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New Research From ACCP Highlights Lack of Diversity in Corporate Social Impact Industry

Net Impact Announces 2021-2022 Chapter of the Year Winners

RESOLVE Launches the Peace Diamonds Restoration Initiative

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May 13, 2022 /CSRwire/ - <a href="https://www.mentoring.org/" target="_blank">MENTOR</a>, the unifying champion for the mentoring movement, launched a comprehensive workforce development campaign this week to create more diverse and equitable workplaces for our nation’s young people. Focused on promoting mentoring in the workplace, the <a href="https://www.mentoring.org/campaigns/workforce-development/" target="_blank">2022 Workplace Equity Pledge</a> provides resources to individuals who want to manage with a mentoring mindset so employers can help ensure all young people have access to the opportunities, resources, and relationships they need to thrive.

Pairing social and economic capital through relationship-centered workplaces drives the diversity and inclusion necessary for more dynamic and successful organizations. This approach helps employers open doors and helps young employees leverage their experiences, strengths, and abilities in the workplace, leading to greater retention and career pathways. David Shapiro, MENTOR’s CEO, says, “We need to be thinking about early exposure to careers as young people determine what’s possible and then ultimately ensure they have the real-world connections and relationships to gain access and chart a path -- no matter what jobs they are in. Our workplace campaign aims to make sure that employers reflect on their practices, training, and culture, and we help them make the mutually beneficial and necessary shifts and enhancements to expand their efforts and shift culture to create relationship-centered workplaces that recruit, retain, and advance a wider range of employees who feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.”

Research shows that mentoring in the workplace is crucial for retaining young employees and supporting them on their career paths. A recent study by MENTOR of mentoring relationships within workforce development settings for young adults found that almost 90% of young adults who had mentors in the workplace were retained in their jobs for over 90 days; the same study found that 72% of participants felt their mentors helped them determine the next steps on their career or educational journey.
<img alt="&quot;Amplify Motivation, Momentum, Mentoring&quot;, with Two people smiling at each other" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a239c849-e98f-498b-a59a-e0d4fefff285" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/friends_MENTOR_51322.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="819" loading="lazy" />By taking the <a href="https://www.mentoring.org/campaigns/workforce-development/" target="_blank">Workplace Equity Pledge</a>, individuals gain access to free workplace equity resources, including a training that helps people more effectively connect with young people in the workplace and the Workplace Mentoring Supplement to the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™. Pledge takers commit to taking action by encouraging congressional representatives to support the Youth Workforce Readiness Act, watching MENTOR’s training on bringing a mentoring mindset to the workplace, sharing resources about the power of workplace mentoring with their company’s DEI committee, or exploring MENTOR’s newest resource that provides the tips that mentors need to support young people today, Becoming a Better Mentor: Strategies to Be There for Young People. The campaign also spotlights partners across sectors who embody mentoring mindsets that support young people, as well as individual stories about the power of workplace mentoring. To see the latest campaign updates, follow MENTOR on social media.

ABOUT MENTOR

<a href="https://www.mentoring.org/" target="_blank">MENTOR</a> is the unifying champion for expanding the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships across the United States. MENTOR was created more than 30 years ago to expand opportunities for young people by building a youth mentoring field and movement. The result: a more than 10-fold increase in young people in mentoring relationships. Today, MENTOR is the expert voice representing a movement that meets young people everywhere they are – from schools, to workplaces, and beyond. MENTOR operates in collaboration with 24 Affiliates providing local servant leadership and expertise across the nation, with several more in development.

MENTOR Launches National Campaign To Promote Youth, Equity in Workplace Culture

<img alt="artistic representation of a child reaching out to touch a web of light in a forest" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4f4dc884-e9b1-4865-abbf-5bd653b0db8e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/weboflife.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="667" loading="lazy" />How does the world really work? How does nature function? How do societies change? How do economies rise and fall? These are questions that have led me to a lifetime of enquiry and a career in sustainability. After more than 30 years of wrestling and wrangling with theories and practices, I still don’t have all the answers, but I do have a map with clues to where the treasure is buried. The treasure is thriving – the ways in which nature can regenerate, societies can flourish, and economies can prosper. The clues are six scientific keys to unlock the mystery of how life not only survives, but also thrives.

The six keys to thriving are based on the modern science of living systems, which in turn has grown out of centuries of intellectual enquiry, including the science of Leonardo da Vinci, organismic biology, the theory of holism, cybernetics, tektology, general systems theory, synergetics, complexity theory, chaos theory, fractal geometry, autopoiesis, and social systems theory. As a result, today we have a much better understanding of how nature and societies work as dynamic, living systems. Now it is time to put this knowledge into practice.

The first key to thriving is complexity. This refers to the networks and patterns of relationships in living systems. It is all about interconnectivity. The more connections there are between parts in a system, the more complex it is. In complex systems, whether in nature, society or the economy, small causes can have large effects. Think of Greta Thunberg and the Climate Strike movement. Also, local causes often have non-local effects. A plastic-eating bacteria discovered at a recycling plant in Japan could help tackle the global plastic pollution problem.

