SOURCE:Symantec

DESCRIPTION:

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ —National PTA announced today the launch of PTA Connected, an initiative to educate and engage families in digital wellness, security, access, equity and literacy. The initiative formalizes and builds on the association’s work in the digital space in response to the growing needs and interest of parents nationwide. National PTA is launching PTA Connected with support from presenting and founding sponsor Symantec. Additional founding sponsors of the initiative are Facebook, Google and AT&T.

“Parenting in the digital age is increasingly complex, as families strive to help children act safely, responsibly and thoughtfully online,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. “National PTA has been working for more than five years to explore and address these issues. We remain committed to this important work and are proud to formally launch our PTA Connected initiative.”

PTA Connected combines National PTA’s work into a multi-dimensional program that will deepen the understanding and knowledge of parents, families and teachers about digital safety tools and resources; mobilize PTAs, schools and communities to engage families around best practices and shared learning; and generate collective impact.

With the support of corporate and non-profit collaborators, National PTA will educate parents and encourage dialogue to help them guide their children in the digital world and make the best possible decisions for their families. Training and grants will also be delivered to state and local PTA leaders across the country to lead community conversations—giving parents a space to network and share successes and worries about parenting in the digital world as well as share ideas, resources and tools to help keep children safe online.

As part of the launch of PTA Connected, National PTA also announced today a first phase of grants for local PTAs.

• An initial 200 PTAs among all 54 state congresses will be selected to receive a $1,000 grant to host a Digital Families Community Event with Facebook.
• Twenty-five local PTAs will also be selected to receive a $1,000 grant sponsored by Symantec to host an event in conjunction with Safer Internet Day, which will be celebrated Feb. 5, 2019.

The deadline to apply for this first wave of PTA Connected grants is Oct. 14, 2018. The next phase of PTA Connected will launch with Google in the coming weeks.

“Symantec has supported National PTA’s education and awareness-raising efforts in cyber safety for many years. Today, we are proud to announce our pioneering involvement with and sponsorship of PTA Connected,” said Cecily Joseph, vice president of Corporate Responsibility for Symantec. “Together, we can provide parents with tools and resources that help teach safe internet habits to their kids and support their educational growth, while helping to create an internet where they can safely explore and feel empowered.”

“National PTA is grateful to Symantec, Facebook, Google and AT&T for supporting our efforts to help families navigate the digital world. We are pleased to continue our work together through PTA Connected,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “As parents, we want our children to connect, learn and have fun through technology—and at the same time, stay safe. National PTA has been and remains committed to fostering safe, positive use of technology and the internet among youth as well as providing families with tools to help their children be successful both online and off.”  

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

Tweet me:.@Symantec sponsors launch of @NationalPTA's #PTAConnected initiative to help families navigate the digital world http://bit.ly/2PKEnlA

Contact Info:

Heidi May Wilson
National PTA
+1 (703) 518-1242
hmay@PTA.org

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:SYMC, Symantec, digital wellness, security, equity, digital literacy, National PTA, PTA Connected

$1 million of support from Wells Fargo will allow National Foundation for Credit Counseling® to continue military programs offered through Sharpen Your Financial Focus®

SOURCE:Wells Fargo & Company

DESCRIPTION:

WASHINGTON, D.C. and SAN FRANCISCO, September 18, 2018 /3BL Media/– In support of the Sharpen Your Financial Focus® (Sharpen) initiative, National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®) announced the nonprofit has received a $1 million commitment from Wells Fargo & Co.  for financial counseling and education services for active military service members, veterans and their families. Since the 2013 launch of Sharpen, Wells Fargo has contributed a total of $5.5 million to the NFCC in support of these services.

“Providing meaningful and confidential financial counseling for our military service members and veterans is a key priority of the NFCC Sharpen Your Financial Focus program,” said Rebecca Steele, president and CEO of the NFCC. “NFCC Members will continue to deliver impactful financial education to those who have dedicated themselves in service to our nation, thanks to ongoing support from Wells Fargo.”

Wells Fargo works with the NFCC to bring Hands on Banking® for Military classes and online resources to service members in the continental United States and Puerto Rico. In addition to education designed to keep military personnel and their families on a path to financial stability, the nationwide network of NFCC certified counselors provide personalized financial reviews, budget assistance, and concrete solutions to pressing financial concerns. Military and veteran groups seeking an NFCC representative to lead a class, or individuals interested in scheduling a confidential financial review with an NFCC Certified Financial Counselor, can contact the NFCC toll-free at 1-877-404-6322.

More than 100,000 people have stabilized and strengthened their finances through the Sharpen program since its launch in 2013, and nearly one-quarter of those are active duty military, veterans and their families. Services are provided in English and Spanish and consist of the following:

• MyMoneyCheckUp® is an online self-assessment that helps increase a client’s awareness of their own financial activities and overall financial health and provides ways to help.
• NFCC Certified Financial Counselors offer customized one-on-one financial reviews. These sessions intend to help clients establish goals and a personalized action plan.
• Hands on Banking for Military is an element of the financial education program specifically developed by Wells Fargo to address the unique needs of service members, veterans and their families at each stage of their careers and lives. Available nationally through NFCC member agencies and online at handsonbanking.org, the program offers 10 individual modules across a range of topics, from banking basics to managing money while deployed and planning for retirement, including information on the new Blended Retirement System.
• eCoaching, with automated email and text reminders, helps clients stay on track. 

“Supporting the financial capability of service members and their families continues to be a top priority for Wells Fargo,” said Jerry Quinn, Wells Fargo Military Affairs Program manager. “Our online Hands on Banking for Military and ongoing support for the Sharpen Your Financial Focus Program are among the many examples of how we help military members achieve their financial goals. We are grateful for the work NFCC does for financial readiness in our communities.”

Independent research from The Ohio State University confirms that support has transformed the lives of those who use the Sharpen program. The study found that average debt for counseled individuals decreased by $17,000 during the course of a year-and-a-half after completing the program. Participants found improvements in their credit scores while becoming more confident in their money management skills.

Steve Hines, a veteran who is participating in the program working with NFCC member, American Consumer Credit Counseling, shares his story here.

Active military, veterans and their family members interested in improving their financial situation or planning for a better tomorrow can call toll-free 1-877-404-6322 or visit www.nfcc.org/military/ to connect with an NFCC Member Agency and begin the Sharpen Your Financial Focus program.

About the NFCC

Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®) is the nation's first and largest nonprofit dedicated to improving people's financial well-being. With a national network of member offices serving 50 states and Puerto Rico, our NFCC® Certified Credit Counselors are financial advocates, empowering millions of consumers to take charge of their finances through one-on-one financial reviews that address credit card debt, student loans, housing decisions and overall money management. Make one of the best financial decisions of your life. For expert guidance and advice, call (800) 388-2227 or visit www.nfcc.org today.

