Tag: 3BL

In this special bonus episode of ESG Talk recorded live at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mandi McReynolds sits down with Jill Klindt, CFO of Workiva, to discuss the interplay between sustainability and financial performance. They explore how emerging tech like generative AI is revolutionizing regulatory compliance and business processes, the evolving roles of chief sustainability officers, and the importance of integrating non-financial data in achieving company goals. Tune in for insights on sustainable innovation, growth strategies, and the future of ESG reporting.

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ESG Talk is brought to you by Workiva, the world’s only unified platform for financial reporting, ESG, audit, and risk. Learn more at workiva.com.

Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom

NEWARK, N.J., January 31, 2025 /3BL/ – Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the 17th consecutive year. PSEG has also been named to Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies 2025 list as the top utility in the Energy & Utilities industry. These recognitions demonstrate PSEG’s ongoing efforts to support our employees, the communities we serve and the many people who rely on our services to power their lives while ensuring sustainability and environmental management remain a focus of our business strategy.

The DJSI recognizes companies that operate according to sustainable and ethical practices, particularly in areas related to environmental stewardship, operations and oversight as well as workforce and community support. The DJSI 2024 announcement is available online here.

Presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., America’s Most Responsible Companies were selected based on an independent survey in which over 40,000 evaluations were collected, with awarded companies averaging more than 100 evaluations each. The full list of America’s Most Responsible companies is available here.

Vision

PSEG’s Powering Progress vision is for a future where people use less energy and it’s cleaner safer and delivered more reliably than ever. We work toward this vision every day with:

Energy efficiency programs to reduce customer energy usage, curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and save customers moneyElectric-vehicle programs address the largest source of GHG emissions in New Jersey – transportationContinued investment in PSEG’s carbon-free nuclear fleet, the largest source of carbon-free energy in New JerseyInvestments in modernizing our natural gas infrastructure to reduce methane leaks and prepare our infrastructure for the fuels of the futureContinued investments in infrastructure to prepare for extreme weather and help reduce the number of and duration of outages

Sustainability

As we plan for the future, PSEG continues to focus on sustainability, including biodiversity, waste management and reduction, as well as minimizing environmental impact with programs such as:

Biodiversity efforts aimed at conducting our operations while protecting the flora and fauna in our service territory. For example, the Estuary Enhancement Program at PSEG Nuclear has restored thousands of acres of marshland in South JerseyStrategic planning around our rights-of-way to preserve the complex ecosystems our infrastructure often runs throughWaste management goals and objectives that focus on waste minimization, investment recovery, reuse, donation of useable items, and recycling. In 2023, PSE&G recycled approximately 595,000 tons of wasteEnergy efficiency programs that have helped nearly 400,000 customers take action to reduce their energy usage and lower their annual electric and gas bills, resulting in the avoidance of over 1.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually

Support for the community

PSEG’s work to support the communities we serve includes:

Delivering award-winning customer service and satisfaction while maintaining affordable serviceSpending with diverse vendors and suppliers that has increased 97% in the last 5 years, and is now about $1.1 billion annuallySpending in our home state of New Jersey of about $2.6 billion in 2023The Clean Energy Jobs Program which has so far hired over 2,600 individuals from low-to-moderate income communities for jobs in the clean energy sectorDonating over $12 million to local charitable causes in 2023 through the combined efforts of the PSEG Foundation and our Corporate Social Responsibility team

Workforce of the future

PSEG also continues to support our approximately 12,500-person workforce. This work includes:

The Neurodiversity Works program to provide access to employment for neurodivergent individuals and create a work environment to help them succeedOngoing commitment to support career development, reskilling and building connections that attract, develop and retain a diverse workforce

Additionally, PSEG believes that reporting, transparency and strong corporate governance practices serve the long-term interests of all stakeholders and enhance the public trust PSEG has earned during our over 120-year history.

For more information on PSEG’s approach to sustainability and environmental management, visit our website. For more information on PSEG’s sustainability metrics and disclosures, visit the sustainability disclosures page on our investor relations website.

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About PSEG 
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future. Guided by its Powering Progress vision, PSEG aims to power a future where people use less energy, and it’s cleaner, safer and delivered more reliably than ever. With a continued focus on sustainability, PSEG has appeared on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for 17 consecutive years. PSEG is included on the 2023-2024 list of U.S. News’ Best Companies to Work For. PSEG’s businesses include Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island (https://corporate.pseg.com).

