<a href="https://www.unwater.org/news/world-water-day-2023-be-change" target="_blank">Every March 22</a> is World Water Day — an observance designated by the United Nations to bring attention to different issues surrounding water and how it impacts our lives. The 2023 theme is Be the Change, an effort to encourage people to be more active in how they use, consume and manage water. 

This feels like both a straightforward task and a daunting one. Most people are unaware of where their water comes from, let alone the volume they use and how. Having that information is the first step toward more effective water management at the individual level, which can help water boards and utilities better manage the larger systems and watersheds.

<h2>Can you guess what accounts for most residential water use?</h2>

Most people do not have a clear idea of where they are using water — and so do not know where they are wasting water. Inside the home, <a href="https://www.epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water" target="_blank">toilets, showers and faucets</a> are the biggest water hogs. But if you have a yard, your biggest culprit is probably irrigation and lawn care. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, <a href="https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/www3/watersense/pubs/outdoor.html" target="_blank">about a third</a> of all residential water use in the U.S. is for landscape irrigation — about 9 billion gallons per day.

In the Western U.S., a region prone to both droughts and awash with lush green lawns, the situation is even more dire as <a href="https://www.curbed.com/2022/12/colorado-river-agreement-remove-grass-lawns.html" target="_blank">the Colorado River runs dry</a>. On background, a meter reader with Austin Water told TriplePundit that maintaining lawns accounted for 50 percent to 75 percent of many homes’ water usage — and many consumers often don't believe it until they're shown the meter reading.

Some utilities are now focusing solely getting customers to better manage their outdoor use, cutting back on indoor incentives. For example, San Antonio Water System, the city’s water utility, now <a href="https://www.saws.org/conservation/residential-outdoor-programs-rebates/" target="_blank">only offers outdoor rebates and incentives</a>. Program staff told TriplePundit that focusing on irrigation and pools would lead to greater water savings in the water-stressed city. The utility has also hired landscape experts to help residents replace turf with more native and drought-resistant plants. 

<h2>Smart metering offers more opportunity for water conservation</h2>

Another big water waster is leaks. On the utility side, more utilities are getting better at identifying and fixing leaks, but the state of the country’s water infrastructure is going to <a href="https://infrastructurereportcard.org/cat-item/drinking-water-infrastructure/" target="_blank">require significant investment</a>. On the demand side, however, if customers better understand where they’re using the most water — and how to catch leaks when they first happen — they can be more active conservationists.

Much like electric smart meters, water smart meters can help people better understand their usage. The technology is not as widespread as it is in the electricity space due to a number of factors, such as available resources and challenges in measurement that make it harder to pinpoint water usage versus electric usage (i.e., it’s easier to measure electrons than drops). But as climate change continues to put pressure on watersheds, more companies are bringing technologies onto the market.

For example, in 2022, several California water utilities <a href="https://www.govtech.com/civic/california-utilities-deploy-smart-water-meters-amid-drought" target="_blank">started rolling out</a> water smart meters to customers. While the utilities have a big lift on the supply side, demand needs to be lowered where it can. Much like with electricity — where energy efficiency is the first and best defense — water conservation is the critical component of ensuring water is available when and where it is needed.

<h2>Working along the energy-water nexus</h2>

And like energy efficiency, water conservation is a climate strategy. Treating, pumping and distributing water <a href="https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-and-water" target="_blank">uses copious amounts of energy</a>, and generating fossil fuel- and nuclear-powered energy uses a lot of water. So, by reducing water demand, people are also taking action to lower emissions systemwide, while reducing energy use can also help with water conservation. Most people don’t think about the source of electricity when they flip a light switch or the source of water when they turn on their faucets. But the fact remains that both actions are inextricably linked.

World Water Day 2023 calls for people to be more active in their water conservation. It is a good reminder that understanding where your water comes from and how you use it has ripple effects throughout the community and the system. Utilities can help people be the change. But the real change must come from each consumer.

Image credit: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-a-watering-hose-with-sprinkler-4870794/" target="_blank">Karolina Grabowska</a>/Pexels

Want People to Use Less Water? Arm Them With Information

As companies make bolder commitments to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), stakeholders are looking for more information to back up their claims. <a href="https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1137656/shareholders-step-up-voting-efforts-on-racial-equity" target="_blank">Shareholder resolutions</a> related to racial equity more than doubled at U.S. companies last year, many <a href="https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2023/02/14/2022-investor-voting-report/" target="_blank">focused specifically</a> on convincing companies to publicly disclose diversity data about their workforces. 

Likewise, the vast majority of the American public — 92 percent, according to <a href="https://justcapital.com/reports/americans-agree-that-advancing-racial-equity-starts-with-paying-a-fair-wage/" target="_blank">2022 polling from Just Capital</a> — feel it's important for companies to promote racial equity in the workplace. And they recognize data is an important tool to do it, with 76 percent of respondents to Just Capital's survey agreeing that disclosing demographic data is an important step toward advancing racial equity.  

While some corporate commitments related to racial equity have <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/brands-stance-police-violence/768631" target="_blank">failed to fully materialize</a>, the area of diversity disclosures in particular is one where companies are stepping up in a big way, with record levels of best-practice disclosure across the world's largest public firms. 

<h2>The state of corporate diversity disclosures</h2>

What's often missed in conversations about diversity disclosures is that most large companies already track this information because they're legally obligated to do so. All U.S. public companies with more than 100 employees are required to <a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/data/eeo-1-data-collection" target="_blank">submit annual reports</a> to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Department of Labor that detail workforce data, including breakdowns by race and ethnicity, sex, and job categories. 

These reports, known as EEO-1 reports, are kept confidential by government agencies unless companies choose to voluntarily disclose them — and more companies are going just that.

Nearly 75 percent of Russell 1,000 companies disclose some form of workforce diversity data, compared to 55 percent in 2021, <a href="https://justcapital.com/reports/companies-disclosing-workforce-diversity-data-eeo-1-report-more-than-tripled/" target="_blank">according to tracking from Just Capital</a>. Within that group, 34 percent of companies publicly disclosed their EEO-1 reports or similar intersectional data last year — a more than threefold increase from 11 percent a year earlier. 

"Over the past year, companies across the Russell 1,000 have made great strides toward improving disclosure of racial and ethnic workforce demographic data," Just Capital's director of research insights, Matthew Nestler, and his team wrote in the report. 

