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Arrow SAM Car Technology Featured in Upcoming Schmidt vs. Andretti Showdown

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SOURCE:Arrow Electronics

DESCRIPTION:

CENTENNIAL, CO, May 12, 2017/3BL Media/ - Since 2013, Arrow Electronics has teamed with former racecar driver Sam Schmidt to evolve the Arrow SAM Car, a semi-autonomous car loaded with technological innovations that Arrow hopes will one day have broader applications for independent living.

Schmidt is an ideal advocate for this effort. Although he has been paralyzed from the chest down since a racing accident in 2000, he hasn’t let his injury set him back. He’s always retained his passion for automotive technology, and, as current Verizon IndyCar Series team co-owner, his love for racing.

Driving the Arrow SAM Car, last year Schmidt reached 152 mph in a pre-race demonstration at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. He topped 80 mph racing up Pikes Peak, one of the tallest mountains in Colorado. And he also became the world’s first quadriplegic ever licensed for street-legal driving, in Nevada. This weekend, Schmidt will compete against one of the biggest names in racing: Mario Andretti.   

The Schmidt vs. Andretti Showdown
To showcase to the world the promise of SAM Car technology, on May 13 Schmidt will race head to head against racing legend Mario Andretti—who will also be driving a SAM car—on the permanent road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is the first time two semi-autonomous cars have raced, and the first time that Schmidt has gone head-to-head against another driver since his professional racing days.

The 2017 SAM Car Showdown will benefit Conquer Paralysis Now, a nonprofit established by Schmidt and a leading authority on spinal cord injury treatment and research.

About the SAM Car Technology
Since the project’s beginning, the SAM Car team’s objective has been to improve lives by applying technology in new ways. It’s working, and the technology keeps improving.

SAM 1.0 involved modifying a 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray with steering, acceleration and braking controls. In SAM 2.0, Arrow engineers integrated cameras, programming and networking to improve handling and precision. Today, Schmidt drives SAM Car 3.0, a 650-horsepower 2016 Corvette Z06.

Here’s how it works:

  • Headset (#1 on above infographic): Schmidt wears a headset equipped with motion-tracking sensors, much like the green-screen motion capture technology used in Hollywood.
  • Steering: Infrared cameras mounted on the dashboard track sensors located on the headset to translate Schmidt’s subtle head motions into precision steering actions through a human-to-machine interface.
  • Acceleration & Braking: A “sip-and-puff” device enables acceleration and braking: Blowing in the tube speeds the car up; sipping slows it down.
  • IoT (internet of things) Capabilities: Custom IoT solutions enable real-time data streaming for managing telemetry, tracking driver biometrics and monitoring environmental conditions.

“Over the past four years the SAM Car team has successfully applied technology in innovative, humanitarian ways to improve lives,” said Joe Verrengia, Arrow’s global director of corporate social responsibility. “Our plan is to extend the reach of this work by openly sharing all the software and tech developed for the car with the world’s developer and engineering communities. We sincerely hope that these highly promising applications will be expanded upon to deliver broader solutions for independent living.”

The SAM Car project is a collaborative venture between Arrow Electronics, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Conquer Paralysis Now and Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. Keep up with the SAM Car project on Twitter by following #ArrowDriven.

About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for more than 125,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 465 locations serving over 90 countries. Learn more at fiveyearsout.com

Tweet me:.@ArrowGlobal #SAMCar #Tech in Upcoming Schmidt / @MarioAndretti Showdown http://bit.ly/2qvy2SE @LingenfelterLPE @SPMIndyCar #ArrowDriven

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Smart Technologies, Arrow Electronics, SAM car project, Sam Schmidt, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Conquer Paralysis Now, Mario Andretti, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Handicap Accessibility


Major Brands and Entrepeneurs Now View 3rd-Party Certification as Integral to Operations

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SCS Global Services’ 2016 Annual Report Reflects Broad Industry Adoption

SOURCE:SCS Global Services

DESCRIPTION:

EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 12, 2017 /3BL Media/– Company efforts to establish sustainability and quality track records are increasingly being supported by third-party certification to market-recognized standards. SCS Global Services (SCS), a leading third-party certifier and standards developer, has once again documented this growth in its latest Annual Report, released Friday.

“In just the past five years, our certification offerings have nearly doubled, as companies, customers, and stakeholders seek guidance and verification in pursuit of pressing social, environmental, and quality goals,” said Linda Brown, SCS Senior Vice President.  “Independent certification drives sustainability forward through insights gained as well as affirmation in the marketplace, building credibility into ecolabels and claims.”

The report highlights certification, verification, and validation initiatives touching many sectors of the economy, including: natural resource extraction, such as forests, seafood, minerals, and energy resources; manufactured goods for use at home, work, and play; green building products and furnishings; and food and agriculture products, including food safety, sustainability, and quality characteristics.

“The last decade has been a period of extraordinary expansion as Sustainable Development Goals have become increasingly embedded in the fabric of the business community,” said Stan Rhodes, SCS CEO.  “Looking ahead, the challenge now is to accelerate this move toward sustainability, taking a hard look at how we can work together to more effectively address the urgent problems of our day.”

The report features companies around the world who have taken advantage of certification, introduces the new SCS blog, showcases the SCS Kingfisher and other well-known certification marks supported by SCS services, and describes the way in which these services are supporting Sustainable Development Goals and the Circular Economy.

“As companies, institutions, and agencies continue to grapple with the translation of sustainability into action, we look forward to continuing our work in certification and standards development in service of this grand endeavor,” said Brown.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services (SCS) has provided global leadership in third-party quality, environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for more than three decades, with programs spanning a wide cross-section of industries. The SCS Kingfisher ecolabel can be found on a growing number of products.  Consistent with its mission, SCS is a chartered benefit corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. In 2016, SCS was awarded the Acterra Business Environmental Award for Sustainability, its highest honor. The “SCS” stands for Scientific Certification Systems, reflecting our commitment to three core principles: the importance of basing decisions on sound science, assuring the veracity of claims, and maintaining a holistic, systems-oriented perspective. 

