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CNH’s Latest A Sustainable Year Story: Ethanol — a Low-Carbon Fuel of the Future

The KFC Foundation Invests $200,000 in Food & Shelter Projects

Building Successful Client Relationships: Meet Mark Becker

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<figcaption>Weatherization Demonstration</figcaption>
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In 2024, <a href="https://eco-act.org/" target="_blank">Environmental Community Action, Inc. (ECO-Action)</a> received a two-year<a href="https://www.drawdownga.org/grants-announced/?page=1&amp;category=58" target="_blank"> Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions and Equity Grant</a> to engage community members from low-income, previously disinvested communities in Atlanta to access and participate in climate mitigation strategies to reduce energy burdens, optimize food waste diversion strategies and enhance their quality of life with ecological awareness, education and benefits.&nbsp;

Over the past two years, the grant has enabled ECO-Action to collaborate with residents and leaders in Peoplestown (South Atlanta), Intrenchment Creek (Southeast Atlanta) and Proctor Creek (Northwest Atlanta) to offer monthly community-wide training on issues where climate change and health intersect.
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<figcaption>ECO-Action Grantees and Funders</figcaption>
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They've partnered with community garden leaders to collect food scraps and establish free neighborhood-based composting programs in multiple neighborhoods across Atlanta. They've trained young adults and other community members on weatherization techniques to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy burdens in aging housing stock, and they've educated residents on issues and vulnerabilities at the intersection of climate and environmental justice.

Through monthly gatherings in their own communities, ECO-Action is empowering Atlanta residents to recognize issues and take action. Some of the activities residents have engaged in include planting trees where urban deforestation has occurred, reducing food waste sent to area landfills, and gaining insight into mitigating heat island effects.

A multigenerational approach has been successful for the ECO-Action team as they've trained young adults from the local communities to weatherize the homes of seniors and others in the community that they might not otherwise interact with. They're not just sharing knowledge and improved thermal comfort; they're forging lasting relationships.
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<figcaption>Buckets from the free composting program</figcaption>
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The ECO-Action staff and volunteers recently took funders on a tour of multiple locations in their targeted neighborhoods, exemplifying the grant in action. Some examples included:

Grove Park Community Gardens - This garden included raised beds and fruit trees maintained by community members. The site is equipped with a shed, gardening tools and a central compost collection area where residents can take their food scraps. They’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing feedstock for compost that is processed locally at Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture. Finished compost is provided back to the community garden and to highly engaged residents who regularly contribute their kitchen scraps.

Parather-Williams Home in Collier Heights - Ms. Catherine Parather-Williams is a member of the ECO-Action Weatherization Team, and she participates in the household composting program. She has also been the recipient of some weatherization work at her own home. Weatherization interns demonstrated the weatherization upgrades that were made there, sealing cracks and ductwork, installing new dryer vents, replacing filters, and adding insulation.

When asked if she noticed a difference, Ms. Parather-Williams said, “I sleep a lot better at night, it’s more comfortable.” The compost she receives from ECO-Action is used in her front porch container garden where she grows peppers, collards, tomatoes, okra, and herbs.

Rick McDevitt Youth Center in Peoplestown - This is the hub for composting efforts in the neighborhoods of the Intrenchment Creek Watershed, and a portion of the grant was used to make weatherization upgrades to the Center.

The funders had a chance to hear from Donna Stephens, program manager for the Proctor Creek neighborhoods. Ms. Stephens reported that the Proctor Creek team continues to run educational sessions on composting, as well as supporting a cohort of youth ambassadors to recruit community members to participate in the weatherization and composting programs. Between March and August of 2025, neighbors in the Proctor Creek Watershed collected roughly 1,500 lbs of compostable materials.
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<figcaption>Grantees and Funders</figcaption>
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George Epps, program manager for the Drawdown Georgia efforts in the Peoplestown and Intrenchment Creek neighborhoods also reported great success with the program. Mr. Epps is responsible for picking-up the food scraps at a central point, delivering them to Truly Living Well, and redistributing the collection buckets. Between March and August, Intrenchment Creek residents collected roughly 4,500 lbs of compostable materials, thereby diverting them from landfill, and helping avert the associated methane emissions.&nbsp;

Neighbors in the Intrenchment Creek community are also focused on developing intergenerational learning via spring and fall break workshops on weatherization, composting, and urban gardening. The community has also partnered with Pike Nurseries and Trees Atlanta to plant fruit trees in the Peoplestown and the Intrenchment Creek watershed to help address heat island effects from previous urban deforestation.&nbsp;
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<figcaption>Community Garden in Grove Park</figcaption>
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The weatherization interns presented on their ongoing work after the tour. They participated in training at <a href="http://www.southface.org" target="_blank">Southface Institute</a>, learning how to patch and apply mastic and foam to seal gaps, and how to safely construct scaffolding in attics to support insulation work. The Rick McDevitt Youth Center, Little Five Points Community Center, and 12 residents’ homes received a variety of weatherization improvements during the summer.