About Wells Fargo        

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products, as well as consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,300 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 38 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2017 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In 2017, Wells Fargo donated $286.5 million to 14,500 nonprofits and Wells Fargo team members volunteered a record 2 million hours. Wells Fargo’s corporate social responsibility efforts are focused on three strategic priorities: diversity and social inclusion, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Tweet me:.@NFCC PROGRAMS FOR MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS TO BENEFIT FROM $1 MILLION #WELLSFARGO FUNDING COMMITMENT http://bit.ly/2pi1Gbl

KEYWORDS: military, Veterans

SOURCE:University of Michigan: Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability

DESCRIPTION:

This past week thousands of delegates were in San Francisco for the Global Climate Action Summit. Spearheaded by California Governor Jerry Brown, the Summit showcases the commitments of states, cities and businesses to cut their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and protect the Earth from further dangerous warming. This is an urgently needed response to the U.S. vow to become the only country in the world to back out of its climate commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Many large U.S. companies participated in the Summit, and corporate sponsors include Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, United Airlines, Bank of America, Tech Mahindra, Wells Fargo and Bank of the West. As the President of the Alliance for Research on Corporate Sustainability (ARCS), a consortium of leading business schools, I am excited to see so much participation by the private sector. After all, it has been estimated that the world’s 100 largest-emitting publicly traded companies account for as much as a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP, 2017). It is appropriate that these companies take responsibility for their climate impacts.

At the summit, 21 companies in the technology sector, led by Salesforce, announced a set of new climate commitments in the form of the Step Up Declaration. The coalition voiced support for the Mission 2020 goal of “bending the climate curve” by 2020, in order to put the planet on a trajectory toward a cooler world. Each of the individual members announced its own specific commitment, ranging from Salesforce’s promise to use 100% renewable energy by 2020 to Tech Mahindra’s goal of cutting GHG emissions 50% by 2050.  Importantly, the participants recognize they need to work “collaboratively with others— across all sectors of society, including individuals, corporations, civil society, and governments.” This is a welcome step, but how far can it take us towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement?

The Emissions Gap
The Paris Agreement of 2015 represented a radical new approach to international climate policy. Instead of seeking international agreement on an umbrella policy that would cover the whole world, countries were invited to offer whatever “Nationally Determined Contribution” (NDC) they liked. Every country in the world has made an NDC (including the U.S., although the Administration plans to pull out on November 5, 2020, the earliest date it can). The goal is to cut the current emissions level of about 53 billion tons (known as giga-tons, or GT) of carbon dioxide per year to at or below 42 GT per year by 2030. As one might expect from a purely voluntary agreement, however, the sum total of the individual NDCs falls short what would be required to meet the goal of holding global warming “well below” 2oC (preferably 1.5oC). Careful estimates suggest that if all commitments are fulfilled, the Paris Agreement could potentially get us about 1/3 of the way to hitting the 1.5oC target, but the planet would still be likely to warm by 3oC over pre-industrial levels.

Read more here.

Tweet me:READ: Is profit enough motive to solve #climatechange? @ARCSResearch #emissions gap says no; a new model of business climate leadership is needed. #Business needs to lobby powerfully and publicly for a stronger #policy response @tplyon http://myumi.ch/aGKQ1

KEYWORDS: Erb Institute, university of michigan, Alliance for Research on Corporate Sustainability, Tom Lyon, Global Climate Action Summit, sustainability, Sustainable Business, Transparency

SOURCE:Whirlpool Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

Stopping marine pollution is possible. And it must be done. Firmly convinced of this, Whirlpool EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) announced during a presentation today that it is joining #PlasticLess, an ambitious project to reduce marine plastic pollution promoted by LifeGate, the main platform in Italy on sustainability issues. The presentation was held at the port of Fano and attended by Angelo Sciapichetti, Counsellor for the Environment at Regione Marche, and Massimo Seri, Mayor of Fano.

Read More

Tweet me:Whirlpool EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) announced during a presentation today that it is joining #PlasticLess, an ambitious project to reduce marine plastic pollution promoted by LifeGate, the main platform in Italy on sustainability issues. http://bit.ly/2NmhMz4

KEYWORDS: whirlpool emea, Ocean Cleanup, NYSE:WHR, whirlpool

SOURCE:Booz Allen Hamilton

DESCRIPTION:

Even with 248, 150 IT professionals in the metropolitan Washington area, recruiting tech talent here is a challenge¹. Employers are competing with government agencies, non-IT firms, companies in Silicon Valley and companies in lower-cost regions. Furthermore, positions often call for highly specialized and in-demand skills, such as data science or AI.

Booz Allen ranks third among Washington, DC, tech professionals when evaluating employers, according to the second annual Brand Health Report by Hired.

Hired, which represents more than 10,000 companies and 98,000 job seekers, asked IT professionals in major metropolitan areas to cite and rank the local companies they found most attractive based on their priorities. Which companies are known for delivering what tech workers want in a job offer and workplace? Among employers in the Washington metropolitan area, Booz Allen ranked behind only the Washington Post and global financial giant Capitol One in the 2018 Brand Health Report. In 2017, Booz Allen ranked fifth for the Washington region.

Reputation and responsiveness matter

Among survey respondents, a recognizable company name and expectation of a positive work experience were among the top factors attracting a candidate to a company. Meanwhile, a poor reputation, negative company culture and lack of knowledge about a company were among the top things that turned candidates off.

“As a provider of services and solutions, we’ve always understood that our people are what set us apart,” said Booz Allen Vice President of People Services Sarah St. Clair. “So we invest in our people and the things that support their growth with training and a chance to map and build their future.”

Attracting the employees of today—and tomorrow

A reputation as a great place to work is a critical competitive advantage as well, especially for a business charged to solve complex management and technology problems.

“A company’s recruiting funnel is just as important as their revenue funnel,” said Mehul Patel, CEO at Hired.  “Candidate perception can make or break their ability to attract and hire the talent they need to continue innovating.”

“Our clients expect innovative solutions in areas where there are no roadmaps,” said Booz Allen Chief People Officer Betty Thompson. “We have to attract, retain and cultivate talented engineers, developers, architects, project managers, consultants and more, so they can harness their collective ingenuity to achieve great things for our clients, colleagues and communities.”

These shared goals matter—especially in Washington, DC, where nearly half of respondents cited lack of interest in a company’s mission as a reason to ignore a potential employer or move on.

“While compensation is often the number one factor that matters when evaluating a job opportunity, candidates also prioritize company culture and the teams they’ll be working on,” said Patel. “Booz Allen’s candidate-centric approach to recruiting and culture makes them an attractive brand for tech talent.”