Contact:

Media Relations:
973-430-7734 

SLB has been recognized for its sustainability leadership in the 2025 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards, which spotlight leadership, innovation and commitment to sustainable business practices.

This year, SLB has been honored in two categories: Sustainable Service and Environmental Initiative.

SEAL Sustainable Service Award

This award recognizes SLB’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of lithium production. SLB’s breakthrough in sustainable lithium production combines the company’s subsurface expertise with surface engineering of advanced technologies, including direct lithium extraction. This method produces lithium 500 times faster than conventional methods while using only 10 percent of the land and significantly less water. Operating at approximately one-tenth the size of a commercial-scale facility, the plant reached a verified recovery rate[1] of 96% lithium from brine.

SEAL Environmental Initiative Award

This award recognizes the significant progress SLB has achieved through its ‘Record, Reduce, Replace’ strategy, launched in 2020, which has led to a remarkable 60% reduction[2] in absolute facility emissions within just three years. By tracking emissions data, optimizing facility operations, and transitioning to lower-emission energy sources, this strategy is transforming SLB’s facilities into more sustainable workspaces.

This is the third year that SLB initiatives have been honored by SEAL. SLB received the Environmental Initiative Award in 2022 for its role in quantifiably reducing greenhouse gas emissions in oil and gas operations through low-carbon technologies. In 2023, SLB was awarded the Sustainable Service Award for its Celsius Energy system, which enables large facilities to reduce their carbon footprint by switching from traditional heating and cooling methods to a geoenergy solution.

“Climate action is central to our sustainability strategy, reflecting who we are as a global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. We are proud that our sustainability leadership has been recognized by SEAL for a third time, both for our internal journey and our momentum in applying our technical strengths in our New Energy business,” notes Vice President of Sustainability, Mikki Corcoran.

Learn more about SLB sustainability initiatives here. 
 

[1] Recovery rate independently verified by WETLAB-Western Environmental Testing Laboratory of Nevada.
[2] 60% reduction in absolute facility emissions measured year end 2023 compared to the 2019 baseline.

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If you’re in an area of the country that’s experienced an extra cold winter, you’re probably counting down the days until spring. For many kids, the countdown is on for getting back outside to play spring sports. There’s nothing like that first practice back on the field with your friends knowing the summer is on its way.

Our Scotts brand has partnered with Every Kid Sports to help more kids enjoy that spring sports feeling and get access to play sports on natural grass. And the clock is ticking down to the launch of the Every Kid Sports 2025 Spring Pass. The Spring Pass will open on February 4th at 10 AM, Pacific time! With the support of partners and donors, the Spring Pass provides income-restricted kids access to sports for the spring season.

In 2024, more than 16,000 kids accessed sports with help from Every Kid Sports. Our associates are hoping to help even more kids play in 2025 and our recent Giving Tuesday campaign raised more than $86,000 for the organization. If you’d like to help kids from income-restricted families access sports, donate here. Check out the included Impact Report.

Thank you, Every Kid Sports, for helping kids play sports and get outside on natural grass fields. Spring and spring sports season can’t come soon enough.

Let’s GroMoreGood, together.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com. 

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In the bustling corridors of health care, May heralds more than just blooming flowers and warmer weather: May also marks a poignant celebration of nurses and the role they play in caring for people. Among them, those in kidney care serve as pillars of what’s celebrated, from their compassion to their expertise, to their unwavering dedication to clinical excellence.

Throughout their careers, nephrology nurses manage a broad variety of skilled care: renal treatment therapies, education on modality choices and kidney health management, and support aimed at helping people maintain transplant eligibility. And because dialysis patients typically need multiple treatments each week, their nephrology nurses and care teams can play a significant role in their overall happiness and well-being.

“People who need dialysis often see their nurses three times a week,” Tina Livaudais, chief nursing officer at DaVita, says. “It creates a special connection, and our nurses and care teams are dedicated to building strong relationships with our patients to help them better understand their kidney needs, talk to their doctors about treatment options and better manage their lifestyles.”

With more than 50 years of nursing experience, there hasn’t been much that Jan Leadbetter, hasn’t seen. Nearly two decades ago, she was a part of opening a DaVita dialysis center in Centralia, WA, and in that time, Jan has gone out of her way to get to know the patients she and her team serve.

“We laugh a lot,” Jan said. “We get to know the patients and joke with them. I love that we have fun. I have a Santa hat with lights on it, and I like to pick out hats for the patients that suit their personality. We celebrate birthdays.”