About the Funders:&nbsp;

ECO-Action’s 2024-25 Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions &amp; Equity Grant was supported by a funding cohort that included Atticus Fund, the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation and its Dobbs Fund, Ghanta Family Foundation, The Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Reilly Family Fund, Tull Charitable Foundation and The Wilbur &amp; Hilda Glenn Family Foundation.

About ECO-Action:

Environmental Community Action, Inc. (ECO-Action) helps communities organize to confront environmental health threats, and to strengthen &amp; facilitate participation of communities in preventing and resolving such threats. ECO-Action serves the general population, with special focus on assisting residents of vulnerable communities – most often rural residents, people with limited formal education, those with few resources, women, and people of color. &nbsp;ECO-Action’s work is based on the intersection of three things – threats to human health, environmental degradation and social injustice.

ECO-Action Is Reducing Energy Burdens and Optimizing Food Waste Diversion in Atlanta

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By Jason Hartke, Ph.D.

With over a decade of experience in the smart buildings industry, Kashif Mughees, who leads commercial and partnerships at <a href="https://www.wellstat.io/" target="_blank">WellStat</a>, has built a career on turning complex energy and environmental challenges into opportunities for organizations to embrace solutions that yield powerful economic benefits. An engineer by training, Kashif’s work stands at the intersection of technology, data and human impact, partnering with leaders from across the public and private sectors to apply innovative solutions that advance energy security, environmental performance and healthier indoor spaces.

At its core, WellStat is helping reshape what it means to manage building performance, leveraging intelligent energy solutions and building analytics to help businesses achieve healthier, smarter and more sustainable spaces. The company’s approach combines industry knowledge with real-time insights and IoT analytics, improving operational performance while helping organizations optimize for health.

Kashif has been at the heart of this work, driven by a passion for sustainable energy management, cross-sector collaboration, and data-driven innovation. We sat down with him to learn more about the work WellStat is leading and how the company is addressing today’s most pressing challenges and empowering market leaders to champion health, sustainability, and long-term business resilience.
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Q: How do you see the relationship between energy efficiency and indoor air quality evolving and what kind of synergies should the industry be driving to advance both? 
For too long, energy efficiency and indoor air quality have been treated as trade-offs: save energy or improve comfort. Today, we have the tools and intelligence to achieve both.

In my experience, fine-tuning building systems through real-time insights can reduce waste and maintain healthy air at the same time. For example, in one project, simply adjusting HVAC start times cut energy use without affecting comfort. In another, tracking indoor air quality helped uncover efficiencies that, once fixed, improved both ventilation and performance. Demand Control Ventilation is a great example of this synergy in action, using live occupancy and air quality data to optimize airflow, reduce energy consumption, and maintain healthier environments.

It’s important to stop treating health and efficiency as separate goals and start measuring how they work together to improve overall building performance.
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Q: From your perspective, what is the business case for investing in buildings that prioritize health, well-being and sustainability? How do you communicate that to organizations you work with? 
The value is clear. Healthier buildings are higher performing assets. They attract and retain talent, reduce operational risk and strengthen long-term value.

I often say, if you can measure it, you can prove it, and if you can prove it, you can scale it. That is where data comes in. When leaders see tangible results such as improved air quality, reduced energy costs and greater occupant satisfaction, the conversation shifts from compliance to commercial advantage.

Even in residential developments, we are seeing growing interest in WELL-aligned design and monitoring. Healthier air, balanced humidity and thermal comfort reduce risks associated with damp and mould, while improving overall indoor quality and occupant well-being. These improvements do not just make homes healthier; they protect asset value, reduce maintenance costs and strengthen community trust.

Ultimately, prioritizing health delivers value for occupants while supporting long-term financial performance.

Q: Many organizations face difficulties in implementing these building strategies, such as cost constraints or new technology adoption. What are some of the biggest challenges you see in the field today and how are you working with stakeholders to overcome them? 
The challenge is usually not the technology. It’s getting different teams aligned. Facilities, sustainability and finance teams often have different success metrics. Our job is to connect those dots through shared outcomes.

