Cummins, Inc.

Gilead Sciences

The Home Depot

Supporting Indigenous Communities

Gilead Oncology Grant Supports 22 U.S. Organizations With $3.15 Million to Provide Support to Those Affected By Breast Cancer

Operation Surprise 2024: The Home Depot Foundation’s Tribute to Service    

<img alt="A group posed outside, some holding a large check." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="db770914-4020-4012-bd68-d51c1e572c4c" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/refilljackson_entergy_110424.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Entergy’s Environmental Initiative Fund is supporting the launch of a Jackson, Mississippi program that addresses two issues at the core of our business – environmental stewardship and workforce development.

The company has awarded $150,000 to Refill Jackson Initiative for their Refill Jackson Green Corps program, a new workforce training AmeriCorps program for young adults.

Over 5 months, participants will complete various projects to improve water quality and environmental conditions along the Pearl River’s watershed; remove debris and mitigate flood-prone areas in public parks and vacant properties; and clean up neighborhoods in West Jackson.

“We invest in the critical foundations of our communities like Refill Jackson Green Corps, to create thriving places to call home, now and for future generations,” Haley Fisackerly, President and CEO of Entergy Mississippi.

The Refill Jackson Green Corps also gives young adults the opportunity to earn construction credentials, a stipend, and water quality testing certification from Mississippi State University’s Extension Services.

“Refill Jackson Initiative seeks to be a good neighbor to our West Jackson community by pursuing projects that directly address the environmental concerns of West Jacksonians. Refill Jackson Green Corps will impart skills sought by employers while getting things done for and with Jacksonians,” said Caitlin Brooking, executive director of Refill Jackson Initiative.

Since 2001, the Environmental Initiatives Fund has supported projects and programs that reduce emissions, protect natural resources, and restore wetlands and forests across Entergy’s four-state service area.

The fund educates our customers, employees, communities and owners on the value of natural resources and other environmental improvements.

Entergy Supports Environmental Stewardship Program Serving West Jackson

<img alt="Tall waves crashing over a wall with beacon." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e6ede050-5826-4578-abd1-ac79d2765615" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/climatechange_AB_103124_0.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="570" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/bio.sara-rosner.html" target="_blank">Sara Rosner</a>| Director of Environmental Research and Engagement

<a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/bio.markus-schneider.html" target="_blank">Markus Schneider</a>| Senior Economist—EEMEA

<a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/bio.patrick-oconnell.html" target="_blank">Patrick O'Connell, CFA</a>| Director—Fixed Income Responsible Investing Research

<a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/bio.zac-greear.html" target="_blank">Zac Greear</a>| Climate Research Analyst—Responsibility

Climate-focused investing traditionally emphasizes how well industries are transitioning to low-carbon economies, such as responding to climate-friendly regulations, greener technologies and shifting consumer needs. But transition risks and opportunities are just one of several lenses to assess climate change’s impact on the investment landscape. Physical risks and opportunities are another.

Knowing Physical Threats Enhances Risk Assessment

The number of companies that acknowledge climate change’s direct financial impact grew 24% in 2023, according to a <a href="https://www.cdp.net/en/climate" target="_blank">CDP Worldwide survey</a>. But transition risks continue to command more of companies’ attention than physical risks. Between 2009 and 2020, for example, average mentions of transition risks in 10-K filings grew from four to 10, while average mentions of physical risks rose from two to just four, based on a <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/flying-blind-what-do-investors-really-know-about-climate-change-risks-in-the-u-s-equity-and-municipal-debt-markets/" target="_blank">Brookings Institute analysis</a>. We think such low reporting for physical risks suggests that businesses are only beginning to appreciate their effect on the bottom line.

The threats are very real, however. Physical risks can be chronic—as with rising global temperatures and sea levels—or acute, as in the case of an extreme heatwave or a hurricane. Any of these can levy substantial financial burdens on businesses and global economic growth alike.

The financial toll of physical risks manifests in several ways, but often through local property damage or total loss. There are also costs for stranded or delayed production capacity, plant closures, supply chain disruptions and legal liabilities from not adapting assets and communities to be more resilient.