When Just Capital last gathered disclosure data in September 2021, nearly half of all Russell 1,000 companies made no diversity disclosures at all. By September of last year, that number had fallen to 28 percent, as more than 150 companies opted to newly disclose their diversity data.
<figure role="group"><img alt="companies making diversity disclosures about their workforce has increased rapidly since 2021" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6971a7bb-ba65-4e8f-9fe5-510ae699530e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Massive%20increase.png" width="2048" height="951" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>(<a href="https://justcapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Demographic-Disclosure-CHT_EEO-1-change-2048x951.png">Click here to enlarge</a>)</figcaption></figure>Importantly, many of these companies are skipping over the less granular disclosures, such as data about overall “non-white” or “minority” employees without racial and ethnic categories or job title breakdowns, and going right for publication of their EEO-1 reports.

Given increased stakeholder interest, it's no surprise that companies taking the lead on diversity disclosures are reaping the benefits: Companies that published their EEO-1 or similar intersectional data outperformed those that didn’t by 7.9 percent over the trailing one-year period ending in 2022, according to a <a href="https://justcapital.com/news/companies-disclosing-their-eeo-1-reports-saw-higher-2022-returns/" target="_blank">companion analysis</a> from Just Capital. 

"Publicly disclosing demographic data represents a critical initial step for companies looking to build more diverse workforces, as well as stronger returns," Nestler and his team wrote in the report. "It holds corporate leaders to account on their DEI goals and signals commitment to advancing racial equity."

<h2>The bottom line</h2>

This type of rapid change indicates that advocacy from investors and consumers is working: Business leaders are hearing their stakeholders loud at clear, at least within the context of diversity disclosures. And even as <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/anti-woke-legislation/764301" target="_blank">anti-woke crusaders</a> erroneously blame DEI "distractions" for everything from <a href="https://newrepublic.com/post/171045/republican-congressman-mike-collins-blames-diversity-norfolk-southern-train-derailments" target="_blank">the Ohio train derailment</a> to the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2023/03/15/silicon-valley-bank-failure-republicans-blame-diversity-woke/11472710002/" target="_blank">collapse of Silicon Valley Bank</a>, companies <a href="https://fortune.com/2023/03/15/svb-diversity-hushing-esg-woke/" target="_blank">don't appear to be backing down</a>. 

"The story the report tells may not be a perfect one, but disclosure is a crucial first step in holding companies accountable to change," Nestler and his team concluded. "From there, to ensure lasting progress on DEI, corporate leaders must ultimately go beyond demographic disclosure and measure and disclose the outcomes of their DEI efforts, including whether C-Suite compensation is tied to DEI-related progress, what resources are directed toward DEI efforts, how they drive impact in local communities, and more." 

Just Capital works to incentivize corporate behavior change on DEI issues through accountability initiatives like the <a href="https://justcapital.com/reports/2022-corporate-racial-equity-tracker/" target="_blank">Corporate Racial Equity Tracker</a> and actionable guidance like the <a href="https://justcapital.com/reports/explore-the-2021-ceo-blueprint-for-racial-equity/" target="_blank">CEO Blueprint for Racial Equity</a>. Other resources such as the business-led coalition <a href="https://www.ceoaction.com" target="_blank">CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion</a>, and its <a href="https://www.ceoaction.com/actions/" target="_blank">Actions Database</a> of more than 1,900 insights, are also at hand to guide business leaders as they look to advance DEI within their workforces. 

Image credit: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/coworkers-taking-a-coffee-break-4427813/" target="_blank">August de Richelieu</a>/Pexels

Workforce Diversity Disclosures Hit An All-Time High

A majority of consumers <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/lifestyle-choices-climate-change/764686" target="_blank">say they're ready</a> to change their lifestyles to help combat climate change, and more people than ever are seeking out information about sustainability on social media. A <a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2023/unilever-reveals-influencers-can-switch-people-on-to-sustainable-living/" target="_blank">new study commissioned by Unilever</a> shows that influencers have the biggest impact on consumers’ sustainability-related choices, ahead of documentaries, news articles and governmental campaigns. In fact, 83 percent of all consumers believe that TikTok and Instagram are helpful places to seek out information about sustainability, and 75 percent are more likely to add sustainable behaviors to their lifestyles after viewing social media content about sustainability.

Unilever also specifically examined the efficacy of different content styles in inspiring consumer behavior change around plastic use and food waste, comparing pragmatic and explanatory content with more optimistic and humorous posts.

While the study found that both styles were effective in spurring consumer behavior change, 69 percent of people who viewed the more pragmatic content went on to make lifestyle changes, versus 61 percent of those who watched the more optimistic, humorous content. Branded content was seen as equally engaging and authentic as unbranded content.

“People are finding it hard to make sustainable choices due to a lack of simple, immediate and trustworthy information. Our ambition is to continue to collaborate with our partners to improve the sustainability content produced by our brands and support the creators we work with” said Conny Braams, Unilever’s chief digital and commercial officer, in a statement. 

<h2>Leveraging social media to drive consumer behavior change</h2>

Unilever partnered with Behavioral Insights Team and 10 sustainability influencers to develop content that aimed to persuade consumers to use less plastic and waste less food. Unilever then showed the content to 6,000 social media users in the U.K., U.S., and Canada.

Three out of four respondents said the content made them more likely to engage in the suggested sustainable behaviors, specifically reusing plastic, buying refillable products, and freezing and reusing leftover food. Also, 72 percent of participants supported companies selling them more sustainable products and services.

“This study is a world-first of its kind and the largest online, controlled trial to test the effect of different styles of social media content," David Halpern, chief executive of the Behavioral Insights Team, said in a statement. "The behavior change potential of social media is clear, and the results show that there’s huge opportunity — providing fertile ground for further exploration in this space.” Over 75 percent of respondents said they support content creators encouraging their audiences to behave in more sustainable ways. 

<h2>More social change is needed to avert climate catastrophe</h2>

Unilever’s study found that social media is an effective tool for sustainable consumer behavior change. However, today's world of social media is more commonly used to increase spending habits and consumption levels, which are <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/social-tipping-points-climate-change/765886" target="_blank">key barriers</a> to fighting climate change.

To effectively use their platforms to drive sustainable behaviors, brands and influencers must encourage individual actions and <a href="https://www.cliccs.uni-hamburg.de/about-cliccs/news/2023-news/2023-01-31-pm-climate-futures-outlook.html" target="_blank">social change</a>. Unilever is leveraging the results from the new study to bolster its sustainability messaging.

“What we hear from consumers is that living sustainably is a constant, overwhelming effort and many feel ‘my act alone won’t count, anyway,’” Braams noted. However, armed with the results of the new study, Unilever is aiming to support content creators and improve their sustainability content to help drive better individual actions across their consumer base.

“Together, we are learning what is all likes and no action versus content that makes sustainable choices simple and preferred,” she said. Instead of contracting with influencers to encourage their viewers to buy and consume, companies can accelerate rates of individual change by communicating with their audiences simple ways to make better choices for the environment.