Learn more about what Booz Allen is doing to attract talent and help employees grow, here.

^{1https://www.cbre.com/research-and-reports/Scoring-Tech-Talent-in-North-America-2018}

Tweet me:For attracting #techtalent, @BoozAllen delivers, according to @hired_HQ report http://bit.ly/2xxvPa9

KEYWORDS: NYSE:BAH, Booz Allen Hamilton, Brand Health Report, Hired, workforce, recruitment

SCE has been helping take the mystery out of going solar for 20 years.

SOURCE:Edison International

DESCRIPTION:

In 1998, Southern California Edison started connecting its first home solar customers to the electric grid. And, as the cost of solar panels goes down, more people are making the move to solar. Naturally, many of them have questions. Below are answers to five of the most commonly asked questions about going solar.

1. What are the benefits of going solar?

Solar energy can help reduce your monthly electric bill. It also helps clean our air and environment.  

2. Are there any ways I can offset some of the cost of installing solar panels?

Yes, you might qualify for a Federal Tax Credit. This can help offset up to 30 percent of the cost of solar panels and installation. You should talk with a tax professional to help you determine your Federal Tax Credit eligibility. You’ll also want to decide what makes the most financial sense for you for your solar system — buying, leasing or entering into a power purchase agreement.

3. If I put solar panels on my home, will I still receive a monthly electric bill?

Yes, your solar panels will only work when the sun is out. Once your solar system is installed on your home, the last step is connecting it to the electric grid. The electric grid will supply you with power at night and when it is cloudy out.  

4. How do I know solar panels are a good fit for my home?

There are several factors to take into account when deciding if your home is a good fit for solar panels:

• Your home should have clear access to the sun for most of the day and throughout the year. If your rooftop can’t be used, you might be able to, under the right conditions, place the panels on the ground.
• In Southern California, a south or southwest-facing roof will give you the most amount of sun.
• You’ll need to determine if you have enough space on your roof for the solar panels to fit. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The size of the solar system you need depends on how much electricity you use and a number of other factors. A good place to start is to look at your electricity bills to see how much electricity you use each year and then talk with a number of solar contractors to go over your specific needs.

5. Isn’t solar energy only an option for those who can afford it and live in homes?

No, customers who can’t or don’t want to install solar panels on their homes have several other options to take advantage of solar energy. SCE has a Green Rate that lets you use renewable energy, like solar.

The California Solar Initiative also offers two programs that provide solar incentives to income-qualified customers. The first option is the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program through Grid Alternatives. The second is the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing Program.

To learn more about going solar, visit SCE.com/gosolar and Gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov.

Tweet me:Ever thought about going #solar? @SCE answers the top 5 questions: http://bit.ly/2PNAImS #renewableenergy #sustainability #affordableenergy

KEYWORDS: Edison International, Southern California Edison

SOURCE:iCause

DESCRIPTION:

September 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ - iCause announced on Monday, a logical step forward to expand its global event engagement platform dedicated to nonprofit sustainability, to now include donor management. The goal is to match nonprofits with donors based on the merits of their fundraising projects.

As nonprofit organizations update their fundraising goals, iCause collects and aggregates this data for review by large and small donors. This  includes those interested in exploring data within diverse categories to find nonprofits within common sectors.

“We see an opportunity to simplify and also increase donations across industry sectors to many of our vetted nonprofits. We are driven to help all projects get equal visibility towards the donor pledges; thus better serving more nonprofits that would typically not get noticed.” stated CEO Kevin McAhren

iCause aims to provide nonprofits with the ability to promote their organizations as well as collect statistics about how they are performing through associated events and their specific nonprofit pages on the icause.com platform.

Nonprofits can also now reach out for help with building their funding profiles and also learn how to generate more rewards. https://icause.com/about-us

To learn more about iCause visit icause.com

Media Contact
Director of PR & Media, iCause PBC
E-Mail: social.media@icause.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/icauseglobal

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Fundraising, Non-profits, iCause, Global Donor Management, sustainability

The delivery flight for JetBlue’s newest A321 aircraft becomes the airline’s first-ever flight powered by renewable jet fuel blend

SOURCE:JetBlue Airways

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, September 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ – JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today received its latest A321 aircraft from Airbus’ U.S. A320 Family production facility in Mobile, Ala. The acceptance flight followed by JetBlue’s scheduled ferry flight, taking place on September 20, marks JetBlue’s first-ever flights fueled with renewable jet fuel blend. The fuel for these flights, provided by Airbus and certified by Air BP, consists of 15.5 percent renewable jet fuel blended with traditional jet fuel.

Four more A321 aircraft will be delivered to JetBlue from Airbus’s U.S. facility by the end of 2018. All of these customer acceptance and delivery flights will be fueled with renewable jet fuel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved renewable jet fuel safe for use. Renewable jet fuel is chemically equivalent to conventional jet-A fuel, and poses no difference in performance or safety. To date, thousands of commercial, revenue flights have flown on different types of renewable jet fuel.

“This is another example of JetBlue acknowledging that a sustainable future for aviation will require cooperation between all parts of the industry,” said Robin Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, JetBlue. “Renewable jet fuel affirms JetBlue’s belief that we can help define our industry’s future path. Our goal is to serve as a market-maker for renewable jet fuel, creating demand and therefore supporting supply. We’re working closely with Airbus to set up infrastructure for more options in the southeast region.”

Following the deliveries in the U.S. to JetBlue, Airbus will determine the next steps toward offering this option to more customers taking aircraft deliveries from Mobile. Longer term, Airbus envisions supporting industrial production of sustainable fuels for aviation in the U.S.  In another commitment to sustainability throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle, Airbus also announced its U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile officially received its ISO 14001 certification. Airbus was the first aircraft manufacturer to be certified ISO 14001 for all its sites, products and services.

“Our goal is to source sustainable fuels in the southeastern United States. It is an opportunity to work closely with local stakeholders to scale-up production and the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels in the region,” said Frederic Eychenne, Head of New Energies at Airbus. “We are actively seeking ideas to leverage Airbus’ strategy into opportunities for new economic development in Alabama.”

JetBlue is proactive about mitigating the impact of changes in the fuel market by flying more efficient aircraft, optimizing its fuel consumption, moving to renewable jet fuel, and more.

With an aviation industry-wide goal to cap net greenhouse gas growth from 2020 onward, renewable jet fuel is a key aspect of JetBlue’s emissions reduction strategy. In 2016, JetBlue signed a deal and made an offtake agreement with SJ Preston for renewable jet fuel at New York’s JFK Airport.