Disasters can also hurt local households, from job losses to residential displacement, which has implications for labor supply and customer demand for products and services. As these local extremes add up, their macro implications can throttle global productivity, trade and government revenues, as well as sway inflation and interest rates.
<img alt="Info graphic bar chart &quot;EM Physical Risks and Coping Capacity&quot; with data points for many countries." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cfa8abc0-2fa9-41de-b6f5-2aaeda601fac" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/emphysicalrisks_AB_103124_0.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="991" loading="lazy" />Physical Risks Won’t Disappear, Prompting More Ways to Cope

As a global disruptor, climate change remains one of a handful of <a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/insights/investment-insights/how-mega-forces-will-reshape-the-macro-regime-and-investing.html?wcmmode=disabled" target="_blank">mega-forces likely to permanently change</a> how the world lives, works and consumes—all directly affecting countries, assets and companies on many levels.

For example, population centers will likely shift within countries and across continents as crops fail or it becomes too hot to work outdoors. Agriculture-dependent regions could be the most vulnerable, not only to food scarcity but to <a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/insights/investment-insights/the-connection-between-climate-change-and-modern-slavery.html?wcmmode=disabled" target="_blank">modern slavery.</a>

Emerging-market (EM) regions are especially vulnerable to physical risks—frequently the result of flooding or drought. Thankfully, we’re seeing governments and the private sector deploying more coping mechanisms across these regions. These include adaptation plans, multi-hazard warning systems and risk assessments, which we believe help offset some of EM’s high exposure to physical risk (Display). This suggests that even countries with high physical-risk potential could take effective steps to manage it—and improve creditworthiness.
<img alt="Info graphic map &quot;Mapping a Global Company’s Physical Risks on a Local Level Climate TRACE and Aqueduct Data Reveal Which of a Large Automaker’s Factories and Other Facilities Are Most Exposed&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a3c30629-af51-4dee-8c36-863aad4ce139" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/mappingrisks_AB_103124_0.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="978" loading="lazy" />Data Show Climate Change Is Global but Impact Is Local

Florida hurricanes, Canadian wildfires, Abu Dhabi flooding—<a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/insights/investment-insights/when-disaster-strikes-gauging-the-investment-risk-of-natural-hazards.html?wcmmode=disabled" target="_blank">when hazards strike</a>, they’re not only more frequent and costly but also hyper-regional. That’s why we believe that understanding physical risks at the local level helps investors better assess their potential financial damage, even for globe-spanning entities.

Obtaining local physical-risk data can be challenging. In the US, some granularity can be <a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/insights/esg-in-action/investing-lessons-from-climate-school-class-of-2023.html" target="_blank">mapped using the Natural Hazards Index</a> (NHI), which AllianceBernstein developed in partnership with the Columbia Climate School. The index tracks 14 types of extreme-weather disasters and assigns risk scores to some 75,000 underlying census tracts. Meanwhile, the global Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, which tracks potential water-specific risks, pinpoints areas facing the highest risks to potable water quality and quantity.

Another hurdle in evaluating physical risks is tying them to companies’ physical locations, since they tend not to be uniformly disclosed. However, Climate TRACE (Tracking Real-time Atmospheric Carbon Emissions) is making headway, offering models to help investors identify which of a global firm’s locations are high emitters. Combined with Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas data, the results can effectively map where a global company’s local physical risks are greatest (Display). Many leading data sources, such as Moody’s, S&amp;P and MSCI, also now offer physical risk-scenario analysis tools—although sometimes with conflicting insights that require careful assessment.

Engaging* directly with companies can also reveal much about their physical risk exposures and plans to address them. Engagement involves meeting with leaders, touring facilities and participating in shareholder meetings, among other activities. In many cases, more intel can be gained from dialogue than from data, especially when physical climate-risk reporting is still relatively new for many companies. This was the case with a large South American bank, whose most significant financial threat comes from—of all things—farming.
<img alt="Info graphic comparison chart &quot;As Local Agriculture Struggles, a State-Owned Bank Weighs Its Options&quot; with points for &quot;Risks&quot; and &quot;Opportunities&quot;." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2a546ab2-9f03-49d5-bfcd-132f6bd63a93" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/localagriculture_AB_103124_1.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="795" loading="lazy" />Banking on Agriculture: A Study in Physical Risk

The bank is a majority state-owned enterprise based in Brazil, the world’s largest agricultural exporter. About 85% of the nation’s farms comprise small family-owned homesteads that subsist on loans for which the institution is a top provider.

