Closing the AI Divide in Rural Markets: Why Modern Optical Networks Matter More Than Ever

Nokia — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:05:00 -0400

Improving access to artificial intelligence (AI) in rural markets is one of several topics I look forward to discussing at DISTRIBUTECH International 2026 in San Diego. How big is this new business opportunity for power utilities?

Governments, power utilities and telecommunication providers are racing to close the digital divide. Broadband is no longer optional because it underpins education, healthcare, economic development and social participation.

But connecting rural markets takes more than last-mile fiber. It requires resilient, modern optical transport networks that can support today’s digital services and tomorrow’s AI-driven applications as their data travels from the network core to your door.

Utilities and the rise of fiber-powered networks

Utilities are increasingly deploying fiber along transmission and distribution corridors to enable real-time grid monitoring, secure substation control and corporate WAN connectivity. Some are also extending this fiber to deliver broadband services.

These fiber-powered networks must be scalable, simple, secure and highly resilient. Advances in coherent optics, compact hardware, switching, automation and encryption now make this possible. Modern optical systems efficiently aggregate mission-critical operational technology (OT) traffic, AI-heavy IT workloads and growing broadband traffic across middle-mile networks.

DCI-MOFN: A new revenue opportunity for utilities

One of the most promising opportunities for utilities is data center interconnect (DCI). As AI workloads surge, enterprises need massive amounts of low-latency transport between data centers. Utilities, which are already positioned with the requisite power supply and near-long-haul fiber routes, can address this need by offering 100, 400 or 800 Gb/s DCI as a managed service.

These managed optical fiber networks (MOFNs) can serve cloud and AI providers and large enterprises that are looking for dedicated connectivity. As data centers are distributed closer to the network edge, they can better support consumer and enterprise AI inference use cases. This results in increased demand for higher capacity, lower latency and stronger data sovereignty interconnect options.

AI acceleration: A network load few expected

Rapid AI adoption is reshaping network demand. Enterprises are deploying agentic AI to automate operations, while major tech companies are investing heavily in compute capacity. According to Goldman Sachs, AI spending will exceed $US500 billion next year. Deloitte estimated that power demand from AI data centers in the US could grow more than 30-fold by 2035. McKinsey says up to 70% of data center capacity demand will come from AI by 2030.

This rapid expansion places unprecedented pressure on optical transport and DCI networks and creates an urgent need for them to be modernized.

Why data centers are moving to rural areas

Urban regions face power and land shortages. Some, like those in the state of Virginia, have multiyear waits for new data center hookups. Rural areas offer lower land costs, renewable energy, greater water availability, cooler climates, lower disaster risk and proximity to major fiber routes. Cloud and AI providers such as AWS and Microsoft are building more facilities in these regions.

Building AI-ready multiuse networks

Today’s optical platforms are compact, modular and energy efficient. Programmable pluggable versions of coherent optics deliver 100G to 800G data rates across thousands of kilometers without needing costly regeneration.

These technologies bring utilities the benefits of lower power per bit and smoother migration to emerging 800G-enabled routers, along with the advantages of open, multivendor environments. Utilities can use them to create unified networks that support broadband aggregation, middle-mile transport, IT/OT network convergence and DCI/MOFN business models. These networks will have smaller footprints and lower cost than legacy systems and offer the automation and protection mechanisms of modern systems.

The bottom line

Rural markets and power utilities have a unique opportunity. Broadband expansion remains essential, but the rise of AI is creating new demands and value. Many rural regions already have the land, power and fiber access required for next-generation data centers. By strengthening rural optical transport networks with modern, high-capacity technologies, utilities can play a key role in helping rural communities participate and prosper in the digital- and AI-driven future.

I’m looking forward to learning and sharing more with you at DISTRIBUTECH International 2026. If you can’t make the conference, please follow us for future thoughts and news.

PepsiCo Foundation Recognizes 100 Community Organizations Across the U.S. and Canada Through 2026 Community Impact Awards

PepsiCo — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:35:00 -0400

PURCHASE, N.Y., September 9, 2026 /3BL/ - The PepsiCo Foundation today announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Impact Awards, recognizing 100 nonprofit organizations across the United States and Canada with $500,000 USD in grants to help advance their missions and expand opportunity. Nominated by PepsiCo associates who know their work firsthand, the organizations are helping address some of the most pressing needs in their communities, from expanding access to food and safe water to creating pathways to employment and supporting farming livelihoods.

Now in its fifth year, the Community Impact Awards put local perspective at the center of community investment. PepsiCo associates nominate nonprofit organizations they know and trust, helping identify organizations that are making a meaningful difference every day. Since launching in 2022, the program has invested more than $3.7 million USD in community grants across North America.

Each recipient organization will receive a $5,000 USD grant to support its mission and continue serving its community.

"Across North America, there are organizations showing up every day for their communities, often without recognition and with limited resources," said Monica Bauer, SVP, Social Impact, PepsiCo, and President of the PepsiCo Foundation. "The Community Impact Awards help shine a light on organizations that are creating opportunities, solving local challenges and making a real difference in people's lives. What makes this program special is that the recognition comes from PepsiCo associates who know these organizations firsthand and have seen their impact up close."

Local Organizations, Community-Led Solutions

The 2026 recipients reflect the power of local organizations to respond to the unique needs of their communities. Whether serving families, supporting young people, strengthening local economies or creating new opportunities, these organizations are helping improve lives in meaningful and lasting ways.

From Hunger Resource Network in Northbrook, Illinois, which will use its grant to help provide more than 22,000 meals across the Chicago area, to Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center in Westchester County, New York, which advances sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship and community education, this year’s recipients demonstrate how locally rooted organizations are turning community knowledge into action. Each organization was nominated by a PepsiCo associate with a personal connection to its work, whether through volunteering, community involvement or firsthand experience.

"I've always admired the Hunger Resource Network’s approach to address food insecurity across the Chicago area, which is why I wanted to nominate them," said Matthew Hester, Finance Sr. Director at PepsiCo. "I really appreciate having the opportunity through the Community Impact Awards to further support organizations that are doing important work in our local community."

The Community Impact Awards extend beyond grant funding. By Spring 2027, each recipient will work with the PepsiCo associate who nominated them on a volunteer activity aligned to the nonprofit’s mission and community needs, turning recognition into continued action and engagement.

Behind each of the 100 awards is an organization working to solve a problem, create an opportunity or meet a need in its community. Together, this year's recipients reflect the impact that local leadership can have when people step up for their neighbors, and the powerful role community organizations play in helping communities thrive.

2026 PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Awards Recipients

United States

360 Communities
4Roots Foundation, Inc.
A New Day Foundation Inc
Abilityfirst
Alliance For Children
Any Step Community Services
Be A Little Too Kind
Better Way New York Inc.
Beyond the Ball NFP
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana Inc
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana Inc
Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
Bonton Enterprises
Boys and Girls Club of Benton County
Boys and Girls Clubs in Texas
Bread of Life Food Pantry - Lake Oconee Lutheran Church
Brighter Days
Broadway Community, Inc
Capital IDEA Houston
Center on Halsted
Change Course
Chicago Youth Centers
Claremont Neighborhood Center
CLiCK
Clifton Education Foundation, Inc.
Denmark Community Cupboard
District Alliance for Safe Housing
Elmwood Neighborhood Farm
Emma's Torch
Empower the Voice
Every Day Action
Feed My Starving Children
Florence-Firestone Community Organization
Food Lifeline
FoodSphere Inc
Future Founders
Generations Grow Network Inc.
Grace at the Green Light
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Inc
Harlem Grown, Inc.
Hawkeye Area Community Action Program Inc
Hendrick Scholarship Foundation
Hope for the Cities
Hunger Resource Network
Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, d.b.a. The Idaho Foodbank
Interfaith Food Pantry, Inc.
Jobs for America's Graduates
Junior Achievement of Chicago
Junior Achievement of Dallas Inc
Kitsap Community and Agricultural Alliance
LA's BEST
Ladies of Virtue
Matthew 25
McKinney Little Free Pantry - Sanchez Charities
Meals for Unity
Minds Matter NYC
My New House
Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors
Neptune Middle School
New Friends New Life
Pitney Meadows Community Farm
Plate and Pathways
Prairie Fire Foundation
Project 150
Project Cultivate LLC
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC
Second Helpings Inc
Sloatsburg Food Pantry
Soundwaters Inc
St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry
Tackle Hunger
The Concilio
The Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center Inc
The Friendship Center
The Nashville Food Project (TNFP)
The Salvation Army
The Table Community Foundation
Three Square
Together We Thrive
Train Up a Child NOLA
United Way of Central KY
United Way of Tri-County
United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Inc.
Water Is Basic
Weissman Children's Foundation
YMCA of Central Florida
Young Mens Christian Association of Rome and Floyd County GA Inc.
YWCA Central Maine