Image credit: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-video-recording-herself-using-a-cellphone-camera-12432832/" target="_blank">Anna Nekrashevich</a>/Pexels

The Social Media Secret Behind Sustainable Consumer Behavior Change

Refugees continue to flee Ukraine as the war enters its second year, and social entrepreneurship is playing a crucial role in helping them get established in their new homes. In Poland and Romania, for example, social enterprises supported by the impact investing firm <a href="https://www.nesst.org/" target="_blank">NESsT</a> are helping to provide dignified employment to Ukrainian refugees.

Vladyslava Terekhovych, 25, who goes by the nickname Vlada, is among those who are benefiting from NESsT’s investment in the region through its <a href="https://www.nesst.org/acceleration-portfolio" target="_blank">Accelerator Portfolio</a> and the <a href="https://www.ikeasocialentrepreneurship.org/en/partnerships/accelerating-for-impact/nesst/poland-and-romania-accelerator" target="_blank">NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative</a>, which invests in impact-driven small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are bringing refugees into the local economy. NESsT is partnering with Ikea Social Entrepreneurship and the Cisco Foundation on the initiative. 

Vlada fled her home in Kharkiv in April 2022, crossing the border into Romania with a friend and her family, while Vlada’s family remained in Ukraine. She is among the estimated 2.4 million Ukrainian refugees who have <a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.unhcr.org%2Fen%2Fsituations%2Fukraine&amp;data=05%7C01%7Csydney%40milkandhoneypr.com%7C7bce168aab98492130a508db0a36a984%7Cf3d86f8d92814426b5c03e14a399ac48%7C0%7C0%7C638115002114158451%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=0MsIwh9MUuAhv72Gzk1uD%2FrHipKBiAmaot77rFwl5zk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">permanently settled</a> within neighboring European countries since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Nearby countries like <a href="https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/stories/2023/2/63f548a44/year-volunteers-poland-still-ukrainian-refugees.html" target="_blank">Poland</a> and <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/17-01-2023-understanding-the-obstacles-faced-by-ukrainian-refugees-in-romania" target="_blank">Romania</a> have seen the largest influx of Ukrainian refugees, with citizens of those countries continuing to provide humanitarian aid in many forms.

About a month after she arrived to Romania, Vlada, a dentist who had just launched her career when the war broke out, noticed an advertisement at a humanitarian aid station for a mobile dental clinic through Merci Charity that was serving Ukrainian refugee children. 

“I decided to volunteer my help, and they asked if I could start work right then as a translator for the children and their mothers at the clinic," Vlada told TriplePundit. "Soon they put me to work as a dentist as well." 

<h2>Meeting community needs while providing employment </h2>

For Daniela Staicu, vice president of Merci Charity, Vlada was a perfect match. “We could not find a better fit for our project,” she told 3p.

Merci Charity has provided dental treatment for children in rural areas of Romania for eight years, with a focus on hard-to-reach areas and marginalized communities. It is the only mobile dental clinic in Romania, serving about 600 children a year, and last year it extended its services to Ukrainian refugee children as it quickly became apparent that dental care was the most requested medical service among refugees.

Today Vlada works two jobs with the enterprise, coordinating the nonprofit mobile dental clinic while serving as a sales assistant in <a href="https://www.nesst.org/atelier-merci" target="_blank">Atelier Merci</a>, which is part of the NESsT portfolio and produces handcrafted clothing from sustainable, vegan, and organic materials to support the charitable arm's work. The atelier's brick-and-mortar store — Altrntv, co-founded by Staicu and Merci president, Alina Tiplea — sells not only its own products, but also handmade clothing, shoes and belts created by small Romanian artisans from underserved communities. 
<figure role="group"><img alt="social enterprise shop Altrntv in Romania provides employment to Ukrainian refugees" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf8cc881-6229-49ba-b191-4b3763bbed80" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ALTRNTV%20-%20Bucharest%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpeg" width="1078" height="1347" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Buzzy handmade goods shop Altrntv is actually a social enterprise that supports mobile dental services for rural children and jobs for Ukrainian refugees. </figcaption></figure><h2>"A circular economy company"</h2>

The profit from Atelier Merci is spun back into Merci Charity in what NESsT co-CEO Nicole Etchart calls a “circular economy company,” since the more the social business grows, the more dignified income it can provide to suppliers in Romania as well as support the work of the charity. 

“Once the war broke out in Ukraine, we began to see how many of our enterprises in eastern Europe like Atelier Merci were opening up their arms to help refugees, in this case through their NGO Merci Charity and the mobile dental clinics for Ukrainian children,” Etchart explained.  

<h2>More than a job</h2>

Through the NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative, enterprises receive financing and business assistance to help provide Ukrainian refugees with long-term employment support, including career training, quality job opportunities and additional wraparound services (e.g. mental health services, language classes, childcare and support with accessing work permits, among others). 

While she wants to return home one day, Vlada says she is grateful for the support and employment she has received through Merci Charity and Atelier Merci. Her mother, back in Kharkiv, is also a dentist.

As she shares in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYHQOKMWkSE" target="_blank">this video</a> about Merci Charity produced by another volunteer, Vlada says: “Now I feel honored to bring my skills to help bring smile to these young children in a difficult moment in their lives. We ride around in these magical dental vans and bring joy.”
<figure role="group"><img alt="social enterprise shop Altrntv in Bucharest supports Ukrainian refugees" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e3ad6115-04b2-435a-a8f1-22d7ad349747" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ALTRNTV%20-%20Bucharest%20%282%29%20copy.jpg" width="1000" height="1333" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Located in Romania's capital city Bucharest, Altrntv serves as a gathering space as well as a storefront. </figcaption></figure><h2>Expanding the model to more social enterprises serving Ukrainian refugees</h2>

In the months to come, as the war grinds on, more people like Vlada will be needing help. “We know many times in these situations, refugees come to a country and they stay for a long period of time," Etchart said. "They need help with housing, food, medical attention and jobs to sustain themselves.”

NESsT is in the process of identifying additional businesses like Merci Charity as part of its plan to support 15 enterprises that work or plan to work with refugees and migrants in Poland and Romania. The initiative aims to create 2,000 jobs and improve the lives of 5,000 refugees.

“We are grateful for the support of NESsT, and we need to bring more attention to the refugees who are continuing to cross the border into Romania and need our help,” said Staicu, who told us Merci Charity aims to raise more money to expand its operations and help more refugee children. “While the narrative in the news cycle may have shifted away from the refugees, the NGOs are still doing the work and people are still needing help.”

