Climate Vault Announces Recipients of Second Annual Carbon Champion Awards

SEATTLE, January 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Climate Vault, an award-winning leader in sustainable technology, today announced the recipients of the second annual Carbon Champion Awards. The award program honors organizations that are setting the standards for positive climate action through bold, strategic, and scientifically credible approaches to managing their carbon footprint. The 2024 Carbon Champions exemplify leadership in driving impactful climate initiatives within their organizations and across industries.

The 2024 Carbon Champion Award recipients are:

1. Unity: Overall Carbon Champion Award

The Overall Carbon Champion Award honors an organization that leads the way in comprehensive climate action across its operations and industry. Unity, the leading platform to create and grow games and interactive experiences, has set an ambitious climate target aligned with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)—encompassing its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. It also uses its ecosystem to inspire sustainable practices in the gaming and tech sectors. From optimized software practices to efforts to empower Unity creators that support sustainability, Unity’s dedication to climate action serves as a powerful example for others in the technology industry.

2. DRW: Carbon Champion Innovator Award

The Innovator Award is given to organizations that approach climate action with creativity and forward-thinking solutions. DRW, a diversified trading firm innovating across both traditional and cutting-edge markets, has taken a unique approach to carbon finance. With the 2024 launch of Artemeter to support a sustainable tomorrow with innovative carbon financing and investment —it created a critical tool for advancing impactful carbon reduction efforts. As the first carbon-neutral global trading firm, DRW stands out for its commitment to developing non-traditional carbon reduction strategies that advance sustainability across the financial sector.

3. Tripadvisor: Carbon Champion Catalyst Award

The Catalyst Award celebrates organizations that inspire and mobilize others to engage in meaningful climate action. Tripadvisor, one of the world’s largest travel guidance platforms, has led the way in sustainable travel this year by increasing guidance around responsible travel, while collaborating with valued partners to measure, reduce, and neutralise carbon emissions from across a program of global branded partnerships & experiential events. Tripadvisor has an important role to play in providing travelers with the information and resources to make travel decisions that protect the environment, support local communities and safeguard the welfare of wildlife.

4. C.H. Guenther & Son: Carbon Champion Game Changer Award

The Game Changer Award honors organizations that achieve transformative results in emissions reduction. C.H. Guenther & Son, a global food manufacturer, has prioritized sustainable practices across its operations—implementing energy efficiency improvements, waste reduction initiatives, and sustainable sourcing practices. These measurable steps have had a tangible impact on reducing the company’s environmental footprint, setting a high bar for sustainability in the food production industry.

5. Kearney: Carbon Champion Amplifier Award

The Amplifier Award recognizes organizations that leverage their platforms to advance public awareness and thought leadership on climate action. Kearney, a leading global management consulting firm, has been an active voice in global sustainability by participating in high-profile climate events and collaborating with local and international partners. Through its thought leadership and engagement, Kearney has amplified the climate conversation and championed sustainable practices across multiple sectors.

“This year’s Carbon Champion recipients exemplify the highest standards of dedication, innovation, and collaboration in tackling climate change,” said Jon Cohen, CEO of Climate Vault Solutions. “Their achievements underscore the power of markets-based, verifiable climate solutions that are impactful, measurable and brand-enhancing. Climate Vault is proud to support them in these efforts.”

The 2024 Carbon Champion Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in sustainability, innovation, and partnership. Each award category represents a unique aspect of climate leadership, from groundbreaking solutions to strategic advocacy and collaboration. Recipients represent a cross section of industries that are using Climate Vault to reduce and remove their carbon emissions in a way that makes a verifiable impact on the planet.

Visit Climate Vault online to learn more about how its comprehensive suite of carbon management products support organizations in measuring, reducing, and ultimately removing their carbon footprints in order to contribute to impactful climate action.

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About Climate Vault Solutions 
Climate Vault Solutions is a leading provider of sustainability solutions, helping organizations measure, manage, and reduce their carbon footprint in the most impactful and credible way possible. Its integrated reduction and removal program leverages government-regulated compliance carbon markets to knock out carbon in days, not decades. This approach generates the environmental impact that today’s employees, stakeholders and customers care about and expect from organizations. With a focus on transparency and verifiability, Climate Vault enables companies to take meaningful climate action today, while driving tangible progress towards a net-zero future. Learn more at www.climatevault.com.