The bank’s primary physical risk exposure stems from the country’s epic regional flooding and drought. Both can disrupt farm production and upend the livelihood of its largest borrower group, who could be more likely to skip payments or default. The bank is also exposed through its insurance affiliate, which offers crop insurance, using farmers’ equipment and cash flows as collateral. Add in potential physical damage to branch locations and office equipment in the danger zones, and the picture looks grim.

A bank this large and with inherent government backing should have the resources to manage such risks and pursue the opportunities we see for it. Through our engagement with the bank, for example, we discovered helpful mitigation measures underway, such as spreading the insurance liability to willing participants in-country and abroad and more diversification across agricultural regions and crop types (Display).

We think inviting more government input and along with helpful solutions is another opportunity and should be in both the bank’s and the country’s interests, considering that agriculture represented about 24% of Brazil’s GDP in 2023.

The takeaway: physical risks can touch any industry in unique ways, but how companies respond can create opportunities that are just as unique.

Catastrophic and costly weather events continue to turn up the dial on physical and economic damage, creating life-altering disruption to people and property in every region. That’s why we believe that investors should seek opportunities stemming from the preparation, response and recovery surrounding climate-related hazards.

A growing number of relevant data sources, combined with engagement and an active investment approach, are especially helpful in this nascent area. Together, they can offer <a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/insights/investment-insights/the-weather-is-changing-for-climate-focused-investors.html?wcmmode=disabled" target="_blank">climate-focused investors</a> effective tools to not only assess physical risks but also their potential effect on asset prices across regions, sectors, industries and companies of all stripes.

*AB engages issuers when it believes the engagement is in the best financial interest of its clients.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams. Views are subject to revision over time.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility <a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/corporate-responsibility.html?syn:pan-emea:brand:3bl:eu942" target="_blank">here.</a>

AB: As Climate Change Gets Hyperphysical, Investors Should Too

Business Response to Hurricane Helene Among Social Impact, Sustainability Topics Explored at 3BL Network Effect: Charlotte

<img alt="The Home Depot relief efforts underway for Hurricane victims." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d104331-8574-4ce0-b7aa-148a092a8213" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief_Home%20Depot_10.16.24.1.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://corporate.homedepot.com/news/foundation-and-community/home-depot-foundation-commits-3-million-hurricane-relief-efforts" target="_blank">Originally published on Built From Scratch</a>

The Home Depot Foundation is committing up to $3 million to support immediate disaster relief in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. This incremental funding on top of the Foundation’s annual disaster grants brings the total amount committed to relief efforts this disaster season to more than $9 million. 

The Foundation’s nonprofit partners are mobilizing to assess damage, deliver relief supplies and meals and begin cleanup across the communities in Florida devastated by Hurricane Milton, including those still recovering from Helene’s strike just two weeks ago. With the support of the Foundation, partners like Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing, World Central Kitchen and Team Rubicon, among others, will continue recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene while deploying additional resources to Florida. 

“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by Hurricane Milton and those still working to recover from Hurricane Helene,” said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “We’re here for the long haul – we’ll continue our efforts in Tennessee, the Carolinas and Georgia and double down our support in Florida, particularly those communities affected by both of these back-to-back storms.” 
<img alt="The Home Depot volunteer shown with disaster relief materials." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb394d09-3678-4022-8755-24bfba09aa7b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief_Home%20Depot_10.16.24.2.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />Since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast, Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, has packed more than 6,500 disaster relief kits including essentials like cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), trash bags and more to be distributed in disaster zones. More than 3,000 were already distributed at stores in Asheville and Augusta alone. Similar efforts are underway to help those impacted by Hurricane Milton.

“Partnering with The Home Depot Foundation allows us to respond immediately after disasters like Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,” said Britni Adkins, director of procurement and corporate relations at Operation Blessing. “With their funding and partnership, we’ve distributed more than 100,000 meals across the Southeast and delivered water, hygiene kits, cleanup supplies and hope to victims of Hurricane Helene. With The Home Depot Foundation’s support, we’re able to continue serving these communities as we turn to help those impacted by Hurricane Milton.” 
<img alt="Sign showing The Home Depot and Team Depot." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="476bf3b3-581a-4bed-8baa-cdfea2258fbd" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-3.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />Team Depot will respond to the critical needs of the communities where The Home Depot operates by donating supplies to local governments, first responders and nonprofit organizations, while identifying opportunities to put boots on the ground and support cleanup and rebuilding efforts in the coming weeks. 

