Mary Kay

Mastercard

Griffith Foods

From Lip Gloss Batches To STEM Badges: Mary Kay Sparks Girl Scouts’ Passion for Science With Experiments and Career Exploration

Asean Reimagined: How Innovation, Connectivity and SMEs Are Driving Regional Growth

Griffith Foods and PepsiCo Launch Collaborative Model to Scale Regenerative Agriculture

<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7fa92105-d1f7-49d6-8f1b-c9f64bc037a2" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_6793.jpeg" width="640" height="853" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Weatherization Demonstration</figcaption>
</figure>

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.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e64049ee-7b4a-4bd9-b19d-dc9e2f2dc400" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ECOActionLoriandTeam.jpeg" width="640" height="863" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>ECO-Action Grantees and Funders</figcaption>
</figure>

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.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8083b301-f1df-418e-90a5-b8fe99ed1a9a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DDGABucket1.jpg" width="419" height="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Buckets from the free composting program</figcaption>
</figure>

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.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4cc09f9d-3f9a-416c-98a7-2ca16a1f0ef8" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_2189.jpg" width="640" height="453" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Grantees and Funders</figcaption>
</figure>

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;
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18b66cb5-268e-455b-bc4e-4985181b174e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/GeorgeEpps_GroveParkCommGarden.jpg" width="366" height="527" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Community Garden in Grove Park</figcaption>
</figure>

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

<img alt="Kashif Mughees meeting with two other people" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d0b0c91-15a8-4b76-b281-75a5b9949dff" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/_Kashif-Mughees_IWBI_101725_1.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="550" loading="lazy">
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.
<img alt="Headshot of Kashif Mughees" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8f41d96-0661-4019-b98b-4061e225e7c4" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/_Kashif-Mughees_IWBI_101725.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="698" loading="lazy">
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.
<img alt="Kashif Mughees at an event space with many others" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5173fe9b-e97d-4bba-802b-f51adebd1b17" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/_Kashif-Mughees_IWBI_101725_3.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="667" loading="lazy">
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

<img alt="A mother holding her young daughter." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a9f31c2b-745e-45a7-9e70-876cb3473107" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Foundation%20Grant%20to%20PATH_Bristol%20Myers%20Squibb_9.11.25A.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="850" loading="lazy">
<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

<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1ac2cd3-f6b0-4869-b711-bf92a7470087" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/GME%20Sun%20Club%20%2B%20Community%20Garden%20Kitchen.jpg" width="640" height="720" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Community Garden Kitchen and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club "Flip the Switch" on Solar!</figcaption>
</figure>

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.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fbb21575-2915-48ab-a076-84efc141a67e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Community%20Garden%20Kitchen%20Solar.jpg" width="640" height="675" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>The new 34-kilowatt rooftop solar array, funded by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, at Community Garden Kitchen.</figcaption>
</figure>

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

<img alt="Two people talking on a stage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="54c7709d-d9df-473d-8426-089e3a328b95" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/key-takeaways-climate-week-nyc-2025_NASDAQ_101525-adj.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="853" loading="lazy">
<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

<img alt="&quot;.&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="933494f5-6ca6-4e76-b5ca-e4f3b51e0bf1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/summit-header_UN-GLOBAL-COMPACT-NETWORK-UK_101425.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="625" loading="lazy">
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

<img alt="view of space" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84a7e23b-03c4-4084-a315-4f0f63ef1cdc" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/young-mind-improbable-idea-paper-space_GEORGIA-PACIFIC_112525A.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="468" loading="lazy">
APPLETON, Wis., November 26, 2025&nbsp;/CSRwire/ - Product innovation is part of what drives <a href="https://www.gp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Georgia-Pacific</a>'s business across all of our segments. But our <a href="https://www.gp.com/product-overview/consumer-products/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Consumer Products</a> business has an interesting innovation backstory with <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NASA</a> and a manufacturing first 212 miles above Earth, resulting in an extraordinary achievement; the first—and only —sheets of paper produced in space aboard the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/remembering-columbia-sts-107/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NASA Space Shuttle Columbia</a> in January 1986.

Three years before, Daniel Hebert, a student at <a href="https://west.aasd.k12.wi.us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Appleton West High School</a> in Appleton, Wisconsin, designed an experiment to explore the effects of gravity on the papermaking process. He submitted his proposal to NASA as part of the Shuttle Student Involvement Project for Secondary Schools competition. After his proposal was accepted, Daniel collaborated closely with scientists from <a href="https://news.gp.com/2021/02/gener8tor-and-georgia-pacific-team-up-to-accelerate-consumer-goods-innovation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Neenah Technical Center (NTC)</a>, operated by James River Corporation at the time. The Center is now part of the Georgia-Pacific consumer products business still based in Neenah, Wisconsin.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4ff70682-e0e0-4f97-88dc-f9b87ebccb90" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/young-mind-improbable-idea-paper-space_GEORGIA-PACIFIC_112525B.png" width="640" height="725" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Daniel Hebert, a student at Appleton West High School in Wisconsin, entered a NASA competition in the early 1980s, creating a device to make paper in space. His device was selected, and paper was created in space on the shuttle Columbia in 1986 by NASA astronauts.</figcaption>
</figure>