Canada

Ducks Unlimited Canada
Halton Down Syndrome Association
Hamilton Out of the Cold
Kamloops Food Bank Society
Kawartha Food Share
Kings County Family Resource Centre
La Bouchée Généreuse
Lethbridge Food Bank Society
The Harris Brand Foundation
The Local Community Food Centre
Y.E.S.S.: Youth Emergency Shelter Society of Edmonton

About the PepsiCo Foundation

The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, works to support positive change for people and the planet by expanding access to essential resources that help meet immediate needs and unlock pathways to opportunity. Guided by PepsiCo Positive (pep+), our philanthropic investments focus on four key areas: food access, safe water access, farming, and workforce development. Through collaboration with nonprofits, community organizations and global partners, the Foundation works to strengthen food systems, support farmers, expand access to nutritious food and safe water, and advance workforce development to build lasting economic resilience. Learn more at www.pepsicofoundation.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Ghilianie Soto
201.618.4959
Ghilianie.soto@pepsico.com

CVS Health Marks 20 Years of Free Community Health Screening Program As New Survey Reveals Many U.S. Adults Still Face Barriers to Preventive Health Screenings

CVS Health — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

WOONSOCKET, R.I., September 9, 2026 /3BL/ - New survey findings commissioned by CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) reveal that many Americans face persistent barriers accessing preventive health screenings. Nearly one in four adults have delayed speaking with a health professional about health concerns because of barriers related to access, cost or availability, and one-third were unaware that community screening programs exist.

"People aren't telling us that preventive health screenings don't matter; they're telling us that accessing them can be harder than it should be," said Jenny McColloch, Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Community Impact, CVS Health. "This survey reinforces what we've seen over the past 20 years through Project Health: when screenings are convenient, accessible and offered in places people already know and trust, they're more likely to take that first step. That's why we've continued to bring preventive health services directly into communities and help people better understand their health."

As Project Health marks its 20th anniversary, the program continues to demonstrate the impact of community-based prevention. Since launching in 2006, Project Health has helped millions of people better understand and manage their health through convenient, accessible screenings and health education resources.

The program plays an important role in improving access: Today, four in 10 adults say affordable screenings are difficult to find in their community, while also reporting challenges securing timely appointments. Yet nearly three-quarters (72%) say a program offering screenings with no appointment or insurance requirements would make health screenings easier to obtain. The findings underscore why Project Health, CVS Health’s free community health screening program, has spent the past 20 years bringing preventive health services directly into communities through more than 6 million free screenings at CVS Pharmacy locations, mobile sites and community events.

Since launching in 2006, Project Health has:

Delivered nearly 20,000 community screening events
Reached 1.8 million people across the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Provided more than 6 million no-cost preventive health screenings
Offered screenings with no appointment and no insurance required

Barriers Continue to Keep Many Americans from Preventive Screenings

Many U.S. adults face a combination of awareness, access and affordability challenges that can prevent them from getting recommended preventive health screenings.

Among adults who report barriers to obtaining routine screenings:

Nearly one in four (24%) have delayed speaking with a health professional about a specific health concern.
19 percent have relied on internet searches instead of speaking with a health professional.
17 percent have reduced spending on essentials such as groceries because of health-related costs.
15 percent have used savings or taken on debt to cover health expenses.
15 percent have lost income after taking time away from work to address health-related needs.

One Screening, One New City, One Important Reminder

For Cheryl Jones, Project Health arrived at exactly the right time.

When Cheryl Jones retired and relocated from New York to Houston in late 2025, she was still getting settled and had not yet established local health resources. After a planned trip back to New York for appointments was canceled, she found an unexpected opportunity close to home: a Project Health mobile screening event outside a nearby CVS Pharmacy.

"I had just moved to Houston and didn't know anyone yet," Jones said. "The team was so inviting that I decided to stop and take the screening."

What began as a routine screening provided valuable insight into her health. Jones learned that her cholesterol and A1C levels had increased, giving her information she may not have discovered for months.

"It wasn't necessarily surprising, but it was the reminder I needed," Jones said. "The experience encouraged me to pay closer attention to my health and be more consistent about monitoring it."

For Jones, the experience highlighted the value of bringing preventive health services directly into communities.

"For someone new to a city without an established doctor, it gave me a way to stay informed about my health instead of waiting until something became serious," she said.

Building Trust Through Community Presence

Over the past two decades, Project Health has evolved alongside the communities it serves. Screenings are offered at CVS Pharmacy locations, mobile sites and community events, making it easier for people to access preventive health services in places that are convenient and familiar.

Each participant receives:

No-cost preventive health screenings
One-on-one consultations with health professionals
Information to help understand screening results
Connections to local resources and online health education, including access to the Project Health app

The survey suggests these are exactly the types of services Americans value most. Respondents said trained health professionals, convenient locations, walk-in availability and help understanding results are among the most important factors in building trust in community screening programs. These findings closely align with Project Health's approach of providing convenient community-based screenings while helping participants understand their results and connect to additional health resources when needed.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online by Morning Consult between July 16–20, 2026, among 2,062 U.S. adults, with additional samples in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas. Results have a margin of error ranging from +/- 2 to 4 percentage points.

###

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media contact

Rebecca Ferrick
FerrickR@CVSHealth.com

The Ray and Georgia Department of Transportation Expand Roadside Monarch Butterfly Habitats

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:40:00 -0400

September 9, 2026 /3BL/ - The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and The Ray have partnered to establish monarch butterfly pollinator meadows at nine Georgia DOT highway right-of-way sites across the state. The nine meadows represent Georgia DOT’s first installed acres banked through the Nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for the Monarch Butterfly on Energy and Transportation Lands, a voluntary conservation initiative that encourages transportation agencies to create, maintain, and manage monarch butterfly habitat on transportation lands.

“Monarch butterfly populations have been declining in recent years, and these pollinator sites demonstrate how transportation infrastructure and environmental stewardship can create meaningful conservation opportunities,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “The Ray has long been a valued and trusted partner of the department, and we are pleased to continue our collaboration to help protect and preserve monarch butterfly habitats.”

Through this collaborative effort, Georgia DOT prepared the roadside sites and implemented conservation mowing practices, adjusting mowing schedules to allow native vegetation and flowering plants to grow and provide habitat and nectar for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The Ray coordinated the planting and evaluation of the habitats, monitoring plant growth and coverage, pollinator activity, and how well native vegetation performs under different roadside conditions.

“Installing these meadows across Georgia gave us the opportunity to take what we’ve learned through years of roadside research on The Ray Highway and apply it at a much larger scale,” said Josh Weaver, Ph.D., Natural Capital Manager at The Ray. “Each site presents different soils, slopes, and growing conditions, so this work is about more than planting wildflowers. We’re demonstrating how Georgia’s highway rights-of-way can be intentionally managed to provide meaningful monarch and pollinator habitat while also evaluating native vegetation as a practical tool for slope stabilization, erosion control and long-term roadside management.”

Georgia DOT and The Ray will continue monitoring the nine meadow sites as the plantings become established. Information gathered from the project will help partners evaluate the use of native vegetation for roadside habitat and slope stabilization and identify opportunities for future work.