The second key to thriving is circularity. In nature we see that everything operates in cycles. We have big cycles like the water cycle or the carbon cycle, and we have small cycles like the life cycle of plants or animals. In circular systems, there is essentially no waste. The residual materials from one process become nutrients for another process. Waste becomes food. To align with this principle, we need to change from our current linear economy (take, make, use, waste) to a circular economy (borrow, make, use, return). With less than 10% of the world’s production and consumption circular today, we have some way to go.

The third key to thriving is creativity. In complex living systems, we get emergence of unexpected behaviours. This creativity is what drives adaptation and evolution. It’s what species do to survive and thrive. The most important enabler for creativity is diversity. Novel combinations of different elements of a system, by chance or by design, produces cross-fertilisation and hybrids. In society and organisations, diversity of all kinds (gender, ethnicity, knowledge, abilities, etc.) will decrease the chances of “group think” and increase the likelihood of finding creative solutions to problems.

The fourth key to thriving is coherence. Every system has a central function or organising purpose. In nature, this is often encoded through DNA or guided by the tendency towards dynamic equilibrium, but in society and organisations, we can be more deliberate. Our cultural values, societal goals and purpose in organisations provide the glue that is necessary for a system to function. Research suggests that if there is a shared purpose among 5% to 25% in a group where others are acting incoherently, it is enough to move the rest of the group in the same direction.

The fifth key to thriving is convergence. This is one of least understood and most underestimated principles of complex systems. In simple terms, it is what happens when certain trends or actions reinforce one another, resulting in accelerated change in the system. Scientists call these positive feedback loops, and they are what often lead to tipping points, where widespread change happens very quickly. Today, we have convergence between global risks, policy reforms, technology innovations, financial investment, market opportunities, and social movements.

The sixth and final key to thriving is continuity. All life is designed to perpetuate itself, either through strategies for individual survival, or ensuring the collective continues, for example as a species, organisation, city or country. Here, the important thing to focus on are strategies for resilience (how to survive shocks and catastrophes) and long-term thinking (having goals stretching decades or even generations ahead). Research by McKinsey &amp; Co shows that long term-oriented companies outperform others in earnings, revenue, market capitalisation and job creation.

These six scientific keys can serve as thriving tests for any decision or action that is proposed. Does it increase connectivity, networks, and relationships? Does it create circular material, energy, and knowledge flows? Does it increase diversity and foster innovation? Does it align with a compelling and inspiring purpose? Does it reinforce and accelerate positive trends? Does it increase resilience and a long-term perspective? Together, these keys will unlock the regeneration of nature, society, and the economy, which is the real treasure of life.

--

Dr Wayne Visser is a globally recognized Cambridge pracademic, poet, possibilitist and author of 41 books, including Thriving: The Breakthrough Movement to Regenerate Nature, Society, and the Economy (Fast Company Press, 2022). To find out more about his work and writing, visit <a href="http://www.waynevisser.com" target="_blank">www.waynevisser.com</a>

To Unlock Life’s Mysteries, Use the Scientific Keys to Thriving

In another year of economic uncertainty and recovery, Vancity was able to apply its values-based banking model for the benefit of members, employees, and communities. This is not new for Vancity – it has been doing this for over 75 years. Vancity’s responses to the challenges of climate change, racism and the COVID-19 pandemic are outlined in Change-makers, Vancity’s 2021 annual report, which can be viewed at <a href="http://www.vancity.com/AnnualReport" target="_blank">vancity.com/AnnualReport</a>.

Action on the climate crisis is a key theme of the Vancity 2021 annual report. It includes Vancity’s second analysis of the financed greenhouse gas emissions on Vancity’s loans and investments using the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) methodology.

Stories illustrate how Vancity creates value by providing basic financial services to people who are often excluded from conventional banking, by supporting training on zero-energy building techniques for new construction and retrofits, and by helping to create the circular economy by turning waste into a resource rather than a liability.

2021 highlights in the report include Vancity’s:

<ul><li>Commitment to achieving net-zero emissions across its loans and mortgages by 2040.</li>
	<li><a href="https://rethink.vancity.com/" target="_blank">Five climate commitments</a> to help realize the vision of a climate transition that is fair and includes everyone.</li>
	<li>A new, detailed appendix on financed emissions approach and methodology.</li>
	<li>Being a founding signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking’s <a href="https://www.unepfi.org/banking/bankingprinciples/commitments/commitment-to-financial-health-and-inclusion/#:~:text=The%20PRB%20Commitment%20to%20Financial,the%20financial%20health%20of%20customers." target="_blank">Commitment to Financial Health and Inclusion</a>.</li>
	<li>Commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization and its participation in the 50-30 Challenge which sees it aiming to have a senior leadership team with at least 40% as Indigenous, Black, people of colour, 2SLGBTQAI+ and/or people living with a disability.</li>
	<li>Improved systems to gather insights on employee diversity while protecting employee privacy.</li>
	<li>30 per cent of 2021 net income returned to members and communities totalling $31.9M – the largest payout in Vancity’s history</li>
</ul>Vancity’s values-based banking model is also aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The report was prepared in accordance with the International Integrated Reporting Framework and the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Standards. Its adherence to the AA1000 principles and key data in the report was externally assured. The report also includes Vancity’s approach to managing climate risks and opportunities in alignment to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and its second public reporting on how it is living up to its commitments as a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking.