The Home Depot Foundation partners with The Home Depot in order to respond quickly. Before Hurricane Milton’s landfall, The Home Depot activated its Disaster Response Command Center, which brings together more than 100 expert associates across merchandising, operations, supply chain and technology to ensure communities have the supplies they need to prepare for and rebuild after a storm. More than 1,000 truckloads of essential storm prep supplies were sent to potentially impacted areas, and pre-staged trucks placed right outside of the storm strike zone have been able to quickly respond with recovery supplies like gas cans, generators, trash bags, cleaning supplies and chain saws. The Homer Fund, The Home Depot’s employee assistance fund, is providing immediate financial support to impacted associates in need of safe housing, food and clothing while displaced.
<img alt="Trucks packed with materials to help hurricane victims." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="37ccd3e3-34ce-4e52-844b-6ef7752b03c5" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-4.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /> 
<img alt="Buckets being labeled for disaster relief." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4e6bda87-5c94-4060-80f3-0648de519c32" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-6.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /> 
<img alt="Buckets stacked on pallets; waiting to be loaded onto trucks." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1ec5b638-5112-4179-916a-4f865cdc7199" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-7.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /> 
<img alt="Forklifts loading pallets of supplies onto trucks." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ca045b7d-cd73-433f-be04-6742b877cf7a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-8.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /> 
<img alt="Supplies being made ready to be packed." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c49f8b4a-a7fc-47d0-8f9f-c09cae6087a1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-9.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /> 
<img alt="Volunteers setting up tables to prepare supplies for the hurricane relief." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87b3588e-aafd-43ae-ad90-b1c9ea33f7ab" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-10.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /> 
<img alt="Packing supplies for hurricane relief." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7a833e4a-edfb-4147-85f1-9ca92b7ae123" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/THDF_Milton_Relief-12.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />

The Home Depot Foundation Commits $3 Million to Hurricane Relief Efforts

<img alt="A smiling person looking at long racks of hanging clothing." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67dfd44b-1aa5-4113-bbe2-07d1eb70f94d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/sustainability_mastercard_102424.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="565" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/insights/sustainability/sustainability-solutions-update-q3-2024/" target="_blank">Mastercard</a>

Moving the needle on climate change is a daunting task; no single corporation or individual alone can mitigate its effects.

We can, however, integrate solutions into our daily lifestyle and business choices to reduce our environmental impact. Over the past quarter, Mastercard has welcomed new ideas that can support more conscious, sustainable choices. From consumers to businesses, we’re leveraging our legacy programs and products to contribute to tackling the climate crisis.

By fostering an ecosystem that makes it simple to make informed choices, we can build a more sustainable, prosperous tomorrow.

Encouraging paperless practices

Mastercard aims to digitalize existing processes to support more efficient use of resources. Take paper receipts for example: Large supermarkets consume an average of 10,600 rolls of thermal paper per year to print receipts, many of which end up lost, or crumpled in our pockets or at the bottom of our bags. We've recently revised our rules to encourage <a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/europe/en/perspectives/en/2024/embracing-a-paperless-future-the-shift-from-paper-to-digital-payment-confirmations-in-europe/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">paperless confirmation for card payments</a> at all points of sales, where Mastercard payments are accepted.

As consumers can now opt for digital receipts over paper, this can reduce waste, deforestation, and ultimately this type of environmental impact.

Supporting the shift to circular systems

In the UK, <a href="https://b2b.mastercard.com/move/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Mastercard Move</a> is supporting the Eden Project, an educational charity focused on demonstrating and inspiring positive action for the planet, to eliminate 250,000 single-use cups that typically end up in landfills every year.

Visitors who buy a takeaway drink can now receive it in a reusable cup and are charged a deposit of £2.50 to “rent” the cup. Once they have finished their drink, visitors return their cup to a ‘Reverse Vending Machine’ return point. After putting their cup in the machine, they tap their card, phone or watch to receive their deposit back into their card account via a digital payment. With no app required, the drop creates a seamless, fast service that mitigates single-use waste.