Small Businesses Grow Faster by Growing Their Network of Partners

Mastercard

For many innovators in the EU, partnerships with established organizations are essential for distributing their solutions to small businesses.

Over half of the applicants to the Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund proposed collaborative approaches to reach small businesses. Why?  Distribution partners enable them to reach more small businesses faster by leveraging their established networks, as well as the trust and reputation they’ve already built with small businesses.

These partnerships not only expand reach but also create opportunities to bundle offerings, delivering greater value to small businesses while saving time and resources. By tapping into trusted relationships, innovators can overcome common barriers like slow adoption rates and limited market access. 

Read the full report to uncover more insights: https://strivecommunity.org/reports/eu-if-highlights

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

Originally published by Mastercard

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

KeyBank Begins Bicentennial Celebration of its Enduring Commitment to Clients, Teammates and Communities

CLEVELAND, January 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Today, KeyBank launched a year-long bicentennial celebration. Throughout 2025, Key will celebrate two centuries of service to clients, teammates, and communities. Events are planned across the company’s national footprint.

“KeyBank was founded in 1825 in Albany, New York. Our roots trace back to a time before electricity illuminated the night, before the automobile ruled the roadways, and before the telephone carried our voices across the continent.” said Chris Gorman, KeyCorp Chairman & CEO. “I look forward to celebrating our company’s rich history and showing that yesterday, today, and tomorrow, KeyBank will be here to help our clients, our colleagues, and our communities thrive.”

The company unveiled a digital KeyBank Heritage Center. The site gives visitors an interactive look at KeyBank’s two centuries of history, highlighting important milestones and events that have shaped the bank from its founding in 1825 to its presence today, as one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies.

In April, KeyBank will unveil a Heritage Center at the company’s headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. The state-of-the-art museum will house interactive exhibits featuring artifacts and visual displays highlighting KeyBank’s storied history and countless contributions to the communities it so proudly serves across the country.

Additional details about KeyBank’s Bicentennial Celebration will be released throughout the year. With 17,000 teammates, millions of clients, and a presence spanning from Maine to Alaska, KeyBank is positioned to serve its clients and communities for generations to come.

ABOUT KEYCORP

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at December 31, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

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North American Businesses Navigate Trade Complexities With Diversification, Technology

CHARLOTTE, N.C., January 28, 2025 /3BL/ – In the face of shifting trade dynamics, heightened protectionism, and complex geopolitical landscapes, North American businesses are leveraging diversification and technology to drive growth and resilience, according to the 2025 Trade in Transition report by Economist Impact and DP World.

The North American report highlights a marked shift in trade strategies, as firms respond to challenges such as the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), protectionist trade policies, and labor shortages. Diversification, nearshoring, and technology adoption emerge as central strategies for businesses looking to mitigate risks and seize growth opportunities.

Key findings from the North America regional insights include:

Diversification for Growth and Resilience: Over 50% of North American executives prioritize diversification as a supply chain strategy, surpassing the global average. While American firms see diversification as a growth enabler, Canadian and Mexican businesses emphasize risk mitigation due to their reliance on the U.S. market.Nearshoring Gains Momentum: Supported by the USMCA, 38% of U.S. firms are turning to nearshoring and reshoring to streamline operations and enhance regional supply chain integration. Mexico has become a key destination for manufacturing investment, benefiting from shorter lead times and cost efficiencies.Technological Innovation Drives Efficiency: With 51% of executives citing technology as critical to addressing labor shortages, businesses are increasingly adopting automation and artificial intelligence to enhance productivity, reduce reliance on manual processes, and build resilient supply chains.Regional Trade Adjustments and Opportunities: As North America seeks to reduce reliance on global suppliers, the USMCA plays a pivotal role in fostering intra-regional trade. However, the impending renegotiation of the agreement in 2026 underscores the need for businesses to remain agile.

Brian Enright, CEO and Managing Director of DP World Americas, said: “Diversification and regional supply chain strategies are not just about mitigating risks—they are fundamental to maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain trade environment.”

Despite challenges, North American firms demonstrate a robust commitment to reconfiguring supply chains, investing in technology, and fostering regional partnerships to thrive in a complex global market.

To view the full report, click here.