About Vancity

Vancity is a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its more than 550,000 member-owners and their communities, with offices and 54 branches located in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Squamish, and Alert Bay, within the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw people. With $33.2 billion in assets plus assets under administration, Vancity is Canada’s largest community credit union. Vancity uses its assets to help improve the financial wellbeing of its members while at the same time helping to develop healthy communities that are socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.

Contact <a href="mailto:mediarelations@vancity.com">Media Relations</a>   
Phone: 778-837-0394

Vancity in 2021: Building a Clean and Fair World

<img alt="&quot;Visit our Private Equity Hub for insights, downloads and more&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c937aa54-c9d0-4a3b-aee2-e9ac66bead8d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/3BLMedia_PrivateEquityHub.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="625" loading="lazy" />3BL Media breaks down what PE firms need to know about ESG communications. Explore more resources at our <a href="https://promo.3blmedia.com/private-equity/" target="_blank">Private Equity Hub</a>.

In a recent survey of more than 100 Limited Partner (LP) organizations, the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA), in partnership with Bain &amp; Company, found that for two-thirds of respondents, environmental, social, governance (ESG) considerations play a key role in their Private Equity (PE) investment policies. Of those LPs, more than half have fully implemented ESG-specific policies with a further 33% already partially implementing guidelines. So with ESG top of mind for investors right now, PE communicators are taking stock on how best to operationalize ESG into their LP marketing and communications.

At the heart of any ESG communications exercise must be a commitment to accountability, transparency, consistency and measurability. Here's a few key principles and guidelines to keep in mind as you embed ESG into your plans.

Make sure your firm has a clear articulation of their ESG policy 
It's important that you work with your firm's leadership to make sure there is a clear expression of the guiding principles that the firm is committing to. This will be the bedrock that guides all your communications, and it will also be the standards to which LPs and other stakeholders assess your level of commitment.

Many private equity firms globally have signed up to the United Nation's Principles for Responsible Investing. If your firm is a signatory, then these are the basis from which to start. If you are not signatory, they are a good checklist to begin formulating your own set of principles. They include a commitment to:

<ol dir="ltr"><li role="presentation">Incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.</li>
	<li role="presentation">Be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into ownership policies and practices.</li>
	<li role="presentation">Report on activities and progress towards implementing the principles.</li>
</ol>Whatever guidelines you choose to follow, make sure to express your firm's commitment consistently and make it visible and easy to find.

Be prepared to offer full transparency and prepare for scrutiny 
As part of their due diligence, LPs are heading your way with some very direct questions around your firm's commitment to ESG. These can be a good guide for fleshing out your ESG communications program and having a depth of quality evidence to support your firm's program. The ILPA ESG Due Diligence Questionnaire for General Partners offers a good checklist of questions to get you started. Some of the questions include:

<ol dir="ltr"><li>What are the Firm’s ESG-related policies and how do ESG factors influence its investment beliefs?</li>
	<li>Does the Firm have a policy that describes its approach to identifying and managing ESG factors within the investment and portfolio management processes?</li>
	<li>Does the Firm make formal commitments relating to ESG integration in fund formation contracts, Limited Partnership Agreements, or inside letters when requested by investors?</li>
	<li>How does the Firm identify and manage material ESG-related risk and use ESG factors to create value?</li>
	<li>How does the Firm contribute to portfolio companies’ management of ESG-related risks and opportunities?</li>
	<li>How can LPs monitor and, where necessary, ensure that the Fund is operating consistently with agreed-upon ESG-related policies and practices, including disclosure of ESG-related incidents?</li>
	<li>Which channels does the Firm use to communicate ESG-related information to LPs?</li>
</ol>Communicate regularly and candidly on key metrics 
Having a robust set of measurable ESG KPIs will go a long way to establishing your firm's credentials as a firm committed to the cause. Be prepared to define both company specific and portfolio wide ESG indicators. When it comes to specific portfolio companies, it can be useful to set up information sharing protocols with their communications teams. This is not only to collect metric data but also to gather the stories and insights that will enrich the picture of both theirs and your firm's commitment to ESG.

At the very least you will be communicating via your annual reports on your ESG progress and journey - but it pays to build it into your regular communications programs. Updates on how you are tracking against your set metrics and stories of how the firm and your portfolio companies are taking action will build credibility. Being open about any necessary remedial action shows real commitment to transparency. Of course communicating ESG accomplishments can be a great part of an exit story by highlighting the added value it can bring to an investment or how it mitigated risk.