Integrating impact data calculations

Since 2014, Mastercard Start Path has opened its doors to high-potential startups looking to innovate and scale their solutions. In a move supported by Mastercard’s Sustainability Innovation Lab, the Start Path Emerging Fintech program expanded this quarter to welcome a new, dedicated set of sustainability-focused startups. These startups are all uniquely focused on advancing sustainability impact data calculations to support next-generation solutions for consumers who want to make more informed purchases.

This set of startups include: <a href="https://aworld.org/" id="OWAe3e512d6-00a3-9712-864d-32bb61d5d6cc" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://aworld.org/">AWorld,</a> a platform that educates, engages and rewards people for reducing their carbon footprints; <a href="https://www.howgood.com/" id="OWA36a5809e-b8ee-177b-42ca-1e20611d6790" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.howgood.com/">HowGood</a>, an independent research company and SaaS data platform with one of the world’s largest databases on food product sustainability; <a href="https://www.footprintlab.io/" id="OWAb2b63acb-8c72-1af1-00ea-8e9ce512907a" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.footprintlab.io/">FootprintLab</a>, which offers sustainability data as a service for fintech, financial services and analytics companies; <a href="https://reewild.com/" id="OWAe2635d41-27db-70c4-060e-a34c9144653b" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://reewild.com/">Reewild</a>, an app that nudges consumer behavior before the point of purchase, incentivizes sustainable choices and helps retailers decouple emissions growth from corporate growth; and <a href="https://www.vaayu.tech/" id="OWAc1049051-23c2-3338-698a-bb9fd7b50276" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.vaayu.tech/">Vaayu</a>, which makes climate tech software that is designed to help the retail industry calculate and cut its climate impact.

Entering the final stretch of 2024

Mastercard is embedding sustainability into the heart of our business, using our scale to reach beyond our own footprint and enable meaningful change. We are putting our technology and network to work to support climate-aligned practices without disrupting day-to-day activities. As we look to the last quarter of 2024, Mastercard will continue to grow our solutions and collaborate with partners who are making it easier than ever to make sustainable choices.

<a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/insights/sustainability/sustainability-solutions-update-q3-2024/" target="_blank">Originally published by Mastercard</a>

<a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/" target="_blank">Follow along Mastercard's journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.</a>

Mastercard: Connecting Everyday Sustainable Choices Into the Core of Our Business

<img alt="Building with Plants all over the outside" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="20e73d96-86a4-43d5-817a-92f3c2bb52ab" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ricardo-gomez_Lenovo_92024.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="1200" loading="lazy" />With the need to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, circularity is becoming increasingly important for businesses and organisations around the world.

France has set the standard when it comes to <a href="https://news.lenovo.com/frances-pioneering-approach-to-refurbished-it-devices/" target="_blank">legislation shaping the use of refurbished devices</a>, and Lenovo is also rolling out circular solutions such as Certified Refurbished in other countries around Europe. Circularity is also important for individuals, however, and consumer behaviour can help to influence organisations to pick a more sustainable path.

<a href="https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/Industries/consumer/research/sustainable-consumer.html" target="_blank">According to research from Deloitte</a>[1], “Companies from every industry are facing increasing calls from their consumers, investors and employees to play a greater role in accelerating the transition to more sustainable business practices. As they do so, they need to manage the risks and seize the opportunities created, from enhanced reputation and new revenue streams, to better risk management and business continuity.”

The many benefits of circularity

Sustainability targets should not be constrained by compliance. It’s important that companies realise the value that effective ESG (Environmental, Social and corporate Governance) initiatives can deliver to any organisation. As Deloitte explains, sustainability initiatives can also achieve efficiencies through cutting waste, shortening the supply chain, and saving energy.

Your technology partner can play a key role when it comes to ESG initiatives and circularity, and Lenovo’s Certified Refurbished solution is a great example. Giving older devices a new lease of life, Certified Refurbished includes our best-in-class PC and Servers refurbished, certified, and their lifespan extended– all while retaining high levels of quality, security, and performance.

Certified Refurbished delivers quality, reliability, security, and we reuse original packaging where possible. Along with supporting the circular economy, refurbished devices can also prove substantially cost-effective than new. These are some of the direct benefits of circular solutions, but there are also other reasons to choose a more sustainable path.  

Building reputations and opening new revenue streams

As explained in Deloitte’s The Sustainable Consumer 2023 report, “The application of circular principles offers significant potential for organisations to achieve commercial and strategic objectives including cost reduction, value chain resilience, new revenue streams and net-zero targets.”

