Tag: 3BL

Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report

Advancing global inclusion

Global inclusion in the workplace 

We strive to create and maintain a work environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and included, enabling them to do their best work.

Our approach 

We believe that a culture of inclusion is foundational to who we are, the change we have driven, and the future we are creating. Our global inclusion strategy contributes to accelerating business outcomes and innovation by creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, embedding inclusion in our business practices, and giving back and strengthening the communities in which we operate.

This commitment to global inclusion starts at the top. Our Chairman, President, and CEO serves as sponsor of our Executive Inclusion Council, which comprises cross-functional business leaders and is the custodian of our global inclusion strategy.

Read more about our Global Inclusion strategy

Our global inclusion strategy in our workplace outlines our multi-year path toward these objectives and is informed by three key results: 

Our Global People Inclusion Index (GPII) measures a culture of belonging, respect, learning, and trying new things. Conducted three times per year, the GPII tells us how employees are experiencing Principal.In turn, the results enable leaders and teams to quickly respond to challenges and identify areas of opportunity, ultimately driving real- time, positive change.Through our U.S. Affirmative Action Program (AAP)1 we provide equal opportunity to qualified applicants and employees, in alignment with our talent strategy and regulatory obligations. Our AAP includes annual affirmative action training for all involved in people selection processes, with ongoing monitoring spanning outreach, recruitment, job descriptions, applicants, hires, promotions, terminations, performance ratings, compensation, accommodations, and recordkeeping. The program is overseen by our dedicated senior AAP manager, and our Executive Management Group ensures its successful implementation.Our U.S. Diversity Index measures diversity using 17 metrics that measure progress and areas of opportunity across the business. It serves as a pivotal component within our enterprise balance scorecard, a comprehensive metric assessing our organization’s overall well-being.

2023 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) recognition for support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer equality in the workplace: Human Rights Campaign Foundation (November 2023)

We set and monitor goals using key insights and industry benchmarks, and measure and act upon employee sentiment related to a culture of inclusion, respect, experimentation, and innovation.

Our actions and performance in 2023

We joined the CFA DEI Code, a set of six metric-based principles to foster action for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the investment industry.

Global People Inclusion Index (GPII)

In 2023, we exceeded our annual GPII goal of 80% with a score of 82%. We also saw a record-high 85% participation from employees across the globe and made progress on all questions. Our GPII goal increased to 82% for 2024 based on past performance and a desire for continuous improvement.

2024 goal: 82%2023 goal: 82%2022 goal: 82%2021 goal: 79%2021 goal: 81%

U.S. Affirmative Action Program (AAP) 

In 2023, we transitioned to functional-based affirmative action plans to mirror our operating model, ensuring more accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Read more: 2022 (EEOC) Report

U.S. Diversity Index 

In 2023, we exceeded our U.S. Diversity Index goal with a score of 104.9%.

Employee representation makes up 85% of the weighted metric with the remaining weight focused on areas like employee education and supplier diversity. We monitor and track our progress annually against past performance as well as market availability benchmarks. Additionally, our corporate incentive pay calculation for all eligible employees includes our diversity index performance.

2024 goal: 100%2023 goal: 104.9%2022 goal: 103.1%2021 goal: 92.8%

“Rooted in respect, our commitment to creating an inclusive work environment fuels a collaborative and innovative future for all.” 
Miriam Lewis 
Chief Inclusion Officer

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report.

Additional information on our commitments to advance inclusion, representation, accessibility, and equity within our workplace, business practices, and communities can be found in the 2023 Global Inclusion Report.

1Federal law and related OFCCP regulations require federal contractors and subcontractors to implement AAPs to ensure equal opportunities for qualified applicants and employees. AAP goals are used to measure progress against affirmative action requirements.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​

3777689-092024

Originally published on Tork News Center

APPLETON, Wis., October 1, 2024 /3BL/– The Green Bay Packers are teaming up with Tork®, the professional hygiene brand of leading global hygiene and health company Essity, for the 2024 “Tackle Hygiene with Every Catch” campaign.

The campaign, which kicked off in September and will run through the first five home games of the Packers season, aims to raise awareness and promote the benefits of proper hygiene. Additionally, Tork and the Packers will provide community partners with essential hygiene products that help reduce environmental impact. For every catch the Packers make during the first five home games of the season, Tork will donate $250 worth of effective and sustainably produced hygiene products, such as paper roll towels and toilet paper (up to $30,000 in products) to local nonprofit organizations working to improve the well-being of those in need.