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications 
M: (+1) 704-605-6159 
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World 

DP World is reshaping the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. Operating across six continents with a team of over 100,000 employees, we combine global infrastructure and local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From Ports and Terminals to Marine Services, Logistics and Technology, we leverage innovation to create better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

In the Americas, DP World operates with a team of over 16,000 people across 12 countries, driving excellence through a robust network of 14 ports and terminals and more than 40 warehouses. By harnessing our global reach and local expertise, we simplify logistics, enhance operational performance, and redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in global trade.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW.

For more insights into how DP World is reshaping global trade, visit our website: www.dpworld.com.

Baker Tilly’s 2025 Insurance Industry Outlook: Key Trends and Strategic Insights for Insurers

Authored by Kenneth N. Hugendubler, John Romano, Ashley Farrell, Simon P. Oddy, Daniel E. Buttke, Phil Schmoyer, and David Gibson

Evolving market conditions, technology advancements and a shifting regulatory landscape are all major factors that are set to reshape the already dynamic insurance industry. During Baker Tilly’s 2025 insurance industry outlook webinar, a team of our insurance specialists did a deep dive into the current state of the insurance industry, and included key updates on accounting, risks to watch out for and the transactions landscape. They discussed the current state of insurance claims and mega verdicts after a tumultuous year packed with heavy storms and cyber breaches, as well as the latest developments in the world of tax credits and incentives. Along with these topics, our specialists also delved into the digital world and discussed the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI), the uptick in ransomware and provided tips for facing an evolving digital landscape.

Watch the webinar recording for more information on each of the above topics. To learn more about what to expect in 2025 and to hear how Baker Tilly’s insurance industry specialists can assist you and your team, connect with a specialist.

How Cisco Leverages AI for Impact | FY24 Purpose Report

The following is an excerpt from our FY24 Purpose Report, celebrating 40 years of impact at Cisco.

A lot has happened in 40 years of technology: the Internet, mobile, social media, cloud computing, AI. Securely powering that technology has only grown more critical—and more complex—over time. That’s where Cisco comes in.

We build and deliver technology that powers the world’s connectivity, whether that’s between computers, throughout communities, or across continents. And that work has never been more critical than today, in the age of AI.

As CEO Chuck Robbins shared, “AI and its limitless possibilities will impact every organization, industry, community and person—reimagining the world in countless ways. Connection, security, and data will be paramount in realizing AI’s potential, as will innovating in an ethical, responsible, and sustainable way.”

The following are just a few of the many ways that Cisco integrates AI into its strategy, products, and services:

AI in the Workplace

Cisco is turning its cutting-edge AI technology internally to support our employees. In fiscal 2024, we launched BridgeIT, a Cisco Enterprise Chat AI that is fully integrated within Webex suite solutions. BridgeIT can help answer questions about Cisco products, offer support solutions, and even develop presentation outlines.

Employees are also leveraging AI to shape the way teams work together. This year, we launched “Teaming with AI,” a pilot program that enabled teams to experiment with new ways of working to drive their productivity and efficiency. We also hosted an “InnoVerse: AI” hackathon, challenging employees to find new ways to leverage AI in their roles, while also receiving training and guidance along the way.

Advancing Skills with AI

AI is accelerating the pace of change for the global workforce, presenting an opportunity for individuals to advance their skills. Cisco Networking Academy develops and partners with industry leaders to offer engaging, self-paced AI learning content, like AI Fundamentals with IBM SkillsBuild, that teaches the basics of AI to empower our learners with new skills that are reshaping the future of work. We also led the launch of the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium with Accenture, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP to assess AI’s impact on technology jobs and identify skills development pathways. The collaborative effort enables these organizations to coalesce insights, recommend action plans, and act on findings, so that the AI revolution leaves no one behind.

Using AI in Security Response

Since the beginning, we have used AI and machine learning (ML) to create security detections at scale and to assist security analysts. We use ML in spam detection, email classification, malicious domains, and more. Our latest ML-based system, SnortML, detects variations in attacks and automatically blocks them at the source. To increase collaboration, Cisco developed the AI Security Incident Collaboration Playbook with the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, fellow AI providers and security vendors, and critical infrastructure owners and operators. This playbook will help coordinate AI security incident response between governments, industry peers, and global partners to drive toward a more secure future.

Looking to learn more about how we’re driving impact with AI? Head to our FY24 Purpose Report for AI stories (look for the icon on the right), and discover Cisco products that are helping to connect and protect the AI era.

Read the full FY24 Purpose Report

To learn more about the progress we’re making to Power an Inclusive Future for All, visit our Cisco Purpose Reporting Hub.