Tweet me:.@scscertified Annual Report showcases expanded certifications #SDG alignment & client #circulareconomy achievements http://ow.ly/kZGH30bDKO

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals, Environment, annual report, scs global services, certification, Carbon Verification, FSC, Green Building, csr

 

Meet David Mangus, an Amgen Biotech Experience Teacher

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For [students], biology is not static; it is much more creative and expressive.

SOURCE:Amgen Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

David Mangus | Brockton, Massachusetts, USA

ABE Participating School: Brockton High School

Subject and Grade Taught: Biotechnology I, II, and IV (9th, 10th, and 12th)

Years Teaching: 5

Years Participating in ABE: 4

Unique Journey to Teaching & ABE

For almost half of his life, Dr. David Mangus worked as a research scientist. He loved working in the laboratory, trying to figure out how things work, designing experiments, and learning new things. As his own children started to grow, Dave began volunteering in their classes and schools, performing chemistry, math, and physics workshops. The excitement and eagerness of the students to learn was so infectious that it motivated him to leave the bench for the classroom.

Dave learned about ABE when he began to developing a four-year non-vocational biotechnology pathway at his school. One of the things that makes his classes unique is that he teaches biology from an engineering perspective. He uses ABE to demonstrate to his students how genetic information can be manipulated to create products that can benefit both individuals and society. 

In November 2016, Dave won the Ron Mardigian Biotech Teaching Award and was appointed a seat on the STEM Council for one year.

ABE Classroom Impact

Why do you participate in the Amgen Biotech Experience?

These labs provide opportunities to engage students with key concepts in biology, particularly in the areas of microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry. I use ABE as a framework from which to teach the skills students need to be successful in a modern biology laboratory. The ability to work with microbes, manipulate DNA and purify proteins allows my students to make observations and use their knowledge to design and build synthetic systems to solve problems.

How has the Amgen Biotech Experience helped to engage your students in new ways? (e.g., hands-on laboratory experience, good curriculum, classroom tools/resources etc.)

The best way for students to learn is by doing. There is always excitement in the classroom on days we perform ABE experiments. The payoff really comes when students get their results. There is great wow factor when they first see their transformants glowing red and this drives them to want to explore further.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your experience?

As a former research scientist, I place a very high value on laboratory work in my courses. Teaching ABE allows me to share my passion for the scientific process. Students share that excitement with me during ABE labs because they know the labs are both relevant and authentic research experiences.

What impact has ABE had on your students, school and community?

Our biotechnology program has grown to serve almost 260 students in just five years and serves a population that is composed primarily of low income, minority individuals. By funding ABE in our area, the Amgen Foundation is helping to inspire students not typically represented in science to pursue STEM careers.

What kind of support (i.e. professional development) do STEM teachers need to be effective and spark a love for science in their classroom?

Students have a passion for technology and are inspired by being on the “cutting-edge” of trends. Having access to such resources and training on how to use them is critically important for teachers. ABE does this very well. You don’t need to be a trained molecular biologist to teach this material.

Name the three most valuable things that science teachers would get out of participating in ABE.

The ABE-MA staff is incredible at providing technical expertise and professional development to support the program. Most importantly they have established a professional learning community that includes both teachers and scientists. This sort of collaborative effort allows us to develop and share best practices so that our students continue to have amazing learning experiences.

Have you had students experience an 'ah ha' moment and begin to show more interest in science?

These magical moments come when students realize that genetic engineering can be applied to other systems and problems. The idea that genes and genetic elements are parts of a system that can be disassembled and reassembled in different ways is greatly empowering. For them, biology is not static; it is much more creative and expressive.

To learn more about the Amgen Biotech Experience, please visit our website and check out the #BiotechExperience hashtag on Twitter. Visit AmgenInspires.com and follow @AmgenFoundation to stay up to date with all STEM-related news from the Amgen Foundation.  

Tweet me:.@AmgenFoundation shares David Mangus' #BiotechExperience journey: http://bit.ly/2pfmuiY #TeacherAppreciationWeek

KEYWORDS: Education, David Mangus, Brockton High School, Amgen Foundation, Amgen Biotech Experience, Thank A Teacher, Teacher Appreciation Week, science education

Dave Thomas Featured in QSR Magazine's 20th Anniversary Issue

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SOURCE:The Wendy's Company

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Here at Wendy’s, we are so grateful to have a role model in our founder, Dave Thomas.  Not only was he one of the most successful and recognizable restaurateurs in America, he was a dynamic philanthropist.  Dave’s success in business is outshined only by his work to raise awareness for foster care adoption and creating the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA).  The DTFA is a national public charity, with a mission to find permanent, loving homes for children in the foster care system.  

Since 2004, more than 6,200 children have been adopted through the Foundation’s signature Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program — a program that funds full-time adoption recruiters in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia and six Canadian provinces. 

We’re very proud of all that Dave accomplished, so we’re thrilled whenever we get a chance to talk about him.  Recently, QSR Magazine featured Dave and the DTFA as part of the publication’s 20th anniversary issue.  They interviewed some of our franchisees and executives who shared stories about the lessons they learned from Dave, and how his values are brought to life each and every day.

We encourage you to check out the whole story on QSR Magazine's website.

Tweet me:Dave Thomas featured in @QSRmagazine's 20th anniversary issue http://bit.ly/2r2qfsj @Wendys @DTFA #FosterCare

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, the square deal blog, the wendy's company, QSR Magazine, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Dave Thomas, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids

Reducing Risk by Encouraging Resilience

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by Zoe So, WPF’s Program Manager for the Africa/Middle East region

SOURCE:Whole Foods Market Foundations

DESCRIPTION:

Microfinance provides opportunities for borrowers to start and reinvest in businesses; generate income; and carve their own pathways out of poverty. But the path isn’t always so smooth. Poor households are especially vulnerable to economic shocks, ranging from common situations like illness and death in the family, to exceptional crises like health epidemics, natural disasters, and political instability.