“We’re excited to partner again with Tork on the Tackle Hygiene Campaign,” said Justin Wolf, director of corporate partnership sales and activations for the Packers. “For more than a decade, our teams have relied on Tork hygiene products on gameday and every day and we look forward to making a positive impact in the community while cheering for Packers catches. Throughout the campaign, our fans can learn about the tools they need to stay healthy as well as the importance of hygiene and sustainability, all while supporting the Packers. We look forward to another great season of Tackle Hygiene with Every Catch.”

Since 2021, in partnership with the Packers, Tork has donated $83,500 worth of sustainable hygiene products to local charities in Northeast Wisconsin. This year’s recipient will be Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, who works with local food banks and meal programs, providing resources so people facing hunger can put food on the table.

“Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is critical at stadiums like Lambeau Field – which can hold more than 80,000 fans – as well as within our communities,” said Cindy Stilp, Marketing Communications Director at Essity. “Together with the Packers, we are proud to spearhead community initiatives, like Tackle Hygiene with Every Catch, in order to deliver hygienic experiences to fans, while giving back to those in the community who rely on programs like Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, for essential services.”

Tork is the proud product provider of towels, tissue, napkins, soap and sanitizer to Lambeau Field.

About Tork®

The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools, and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.Torkusa.com.

About Essity

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as Actimove, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 48,000 employees. Net sales in 2022 amounted to approximately SEK 156bn (EUR 15bn). The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at www.essity.com.

About Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the largest hunger relief organization in the state with locations in Milwaukee and Appleton. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a local and independent member of the Feeding America network. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin collaborates with nearly 400 hunger relief partners, including food pantries, meal programs, and shelters to provide nourishment for close to 500,000 neighbors in need across 35 counties in Eastern Wisconsin. To learn more about how we are all working together to solve hunger in Wisconsin, visit FeedingAmericaWI.org.

Mastercard

There is an economic sector in Africa worth $1 trillion a year, and yet most of the people who work in it are invisible.

“Farmers are the folks that you don’t see,” says African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi A. Adesina. “Banks don’t see them. Buyers don’t see them. Traders don’t see them. Insurance companies don’t see them.”

These smallholder farmers often live in remote areas with little connectivity, leaving them with no digital footprint and limiting their access to better prices, loans and innovative agricultural inputs like climate-resistant seeds.

But a new initiative called MADE Alliance, which stands for Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy, aims to bring 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria into the digital economy. It’s the first phase of an ambitious plan, launched earlier this year by the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, to enable digital access for 100 million people and businesses across the continent in 10 years.

The farmers will be provided a digital identity and access to a network of 6,000 digital agricultural agents through Mastercard’s Community Pass infrastructure, which provides access to the digital economy though a digital credential that enables farmers to access any service on the platform.

Adesina, the African Development Bank’s Beth Dunford, who is vice president for agriculture, human and social development, Community Pass founder Tara Nathan, and other partners shared their insights at a reception last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where Mastercard hosted the inaugural MADE Alliance Steering Committee meeting to review progress and discuss open challenges and required support to scale MADE programming.

MADE’s deployed programs include unlocking affordable digital financial services for sunflower farmers in Tanzania, internet connectivity and digital skilling for farmer cooperatives in Kenya, clean energy asset financing for farmers in Kenya, and access to markets via Community Pass.

The Mastercard Newsroom spoke with Dunford about the challenges facing smallholder farmers, the possibilities digitalization affords and why investing in female farmers in particular is, in her words, “smart economics.”

Why did MADE Alliance Africa chose to focus on the digitization of agriculture for smallholder farmers and women as its first initiative, and why do you think the African agriculture sector holds so much potential?

Dunford: Africa is home to 65% of the planet’s remaining uncultivated, arable land, and we believe that agriculture is a critical sector to drive Africa’s development. Agriculture accounts for nearly 60% of total employment in Africa and accounts for more than 25% of GDP in its low-income countries. Across the continent, there’s no agriculture without women. They provide an estimated 60% to 80% of labor input to the sector. Growth in agriculture is terribly effective compared to many other sectors in lifting people out of poverty, providing degrees of agency to women, for feeding Africa’s people and positioning the continent as a breadbasket to the world.