As more LPs demand more when it comes to ESG and more private equity firms commit to the principles, it may not be too long before a robust, well-communicated ESG program is a requirement before any investment decision. Luckily, ESG is fertile ground for telling impactful stories that will build your firm's brand position and competitive advantage as a forward thinking, responsible corporate citizen.

For more resources on ESG communications, visit <a href="https://promo.3blmedia.com/private-equity/" target="_blank">3BL Media’s Private Equity Hub</a>.

Operationalizing ESG Communications for Your Private Equity Firm's Limited Partners

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SANTA FE, N.M. and LONGMONT, Colo. May 11, 2022 /CSRwire/ - <a href="http://www.element6dynamics.com/" target="_blank">element6 Dynamics</a>, a leading provider of nature-based solutions to industry that accelerate the regeneration of the planet by addressing its serious carbon imbalance, today announced the official launch of its Farm Partner Program. element6 Dynamics is paying farmers to grow over four million pounds of industrial hemp in 2022, which it will process into various materials to be incorporated into a range of end products. Over 80 percent of this year’s production has already been pre-purchased by industrial customers. The element6 Dynamics’ Farm Partner Program, with the help of private investor support, will support U.S. farmers including partnerships with BIPOC farmers in producing 140 million pounds of industrial hemp next year, putting the company on a trajectory to provide the volume necessary to meet the scale requirements for supply chains in target industries including paper and plastics.

“Our Farm Partner Program is a revolutionary step toward the rapid expansion and usage of industrial hemp on a global scale,” said element6 Dynamics CEO Kim Kovacs. “Much like Tesla was in the early days, element6 Dynamics has a global vision and mission to solve the major carbon problem. Tesla relied on key stakeholders, the government and strategic partnerships leading to an eventual reduction of 2 million tons of carbon being contributed to the atmosphere annually. Only by achieving industrial scale through the same types of partnerships can we open the door of innovation and create positive environmental change. In 2022, we are taking our first step towards achieving that scale.”
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="element6 Dynamics CEO Kim Kovacs" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3cc34a5f-7122-45ed-82ff-b77b8d13ace5" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/csrKimberly_Kovacs.jpeg" width="340" height="1200" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>element6 Dynamics CEO Kim Kovacs</figcaption></figure>element6 Dynamics’ corporate focus is dedicated to research and development and a commitment to contracting with farmers in the U.S. to produce thousands of tons of industrial hemp cultivated on over one million acres and building processing facilities that transform the crop into essential hemp-derived materials for major industries.

According to Alex Mootz, president of Complete Agronomy Solutions based in Wisconsin, “We take great pride in assisting element6 Dynamics in harnessing the power of science to regenerate our planet by addressing its serious carbon imbalance-at scale. To fully unleash the impact the hemp plant can have on our environment, it is going to take programs like the element6 Dynamics Farm Partner Program to change the trajectory on hemp for good on our planet. Their vision for this partnership and industry starts with the farmer. I see this crop as a new beginning for the agricultural space.”

element6 Dynamics uses the industrial hemp plant to capture carbon from the atmosphere, locking it into its plant fibers and into the soil, where it has many beneficial effects including soil regeneration and the reduction of toxins. The company’s nature-based solutions further impact the planet by reducing tree harvesting, hydrocarbon emissions, and livestock methane emissions.

“We are underway with our farm partners for this 2022 farming season,” said Isaac Cohen, EVP, Cultivation at element6 Dynamics. “Our largest acreage will be in Colorado, Wisconsin and Kansas with smaller cultivations in other parts of the U.S. Many of our partners have been successfully farming hemp in the U.S. for several years and are multigenerational farmers. This level of experience and dedication is the cornerstone of element6 Dynamics’ plan to have over one million acres of hemp contracted for and in cultivation by 2027.”

For more information on element6 Dynamics Farm Partner Program, contact norman@element6dynamics.com.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="element6 Dynamics logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c09557e0-af6c-4312-b035-2e33153b963b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/csrelement6_logo_for_press_realease_SMALL.png" width="800" height="225" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>element6 Dynamics logo</figcaption></figure>About element6 Dynamics <a href="http://www.element6dynamics.com/" target="_blank">element6 Dynamics</a>, formerly Santa Fe Farms, provides nature-based solutions to industry that accelerate the regeneration of the planet by addressing its serious carbon imbalance. Its large-scale cultivation of industrial hemp will sequester vast amounts of carbon and be processed into essential, value-added, hemp-derived materials for major paper/pulp and plastics manufacturers that further impact the planet by reducing tree harvesting and hydrocarbon emissions. The company will also be both a net-negative carbon business and an important source of nature-based carbon offsets used by enterprises seeking to reduce their carbon footprint to meet their ESG goals and/or regulatory requirements. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.element6dynamics.com/" target="_blank">element6dynamics.com</a>.