We typically start small with a pilot project that proves measurable impact. Once the data speaks for itself, adoption accelerates across the portfolio. For example, demonstrating how small operational changes can lead to both lower energy costs and better IAQ helps shift the mindset from “new cost” to “new value.”

By focusing on visibility, evidence and shared success metrics, we help organisations move from good intentions to scalable results.

Q: As the demand for healthy buildings continues to grow, how is WellStat helping demonstrate the value proposition and where do you see the strongest market drivers helping build momentum? 
WellStat is helping organisations quantify what matters most, the measurable link between healthier spaces, operational performance and financial outcomes.

Our analytics platform captures real-time data on air quality, energy and environmental performance, turning it into clear, actionable insights. That enables leaders to demonstrate, not just declare, that their spaces are healthier and more efficient.

Momentum is building across sectors:

• Corporate real estate leaders are investing to attract and retain talent. 
• Developers and owners see WELL as a differentiator in competitive markets. 
• Investors are demanding transparency and data-backed proof of impact.

We are moving into an era where sustainability, health and performance are one conversation, and the organisations that understand that will lead the market.

View original content <a href="https://resources.wellcertified.com/articles/iwbi-signature-interview-series-leveraging-analytics-to-propel-healthy-building-practices/" target="_blank">here</a>.

IWBI Signature Interview Series: Leveraging Analytics to Propel Healthy Building Practices

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<a href="https://www.path.org/" target="_blank">PATH</a> has launched a groundbreaking initiative to address the rising burden of hemoglobinopathies—particularly Thalassemia—in India, with the support of a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation). The program aims to strengthen local health systems and expand access to early screening, diagnosis, and treatment in high-prevalence areas.

India accounts for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37947120/#:~:text=The%20thalassemic%20burden%20in%20India,the%20global%20%CE%B2%2Dthalassemia%20burden" target="_blank">nearly 25%</a> of the global β-thalassemia burden, with an estimated 10,000–15,000 children born each year with Thalassemia Major. Despite this, access to quality care remains limited, and treatment pathways are often fragmented.

This initiative marks among the BMS Foundation’s first grants in India to increase access to screening and build capacity to tackle the life-threatening burden of hemoglobinopathies.

The program will be implemented in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on:

Strengthening screening and prevention: Focusing on high-prevalence districts and prioritizing key population groups such as pregnant women, newborns, and families with known genetic risk factors.

Capacity-building and training: Equipping frontline health workers to deliver timely, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive care.

Coordinated care systems: Ensuring linkage to management services, including safe blood transfusion services, iron chelation therapy, and bone marrow transplant facilities, where appropriate.

Strengthening the Centre for Competence (CoC): Enhancing the ambit of existing CoCs for Sickle Cell Disease established by the Government of India under NSCAEM to serve as hubs of excellence for Thalassemia care.

Policy integration and innovation: Supporting alignment of national and state-level actions on integrated Thalassemia management with global guidelines and local realities to inform future efforts to scale up integrated interventions.

“This project is expected to directly impact the population across the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh,” said Neeraj Jain, Country Director, India, PATH. “The project’s goal is to impact over 1.8 million pregnant women, newborns, and families of affected individuals, who will receive integrated screening services during the project period. Enhanced capacity of health care providers and access to better treatment will help improve the quality of life for all individuals diagnosed with Thalassemia.”

Catharine Grimes, President of the BMS Foundation, added, “The BMS Foundation is proud to work with PATH on these critical efforts to close gaps in Thalassemia care in India. Across our global work to address pediatric blood disorders, we are committed to removing barriers and strengthening sustainable systems of care. By implementing evidence-based strategies tailored to local community needs, we aim to deliver a scalable, lasting impact.”

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Awards Grant to PATH to Improve Care for Inherited Blood Disorders in India

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<figcaption>Community Garden Kitchen and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club "Flip the Switch" on Solar!</figcaption>
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MCKINNEY, Texas, October 17, 2025&nbsp;/CSRwire/ - Community Garden Kitchen, a nonprofit founded to combat food insecurity in Collin County, is celebrating a major sustainability milestone with a new 34-kilowatt solar array and 20 kWh battery storage system, courtesy of a $118,000 grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®.

