KeyBank

Nielsen

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2023 was a transformative year for Vertex. The company made significant advances toward delivering on its core mission of creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and ushering in a new era of diversification. Vertex’s differentiated strategy, investment in scientific innovation, and unique culture have enabled the company to extend its leadership in cystic fibrosis, expand into new disease areas with the regulatory approvals of CASGEVY™ (exagamglogene autotemcel), rapidly advance its robust research and development (R&amp;D) pipeline, and drive positive impact for patients, employees and its communities. The company remains committed to making a difference — for patients and families impacted by serious diseases, for its communities, and for each other. Vertex’s differentiated strategy and unique culture, along with its drive and dedication, will fuel the company’s ability to deliver results and operate its business responsibly. About Vertex 
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. 
Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit <a href="https://www.vrtx.com/" target="_blank">www.vrtx.com</a> or follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertex-pharmaceuticals" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VertexPharmaInc" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vertexpharmaceuticals/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@VertexPharmaceuticalsGlobal" target="_blank">YouTube</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/VertexPharma" target="_blank">Twitter/X</a>.  Media Contact: <a href="mailto:sarah_dsouza@vrtx.com" target="_blank">Sarah D’Souza</a>, 857-329-8495

In a Transformative Year, Vertex Advances Its Commitment to Corporate Responsibility; Announces 2023 CR Report

<img alt="electric vehicle at charging station " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9a3cf30-420a-4a99-b1b6-f1c208515172" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DP%20World%20electric%20trucks%20Peru.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Here at <a href="https://www.dpworld.com" target="_blank">DP World</a>, we understand the environmental toll of global trade. Port operations are notoriously carbon-intensive; the transportation sector creates one-third of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, of which <a href="https://www.oecd.org/ocean/topics/ocean-shipping/#:~:text=The%20main%20transport%20mode%20for,comes%20with%20opportunities%20and%20challenges." target="_blank">shipping accounts for nearly 3%</a>. 

In an era where environmental sustainability is no longer optional but imperative, DP World is investing in decarbonizing its port operations and steer trade towards a more sustainable future.

On April 4, 2024, we unveiled the first charging station for electric trucks at our terminal on the South Dock of the Port of Callao in Peru. This initiative makes Callao the first port terminal in Latin America to feature this type of infrastructure, promoting decarbonization, environmental stewardship, and operational efficiency.

Electrification at the Forefront

Our latest venture in Callao is another step forward in DP World’s efforts to become carbon neutral by 2040 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The station, which is powered by 100% renewable energy, features 10 fast chargers of 200 KW each, and will be used to charge our fleet of 20 electric ITVs (internal transport trucks). This setup not only supports our fleet but also propels the port towards carbon neutrality.

The charging station, equipped with a 2-megawatt substation and dual-vehicle CCS2-type connectors, also incorporates a smart charge management platform that monitors energy consumption and CO2 emissions savings. Supplementing this, 60 KW of rooftop solar power is used to power the station, further reducing our grid energy dependency.

A Sustainable Milestone

The introduction of this electric charging station is projected to reduce DP World's carbon emissions significantly, preventing the release of 2,145 metric tons of CO2 equivalents annually at the Port of Callao. Given Peru's standing as 38th globally for air pollution (according to the 2022 World Air Quality Report), this reduction is not just a corporate achievement but a national benefit, highlighting our commitment to enhancing air quality and reducing environmental impacts.

Broadening the Impact

DP World's commitment extends beyond Callao. In our continuous pursuit of innovation, last year we also <a href="https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/788796-dp-world-bolsters-green-initiatives-perus-port-callao-15-electric-cranes" target="_blank">integrated 15 new electric cranes</a> into our operations at the port. DP World has also been making other investments in sustainability at the Port of Callao. 

This electrification project is not just about adopting new technologies; it's about setting a precedent for the maritime and logistics industries worldwide. By pioneering such initiatives, we aim to encourage widespread adoption of clean energy practices, not just in Peru but across the globe.