Images courtesy of NESsT

Social Enterprises Help Ukrainian Refugees Secure Dignified, Long-Term Employment

Humans aren’t the only ones zipping along highways. As it turns out, oceans have their own transportation routes but with a distinctly different type of traveler: whales.

Known as blue corridors, these established routes guide the giant mammals during their migrations. The paths can stretch for thousands of miles, linking breeding and foraging areas. While protecting whale habitat is critical, so is preserving the <a href="https://wwfwhales.org/protecting-blue-corridors" target="_blank">routes that connect them</a>. 

<h2>Whales on the move</h2>

Not all whales migrate, but many species do. In particular, most of the filter-feeding baleen whales are migratory. <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/humpback-whale#:~:text=Humpback%20whales%20live%20throughout%20the,calving%20areas%20in%20tropical%20waters." target="_blank">Humpback</a> whales can travel an impressive 5,000 miles from higher-latitude feeding grounds to tropical breeding grounds, for example. Not to be outdone, one particular <a href="https://www.livescience.com/50487-western-gray-whale-migration.html" target="_blank">gray whale</a> broke mammalian migration records when she traveled nearly 7,000 miles each way from Russia to Mexico. 

Whales migrate to track resources, give birth in warmer waters and potentially shed <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/why-do-whales-migrate-they-return-tropics-shed-their-skin-scientists-say#:~:text=They%20Return%20To%20The%20Tropics%20To%20Shed%20Their%20Skin%2C%20Scientists%20Say,-February%2021%2C%202020&amp;text=First%20suggested%20for%20killer%20whales,that%20forage%20in%20cold%20waters." target="_blank">skin cells</a> with harmful bacteria. A recent <a href="https://wwfwhales.org/resources/protecting-blue-corridors-report" target="_blank">report</a> from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) illustrates these “whale superhighways” — or migratory corridors — in vivid detail. Clearly, opportunities exist to protect and prioritize these highly-traveled areas for whales.

<h2>Perils on the seas </h2>

Sadly, protection is needed. <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/whale" target="_blank">Six of the 13</a> great whale species — the largest whales on earth — are classified as endangered or vulnerable. Meanwhile over a quarter of cetacean species are threatened, including whales, dolphins and porpoises. 

Regulations could go a long way toward protecting these species from being harmed by human activity. Over 300,000 cetaceans are killed each year when they become entangled in fishing gear and nets, for instance. And over 640 billion kilograms of <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2016.00149/full" target="_blank">marine debris</a> — including fishing nets, lines, buoys, floats and various other plastics — are deposited in our oceans annually. All of this lost and discarded gear poses a threat. 

Ship strikes are also a <a href="https://swfsc-publications.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/CR/2016/2016Thomas.pdf" target="_blank">leading cause of death</a> for humpback, blue, fin and gray whales. Unfortunately, ship traffic is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0245-y" target="_blank">predicted to increase</a> between 240 percent and 1,209 percent by 2050, exacerbating the rate of deaths. Additionally, climate change, pollution, underwater noise and overfishing in their feeding grounds, as well as habitat loss and degradation, also threaten whales. 

<h2>Protecting blue corridors </h2>

The idea that species do better when their habitat is managed and protected as interconnected networks is known as connectivity conservation. Connectivity enhances the <a href="https://nmsmarineprotectedareas.blob.core.windows.net/marineprotectedareas-prod/media/docs/20201103-ecological-connectivity-for-mpas.pdf" target="_blank">resilience of marine populations</a>, helps them adapt to climate change and can promote gene flow between populations. Therefore, it is essential that these watery highways between whale habitats are maintained and safeguarded. 

One way to practice connectivity conservation is through networks of marine protected areas. Less than 8 percent of the ocean is protected today. But marine protected areas provide a <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.613819/full" target="_blank">variety of benefits</a> — including mitigating climate change, increasing fish catches, protecting and augmenting species diversity, and providing opportunities for tourism and wildlife viewing. 

Panama, Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica have proposed a <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.674825/full" target="_blank">regional initiative</a> to link several marine reserves that would preserve migratory whales, sea turtles, sharks and rays in one laudable example of the tactic.

Likewise, the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/03/07/1161196476/un-high-seas-treaty-international-waters#:~:text=The%20Oceans,led%20commitment%20known%20as%2030x30." target="_blank">new United Nations treaty</a> to protect the largely unregulated high seas is a victory for conservation. This treaty paves the way to establish marine protected areas, sets standards for assessing the environmental impacts of commercial activities, and establishes a coordinated approach to deal with a patchwork of global agreements and organizations. This last component is vital for migratory marine species that swim freely between territorial waters and the high seas.

Also of note, <a href="https://coastwatch.pfeg.noaa.gov/projects/whalewatch2/" target="_blank">WhaleWatch</a> is a promising solution for ship strikes that was spearheaded by a group of scientists, managers and shipping companies. This tool predicts where endangered blue whales are likely to swim off the western U.S., which helps to mitigate ship strikes, bycatch and other threats. <a href="https://whalesafe.com/" target="_blank">Whale Safe</a> is a similar mapping tool, which collects and displays shipping and whale data for the San Francisco Bay and Santa Barbara Channel. 

Speed can also be a factor in mitigating ship strikes. Since traveling below 10 knots significantly reduces risks to whales, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also makes <a href="https://cordellbank.noaa.gov/news/may20/vessel-speed-reduction.html" target="_blank">seasonal requests</a> for vessels to reduce their speed.

<h2>The boons of blue corridor travelers</h2>

Whale conservation doesn’t just help the gentle giants of the deep. It also helps us. Whales provide a <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/whales-benefit-economy/766121" target="_blank">number of benefits</a>, including that we are able to watch and experience them as they’re migrating and congregating in feeding or breeding grounds. The rapidly growing <a href="https://wwhandbook.iwc.int/en/responsible-management/benefits-and-impacts-of-whale-watching" target="_blank">whale-watching industry</a> is valued at nearly $2.9 billion globally.

The aquatic mammals also contribute to the ocean’s health and support the base of the marine food web: phytoplankton. In turn, this bolsters marine fisheries, which have a whopping economic impact of <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/peg/publications/report/PewOSSWorldEconomypdf.pdf" target="_blank">$325 billion annually</a>. 

Whales, through their support of phytoplankton, also represent an enormous opportunity to fight climate change. Oceans remove around <a href="https://phys.org/news/2022-08-oceans-absorb-co2.html" target="_blank">30 percent of human-emitted</a> carbon dioxide every year, mostly due to these photosynthesizing phytoplankton. But whales also play a more direct role by <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2021/03/to-fight-climate-change-save-the-whales-some-scientists-say/" target="_blank">uptaking large amounts of carbon in their bodies</a> over their lifetimes. When they die, their bodies fall to the sea floor where the carbon can remain for centuries.