The solar array will support 65% of the restaurant’s energy needs, while the battery storage will maintain food production during weather emergencies or grid disruptions, allowing the nonprofit to remain operational. Energy savings from the sustainability grant are equivalent to serving more than 9,350 additional meals annually, or 180 additional dinners per week.
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<figcaption>The new 34-kilowatt rooftop solar array, funded by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, at Community Garden Kitchen.</figcaption>
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In 2014, Community Garden Kitchen launched with the vision of a restaurant-style kitchen where guests can dine with dignity in a friendly environment. In 2022, a permanent home for the nonprofit was opened in McKinney, where the restaurant operates Monday through Thursday evenings with over 900 volunteers. Community Garden Kitchen is the only facility in Collin County open for dinner to meet the needs of those experiencing food insecurity. Last year alone, the kitchen served more than 40,000 free meals.

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and $118,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said Angela Poen, president, Community Garden Kitchen. “The energy savings from the solar array and battery storage will empower us to further our mission of serving nutritious meals and providing a safe space for our community.”

“We’re thrilled to join forces with Community Garden Kitchen to reduce their environmental footprint and, at the same time, help expand their capacity to serve nutritious meals for those in need,” said Andrea Ortega-Toledano, senior director of sustainability, Green Mountain Energy. “By empowering our community with the principles of sustainability, we can ensure future generations remain committed to nurturing our planet.”

Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $15 million for 174 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Green Mountain Energy invites its customers and employees to contribute and help support more projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship.

# # #

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $16 million for 174 projects 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="https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/en/sun-club" target="_blank">greenmountain.com/sunclub</a>.

Media Contact: 
Jeanie Davey, Green Mountain Energy 
445-544-1670 
<a href="mailto:Jeanie.davey@greenmountain.com" target="_blank">Jeanie.davey@greenmountain.com</a>

Angela Poen, Community Garden Kitchen 
214-842-8426 
<a href="mailto:directors@communitygardenkitchen.org" target="_blank">directors@communitygardenkitchen.org</a>

Community Garden Kitchen Goes Solar, Thanks to a $118,000 Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Grant

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<a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sustainability/key-takeaways-nycw-2025?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Nasdaq</a>

This year’s <a href="https://www.climateweeknyc.org/" target="_blank">Climate Week NYC</a> events centered on the theme “Power On,” highlighting progress across climate, finance, technology, and more. As the days unfolded, the discussions moved from the strategic significance of sustainability to practical approaches and insights that can help organizations manage complexity and foster resilience.

Through participation in the week’s events, the Nasdaq team tuned in as leaders further explored the evolving role of technology and the importance of aligning sustainability and finance teams to create enduring value, and how an impactful sustainability strategy is designed to address the intricate climate landscape. The following key takeaways illustrate these principles and how they can be put into action:

1. Sustainability is a Strategic Imperative for Investors and CFOs

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have,” it’s a core expectation from investors. CFOs are now deeply involved in both sustainability education and reporting, reflecting the growing demand for transparency and measurable impact across stakeholders. The week’s activity highlighted that resilience in the sustainability landscape isn’t going anywhere, and organizations must be prepared to adapt and thrive amid constant changes.

2. Approach Sustainability with Simplicity Over Complexity

While the world is becoming more complex, organizations should resist the urge to respond with more complicated processes. A successful sustainability strategy is often principle-based, seeking modern, innovative solutions that offer simplicity and reduce unnecessary complexity. For example, Nasdaq’s sustainability vision is built on three pillars: capital access and innovation, disclosure and transparency, and market infrastructure solutions. This vision is underpinned by a commitment to long-term, actionable initiatives and the belief that adaptability and partnership are essential in a dynamic sustainability ecosystem.

3. Alignment Between Sustainability and Finance Can Help Yield High Returns

Securing buy-in for sustainability initiatives can be challenging. It is important to nurture alignment between sustainability and finance teams, starting at the leadership level. Synergy between these business functions is crucial not only for maximizing tax incentives, but also for ensuring that investments in sustainability yield high returns. In the long term, better sustainability practices help drive growth, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, freeing up capital for further investment.

4. The Power of Networks and Collaboration

Leaders shared that involvement in leadership networks helps provide unique opportunities for peer learning and collaboration, all in the effort to advance sustainability goals. Organizations should consider prioritizing collaboration, adaptability, and a forward-looking mindset to build resilience amid complexity.