Pioneering Sustainable Trade: DP World Implements Charging Station for Electric Trucks at Peru’s Port of Callao

<img alt="2 people carrying lumber" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a34a219c-927b-4933-a472-fc69fff0c51f" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pic2_SE_41624.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="801" loading="lazy" /><ul><li>‘25 Years Young’ celebrates the 25th anniversary of the foundation</li>
	<li>A global call for contributions will award impactful and innovative youth projects</li>
</ul>PARIS, April 23, 2024 /CSRwire/ - To mark the 25th anniversary of its foundation, Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, is launching a global campaign in celebration of both this key milestone and the next generation of young leaders committed to building a fairer, low-carbon society.

‘25 Years Young’: A Celebration of Youth and 25 Years of Action  
Founded in 1999 under the aegis of the Fondation de France, the Schneider Electric Foundation supports changemakers driving sustainable development, promoting social inclusion, and empowering communities worldwide. Throughout 2024, the foundation will celebrate the world’s youth by raising awareness of their social and environmental impact and mobilizing the support of company employees. The high point of these celebrations is the launch of a global call for contributions with the foundation’s social entrepreneurship partner, <a href="https://www.changemakers.com/en" target="_blank">Ashoka</a>.

Ever since its creation, the Schneider Electric Foundation has been a pioneer in supporting positive initiatives to tackle growing social challenges and many innovations are driven by young people from around the world. The foundation is honoring them on its 25th anniversary by supporting their future, our future, helping them to make an impact for a fairer energy transition.
<img alt="2 people looking at a picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a22f3be1-2540-4401-a500-47e6e1b85f6e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pic4_SE_41624.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />“Youth Innovation For A Sustainable Future”: A Global Call for Contributions  
The call for contributions titled ‘Youth Innovation For A Sustainable Future’ with <a href="https://www.changemakers.com/en" target="_blank">Ashoka’s program Changemaker Companies</a> aims to select 25 of the most impactful and innovative youth projects across all five continents (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East). This global call for contributions focuses on professional training, entrepreneurship and a fair transition, and a 50,000-euro prize will be awarded to the winning project during the COP29 climate summit in Bakou, Azerbaïdjan. Those projects selected will also benefit from increased visibility across the social media channels of both Schneider Electric’s Foundation and Ashoka’s network of countries.

Gilles Vermot Desroches, Senior Vice President of Schneider Electric Corporate Citizenship and Institutional Affairs and General delegate of the Schneider Electric Foundation declared:

“The younger generation is playing an influential role in how we shape tomorrow's innovative solutions. From the outset, the SEF has valued the contribution of youth, and therefore, considers the importance of supporting young people to nurture both future generations and our planet.”
<img alt="people high fiving" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="423780ab-3db0-400c-b0d6-a98f364ec9d1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/highfives_Schneiderelectric_042224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />About the Schneider Electric Foundation 

In a world where social and environmental challenges are more widespread and more urgent than ever, the Schneider Electric Foundation supports innovative and forward-looking initiatives to give as many people as possible the energy they need to succeed.

Always forward-looking and optimistic, the goal of the Schneider Electric Foundation is to play a part in creating a fairer, less carbon-intensive society that gives future generations the tools to transform our world.

About Ashoka

Ashoka is the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs — individuals with new ideas to systemically address the world’s biggest challenges and the entrepreneurial skill to transform those ideas into national, regional and global social impact. Over 40 years, Ashoka has supported more than 3,800 social entrepreneurs in 90 countries with solutions addressing society’s most pressing issues. Ashoka’s vision is a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker — a society that responds quickly and effectively to challenges, and where everyone has the freedom, confidence and societal support to address any social problem. 

For more information, visit ashoka.org.

About Schneider Electric 

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

<a href="http://www.se.com" target="_blank">www.se.com</a>

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next-generation automation on <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/insights/" target="_blank">Schneider Electric Insights</a>.