To learn more about Georgia DOT and The Ray’s work to protect monarch butterfly habitats, please click the link below to listen to the podcast.

Putting People First: Building a Workplace Where Everyone Is Valued

Baker Hughes Energy Services LLC — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:05:00 -0400

Our commitment to diversity, inclusion & belonging

Inclusion and belonging go hand in hand. Inclusion involves creating an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel respected, valued and integrated into decision-making processes. Belonging is the emotional experience of feeling accepted and valued as part of our workplace, with customers, and in the communities where we live and work. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that builds the foundation.

In our 2025 Corporate Sustainability Report, we highlight various initiatives and programs we offer to foster a diverse and inclusive culture where every employee feels valued. In this article, we take a closer one of the recognitions in 2025 that is a testament to this.

Spotlight on progress: Launch of Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in Australia

In 2025, we proudly launched our inaugural Australian Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) - a formal commitment to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organizations, and communities.

Our RAP is a framework to promote cultural understanding and support economic empowerment and well-being. It reflects our belief that reconciliation is a shared responsibility and a journey we walk together.

Our action plan is centered on unlocking the profound collective wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose legacy spans over 65,000 years of caring for country through land care and land management. As a company that works closely with land, resources, and communities, we believe that respecting and learning from this heritage is critical to how we operate.

This program, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, builds on our global inclusion efforts, including our Partnership Accreditation in Aboriginal Relations (PAIR) program in Canada, and aligns with our purpose to take energy forward, making it safer, cleaner, and more efficient for people and the planet.

We're excited to continue collaborating across industry and local communities- sharing knowledge, listening deeply, and creating lasting impact.

Learn more about this important work here.

Heather Gay: Doing It All to Having It All (Part 1) | GoDaddy School of Hustle With Angie K.

GoDaddy — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0400

By GoDaddy

Angie K. is joined by her “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” castmate and longtime friend, Heather Gay, co-owner of Beauty Lab + Laser, to talk through her journey from stay-at-home mom to successful business owner. Heather shares what it was really like in the early days of building her med spa, from wearing every hat imaginable to learning how to lead a growing team, and why mentorship played a critical role in her success. She also discusses what mentorship looks like today, when busy schedules often make traditional coffee chats a thing of the past. Plus, hear insights from GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab and a founder spotlight with fellow beauty entrepreneur Naomi Lewis of Luminati Labs, who shares her own lessons from building thriving businesses.

Follow @GoDaddyNews on Instagram for exclusive podcast content.

About GoDaddy School of Hustle with Angie K.

GoDaddy’s School of Hustle hosted by Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Angie Katsanevas examines the “reality” facing today’s entrepreneurs and secrets behind navigating the plot twists along the way to success. Each episode is a totally candid conversation with newsmakers and GoDaddy customers led by fan-favorite Angie K who was a hustler long before the Bravo cameras started rolling.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy, the world's largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company's AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy's expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Bridging the Gap: How a Healthcare Caravan Is Strengthening Rural Care in Romania

Boehringer Ingelheim — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:05:00 -0400

On a crisp November morning in Entregalde, a small village in Alba County, 63-year-old Oana wrapped her woolen scarf tightly as she walked toward the community center. Her fatigue and dizziness had become part of daily life—symptoms she had learned to ignore. But seeing a specialist at the hospital would normally mean hours of travel she could not manage.

That day, a medical caravan had arrived in her village. Inside, cardiologists, endocrinologists, neurologists, and pediatricians welcomed residents for free screenings. For the first time in years, Oana spoke with a specialist. After routine tests—blood pressure, EKG, and hemoglobin A1c—the diagnosis was clear: she had been living with undiagnosed diabetes.

“I didn’t know what was wrong,” Oana says. “Now I have a doctor who explained what’s happening and what to do next.” For Oana, the visit marked more than a diagnosis. It marked reconnection.

Care that continues

"Access to healthcare should not depend on where you live."
Luminița Vâlcea, Vocea Pacienților

"This isn't about one-day visits. It's about building bridges, so care goes on after the caravan leaves."
Gabriel Șerban, Project Communications Manager

"Real impact happens when mobile care becomes part of the system—not a workaround."
Catalina Serban, Senior Public Affairs Specialist & Project Manager for the Prevention Drive in Rural Romania

A structural gap in rural healthcare in Romania

Oana’s experience reflects a broader reality across rural Romania. Around 30% of the population—nearly eight million people—live in rural areas, where access to healthcare services is limited by workforce shortages, fragmented infrastructure, and low health literacy. Diabetologists are concentrated in Bucharest, while many rural areas lack resident specialists altogether. This imbalance leads to extremely high population-to-specialist ratios, often exceeding 10,000 people per diabetologist.

Type 2 diabetes and related cardio-renal-metabolic conditions often remain undiagnosed until complications emerge—placing avoidable strain on patients, families, and the healthcare system. In this context, early screening is not simply preventive care. It is a matter of health equity.

For more than a decade, the NGO Caravana cu Medici has worked to close this gap by bringing volunteer doctors to underserved communities. Traditionally, these mobile clinics offered vital but temporary relief: a consultation, a diagnosis— but also uncertainty about what came next. This initiative was designed to change that.

A medical professional speaks with a patient, the first step toward understanding her health needs and finding the right care.

What makes this caravan different

Supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, the program moves beyond one-day screenings by embedding continuity of care into its design.

Patients screened during caravan visits are registered on a dedicated medical platform operated by Caravana cu Medici. This enables structured follow-up, specialist referral, and longer-term monitoring. The objective is not only to identify health conditions early, but to reconnect patients to the formal healthcare system.

Read the whole piece on Imagine – Boehringer Ingelheim’s sustainability story hub.

Advancing Sustainability as Part of Chemours’ Pathway To Thrive

Chemours — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

At Chemours, our vision to deliver trusted chemistry is not just aspirational—it is a guide for how we lead, how we operate, and how we create value. It shapes the way we run our sites, drives how we innovate, and defines how we engage with our stakeholders. Grounded in that vision, and guided by our values of Safety, Integrity, Partnership, Ownership, and Respect, we are focused on moving our Pathway to Thrive strategy forward in a way that strengthens our company for the long term and reflects our responsibilities to customers, communities, employees, and shareholders.

Sustainability is a central part of that work—it’s part of how we run the business responsibly and how we position Chemours to succeed over time. It helps protect our privilege to operate, differentiate our portfolio, protect our communities, meet customer needs, and build resilience for the future.

In 2025, we continued to advance our Corporate Responsibility Commitment (CRC) goals. Those efforts are reflected in how we are reducing our environmental footprint, strengthening safety, and delivering for our customers.

Underscoring Our Commitment to Responsible Manufacturing

We continue to raise the bar when it comes to responsible manufacturing while producing the essential chemistries the world needs. Since 2018, we have reduced air and water process emissions of fluorinated organic chemicals by 80%. Furthermore, we continue to invest in developing advanced analytical methods that can help us better detect and understand our emissions. At the same time, we’re investing in developing improved abatement technologies to address emissions and minimize our environmental impact. This continued investment and work reflects how seriously we take our responsibility of being a good neighbor to our communities and a trusted provider of essential chemistries to our customers and partners.

Driving Climate Progress Through Operational Improvements and Innovation

We also continued to make solid progress on our climate goals. Since 2018, we have reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 57%, bringing us just shy of our 2030 goal of 60%.

While most of these reductions were achieved through operational improvements, our products are also contributing to reduced emissions globally. As of year-end 2025, our low-global warming potential (GWP) products have helped avoid more than 350 million tons of CO2e emissions globally. Our absolute Scope 3 indirect GHG emissions decreased by 30% since 2018, due in large part to increased adoption of our Opteon™ low-GWP refrigerants. This is a great example of how innovation and strong partnerships across the value chain can come together to advance sustainability and drive broader climate progress.