Studies have shown that microfinance’s impact is not just a simple matter of enterprise development; it also helps borrowers be more resilient in the face of economic shocks. In February, I had the opportunity to visit two of Whole Planet Foundation’s microfinance partners in West Africa whose holistic approaches recognize the importance of resilience to a client’s economic well-being. This idea doesn’t just make good social sense for the microfinance institution (MFI), it also makes good business sense: a borrower’s ability to take or repay a loan will be affected by his or her ability to weather hard times.

Resilience in Burkina Faso

A recent CGAP study in Burkina Faso found that clients of two particular microfinance organizations (MFIs) often dealt with economic shocks using “negative” coping mechanisms, such as reducing household food consumption or selling grain, which had long term negative effects on the household. The report recommends MFIs should be intentional about building resilience, with strategies that help their borrowers mitigate risk.

Yikri, WPF’s microfinance partner in Burkina Faso, employs full-time, in-house social workers to help beneficiaries manage personal challenges. Any beneficiary can contact Yikri’s social workers by phone or in person, for a confidential consultation about any topic, such as health problems, childcare and school fees, or marital issues. The social workers then help identify locally available resources, like health clinics providing affordable care, and make referrals. Loan officers will often seek the social workers’ assistance to follow up with beneficiaries who they think may be going through difficult times. The social workers also help develop training modules based on feedback.

When I visited Yikri, Flora Diapa, a social worker based in Cissin, told me she has worked on 52 cases in the past five months. Prior to joining Yikri, she had worked on refugee issues and Ebola sensitization and was initially skeptical about the role of a social worker at a financial institution. Now, she works closely with her colleagues to follow up with beneficiaries and develop social-skills-based trainings. 

Institutional Resilience During Crisis

Microfinance is in essence a risky endeavor. MFIs invest in entrepreneurs and environments often considered too risky by larger commercial banks. Institutions, too, need to be resilient so they can adapt to macro-level crises and continue to support economic recovery after the crisis has passed.

In Sierra Leone and Liberia, WPF microfinance partner BRAC stayed with their clients through the Ebola epidemic of 2014, which devastated families and communities, and effectively shut down most economic activity. In an effort to contain the spread of the disease, public movements were restricted. These restrictions heavily affected BRAC borrowers, many of whom were informal and petty traders. Many were left without a viable business. In August 2014, BRAC froze its lending operations for 7 months, during which they did not give loans or take any repayments. In this interim period, BRAC shifted its focus to disseminating health information to communities. BRAC also kept its staff on the payroll with the goal of relaunching microfinance activities as soon as the markets and their clients were ready. BRAC restarted its microfinance operations in March 2015, reassessing and re-scheduling loans on a case-by-case basis.

During my visit to BRAC Sierra Leone this past February, I had the chance to meet with borrowers from the Musu Street Group who had been with BRAC since before the Ebola crisis. This group lives in Kenema, one of the towns at the epicenter of Sierra Leone’s Ebola outbreak. I met Adiza, who has a provisions shop and was on her second loan with BRAC at the time the Ebola epidemic hit. She took her third loan in August 2015, and is now on her fourth loan. She said that times are hard now, because of the high cost of goods in the market. Her profit is less than what she was making before the Ebola epidemic, but she still wants to keep re-building and growing her business.

Stories from Yikri’s social workers and Adiza’s personal account of her experience as a borrower in Sierra Leone help bring names and faces to the concept of resilience in the world of microfinance. As Judith Rodin explains in her book, The Resilience Dividend, “Building resilience creates two aspects of benefits: it enables individuals, communities, and organizations to better withstand a disruption more effectively, and it enables them to improve their current systems and situations. But it also enables them to build new relationships, take on new endeavors and initiatives, and reach out for new opportunities, ones that may never have been imagined before.”

Learn more about Whole Planet Foundation here.

Tweet me:Reducing risk by encouraging resilience http://bit.ly/2r7kqtU @WholePlanet #microfinance #BurkinaFaso

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, whole planet foundation, Burkina Faso

     

Daimler Environmental Statements of the Plants

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SOURCE:Daimler AG

SUMMARY:

Beyond the certification of the environmental management systems to ISO 14001 standards, all German production sites of Mercedes-Benz, the Neu-Ulm and Mannheim locations of EvoBus GmbH as well as the plants in Vitoria, Spain, Kecskemét, Hungary, and the smart production site located in the French town of Hambach voluntarily take part in the European eco audit system (EMAS).

DESCRIPTION:

These environmental statements are prepared and published every three years. In between, the plants release "updated environmental statements" to present the annual environmental statistics and reports on the implementation of the environmental program, as well as any changes that may have been made to the environmental management system. The environmental statements are released at different times by the various locations. You can find the plants' most recent environmental statements lower down on this page Older environmental statements can be found in each plant's archive, the links to which have been provided below. The environmental statements comprise the environmental data, reports on the implementation of the environmental program and any changes that may have been made to the environmental management system.

The environmental statements are only available in the particular local language. Review the environmental statements of the plants here. 

Subscribe to Daimler's Sustainability Newsletter

Experience the complete Daimler Sustainability Report 2016 here

Media Contact 
sustainability@daimler.com

Tweet me:.@Daimler_News > Moving beyond the certification of the environmental management systems to ISO 14001 standards http://bit.ly/2pCwthw

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Environment, daimler, Mercedes-Benz

Consumers Energy Sustainability Report 2017

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"We’re creating a sustainable future by focusing on the environment, powering Michigan's economy and investing in people."

SOURCE:Consumers Energy

DESCRIPTION:

Sustainability means everything to us at Consumers Energy. It is our approach to business. The philosophy extends beyond our energy mix, power generation and distribution. It’s our way of life, and it’s evident in everything we do — from hiring and training our people, to caring for families and communities. From helping businesses succeed to protecting the environment. We are deeply committed to creating a sustainable future for generations to come.

Consumers Energy’s new 2017 Sustainability Report offers a look at how viewing the world through a wider lens – considering how decisions impact not only profits, but people and the planet, too. The report provides insight into our sustainability journey and some of the employees making a difference in Michigan every day.

