is the key to unlocking opportunity and supporting those efforts is part of delivering on our purpose of being pioneers at heart for the good of generations. For 43 years, the Henkel Scholarship Program has helped children of Henkel employees pursue their education and career aspirations – awarding nearly $3 million in scholarships to nearly 900 students to date. The program is administered through Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

The 17 students receiving the scholarships this year have excelled in their educational endeavors and shown themselves to be leaders at school and in the community.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients! View their pictures and college pursuits above.

DES MOINES, Iowa, September 5, 2024 /3BL/ – The Principal® Charity Classic today announced its 2024 tournament raised a record $8.6 million in support of Iowa youth. The annual PGA TOUR Champions event in Des Moines has now raised $62 million for Iowa children’s charities since Principal Financial Group® became the title sponsor in 2007. Watch the 2024 charitable highlight video here.

“2024 was an exciting and successful year for the Principal Charity Classic. The renovation of the course made for great golf featuring world class talent,” said Ken McCullum, board chair for the Principal Charity Classic. “Hitting the $62 million charitable giving milestone is a testament to what can be accomplished when the community comes together.”

The Principal Charity Classic impacts the lives of more than 130,000 Iowa youth each year by investing in programs that help youth succeed within the areas of education, culture, financial security, and health and wellness. Tournament proceeds provide support to four Tournament Charity Partners , more than 80 Birdies For Charity nonprofits and the Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective.

“At its core, Principal Charity Classic is about more than golf, it is about supporting the next generation of Iowans. Every year, the incredible support from our fans, sponsors, and volunteers embodies the Tournament’s true spirit and this collective effort shows how much we can achieve together for the benefit of Iowa’s youth,” said Jo Christine Miles, director of Principal® Foundation and Community Relations. “We deeply appreciate everyone who makes this event and the impact it has possible.”

Over 50,000 attendees, 250 sponsors, and 1,100 volunteers were a part of the 2024 Principal Charity Classic, hosted at the newly renovated Wakonda Club. This year’s tournament saw one of its strongest and most entertaining fields, featuring eight past champions and six World Golf Hall of Fame members, including 2024 champion Ernie Els.

About Principal Financial Group®    

Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with 20,000 employees1 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for 145 years, we’re helping more than 64 million customers1 plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies2, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and named as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management3.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and purpose at principal.com.  

1 As of June 30, 2024   
2 Ethisphere, 2024    
3 Pensions & Investments, 2023  

About the Principal Charity Classic 
The Principal Charity Classic is an annual and award-winning PGA TOUR Champions event, hosted in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to helping Iowa youth succeed. Tournament funds benefit organizations that provide a broad level of support to Iowa youth in the areas of education and culture, financial security and stability, and health and wellness. For more information, visit principalcharityclassic.com, or connect with the tournament on social media: Facebook facebook.com/principalcharityclassic, Twitter @PCCTourney, and Instagram @principalcharityclassic.

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What happens when you combine the power of genomics with the dedication of citizen scientists at scale? You create powerful datasets to understand and improve the health of our world’s oceans. 

That’s exactly what Xavier Pochon from the Cawthron Institute and the Citizens of The Sea project aims to do – outfitting seafaring vessels across the South-West Pacific region with environmental DNA (eNDA) sample collection kits and pairing it with the sequencing expertise of Sequench laboratory in New Zealand.

See more of their work here.

We recognize the importance of the environment in creating a healthy, sustainable future for all. Learn more about Illumina’s environmental stewardship here.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Dru Christine Fabrics & Design is a one-stop shop for all things fashion in downtown Cleveland. Owned and operated by Andrea “Dru” Thompson, the shop is not only a broad variety clothing store, but also serves as a studio for adults and kids sewing classes, wig making, fashion design, and creative workshops.

Dru opened a personal account with U.S. Bank back in 2002, and through her friendship with Norlynn Story, U.S. Bank Business Access Advisor, she now does all her business banking with U.S. Bank as well. With Norlynn’s guidance, Dru recently participated in a financial literacy course that has already paid off with better financial results for her small business.

“Looking at a bank you think it’s this huge thing that’s not going to help this little small business,” said Thompson. “What Norlynn did made it feel like U.S. Bank does see me as a business owner. You know, I’m a small business owner, not a million-dollar business. But to me it’s a million dollars.”

To learn more about Dru Christine Fabrics & Design, check out the video above.

Covia continues to prioritize reducing the risk of exposure to respirable silica dust and related diseases, such as silicosis. Through a hands-on approach, Covia worked with plants to apply collective expertise and best practices for the protection of its employees, neighbors, and the environment. This included:

Working more closely with sites experiencing elevated silica exposure levels to develop advanced dust control measures;Establishing routine meetings with safety and health leaders to discuss specific risks and opportunities; andIncreasing communication across the organization, including a summary of activities and exposure levels.

Covia invested $2.0 million in projects focused on reducing dust exposure across its locations. Notably, the Wedron, Illinois, plant introduced several impactful tools and initiatives to improve dust mitigation in its silica operations. This included:

Stationing a wheel wash at the transition from unpaved to paved roadways to reduce mud, dust, and fugitive emissions;Installing concrete sand-storage bunkers at numerous locations at the facility to temporarily accumulate sands and reduce contamination;Replacing pavement with easier to clean surfaces across the site, and purchasing two street sweepers; andReplacing a water scrubber, used to control particulate emissions, with a more efficient and effective scrubber.

Covia’s Oregon, Illinois, plant also adopted an innovative update to the screen-change procedures to reduce dust exposure. By applying a small amount of Covia’s DST® Dust Suppression Technology on the site’s screening equipment (outside of the machines, screen decks, and screens) prior to maintenance, the plant achieved a 60% reduction in airborne respirable dust.

For more information about this and other corporate responsibility topics, visit our library of topic-specific summary documents.