Daniel and the scientists designed a handheld apparatus for making paper in microgravity (the near weightlessness experienced on the Shuttle). The experiment was conducted simultaneously on January 14, 1986, aboard Columbia in space and at NTC on Earth. This groundbreaking endeavor exemplified a cross-sector partnership that combined educational ingenuity with scientific expertise, showcasing the potential of collaboration between students and industry professionals.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="179ede42-c87c-48cc-9b42-b9f3b9276fd5" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/young-mind-improbable-idea-paper-space_GEORGIA-PACIFIC_112525C.png" width="640" height="725" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Astronaut Steven Hawley conducts paper making experiment with Hebert’s device aboard the Columbia space shuttle on January 14, 1986.</figcaption>
</figure>

Over the past year, significant research and work have taken place to preserve and celebrate this historic achievement, including interviewing five individuals involved in the original project, and collecting a wealth of primary source materials such as the actual device flown aboard the shuttle, sheets of paper created as part of the experiment, early sketches, engineering drawings, and more.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the experiment in January 2026, artifacts will be showcased in an exhibit at Appleton’s the History Museum at the Castle. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the unique device that produced the paper in space, along with other rare memorabilia from the collaboration. This exhibit celebrates improbable ideas and honors the enduring contributions of the surrounding community to the advancement of scientific discovery, both historically and continuing to the present day.

Learn more about the exhibit and the History Museum at the Castle <a href="https://myhistorymuseum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

View original content <a href="https://news.gp.com/2025/11/a-young-mind-an-improbable-idea-and-the-first-paper-made-in-space" target="_blank">here</a>.

Product innovation is part of what drives Georgia-Pacific's business across all of our segments. But our Consumer Products business has an interesting innovation backstory with NASA and a manufacturing first 212 miles above Earth, resulting in an extraordinary achievement.

A Young Mind, an Improbable Idea and the First Paper Made in Space

<img alt="&quot;Take antibiotics only as prescribed) " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0c8f2bf3-7253-4164-a0cf-e45b03655543" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/as_prescribed.gif" width="640" class="align-center" height="1080" loading="lazy">
You wake up with a sore throat and a fever. The doctor gives you a prescription for antibiotics. A few days later, you feel better, so you stop taking them.

Harmless? Not quite.

Stopping antibiotics early gives bacteria in our bodies the chance to adapt and resist the very medicines designed to get rid of them. And that is fueling one of the most serious public health threats of our time: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

With AMR, even common infections can become life-threatening. AMR is already responsible for <a href="https://www.amractionfund.com/threat-of-amr" rel="noopener" target="_blank">millions of deaths globally each year</a>. The good news is, there are simple, powerful ways we can help slow it down:

<ul>
	<li>Always finish the full course of antibiotics, even if you feel better.</li>
	<li>Never share antibiotics with others.</li>
	<li>Dispose of leftover medications properly—don’t flush them or throw them in the trash.</li>
	<li>Trust your doctor’s advice—don’t ask for antibiotics if you don’t need them.</li>
</ul>

From the Manufacturing Site to the Pharmacy Counter

We’re doing our part to address AMR by manufacturing our medicines responsibly, holding suppliers accountable and educating patients and healthcare professionals around the world.

In the last two years, Teva has earned two certifications from the British Standards Institution (BSI) for responsible antibiotic manufacturing. We’re monitoring our sites to prevent antibiotic residues from entering our environment—and we’re helping our suppliers do the same. Because when antibiotics linger in places like wastewater, they give bacteria the chance to adapt and become more resistant.

Reaching Patients Where They Are

To help improve how antibiotics are prescribed and used, we partner with <a href="https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/blog/how-clarivate-works-towards-sdg-3/" target="_blank">Clarivate</a> to conduct pilot programs, tailored to the local populations and healthcare systems.

Through our pilot in Germany, patients received short messages on pharmacy screens when they picked up their antibiotics, and more than 389,000 digital messages were sent to pharmacists to remind patients how to use antibiotics safely. The effort resonated: 77% of pharmacists said the materials helped them have meaningful conversations with patients about antibiotics.

In Kenya, our program engages physicians within their Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, reminding them about responsible prescribing practices in real time. Patients also receive SMS messages encouraging them to complete their treatment, in their local language. The program revealed that many patients still believe antibiotics can treat the common cold, while limited access to diagnostic tools can make accurate prescribing more difficult—both of which can increase the risk of AMR.

There’s still work to do, and everyone has a role to play. Let’s protect the healing power of antibiotics so they can continue to protect us.
<img alt="&quot;Dispose of them safely&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d266845-3cee-4d68-b47a-a7267441cb34" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/dispose.gif" width="640" class="align-center" height="1080" loading="lazy"><img alt="&quot;Don't share or reuse leftovers&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf58bf7a-3cb6-472c-b523-626fcff28a82" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/dont_share.gif" width="640" class="align-center" height="1080" loading="lazy"><img alt="&quot;Spread the word-it can save lives&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de925673-fdf8-4e0f-b527-78e0dc19b193" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/spread_the_word.gif" width="640" class="align-center" height="1080" loading="lazy">
&nbsp;

You wake up with a sore throat and a fever. The doctor gives you a prescription for antibiotics. A few days later, you feel better, so you stop taking them. Harmless? Not quite.