Our challenge is that the majority of Africa’s food systems producers are smallholder farmers who, simply put, struggle from season to season due to lack of access to quality inputs like seeds and fertilizer, or access to affordable financing to purchase farming necessities. Africa’s smallholder farmers have a variety of needs that the MADE Alliance Africa can solve by boosting sustainable digital access to critical services. MADE Alliance aims to work with local banks to initially provide digital identities to millions of smallholder farmers and women. Digital identities are the gateway to accessing digital services and to high-quality inputs.

Take, for example, that an estimated 99% or more of agriculture transactions in Africa are cash-based — 99%! Digitalizing agriculture and the distribution of goods will bring enormous efficiencies to the marketplace, as well as reduce waste and fraud across the ecosystem.

Mastercard’s Community Pass can help establish digital identities for millions of farmers, bring more transparency to pricing and help them access agricultural inputs. What are the challenges involved in bringing this solution to market, and how can they be overcome?

Dunford: Community Pass is designed to operate in remote and rural communities — often with limited connectivity and energy access. This technology, to adapt a popular phrase, “meets farmers where they are.” However, there are challenges involved in bringing these solutions to the “last mile” and connecting smallholder farmers and women to financial institutions — challenges that we believe can be overcome or mitigated, including capacity building, infrastructure and the need for new models for governments and the private sector to work together.

To scale these technologies to more farmers in a timely manner, we need to work with farmer cooperatives, networks of member farmers who reap many benefits of doing business as a unit. The challenge is that the majority of farmer cooperatives in Africa are not as operationally efficient as they are in other regions, and the prevalence of digital literacy is relatively low. Africa needs significant investment to educate farmers on how they can benefit from digital technologies to access resources.

MADE Alliance’s digital services can connect farmers to new buyers and suppliers who are physically far away, but costs to transport goods to market remain a barrier. Critically, farmers and women need digital devices and reliable connectivity to take advantage of the digital economy.

Finally, local governments see the benefits of digitalization in agriculture, but they can benefit from access to clear models for engaging with the private sector to develop a robust digital ecosystem. Tendencies to centralize digital infrastructure related to agriculture inhibit private-sector participation and make it difficult for businesses to develop sustainable models to serve agricultural communities.

Can you talk a little more about how the MADE Alliance will benefit women?

Dunford: Roughly half of Africa’s smallholder farmers are women, with the majority of agriculture sector labor carried out by women. However, compared to their male counterparts, female farmers struggle to create a sustainable livelihood in agriculture, because they are less likely to own property titles or other assets often needed to access financial services. Women farmers have less access to information and extension services, and they lack access to inputs such as seeds and fertilizers. They are disproportionately impacted by climate risks. Collectively, these challenges result in women farmers typically producing up to 20% to 30% less output than male farmers.

The Community Pass initiative helps women make farming a sustainable livelihood by enabling access to critical service providers like banks and agricultural buyers, as well as creating transparency.

Women are the backbone of African economies, and investing in women entrepreneurs fosters women’s empowerment and agency over decisions around business, family and community. Investing in Africa’s women entrepreneurs is smart economics. Investing in Africa’s women has been a cornerstone of the Bank’s work. In fact, no Bank project or program will receive Bank financing, unless it details how it will benefit women.

Beyond Community Pass, what role can the private sector play in strengthening the food supply chain in Africa, particularly in making smallholder farmers more resilient? What can governments do? 

Dunford: MADE Alliance includes Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer Foundation and Unconnected.org and soon will add another four to five global and local partners signing on to membership. We welcome more. The MADE Alliance offers a new approach to partnership — one that is private sector-led and thus commercially sustainable by design. Our partnership is anchored in line with the Bank’s regional member countries’ national policies.

Importantly, the MADE Alliance makes the case that for the private sector, sustainability means profit. Alliance-facilitated partnerships between donors and governments are critical to provide the catalytic funding and regulatory support that de-risks private-sector entry into agriculture markets and segments where margins are razor-thin. Every MADE Alliance program is anchored by a private-sector entity, with other partners crowding into the same community, providing complementary services or funding to bring the program to life.

Originally published by Mastercard

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

CAMDEN, N.J., October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced updates to the Subaru Loves Pets® initiative, an effort dedicated to improving the lives of as many shelter pets as possible. This October, Subaru and its participating retailers will provide over $3 million in direct financial assistance to local animal shelters nationwide through grants* administered by the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to help cover costs associated with preparing animals for adoption, veterinary expenses, and more.