JetBlue’s Focus on the Environment - JetBlue depends on natural resources and a healthy environment to keep its business running smoothly. The airline is committed to taking steps to address the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from its flights and empowers and inspires its customers and crewmembers to offset GHG emissions when they fly. The airline is constantly looking for ways to become more fuel efficient and embrace efficient technologies. For example, JetBlue planes feature Airbus' Sharklets, which improve aerodynamics and cut fuel burn and emissions. For more on JetBlue’s work to reduce emissions, visit jetblue.com/green.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 40 million customers a year to 103 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 1,000 daily flights. For more information please visit www.jetblue.com.

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACTS

JetBlue Corporate Communications
Tel: +1 718 709 3089
corpcomm@jetblue.com

Airbus

Bérengère Vuathier, berengere.vuathier@airbus.com,+ 33 561 934308
Kristi Tucker, Kristi.tucker@airbus.com, +1 251 434 7456

Tweet me:.@JetBlue and @Airbus take to the sky using #renewable jet fuel http://bit.ly/2pojd1j #sustainability

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:JBLU, Jetblue, Airbus, renewable fuel, aviation

Microsoft and AIAG partner to support automotive suppliers around the globe

SOURCE:Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)

DESCRIPTION:

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., September 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ – The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) announced last year the launch of the AIAG Core Tools Software (CTS) cloud-based software, as a replacement to the 15-year-old Microsoft Excel based CDROM.  AIAG started with a Voice of the Customer Survey that showed over 80% of the automotive supply chain currently use Microsoft Excel to author and manage their Core Tools forms.  The respondents strongly suggested a better solution that would include: Robust Security, Form Linkage, Project Management / Task Tracker, Reporting, and International, Multi-Lingual capability.

The AIAG development team is creating a Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud application based on the Microsoft development tools and hosting will be provided worldwide via the Microsoft Azure Cloud Computing Platform.  The software will support DFMEA, Process Flow, PFMEA, Control Plans, and Gage R&R studies, along with several other support forms that are referenced in the Core Tools manuals.

“Microsoft is committed to meeting our customers’ needs today, while helping them bridge to the future. The AIAG CTS solution, based on Microsoft Azure, will offer a robust alternative for organizations that need to improve their APQP and PPAP processes and continue to benefit from future technology developments,” said John Reed, Director, Automotive Solutions at Microsoft

“The expanded collaboration between AIAG and Microsoft will bring to the AIAG CTS Project technical expertise, marketing support, and experience with deploying and supporting a global, multi-lingual SaaS application across multiple Azure hosting centers,” stated Scott Gray, Director, Quality Products & Services at AIAG.  “Our objective is to assist the supply base with better, faster, and lower cost solutions to support their quality improvement and product development initiatives. This product, designed with smaller supplier needs in mind, will make authoring and management of the essential core tools more effective and efficient, so that they can focus on developing quality products for their customers.”

Details of the partnership will be disclosed at the AIAG Quality Summit on Sep. 18 & 19 in Michigan.

Established in 1982, AIAG is a not-for-profit association where professionals from a diverse group of stakeholders – including retailers, suppliers of all sizes, automakers, manufacturers, service providers, academia, and government – work collaboratively to streamline industry processes via global standards development & harmonized business practices.

Tweet me:Microsoft and AIAG partner to launch Global #Automotive #Quality Core Tools Cloud App to Enable Supply Chain Innovation and support automotive suppliers around the globe http://bit.ly/AIAGCoreToolsSoftware

KEYWORDS: AIAG, Automotive Industry Action Group, Automotive Manufacturing, Automotive, FMEA, PPAP, APQP, manufacturing, Microsoft, Core Tools

Meals that Matter mobile relief operations sent with cooking teams

SOURCE:Tyson Foods

DESCRIPTION:

SPRINGDALE, Ark., September 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ — In response to flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Tyson Foods will send teams to prepare meals for those affected by and responding to the disaster.  A cook site will be set up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at the Walmart store at 7701 S. Raeford Rd. Free, hot meals will be provided onsite beginning Thursday morning at 11 a.m. for anyone who is in need. In addition, a distribution network will be established with local authorities and disaster relief organizations to deliver meals to flood victims in the Fayetteville area.

Teams from Tyson Foods’ operations in Clarksville, and Texarkana, Arkansas; Claryville, Kentucky; New Holland, Pennsylvania; Shelbyville, Tennessee and Glen Allen, Virginia, will arrive onsite Wednesdayand begin preparations to serve meals Thursday. 

The company’s Meals that Matter mobile disaster relief truck will be sent from its home in Springdale, Arkansas, and is also expected to arrive onsite Wednesday. The company is sending three tractor-trailer loads of product totaling 100,000 pounds, one tractor-trailer load of bagged ice and one tractor-trailer load of bottled water.

“With more than 6,000 team members throughout the state of North Carolina the damage left by Hurricane Florence hits close to home,” said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility. “This deployment wouldn’t be possible without the support of our team members, disaster relief partners and customers who are all volunteering time and resources to make sure our response is as successful as possible.” 

Tyson Foods will be working closely with its disaster relief partners American Egg Board, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Harris Baking Co., Hugg & Hall Equipment Co., Peppersource and Salvation Army to maximize relief efforts.

Team Rubicon, another disaster relief partner comprised of military veterans, has deployed two Mobile Command Centers to North Carolina. The command centers were donated by Tyson Foods in 2014 and 2017 and include sleeping quarters, as well as office and storage space for Team Rubicon’s staff and volunteers.

For continuing updates on Tyson Foods’ disaster relief efforts, please follow the company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

About Tyson Foods 
Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 122,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.

Tweet me:.@TysonFoods deploys #DisasterRelief teams to North Carolina to prepare meals for those affected by and responding to #HurricaneFlorence http://bit.ly/2QGfJUp

Contact Info:

Derek Burleson
+1 (479) 290-6466
derek.burleson@tyson.com

KEYWORDS: NYSE:TSN, Tyson Foods, Hurricane Florence, Meals that Matter

SOURCE:Caterpillar Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

The Caterpillar Foundation is on a mission to alleviate poverty. Through its work, the Foundation recognizes that water is one of the most critical basic needs of people and their communities. The Caterpillar Foundation, together with its global partners, launched the Value of Water campaign to raise awareness of the value of water and the impact of the global water crisis on community health, education and economics. Through partners like The Nature Conservancy, the Caterpillar Foundation is proud to support water conservation efforts because when nature thrives, people thrive. 

To learn more about the Value of Water, visit: www.togetherstronger.com/year-of-water/.