“Consumers are shifting their spending toward products with ESG-related claims,” <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/consumers-are-in-fact-buying-sustainable-goods-highlights-from-new-research" target="_blank">a report from McKinsey and NielsenIQ</a> explains, and a <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/consumers-care-about-sustainability-and-back-it-up-with-their-wallets" target="_blank">recent study by NielsenIQ</a> found that 78 per cent of US consumers say that a sustainable lifestyle is important to them.

It’s increasingly clear that consumers care about sustainability. Companies must demonstrate commitment to sustainability by making real changes within their operations to make a genuine impact. Circularity is simply one step on that journey, with solutions such as Certified Refurbished organisations can embrace more sustainable practices without compromise on productivity.

The role of education, awareness and incentives

<a href="https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/Industries/consumer/research/sustainable-consumer.html" target="_blank">Deloitte’s study</a> emphasises the need for businesses to lead with transparency and engage in clear, honest communication about their sustainability practices. This transparency builds trust and encourages consumers to make deliberate, sustainable choices.

Education also has an important role to play, helping organisations to make more informed choices. Along with helping to drive customer trust and brand loyalty, this can also lead to greater efficiencies, cultural change, and long-term economic benefits.

Lenovo can support our customers when it comes to education. Our <a href="https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/content/Lenovoassetsprod/sustainability-workshop_flyer_ww_enpdf?refId=83b5c4b4-31f7-45fc-9a9e-2bcda5ca7864" target="_blank">sustainability workshops</a> make it possible to discuss the specific needs of the customer and find the most efficient ways to meet their sustainability targets.

Our focus is to first help reduce emissions resulting from IT purchase as much as possible and then offset remaining inevitable emissions. Our workshops consider everything from sustainable packaging solutions to more sustainable shipping, secure asset recovery services, device lifecycle extensions, and flexible as-a-service solutions such as Lenovo TruScale.

When it comes to creating a more sustainable society, extending product lifecycles and using what we already have at our disposal is a great place to start.

 

[1] Deloitte – The Sustainable Consumer 2023

How Consumer Behaviour Is Helping To Drive Circularity

<img alt="left side of image car assembly line; right side of image &quot;Powering the Supply Chain Revolution&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ca423171-6e37-4264-ae73-6e764249a33f" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/11052024_3BL_Addressing%20the%20supply-chain%20impact%20of%20EV%20component%20requirements.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />The automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift as traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles give way to EVs. After U.S. EV sales <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/trends-in-electric-cars#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20new,USD%207%20500%20tax%20credit." target="_blank">surpassed</a> 1 million for the first time in 2023, the International Energy Agency (IEA) <a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/transport/electric-vehicles" target="_blank">projects</a> U.S. EV sales to exceed 17 million by the end of 2024, marking a 20% increase from 2023. Moreover, <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-10-14-gartner-forecasts-85-million-electric-vehicles-will-be-on-the-road-by-end-of-2025" target="_blank">Gartner Inc.</a> projects EV use globally to grow in 2025 by 33%, with 85 million EVs on the road by the end of next year. This transition is reshaping global supply chains in ways manufacturers are still scrambling to adapt to. 

The <a href="https://www.dpworld.com/usa/insights/reports/navigating-the-ev-manufacturing-supply-chain?_gl=1*1nxd794*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQyNDYzNDcyMi4xNzMwMzM5NDQ1*_ga_Y6R7148TPX*MTczMDMzOTQ0NC4xLjAuMTczMDMzOTQ0NC4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank">report</a> co-authored by DP World and Canary Creative, “Navigating the Opportunities and Challenges of an Electric Vehicle-Centric Manufacturing Supply Chain,” found that the EV supply chain revolution is being driven primarily by the battery—the most expensive and critical component of an EV. The battery-centric nature of EVs is forcing manufacturers to rethink how vehicles are made, stored, and shipped.

But the supply chain overhaul doesn’t stop at batteries. EVs require far fewer moving parts than their ICE counterparts—just 20, compared to 200—which means leaner production processes, but also different logistical challenges. From retrofitting factories to meet the demands of EV production, to ensuring the safe transportation of hefty batteries, the industry is being transformed from the factory floor to the customer door. Let’s dive into some of the key impacts and opportunities this shift presents for supply chains.