But it’s not Jan’s big laugh and warm sense of humor that earned her the nickname, “The Warden.” She got that for her no-nonsense approach to patient care, and she leans into the close relationships she and her team have with patients to ensure they’re getting the care they need.

“We have to do what we can to help keep patients accountable for their own health,” Jan said. “If patients miss treatments, I’ll write them letters personally. Tell ’em the facts of life.”

Whether it’s in letters, conversations or other education, Jan makes sure that she’s meeting patients where they are. She’s committed to helping them understand exactly how important their choices — whether it’s not missing treatments or staying on top of their kidney-friendly diet — are in taking care of themselves.

For Jan, her career has been marked by appreciating teams and organizations that live their values — such as integrity — to make patient care the top priority.

“It’s important that we foster a culture that empowers our teammates,” Livaudais says. “Our values, how we think about care, the ways in which we connect with each other — we want to make sure this is an environment where we can thrive together, especially as we think about how that ripples out to creating a positive patient experience.”

For Helen Hargrove, working in nephrology nursing has given her the opportunity to explore different aspects of kidney care. With more than 30 years of nephrology nursing experience, Helen joined DaVita to get involved with home dialysis care. “I realized I had to be a part of it,” Helen says of working in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) program.

A needle-free dialysis treatment option that best replicates natural kidney function, PD offers more flexibility by allowing patients to dialyze from the comfort of their own home. For Helen, that aligns with her belief in patient-centered care.

Helen now works in DaVita Integrated Kidney Care (IKC), which focuses on coordinated care for patients to address holistic care needs, not just kidney health.

When it comes to patient health, Helen and her team are cheerleaders and collaborators. When asked about a favorite part of her role, Helen cites the teamwork she sees between nurses on behalf of patients.

“I love seeing the connections between our nurses in IKC as they teach [others] what we do and how we can help, which in turn teaches the patients.”

But most meaningful to Helen is the close relationships she develops with patients and their families.

“[Recently], I got a call from a patient’s mother telling me she got a transplant. A lot of my patients do that. They’ll call to tell me. Sometimes they’ll call from the admitting room to tell me they’re about to get the transplant! I love it. Improving their lives improves my life.”

To hear more about Jan and Helen’s stories shared in their own words, visit DaVita.com/Together.

Recognizing Outstanding Nursing

Last September, DaVita introduced The Nightingale Award, a new, experiential award to recognize nurses from across the country and from different areas of patient care throughout the organization. Jan and Helen were among the 12 award recipients who were celebrated for their strong contributions and leadership.

This award was intentionally built to encourage our nurses to focus on their own health by refilling their cup with an experiential award. Winners will be able to choose from select experience packages like a self-care weekend getaway or they can create their own experience.

“Our nurses go above and beyond every day to deliver high-quality care to our patients,” Livaudais says. “We are thrilled to continuously celebrate our teammates (DaVita employees), who serve as role models to their teams to deliver strong clinical results and live our commitment to patient experience.”

In this latest blog Cascale’s Senior Director, Communications & Marketing, Lee Green explores the complex relationship between affordable fashion and sustainability, highlighting the need for greater transparency, industry innovation, and collective action to make sustainable choices both accessible and appealing to shoppers. Green examines how fashion marketers can steer shoppers towards sustainability over affordability, shedding light on the hidden costs that go far beyond the price tag.

Read the full blog, titled: The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion: Bridging the Gap Between Consumer Values and Behavior

In a new sustainability initiative, CNH has started a conservation project at its plant in Ferreyra, Córdoba, in Argentina, in a joint effort with the Temaikén Foundation. It is carrying out a project to transform a space of more than 8,000m² into a conservation area for native flora and fauna.

“This project was born more than two years ago, when we detected native species that inhabited our plant and we said, ‘we have to do something to conserve them’. We had been closely following the work of the Temaikén Foundation and we did not hesitate to contact them to work together,” said Bruno Sicilia, head of Hygiene, Safety and Environment of CNH Argentina.

In the first stage of the conservation project, training was held for the company’s employees and their families, highlighting the importance of biodiversity and the representative species of the region, along with the concrete actions to be taken to contribute to their conservation.

As part of the fieldwork, specialists from the Foundation carried out a survey of the area of the plant where they observed and recorded the space, identifying more than 30 species of fauna and another 30 of native flora. This allowed specialists to make a diagnosis and analyze the potential of the area and its surroundings to restore the environment. 

The long-term goal is to be able to include this space as a private reserve in the Argentine Network of Private Nature Reserves.