Schneider Electric Foundation Turns 25 and Launches the ‘25 Years Young’ Campaign

<img alt="People standing together on a red carpet along with a blue mascot, holding awards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7a9b4ad4-7100-4dae-bbc1-0c6e7bc3a0d4" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/shapes-futures-through-stem-education_THE-CHEMOURS-COMPANY_041824.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="900" loading="lazy" />For the team at Chemours, the communities where we operate are also where we live work and play, and our mutual success is one and the same. We invest time and resources in our communities to make a meaningful difference. That’s the driving force behind our <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/sustainability/2030-goals/community-impact/vibrant-communities" target="_blank">goal of building vibrant communities</a> by investing $50 million in expanding access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, sustainable environment programs, and safety initiatives. One way we do this is through the Chemours Future of Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology School Partnership Program (<a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/sustainability/2030-goals/community-impact/vibrant-communities/chemfest" target="_blank">ChemFEST</a>).

Last year, <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/about-chemours/global-reach/belgium" target="_blank">Chemours Belgium</a> joined hands with Technische Scholen Mechelen (TSM) to establish the company’s first ChemFEST partnership outside of the US. This 3-year agreement was intended to promote the significance of STEM education and inspire students to explore their love for science and technology. Isabel Welters, a Nafion™ Technical Service Specialist at Chemours, led the multi-faceted plan to transform the school's STEM facilities, with plans to inaugurate the refurbished technical lab and classrooms by the second half of 2024.

Beyond the ChemFEST partnership, Welters, in collaboration with the Belgium Chapter of the Chemours Women's Network (CWN), has been integral to other STEM-related activities. An event titled "Str@ffe Madammen" co-organized by Welters and the CWN saw participation from over 150 female students from TSM, who were provided with insights into career opportunities in STEM. Additionally, the team recently hosted a unique STEM day at the Mechelen plant for 40 students, showcasing their Coatings Production facilities and Technical Services.

Back in our headquarters state of Delaware, the Chemours team recently celebrated an important milestone towards the opening of the Chemours STEM Hub at EastSide Charter School in Wilmington. After breaking ground on the facility in February 2023, Chemours team members joined with community partners and school officials to commemorate the placing of the final beam in the 24,000-square-foot facility.

The Hub—expected to open by early 2025—will serve as a premier access point for STEM education and other development opportunities in the Wilmington community. Made possible in part by a $4 million grant from Chemours in 2021 through the ChemFEST program, the Chemours STEM Hub will offer public spaces for learning and improve access for more students from more backgrounds to be exposed to, excited by, and interested in STEM. 

“We know that shaping the world's future requires great innovators and problem solvers from all backgrounds; it’s why we are committed to taking action and championing change toward a more diverse STEM workforce. Through partnerships – like our ChemFEST school partnership program – we’re helping to support future STEM talent by nurturing students and members of communities who have been underserved, under-resourced, and often overlooked,” said Chemours Chief Brand Officer, Alvenia Scarborough.

And earlier this year, the team at our <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/about-chemours/global-reach/chambers-works" target="_blank">Chambers Works</a> manufacturing site in New Jersey continued a more than three-decades-long tradition of sponsoring the <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/news/chemours-supports-35th-annual-salem-county-new-jersey-science-fair" target="_blank">Salem County Science Fair</a>. This science fair allows students to apply what they have learned in STEM education in hopes of advancing to the Delaware Valley Science Fair and beyond.

Students concentrate on an area of special interest, collecting and analyzing data while following the scientific method and presenting their findings to volunteer judges.

The various winners received a total of $2,500 from Chemours. This event sponsorship is part of a broader $275,000 Vibrant Community grant where the Chambers Works team partners with Salem Community College (SCC) and the local middle schools to support hands-on learning opportunities to instill a lifelong love of STEM.

Brian Boettler, Chemours Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Senior Consultant, leads the partnership on the site's behalf. 

"Partnering with the local schools and community college is rewarding. We all contribute in our own way to help support the next generation, and that is on full display at the Science Fair,” Brian explained.

These are a few examples of Chemours’ commitment to fostering greater interest and diversity in STEM careers by supporting students in our communities. We are proud to play a key role in shaping the future of our industry and making a positive impact on communities by inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.