Whales are called an umbrella species since protecting this wide-ranging set of mammals also preserves numerous other species. These megafauna are intertwined into our history, culture and economy. And they deserve protection — whether they’re racing along their highways or resting at home.

Image credit: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/tail-of-a-humpback-whale-13820932/" target="_blank">Silvana Palacios</a>/Pexels

Protecting the Watery Routes of Whales

We know shoppers are <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2022/consumer-attitudes-esg/752006" target="_blank">increasingly interested</a> in more sustainable products, and new research indicates many are ready to leave their standby brands behind. Half of all U.S. consumers, including 70 percent of millennials, have changed food and grocery brands based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, according to new polling. 

For its latest <a href="https://campaign.glowfeed.com/srs_foodgrocery_us" target="_blank">sustainability benchmark report</a>, the research technology company Glow surveyed 33,000 U.S. adults to get their take on the ESG performance of more than 150 food and grocery brands. Across the board, consumers report changing their spending habits to better align with their personal values — and forward-looking brands are reaping the benefits. Almost 90 percent of respondents believe it's important for businesses to be environmentally and socially responsible, and two-thirds said they're willing to pay more for products that support vulnerable groups and communities.

“It is vitally important for companies to contribute to supporting society and the planet. And there is a growing body of evidence that doing so is more than the right thing to do, it is good for business," said Julia Collins, CEO of Planet FWD, a carbon management platform for consumer brands, in a statement. "This report provides further evidence … that those who are leading in consumers' minds are already reaping the commercial benefits and are best placed for future success.” Indeed, 8 in 10 respondents said they feel more loyalty to purpose-driven brands.

<h2>ESG performance is correlated with revenue growth</h2>

Glow also found a positive correlation between ESG performance and revenue growth. Even in a troubled economy with a cost-of-living crisis, environmentally- and socially-responsible companies are seeing the economic benefits of standing for their values: 20 percent of consumers rank sustainability in their top three considerations when shopping at the grocery store, and 10 percent of millennials said sustainability is the single most important factor when making a purchase.

Additionally, while 70 percent of consumers are actively switching food and grocery brands to save money, many consider sustainability a key reason not to do so, particularly among younger shoppers. 

“Now more than ever, if brands want to retain and win consumers, they must stand for something,” Mike Johnston, managing director of data products at Glow, said in a statement. “All consumers are looking for ways to save money. They will need a compelling reason why they shouldn't walk away from your brand for a cheaper alternative. Along with quality, sustainability is a key barrier to change, especially for millennials.” 

It's worth noting that what consumers view as "sustainable" <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/esg-consumers-care/768091" target="_blank">will vary</a> based on the product. Consumers report that plastic and waste issues are of greater importance in the household goods department, for example, while health and wellbeing is a top concern for consumers when choosing beverages and beauty products. 

Still, across all categories, products with ESG-related claims on their packaging grew an average 1.7 percent faster than those without. Labels and messaging associated with regenerative agriculture, plastic-free products, cruelty-free operations, water footprint, and renewable energy caught consumers' attention the most.

<h2>Consumer expectations are high</h2>

U.S. consumers widely perceived the food and grocery industry as a leader in corporate sustainability, Glow's data revealed, but the industry still faces significant barriers to meeting consumer expectations in a few key areas. For example, almost a third of responding consumers are dissatisfied with the industry’s efforts to reduce emissions, mitigate climate change, protect wildlife and ensure the welfare of suppliers.

While being misaligned with consumer expectations is never ideal for a company or sector, this gap presents an opportunity for brands to re-engage with this growing segment of consumers and stakeholders. By aligning ESG priorities with consumer expectations, companies can take advantage of a growth opportunity, while reducing risk and improving impacts on the environment.

“There’s a role of education here that’s critical for businesses," Tim Clover, founder and CEO of Glow, <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2022/consumer-attitudes-esg/752006" target="_blank">told TriplePundit</a>. "Consumers really want to understand the issues in more detail, to understand some of the science and the lengths to which companies are going to solve these problems. Companies that are brave enough to go and take the time to explain the depth of these issues and educate the market, they’re leading. They’re winning."

Image credit: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-grocery-shopping-4971948/" target="_blank">Gustavo Fring</a>/Pexels

This, Not That: More Consumers Are Switching Brands Based on Sustainability

American youth are playing fewer team sports these days, and Dick’s Sporting Goods is looking to get more kids back in the game. The retailer recently <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dicks-sporting-goods-showcases-the-power-of-sport-in-new-sports-change-lives-campaign-301768192.html" target="_blank">launched</a> its 75for75 Sports Matter Grant Program, which will distribute 75 grants worth $75,000 each to select youth sports programs across the country. The grants will be overseen by the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation in what could be described as a clear example of enlightened self-interest.

The program will distribute more than $5.6 million in 2023. The first 75for75 grant <a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2023/03/15/westinghouse-football-donta-green-good-morning-american-dicks-sporting-goods/stories/202303150068" target="_blank">recipient</a> is the Westinghouse High School football team in Pittsburgh, not far from the company’s corporate headquarters. 

“Since Dick's was founded 75 years ago, we have believed sports have the power to change lives," Ed Plummer, the company’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "Whether it’s the friendships made in youth soccer, a coach who became a mentor, or a morning run that puts everything into perspective, the impacts of these experiences are what this campaign is all about. Our 75th anniversary is a great opportunity to focus even more of our efforts on the communities and youth sports programs where we can make a lasting impact.” 

That impact is needed more than ever. Young children participated in team sports at a historically low rate last year, according to the Aspen Institute’s <a href="https://www.aspenprojectplay.org/state-of-play-2022/participation-trends" target="_blank">Project Play</a>. Team sports participation dropped dramatically at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and stayed low into 2021. But while that trend is rebounding, it’s not back to pre-pandemic levels. 

Only 37 percent of children ages 6 to 12 played team sports on a regular basis in 2021, which is the most recent year of available data from the <a href="https://sfia.org" target="_blank">Sports and Fitness Industry Association</a>. That’s down from 38 percent in 2020 and well below the 45 percent who played in 2008, the highest mark in recent decades. Then, team sports participation crashed just after the stock market in 2008, with help from the recession that followed. In better news, regular sports participation went up slightly for youth ages 13 to 17 in 2021, suggesting that school sports and elite travel sports may have lessened the impact of COVID-19 for this age group.