 Industrial Hemp Leader element6 Dynamics 2022 Farm Partner Program to Grow Over Four Million Pounds of Industrial Hemp in 2022 

<ul><li>On track to become carbon neutral by 2027 with more than 50% purchased electricity coming from renewable sources </li>
	<li>69% of new products identified as responsible </li>
</ul>STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, announced the release of its <a href="https://sustainabilityreports.st.com/sr22/" target="_blank">25th annual sustainability report</a> detailing 2021 performance and achievements.

“This is our 25th annual report, a significant milestone after the pioneering efforts of ST in this field. In 2021 we continued to achieve strong results across all key sustainability metrics, including the initial steps of our path towards carbon neutrality in 2027. We are determined to continue to do more and to accelerate our overall sustainability efforts to create technology for a sustainable world, in a sustainable way, and to generate long-term value for our people and all stakeholders,” said Jean-Marc Chery, President and CEO, STMicroelectronics.

In 2021 ST has been actively working, through a collaborative approach, on its sustainability commitments and programs to create a healthier, safer, and more inclusive environment for people and communities and to create profitable growth. ST’s continued efforts across many areas, detailed in this report, were recognized again in 2021, by inclusion in the DJSI World and Europe indexes, as well as in other key ESG rankings and international certifications.

Sustainable Technology 
ST technologies and products enable its customers to boost sustainability and seize opportunities​ with continued improvement of the company’s social and environmental footprint at every stage of the product lifecycle (<a href="https://sustainabilityreports.st.com/sr22/business/sustainable-technology.html" target="_blank">Sustainable Technology</a>). In 2021:

<ul><li>69% of new products were identified as responsible (responsible sourcing, eco-design, advanced EHS standards of manufacturing, responsible products, and applications) (vs 63% in 2020).</li>
	<li>20% of total revenue derived from responsible products (vs 18.5% in 2020).</li>
	<li>37% of sales come from products that aim at substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction across the product lifecycle according to the EU taxonomy standard.</li>
</ul>Sustainable Way 
In December 2020, ST committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2027 (<a href="https://sustainabilityreports.st.com/sr22/environment/energy-and-climate-change.html" target="_blank">Energy and Climate Change</a>) and remains on track to meet that target, actively working in 2021 on reducing its environmental footprint:

<ul><li>Reduced GHG emissions by 34% compared to 2018 in absolute terms, despite the continued expansion of ST’s manufacturing capacity.</li>
	<li>Increased the sourcing of electricity coming from renewable sources to more than 50% (vs 43% in 2020).</li>
	<li>Reduced water consumption by 16% (vs 2020 per production unit).</li>
	<li>Reusing, recovering, or recycling 90% of the company’s waste (vs 88% in 2020).</li>
</ul>2021 was a year that continued to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and ST maintained its support to its 48,000 employees across the globe, while investing in safety, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (<a href="https://sustainabilityreports.st.com/sr22/people/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.html" target="_blank">Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion</a>):

<ul><li>Continued to deploy the most stringent measures to protect the health and safety of employees who worked at ST sites to ensure continuity of operations, in line with global and local regulations.</li>
	<li>Decreased the recordable case rate (work-related injuries per 100 employees per year) with a record score of 0.12 (0.14 in 2020) which is among the best in class.</li>
	<li>Reached the target of hiring 30% women for exempt positions for the first time, but still need to make progress to reach the 2025 target of 20% of women in all management levels.</li>
	<li>Increased the employee engagement score in 2021 with 83% of employees recommending ST as a great place to work (+2 points on 2020).</li>
</ul>Sustainable Company 
ST continues to create a funnel of innovation and talent across its ecosystems and communities and with academic, private, and public partners. This collaborative approach for profitable growth allows the development of ST’s market-leading products and solutions enabling the company’s customers to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and fuel their future growth:

<ul><li>Invested 13.5% of revenues (US$1.72 billion) in R&amp;D to support innovation.</li>
	<li>Continued to invest in R&amp;D and open innovation with a network now including 187 active academic and private partnerships worldwide to build the future.</li>
	<li>330 STEM events and initiatives reached over 69,000 students and teachers of the company’s ‘STEM your way’ program (<a href="https://sustainabilityreports.st.com/sr22/communities/community-and-education.html" target="_blank">Community and Education</a>).</li>
</ul>The 25th annual report contains highlights and details of ST’s sustainability performance in 2021 and presents the Company’s ambitions and longer-term goals in alignment with both the United Nations Global Compact Ten Principles and Sustainable Development Goals and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). It is aligned with Global Reporting Standards (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Boards (SASB), and Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). A third party has verified this report.

The 2022 Sustainability Report (2021 performance) can be viewed at <a href="https://sustainabilityreports.st.com/" target="_blank">https://sustainabilityreports.st.com/</a>

About STMicroelectronics 
At ST, we are 48,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An independent device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and 5G technology. ST is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

For further information, please contact the <a href="mailto:sustainable.development@st.com">CSR team</a>.

STMicroelectronics Publishes 25th Annual Sustainability Report

MENTOR, the unifying champion for the mentoring movement, launched a comprehensive workforce development campaign this week to create more diverse and equitable workplaces for our nation’s young people.