Driving Lasting Value Through Sustainability and Innovation

Ultimately, sustainability should be a strategic priority for corporate leaders and investors alike. Success in this space requires not just robust reporting, but also a culture of innovation, strong alignment between sustainability and finance, and a relentless focus on resilience. As the sustainability and climate landscape continues to evolve, <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/sustainability/report?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Nasdaq’s approach</a> offers a blueprint for organizations seeking to turn complexity into opportunity and drive lasting value.

Nasdaq’s Sustainability Technology, Innovation, and Resilience

<a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sustainability/how-sustainable-company-leaders-leverage-nasdaq-sustainability-solutions?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Technology and innovation</a> are at the heart of Nasdaq’s sustainability journey. We are leveraging AI and cloud solutions to drive efficiency, productivity, and resilience. In addition to in-house innovation efforts, we are focused on building scalable solutions that can adapt to regulatory and market changes to best support its clients. By fostering inclusive growth through innovation and collaboration, Nasdaq and its clients are well positioned to create enduring value, no matter how the landscape shifts.

Moreover, <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/solutions/sustainability?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Nasdaq Sustainability Solutions</a> empowers organizations to address evolving regulatory demands, unlock investor capital, and accelerate decarbonization with best-in-class technology and trusted advisory expertise. Our tools simplify reporting, enhance data quality, and help teams focus on delivering measurable sustainability outcomes. To learn how we can support your organization throughout its sustainability journey, <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/solutions/sustainability#contact?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">contact us here</a>.

Key Takeaways From Climate Week NYC 2025

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October 15, 2025&nbsp;/CSRwire/ - The UK is setting a global benchmark in sustainability, driven by businesses that increasingly recognise the competitive, reputational, and financial advantages of sustainable practices. However, progress is uneven across sectors, as each industry faces distinct environmental, social, and governance challenges shaped by differing operational, regulatory, and market priorities. Recognising these differences is crucial to developing targeted strategies, prioritising actions, and implementing practices that deliver measurable sustainability outcomes.

To support businesses in strengthening competitiveness and resilience, the UN Global Compact Network UK, in collaboration with University College London, Newcastle University, and Euromonitor, has launched the report ‘<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">Trailblazers &amp; Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability</a>’, examining how six high-impact sectors in the UK are performing against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing on rigorous data and market insights, the report identifies sector-specific challenges, benchmarks performance, and presents actionable recommendations to support effective sustainability strategies.

<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD THE REPORT</a>

You can now download the full report to:

<ul>
	<li>Gain in-depth analysis of UK business progress on the SDGs;</li>
	<li>Access sector-specific insights to strengthen ESG performance and support the integration of sustainability into strategy and operations;</li>
	<li>Understand cross-sector trends highlighting shared barriers, leadership gaps, and opportunities for collaboration and innovation;</li>
	<li>Inform your company’s sustainability strategy with evidence-based findings and global benchmark comparisons;</li>
	<li>Leverage data-driven insights from UN Global Compact Communication on Progress (CoP) data, World Benchmarking Alliance benchmarks, policy context, and market trends to guide decision-making; and</li>
	<li>Explore policy priorities that can shape the enabling environment to help businesses operate responsibly, compete globally, and unlock sustainable investment at scale.</li>
</ul>

You can find more information about the report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">here</a>, and please share it with your networks.

Media Contact: 
Lily Venables 
Senior Project Manager (Governance and SDGs) 
<a href="mailto:lily.venables@unglobalcompact.org.uk" target="_blank">lily.venables@unglobalcompact.org.uk</a>

<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

New UN Global Compact Network UK Report Launch - Trailblazers & Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability

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<figcaption>Colleagues showcase MetLife’s products and services during Investor Day.</figcaption>
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We are committed to developing solutions to help individuals access resources, care and financial support throughout their lives, including those in rural and underbanked communities. Doing so promotes greater financial stability and wellness, while helping MetLife attract new customers. We hold insurance information outreach programs in several markets, often working with local bank branches to provide information to customers. We focus on the accessibility and affordability of our products and services to provide options that help address the insurance coverage gap.