Subaru retailers will also host adoption, microchipping, or other types of pet-focused events to help ensure they can find loving homes in their communities. This year, Subaru will also donate $20 to the ASPCA with the purchase of select items from Subaru Parts Online in October, up to $10,000. This features products such as the Genuine Subaru Pet-Friendly Accessories.**

According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million animals entered shelters in the U.S. in 2023. Many of these animals live day after day without the love of a family or a home. Subaru believes that all pets deserve loving homes, which is why they are the largest corporate donor to the ASPCA.

Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.: “The Subaru community has a true passion for animal welfare, which is genuinely and enthusiastically matched by our retailers with their support of local organizations through adoption events and fundraising initiatives. Working with dedicated partners like the ASPCA, we take great pride in helping dogs, cats, and other pets find loving homes and seeing the difference they can make in people’s lives.”

To drive additional awareness and support for pets everywhere, Subaru will celebrate the sixth annual National Make a Dog’s Day on October 22nd. On this special holiday, created by Subaru, the automaker invites dog enthusiasts everywhere to do something extra special for their canine companions and share these moments on social media using the #MakeADogsDay hashtag. For those who haven’t yet adopted a pet, Subaru encourages considering the adoption of a shelter pet or a cherished “Underdog,” an older or disabled shelter dog.

Matt Bershadker, President and CEO, ASPCA: “The ASPCA is proud to be the national charity partner for the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, helping to support Subaru, its retailers, and hundreds of animal welfare organizations across the country as they assist tens of thousands of shelter animals in need. Subaru and its retailers are dedicated animal welfare advocates who are truly committed to making the world a better place for pets.”

Subaru is proud of its history of supporting pets in need, and the Subaru Loves Pets initiative has played an important role. Since 2008, Subaru has contributed over $60 million to national and local animal welfare organizations, facilitating the rescue, transportation, and adoption of over 504,000 pets.

To learn more about the Subaru Love Pets initiative, visit www.subaru.com/pets and follow #SubaruLovesPets and #MakeADogsDay.

*Disclaimer: The ASPCA will administer funding to the partner through a grant on behalf of the retailer prior to October, so the shelter can use the funding throughout the month of October in honor of Subaru Loves Pets. 

**Disclaimer: Maximum donation of $10,000. Donations apply to orders placed from 12:01 AM EDT Tuesday, October 1, 2024, through 11:59 PM EDT Thursday, October 31, 2024, through participating retailers’ Subaru Parts Online websites.

About Subaru of America, Inc. 

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

 

###

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

Adam Leiter 
Subaru of America, Inc. 
(856) 488-8668 
aleiter@subaru.com

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Global critical human infrastructure leader Black & Veatch today released its 2024 corporate sustainability report, detailing the employee-owned company’s rigorous progress in achieving its key sustainability milestones and commitments while guiding clients toward lower carbon and water footprints, and heightened resilience.

Viewing sustainability as a critical business imperative rather than merely a corporate responsibility, the company lays out its efforts to improve environmental and social impacts through three interdependent areas – corporate initiatives, client engagements and community involvement.

The comprehensive, transparent report – Black & Veatch’s fourth – highlights the company’s sustainability successes and the challenges tackled, including meeting its goalsto achieve a 40 percent decline in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 20 percent decline in overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3, business travel), from a 2019 baseline through absolute reductions, renewable energy use and renewable energy certificates (RECs).

Recognizing the need for ambitious yet practicable actions to impact the environment, the company has expanded its net-zero emissions goals and is committing to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1 and 2 as well as Scope 3 by 2050 in alignment with the Paris Agreement. To support achieving the company’s new sustainability goals, it also has increased its sustainability capabilities by investing in new tools, data and processes to enable tracking of progress and decision making.

Additionally, recognized industry sustainability expert Deepa Poduval has been appointed the company’s dedicated global sustainability leader and a member of the leadership team, elevating the company’s critical commitment to leveraging sustainability across its operations and decision-making.

“As the world’s challenges become increasingly complex, we must think bigger and be bolder. Push ourselves. Place big bets,” Black & Veatch Chairman and CEO Mario Azar said. “With that in mind, we’ve significantly restructured our operating model to be more client-centric and more responsive to the future needs of the energy transition, including decarbonization, resilience and sustainability of critical infrastructure.”