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="At South Bronx Early College Academy, marigolds, chard, lettuces, and lavender grow in the school's Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d108e69b-7c47-45ac-9ae1-0a5abd9f1b9a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/South_Bronx2_GME_51322.png" width="640" height="960" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>At South Bronx Early College Academy, marigolds, chard, lettuces, and lavender grow in the school's Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system.</figcaption></figure>NEW YORK, May 13, 2022 /CSRwire/ — On April 28 and 29, South Bronx Early College Academy (SBECA) and The Longwood Academy of Discovery celebrated the official opening of their hydroponic-farm classrooms. Representatives from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club and NY Sun Works joined school staff and students for the ribbon-cutting, informative tour of the hydroponic systems, and sampling of leafy greens and fresh herbs they helped grow from seed to harvest in each of the classrooms.

SBECA’s state-of-the-art hydroponic classroom engages 6-8th graders, and Longwood Academy of Discovery’s classroom involves its K-5th graders. These classrooms provide a hands-on, project-based sustainability science education, aligned with New York City and New York State science standards, while students grow and harvest hundreds of pounds of fresh, delicious produce throughout the school year. The average NY Sun Works hydroponic classroom produces more than 500 pounds of vegetables during school year!

“We are honored to work with Principal Krulwich and his team at SBECA to bring 21st-century science and sustainability education into the public-school classroom,” said Manuela Zamora, executive director of NY Sun Works. “The hydroponic lab will provide students with the opportunity to grow food while learning hands-on about science and climate education, as well as nutrition, food justice, and community service.”

Both hydroponic classrooms were funded by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, the renewable energy provider’s charitable program. The sustainability grant enables NY Sun Works to bring hydroponic farm-classrooms to the two schools in adjacent South Bronx neighborhoods for K-8th grade continuity in sustainability education.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="The Longwood Academy of Discovery's Vine Crop System with cucumber and tomato plants." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e088cadf-b620-4700-a340-535254b4136d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Longwood_Academy1_GME_51322.png" width="640" height="937" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>The Longwood Academy of Discovery's Vine Crop System with cucumber and tomato plants.</figcaption></figure>“Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is honored to collaborate with NY Sun Works to bring these hydroponic gardens to life,” said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice president. “We recognize the important work NY Sun Works is doing to educate children on integrating environmentally conscious, accessible, and practical elements into their everyday lives.” Since 2002, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has been empowering local communities by donating nearly $11.7 million to 143 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club supports projects promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, education and awareness, clean transportation, and sustainable agriculture.

NY Sun Works provides classroom installation, curriculum, professional development, ongoing training for SBECA and Longwood Academy teachers, and community engagement through special events. The programming focuses on science, sustainability, climate, energy, food justice, and health.

"We are so excited and grateful that our school has had the opportunity to partner with NY Sun Works this year,” said David Krulwich, South Bronx Early College Academy principal. “The urban garden in our 6th grade science classroom benefits students in so many ways — it helps demonstrate the connection between science, the environment, health, nutrition, and social equity. Our students are more excited about the hands-on, experiential science curriculum, and the garden fosters environmentalism and healthier eating. We hope this will be a part of our school and curriculum for many years."

When discussing what the addition of the hydroponic classroom lab means for Longwood Academy of Discovery, Victoria Nájera, Longwood Academy of Discovery principal shared “This lab allows students and the community to learn new 21st-century innovative ways of sustainability in urban farming interlocked with health and wellness.”

About South Bronx Early College Academy 
The South Bronx Early College Academy Charter School will provide a rigorous and comprehensive liberal arts education to students in the South Bronx through a challenging, New York State (NYS) Common Core standards-aligned curriculum. SBECA will establish a learning environment that emphasizes differentiation and personalization of instruction and a student-centered and fully inclusive approach to teaching and learning. Students will graduate from SBECA prepared for success in college and for active and thoughtful citizenship.

Visit <a href="https://sbecacs.org/" target="_blank">sbecacs.org</a> to learn more.

About the Longwood Academy of Discovery

At the Longwood Academy of Discovery, all members of our school community are empowered to reach their full potential. Our learning environment is a safe, equitable, nurturing, and a culturally responsive space that values diversity, social emotional well-being, self advocacy and independence.

Visit <a href="https://sbecacs.org/" target="_blank">ps333x.org/</a> to learn more.

About NY Sun Works 
NY Sun Works is dedicated to improving K-12th grade science education in public schools. The organization establishes hydroponic science labs and comprehensive STEM curricula, aligned with NYC Science standards, to facilitate project-based learning that engages students and educators on critical environmental issues. NY Sun Works leadership envisions a generation of environmental innovators, empowered to create solutions to global resource challenges. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.nysunworks.org/" target="_blank">www.nysunworks.org</a>.