Reinforcing Our Safety Culture

Safety remains at the center of how we operate. It’s one of our core values and is a non-negotiable expectation across our company. In 2025, we sharpened that focus by simplifying our safety aspiration to a simple and clear enterprise-wide ambition: We Strive for Zero. We delivered strong process and distribution safety results, with zero Tier 1 process safety events and zero distribution safety incidents. At the same time, our overall employee and contractor safety performance fell short of our expectations. We are addressing this by reinforcing safety fundamentals, strengthening oversight, intensifying our focus on learning and prevention, and implementing actions designed to address risk at its source.

Driving Continuous Improvement

Looking ahead, we are strengthening how we deliver against our sustainability commitments through the Chemours Business System, which we launched at the end of 2025. CBS is helping improve safety, drive more consistent and disciplined execution, shared problem-solving, and continuous improvement across the company. Through this work, teams are identifying opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, lower energy use, and strengthen overall environmental and operational performance. Over time, this will help us progress our sustainability strategy, while also strengthening operational execution, improving risk management, and delivering long-term value.

I am grateful to our employees around the world for the work they do every day. They bring our Trusted Chemistry vision to life and drive our CRC progress forward. We have more to do, but by staying focused on our values and executing with discipline and purpose, we are building a stronger Chemours for the long term.

I invite you to explore our latest Sustainability Report and see the hard work and dedication our team put on full display as we continued to deliver against our CRC commitments.

Denise Dignam is the President and Chief Executive Office of The Chemours Company, a global chemistry company with a vision to deliver Trusted Chemistry that makes people’s lives better and helps communities thrive.

AI and Energy Management: The New BrainBox AI Trane Technologies AI Lab & Showroom

Trane Technologies — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:30:00 -0400

Buildings are one of the largest drivers of energy demand. Globally, building operations account for 1/3 of all energy consumption and 26% of energy-related emissions. Most critically, up to 30% of energy purchased for commercial buildings is wasted after it is paid for. Reducing that energy waste would have a deep impact. With the May 20, 2026, launch of the BrainBox AI Trane Technologies AI Lab & Showroom, we’ve taken an important step toward that goal.

More than a research facility, the AI Lab will bring together world-class talent and industry-leading technology to create a global innovation engine designed to accelerate next-generation AI-powered energy management systems for the built environment. By fostering collaboration among scientists, engineers, technologists and other experts, the AI Lab will advance intelligent technologies that can reduce energy use while making our energy infrastructure more resilient.

Buildings are a crucial climate opportunity

In the conversation about energy and climate, we tend to focus on breakthrough new technologies. But a large portion of energy waste and emissions comes from existing buildings and infrastructure that will continue in service for decades to come. The question is not how we replace them, but how we improve their operation now. The AI Lab is built to answer that core question, accelerating the development of new AI-powered tools to help reduce cost and energy waste throughout the built environment.

Many buildings waste energy because they cannot continuously adapt to changing conditions like shifts in weather, temperature, occupancy, equipment performance or fluctuating energy prices. This gap is where a significant amount of energy waste lives. AI has the potential to fundamentally change that equation, enabling systems to continuously adapt in ways that were not previously possible.

Across sectors, AI can optimize energy management in environments where small, repeated operational changes are too great for humans to reasonably manage in real time. Modern commercial buildings embody that exact use case, with complex networks of sensors and interdependent systems along with continuously changing external factors like weather and occupancy.

Turning building data into cost savings and emission reductions

In practice, energy management with AI means using data to anticipate building needs and adjust operations before energy is wasted. AI can, for example, pre-cool a building to avoid using energy during peak pricing windows. It can optimize energy management based on occupancy. And it can analyze data ranging from equipment performance to upcoming weather patterns to anticipate demand and adjust the system in advance. These powerful AI-driven energy management systems are delivering measurable reductions in emissions and operating costs.

What makes this shift powerful from a climate perspective is not a single dramatic change, but that AI now has the power to create continuous, incremental improvements in systems that run all day, every day. When you improve something that runs constantly, even small energy management gains translate into meaningful and scalable reductions in costs and emissions.

AI at work in the built environment

Digital technologies, like monitoring tools, dashboards and analytical platforms, have helped us better understand how the buildings are operating at any given moment. The next phase is not just visibility, it’s autonomy. The AI Lab is focused on those technologies, but intelligent systems powered by AI that continuously work in the background to enhance performance are available now and are already at work.

These solutions are making a difference in the real world. For example, BrainBox AI implemented the AI Control solution across 600 Dollar Tree locations, saving almost 8 million kWh of energy and over $1 million in costs annually for the customer. Our AI solution enables smart, resilient buildings.

In another example, Dubai’s Meera Tower, a 52-story residential building operating in one of the most demanding climates in the world, implemented BrainBox AI’s continuous optimization solution. The new system reduced HVAC energy consumption by 42.7% in four months, without hardware upgrades or new energy sources. This was all executed through AI-enabled energy management, enabling smarter operation of the building systems already in place. These examples show that AI-enabled energy management is no longer theoretical: it’s helping buildings operate more efficiently now.

The future of energy management in buildings

When we begin viewing climate strategy through the lens of reducing the impact of existing assets, buildings stop looking like a background issue and start looking like one of our biggest opportunities. Not because they are new, but because they are everywhere, they consume enormous amounts of energy and, until recently, we did not have a practical way to run them dynamically.

Imagine a future where buildings are not just passive energy consumers, but intelligent systems for energy management. With the development ecosystem of the AI Lab, we are helping make that future possible — accelerating the next generation of AI-enabled technologies for energy demand management at scale.

The next phase of climate progress will be defined in part by how intelligently we operate what already exists. The AI Lab is a catalyst for that shift, advancing practical, high-impact new tools that will help us make smart buildings an essential lever in sustainability outcomes. That is the promise of AI in the built environment: helping the spaces and systems we already rely on to perform better, every hour of every day.

AI is already helping us advance our sustainability goals and our clients'. Read more about our progress in our latest Sustainability report.

The BrainBox AI Trane Technologies AI Lab is driving the frontier of artificial intelligence and innovation – across our organization and industry. Learn more about our AI lab.

National Coalition of Pharmaceutical Industry, Academic, and Nonprofit Partners Launches Fifth Winn CIPP Cohort

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:59:00 -0400

Previously published by the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program

A growing coalition of pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and clinical research leaders came together through the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards) to train a new generation of physicians to solve one of healthcare’s most urgent challenges: improving representation in clinical trials and ensuring all communities have access to the latest advances in medicine.

As 80 talented medical students from across the country participated in the fifth annual cohort of the Winn Awards’ signature Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) at 18 top research institutions, leaders across sectors are reaffirming a shared commitment to ensuring that clinical trials better reflect and serve the populations most affected by disease.

The Winn Awards is a national initiative focused on preparing physicians and researchers to design and conduct clinical trials with a strong emphasis on community engagement, trust-building, and improving participation in research. Through immersive education, mentorship, and hands-on clinical research experiences, the program equips trainees with the tools needed to help advance more effective and accessible healthcare for all communities. The Winn CIPP accomplishes this by teaching medical students about the importance of offering clinical trials, exposing them to community-centered research, and helping them understand the pathways to becoming a physician-scientist who works on clinical trials.

What makes the initiative unique is not only its mission, but also the breadth of organizations working together toward this shared goal.

Established by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization, in 2020, the Winn Awards are supported by a growing coalition of funding partners and collaborators committed to strengthening the future clinical research workforce and improving participation in clinical trials. Funders supporting the 2026 Winn CIPP cohort include the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, Genentech, and AstraZeneca. These organizations join academic institutions, research centers, mentors, and nonprofit collaborators nationwide in supporting a growing movement to strengthen the future clinical research workforce.

“Clinical trials shape the future of medicine, but the future of medicine depends on building a clinical research workforce prepared to engage all communities,” said Dr. Robert A. Winn, newly appointed Vice President and Director of Fox Chase Cancer Center and namesake of the program. “The Winn Awards exists because leaders across sectors recognize that improving participation in clinical trials is not the responsibility of any one organization alone. It requires partnership, collaboration, and investment in people.”