Read the full report at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/sustainability

Tweet me:.@ConsumersEnergy is creating a sustainable future - view their #SustainabilityReport 2017 http://bit.ly/1P4VF62 #CSR

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Energy, Consumers Energy

Sustainability Highlights: HP Takes Home Gold for Its Work to Make the Planet Green

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by Nathan Hurst, Chief Sustainability & Social Impact Officer

SOURCE:HP, Inc.

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As we continue to reinvent our products, business models and supply chain at HP, we are building a legacy of sustainable design. We are reducing our environmental impact, and leading by example to create a more efficient, circular and low carbon economy.

HP has released additional products that reduce energy consumption, designed desktop solutions using less materials, and shifted to service models that lower environmental impact. We’ve committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, brought greater transparency about recycling practices to our product supply chain, and more.

Our sustainability efforts aren’t just getting noticed – they’re being applauded by renowned organizations.

Earning climate kudos

Our sustainability strategy supports 16 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, propelling our continued innovation in supply chain responsibility, circular economy integration, and empowerment for migrant workers, refugees and underserved populations. 

HP is being recognized for our relentless dedication to these initiatives tonight at the 33rd annual World Environment Center (WEC) Awards at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. HP Chief Supply Chain Officer Stuart Pann will accept the Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development on behalf of HP, and will be introduced on stage by HP Board Member Aida Alvarez. WEC is a non-profit dedicated to creating environmentally conscious business solutions, and their annual award is one of the most prestigious forms of recognition for global companies and sustainability practices. 

“We are honored to be recognized by the World Environment Center for our ongoing commitment to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, supply chain and products—and to empower individuals and communities everywhere. Our commitment to sustainability is based on our company values and is core to our business,” Pann said of the award.

Designing for energy efficient excellence

Significant achievements expand beyond just the WEC Gold Medal Award. ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that helps businesses and individuals save money while protecting our climate through superior energy efficiency, awarded HP with its 2017 Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design award last month.

The EPA introduced the ENERGY STAR program in 1992 to help identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse emissions. ENERGY STAR recognized that HP’s ability to deliver significant advancements in printer efficiency and consumer choice goes above and beyond the norm.

Our key product design accomplishments that received accolades include: securing enormous savings in enterprise printing through HP PageWide Technology business printers that use up to 71 percent less energy than comparable laser printers; and committing to designing products that deliver greater energy efficiency, performance and value. Since 2010, HP has reduced energy consumption of its personal computing system portfolio by 25 percent, its HP LaserJet portfolio by 56 percent, and its HP inkjet portfolio by 20 percent on average. Learn more about the award here.

Steering the sustainability conversation

HP recently ranked number one in PCs, printing and printer ink on the Walmart sustainability scorecard. Seeking to learn more about our stance on sustainability, Walmart invited HP’s President of the Americas Christoph Schell to participate in a Leadership Listening Session at the company’s Annual Sustainability Milestone Summit last month. 

During the plenary session, Schell and Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Merchandising Greg Hall took to the main stage to discuss how companies can develop energy-efficient products, with Schell highlighting the HP DeskJet 3752 all-in-one printer, which consumes 30 percent less energy while in sleep mode.

That same day, Walmart boldly announced its goal to work with suppliers to eliminate a gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chain by 2030. The target, known as Project Gigaton, equates to taking 211 million passenger vehicles off the road for an entire year. HP has publically committed to support this initiative.

To learn more about HP's Sustainability efforts, visit: hp.com/sustainability and follow @HPSustainable on Twitter.

Tweet me:.@HP Takes Home Gold for Its Work to Make the Planet Green http://bit.ly/2r7Anzc @HPSustainable #sustainability #WECGoldMedal #SupplyChain

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Environment, World Environment Center (WEC), HP Inc, Nate Hurst


Novartis Access and Government of Pakistan Sign Memorandum of Understanding

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Novartis reaches agreement with Pakistan to supply medicines that address the rapid rise of chronic illness among poor people in the world's sixth most populous nation.

SOURCE:Novartis

DESCRIPTION:

May 12, 2017 /3BL Media/ -- We are pleased to announce that Novartis and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement Novartis Access in Pakistan. Novartis Access medicines will be made available to the poorest population through hospitals under the Prime Minister’s National Health Insurance Program.

Novartis Access provides a portfolio of high-quality medicines targeting four key noncommunicable disease areas (NCDs): cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and breast cancer. These treatments are among the world’s most frequently prescribed medicines for chronic diseases.

Pakistan is among the countries most impacted by NCDs in the world. It is facing rising rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and other NCDs, which are disproportionately affecting poor families. Chronic diseases currently account for 59% of the total disease burden in Pakistan1 and it is estimated that NCDs kill one-fifth of Pakistanis between the ages of 30 and 70 every year2.

Pakistan becomes the fourth country (after Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda) to launch Novartis Access. First treatment deliveries are planned in early 2018.

 “Novartis Access has been designed to help governments in lower-income countries improve access to treatments against noncommunicable diseases for their poorest population. We are pleased to help Pakistani patients better manage their chronic condition through this program. We believe new approaches that bring governments, the private sector and social sector together are needed to expand access to medicines and healthcare delivery.”

Dr. Harald Nusser, Head of Novartis Social Business

“I am very pleased over the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Novartis. Pakistan is grievously affected by the growth of non communicable diseases, and having access to high-quality treatment at low cost is a critical part of our work to lessen the impact of chronic disease in Pakistan. It is part of the Prime Minister’s ambitious plans to make Pakistan a true welfare state.”

Mrs. Saira Afzal Tarar, Minister for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination

ABOUT NOVARTIS ACCESS

Novartis Access includes 15 generic and patented medicines to address cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and breast cancer. The portfolio is offered to governments, NGOs and other public-sector healthcare providers in low and lower middle income countries for USD 1 per treatment, per month*. The medicines in the portfolio have been selected based on their medical relevance: they are either on or pertain to a class included in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, or belong to the most frequently prescribed medicines in these disease areas. Novartis Access launched in Kenya in 2015 and we strive to reach 30 countries over the coming years depending on government and stakeholder demand. Novartis Access is the latest addition to our company’s efforts to enhance access to healthcare for patients at every level of income. www.novartisaccess.com

*The USD 1 price does not include costs for freight, insurance and potential taxes. 