Battery-First Manufacturing: A Heavyweight Champion

The battery is the undisputed star of the EV show. These energy-packed giants can weigh as much as one ton, especially in popular electric SUVs. As a result, proximity between battery manufacturing and EV assembly lines has become crucial. Shipping batteries across long distances is not only expensive but also risky due to their weight and safety concerns—such as the potential for fires. Factories need specialized equipment to handle these behemoths, along with climate-controlled storage and fire suppression systems in warehouses.

Even though lithium-ion battery prices saw a slight rise in 2022, Bloomberg New Energy Finance <a href="https://about.bnef.com/blog/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-rise-for-first-time-to-an-average-of-151-kwh/#:~:text=While%20prices%20for%20key%20battery,economics%20of%20energy%20storage%20projects." target="_blank">predicts</a> they’ll drop below $100 per kilowatt-hour by 2026, which is great news for American consumers, whose EVs typically demand 40% larger batteries than global averages. The logistics of moving these batteries around—and minimizing their environmental footprint—is a challenge and an opportunity for innovation.

Factory Retooling: Out with the Old, In with the Electric

Traditional automotive factories are getting a major facelift to accommodate the production of EVs. Retrofitting existing ICE vehicle plants to handle electric vehicles requires expensive equipment upgrades. Factories now need automated vehicles that can transport 2,000-pound battery packs from one station to the next, replacing the traditional conveyor belts used for lighter ICE components.

The changes don’t end there. EVs require far fewer parts than ICE vehicles, eliminating the need for complex casting and machining equipment used for pistons, cylinders, and camshafts. Instead, EV factories focus on simpler components like rotor hubs and magnets. This shift has pushed manufacturers to adopt bulk-metered, just-in-time delivery systems, where components are delivered in larger batches rather than meticulously sequenced deliveries.

Transportation &amp; Storage: Safety First, Always

Shipping EVs introduces new logistical hurdles, particularly around battery safety. Batteries must be stored in climate-controlled warehouses with extensive fire safety precautions. In some cases, EV batteries are shipped separately from the vehicles to minimize fire risks during transportation. The American Bureau of Shipping has also issued guidelines for shipping EVs, recommending video monitoring and installing fire detection systems on cargo ships.

What’s more, EVs need to be charged to between 20% and 50% before shipping to reduce the risk of fires while still having enough power to move on and off cargo ships. Trucks and ships transporting EVs must also account for the heavy battery weight, which means current loading procedures may need adjustments to comply with weight limits.

Circular Economy: Recycling EV Components

The EV supply chain isn’t just about getting new cars to market—it’s also about what happens when those cars reach the end of their lifecycle. The rise of the circular economy in the EV sector is key to reducing both costs and geopolitical risks. As EV manufacturers face an uncertain future regarding access to critical minerals like lithium and cobalt, recycling and repurposing these materials is becoming a top priority.

Recycling old EV batteries and using the reclaimed minerals to build new ones not only makes financial sense but also promotes environmental sustainability. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) encourages this approach by offering incentives for battery materials recycled within the U.S. to qualify for domestic-content benefits, regardless of their origin.

Low-Maintenance, High-Impact Logistics

One of the perks of driving an EV is that they require much less maintenance than their ICE counterparts, thanks to having fewer moving parts. But that doesn’t mean the supply chain for EV parts disappears entirely. For instance, the heavier weight of EV batteries means tires wear out 20% faster, creating a steady demand for replacements. Additionally, while EV batteries have long lifespans, they’ll eventually need replacing—though not before 8 to 20 years or 100,000 to 200,000 miles.

This ongoing need for parts and maintenance presents a unique opportunity for logistics companies to step in and offer services that go beyond just shipping new cars. Some logistics providers are already handling light repairs and refurbishment for consumer electronics, and similar models may emerge for EVs.

A Roadmap for the Future

The rise of EVs is already reshaping the manufacturing supply chain, but the real transformation is just beginning. From battery-first production to embracing the circular economy, the logistics and automotive industries are navigating uncharted territory. While challenges like battery safety and factory retooling remain, the opportunities for innovation—and profit—are vast.