Follow NY Sun Works at: <a href="https://twitter.com/nysunworks" target="_blank">@nysunworks</a>

About the Sun Club 
Green Mountain Energy is changing the way power is made and advancing sustainable communities through the work of the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club® has donated more than $11 million to 143 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit <a href="file:///C:/Users/rdavey/Desktop/greenmountain.com/sunclub" target="_blank">greenmountain.com/sunclub</a>.

Media: 
Green Mountain Energy <a href="mailto:media@greenmountain.com">media@greenmountain.com</a> 
713-537-5735

###

On April 28 and 29, South Bronx Early College Academy (SBECA) and The Longwood Academy of Discovery celebrated the official opening of their hydroponic-farm classrooms.

South Bronx Early College Academy and The Longwood Academy of Discovery in Bronx, NY Celebrate Official Opening of Hydroponic Classrooms

<img alt="split picture of train, plane and boat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a4554f6b-4185-460f-b395-4b6e6fd2b0d6" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/applied-ai-one-helping-hand-hero-147737d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="720" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2022/5/how-to-use-artificial-intelligence-to-obtain-environmental-sustainability?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=3bl-content-partners&amp;utm_campaign=mana_3BL_sustainability_20210901&amp;utm_content=article" target="_blank">Originally published by Ericsson</a>

Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) really be used to help us fight climate change and build a more sustainable world? The simple answer is yes! The evolution of AI, with our ability to apply this technology and drive adoption, is enabling us to solve problems that previously seemed impossible. Here’s how Ericsson is working to lower one part of our supply chain’s carbon footprint by identifying and reducing CO2e emissions by using applied AI to optimize product transportation.

Why is essential?

Proactive management of topics relating to climate action and the environment is a core component of Ericsson’s sustainability strategy. makes up one of three main sustainability focus areas – with the other two being Responsible Business and Digital Inclusion (read more, <a href="https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/sustainability-and-corporate-responsibility?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=3bl-content-partners&amp;utm_campaign=mana_3BL_sustainability_20210901&amp;utm_content=article" target="_blank">here</a>).With the growing threat of global warming, the negative impact of carbon emissions is an urgent worldwide concern. Pressure on businesses to accelerate climate action and limit global warming has never been more prevalent and the corporate world is making commitments for delivering its ambition to become <a href="https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2022/3/net-zero-what-is-it?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=3bl-content-partners&amp;utm_campaign=mana_3BL_sustainability_20210901&amp;utm_content=article" target="_blank">Net Zero</a> across its value chain. According to the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=3bl-content-partners&amp;utm_campaign=mana_3BL_sustainability_20210901&amp;utm_content=article" target="_blank">US Environmental Protection Agency climate change report 2019</a>, transportation alarmingly accounts for 29 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here at Ericsson, we take the need to decarbonize seriously. To address the threat head on, Ericsson has committed to reach <a href="https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/sustainability-and-corporate-responsibility/environment/climate-action?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=3bl-content-partners&amp;utm_campaign=mana_3BL_sustainability_20210901&amp;utm_content=article" target="_blank">Net Zero emissions in our value chain by 2040</a>. Ericsson is already working towards a first major milestone to cut emissions by 50 percent in the supply chain and portfolio by 2030 and become Net Zero in our own activities at the same time. One of the key activities to address the reduction of supply chain emissions is Product Transportation.

In lieu of the above, and to meet our aggressive goal of reducing in CO2 equivalent emissions, the Group IT AI &amp; Automation experts, along with Supply, have defined a to optimize product transportation – including monitoring, prediction, and reduction – with the ambition of applying AI to make the unimaginable possible.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="Figure 1: CO2e emission dashboard- Ericsson Global and Units wise. Note: a ll figures represented are dummy data." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="49d304b2-e292-42d3-9a65-5dfb791021ab" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/co2e-emission-dashboard-147739a985503672a2e172f53410196d35ecec.jpeg" width="640" height="720" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Figure 1: CO2e emission dashboard- Ericsson Global and Units wise. Note: a ll figures represented are dummy data.</figcaption></figure>How to measure and analyze CO2 equivalent emissions of transportation 
But how could this strategic plan be implemented to actually make a difference in transport emissions and the areas of business beyond a company’s direct control? First, we needed the information to understand the full extent of supply chain emissions through measurable data and transparent reporting, referred to as the ‘monitoring’ phase.

This phase helped map out the current CO2 equivalent emission scenario in the organization, including multiple complex product transport flows like customer supply chain, product supply chain, local transport and diverse processes. The primary challenge in developing such a solution was the lack of availability of data, related data from various sources and developing the precise logic to calculate the CO2 equivalent emission. With the help of various analytical techniques and fuel-based, distance-based, cost-based methodologies, we were able to calculate the emissions associated with transportation. After multiple trials and errors, the distance-based method was found to be the best suited approach for Ericsson Transport Management. We derived the CO2 equivalent emission by modelling frequent parameters like the volume of goods purchased, distance travelled, the standard emission factor for respective transport mode and/or type, and so on. The model was built generically enough to fit most similar transportation services. A simplified version of the calculations of the CO2 equivalents across various transport modes reads as follows:

Y=Σ (mass of goods purchased (tones or volume) × distance travelled in transport leg (km) × emission factor of transport mode or vehicle type (kg CO2e/ton or volume/km))

With the CO2e emission algorithm and LowCode web-based visualization dashboard allowing global users to interact at the same time, we were able to deploy a complete monitoring solution based on the data model, a reference snapshots of the dashboard (right).