MORE INFORMATION

  • For more information, see the media release by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Government of Pakistan: http://www.pid.gov.pk/?p=39913 

REFERENCES

  1. Engelgau MM, El-Saharty S, Kudesia P. Capitalizing on the Demographic Transition: Tackling Noncommunicable Diseases in South Asia. World Bank. Washington DC, 2010
  2. World Health Organization, “Noncommunicable diseases, Pakistan country profile”, 2014: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/128038/1/9789241507509_eng.pdf

Tweet me:BREAKING: @Novartis agreement w/Pakistan to supply #NCD meds to poorest population http://bit.ly/2q99Btg #accesstomedicine #novartisaccess

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, Chronic Illness, Novartis, Novartis Access, Harald Nusser, Novartis Social Business, Access to Medicines, NCD, noncommunicable disease, Pakistan

Putting Rights of Way to Work for Wildlife

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SOURCE:Duke Energy

DESCRIPTION:

Duke Energy manages the land over which more than 30,000 miles of transmission lines traverse – that’s more than enough to circle the globe.

With that much property to manage, the company has focused on how to put it to work for imperiled wildlife. Utility rights of way can serve as valuable corridors for threatened wildlife.

To bolster these efforts, the Duke Energy Foundation will provide $500,000 over the next five years to the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Energy for Wildlife program to conserve or enhance more than 6,000 acres of critical habitat across Florida, the Carolinas and Indiana. The project is designed to benefit imperiled pollinators and birds, as well as numerous other wildlife species.

Conservation efforts will focus on establishing or enhancing habitat on public lands, such as state or national forests, and nearby areas where Duke Energy’s transmission rights of way cross large areas of forested habitat. The enhanced habitat conditions will provide cover and a sustainable food source, while serving as a protective travel corridor for wildlife species that need it most.

Beyond the new collaboration with NWTF, Duke Energy implemented many programs in 2016 with natural resource protection in mind. For instance, in Florida the company piloted a power line design that minimizes risks to birds. The redesigned elements will help prevent birds from getting in between lines and from perching and building nests on electrical lines and poles.

In North Carolina, the company is supporting the Carolina Raptor Center’s bald eagle conservation efforts, as well as the development of a new raptor trail and high-tech amphitheater to enhance educational programming for children. 

Learn more about our commitment to the environment in our 2016 Sustainability Report.

Tweet me:.@DukeEnergy focuses on enhancing #wildlife habitats near service areas http://bit.ly/2qAy2NJ #conservation #sustainability

KEYWORDS: Environment, Education, Duke Energy, Environmental Stewardship, sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility

Leveraging the Buying Power of Cities: New City Accelerator Uses Innovation to Increase Procurement and Economic Opportunity

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By Ben Hecht, President and CEO, Living Cities and Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation and Director of Corporate Citizenship, Citi

SOURCE:Citi

DESCRIPTION:

Accelerating economic development remains one of the top priorities for mayors around the country, with an increasing focus on intentionally targeting socioeconomic issues, such as income inequality. Seventy-five percent of mayors highlighted economic development in their 2016 State of the City address, according to the National League of Cities, with 22 percent looking specifically at providing greater support to small businesses and 17 percent mentioning businesses owned by women and people of color.

Few cities are currently embracing the full potential of their procurement spending—the purchasing of goods, services and construction—to achieve a double bottom line that includes inclusive economic opportunity. Even fewer cities are coordinating this kind of effort with private sector companies in their own backyards. Challenges in communities across the country vary, but often include an insular, risk-averse procurement culture that makes it difficult for newer, smaller, often more innovative vendors to provide goods and services to the city; ineffective or confusing communication about procurement opportunities; limited access to capital and capacity development needed for smaller businesses to expand to meet city needs; and systemic underutilization of businesses owned by people of color. Read more.

Tweet me:These cities are working to increase economic opportunity for #smallbiz via inclusive procurement http://bit.ly/2r7Url0 #cityaccelerator

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Innovation & Technology, Citi Foundation, City Accelerator, Living Cities, Governing

Pre-Summit Sessions Available for 2017 Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit!

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SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

This year’s Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit will include brand new features, including interactive pre-summit sessions on June 26. Registration for these sessions is open, so sign up today when you register for the Summit!

The interactive pre-summit sessions are an unparalleled opportunity to participate in intimate, in-depth trainings and workshops with leaders in the circular economy field. 

Pre-Summit Sessions include:

  • Arizona State University Executive Certificate in the Circular Economy (9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, $500.00)
  • Redesigning for Circularity (1:00 PM - 5:30 PM, $550.00)
  • Leveraging Natural Capital for the Circular Economy (1:00 PM - 5:30 PM, $250.00)
  • Circulab Game: Rethinking Business Models for the Circular Economy (1:00 PM - 5:30 PM, $250.00)

Click here to learn more about these sessions.  

Space is filling up, so reserve your spot today

Tweet me:Learn from leaders in the #circulareconomy field. Register for #USCCFcircular pre-summit sessions now https://goo.gl/lV0IxA @USCCFbiz4good

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Environment, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit, circular economy, From Aspiration to Implementation, CE summit

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful and TripAdvisor Team Up to Spruce Up Ridge Hill Reservation

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SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

There is an invasion taking place on Needham’s Ridge Hill Reservation in Massachusetts. The enemy? Glossy buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, pine tree seedlings and other invasive species.

Left unchecked, these plants could eventually transform the Reservation’s grassland meadows back into a forest filled with undesired alien species.

Fortunately, an army of volunteers from TripAdvisor’s Needham headquarters turned out on May 5 to remove plants from the grassland meadows just inside the entrance to Ridge Hill Reservation. Working in conjunction with Keep America Beautiful State Affiliate Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, 28 volunteers labored for three hours to pull plants and remove litter and debris.

This community service event was part of Keep Massachusetts Beautiful’s “Community Service Concierge Service.” The program matches up corporate volunteer groups with municipalities in need of volunteers for environmental protection and maintenance projects.

Continue reading here.