Hunter, Trooper, Scrappy and Buckaroo find zen by using ZenreliaNewly published study in a leading peer-reviewed, international journal, Veterinary Dermatology, compares clinical outcomes between Zenrelia and Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet)

GREENFIELD, Ind., January 30, 2025 /3BL/ – Scratching, rubbing, chewing, licking. All signs of an irritated, itchy dog. With approximately 17 million U.S. dogs suffering from allergic skin disease, including atopic dermatitis, food allergies or flea sensitivity,1,2 these are the sounds too many pet parents and veterinarians hear. Today, Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN), is introducing some of the first allergic dogs who have found zen and gotten back to normal by using Zenrelia. Zenrelia, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and launched in September 2024, is a highly effective, convenient and safe once-daily oral JAK inhibitor for control of pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age.

“Our research shows that when pet owners see their dog at their worst levels of itch, they’re concerned, stressed, frustrated and anxious,3” said Bobby Modi, Executive Vice President, U.S. Pet Health and Global Digital Transformation. “Pet owners shouldn’t allow allergic itch to disrupt zen for them or their pups. Zenrelia is designed to begin working from the very first dose4 and help get dogs back to normal.”5

In fact, a newly published study in a leading peer-reviewed, international journal, Veterinary Dermatology, described the findings of a randomized, clinical trial which compared Zenrelia to the leading JAK inhibitor, Apoquel, in over 300 allergic dogs. The full study findings can be found at: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.13319.

The Zenrelia label includes a boxed warning related to concurrent vaccine administration based on the results of a vaccine response study. It’s important for veterinarians to read the entire package insert, including the Boxed Warning, before prescribing Zenrelia.

Meet Some of the Faces of Zen

According to a survey of pet owners, itchy dog owners are eager to get back to a normal life with their dogs, with 82% agreeing they dream of the day their itchy dog becomes normal again and they understand that effective treatment is part of that solution.2 With Zenrelia now widely available, Zenrelia has expanded beyond the clinical trial to helping dogs across the country—and their pet owners—find zen. These real-world results give hope to millions of pet parents whose pets suffer from itch.

Hunter from Ohio, found his zen with Zenrelia. This eight-year-old Chocolate lab suffered with dermatitis most of his life and as he got older, his symptoms—especially licking at his feet and lower legs got worse. His pet parent, Cristy, a receptionist at a vet clinic, tried everything her veterinarian had recommended to bring Hunter relief. Hunter had an extensive regimen of injections every 3-4 weeks, medicated shampoos and wipes, antihistamines, and during parts of the year when he was worse, he was on steroids. Even with this intensive routine his symptoms were never fully controlled—until Hunter took Zenrelia.

“His back feet were pretty much naked up until his first joint and his front feet would be scabby and scaly from the constant licking,” Cristy said. “It was really discouraging as his dog mom that I couldn’t do anything to help him. He’s so much more comfortable since being on Zenrelia. It’s such a relief that he has relief.”

According to Cristy, “It’s worth talking to your veterinarian to see if it’s something that your dog would benefit from.” Individual results may vary and dogs should be up to date on vaccinations prior to starting Zenrelia.

Trooper, a four-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, from Arizona, first got back to normal levels of itch when he participated in the Zenrelia clinical trial. When the trial concluded, the itch returned. His owner, Robin, was excited to get him back on the treatment now that Zenrelia is widely available.

“Allergies are something he’s going to have to suffer with his whole life,” said Trooper’s pet parent, Robin. “Having a solution for his allergies is such a relief. It makes my heart happy that I will be able to afford it and give him the relief he deserves.”

Lisa, pet mom to 9-year-old Yorkshire Terrier-Chihuahua mix Scrappy said she “tried everything under the sun” to help bring Scrappy relief. Scrappy’s itching reached the point he lost a significant amount of fur, he didn’t want to play or go on walks and no one was getting a good night’s rest. Lisa tried numerous treatment options and felt depleted knowing his itch was never fully controlled, until she tried Zenrelia. After two days on Zenrelia, his itch level improved and after eight weeks on Zenrelia, Lisa is happy and relieved to see Scrappy back to a normal dog. According to Lisa, his hair has re-grown, he’s taking long walks and he’s a happy boy.

“I was excited to get Trooper, Scrappy and some other patients started on Zenrelia as soon as it was available to order,” said Dr. Tom Lewis, veterinarian and founder of Dermatology for Animals, a group of veterinary dermatology clinics committed to caring for pets with allergies. “Seeing these dogs get back to normal levels of itch and seeing the bond restored between the dog and pet parents is incredibly rewarding. Pet owners should contact their veterinarian and ask if Zenrelia is right for their dog.”