Tweet me:.@CatFoundationTS is committed to working with partners like @nature_org on conservation efforts #ForWater because when nature thrives people thrive. #TogetherStronger http://bit.ly/2pmy5xv

Contact Info:

Bridget M. Young
Global Government & Corporate Affairs
+1 (309) 675-8463
young_bridget_m@cat.com

KEYWORDS: Caterpillar Foundation, value of water, The Nature Conservancy, NYSE:CAT, For Water, SDG

Ten most compelling projects will receive funding and tools to bring concepts to life using 5G in under-resourced middle schools across the country

SOURCE:Verizon

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK – Verizon Innovative Learning, the signature program of the Verizon Foundation, announced the launch of the Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge in partnership with NYC Media Lab. The first of its kind nationwide challenge calls for EdTech nonprofits including enterprise organizations, start-ups, research groups and universities including Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as Hispanic Serving Institutions to create powerful, transformative education solutions that leverage 5G connectivity to solve challenges in under-resourced middle schools throughout the U.S.

Submissions of beta phase projects will be accepted online at 5GEdTechChallenge.com from October 15 to November 30, 2018. From the submissions, a group of industry leaders, social impact advocates and tech experts convened by the Verizon Foundation and NYC Media Lab will identify the ten most compelling projects. Winning teams will receive $100,000 each (for a total of a $1 million investment), access to 5G nodes, Verizon 5G training and mentors, and support teams within the education community to prepare their concepts to be brought to life through the power of 5G and implemented in select middle schools.

The projects will leverage the unique capabilities of 5G using AR, VR, or AI to solve challenges including lack of student engagement, lack of teacher’s STEM expertise and the need for more immersive personalized support for students with special needs. The goal is for the projects to lead to students who are more engaged, higher achieving and have increased problem solving, collaboration and creativity skills.

Projects will begin to be implemented in select Verizon Innovative Learning Schools during the third quarter of 2019.

In the coming decade, 5G wireless and edge computing technologies will generate extraordinary new opportunities in how we interact with each other and experience the world around us. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution approaches, it will be imperative that learning begins with our youth and continues as a lifelong process for every generation – from all backgrounds and communities – to ensure the strength of our future workforce.

“When we think about the youth in this country and what is needed to prepare students to be competitive in an increasingly tech dependent world, we need to change the educational opportunities and the trajectory of the lives of a lot of students,” said Rose Kirk, Chief Social Responsibility Officer at Verizon. “5G will open doors in the classroom we can’t even imagine yet which will ultimately give students the power to be more successful, more engaged, and give them access to higher education and new career paths.”

The digital divide in America has left millions of students lacking access to technology and the skills they need to succeed in the digital world. Since 2012, Verizon Innovative Learning has been working to help solve this problem through its holistic, transformative program which provides free connectivity, free devices and curriculum training to under-resourced middle schools.

The program has impacted one million students to date and will impact two million more by 2021. The results are nothing short of amazing. Students in VIL show improvements in math and reading, and they’re more engaged in school.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, generated $126 billion in 2017 revenues. The company operates America’s most reliable wireless network and the nation’s premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated solutions to businesses worldwide. Its Oath subsidiary reaches people around the world with a dynamic house of media and technology brands.

Tweet me:#VerizonInnovativeLearning launches $1M challenge to EdTech nonprofit 5G developers. 10 winning projects to get $100K, access to 5G nodes, training, mentors. Select under-served middle schools will trial AR, VR, AI solutions. http://bit.ly/2QFQSjE

KEYWORDS: NYSE:VZ, Verizon, Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge, NYC Media Lab

SOURCE:VMware

DESCRIPTION:

VMware is one of twenty-one innovative, progressive companies committing @GCAS2018 to harnessing the fourth industrial revolution and the power of digital transformation to accelerate climate solutions for everyone. #4IRforClimate#StepUP2020 https://youtu.be/J4UxmeHg25s

Tweet me:.@VMware is one of twenty-one innovative, progressive companies committing @GCAS2018 to harnessing the fourth industrial revolution and the power of digital transformation to accelerate climate solutions for everyone. #4IRforClimate #StepUP2020 http://bit.ly/2Dad8zB

KEYWORDS: VMware, Global Climate Action Summit, step up 2020

SOURCE:EDF+Business

DESCRIPTION:

By: Xixi Chen

As a kid, one of my favorite things was a Moon Cake, which I'd get to eat during the Mid-Autumn Festival in China (taking place next week). It's a day of celebrating family reunion and harvest, where the entire country throws parties, comes together and gives homage to the full moon. I’ll always jump at the opportunity to eat a Moon Cake, but this time there’s something else worth celebrating this year: the progress being made on corporate sustainability in China.

This year marks the 5th year anniversary of expanding EDF Climate Corps into China. What started as 6 fellows in 5 companies, has grown to nearly 60 fellows into over 20 companies. With that we’ve seen tens of millions of dollars in potential savings from energy efficiency improvements. But before I jump into how corporate sustainability in China has advanced, let me tell you why we made the decision to expand there.

EDF Climate Corps: welcome to China

As the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters, China and the U.S. are receiving increased attention on their cooperative efforts to save energy and curtail climate pollution. EDF has set a goal to help China with its rising CO2 emissions. So we thought: what better way to do this than enlisting the help of bright, young, talented graduate students?

In the five years since we first brought EDF Climate Corps to China, I’ve watched as the scope and breadth of projects – by both multinational and Chinese-owned companies – has evolved alongside the nation’s sustainability efforts. I’ll show you how.

The evolution of corporate sustainability in China

In our first year, the companies we worked with were for the most part after one thing: energy audit projects in factory settings. It was about plucking the low-hanging energy fruit at one specific site (upgrading lighting or air compressor systems, etc.). And I should note, it was only multinational companies we were working with – headquartered in the U.S., with factories overseas.

Fast forward to today, while factory-based energy efficiency projects are still in our pipeline, they’re no longer the main focus. More companies are making larger sustainability goals, looking to pursue projects beyond energy efficiency.

I’ve identified a few trends in China’s corporate sustainability landscape:

1. Improving energy efficiency and scaling solutions. Energy efficiency remains and important and effective way to reduce carbon footprints. But instead of one-off projects, it’s about scaling opportunities both across portfolios of factories and sharing with other companies in similar industries. The results bring enormous ROI, and give a competitive advantage to companies. Pacific Market International (PMI) hired an EDF Climate Corps fellow to improve the energy efficiency of one of its glass suppliers. The fellow developed an energy management strategy, which included recommendations to reduce energy use, such as optimizing washing and dying processes, that can be scaled across the entire manufacturing industry.
    
2. Setting ambitious targets. More companies are concentrating their efforts around data collection, analysis, verification, and reporting. More data is critical for identifying reduction opportunities, managing suppliers and communicating sustainability efforts. This year, MAHLE hired an EDF Climate Corps fellow to build the framework for its first-ever sustainability report, which included specific energy reduction goals, covering categories such as: product innovation and development, energy saving and green production, employee care, and social responsibility.
    