Tweet me:#FF @kabtweet Affiliate Stories: @Keepmabeautiful & @TripAdvisor #volunteers spruce up Needham, MA nature area. http://bit.ly/2r8OPah

Contact Info:

Mike Rosen
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3008
mrosen@kab.org
http://www.twitter.com/kabtweet
http://www.facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.instagram.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.youtube.com/kabnetwork

Larry Kaufman
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3014
lkaufman@kab.org

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Environment, Keep America Beautiful, Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, tripadvisor, TripAdvisor Charitable Foundation

  

Bechtel-Sponsored Teams Compete and “Dream Big” at FIRST® Robotics World Championships

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Bechtel-Sponsored Teams Compete and “Dream Big” at FIRST® Robotics World Championships

SOURCE:Bechtel

DESCRIPTION:

RESTON, Va., May 12, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Reflecting its ongoing commitment to advancing STEM-related opportunities for students, Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, procurement, and construction, sponsored and mentored 17 high school teams to compete in the 2017 FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) World Championships late last month. More than 800 teams from around the world qualified to compete in the championships, considered the preeminent celebration of STEM, with Bechtel-affiliated teams winning two distinguished awards.

This year’s FRC championships complements Bechtel’s sponsorship of Dream Big, an IMAX® film aimed at inspiring students, especially those from underserved backgrounds, to pursue STEM-related careers.  

“Bechtel’s partnership with FIRST helps us demonstrate the importance that must be placed on community stewardship as the FRC represented a golden opportunity for Bechtel’s engineering colleagues to introduce the next-generation workforce to STEM in an exciting and inclusive way,” said Charlene Wheeless, principal vice president of Global Corporate Affairs at Bechtel. “We hope that the Bechtel-FIRST partnership will spur more students to ‘dream big’ about their future careers, learn STEM skills, and apply innovative thinking to solve big global challenges.”

The FRC is an annual high-energy sporting event that features industrial-sized robots designed and built by student teams with the help of professional engineers and adult mentors, under a strict six-week deadline. The robots are programmed and steered by students to score points in championship field games, but teams also earn points and awards for community service, communications, leadership, gracious professionalism and for their overall business strategy.

“Before joining CRyptonite, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but after the many experiences FRC has given me, I can confidently say I want to pursue mechanical engineering,” said Libby Perego, student from one of the Bechtel sponsored teams- “CRyptonite.”  “I want to change the world, and FIRST showed me that with a little bit of hard work, collaboration, and a lot of patience, I can do that.”

Throughout March and April, teams participated in regional competitions with only a select few then advancing to the world championships in Houston and St. Louis. Throughout the entire process, Bechtel colleagues worldwide and community partners mentored student teams and provided technical guidance in preparation for the competitions.

“I was introduced to FIRST Robotics when my son joined a team in high school, and it was amazing to see the commitment of the students in designing, building, and programing a new robot each build season,” said Doug Kunz, a Bechtel process analysis manager. “When the team needed a sponsor, I learned of Bechtel’s involvement in FIRST and was able to coordinate resources and provide the necessary assistance.”

Bechtel supports FIRST programs in Australia, Chile, China, India, Malaysia, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. The sponsored teams come from communities near the company’s offices and projects, and employees provide thousands of hours of coaching to the students annually. In addition to this volunteerism, Bechtel Group Foundation provided $850,000 to underwrite the nonprofit’s programs worldwide.

During the Houston Championship, Zachary Rolfness from “Team Paradise” representing Phoenix, AZ, won the Dean’s List Award, while the “L&N STEMpunks” from Knoxville, TN, earned the Imagery Award.  In addition, for the first time, Bechtel hosted a booth for thousands of students at the FIRST Innovation Faire, and promoted Dream Big along with innovative virtual reality technology being used in the construction, engineering, and project management industry.

Of the 79 FIRST teams sponsored by Bechtel, the teams that earned spots at the World Championships were from:

  • Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix, Arizona (Houston)
  • Cactus High School, Glendale, Arizona (Houston)
  • Quartz High School, Lancaster, California
  • Hardin Valley Academy, Knoxville, Tennessee (Houston)
  • Knox County STEM Academy, Knoxville, Tennessee (Houston)
  • Farragut High School, Knoxville, Tennessee (Houston)
  • Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Houston)
  • Lamar and Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, Texas (Houston)
  • Reagan High School, Houston, Texas (Houston)
  • Cinco Ranch High School, Katy, Texas (Houston)
  • Tuscarora High School, Frederick, Maryland (St. Louis)
  • Ballston Spa High School, Ballston Spa, New York (St. Louis)
  • Shenendahowa High School, Clifton Park, New York (St. Louis)
  • Colonie Central High School, Colonie, New York (St. Louis)
  • Schuylerville High School, Schuylerville, New York (St. Louis)
  • Chartiers Valley High School, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania (St. Louis)
  • Sarah Heinz House Boys & Girls Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (St. Louis)

Learn more about Bechtel’s commitment to STEM

 

About Bechtel
Bechtel is one of the most respected global engineering, construction, and project management companies. Together with our customers, we deliver landmark projects that foster long-term progress and economic growth. Since 1898, we’ve completed more than 25,000 extraordinary projects across 160 countries on all seven continents. We operate through four global businesses: Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals. Our company and our culture are built on more than a century of leadership and a relentless adherence to our values, the core of which are safety, quality, ethics, and integrity. These values are what we believe, what we expect, what we deliver, and what we live.  www.bechtel.com

Tweet me:.@Bechtel Sponsored Teams Compete #DreamBig at FIRST® #Robotics World Championships http://bit.ly/2qy89hN @FIRSTweets #BechtelStewardship

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Education, First Robotics world championship, Bechtel Stewardship, dream big movie

   

Eastman brings “If I Had a Hammer” to Anniston community

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SOURCE:Eastman Chemical Company

DESCRIPTION:

Eastman is hammering the importance of math education in Anniston, AL this week!

Fifth grade students from Randolph Park Elementary School grabbed their tools and put their math skills to the test through their first Hammer Build Experience. The Hammer Build, designed by “If I Had a Hammer®,” brings math to life by helping students see the big picture as they build a model house. Touted as one of the “top educational programs in the country” by the New York Times, the hands-on program challenges the students’ classroom skills while teaching them about teamwork, creativity and real-life application of the math principles they are learning today. 