For more insights into the supply chain shifts created by the transition to electric vehicles, download the full report co-authored by DP World and Canary here: <a href="https://www.dpworld.com/usa/insights/reports/navigating-the-ev-manufacturing-supply-chain?_gl=1*1nxd794*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQyNDYzNDcyMi4xNzMwMzM5NDQ1*_ga_Y6R7148TPX*MTczMDMzOTQ0NC4xLjAuMTczMDMzOTQ0NC4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank">Navigating the Electric Vehicle-Centric Supply Chain</a>.

The automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift as traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles give way to EVs.

Powering the Supply Chain Revolution: Addressing the Impact of Electric Vehicle Requirements on Supply Chains

<img alt="Spanish team" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c797e579-be1f-4f1d-8e6a-1d55d3ba3afe" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/PurpleDay_Spain_2024%20%281%29_0.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="900" loading="lazy" />Jazz Pharmaceuticals Iberia has been recognized as one of the <a href="https://amp.elmundo.es/economia/2024/09/29/66f684ede85ece68108b457f.html" target="_blank">100 Best Companies to Work For in Spain</a>, achieving an impressive 15th position in the overall ranking. This is a significant leap from our 71st position last year, showcasing our continuous commitment to people creating a positive and rewarding work environment.

For the second year running Jazz Pharmaceuticals Iberia has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Spain, achieving an impressive #15 in the overall ranking; a significant leap of 56 places from our position last year at #71. Moreover, Jazz is ranked third highest amongst the pharmaceutical companies who feature in the Top 100 list.

Compiled by business magazine Actualidad Económica, this annual ranking exercise is derived from a questionnaire prepared in collaboration with consultants and experts in Human Resources. It focuses on employee experience and includes categories such as: Talent Management; Remuneration and Compensation; Environment; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); and Training.

Continue reading <a href="https://amp.elmundo.es/economia/2024/09/29/66f684ede85ece68108b457f.html" target="_blank">here</a>.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Iberia has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Spain, achieving an impressive 15th position in the overall ranking.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Iberia Recognized as One of the 100 Best Companies To Work for in Spain

<img alt="Group photo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4a5161a4-9c54-41de-9f1d-25ad7debc48e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WWClassroom_Chemours_11124.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="801" loading="lazy" />The <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/about-chemours/global-reach/washington-works" target="_blank">Chemours Washington Works</a> Nature Trail is among the most loved natural treasures in the greater Parkersburg, West Virginia area. In fact, a local publication described it as a “<a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nature/west-virginia/hidden-nature-day-hike-wv" target="_blank">hiking hidden gem</a>.” Open to the public, the site’s nature trail offers diverse wildlife habitats and serves as an outdoor educational site for the surrounding communities. In late October, the trail officially opened its Outdoor Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Classroom and dedicated it to outgoing U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, III, for his shared passion for advancing and expanding access to education to create opportunity, unlock potential, and drive prosperity in West Virginia.

Chemours has pledged to invest $50 million by 2030 in safety and sustainability programs in communities near its sites and to broaden access to STEM education as part of its <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/sustainability/2030-goals/community-impact/vibrant-communities" target="_blank">Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals</a>. With roots in the community going back more than 75 years, the building of this outdoor classroom is Washington Work’s latest investment in the local area and offers a safe place for community members and students to learn more about STEM and the environment.
<img alt="Pavilion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3880aa49-f25f-44da-9d65-79fb93532348" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pavilion_Chemours_11124.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="801" loading="lazy" />Initially established in 1992, employee and retiree volunteers host school, Boy Scouts of America, local garden, and bird-watching groups each year for guided education and work projects. The Washington Works integrated approach to managing and enhancing the trail includes creating and maintaining various wildlife habitats on the manufacturing site and adjacent land. The program directly supports a wide variety of flora and fauna, offers 2.72 miles of networked nature trails, and learning programs geared to all ages.

In 2022, the Washington Works nature trail <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/news-media-center/all-news/press-releases/2022/chemours-washington-works-nature-trail-achieves-certified-gold-status#:~:text=Chemours'%20Washington%20Works%20manufacturing%20site,600%20WHC%20Conservation%20Certification%20programs." target="_blank">achieved Certified Gold status</a> by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)—the highest level of certification—while five additional Chemours sites have also received certification.

The Chemours Washington Works Nature Trail is among the most loved natural treasures in the greater Parkersburg, West Virginia area. In fact, a local publication described it as a “hiking hidden gem.”

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