“We track and report the progress of our sustainability strategies to ensure transparency, drive accountability, foster trust among stakeholders and upgrade our business decision-making,” said Poduval, senior vice president and global sustainability leader for Black & Veatch. “Building out our talented team of professionals, innovating with a disruptive portfolio of engineering and construction solutions and the enduring capacity to operate resiliently for many decades ahead is how we will deliver on our new vision to be the leader in sustainable infrastructure – an outlook this report explains in greater detail.”

Some other highlights from the report include:

The company met the interim sustainability targets for 2023 that were established in 2020. Black & Veatch’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions declined by 43 percent while its overall measured GHG emissions decreased by 31 percent.Key drivers included reductions in air travel emissions (down 40 percent from 2019 to 2023) and a 70 percent drop in market-based emissions from electricity usage through optimization of real estate, the purchase of renewable power and renewable energy certificates.IgniteX – Black & Veatch’s award-winning accelerator, recognized by a Department of Energy EPIC prize – empowered a cohort of seven startups specializing in areas such as AI technology, carbon capture and reduction, and sustainable nutrition to help scale-up innovative solutions to critical human infrastructure.Black & Veatch continued to advance its commitment to civic engagement and philanthropic efforts focused on communities, STEM and sustainability, with emphasis on underserved and historically marginalized populations. The company’s charitable efforts include sponsorship of programs that combat human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery and Operation Breakthrough, a child and family development center in Kansas City, Missouri.The company contributed roughly $1.5 million in matching gifts in 2023 in hardship fund support and grants, and the Black & Veatch Foundation surpassed $29 million in total giving to the United Way and exceeded $5 million in support for Children’s Mercy Kansas City.

Editor’s Notes: 

The full Black & Veatch 2024 Sustainability Report is available to download here.

About Black & Veatch 
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Follow us on www.bv.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Media Contact Information:
JIM SUHR | +1 913-458-6995 P | Media@bv.com

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, today launched its new podcast, “Source of Good,” featuring an exclusive interview with Rick Ridgeway—outdoor adventurer, writer, and Cascale co-founder. After dropping the podcast trailer in September, the organization will release its first season of 10 episodes bi-weekly through February 2025.

“Source of Good” spotlights inspiring stories and crucial decision points across the supply chain, exploring how consumer products can be made better for both people and the environment. Each episode features an interview with a manufacturer or brand that highlights how companies use data and insights from Cascale’s Higg Index tools—available exclusively on Worldly—to inform decisions that drive positive change. “Source of Good” reflects the organization’s vision of catalyzing impact at scale and giving back more than it takes to the planet and its people.

“As sustainability becomes more urgent, it’s vital for Cascale to engage audiences in new, dynamic ways,” said Lee Green, Cascale senior director of marketing and communications. “The ‘Source of Good’ podcast provides an opportunity to tell the real stories behind the data—showcasing how brands and suppliers are working together to make lasting, positive changes in the supply chain. This podcast allows us to connect with a diverse group of listeners and share insights that are transforming the industry. Our goal is to show that sustainability isn’t just an ideal but a practical, scalable reality.”

“I am proud to participate in Cascale’s new podcast, ‘Source of Good,’ which reflects the values that guided us when we first brought brands and manufacturers together over a decade ago to develop the Higg Index tools,” said Rick Ridgeway, Cascale co-founder. “This podcast provides rare insight into supply chain inflection points where more sustainable choices can and must be made.”

Among others, guests include:

Rick Ridgeway, Cascale co-founderSarbajit Ghose, Asia Executive Director, Ciel TextilesOrsolya Janossy, Senior Sustainability Manager, Recover FiberGabriel Mens, Sustainability Manager, Brooks RunningThomas Matiz, Product Sustainability Specialist, Lenzing GroupSusan Scow, Sustainability Impact Specialist, Eileen Fisher

In 2023, Cascale piloted the three-episode “Drivers of Change” podcast. “Source of Good” is produced by Hueman Group Media, a woman- and BIPOC-led media company that inspires social change through impactful, high-caliber podcasts and digital content. The show is hosted by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Cascale’s communications director and a former journalist. “Source of Good” is available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and more.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Spanning over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe, we are united by a singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index and a unified strategy for industry transformation.

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AVONDALE, Pa., October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Stroud Water Research Center, a nonprofit founded in 1967 dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration, today announced a $141,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club for a new 55-kilowatt rooftop solar array system.