3. Complying with China’s environmental policies. In recent years, China’s political landscape around climate has become much more stringent, giving companies a choice: work with it, or be fined. Working with policies can reduce costs, avoid risk, demonstrate leadership, and attract stakeholders. This year, an EDF Climate Corps fellow recommended an environmental engagement plan for IKEA’s suppliers to mitigate regulatory risk – mainly around areas such as coal burning, GHG emissions, wastewater treatment, and solid waste – across its entire supply chain in China. We also hosted two webinars on environmental law interpretations and corporate compliance that garnered a lot of interest from our hosts (a recording for this year’s webinar can be found here for those that are interested in learning more).
    
4. Adopting green supply chain initiatives. Companies are looking to reduce the emissions of their global supply chains, and they’re working with their suppliers to do so. This is true for both small and medium-sized manufactures, as well as multinationals. As part of its Project Gigaton (reducing GHG emissions in its supply chain by one gigaton), Walmart enlisted two EDF Climate Corps fellows in its Global Sourcing division to identify products that have the potential to reduce significant GHGs. Walmart now has a better understanding of what products need to be upgraded, how to reach its reduction goals and how to incentive more suppliers to participate in the effort.

As I enjoy my Moon Cake next week for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, I'll be celebrating the long way we've come in corporate sustainability over these past five years. But, I'll also be thinking about the long road ahead of us.

Tweet me:.@Talk2Xixi: celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival for family reunion and harvest, as well as the 5-yrs growth of EDF Climate Corps in China http://bit.ly/2xnmjao @EDFbiz #sustainability #EDFCC

KEYWORDS: Corporate Sustainability in China, 5-yrs growth of EDF Climate Corps, Improving energy efficiency and scaling solutions, china's environmental policies, sustainability

A new project in Peru is setting out to overcome barriers to growing more trees on farms, to protect biodiversity and help the country meet its nationally determined contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions

SOURCE:World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

DESCRIPTION:

by Rob Finlayson

Peru has more than 70 million hectares of tropical forests. However, between 2001 and 2016 the country lost more than 1.9 million hectares largely owing to expansion of agriculture, and the trend continues. Deforestation is responsible for 51% of Peru’s emissions of greenhouse gases.

“Agriculture is the main driver of deforestation in Peru,” confirmed José Álvarez, director-general of the General Directorate of Biological Diversity, Ministry of Environment. “The strategy that is usually considered when framing the ideal relationship between agriculture and forests is one in which agriculture is intensified. By increasing productivity and, therefore, the income generated from the cultivated area, farmers will not need to further expand their farms into forests.”

“But that does not hold in migration pioneer frontiers where governance and law enforcement are weak. If it works, more people might be attracted to settle and expand their agricultural activity.”

Álvarez was speaking at the opening workshop of a new project, Harnessing the Potential of Trees on Farms for Meeting National and Global Biodiversity Targets (Trees on Farms/‘Arboles en las Chacras’), funded by the Federal Government of Germany’s International Climate Initiative, held on 3 July 2018 in Lima, Peru.

He explained that over the last few years it had become clear that protected areas were the fundamental tool for conservation. However, these alone were not enough to guarantee success. Interventions outside protected areas were required. Agriculture, taken as a whole, was particularly important for conservation of biodiversity. The high biodiversity level of a remote farm might not count as part of conservation if it was considered in isolation and not as part of a wider, interconnected landscape.

“’Conservation agreements’ might be a good way to work with farmers,” he continued. “But the challenge is to convince farmers that keeping forests is important, because in them there is the solution to many of the problems related to land degradation that they face in agricultural production. The forest is an ally and not an enemy, so maintaining key forest functions across landscapes in the long term will benefit farmers.”

“The key issue is, indeed, not about forests or agriculture as alternatives,” confirmed Valentina Robiglio of the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Latin America. “In the Peruvian Amazon, more than half of the 7.5 million hectares of former forest land now under agriculture is managed by family farmers. The key is multifunctionality: how these smallholder landscapes can provide the functions formerly performed by forest ecosystems, which are beneficial for farmers as well as for the conservation of forests and of biodiversity. We have to highlight the interconnectedness of the two sides: the agricultural matrix can support forest conservation and in turn conservation of the forest can support key functions for agriculture to be productive and resilient.”

The Trees on Farms project aims to expand biodiversity by increasing the number and variety of trees in agricultural landscapes, thus helping to meet Aichi Target 7 of the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity. ICRAF supports the project in five countries and directly implements it in Uganda, Rwanda and Peru. The Centre for International Forestry Research is taking the lead in Indonesia, while the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE/Centre for Higher Education and Research in Tropical Agronomy) coordinates activities in Honduras. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature provides knowledge management and outreach expertise and Gorge-August-Universität Göttingen provides specific scientific support.

“In the national debate about forests,” added Robiglio, “biodiversity has been less prominent than climate change and REDD+ and, more recently, restoration. Forest loss is measured in terms of hectares and amount of CO2 emitted, and restoration in the reconstitution of hectares of forest cover, including plantations. However, we rarely hear consideration of the spatial configuration of this loss and its implications in terms of the loss or recovery of desired ecological functions based on species. When we discuss forest loss, location matters. What also matters is which forest functions have to be restored. With this project, we hope to bring back the focus on biological diversity conservation through a landscape approach.”

The workshop attracted 36 participants (16 women, 20 men) from the Ministry of Environment’s Directorate of Biological Diversity, Directorate of Climate Change and Desertification, and Joint (Peru-Norway-Germany) Declaration of Intent; the Ministry of Agriculture’s Directorate of Agrarian Information, Directorate of Agriculture, and Directorate of Evaluation of Natural Resources; National Forest and Wildlife Service; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the Regional Government of Ucayali’s Environmental Authority of the Directorate of Biologic Conservation, and Directorate of Forest and Wildlife Management; the Peruvian Agricultural Bank; the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law; the National Agrarian University La Molina; Earth Innovation Institute; Solidaridad Network; the Center for International Forestry Research; Pro Naturaleza; and GFA Consulting Group.

Belvi Cáceres of the National Forest and Wildlife Service (Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre) explained the regulations governing plantations and agroforestry systems established on private and state land. In the latter, ‘Special Treatment Zones’ allow agroforestry concessions (Cesiones en Uso por Sistemas Agroforestales) to be established that recognize the de facto occupation and establish a mechanism that brings it within the law. The mechanism includes incentives for the use of native and threatened species in line with Aichi Target 7. However, none have been implemented because of the complicated design of the mechanism.