Since its launch, the Winn CIPP has experienced rapid national growth, drawing hundreds of applicants annually from medical schools across the country. Students selected for Winn CIPP participate in a six-week summer externship that introduces them to clinical research early in their careers through service-learning experiences, mentorship, and educational programming focused on community-engaged research and clinical trial design.

As the program drew to a close, participants and partnering organizations came together from across the nation for the Winn CIPP Symposium, the program’s annual culminating event where students had the opportunity to connect with one another and learn from clinical research leaders. The symposium was held at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois from July 9-11 this year.

“At the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, our work is grounded in expanding access to care and investing in the people and systems that make better health possible,” said Catharine Grimes, president of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. “We established the Winn Awards to help address persistent gaps in clinical research, and we are proud to support the Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (CIPP) as it continues to grow and expand its impact. What we are seeing across these cohorts is a powerful pipeline of future leaders committed to more inclusive, community-centered research — and that progress will shape the future of clinical trials.”

“Advancing clinical research requires collaboration across sectors and sustained investment in future leaders,” said Ponda Motsepe-Ditshego, vice president, Inclusive Global Health and Impact, Amgen. “The Winn Awards is helping build a pipeline of physicians and researchers prepared to strengthen connections between research and the communities it serves.”

“Genentech is honored to support initiatives that expand opportunities for future clinical researchers and address barriers preventing many communities from accessing the latest medical breakthroughs,” said Joy Russell, Vice President, US External Affairs, Genentech. “The Winn Awards represents an important investment in advancing community-centered care and building an inclusive future of healthcare for all.”

“AstraZeneca is dedicated to ensuring our clinical research includes people from a wide range of backgrounds, communities, and patient populations, so the findings better reflect the people these medicines are meant to help. As such, we are proud to support efforts that help foster innovation in community engagement to promote greater engagement in research,” said Roula Qaqish, Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs, US Oncology, AstraZeneca. “Programs like the Winn CIPP are helping prepare future leaders to advance research that can improve outcomes for all patients.”

The Winn Awards continues to grow as a national platform for collaboration among industry, academia, healthcare institutions, and nonprofit organizations united by a shared belief: better science requires broader participation, stronger community partnerships, and intentional investment in the future clinical research.

Learn more about joining this growing coalition of supporters dedicated to advancing Better Science For All at winnawards.org.

View the Winn CIPP Symposium program.

Read about this year’s talented students in the Winn CIPP Cohort 5 Bio Book.

About the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program

Overall Winn Awards program

The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards) is transforming the future of clinical research. Through rigorous training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, we empower researchers with the skills and expertise to engage a broader range of patients — ensuring that the communities enrolled in trials reflect the populations affected by disease. By bridging this gap, we help advance treatments that are safer and more effective for all.

Visit www.winnawards.org for more information.

The Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (CIPP)

The Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program is an immersive 6-week summer experience that introduces medical students to clinical research early in their training, instilling a research and community-oriented perspective that guides them throughout their careers. This foundation ensures that when they embark on their own research or patient care, clinical trials remain a key consideration.

Visit www.winnawards.org for more information.

AI for Small Business: How Mannequin Madness Found a New Partner in AI

Verizon — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:50:00 -0400

Verizon

At a glance

More time for what matters: Mannequin Madness owner Judi Henderson estimates that using AI tools gives her back 20% more time through increased productivity.
AI at work: Henderson uses AI to automate tasks, respond to customers, create website images and blog content, and prepare for vendors.
Skills to adapt and grow: Verizon’s free courses and events helped Henderson strengthen her AI, digital marketing and social media skills to reach customers and run her business more efficiently.

Judi Henderson has “always been curious about the next, newest thing.” That’s how she found herself buying a single mannequin in 1999 for an art project—and ended up an entrepreneur.

Henderson, 69, is the owner of Mannequin Madness, a thriving mannequin sales, rental and recycling business in Oakland, California. The business has grown thanks in part to her willingness to keep learning about new technology, from digital marketing and social media to practical AI tools for small businesses. Verizon’s free skill-development programs have helped her build those skills and put them to work in her business.

Henderson’s experience illustrates the kind of practical skill-building the Verizon Small Business AI Accelerator aims to provide to small-business owners over the course of the 12-week immersive program. Small-business owners can explore Verizon’s free AI courses and resources to discover new ways to put AI to work.

How digital skills helped this small business reach more customers

When Henderson launched Mannequin Madness, the internet was still relatively new and social media didn’t exist as a marketing tool. Learning to embrace new technology became essential to reaching customers beyond her local market.

“When I first got into the business, many of my competitors were slow to embrace technology. They are no longer around,” Henderson says. “[Embracing technology] allowed me to reach a much broader audience. I couldn’t survive on my local customers only.”

Mannequin Madness is a specialized business. On a day-to-day basis, Henderson might be loaning her mannequins, typically recycled from department stores, to fashion students and luxury stores or providing them for events. Sometimes her warehouse is rented for photo or video shoots, too.

Free online courses and events through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready have helped Henderson sharpen her digital marketing skills, including determining which social media platforms are most strategic for her business. “[They] allowed me to really zero in on where’s the best place for me to spend my time and money,” Henderson says.

How this small-business owner uses AI tools for her website and content creation

Henderson holds a small mannequin hand. Photo credit: Gabriela Hasbun

With inspiration from Verizon’s skill development courses, Henderson has embraced AI as a tool for business. “I, like many business owners, felt a little scared of AI,” she says. “But I decided to be curious to find out what was there.”

Now, she uses AI tools to generate images for her website, automate tasks, respond to customers, prepare for vendors and create content for her blog. She estimates using AI gives her back 20% more time in productivity alone.

AI is my new friend. It’s just like having another staff member.

“AI is my new friend. It’s just like having another staff member and it’s available 24/7,” Henderson says. “And I’m pretty sure if I had not initially taken some of those courses on AI in the program, I would not be embracing it with as much gusto as I am now.”

Beyond learning new skills, Henderson has also made sure her business stays connected with the right technology. She’s a Verizon Business customer, using mobile devices, a tablet and a smartwatch to manage her growing operations. “They upgraded my equipment with signing up for a [promotional business] package,” Henderson says. “So I now have an updated phone, especially great for taking photos, which are critical for my business.”

Practical AI learning for what comes next

Henderson shows a styled mannequin to a customer. Photo credit: Gabriela Hasbun

As the retail landscape changes, Henderson is dedicated to changing with it. “AI [feels] like a whole new world, and I like that it gets me excited,” she says. “I feel like I could be on the cutting edge of something and that is appealing to me.”

That appetite for learning also motivated Henderson to take advantage of Verizon’s live coaching events, as well as one-on-one reviews with small-business experts. She appreciated seeing people of all ages and races taking part. “You can see people who kind of look like you, who are giving you advice. I like that,” she says.

“I’m amazed that something that’s free has so much value,” Henderson says. “Verizon gives us the tools we need, making sure small businesses are not left behind.”

Discover free AI courses and resources designed to help small-business owners put AI to work.

^{An individual user’s experience may vary and results are not guaranteed.}

G&A Institute To Host “Resilient Leadership” Webinar in Collaboration With S&P Global, Marking 25 Years of Insights on Sustainability Disclosure

Governance & Accountability Institute — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:55:00 -0400

NEW YORK, September 8, 2026 /3BL/ - Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A), a leader in corporate sustainability consulting and research, today announced Resilient Leadership, an executive webinar hosted in collaboration with S&P Global, to be held Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT. Registration is now open at ga-institute.com/webinars/resilient-leadership.

The session, convening on the eve of New York Climate Week, brings together North American companies to explore how sustainability is being embedded into business strategy, risk management, and long-term value creation. Whether an organization is preparing for its first participation in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) or refining a long-established program, the webinar will offer practical, actionable insight from long-term CSA participants.