The solar array is expected to offset 23% of the Stroud Center’s energy needs, avoiding nearly 80,000 pounds of CO2 each year. Overall, the lifetime energy savings are expected to exceed $125,000, which will empower the organization to expand free educational programming for 5,675 additional low-income students from Pennsylvania public schools over the lifetime of the solar array.

More than 15 million people annually are directly impacted by the Stroud Center’s freshwater research, environmental education, and watershed restoration. Five-thousand students from Pennsylvania participate in programming, and 60% come from Title I schools with federally funded educational assistance. Additionally, the Stroud Center’s LEED-Platinum building serves as an important teaching tool for students to learn the important steps taken to achieve LEED-Platinum status and what they can do in their own homes to minimize their impact.

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and $141,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said David Arscott, Ph.D., executive director, president, and research scientist at the Stroud Center. “The energy savings from the solar array will empower us to continually integrate sustainability into our operations every day.”

“We’re thrilled to join forces with Stroud Water Research Center to reduce their environmental footprint and, at the same time, expand their educational outreach programs,” said Andrea Ortega-Toledano, senior director of sustainability, Green Mountain Energy. “We know empowering community with the principles of sustainability ensures future generations remain committed to nurturing our planet.”

Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $14 million for 164 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Green Mountain Energy invites its customers and employees to contribute and help support more projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship.

# # #

About Stroud Water Research Center
For more than 50 years, Stroud Water Research Center has focused on the science of rivers and streams. No one else studies these systems and how to protect them like we do — collaboratively, independently, and across decades of environmental changes. In our mission to advance knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration, we produce the trusted science needed for successful stream and river conservation while fostering people’s passion for the water in their lives.

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club® has donated more than $14 million for 164 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit greenmountain.com/sunclub.

Media Contacts:

Jeanie Davey, Green Mountain Energy
713-537-5735
media@greenmountain.com
X: @GreenMtnEnergy

Diane Huskinson, Stroud Water Research Center
610-910-0048
dhuskinson@stroudcenter.org
X: @StroudCenter

October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – ICON announced today the winners of the second (and final) phase of Initiative 99, the global architecture competition to reimagine affordable housing that can be built for $99,000 or less. In addition to the total prize purse of $1M for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, ICON, the Initiative 99 jury and Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) have selected two award-winning designs in the Professional category for ICON to 3D print within MLF’s Community First! Village’s expansion of their growing master planned development serving the Austin-area’s homeless community. Breaking ground in early 2025, the Initiative 99-designed homes at Community First! Village will be brought to life in part from grant funding from Wells Fargo, which has committed $500,000 to serve the underhoused community.

We are thrilled with the evolution of each team’s submission from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the competition—the global emphasis of Phase 1 elevated the stories of regions and demographics with significant needs for affordable housing; in Phase 2 the contestants excelled in adapting their designs to the local conditions at Community First! Village,” said Melodie Yashar, VP of Building Performance and Design, ICON. “We believe the designs generated by the competition introduce a wealth of ideas to advance progress on affordable housing worldwide.“

This past spring, ICON announced the Phase 1 winners of Initiative 99 on stage during a technology showcase event at SXSW. More than 60 countries from all over the world were represented in the initial submissions with six winners and ten honorable mentions being awarded prize money from the $1M prize purse during the event and presented by Wells Fargo, lead supporter of the competition.

“ICON’s innovative 3D-printed technology paired with these beautiful, imaginative Initiative 99 designs can be a model for the future of safe, high quality, affordable housing. Wells Fargo is proud to help make these 3D-printed homes a reality at Community First! Village,” said Darlene Goins, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation.

ICON and partner Liz Lambert also recently announced further plans to expand the new El Cosmico in Marfa, TX to include Initiative 99 winning designs where the existing bohemian campground is located. This adds to the newly designed and reimagined 60+ acre expansion of El Cosmico in far west Texas that will feature a hotel, hospitality amenities, and homes, which broke ground this summer. Phase II winning designs will be selected for this project in the coming year.

The first, second, and third place designs in each category will each have their home designs featured in a collection in ICON’s CODEX, a digital catalog of ready-to-print home architecture that allows builders, developers, and home buyers to build with ICON quickly and affordably using world-class architecture.

Full list of winners and those receiving honorable mentions from Phase 2 of Initiative 99:

Winners in the Professional Category:

1. Guerin Glass Architects (USA)*

2. MTspace Studio (New Zealand)

3. Concave (various locations)*

*Selections to be 3D-printed at Community First! Village in Austin, TX.