View original content here.

5 Free Courses To Master High-Paying AI Skills and Future-Proof Your Career

Originally published on Forbes

By 2030, at least 729 million people in the six foremost countries for AI development—the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, Japan, and France—will be using AI tools. That’s more than twice the current figure of 314 million globally, according to recent data released from a fresh IBM study.

“AI will impact every job role, and upskilling is needed for every single person, regardless of their age or profession, or whether they’re in college, a postgraduate student, or well into their career,” says IBM vice president and Chief Impact Officer Justina Nixon-Saintil.

“I remember in my day when the worldwide web came out. Internet was the new buzz, and you couldn’t go to a job interview without a mention of how you use the internet. In the same way, it’s going to be the same thing with AI. This technology will be part of interview questions regardless of the role you’re applying for,” Nixon-Saintil continued.

Continue reading here on Forbes

LA Kings Players Deliver Smiles and Support to Patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

As part of the Los Angeles Kings’ commitment to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), the entire team, including Drew Doughty, Philip Danault, Kevin Fiala, Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kemp, visited nearly every wing at the hospital to deliver smiles and support to patients and staff.

The players took time to play card games, color with the kids, and distribute fun items like stress balls, bobbleheads, stickers, sunglasses, and pompoms. They also served coffee to hospital staff to show their appreciation for these critical workers who are playing such an important role in the lives of the children.

“The joy that the Kings players bring to the kids at CHLA is truly heartwarming. Beyond just handing out gifts or playing games, it’s about fostering a sense of hope and connection,” said Gabe Gelbard, Manager, Community Relations, LA Kings. “We’re so proud to partner with such a remarkable institution, and we’re committed to continuing our support for their life-changing work.”

The partnership between the LA Kings and CHLA has proven to be a powerful force in raising awareness and support for the hospital’s young patients. To date, the LA Kings, through its Kings Care Foundation, have donated more than $5 million to support research at CHLA. Additionally, in October 2023, the sports franchise expanded is partnership with the hospital and committed an additional $1 million to support CHLA’s Blood Donor Center, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Sickle Cell Disease Program, among other initiatives.

CHLA, a nonprofit pediatric academic medical center, offers a wide range of specialty programs and services aimed at improving the health and well-being of children. Make March Matter is an annual fundraising initiative dedicated to raising awareness and support for children’s health in Los Angeles. The funds raised during the campaign are directed towards CHLA’s pediatric academic medical center, which offers more than 350 specialty programs and services designed to address the diverse needs of young patients. To donate or to learn more about Make March Matter, please click here.

The Joy of Missing Out: How People Connect Through Loud Budgeting

We all want to start off the new year with shiny new things — like, perhaps, a new device! But does it align with your 2025 budget? This Financial Wellness Month, we asked money experts if the “loud budgeting” trend could be a pivotal tool to your success 

Even if your new year started with a bang, you may now be quietly fretting the financial goals you set for yourself and how to achieve them. Thankfully, you are not alone.

“Money can be a very difficult subject for some people,” says Chad Wolfe, a Money Coach and Student Loan Specialist at My Secure Advantage, a financial coaching program offered to T-Mobile employees through the company’s LiveMagenta well-being website. “Things change each year, and it can be overwhelming.”

One change that can make things less overwhelming, he says, is the new financial responsibility trend called “loud budgeting,” which has taken social media by storm and aims to eradicate the isolation people may feel when it comes to money challenges.

Loud budgeting is about being outspoken when it comes to your financial decisions and when saying no to things that don’t align with your goals. It’s not just declining your friends’ invitation to join in on an expensive night out but also honestly explaining why it distracts you from your goals. This trend empowers you to set boundaries and achieve financial wellness with emotional comfort, Wolfe says.

“I think if you can find a sense of community that allows you that freedom to be honest about your goals and things you may not be doing to work toward those goals, that’s great,” Wolfe says. “I like to think of it as replacing ‘FOMO,’ or the ‘fear of missing out,’ with ‘JOMO,’ or the ‘joy of missing out.’”

A Cultural Shift: Loud Budgeting in Action 

Giovanna González, a Gen Z-focused financial educator and best-selling author, is an early adopter of loud budgeting. In her book Cultura & Cash, she provides practical and jargon advice for fellow first-generation Latinas as well as students and young professionals to confidently manage money, pay off debt, build generational wealth and gain financial freedom.