The Hammer Build Experience underscores the importance of a cross-disciplinary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education and preparing students for the future workforce. The Hammer Build and supporting curriculum also introduces students to career possibilities such as engineering and construction. Partnering with programs such as “If I Had a Hammer®” allows us to energize kids at a young age about learning and make a positive difference for our future. 

Learn more about Eastman’s education efforts at http://responsibility.eastman.com/

Tweet me:.@EastmanChemCo nails it! Brings "If I Had a Hammer" experience to students in Anniston, AL. #beyondphilanthropy http://bit.ly/2qa3JzJ

KEYWORDS: Education, STEAM, Eastman, Hammer Build Experience, If I Had a Hammer

   


All-Star Evan Longoria goes yard for Literacy

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Star third baseman hits it out of the park for summer reading program

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria has been a fixture with the Tampa Bay Rays since 2008 when as a rookie he helped the club reach its first World Series.

Over his first 10 big-league seasons, Longoria has accumulated a Rookie of the Year Award (2008), three All-Star appearances, two Gold Glove Awards and a Silver Slugger Award. In short, the Rays franchise leader in home runs and RBIs has done significant work to help his club succeed on the field.

And Longoria does his part off the field, as well. In addition to his ongoing support of Players Trust programs such as Buses for Baseball and City Clinics, “Longo” is a part of the Ray’s charitable program Reading with the Rays. The program, which is open to all students in grades K-12 in various counties throughout Florida, helps keep reading fun for kids – with a fun incentive. Kids who read 24 hours during the summer months receive two tickets to a Rays game.

Click to continue reading

Tweet me:#MLBPlayers #GoingToBat - @Evan3Longoria of @RaysBaseball goes yard for summer reading http://bit.ly/2r2kJJ6

KEYWORDS: Education, literacy, summer reading, libraries, Tampa Bay, tampa bay rays, Baseball, Major League Baseball Players Association, MLBPA, Major League Baseball, MLB, Players Trust, Evan Longoria

    

Cone Communications Recognized at Holmes Report SABRE Awards

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SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

Boston, May 12, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Cone Communications, a public relations and marketing agency, was named a winner at this year’s Holmes Report SABRE Awards. Cone was awarded top honors in the Community Relations category and also received recognition as a finalist in three other categories.

Finalists for the awards were selected from among more than 2,000 entries in this year's competition, which recognizes superior achievement in branding, reputation and engagement. Cone and client Timberland’s award-winning work on the “KOMBIT: The Cooperative” campaign took home the Community Relations win. Cone was also recognized alongside its clients as a finalist in three other categories:

PRODUCT MEDIA RELATIONS (CONSUMER MEDIA): A Scoop for Everyone: Ben & Jerry’s Breaks Into the Non-Dairy Category—Ben & Jerry's with Cone Communications

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS: Showcasing Transportation and Shipping Logistics, Sustainably and Creatively—UPS with Cone Communications

PR AGENCY MARKETING: Setting the Industry Standard for CSR Thought Leadership—Cone Communications

This recognition reinforces Cone’s commitment to Always Making a Difference℠ for businesses, brands and society. By connecting brands and people through emotion and experiences, Cone Communications helps drive business value and social impact for its clients. The agency’s dedication to CSR communications work is backed by a distinctive team of subject matter experts.

To learn more about Cone Communications and their award-winning projects, visit http://www.conecomm.com/case-studies/.

About Cone Communications
Cone Communications (www.conecomm.com) is a public relations and marketing agency that is Always Making a Difference℠ for business, brands and society. With a unique combination of corporate responsibility, consumer brand and integrated marketing expertise, our people deliver emotional storytelling and business value for every client. Cone is part of the Omnicom Public Relations Group.

About Omnicom Public Relations Group
Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Cone Communications, Holmes Report SABRE Awards, csr

Instagram Gets Candid About Mental Health

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SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

Although mental health has been a taboo topic in the past, over the last year, many companies have started to tackle wellness in a more holistic way. Just last month, Kaiser Permanente debuted an ad featuring a surprising spokesperson for mental health: Stephan Curry. This May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, one more unexpected voice is jumping into the wellness conversation.

One-in-five adults in the U.S. experience a mental health condition during their life, but the issue is far from part of the mainstream conversation. Now, Instagram, a social media platform that has been criticized in the past for influencers who promote an unsustainable lifestyle, is bringing awareness of the topic to its 700 million users in a very honest way. The social media giant announced the launch of its new #HereForYou campaign, which shows how the platform can be used to battle mental illness. As part of the campaign, Instagram aired a video on the platform that featured three regular users – no celebrities or influencers – who shared their journeys via images and videos and sparked conversation around mental health. 

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:.@instagram's candid portrayal of users' mental health journeys sparks conversation about #MentalHealthAwareness http://bit.ly/2pGWxaC

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Instagram campaign, Mental Health Awareness Month, Instagram Mental Health Awareness Month, here for you

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tetra Pak Uses More than one Third Renewable Electricity​

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SOURCE:Tetra Pak

DESCRIPTION:

May 16, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Tetra Pak announced that it now uses renewable electricity for more than a third of its total annual consumption worldwide. This is up from 22% in 2015.

Key to this achievement was the purchase earlier this year of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) for all its production facilities in China.

Charles Brand, Executive Vice President, Product Management and Commercial Operations at Tetra Pak said: “We joined the RE100 last year as a part of our commitment to tackle climate change, pledging to use 100% renewable electricity across all our operations by 2030. This move in China, where we have the largest production footprint, is a solid step forward as we stride towards that goal.”

Tetra Pak has four converting plants, one product development centre and one processing equipment factory in China. Since the beginning of this year, the company has procured I-REC certificates equivalent to the total electricity consumption of all these facilities, as well as its regional head office of Greater China in Shanghai.

Tetra Pak’s I-REC certificates are procured through the South Pole Group, one of the world’s leading sustainability solutions providers.