Along with measuring and monitoring the C02e emissions across different transportation modes, we were able to improve data quality. By analyzing the collected data, the business could identify specific areas where the quality of the data was low and could drive initiatives with data stewards to improve the quality of the collected data and initiatives at the operational level to capture the right data. This iterative process of improving the data quality will gradually help the business drivers to take judicious decisions.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="Figure 2: CO2e emission dashboard Ericsson Global- Mode of transportation wise." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c12c2292-afb0-434d-a0fb-e1f1ddf764de" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/co2e-emission-dashboard-ericsson-global-147738a985503672a2e172f53410196d35ecec.jpeg" width="640" height="720" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Figure 2: CO2e emission dashboard Ericsson Global- Mode of transportation wise.</figcaption></figure>Transforming data into future insights: Prediction phase

With data and basic analysis in hand, the next logical step was to capture important patterns and trends to predict future business, noted as ‘Prediction’ phase.

Forecasting shipped volumes and weight for various transportation lanes was a complex process due to the high level of disaggregated freight flows. The uncertainty in transportation services, diverse processes and non-standardized procedures made it more challenging to attain optimal transportation resource utilization and distribution planning.

With the application of machine learning (ML) techniques such as regression, clustering, deep learning and so on, and by using historical and transactional data, we developed a more accurate long-term and short-term shipment weight forecast than what we obtained with manual predictions.

Applying such approaches not only reduces the need for manually generated forecasts, but also helps Logistic Service Providers (LSPs) to have better delivery precision leading to improved rates and hence reduced cost. The forecast will ensure the availability of transport capacity and reduce the lead time significantly.

Using a good forecast, the LSPs can identify the key drivers in shipment freights across regions and transport lanes along with the impact on the overall product transport chain.

The modeling part of the solution is comprised of multiple boosting algorithms having a wide range of hyperparameter tuning on features like learning rate, max_depth, n_estimators, subsample. Due to volatility and inconsistencies in the data, no single model could produce results, hence an ensemble of machine learning models was developed with different hyperparameters. The framework was designed such in a way that the best models (for tech savvy people, this was implemented through lowest WMAPE, Weighted Mean Absolute Percentage Error) would be picked up in a dynamic mode during runtime and would be utilized to forecast the related weight/volume.

Prediction to actions – Reduction phase

After measuring and analyzing the results of CO2e emissions and having good long and short-term forecast, it is now time to prepare plans and implement methods to reduce the CO2e emissions, also known as the ‘Reduction’ phase.

With the help of monitoring and forecasting, continuous admonitory processes can surely contribute towards iterative optimization of CO2e emission.

<ul><li>Reducing and improving transport activities
	<ul><li>Fleet Optimization – Higher filling degree in trucks, reduce unnecessary air shipments, and updated fleet.</li>
		<li>Improved planning of packaging and transporting material, better supplier collaboration.</li>
	</ul></li>
	<li>Improving transport efficiency
	<ul><li>Avoid short lead time by using forecasting</li>
		<li>Use well-organized navigation</li>
		<li>Predictive analytics to prevent failure of vehicles and effectively use less energy (Predictive Maintenance)</li>
	</ul></li>
</ul>In short, the logistics transport sector is one of the main consumers of fossil fuels, and is therefore a major contributor to the total greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions, accounting for of total GhG emissions, as per the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=3bl-content-partners&amp;utm_campaign=mana_3BL_sustainability_20210901&amp;utm_content=article" target="_blank">US Environmental Protection Agency climate change report 2019</a>. From our own operation, we have learnt that AI can be used to reduce the use of transport vehicles by optimizing the flow of vehicles, providing more efficient navigation, and facilitating shared transport.

Based on our insights on the potential of AI and the ongoing development in industry automation, this blog post has highlighted our three-phase strategic approach – Monitoring, Prediction, and Reduction.

Along with enhancing the visibility and transparency of CO2e emissions, as well as improving data quality, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, transport volume forecasting is aiming to reduce both CO2e and operational expenditures.

We believe Environmental Sustainability challenges could be addressed through this three-phase approach, together with the strong domain knowledge. If used sensibly, we have no doubt that AI will accelerate our sustainability efforts.

AI is already shaping up to be the key to empowering governments, organizations, and individuals to make more conscious decisions and work towards creating a healthier planet. At Ericsson, we are working towards this cause and are proud to be able to demonstrate how applied AI can make a sustainable change.

The gravity of climate change together with artificial intelligence’s potential makes it too essential not to try, don’t you think?

Here’s how Ericsson is working to lower one part of our supply chain’s carbon footprint by identifying and reducing CO2e emissions by using applied AI to optimize product transportation.

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