With these trends in mind, the 75for75 Sports Matter Grant Program is part of Dick’s Sporting Goods' largest ever brand campaign — “Sports Change Lives” — in celebration of its 75th anniversary and founding principles. In addition to the grant program, the company’s foundation renewed its $1.5 million contract with <a href="https://www.goodsports.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2cWgBhDYARIsALggUhqpBUoa5bRBTrU4YLKlQ8Ie9TxJgno3eGwzw_42ISOOKIZaMJYPVi8aAjs3EALw_wcB" target="_blank">Good Sports</a> to provide 20 of the most under-resourced communities across the country with $75,000 worth of youth sports equipment in 2023. Additionally, the foundation has established a new $1 million partnership with the <a href="https://www.lisc.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2cWgBhDYARIsALggUhr3g2QoFvX7n16_xXJoGFFvplz3W3tF6T6id6aWHtK_UxYSFILD2Z8aAp7IEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Local Initiatives Support Corporation</a> (LISC) to launch the Game On — Community Places to Play Initiative, which will help to create or renovate up to 20 multi-use youth sports spaces in underserved communities.

Dick's also debuted a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJhCLpnnjCQ&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">new marketing campaign</a> that highlights the positive impact sports can have on an individual’s character, friendships, physical and mental health, academic achievement and, more broadly, the way sports can bring together and inspire communities.  
     
The company is also set to become the official sporting goods retail partner of the NCAA and all 90 of its men’s and women’s sports championships. The partnership will include exclusive category sponsorship rights to select fan events during the men’s and women’s Final Four games, access to exclusive NCAA championship event licensed merchandise and media investments during the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, courtside signage, exclusive content production using historical footage and access to multiple college championships. 

Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation have committed more than $170 million to support young athletes since 2014. The foundation’s goal is to help give 2 million children the opportunity to participate in team sports by 2024.

Image credits: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dicks-sporting-goods-showcases-the-power-of-sport-in-new-sports-change-lives-campaign-301768192.html" target="_blank">Dick's Sporting Goods</a>/PR Newswire and <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/hXJ4O3S73gE" target="_blank">Alliance Football Club</a>/Unsplash

Dick’s Sporting Goods Marks 75th Anniversary with $75,000 Grants for Youth Sports

Howard University's department of mechanical engineering <a href="https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-universitys-department-mechanical-engineering-receives-1-million-gift-autodesk-inc-advance" target="_blank">will soon be home to</a> an interdisciplinary maker space and innovation lab, where students can interact with peers from other disciplines such as architecture, science and business, thanks to a $1 million gift from Autodesk.

“This donation will help us better train and prepare the next generation of interdisciplinary engineers with the hands-on and digital skills necessary for the fast-evolving future workforce,” Nadir Yilmaz, chair and professor of Howard's department of mechanical engineering, told TriplePundit. “Such an interdisciplinary space, equipped with state-of-the art hardware and Autodesk software, will be used not only to teach courses such as CAD/CAM/CAE [computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering], but also to provide students a medium where they can conceptualize ideas, find innovative solutions to today’s interdisciplinary grand challenges, and take advantage of experiential learning opportunities from freshmen year until graduation.”

The largest ever unrestricted gift to the department is the latest chapter of a five-year partnership between Autodesk and the historically Black university. In addition to Autodesk’s donation of its industry-grade software, Howard mechanical engineering students have received technical support from Autodesk experts, including hands-on software trainings provided both on-campus and virtually, and used cloud-based, high-power computing capabilities for <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/autodesk-generative-design/86756" target="_blank">Fusion 360 Generative Design</a>, Yilmaz told 3p. 

“The Autodesk Student Ambassador program allowed our students to train their peers in CAD, CAM, CAE and generative design for Autodesk Certification,” Yilmaz said. Students have also participated in Autodesk Design Slam Competitions and attended annual Autodesk University conferences with the company’s support.

<a href="https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/generative-design/manufacturing" target="_blank">Fusion 360</a> is a cloud-based 3D modeling software which provides CAD, CAM, CAE, and printed circuit board (PCB) features within the same platform for professional product design and manufacturing. Howard University is one of the first academic institutions to have access to Fusion 360 Generative Design when it was previously only available to industry, Yilmaz said. 

“As a result of Autodesk providing support with free software and services, we advocated for Fusion 360 to train students with the professional-level software that combines multiple capabilities within the same platform and has a reputation for being user-friendly,” he said.

The company also collaborates with Howard University on curriculum development using Autodesk Fusion 360 and has hosted Fusion 360 workshops for students. Autodesk’s <a href="https://adsknews.autodesk.com/en/stories/hbcu-tech-program" target="_blank">HBCU Tech Program</a> provides career pathways to students at Howard and three other historically Black colleges and universities. As part of the HBCU Tech Program, students with computer science and engineering backgrounds have received paid externships at Autodesk. Students have also collaborated with Autodesk staff on specially curated projects, taking on technical challenges such as robotics security and manufacturing workflows, while gaining valuable work experience.

Providing tools like these to traditionally under-resourced students can make a real difference in the future of the field. Today, only 3.1 percent of the mechanical engineers in the United States are Black, according to research from career and jobs website <a href="https://www.zippia.com/mechanical-engineer-jobs/demographics/" target="_blank">Zippia</a>. Of the Black engineers in the workforce, <a href="http://hbcutoday.net/index.php/hbcu-content/83-hbcus-today/stem-at-hbcus/323-academic-achievement-in-stem-at-hbcus" target="_blank">40 percent</a> received their degrees from an HBCU. 

<a href="https://cea.howard.edu/about-us/our-vision-and-mission" target="_blank">As its mission statement reads</a>, "The College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard University aspires to leverage its unique culture and strengths to become nationally recognized for providing a pathway to opportunities and careers in engineering, computer science, and architecture for Black and other underserved students, developing leaders who are inspired to serve humanity through their knowledge and innovation, and forging technologies and designing built environments that impact the Black community, as well as promote greater social prosperity." 

“Autodesk’s continued support of our faculty and students also positively impacts our efforts to train and develop engineers who become tomorrow’s leaders in education, government and industry,” added John M. M. Anderson, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture.  

The news of the donation was also welcomed by mechanical engineering students. “They are very excited about how the donation from Autodesk will be utilized to enhance the student learning experience, with up-to-date digital tools and hardware and experiential opportunities, which will prepare them as industry-ready engineers for the fast-evolving, competitive workforce,” Yilmaz said.

Image courtesy of Howard University via <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/03/23/2408536/0/en/Howard-University-Announces-785-Million-Investment-to-Accelerate-Renovations-and-Construct-New-Academic-Centers.html" target="_blank">Globe Newswire</a>

Howard's Interdisciplinary Maker Space Aims to Prepare Students for the Future of Work

Workforce training may seem like a straightforward solution to the labor shortage problem. However, something as simple as access to transportation can thwart the best of intentions. Lowe’s Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the leading hardware, building trades and home goods retailer Lowe's, just launched a new initiative that takes on workforce training with focus on community connections, and it could make all the difference.