Products That Drive Financial Wellness

Promoting financial wellness can improve people’s capacity to plan for the future, encouraging more individuals to access coverage. Learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.metlife.com/stories/personal-finance/">financial wellness products</a>.&nbsp;

We offer virtual educational workshops that cover a range of financial topics. For employees who prefer more assistance, they can meet one-on-one with a dedicated financial professional who can help address their specific financial situation.&nbsp;

Based on MetLife's 2025 U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study (EBTS), the majority of U.S employees are concerned about outliving their retirement savings, a finding that has encouraged MetLife to find ways to help retirees have a more confident future.&nbsp;

We have collaborated with retirement technology solutions company Micruity on the development of MetLife’s Universal Digital Retirement Platform in the U.S., an education, planning and annuity-purchasing tool that seamlessly and securely connects to existing employment benefits, third-party administrator and recordkeeping systems. The collaboration aims to empower defined contribution plan participants to make informed choices as they approach retirement. In addition, MetLife has started offering our MetLife Guaranteed Income Program®, a fixed immediate income annuity, through the retirement income solution provided by Fidelity Investments®. The collaboration gives employers that use Fidelity to administer their defined contribution plan, like a 401(k), access to our product.&nbsp;

In LatAm, we increased the number of markets that offer MetLife Xcelerator, a platform that integrates insurance solutions into partners’ products and services to democratize access to financial protection. Through MetLife Xcelerator, we partner with digital banks, e-wallets, e-commerce platforms, retailers and traditional financial institutions to create a fully digital and customized insurance experience.

How Our Products Support a Wide Array of Needs

MetLife’s solutions, along with accessible education and resources, help individuals from all backgrounds build a more confident future. In our U.S. Group Benefits business, we support our customers through our products and plans in three ways:&nbsp;

1. Product and pricing—We have one of the broadest portfolios of products that serve a range of populations and unique needs;&nbsp;

2. Access—We are committed to providing product access through inclusive benefit solutions and services, including our broad provider networks, benefit price points and wide range of service providers; and&nbsp;

3. Customer experience—We provide care and support to drive a welcoming experience (language support, digital servicing and accessibility, and customized communications).&nbsp;

Globally, we develop and continuously improve our products and services to meet the unique needs of our customers and changing demographics. We have products that provide financial protection to a broad range of people, including veterans, seniors, young adults, caregivers and people from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, professional experiences and abilities. Continuing to evolve our offerings helps us capitalize on market opportunities and maintain long-term growth.

Read more about how MetLife is expanding access to financial services through its sustainability efforts in our &nbsp;<a href="https://sustainabilityreport.metlife.com/report/?cid=prs35nb&amp;utm_id=prs35nb&amp;utm_source=pr&amp;utm_medium=prs&amp;utm_campaign=cm_sr_4q_25_MetLife&amp;utm_content=3bl_3BL-promo&amp;utm_term=&amp;promoid=prs35nb">2024 Sustainability Report</a>.

We are committed to developing solutions to help individuals access resources, care and financial support throughout their lives, including those in rural and underbanked communities. 

MetLife: Living Our Purpose Through Expanding Access to Financial Services

<img alt="A tram on a city street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="92ec895c-c030-4194-bd57-24e07517dc47" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/revolution-rails_MASTERCARD_102225.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="571" loading="lazy">
<a href="https://www.mastercard.com/us/en/news-and-trends/stories/2025/Netherlands-public-transit-open-loop-payments.html" target="_blank">Mastercard</a>

By Sophie Hares, Contributor

After landing at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, tourists can <a href="https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/transforming-cities-2/mastercard-international-amsterdam-netherlands-accessible-train-travel-city?utm_source=LinkedIn&amp;utm_medium=Paid-Post&amp;utm_campaign=Transforming-Cities" target="_blank">hop on a train</a> to the city’s imposing Centraal Station and, from there, grab a tram to their hotel. A couple days later, after bouncing between the vibrant city’s highlights by foot, bike and a bit of public transport, they might board a train to Zaanse Schans to visit the iconic windmills that creak along the Zaan River. Later they can take another train to the lively university town of Utrecht for a concert before riding the rails back to Schiphol.

And they can do it all without ever changing money, wrangling with ticket machines or even downloading a local transit app.

That’s possible thanks to open loop technology for the country’s tap-in, tap-out system, which calculates distance-based travel charges. Travellers in the Netherlands (visitors and local commuters alike) simply tap their payment cards, smartphones or wearables to ride any of the country’s trains, trams or buses — even rental bikes.

The Netherlands, which is approximately the size of Maryland, is the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/transforming-cities-2/mastercard-international-amsterdam-netherlands-accessible-train-travel-city?utm_source=LinkedIn&amp;utm_medium=Paid-Post&amp;utm_campaign=Transforming-Cities" target="_blank">first</a> country in the world to launch nationwide contactless payments for public transportation. Partnering with Mastercard, it has built its OVpay system on <a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/media/vz4egfl5/open-loop-payments-for-mobility-sector-whitepaper.pdf" target="_blank">open loop</a> technology, which has the potential to help ease congestion in fast-growing cities worldwide. Today, at least 500,000 trips are made a day in the Netherlands using open loop, and London and New York use it for the majority of their overall transit.