Buckaroo, an eight-year-old mixed breed from Texas, tried numerous treatment options without relief, including steroids and immunotherapy–until his veterinarian recommended Zenrelia. The photos below show Buckaroo’s skin before Zenrelia, after three weeks of treatment, and after eight weeks of treatment. His owner noted, “he’s now the happiest boy in the world and his energy levels have increased dramatically.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to use Zenrelia in my practice and it’s helped several of my patients get back to normal levels of itch,” said Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, a veterinary dermatologist at Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles, California. “In the fight against allergic dermatitis, I’ve found that every dog is different – it’s great to have another effective treatment option in my toolbox.”

“I work with dermatologists around the country through the American College of Veterinary Dermatology,” said Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, dermatologist, and director of medical operations at Animal Dermatology Clinic in New York and President of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD). “It’ great to have another tool in the toolbox especially for both new and severe cases.”

Veterinarians in the U.S. can learn more and place orders for Zenrelia now at ZenreliaForVets.com.

ABOUT ELANCO​ 

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders and society as a whole. With 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to breaking boundaries and going beyond to help our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ sustainability pillars – all to advance the health of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise. Learn more at www.elanco.com. 

INDICATIONS

Zenrelia is a prescription medication used to control itching and inflammation associated with skin allergies for dogs over 12 months of age. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

See package insert including the Boxed Warning. For full prescribing information speak with your veterinarian, call 1 888 545 5973 or visit www.elancolabels.com/us/zenrelia. 

WARNING: VACCINE-INDUCED DISEASE AND INADEQUATE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO VACCINES. Based on results of the vaccine response study, dogs receiving Zenrelia are at risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease and inadequate immune response to vaccines. Dogs should not take Zenrelia for a time period before and after vaccination. Discuss your dog’s vaccine schedule with your veterinarian. Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations prior to starting Zenrelia. Do not use in dogs less than 12 months old or dogs with a serious infection. Dogs should be monitored for the development of infections because Zenrelia may increase the chances of developing an infection. Neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed during clinical studies. The most common side effects were vomiting, diarrhea and tiredness. Zenrelia has not been tested in dogs used for breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs and has not been evaluated in combination with glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, or other immune suppressive drugs.   

Zenrelia, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Apoquel is a trademark of Zoetis Services, LLC. © 2025 Elanco or its affiliates.

1. AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook 2022.

2. Elanco Animal Health. Data on File.

3. Elanco and FleishmanHillard TRUE Global Intelligence Survey.

4. Elanco Animal Health. Data on File. 

5. Elanco Animal Health. Data on File.

Media Contact

Season Solorio 
+1.765.316.0233 
season.solorio@elancoah.com

Investor Contact

Tiffany Kanaga 
+1.765.740.0314 
tiffany.kanaga@elancoah.com

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, sustainability has become a critical focus for companies worldwide. Pressure from investors, regulators and the general public has led to companies setting bold 5-, 10- and 20-year sustainability goals. But with some 5-year commitments coming to an end in 2025, where are these companies on their journey? Are they making enough progress to reach their goals? 

According to Veolia’s second annual Triple Net Zero industry progress report, there is a significant gap between ambition and achievement in corporate sustainability efforts. While 72% of companies claim to be on track with their sustainability plans, only 21% have reached an advanced stage in their journey.

So what sets these companies apart when it comes to sustainability progress? In this blog, we’ll take a deeper look at what they are doing to jump the hurdle between setting ambitious sustainability goals and making progress, and learn from their approach to overcome common challenges. 

Strategies for Success

Firms have made strides in the early stage, with initial assessment, goal-setting and strategic planning. This first step takes time and energy to assure that companies are setting realistic targets while also continuing their day to day work. 

But the next stage—implementation—tends to be the most challenging and time consuming. Companies say cost, knowledge and reporting are among their top barriers to sustainability progress. But despite these challenges, the top 21% offer these five key strategies to help you break out of that ‘sticky middle’ phase. 

1. Create a culture of urgency around sustainability

Despite widespread acknowledgment of sustainability’s importance, only 11% of firms view it as both very important and very urgent. Leaders recognize the need to instill a sense of urgency throughout their organizations, ensuring sustainability initiatives receive the attention and resources they deserve.