Using Antibiotics Wisely. Making Them Responsibly.

<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="adc32e43-820a-4222-a89b-7d16a519262e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/spreads-joy-holiday-spirit_AEG_112625A.jpeg" width="640" height="854" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Guests at the 22nd Annual Foundations’ Feast were welcomed with hearty plates of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread, and an array of desserts.</figcaption>
</figure>

This November, <a href="https://aegworldwide.com" target="_blank">AEG</a> employees came together to share more than just meals—they shared moments of care, joy, and community. Across Los Angeles, Indio and Denver, AEG hosted Thanksgiving celebrations that served over 1,000 meals to individuals and families, continuing a decade-long tradition rooted in compassion and support.

Guests were welcomed with hearty plates of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread, and an array of desserts. But the day was about more than food, it was about creating spaces where community members could feel supported and celebrated. Volunteers spent time engaging with guests through crafts, games, and holiday activities, turning each event into a celebration of togetherness.

“This Thanksgiving, we at AEG are proud to continue our long-standing tradition of hosting celebrations that bring families together over a warm holiday meal," said Anette Padilla, Sr. Director of Community Foundation and Social Impact at AEG. "At a time when food assistance programs face challenges and delays, our employees are stepping up to welcome neighbors at our venues and ensure thousands can enjoy the spirit of the season.”

Highlights from the Celebrations

<ul>
	<li>Carson, CA – November 17: At Dignity Health Sports Park, AEG and the LA Galaxy hosted the 22nd Annual Foundations’ Feast, serving more than 300 families from the South Bay region. LA Galaxy Defender Chris Rindov, Head Coach Greg Vanney, General Manager Will Kuntz, President and COO Tom Braun, and 4X U.S. Olympic Medalist Steve Lewis joined employees to serve meals and share smiles. Children received apparel donated by partners like PACSUN, adding an extra touch of joy.</li>
</ul>
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="caac6800-c241-47aa-9bd5-7c765c43c6cd" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/spreads-joy-holiday-spirit_AEG_112625B.jpeg" width="640" height="854" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Urel Martinez, LA Galaxy's Chief Revenue Officer, and Thomas Braun, LA Galaxy's President and Chief Operating Officer, helped served Thanksgiving dinners to guests.</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="95ff4fd4-0b89-4755-a46b-f4407505d5eb" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/spreads-joy-holiday-spirit_AEG_112625F.jpeg" width="640" height="854" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Children received apparel donated by partners like PACSUN, adding an extra touch of joy.</figcaption>
</figure>

<ul>
	<li>Indio, CA – November 17: At the Empire Polo Club, AEG welcomed 200 families for its third annual Holly Jolly Thanksgiving Dinner. The evening featured a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, festive activities, and complimentary passes to the Magic of Lights experience, a reminder that the holidays are about wonder and warmth.</li>
</ul>
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a152568a-b230-4685-977f-784b03436f95" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/spreads-joy-holiday-spirit_AEG_112625C.jpg" width="640" height="854" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>At the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA, AEG welcomed 200 families for its second annual Holly Jolly Thanksgiving Dinner.</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cd720e5e-ace4-4b76-9f92-a7851ec0051b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/spreads-joy-holiday-spirit_AEG_112625D.jpg" width="640" height="854" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Families at the Holly Jolly Thanksgiving Dinner enjoyed full Thanksgiving meals and a visit from Santa Claus.</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b6d470b-3dfc-427a-93e6-0813b356a93b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/spreads-joy-holiday-spirit_AEG_112625E.jpg" width="640" height="854" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Mr and Mrs. Claus visited families at the Holly Jolly Thanksgiving Dinner.</figcaption>
</figure>

<ul>
	<li>Denver, CO – November 27: AEG Presents hosted the Mission Cares Thanksgiving Day Feast at Mission Ballroom, serving more than 200 meals prepared by Hot Like Sauce Catering. Families were invited through local nonprofit partners such as Conscious Alliance and Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, ensuring those most in need could join in the celebration.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Los Angeles, CA – November 27: At The Novo at L.A. LIVE, AEG's CEO Dan Beckerman and AEG's Chief External Affairs Officer Martha Saucedo joined volunteers to serve 250 meals prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering during the 13th annual Community Thanksgiving celebration. The event honored local veterans and families, with invitations extended through AEG’s network of community partners.</li>
</ul>

These gatherings reflect AEG’s broader Social Impact mission: advancing opportunities in education, the arts, and health and wellness. Over the past decade, AEG has provided more than $120 million in financial and in-kind support to charitable and community organizations worldwide. At AEG, we believe that coming together isn’t just about events. It’s about creating experiences that truly matter. Learn more about AEG’s community efforts <a href="https://aegworldwide.com/aeg-community-foundation" target="_blank">here</a>.

This November, AEG employees came together to share more than just meals—they shared moments of care, joy, and community.

Latest