Chemours Shapes the Future Through STEM Education

<img alt="Volunteers posed in front of a large blue arch outside." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="89d69195-448e-40db-a9b7-452b619fa752" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/BioHolidayPark_fedex_041124.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />When Marja Kienhuis, from the FedEx Express P&amp;E European Road Network team, found out that a vacation park dedicated to helping families who need special accommodations was looking for support, she seized the opportunity.

“Our team is always eager to help people who need it through FedEx Cares. When I heard that the <a href="https://www.biovakantieoord.nl/en/" target="_blank">Bio Holiday Park</a> resort nearby was looking for volunteers to do repairs and improvements on their grounds and buildings, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for us to get involved,” says Marja.

The Bio Holiday Park is a unique vacation spot for families who have children with disabilities. The public spaces and vacation bungalows are fully adapted and have the necessary aids to enable families to enjoy a welcome break in safe surroundings. The resort has an adapted swimming pool, an equestrian center with professional guidance tailored for guests, a real cinema, and a variety of other activities.
<img alt="Volunteers doing landscaping work at a park." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="41a983d7-6619-48e5-a398-270e7b1ed0a7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/volunteers_fedex_041124.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Last fall, team members from the Netherlands spent an afternoon doing projects like carpentry and maintenance jobs; reinforcing water holes; replacing old woodwork in the forest to ensure wheelchair access and safety; and landscaping, weed pulling, and other outdoor jobs.

“As a team, we greatly value the opportunities FedEx Cares provides to support local communities. For me, volunteering is very rewarding and it’s a pleasure to lend a hand where I can. At the same time it brings us closer as a team,” says Marja.

Vacation Park for Children With Special Needs Gets Makeover From FedEx Netherlands

<img alt="2024 ESG Leadership Awards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1f8bc90-ae26-4d3f-a41f-670add19e09e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024-ESG-Leadership-Awards_The-Conference-Board_041824.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="400" loading="lazy" />April 18, 2024 /CSRwire/ - It’s time to celebrate organizations that have moved beyond their public sustainability commitments by integrating sustainability into their business—making a positive impact on the company, stakeholders, society at large, and the environment. Join us as we honor Corning Incorporated, J.M. Huber Corporation, and Michelin North America during the <a href="https://www.conference-board.org/events/ESG-Leadership-Awards" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">ESG Leadership Awards dinner on May 16 in New York</a>.  
By shining a light on exemplary companies, The Conference Board inspires the broader business community to follow in their footsteps. The dinner will provide support to The Conference Board’s programming and publications specifically focused on a key challenge facing corporations today: defining and determining the ROI of Sustainability ESG.  
If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship and attendance, contact Brian Teagle at <a href="mailto:bteagle@tcb.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">bteagle@tcb.org</a>.  
You can read more about our impressive award recipients <a href="https://www.conference-board.org/events/ESG-Leadership-Awards" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.  
Accepting the award on behalf of their organizations:  
Thomas French  
Board of Directors  Corning Incorporated  
Gretchen McClain  
President &amp; CEO  J.M. Huber  
Alexis Garcin  
President &amp; CEO  Michelin North America, Inc.  Media Contact:  <a href="mailto:jdiblasi@tcb.org" target="_blank">Joe Diblasi</a>

<a href="https://www.conference-board.org/events/ESG-Leadership-Awards" target="_blank">Read More</a>

You’re Invited to the ESG Leadership Awards Dinner

2023 was a transformative year for Vertex. The company made significant advances toward delivering on its core mission of creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and ushering in a new era of diversification.

<img alt="Applegate logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a2c2e2cb-84bc-47ce-a0ae-f4123ac66917" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/applegate_hormel_041724.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="620" loading="lazy" />BEDMINSTER, N.J., April 24, 2024 /CSRwire/ - In its commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers, APPLEGATE®, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, has announced a new partnership with American Farmland Trust (AFT) in a $50,000 donation to the AFT’s Brighter Future Fund, a program that helps farmers and ranchers nationwide improve their viability, access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland, and adopt regenerative agricultural* practices. Applegate’s donation will fund grants, valued up to $5,000, for livestock farmers or ranchers who are working to who are becoming more resilient and viable.