<h2>The need for a new approach to workforce training</h2>

A number of broad factors have combined to raise concerns about labor shortages in the U.S. economy overall. The <a href="https://princemanufacturing.com/shortage-of-skilled-workers-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">lingering impacts</a> of the 2008 Great Recession are still evident, as well as more recent developments including the COVID-19 pandemic, the baby boomer retirement wave, a stall-out in the training pipeline and a <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/will-a-labor-crunch-derail-plans-to-upgrade-us-infrastructure" target="_blank">migration bottleneck</a>. The Joe Biden administration’s signature legislation, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, is also creating new jobs and adding to the pressure to fill those jobs.

The situation is especially concerning in the building and construction trades, where demand has soared without a matching rise in the availability of skilled labor. In particular, the trades have lagged in attracting the next generation of <a href="https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/entryid/19777/construction-workforce-shortage-tops-half-a-million-in-2023-says-abc" target="_blank">young workers</a>, who may find it difficult to invest their time and resources in a training program when facing inflation, the high cost of housing and other economic factors. 

An estimated 25 percent of the construction workforce is expected to retire by 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “We will lose the most skilled and knowledgeable workers, while just 10 percent of the workforce is younger than 25,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s Foundation chair and EVP of human resources for Lowe's. 

Though not all parts of the U.S. are equally impacted, <a href="https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/users/user22633/2022_AGC_Workforce_Survey_Analysis.pdf" target="_blank">85 percent of contractors</a> already report difficulty in recruiting skilled workers, and <a href="https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/entryid/19777/construction-workforce-shortage-tops-half-a-million-in-2023-says-abc" target="_blank">an estimated 546,000</a> new skilled tradespeople will be needed over the coming year to meet the demand for labor. 

<h2>Innovating for the workforce of the future</h2>

To help narrow the labor gap, earlier this month the Lowe’s Foundation announced the new $50 million <a href="https://corporate.lowes.com/our-responsibilities/lowes-foundation" target="_blank">Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program</a>, which provides two-year grants for workforce training programs with the goal of channeling 50,000 people into skilled building trades over the next five years.

The word “skilled” is operational here. Dupré notes that employment in the construction trades has soared overall since 2011, but primarily in low-skilled positions. For example, the number of carpenters actually declined by 4 percent since 2011, while the total construction workforce increased by 30 percent.

As one essential key to success, Lowe's will not start the program from scratch. Instead, it will enlist existing community and technical colleges as well as community nonprofits to develop innovative new programs.

<h2>Making community connections</h2>

<a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2017/demand-tech-skills-surges-college-really-right-all/56066" target="_blank">Non-traditional education resources</a> have already emerged as important alternative pathways for underserved students to advance their career goals. That dovetails with Lowe’s goal of increasing diversity in the skilled trades.

“Community and technical colleges are uniquely qualified to provide the skills and education needed to fill the skilled trades workforce pipeline, because many of them have innovative programs we can support that will train and certify skilled tradespeople for jobs in two years or less,” Dupré explained. “These schools understand the needs of the communities they serve, and they have the programs and facilities to recruit and train potential skilled tradespeople."

The Gable Grant program is designed to help these schools raise the profile of careers in skilled trades, while expanding their enrollment capacity. The program will first focus on five high-demand occupations: carpenters, electricians, plumbers, small appliance repair technicians, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanics.

By providing them with grants, the Lowe's Foundation aims to enable community colleges and trade schools to develop long-term, sustainable recruitment programs in those fields. Lowe’s also plans to monitor the programs, the industry and its grant partners to spot additional opportunities.

<h2>The community college connection</h2>

The community college field alone could provide Lowe’s with a steady stream of trainees. The American Association of Community Colleges currently represents more than 10 million students enrolled in associates degree programs, an amount almost equal to the number of students attending four-year schools.

“These institutions are deeply ingrained in their communities and well-placed to drive an increased interest in skilled trades training,” said the Association's president and CEO, Walter G. Bumphus.

They also provide students with a well-rounded education beyond the trades that could lead to more fulfilling career opportunities. “Many of these programs also include classes on entrepreneurship, which we know is often a part of the path of skilled trades workers,” Dupré told us. “We’re really trying to give people access to robust education and training opportunities that can set them up for jobs wherever they may live or move, and put them on the path toward a successful, rewarding career.”

<h2>Bringing diversity to the table</h2>

The <a href="https://corporate.lowes.com/our-responsibilities/lowes-foundation" target="_blank">grant application cycle</a> for community and technical colleges opened on March 2 and ends on April 10. An information session will be held on March 22 for those interested in applying. Later this year, Lowe’s will fill out the program by launching a separate application cycle for community-based nonprofits. 

The inclusion of nonprofits could help fill gaps in workforce training opportunities for rural populations, as well as women, minorities, and people enrolled in second-chance and diversion programs.

“Lowe’s has a significant commitment to diversity across our business, and we’re committed to opening doors for more people from all backgrounds and experiences," Dupré said. "The skilled trades can benefit greatly from efforts to bring more people from underrepresented groups into these programs."

Dupré notes that training for a skilled trade is particularly important for people in rural areas, those in second-chance and diversion programs, and others who struggle to find well-paying employment. “These can be life-changing opportunities," she said. 

<h2>Next steps for Lowe’s</h2>

Regardless of the challenges, the numbers indicate there is an ample opportunity to build more diversity into the skilled trades. For example, approximately 90 percent of carpenters and plumbers still identify as white, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. Only 5 percent of the total construction workforce is Black or African-American, compared to almost 14 percent of the U.S. population.

Women fare no better. Though women make up approximately half the population, only 11 percent of construction jobs overall are filled by women. Only 2 percent of electricians and 1 percent of plumbers are women. 

The Gable Grants program could help change that, with a possible assist from state programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. In particular, the energy-efficiency provisions include funding for workforce training programs. “It will be up to states to determine how to develop and implement these programs, but we will monitor to assess how these efforts may complement our initiative and the work being done by community and technical colleges,” Dupré said. 

Image credit: Nassorn/Adobe Stock

Lowe's Drills Deeper Into Workforce Training

In March of last year, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) <a href="https://pro.bloomberglaw.com/brief/proposed-sec-climate-disclosure-rule/" target="_blank">proposed a new rule</a> that would govern how U.S. companies publicly disclose information related to climate change and sustainability. Release of the final climate disclosure rule has been delayed, due to an unprecedented number of public comments, and it's now expected to be published in April.