2. Bridge the sustainability gap across all levels of the organization

Sustainability can’t be siloed within a single department. High-performing companies integrate sustainability considerations across all levels of the organization, from the C-suite to frontline employees. This approach ensures that sustainability becomes a shared responsibility and a core part of the company’s DNA.

3. Recognize that sustainability teams can’t do it alone

Companies can’t focus on their core business and face the ever-changing complexities of sustainability regulations, technology and more. That’s ok though—in fact, 75% of surveyed companies say they lack ‘excellent’ understanding of these complexities, with 85% saying they see significant value in partnering with solution providers. Leading companies are forging partnerships with NGOs, suppliers and solution providers to access expertise, drive innovation and achieve their sustainability goals more effectively.

4. Maintain a long-term focus from day one

While addressing immediate concerns is important, sustainability leaders need to keep their eyes on the long-term prize. Many times, companies will focus on the short-term tasks to save money, but they are missing out on the long-term benefits down the road. 62% say that low-term procurement strategies ultimately lead to inefficiencies and higher long-term costs. Instead, companies should develop strategies that balance short-term wins with long-term transformational goals, ensuring their efforts remain aligned with broader sustainability objectives.

5. Overcome common barriers

Top performers actively work to address common obstacles such as lack of resources, stakeholder resistance and fragmented implementation, many of which are within their control. By addressing these internal capabilities, companies can move past these barriers and focus on building robust business cases that consider both hard and soft benefits, helping to secure buy-in and resources for sustainability initiatives.

Identifying Areas of Focus

New research also reveals that leading organizations are transforming their approaches in three critical areas: 

Procurement Transformation: Companies are shifting from a lowest-cost mindset to one that prioritizes sustainable value and total cost of ownership. They’re seeking out partners with aligned long-term sustainability goals and integrated sustainability solutions.
 Closing the Governance Gap: High-performing organizations recognize that sustainability can’t be siloed within a single department. They’re actively working to align sustainability, operations and finance teams to ensure a cohesive approach to sustainability initiatives. Some strategies to achieve this include:Embedding sustainability leaders in key functions like operations, design and procurementEnsuring regular communication and alignment between sustainability, finance and operations teamsCreating cross-functional steering committees to guide sustainability effortsDeveloping shared KPIs that align sustainability goals with operational and financial objectives
 Driving Innovation for Sustainability: Leaders in the sustainability space are leveraging innovation, particularly in technology and data management, to support their efforts and drive operational efficiencies. Key areas for innovation include:Implementing AI and machine learning to optimize resource use and identify efficiency opportunitiesImproving data visibility and analytics to track sustainability metrics in real-timeDeveloping new technologies to address specific sustainability challenges, such as carbon capture for industrial processesLeveraging digital platforms to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing across the organization and with partners

By transforming procurement practices, aligning governance structures and driving innovation, leading companies are positioning themselves to achieve their sustainability goals and create long-term value. These strategies not only support environmental objectives but also contribute to operational efficiency, risk management and overall business resilience.

The Path Forward

While the gap between sustainability ambitions and achievements remains significant, there’s reason for optimism. Companies are continuing to develop and refine their sustainability programs, learning from leaders and adapting to new challenges. The fact that so many companies are coming to the table and developing sustainability programs is a positive sign.

By adopting these five key strategies and learning from sustainability leaders, companies can accelerate their progress and make meaningful strides toward their sustainability goals. The journey may be challenging, but with the right approach and mindset, a more sustainable future is within reach.

Originally published on ESSENCE

For many Black southerners, the end of Jim Crow marked the beginning of covert discrimination—systems that, on their surface, signaled progress but kept discriminatory power dynamics in place. It was within this societal context that Chris Womack came of age. “I was born and raised in South Alabama, growing up in the sixties,” he explained. “When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to have a different experience.”

Womack set that goal into motion, moving to the Midwest to study political science at Western Michigan University. He went on to pursue graduate studies at American University in Washington, D.C. While there, his appetite for politics was honed, setting sights on Capitol Hill, serving as a legislative aide to former Congressman Leon Panetta. “It was an incredible experience,” he recalled, but Womack’s political aspirations were short-lived. “After I got married and had my first daughter, my wife and I at the time decided to move back to Alabama to be closer to family,” he shared. That decision led him to Birmingham and eventually to the helm of one of the world’s largest electricity producers.

As CEO of Southern Company, the nation’s second-largest utility provider, Womack has come full circle. While his initial dream of creating change through politics shifted, his leadership now impacts over nine million residents across the Southeast.

Continue reading here on ESSENCE