“Ucayali is making a huge effort to integrate and align policies that relate to forests and their resources, including biodiversity,” said Jack Flores of the General Directorate of Biological Diversity, Regional Government of Ucayali (Gobierno Regional de Ucayali). “The Regional Biodiversity Strategy of Ucayali has been integrated into regional planning documents, such as the low carbon development strategy, which is the most recent strategic document the environmental regional authority has elaborated, with the objective of developing a unified vision about sustainable development and integrated land-use planning. It is important that institutions progress in synergy as part of a strategy. With international cooperation, in particular with Norway, Ucayali has engaged in several deforestation reduction processes, signing a number of international commitments to reduce deforestation.”

It is important to note that the Regional Government is working together with the National Forest and Wildlife Service in the design of priority ecosystems for biodiversity conservation in Ucayali region. In the same process, they are elaborating new land management tools, such as a map of anthropic pressure, which reveals areas where most of the threats to biodiversity conservation are concentrated. The Trees on Farms project will focus on these areas.

Read the Spanish version of this blog here.

About World Agroforestry Centre

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is a centre of scientific excellence that harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment. Knowledge produced by ICRAF enables governments, development agencies and farmers to utilize the power of trees to make farming and livelihoods more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable at multiple scales. ICRAF is one of the 15 members of the CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. We thank all donors who support research in development through their contributions to the CGIAR Fund.

Tweet me:A new project in #Peru is setting out to grow more #trees on #farms, protect #biodiversity and help the country reduce #GHGemissions http://bit.ly/2xbQbqd @ICRAF

KEYWORDS: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Peru, Farms, biodiversity, Deforestation, Conservation, Latin America

SOURCE:Aflac

DESCRIPTION:

We are incredibly thankful for the host of independent sales agents licensed to sell Aflac products who work tirelessly to serve policyholders while passionately supporting children facing cancer. 

Donations are one great way to do good, but there are many ways! How do you give back to your community?

About Aflac
Aflac is a Fortune 500 company, providing financial protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. When a policyholder or insured gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fairly, promptly and directly to the insured. For more than six decades, Aflac voluntary insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress.

To learn more about Aflac, visit the company's website.

Tweet me:@Aflac independent sales agents not only work tirelessly to support their customers, but they also donate over $500K per month to help fight #childhoodcancer http://bit.ly/2OfjXAQ #Duckprints

KEYWORDS: Aflac, childhood cancer

SOURCE:Visa

DESCRIPTION:

Visa and the Visa Foundation today announced a commitment to help the people impacted by Hurricane Florence in the United States and Typhoon Mangkhut in the Philippines. In response to these events, Visa is taking several actions to support relief efforts, including:

• The Visa Foundation is donating $250,000 to the American Red Cross to support the response to Hurricane Florence and $100,000 for relief efforts for Typhoon Mangkhut (recipient organization to be determined).
• Visa is matching employee donations to the Red Cross on a two-to-one basis through October 31, 2018.
• In the United States, Visa is activating its “Back to Business” tool, a dynamic directory that identifies when an impacted small business has successfully processed a Visa transaction following a natural disaster, helping consumers locate and support these small businesses. More information on this tool can be found here.

Visa also is donating its revenue generated from eligible donations to a set of identified humanitarian organizations made from September 16, 2018 through October 15, 2018, directly to the Red Cross. In conjunction with our clients, Visa is waiving interchange fees on eligible donations made from September 16, 2018 through October 15, 2018, for a select group of major U.S. and Canada based charities providing relief support. Eligible charities include:

UNITED STATES

• American Red Cross
• Americares
• CARE
• Habitat for Humanity
• Mercy Corps
• Oxfam America
• Save the Children
• US Fund for UNICEF
• World Vision

CANADA

• Canadian Red Cross
• CARE Canada
• Humanitarian Coalition
• Oxfam Canada
• Oxfam-Quebec
• Plan Canada
• Save the Children Canada
• UNICEF Canada
• World Vision Canada

Tweet me:Visa Responds to Hurricane Florence and Typhoon Mangkhut http://bit.ly/2xENUmC

KEYWORDS: NYSE:V, visa, Hurricane Florence, Typhoon Mangkhut

Aramark celebrates 10-years of helping underserved communities and the five year anniversary of the company’s global day of service, Aramark Building Community Day

SOURCE:Aramark

DESCRIPTION:

TORONTO, September 20, 2018 /3BL Media/ –More than 100 Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) team members volunteered their time at Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, to bring health and wellness education to community members. These volunteers join more than 12,000 Aramark team members, in 15 counties, who are also volunteering at 400 service projects across the globe, during Aramark’s annual day of community service, Aramark Building Community Day (ABC Day).

“Every year, thousands of Aramark team members come together to volunteer their time and talent in the communities where they live and work on Aramark Building Community Day,” said Andy Siklos, President of Aramark Canada. “Today, we’re excited to have 100 team members at Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, who are bringing health and wellness education to Toronto families and achieving our goal of creating long-lasting health and wellness programs, here in Toronto.”

“This is a great group of hard working volunteers and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Aramark Canada for their 2018 ABC Day,” commented Linda Ballantyne, Board Chair of Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre. “WNC shares similar goals to Aramark, we promote healthy lifestyle choices and offer a wide range of affordable activities that benefit our local families, youth and seniors. We appreciate that Aramark is supporting our waterfront neighbourhood by donating their time, providing resources and sharing their knowledge with our community members.”

ABC Day projects at Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre include:

• Hosting food discovery experiences, educational activities and tastings, led by Aramark chefs and dietitians that teach local moms how to make healthier food choices for their families.
• Revitalizing the centre’s outdoor community garden, which provides community members with access to fresh produce, free of charge.
• Creating healthy meal kits to help support healthy food discovery within low-income seniors, which will be distributed at the upcoming senior fair.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Aramark Building Community, which debuted in 2008, and the fifth anniversary of ABC Day. Since its inception, more than 60,000 Aramark employees have volunteered their time and talent to support Aramark Building Community projects, impacting five million children and families in underserved communities since 2008.

To learn more about Aramark Building Community’s decade of impact, watch this video.

About Aramark Building Community

Aramark has invested tens of millions of dollars in expertise, financial and in-kind resources to strengthen communities through Aramark Building Community, our commitment to improve community health and wellness and help people succeed through education and employment. Learn more at http://www.aramark.com/responsibility or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn more at http://www.aramark.com/ or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre
For over 27 years, Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre has been committed to meeting the needs of its diverse and ever-changing, multicultural waterfront neighbourhood. As a non-profit City of Toronto agency, WNC serves more 700 daily visitors of all ages through its 537 recreation, sports, fitness, arts, culture and social support programs. WNC is an inclusive organization that works closely with local residents to design and deliver programs and services which reflect the interests and needs of the neighbourhood including specific support for vulnerable, marginalized and isolated residents. Learn more at: www.waterfrontnc.ca or connect with us on: https://www.facebook.com/waterfrontnc/ , https://www.instagram.com/waternc/ #waterfrontnc

Tweet me:Aramark celebrates 10-years of helping underserved communities and the five year anniversary of the company’s global day of service, @Aramark Building Community Day #aramarkvolunteer http://bit.ly/2pqD3cw

KEYWORDS: Aramark, ARAMARK Building Community, Toronto, volunteer, Health, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, community, community center, Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability, NYSE:ARMK

Enhancing Water Reclaim & Reuse in the Beverage Sector

SOURCE:Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

DESCRIPTION:

Dwindling water quality. Increasing water scarcity. Lack of water access. These days, if there’s one thing in full supply in the world, it’s water-related challenges.