“The language you use matters,” González says. “Instead of saying ‘I can’t afford that’ try saying ‘that’s not a priority for me right now.’ It shifts the emotion of spending money from a place of shame and scarcity, to feeling in control and clear on your financial goals.”

Community support can be key to achieving financial goals, she says. González recently polled users on social media if they would consider sharing a plan with friends and family to save on a new phone or the cost per line. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 82% of respondents saying they would. In fact, 63% said they already share a phone plan, and 71% of poll participants said they’ve held onto an old or faulty phone for longer than they wanted because of the cost to replace it.

“The poll results are in line with my own experience,” González shares. “I shared a phone plan with my mom and two siblings for five years to save on expenses.”

Stretch Your Dollar with Smart Savings 

Over the years, Wolfe has shared numerous tips on budgeting, from building an emergency fund to tackling high-interest debt and maximizing IRA contributions. Now, he emphasizes that being vocal about your financial goals — and cleverly saving to achieve them — can contribute to your bottom line.

Wolfe also says people should be checking where to bundle expenses for a discount (a tip he shared last year as well). According to Forbes, the average American spends $46 per month on streaming services. Rather than cancel subscriptions, bundling is an easier and more convenient way to save while still enjoying entertainment. Metro Flex Plus customers, for example, get access to an Amazon Prime membership as part of their plan for a savings of $14.99 per month. Not to mention other perks every week through T-Mobile Tuesdays via the T-Life app like discounted movie tickets, Shell fuel rewards at the gas pump and so much more.

With a little loud budgeting, you can find creative ways to get what you want while staying on track with your financial goals.

Comcast Premieres ‘Our Blues Make Us Gold,’ a Compelling Documentary Celebrating North Carolina A&T’s Global Impact and Historic Legacy

Key Takeaways

Documentary showcases the nation’s largest Black university’s unique position as both a powerhouse in STEM education and a historically agricultural institution through the voices and viewpoints of its alumni and students.Available now exclusively on Black Experience on Xfinity and Xumo Play.

Comcast announced the exclusive premiere of Our Blues Make Us Gold, a feature-length documentary that examines the history and global impact of North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, the country’s largest historically Black university, from filmmakers Brandon Gerard and Ashley Shanté. The documentary is available for free as part of Comcast’s Black Experience on Xfinity and Xumo Play.

Launched in 2021, Comcast’s Black Experience is a comprehensive content destination that features the ultimate in Black storytelling from diverse programming partners and film studios and has released a variety of original documentaries to showcase diverse talent and content creators. Black Experience is available across Xfinity’s entertainment devices, including X1, Flex and Xumo Stream Box, as well as on Xumo Play, a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) app available on major streaming platforms.

Our Blues Make Us Gold explores the legacy and future of North Carolina A&T and captures the university’s unique position as both a powerhouse in STEM education and a historically agricultural institution, sharing the voices and viewpoints of alumni and students who bring its story to life.

We are honored to collaborate with filmmakers Ashley and Brandon to bring this remarkable documentary to the Black Experience on Xfinity and Xumo Play.

Loren Hudson

SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast

Behind the lens are Ashley and Brandon, a husband-and-wife duo with over 20 years of professional experience in film production. Through their production company, From A2B Entertainment, they deliver stories that blend emotional depth with a fresh, contemporary style.

“A few years ago, I was in the writers room pitching for a new character to be an HBCU graduate,” shared Ashley. “The painfully loud silence of my colleagues was eventually followed by really insulting questions. I left the room feeling angry that day. That anger fueled the conversation I had with Brandon, which resulted in our big idea, to show the greatness and impact of a real life HBCU and bring it to a mainstream audience. We were told many times this couldn’t be done. We refused to accept that.”

“We wanted this film to feel like stories by the campfire with ancestors, mixed with the urgency of a call to action to protect sacred and necessary institutions like North Carolina A&T,” said Brandon. “We are thankful to Comcast, Xfinity and Xumo for partnering with us to amplify the stories of our community’s real-life superheroes.”

Xfinity customers can find the Black Experience on X1, Flex or Xumo Stream Box by saying “Black Experience” into their voice remote. X1 customers can also enjoy a curated channel of some of the best and most popular programming Black Experience has to offer on channel 1622 within the programming guide. Additionally, the Black Experience destination and channel are both available on Xumo Play, bringing programming like Our Blues Make Us Gold to customers across the country.