As market expectations continue to evolve, companies face growing pressure to understand their most material sustainability risks, manage complex impacts, respond to stakeholder expectations, and identify opportunities that strengthen resilience. Attendees will hear directly from leaders at companies with 25 years of experience responding to the CSA, on how they leverage sustainability insights, benchmark against peers, and translate performance data into strategic action.

The discussion will also highlight how leading companies use the CSA process not only as an annual disclosure exercise, but as a strategic tool to continuously evaluate and improve performance. Drawing on the experience of long-term participants, panelists will examine how the CSA process has evolved over more than 25 years and how companies use its insights to inform decision-making, engage stakeholders, and better position themselves in a changing sustainability landscape. The session will close with a forward-looking conversation on the key sustainability trends shaping global markets.

What Attendees Will Gain

Insights into how leading companies embed sustainability into business strategy, governance, and risk management
Details on how organizations identify material sustainability risks, manage impacts, and uncover opportunities for resilience
Practical examples of how companies use the CSA process to benchmark performance, improve data quality, engage internal teams, and support continuous improvement
Peer insights from companies with 25 years of CSA participation and long-standing experience as sustainability leaders
A forward-looking view of global sustainability trends influencing markets, investors, regulation, and corporate strategy

Confirmed Discussion Leaders

Louis D. Coppola, CEO, G&A Institute
Robert Dornau, Head of Corporate Solutions and Engagement S&P Global Energy Sustainable1
Mike Wallace, Strategic Advisor, Corporate Solutions & Engagement, S&P Global
Maureen Mazurek, Chief Sustainability and EHS Officer, BD - Becton, Dickinson and Company

Additional speakers to be announced.

To register, visit ga-institute.com/webinars/resilient-leadership.

ABOUT GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY INSTITUTE, INC. (www.ga-institute.com)

Founded in 2006, Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A) is a sustainability consulting and research firm headquartered in New York City. G&A helps corporate and investor clients recognize, understand, and develop winning strategies for sustainability and ESG issues to address stakeholder and shareholder concerns. G&A's proprietary, comprehensive full-suite process for sustainability reporting is designed to help organizations achieve sustainability leadership in their industry and sector and maximize return on investment for sustainability initiatives.

CONTACT:
Louis D. Coppola
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.
Tel 646.430.8230 ext 14
Email: lcoppola@ga-institute.com

Turning Remembrance Into Action: Honoring 9/11 Through Nationwide Service

Motorola Solutions — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:50:00 -0400

Twenty-five years ago on September 11, 2001, amid dust, ash and immense destruction, first responders from across New York City charged directly into danger without hesitation, displaying unimaginable courage, sacrifice and service. At Motorola Solutions, that dedication inspires the company’s mission to help people be their best in the moments that matter. The Motorola Solutions Foundation reflects this commitment by partnering with organizations that support first responders, their families and the communities they serve.

Turning memory into impact

To mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, employee volunteers across major Motorola Solutions U.S. hubs – including Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Nashville – are uniting to preserve the memory of that day and give back to local communities. On September 11, employees will join 50,000 volunteers across 50 U.S. cities for the 9/11 Day Meal Packing event, helping prepare 18 million meals for Americans facing food insecurity. More than 200 Motorola Solutions employees have participated the past eight years – an embodiment of their deep passion for service and their steadfast commitment to driving meaningful change where it matters most.

A tribute to service

Giving back in honor of 9/11 extends beyond a single charitable effort; it stands as a living tribute to the selflessness displayed 25 years ago. By supporting local communities, our volunteers transform remembrance into compassion, ensuring this legacy of service becomes a driving force for good.

Discover how the passionate people of Motorola Solutions are transforming lives and helping communities across the globe.

Too Much or Too Little: Managing Water Risks at Industrial Facilities

Inogen Alliance — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:55:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS, host Beatrice Bizzaro (HPC Italy, Inogen Alliance Global Water Working Group Lead) is joined by C. Rajadurai from Cholamandalam MS Risk Services (India) to examine three challenges affecting industrial facilities: recurring river flooding, extreme rainfall, and water scarcity. Through three practical case studies, the conversation explores how modelling, asset-level assessment, stormwater management, groundwater recharge, and water-source diversification can reduce disruption and strengthen long-term business continuity.

Listen Now

Time Stamps

0:00 Introduction: Water-Related Climate Risks
1:32 Meet C. Rajadurai
1:45 Case Study 1: Recurring River Flooding
2:16 Reservoir Releases, Tides & Flood Risk
5:25 Protecting Critical Equipment
7:39 Case Study 2: Extreme Rainfall
8:29 Rainfall Thresholds & Infrastructure Resilience
10:42 Assessing Stormwater Network Capacity
12:34 Stormwater Reuse & Groundwater Recharge
15:35 Case Study 3: Water Scarcity
16:16 Diversifying Water Sources
18:08 Water Security & Business Continuity
18:27 Turning Climate Risk into Engineering Action
19:49 Closing Remarks & Global Collaboration

Guest Quotes

C. Rajadurai:
“Source diversification is not only a water management strategy; it is part of business resilience and the business continuity plan.”

C. Rajadurai:
“Climate risk assessment becomes valuable when findings reach engineering drawings and planning teams, translating risk into on-the-ground implementation.”

LA Galaxy and adidas Host Fourth-Annual Boot Making Lab With Pediatric Cancer Patients from The Jessie Rees Foundation’s Never Ever Give Up Initiative

AEG — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:39:26 -0400

AEG’s LA Galaxy, in partnership with adidas and Raising Cane’s, hosted pediatric cancer patients from the Jessie Rees Foundation’s Never Ever Give Up (NEGU) initiative at Dignity Health Sports Park for the club’s fourth-annual Kick Childhood Cancer Boot-Making Lab. The event brought together eight NEGU youth out-patients, their families, LA Galaxy first-team players and coaches for a day centered on creativity, connection and support.

Held following first-team training on Sept. 3, the Boot-Making Lab paired each child with LA Galaxy players and coaches to decorate a select set of adidas cleats and shoes. Through custom designs and personal touches, participants transformed the footwear into unique expressions of hope, resilience and individuality.

The event provided NEGU families with an opportunity to engage directly with players and coaches in a welcoming environment while creating lasting memories. Beyond decorating cleats, participants experienced the camaraderie and encouragement that have become hallmarks of the LA Galaxy Foundation’s community programming.

The customized cleats and shoes created during the event will be worn by LA Galaxy players and coaches during training sessions leading up to and during the club’s Sept. 12 match against the Seattle Sounders, helping raise awareness for children battling cancer and honoring the strength of the young participants who designed them.

“The Boot-Making Lab is a powerful reminder of the impact meaningful connections can have on children and families facing difficult circumstances,” said Mariah Rodriguez, Manager of Community Relations and the LA Galaxy Foundation. “Partnering NEGU youth with our players and coaches creates special moments of joy and inspiration. We’re grateful to adidas and Raising Cane’s for helping make these experiences possible and for joining us in supporting children affected by pediatric cancer.”

Through initiatives like the Boot-Making Lab, the LA Galaxy Foundation continues to leverage the power of sport to create positive experiences for local youth while advancing awareness around childhood cancer and the importance of community support.

One Tower Business Club Becomes First Flexible Workspace Operator in Turkey to Achieve the WELL Coworking Rating

International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:20:00 -0400

ANKARA, Turkey, September 8, 2026 /3BL/ - One Tower Business Club, a one-of-a-kind premium business and flexible workspace destination in Turkey, has become the first flexible workspace operator in the country to achieve the WELL Coworking Rating, making Turkey the third country in continental Europe to achieve this rating. This milestone places One Tower Business Club at the forefront of a growing global movement of workspace operators committed to prioritizing health, wellbeing and performance in the workplace. The rating was awarded in August by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) through the WELL Coworking Rating program, administered in partnership with The Instant Group.

The rating assesses operators across more than 50 health-focused features spanning all ten WELL concepts — including air and water quality, lighting, thermal comfort, nutrition and physical fitness — with each submission independently reviewed by IWBI before certification is awarded. In strategic collaboration with Alarnova, and with the valued support of their ecosystem partner WELLS 360°, One Tower Business Club successfully completed the WELL Coworking Rating process, bringing together expertise, guidance and operational commitment throughout the journey.