“Young farmers and ranchers have a vision for a strong, sustainable and competitive food system. But making it a reality is anything but easy,” said Joseph O’Connor, President of Applegate. “American Farmland Trust has a proven track record of advocacy and support to an incredible network of farmers. With our commitment to The Brighter Future Fund, Applegate aims to help new farmers build a more sustainable and secure foothold in the industry that allows them to fulfill their dreams and, in turn, helps us to make good on our mission: Changing The Meat We Eat®.”

The Brighter Future Fund was launched in 2020 to help historically underserved farmers and ranchers build, grow, and sustain their operations despite forces impacting the food and agricultural system, including the COVID-19 pandemic, changing markets, severe weather, and climate change. In past years, BFF grants have helped livestock farmers to access land to expand their farms and ranches, purchase supplies to implement regenerative practices like compost spreaders and no-till drill planters, and improve their profitability with more efficient equipment for harvesting, storing and selling their crops and livestock like greenhouses, hoop houses and cooler vans. Applications for Brighter Future Fund grants open in early July and grantees will be announced in October.

The impacts of Brighter Future Fund grants ripple beyond individual awardees. Grants help drive new solutions for resolving key challenges facing our society, by:

<ul><li>Scaling up the adoption of regenerative practices and increasing the resilience of farms and ranches to climate change;</li>
	<li>Strengthening local food systems to be more resilient to disruptions caused by global events as well as providing equitable access to healthy food;</li>
	<li>Creating greater equity in opportunities for historically underserved farmers and ranchers;</li>
	<li>Ensuring the availability of sufficient clean water and habitat for threatened wildlife;</li>
	<li>Improving long-term farm viability and community vitality.</li>
</ul>“Oftentimes straightforward projects, like expanding or replacing fencing infrastructure, can make a huge difference for farmers or ranchers. Increasing rotational grazing capacity enhances pasture soil health, and ultimately improves the overall viability of a farm or ranch,” said Ashley Brucker, Deputy Director of Agriculture Conservation Innovation at American Farmland Trust. “We’re grateful for partners like Applegate for supporting and believing in the countless farmers and ranchers who do this vital work.”

“As a former farmer who has raised pastured livestock, I know firsthand how beneficial unrestricted grant funds are to a farm business,” said Carolyn Gahn, Applegate’s Senior Director of Mission and Advocacy. “Fencing, watering systems and animal shelters are all costly but necessary requirements to get an operation off the ground and keep it functioning sustainably. A move towards a regenerative future, means making farming a viable business model for family farms and first-generation farmers.”

Additional supporters of the 2024 fund include: Tractor Supply Company Foundation, iHeartMedia, Butcher Box, Giant Foods, and Domino’s Pizza.

Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded in the order the applications are received based on eligibility. To apply, farmers and ranchers should submit a completed electronic Brighter Future Fund Application to AFT.

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 7.8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families. Learn more at www.farmland.org.

*Regenerative agriculture is a series of continuous improvement principles and practices that prioritize soil health and manages a symbiotic relationship between plants and animals to have a positive impact on the land.

In its commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers, APPLEGATE®, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, has announced a new partnership with American Farmland Trust (AFT) in a $50,000 donation to the AFT’s Brighter Future Fund.

Applegate Farms LLC Announces $50,000 Support American Farmland Trust’s Brighter Future Fund

This initiative makes Callao the first port terminal in Latin America to feature this type of infrastructure, promoting decarbonization, environmental stewardship, and operational efficiency.

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Articles

In a Transformative Year, Vertex Advances Its Commitment to Corporate Responsibility; Announces 2023 CR Report

Pioneering Sustainable Trade: DP World Implements Charging Station for Electric Trucks at Peru’s Port of Callao

Schneider Electric Foundation Turns 25 and Launches the ‘25 Years Young’ Campaign

Chemours Shapes the Future Through STEM Education

Vacation Park for Children With Special Needs Gets Makeover From FedEx Netherlands

You’re Invited to the ESG Leadership Awards Dinner