Peter van Dijk, CEO of <a href="https://translink.nl/" target="_blank">Translink</a>, the company which rolled out the Netherland’s OVpay system together with all the public transportation operators in 2023, hopped on a call with the Mastercard Newsroom to share how it’s working out.

What was the motivation to add OVpay to your existing pre-loaded cards?

Van Dijk: The Netherlands is one of the few countries in the world [that] has for a long time had one payment method for all modalities — bus, tram, metro, train, boat, your bicycle, a lot of things.

We saw the developments around smartphones and contactless payments] and we said, hey, all our passengers are experiencing this. This type of payment is actually possible to pay for a cup of coffee easily. So why should we not introduce this payment method also in public transport? It was a very logical step for the operators and us to invest in open loop.&nbsp;

What challenges did you face to integrate digital payments nationwide?

Van Dijk: There are a few hurdles, but the biggest one is that because we are in a cooperation, with nine operators and serving a whole country, we have a lot of stakeholders, especially the passenger. So we spent a lot of money and energy and time to create a common “customer journey” for open loop in public transport. And then we thought of all the services those passengers need and how to define them, a unified service concept.

Upgrading our infrastructure, because we have a relatively old infrastructure was also a big one. And I would say the third one is, is that TransLink is set up as the merchant of record, and not the operator. Normally they would say that the railway was the merchant, and now we are the merchant. So that was from an ecosystem point of view, that was a little bit of making sure that everybody understands how we collect money and pay it to the operators.

How has OVpay changed how people use public transport in the Netherlands?

Van Dijk: Nationwide, let's say a quarter of journeys are now already done with open loop. It's so easy for customers to use. We had a big event in Amsterdam called Sail in August, which is all kinds of tall ships in the harbor. Local people who are normally not taking public transport were advised to take public transport because it's such a big event , and more than 50% of the travels were done with an open loop card during this event.

For tourists, they don't have to buy cards, they don't have to top up the cards. What we are doing with open loop is actually making it very easy for passengers to just get on board and travel.

Transforming cities

Beyond its bicycles and boats, Amsterdam sees half a million daily trips on its trains. Thanks to a tap-in, tap-out citywide system, travel is now easier than ever, helping people like 90-year-old Clarys to explore her favorite city.

What cost benefits have you seen so far?

Van Dijk: We thought also on the infrastructure side, we could save costs, because the technology we're using is less complex than with the former card-based system. Because a passenger doesn't have to buy a card, he can just use his bank card. In the Netherlands, you have to pay 7.50 Euros for an OV chip card, the current payment card, so it’s already 7.50 Euros that you don’t have to pay as a new passenger accessing the system like tourists.

What lessons could you share with other countries looking to go contactless?

Van Dijk: Start with the passenger, the passenger, the passenger. Make sure the customer journey is okay, and make sure that you have a service concept that is very much focused on a superb passenger experience. And if you do that, then you can probably be successful. Will you have challenges? Yes. Quality of service, technology, money, yes. Could be delays, could be other stakeholders. Everything is true. But my experience is that if your customer journey, your passenger service, is very good, then everybody will support the implementation.

<a href="https://www.mastercard.com/us/en/news-and-trends/stories/2025/Netherlands-public-transit-open-loop-payments.html" target="_blank">Originally published by Mastercard</a>

<a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/" target="_blank">Follow along Mastercard's journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.</a>

Travellers in the Netherlands (visitors and local commuters alike) simply tap their payment cards, smartphones or wearables to ride any of the country’s trains, trams or buses — even rental bikes.

Mastercard: A Revolution on Rails

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<figcaption>Photo: Leaders from Eurodia Industrie and Saint-Gobain Ceramics meet to discuss the details of their partnership.</figcaption>
</figure>

Courbevoie, France &amp; Pertuis, France, October 29th, 2025 /3BL/ — Saint-Gobain Ceramics, a global leader in materials and solutions for sustainable industries, and Eurodia Industrie, a process engineering specialist in liquid purification technologies, today announced a strategic partnership to provide integrated solutions for the fast-growing Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) market.