Located in Ankara’s prestigious One Tower development, One Tower Business Club spans 11,500 m² and combines premium workspace, hospitality and community experiences — including Sign Restaurant and a members-only fitness area developed with wellness partner Technogym — to create an environment where businesses, professionals and entrepreneurs can thrive.

As demand for flexible workspaces continues to grow across Turkey, operators are increasingly looking for ways to differentiate themselves and provide members with more than just a place to work (BKP Research & Consulting, 2025, Rent Office Hub, 2026). The WELL Coworking Rating provides a globally recognized, third-party verified framework that demonstrates a measurable commitment to occupant well-being and performance.

Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President, EMEA, IWBI, said: “The WELL Coworking Rating helps flexible workspace operators demonstrate their commitment to creating environments that support health, well-being and productivity. We congratulate One Tower Business Club on achieving this important milestone and joining a growing global community of organizations dedicated to enhancing the workplace experience.”

Sam Pickering, Executive Director at The Instant Group, said: "Achieving the WELL Coworking Rating is a powerful statement about One Tower Business Club’s commitment to its members and the future of workplace well-being. As occupiers become increasingly selective about where and how they work, the quality of the workplace experience is becoming a key differentiator. One Tower has demonstrated real leadership by investing in an environment that supports health, comfort and performance, and we are proud to have helped them achieve this milestone.”

Monika Paksoy, Managing Director at One Tower Business Club, said: “Achieving the first WELL Coworking Rating in Turkey is a major milestone for us. Independent IWBI verification confirms that health, well-being, and productivity are built directly into our operational DNA—setting a new benchmark for tomorrow’s workplace. As the operations lead who drove this project from initial concept to official certification, I view this as clear proof of what happens when well-being is treated as an operational discipline, not a marketing campaign.”

The achievement highlights the increasing maturity of Turkey’s flexible workspace market and signals growing interest in internationally recognized standards that help operators demonstrate quality, attract corporate occupiers and build trust with members.

For One Tower Business Club, the achievement further strengthens its position as a leading destination for professionals and businesses seeking a premium workspace experience in Ankara, while contributing to the broader advancement of healthy workplace standards across Turkey.

About One Tower Business Club
One Tower Business Club (OTBC) is a premium business and coworking community located in Ankara, Turkey, offering flexible office, meeting, and business solutions designed for professionals, companies, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and international organizations. Spanning 11,500 m², OTBC brings together private offices, coworking areas, meeting and event spaces, a library, restaurant and lounge areas, a fully equipped Technogym fitness center, and outdoor spaces including an urban garden and terrace. Beyond providing workspace, OTBC aims to create a professional community that supports productivity, wellbeing, collaboration, and meaningful business connections. With a strong focus on well-being, sustainability, accessibility, and user experience, OTBC continues to develop its spaces and services in line with international standards and evolving workplace expectations.

About The Instant Group
The Instant Group has been rethinking workspace since 1999 with over 500 experts working globally across more than 175 countries. Instant’s digital platforms constitute the world’s largest digital marketplace for flexible workspace listing meeting rooms, virtual offices, flexible office space and coworking memberships. Its global team advises on commercial real estate solutions from serviced offices to fully customised managed offices, and consulting services for portfolio and net zero strategies. Instant’s approach enables agility, hybrid working solutions and improved operational resilience for more than 250,000 businesses every year. Clients include Prudential, Booking.com, Shell, Jaguar Land Rover and GSK. Instant has global offices including London, New York, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. www.theinstantgroup.com www.instantoffices.com

About the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media contacts:
The Instant Group: olivia.chatten@incendiumconsulting.com
IWBI: media@wellcertified.com

View original content here.

Mutts With a Mission: How Elanco and Medical Mutts Transform Lives Together

Elanco — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0400

At Elanco, we believe that making life better for animals, makes life better. This core purpose comes to life through our ongoing partnership with Medical Mutts Service Dogs, an Indianapolis-based non-profit dedicated to rescuing shelter dogs and training them to become life-saving service companions.

Together, we are strengthening the human-animal bond by giving rescue dogs a second chance and providing individuals with disabilities the support they need to thrive.

From Shelter to Service

Medical Mutts specializes in a unique approach: they don't just breed service dogs; they find them. By selecting dogs from shelters with the right temperament and potential, they transform "mutts" into highly skilled assistants for people living with invisible disabilities, including:

Diabetes Alert: Detecting high or low blood sugar levels.
Seizure Alert: Warning and assisting during medical episodes.
PTSD Support: Providing comfort and grounding for veterans and survivors.

How Elanco Supports the Mission

Healthy dogs are better learners. Elanco’s collaboration with Medical Mutts focuses on ensuring these canine heroes receive the best possible care during their intensive training process.

Our work together includes:

Sponsoring Indy’s Journey: Elanco sponsored rescue dog Indy’s training and placement with Medical Mutts. In return, Indy was the star at Elanco’s grand opening in October 2025.
Shared Advocacy: By highlighting the incredible capabilities of rescue dogs, we are working together to change the perception of shelter animals and promote adoption.
Community Impact: Both Elanco and Medical Mutts are proud to call Indianapolis home. Our partnership allows us to invest directly back into our local community while creating a global conversation about animal welfare.

Professional Pups: The "Pets at Work" Evaluation

Our collaboration also helps keep the Elanco culture thriving right here in our offices. Medical Mutts lends their expertise to our Pets at Work program by evaluating employee dogs for temperament and behavior. This assessment—mirroring the same standards they use for service dog selection—ensures that our office remains a safe, welcoming and productive environment for every team member.

See the Partnership in Action

The bond between a service dog and its handler is a powerful testament to why we do what we do. Watch our video to see how Elanco and Medical Mutts are working together to train the next generation of life-savers.

GoDaddy 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report: Environmental Impact | Energy

GoDaddy — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report

Minimizing our energy impact is a key driver in our commitment to sustainability.

Technology and data centers are at the heart of what we do, and we recognize their energy-intensive nature. Our Data Center Teams focus on improving energy efficiency and seeking renewable energy sources to cover our consumption, where available. This approach helps to optimize performance and reduce costs, while also helping us serve our customers and limit our environmental impact.

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency

We focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency as the primary levers for reducing the environmental impact of our operations. Energy efficiency measures help reduce demand at the outset, while renewable energy lowers emissions associated with the energy we consume. Together, these efforts support our environmental objectives and drive operational value through improved performance and cost efficiency. Since 2019, we have driven a greater than 50% reduction in energy consumption.

Since 2019, our managed data centers in Europe and, as of 2023, our managed data center in the U.S., have operated on 100% renewable electricity. We’re also working to increase renewable electricity coverage within third-party co-location data center facilities, where available.

Across our managed data center facilities, we take a continuous improvement approach, deploying technologies and operational practices that improve performance, optimize costs, and reduce energy use. Key initiatives include:

Workload Densification: Increasing workload density to reduce servers and racks, consolidate footprints, and leverage scale efficiencies.
Server Virtualization: Virtualizing Managed WordPress on our global platforms reduces our infrastructure footprint and accelerates server consolidation and retirements.
Server Optimization: Tuning server performance to balance operational needs with energy savings, where possible. Identifying and retiring inefficient servers before end of life and replacing them with more energy-efficient models.
Airflow & Cooling Optimization: Improving airflow management and cooling strategies to reduce energy demand while maintaining reliable performance.
Alternative Fuel Sources: Prioritizing well-researched and tested solutions aligned with our operations, such as the use of hydrogenated vegetable oil for backup generation, where available.

AI Energy Usage

As AI capabilities expand across our business, we recognize that generative AI models and supporting infrastructure are energy intensive. GoDaddy does not currently deploy AI workloads in company-managed data centers. Instead, these workloads are currently supported through third-party partners.