But solutions to these challenges do exist—and others are in the making. Solutions, however, often come with their own set of barriers. One such quandary is water reclaim and reuse—particularly in the beverage sector.

For more than a decade, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER)—a consortium of leading beverage companies from around the globe—has made sustainable water use and protection a foundational priority. This year, we established a new technical working group centered on technology, and the first focus area is water reclaim and water reuse.

Recently, several of the Technology Working Group members got together for a Q&A session to share their unique perspectives on the water reclaim and reuse challenges inside and outside the beverage sector. Those members include: Julio Torruella of Bacardi Limited, Danielle Kohler of Pernod Ricard, and Michael Wilson of Diageo. Check out the Beverage Industry Environmental Rountable's (BIER) blog post to learn about the insights they shared about this important topic.

About BIER

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. BIER aims to affect sector change through work focused on water stewardship, energy efficiency and climate change, beverage container recycling, sustainable agriculture, and eco-system services. BIER members include: American Beverage Association, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Heineken, Jackson Family Wines, New Belgium Brewing, MillerCoors, Molson Coors, Pernod Ricard, Ocean Spray Cranberries, and PepsiCo. For more information, visit www.bieroundtable.com.

Tweet me:How can the beverage industry enhance water reclaim and reuse? @BIERoundtable members talk technology, barriers, and how they are working together to enhance it. http://bit.ly/WaterReclaimBIER

KEYWORDS: Water Reclaim & Reuse, Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER), bier, sustainability

SOURCE:Bechtel

DESCRIPTION:

Author: John McGrath

Contributors: Juliet Whitcomb, Tam Nguyen

As part of Bechtel’s commitment to contribute 100 ideas to support the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this case study examines the efforts to build local inclusivity in urban communities impacted by major construction projects.

SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

SDG Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.

SDG Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

In London, Crossrail Ltd. selected Bechtel as its project delivery partner for the new high-frequency, high-capacity railway for London and the South East. As the largest engineering project in Europe, the project spans 26 miles below the city’s streets, and the overall project is nearing completion.

I. PROBLEM

Halfhearted, fragmented community engagement throughout the duration of the project, including construction, can shape and influence the projects’ sustainability outcomes, and affect their benefits, long after they have been completed. Infrastructure projects are not just delivering a physical asset, but also an “enabling environment” that supports the project, the beneficiaries, and the operators.

II. SOLUTION

Deep integration with the community is critical to building lasting and impactful projects. Each step throughout the project’s lifecycle must be more than just part of the end goal, but a piece of the community’s welfare and future development. The value of deep integration is in the engagement and relationship-building with the people.

III. APPROACH

Bechtel’s integration into the London community began early with the hiring of a community engagement team to liaise between the project team and London community officials. Having a single point of contact for all the project’s issues and risks provided feedback in a timely manner. The team worked with contractors to develop community engagement plans informed by local community demographics, key stakeholders, and priorities.

While Crossrail will provide transportation to millions of passengers every year, and dramatically decrease travel times, we quickly learned that the excitement built around this project was not felt by the entire community. Upon entering the project site, we had to make it very clear that for the community, there was a designated focal point for the project and a dedicated team to address their concerns. We wanted input, opinions, and feedback from the community because whether a citizen would be using the new underground or not, the project still affected them.

Throughout the project’s lifecycle, we worked hard to build and maintain constructive relationships with those in the surrounding community. The overarching goal of our time spent within London was to not only complete Crossrail, but minimize our footprint and internalize potential negative externalities, to the extent practicable, that may be generated by the construction and transferred to the operations phase.

At one point the project shared a fence line with a local school. Before moving forward with our work, we frequently met with school officials to create a schedule that decreased noise levels and other potential hazards during school and exam hours, specifically keeping in mind students who may need more time with exams and other activities.

The mitigation plans were continuously developed in partnership with the school. For example, at one point the team needed to access sewage tunnels located beneath the school’s playground. To prevent from having to end the students’ exercise, the team rented out a local pool and climbing wall facility for weeks at a time.

Beyond the school, we put in place other measures to mitigate impacts to those living and working along our project route. The team quickly learned that being able to adapt based on the needs of the community would be an important lesson learned. We provided business continuity signage for shops and market traders and maintained access for their deliveries, when routes were altered by our works. We also worked with the local fire department to create safe alternative routes should there be an emergency while sections of roads and walkways were blocked off.

At times, the project began to affect those living in the community around us as we needed to work at unsociable hours to avoid impacting existing train services during the day. We monitored and assessed the grievances submitted to local authorities, as well as social media conversations. This lead to a multitude of proactive elements, including utilizing a real-time noise model that dictated when to stop using certain tools/equipment for set durations of time until we could align with the ‘allowable limits.’ By predicting noisy work in advance, the project could provide temporary hotel accommodations for the residents most impacted by night time work. Local authorities were reassured that the needs of residents were considered and addressed through the package of measures put in place.

An effective way to build support for the project was to provide opportunities for local people to see ‘behind the hoardings’ through a series of open days. Being able to see the scale of the works and talk to the project engineers about the construction challenges helped people to understand and engage with the project in a more positive way.

IV. KEY LEARNINGS

Building an inclusive community for densely-populated urban projects was a key strategy to mitigate social risk, and by extension, short and long-term project risks. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, the guiding principle was to seamlessly integrate into their daily lives and develop a symbiotic relationship. This required being truly present, orchestrating deliberate dialogues, and performing ongoing engagement with local communities. Also, corporate benefits only go so far in addressing complex local issues and concerns related to the project’s impact. The changing circumstances of the project, and the priorities of the impacted community, are in a state of flux. Community plans and programs therefore need to be flexible; not fixed. The use of enhanced technologies like predictive analytics can capture patterns of social issues and grievances and help projects calibrate plans more effectively and become more proactive.

Tweet me:This @Bechtel #Build100 blog examines the efforts to build local #inclusivity in urban communities impacted by major construction projects http://bit.ly/2MXyBfh #SDGs #SDG11

KEYWORDS: Bechtel, inclusivity