Winners in the Student Category:

1. Victoria Roznowski (Germany)

2. Casa Fami by IAAC (Spain)

3. Nex-Living by IAAC (Spain)

Honorable Mentions in the Professional Category:

JK3D (USA)Beta Realities (Germany)Sameep Padora and Associates (India)

Honorable Mentions in the Student Category:

Henry Aldridge (UK)Juan Felipe Molano (Colombia)Fusco-Ayala (USA)

To learn more about the winning designs, visit www.Initiative99.com.

Originally published in Crown Holding’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

I am thrilled to present to all of Crown’s stakeholders our 2022 Sustainability Report. Crown, like many companies, has transitioned through some significant changes— particularly since we rolled out the Twentyby30™ program in 2020. While we anticipate that we will continue to face challenges on our journey, I am proud to state that we are on target to meet our goals and initiatives set forth in the program.

Since our baseline year of 2019, we have added almost 18 billion cans of capacity into our system, opened 5 new plants and started up 14 new production lines, expanding both our beverage and food can manufacturing businesses. This has been an exciting time to be part of an industry that delivers the most sustainable packaging on the market. Seeing the growth of the infinitely recyclable aluminum beverage can demonstrates an increasing consumer and customer preference for more circular options that minimize carbon footprint. We are committed to continuing to work with this eco-friendly format, along with steel food cans and other tinplate packaging, which can also be recycled infinitely.

We began our formal sustainability journey well over 15 years ago, but expanded it to be more fully encompassing and detailed in recent years with our Twentyby30™ program. This kind of bold strategy launch is always inspiring, but it is especially motivating when that action plan is centered on products that are inherently sustainable. The credentials of aluminum beverage cans and steel food cans are unmatched in the market. Both materials truly represent circularity in the fact that they can be recycled over and over again without any loss of properties, meaning they are not just recyclable in the short term but well into the future. Additionally, our other business units have similar sustainability credentials— from the steel used in our aerosol cans and metal closures, to our promotional tins that house specialty items. Furthermore, our Transit Packaging Division offers its own benefits by using high levels of recycled content in the manufacturing of its paper, plastic and steel protective components used for safely transporting essential goods to market.

The advancement of sustainability and consumers’ personal desires to utilize greener products not only fuels the growth we have seen since 2019 but also creates additional challenges for us to meet many of our Twentyby30™ goals. With every new plant or line we install, we require more electricity and water, all of which needs to be offset by continued efficiency within our systems. Amid this expansion, we continue to work toward our goal of reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2040. This effort supports our pledge to RE100, a global corporate renewable energy initiative with a mission to accelerate change toward zero carbon grids at scale. It is also in line with our commitment to The Climate Pledge to become Net Zero carbon by 2040—a decade ahead of The Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050—and work with other signatories to address the climate crisis and solve the challenge of decarbonizing our economy. While utilizing alternative energy resources and implementing innovative solutions helps us track toward these goals, it is really the efforts of everyone in our manufacturing facilities that yields the largest impact.

To that end, we strive to energize our global teams to keep sustainability top-of-mind as they execute their roles each day. Finding new efficiencies, adapting to new best practices and exercising creativity are all steps our employees take that create real, measurable impact on our footprint. Instilling this collaboration is our responsibility—and our exciting opportunity—to make a difference in our environment, our communities and our industry as a stronger, unified force. We extend our appreciation to the individuals at our plants worldwide who keep us moving forward and keep us inspired about what we can achieve next.

Thank you,

Dr. John M. Rost

Vice President – Global Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs

To learn more about Crown Holdings’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit our sustainability webpage.

For full details about Crown Holdings’s 2023 Sustainability Report, visit here.

Although more than 90% of the wood and wood fiber used in our operations comes from the United States, Georgia-Pacific LLC purchases fiber from other countries when the characteristics of those species provide product performance attributes that our consumers and customers prefer. These products help people improve their lives and are made responsibly. As a part of our due care program, we spend time in these regions, meeting with our suppliers, visiting their timberlands and communities, and discussing the environmental and social values that are relevant to the region. In a trip last week, we saw how the preferred partnerships we have with our global suppliers are resulting in good forest stewardship.

Georgia-Pacific

Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. Our familiar consumer brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its Georgia-Pacific Recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs more than 30,000 people directly and creates approximately 89,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com/about-us . For news, visit: gp.com/news

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