We work closely with these partners to manage and optimize AI workloads. As with our own operations, our focus is on supporting efficient performance, recognizing that execution depends on partner infrastructure and practices.

We continue to collaborate with partners to obtain more granular data to better understand the full extent of the energy usage associated with AI workloads, and we continue refining our GHG calculation methodologies in the interim, where relevant.

Learn more about GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report.

About this Report

The GoDaddy 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report details our progress toward our corporate sustainability goals, strategies, and initiatives in support of our overarching purpose and values. Unless otherwise noted, this report reflects our corporate sustainability performance across our global operations covering the fiscal year period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. To demonstrate our commitment to transparent communication regarding our sustainability progress, we routinely share updates through our website and our annual reporting. We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback on this report by contacting ESG@GoDaddy.com.

This report references the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector, and the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures. We also disclose our contributions and progress toward priority UN SDGs. For additional information on how we align with these frameworks and key indicators demonstrating our sustainability performance, please refer to the Frameworks & Metrics section.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. Airo™, the company's agentic operating system for small businesses, helps entrepreneurs get their idea online, run their business day-to-day, and grow through an integrated identity, presence and commerce experience. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Guiding Stars: An Easy Protein for Low-Effort Meals: Tinned Fish

Guiding Stars Licensing Company LLC — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

The American Heart Association recommends consuming fish at least twice per week to lower risk of heart disease. Tinned fish can help you meet this goal. It’s a shelf-stable, cost-effective protein that makes quick meals more accessible. And today’s tinned fish goes far beyond just tuna. There are many unique options to help you create flavorful dishes with little effort.

You will find tinned tuna, salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, anchovies, and more on your grocery store shelves. All of these products are high in protein and essential omega fats, with most options low in mercury. Sardines, salmon, and mackerel are also high in vitamin D. And the edible bones in some tinned fish are a helpful source of calcium and phosphorus. That said, tinned fish may also contain sodium, saturated fat, or other attributes you’re likely seeking to limit. Go for Guiding Stars-earning options to select the most nutritious choice.

Try Tinned Fish in These Easy Dishes

Deconstructed Sushi: Flavor tinned salmon with a blend of low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and a bit of honey. Enjoy with diced avocado, sliced cucumber, and sushi rice. Scoop it up with seaweed snacks (or turn it into a grain bowl with seaweed as an additional topping).

Mediterranean Salad: Combine tinned fish with desired ingredients like no-salt-added beans, artichokes, grape tomatoes, and red onion. Season as needed and enjoy over greens.

Pizza: If you’re looking for a unique pizza that combines sweet, salty, and savory, try Provençal Onion Pizza. Topped with onions, capers, and anchovies, it offers just the right amount of decadence while still nutritious.

Lettuce Wraps: Combine tinned fish with finely diced celery, crushed cashews, cilantro, ginger, and a bit of sesame oil. Scoop onto bibb lettuce. Add sliced carrot, celery, fresh lime juice, and sesame seeds.

Tahini Tuna Salad: Pass on traditional tuna salad. Instead, assemble this dish that comes together in minutes, elevating tuna salad with tahini and spices in place of mayonnaise. It also gets a protein boost from chickpeas.

Pan Bagnat: Sure, you can make a traditional tuna sandwich. Or you can use tuna or other tinned fish to make a Pan Bagnat.

Easy Spring Rolls: Gently dip rice paper in warm water to make it pliable. Then add tinned fish and thinly sliced carrots and cucumber to the center of the paper, along with avocado, bean sprouts, or other ingredients. Fold in the edges first, then roll bottom to top to make a spring roll. (This spring roll recipe provides more instructions and includes a quick dipping sauce.)

Cornmeal Cakes: If you’re looking for a fun addition to your seafood menu, make protein-rich Spicy Salmon Cornmeal Cakes. Serve over soft greens for an easy but “guest-worthy” plate.

Looking for More?

These recipes get a boost or come together with tinned fish:

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores, in Circana's Attribute Marketplace, and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

The Built Environment Has a Nature Problem

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:40:00 -0400

SEATTLE, September 8, 2026 /3BL/ - The Biomimicry Institute has released the Nature Positive Buildings, Cities & Infrastructure Pledge, a shared public commitment to nature in the built environment developed over a year of collaboration with cross-sector global leaders. The Pledge is now open for signatures. The Institute and its partners are calling for at least 100 organizations and individuals to sign by September 23, 2026.

The built environment is responsible for approximately 50% of raw material extraction, and is one of the leading drivers of habitat loss and biodiversity decline worldwide. The sector has not adequately acknowledged this, and it is not taking sufficient action.

“The sector has solutions. What it has lacked is a shared commitment and knowledge exchange,” says Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of the Biomimicry Institute. “The Pledge changes that. We are urging the built environment sector to stand behind a common vision for what nature-positive means, and to begin building the shared alliances, policies, resources and capacity that will make the vision real.”

Grounded in the principle that humans are a part of nature and nothing we build exists outside the living system that supports all life, the Pledge offers five declarations: designing as nature; measurable nature-positive outcomes and accountability; regeneration through the built environment; bioregional and longview thinking; and ecological performance that benefits everyone. It draws on the lens of biomimicry—looking to nature to solve some of humanity’s greatest issues—and closes with a shared commitment: “We look to nature as mentor, model, and measure.”

Participants in the inaugural Co-Lab cohort reflected on the year of work and what the Pledge means for their fields:

“The Nature Positive Buildings, Cities, and Infrastructure Pledge reflects a vision we share in our guiding principles — to reconcile the built environment with nature," said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). "Through LEED, SITES, and our broader portfolio of programs, USGBC and GBCI have spent decades advancing practices and strategies that help buildings, sites, and cities connect with natural systems. Projects around the world are demonstrating that nature-positive outcomes are achievable — and that they deliver real value for communities, businesses, and the planet. We are proud to support this pledge and to continue working with partners worldwide to realize its ambitions for a regenerative built environment."

“As we find ourselves nearly 30 years into the modern green building movement, the time is ripe for an even broader integrated approach, with “nature positive” solutions as a universal inspiration for the reimagination of our cities and communities at a global scale," said David Goldberg, FAIA, President of Mithun. "Thank you Biomimicry Institute for leading this charge! We can’t wait to see the positive results of the Co-Lab over the next decade and beyond.”

“A shared commitment to Nature in the built environment can change more than the way our cities look and perform,” Chris Sharples AIA, Founding Principal, SHoP Architects. “It can change how people feel, live, and connect within them, creating environments of beauty that are more joyful and resilient.”

To read and sign the Pledge, visit: biomimicry.org/buildings-cities-infrastructure-pledge/. The Pledge will remain open for signatures through the end of 2026.

On September 23, 2026, the Institute will host an event during NY Climate Week to bring together signatories, Co-Lab participants, and built environment leaders and launch an on-going Alliance to further the commitments in the pledge. Details and sign up can be found here: https://luma.com/svzyf71g

###

About the Pledge
The Nature Positive Buildings, Cities & Infrastructure Pledge is a shared public commitment to advancing a nature-positive built environment, developed by the members of The Biomimicry Institute’s year-long Co-Lab. Grounded in the principle that humans are a part of nature and nothing we build exists outside the living system that supports all life, the Pledge calls on organizations and individuals across architecture, engineering, development, investment, and city planning to commit to designing as nature, achieving measurable nature-positive outcomes, regenerating living systems, thinking bioregionally and across generations, and sharing ecological benefits equitably. Signatories can read and sign at biomimicry.org/buildings-cities-infrastructure-pledge/

About the Biomimicry Institute
The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization co-founded by Janine Benyus in 2005, on a mission to create a nature positive, inclusive, and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius. Since its founding, the Institute has worked to spread the practice of looking to the solutions developed by living organisms over billions of years to provide insight and inspiration for effective, efficient, and sustainable innovations and approaches to
addressing our own challenges. For more information, visit www.biomimicry.org.

Media Contact
Jen Fredette
The Biomimicry Institute
media@biomimicry.org