The collaboration combines Saint-Gobain Ceramics’ advanced lithium-selective adsorbent materials with Eurodia’s proprietary system engineering and process expertise, enabling an enhanced offering to DLE operators worldwide. The goal is to accelerate the commercial deployment of high-efficiency, sustainable lithium extraction systems proven at scale that minimize environmental impact and support the global electrification and energy transition.

“Combining Saint-Gobain Ceramics’ expertise in materials science with Eurodia’s process engineering creates a powerful offering for lithium producers,” said Othman Benjelloun-Touimi, CEO of Saint-Gobain Ceramics. “Together, we’re enabling the lithium industry to achieve sustainability and performance.”

Direct Lithium Extraction is a transformative approach to sourcing lithium from brines with greater selectivity, achieving over 90% Li+ recovery versus 43% recovery via evaporation methods1,2. These systems have the potential to shorten processing time, reduce direct land use, and conserve aquifer water balance by reinjecting spent brine compared to conventional evaporation ponds2. As global demand for lithium surges—driven by electric vehicles, stationary storage, and grid-scale batteries—scalable, low-impact extraction methods are critical.

“Partnering with Saint-Gobain Ceramics to deliver a tailored, complete turnkey DLE solution for lithium producers is a valuable opportunity for our clients, including those who have already placed their trust in us. Our combined expertise and experience will allow us to provide full guarantees of optimal operation for DLE and will therefore help the lithium industry to move faster towards a more sustainable future, with confidence and reliability,” said Mathieu Bailly, President of Eurodia.

Saint-Gobain Ceramics’ lithium adsorbents are the result of extensive R&amp;D in ceramics and lithium-selective materials. Engineered for high capacity, selectivity, and durability, these adsorbents are optimized for repeated use in cyclic adsorption/desorption processes, a core mechanism in DLE operations.

Eurodia brings decades of experience in the design, optimization, and scaling of complex separation systems across industries such as food and beverages and those embracing the environmental and energy transition. Their approach enables customized DLE system design, tailored to specific brine chemistries and production goals.

The partnership is already engaging with lithium project developers and technology integrators across multiple geographies, with pilot systems currently in design and deployment.

About Saint-Gobain Ceramics 
Saint-Gobain Ceramics offers advanced ceramic and refractory materials to meet the toughest application requirements in a broad range of industrial markets, including glass, lithium extraction, semiconductors and many others.

Visit <a href="https://www.lithium-solutions-materials.com/" target="_blank">lithium-solutions-materials.com</a> to learn more about Saint-Gobain’s Lithium Solutions business within Saint-Gobain Ceramics.

Saint-Gobain Ceramics is part of Saint-Gobain, the worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction. Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures, and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Learn more about Saint-Gobain at <a href="https://saintgobain.sharepoint.com/sites/SGPMarketing/Shared%20Documents/SGP%20Marketing/%23LithiumSolutions/2025/www.saint-gobain.com" target="_blank">www.saint-gobain.com</a>.

Media Contact: 
Peter Clark 
Saint-Gobain Corporate Communications 
<a href="mailto:Media@saint-gobain.com" target="_blank" title="Email Media@saint-gobain.com">Media@saint-gobain.com</a>

About Eurodia Industrie 
Founded in 1988, Eurodia is a French global specialist in industrial processes for purifying liquids to the highest quality, with the lowest energy cost and environmental impact. Eurodia designs and delivers turnkey process solutions for industries including dairy, wine &amp; juices, lithium &amp; electric-battery, and renewable chemicals. Known for its focus on process sustainability and expertise in the industrialization of DLE technology, Eurodia operates across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Learn more at <a href="http://www.eurodia.com" target="_blank">www.eurodia.com</a>.

Press contact:

Magali Triano - Agence Bleu-Tomate - <a href="mailto:presse@bleu-tomate.fr" target="_blank">presse@bleu-tomate.fr</a> - +33 6 20 70 11 09

References

<ol>
	<li>Vera, María L., et al. "Environmental impact of direct lithium extraction from brines." Nature Reviews Earth &amp; Environment 4.3 (2023): 149-165.</li>
	<li>McCartney, John. "Spent brine management for DLE processing plants in the lithium triangle of South America." (2024)</li>
</ol>

Saint-Gobain Ceramics, and Eurodia Industrie, a process engineering specialist in liquid purification technologies, today announced a strategic partnership to provide integrated solutions for the fast-growing Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) market.

Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Eurodia Industrie Announce Strategic Partnership To Deliver Integrated Material and Process Solutions for Direct Lithium Extraction

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