Jens Olejak, Director Sustainable Energy, South Pole Group said: “We are thrilled to help Tetra Pak pioneer the use of renewable energy certificates as a part of a global renewable sourcing strategy. By proactively using proven solutions to ensure renewable electricity for their operations in markets such as China, which still lacks advanced renewable energy infrastructure, Tetra Pak is showing a real commitment to sustainable development.”

Tetra Pak is also purchasing 100% renewable electricity for all its facilities across Sweden. This includes the use of 60 GWh of green electricity per year from Swedish wind power.

RE100 is a global, collaborative business initiative led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP to drive demand for, and delivery of, renewable power. I-RECs represent a contractual agreement between the electricity generator and the electricity consumer, acting as proof that the electricity purchased has been generated from renewable energy, providing a guarantee of origin.​

Tweet me:.@TetraPak we use renewable electricity for 1/3 of total annual consumption, a solid step towards 100% by 2030 http://bit.ly/2pF83rL

Contact Info:

Carol Yang
Tetra Pak
carol.yang@tetrapak.com

KEYWORDS: Environment, Tetra Pak, renewable electricity, International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs), I-REC certificate, green electricity

Road Fleets Demand More Sustainable, Low-Carbon Fuels for Freight

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SOURCE:BSR

DESCRIPTION:

Sustainable Fuel Buyers' Principles to Help Companies Drive Economic Growth and Emissions Reductions 

Santa Monica, Calif., May 16, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Companies including several of the world’s largest road fleets and freight buyers have signed onto BSR’s new Sustainable Fuel Buyers’ Principles, committing to accelerating the transition to sustainable, low-carbon fuel and related technologies. Launched at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2017, the seven principles will demonstrate demand and catalyze the partnerships needed to drive a sustainable transition in the freight fuel system by focusing on three areas: building the market for low-carbon fuels, managing sustainable progress, and developing partnerships and collaborations for systemic solutions.

Buyers and shippers who support the principles seek business partners who can help to:

  1. Support low-carbon, sustainable fuel choices

  2. Demonstrate competitiveness

  3. Advance investment, pilots, and standardization

  4. Measurably improve well-to-wheels climate impacts

  5. Address other relevant sustainability impacts and benefits

  6. Invest in R&D breakthroughs

  7. Collaborate for systemic solutions

“We see the Sustainable Fuel Buyers’ Principles as a great way to build demand with other leading buyers seeking low-carbon fuels and to promote the partnerships with our own suppliers that will ensure UPS’s success,” says Mike Whitlatch, Vice President for Global Energy and Procurement at UPS, a signatory of the principles. "UPS understands the importance of using alternative fuels and has invested more than $750 million in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations globally since 2009.”

Elizabeth Fretheim, Senior Director for Logistics Sustainability at Walmart, also a signatory, says: “As the first retailer with a verified science-based targets emissions reduction plan, Walmart understands the importance of

incorporating the utility of more sustainable, low carbon fuels in our fleet operations. The Sustainable Fuel Buyers’ Principles is a noteworthy initiative that sends a demand signal for cleaner fuel innovations and provides a forum for like-minded companies to collaborate on our sustainability goals.”

Rod DeGesero, Director of Global Logistics Procurement & Partner Management at HP Inc., another signatory, comments: “HP is pleased to be the first consumer electronic products company to sign onto the Sustainable Fuel Buyers’ Principles in support of our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across HP’s global supply chain. BSR’s green freight initiatives like Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG) and Future of Fuels helps us collaborate with peers to demonstrate demand and partner with suppliers to make progress.”

“As one of the largest commercial fleet operators in the U.S., PepsiCo has seen the benefits—both environmentally and economically—of taking a leadership role embracing fleet sustainability and fuel efficiency,” says Mike O’Connell, Senior Director Supply Chain, PepsiCo, another signatory. “We believe the Sustainable Fuel Buyers’ Principles will help spur innovation that can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the adoption of fuel-saving technologies for road fleets nationwide.”

Scott Hemphill, Global Sustainability Developer at IKEA Transport, also a signatory, says: “IKEA has been pioneering the use of alternative fuels in several countries in recent years and we are acutely aware of the challenges to implementing low-carbon fuels in many of our markets. We see the uptake of alternative fuels as an extremely important part of our decarbonisation strategy and welcome all efforts to improve the availability and economic feasibility of low-carbon fuels.”

“Shifting the heavy-duty freight sector to low-carbon alternative fuel and vehicle technologies that deliver comparable performance, fuel efficiency, and environmental benefits is needed to achieve the emission reduction targets set by the Paris Agreement, “ says Karen Hamberg, Vice-President, Strategy at Westport, a Future of Fuels member. “Signatories to the Principles are providing a critical market signal to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and clean-technology solutions providers like Westport Fuel Systems that leading fleets see an investment in low-carbon fuels as the path forward and will drive the commercial availability of a wider range of alternative fuel and vehicle technologies suitable for a diverse heavy-duty freight sector.”

The Sustainable Fuel Buyers’ Principles were developed by BSR’s Future of Fuels, a business-to-business fuel- neutral group focused on lifecycle energy sustainability. The mission of Future of Fuels is to drive a sustainable transition to low-carbon commercial road freight with new tools, convenings, and partnerships. The principles complement the Fuel Sustainability Tool (available free) developed last year as the world’s first apples-to-apples way to compare emissions reductions from investments in efficiency and the advanced fuel technologies entering the market. Fleet owners, OEM’s, fuel producers, and shippers can apply to join the membership of Future of Fuels.

Nate Springer, BSR’s Manager of Future of Fuels commented: “The Sustainable Fuel Buyers’ Principles show growing buyer demand to spark new partnerships with suppliers for more low-carbon, sustainable fuels. Together with our Fuel Sustainability Tool, companies know what the market wants and how to make progress on more sustainable fuels.” 

Tweet me:Road fleets demand more sustainable, low-carbon fuels for freight @BSRnews http://bit.ly/2rjF09t

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, BSR, future of fuels, Alternative Fuels, Sustainable Fuel Buyers' Principles, UPS, Walmart, HP Inc., Pepsico, IKEA Transport, Westport, road freight, low-carbon fuels

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