The new rule will mean massive changes for U.S. companies. However, <a href="https://newsroom.workiva.com/featured-stories/press-releases/news-details/2023/PwC-and-Workiva-find-business-leaders-are-moving-forward-with-climate-disclosures-regardless-of-final-SEC-ruling/default.aspx" target="_blank">recent polling</a> from Workiva and PwC shows that many large companies are not waiting for the SEC’s final rule to make progress on their climate-related disclosures: 70 percent of business leaders have already started to gather and disclose data in alignment with what's expected from the SEC and plan to proceed with such efforts regardless of when the new rule is issued. However, 85 percent of business leaders surveyed reported that they do not have the technology they need in order to meet new expected reporting requirements. 

Almost all of the 300 corporate executives surveyed said their company is prioritizing environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations more now than they were before the SEC rule proposal. But 39 percent feel their company is not currently prepared to comply with new requirements. Further, at least 70 percent believe they will need two years or more to become compliant with the new measures.

“Regardless of when the SEC rules are finalized, investors and stakeholders have made clear: this is important," Kevin O’Connell, trust solutions ESG leader at PwC, said in a statement. "Companies should be preparing by transitioning to investor-grade and tech-enabled reporting to help accelerate their reporting process and looking to implement effective governance and internal controls.” Forty percent of corporate respondents said they have already made investments in new reporting technology, and a third have invested in new hires to oversee ESG reporting. 

Aside from technology, staffing and human resource concerns related to ESG are also weighing on the minds of corporate leaders. More than a third of responding business leaders are not fully confident that their company is adequately staffed to meet the requirements of the SEC rules.

While leaders from larger companies are more confident they have the right technology to meet new ESG requirements compared to those from smaller companies, the converse is true for staffing. Larger companies are less confident they have adequate staffing in place to comply with the new rule. “Having the right technology, people, and timelines will be critical to complying with the proposed rule changes and other stakeholder demands for ESG transparency,” Julie Iskow, president and chief operating officer at Workiva, said in a statement. The current labor shortage could complicate efforts further, Workiva and PwC found. 

External assurance for ESG reporting is also growing in importance, as 70 percent of respondents said they already seek independent assurance for their reports and 96 percent said they will seek external assurance in the future, whether or not it is required in the final SEC climate disclosure rule. 

Of course, staffing, technology and external assurance carries a hefty price tag. The SEC estimates that compliance with the new climate disclosure rule would cost a business $640,000 in year one. But 61 percent of business leaders believe their price tag for compliance will exceed $750,000, and 27 percent predict they will spend more than $1 million, according to the Workiva-PwC survey. 

While almost 9 in 10 business executives indicated their companies already report some ESG data, companies still have much to do to prepare for the new SEC climate disclosure rule. Companies should ensure their technology, staffing, and external assurance plans are in place now to create a smoother transition into SEC compliance. 

Image credit: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/high-angle-shot-of-people-in-a-meeting-6147023/" target="_blank">Diva Plavalaguna</a>/Pexels

Not Waiting For the SEC: More Companies Dig Into Climate Disclosures

Despite increased attention on the issue — and the rollout of piecemeal reform policies in some cities — data indicates that police violence in the U.S. is actually getting worse.

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database/" target="_blank">The Washington Post's real-time database</a> has recorded more fatal police shootings every year since it launched in 2015, with 2022 being the deadliest to date. Communities of color, particularly Black communities, continue to be disproportionately affected. Already this year, U.S. police have shot and killed 195 people, according to the database. Many, including the killings of Tyre Nichols, Keenan Anderson, Anthony Lowe Jr. and Manuel "Tortuguita" Terán, were highly publicized. Yet most of the brands that proclaimed to "stand with" Black communities following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 were largely nowhere to be seen. 

So, why have brands gone silent on the issue of police violence, and how can they do better? TriplePundit connected with leaders in sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to get a better understanding. 

<h2>The hard work is just beginning </h2>

Like the Black Lives Matter movement itself, the corporate pledges made after Floyd's murder were about much more than police violence. <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2021/black-business-owners-social-change/727041" target="_blank">Companies committed billions of dollars</a> in funding to tackle systemic inequities across society and the economy. Some succeeded in creating measurable progress — including the push to <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/project-black-minority-owned-businesses/766271" target="_blank">get more Black-owned brands on store shelves</a> and <a href="https://adage.com/article/media/groupm-boosts-diverse-media-ad-investment-goal-5-after-clients-hit-initial-target/2478776" target="_blank">devote more mainstream advertising spend</a> to Black-owned media companies. 

But by and large, many of these initially outspoken brands have failed to follow through. "It’s easy for everyone to jump on the bandwagon," <a href="http://www.mywhyagency.com/emerald-jane-hunter/" target="_blank">Emerald-Jane "EJ" Hunter</a>, founder of the DEI-focused integrated marketing firm <a href="https://www.mywhyagency.com/creative-digital-agency/about/" target="_blank">myWHY Agency</a>, said of corporate stands in favor of racial equity. "But it’s hard work and often calls for financial investment for companies to actually do the work, and do it well."

Particularly during uncertain economic times, programming that is viewed as "nice-to-have" or unrelated to the business is always at risk of being cut. And unfortunately too many brands <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/brand-mistakes-black-history-month/765126" target="_blank">still view their racial equity work this way</a>. 

"Many brands aren’t willing to part with the investment so take the lazy route by making a statement and claims and hope, just like many things, followers and consumers will forget over time what they said they would do," Hunter told us. "The commitment simply isn’t there to do what it takes to make the shift and change, and therein lies the problem: Until companies make the investment and give it the time that it takes, we’ll never see change."

<h2>The benefits of going bold: How can leaders convince their bosses it's worth the risk? </h2>

"The issue of police violence has also become so politically charged, it’s safer for brands to not go 'too hard' on this stance for fear of being cancelled," Hunter said. While brands may be more keen to back off given the <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2022/anti-esg-office-holders/761261" target="_blank">"anti-woke" political climate</a>, consumer expectations — particularly among younger demographics — <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/consumers-care-about-sustainability-and-back-it-up-with-their-wallets" target="_blank">are only growing</a>. 

"Remaining quiet when police brutality continues to disproportionately impact communities of color is no longer an option," said <a href="https://www.lebec-consulting.com/alix-lebec-lebec" target="_blank">Alix Lebec</a>, founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.lebec-consulting.com/" target="_blank">Lebec Consulting</a>, which specializes in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and impact investing. "Eighty-two percent of millennial consumers expect corporations to align with their social and environmental values — and to stand up for key societal issues in real time." 

Although it may seem safer to stay silent, brands that go bold — and back it up — stand to see real benefits. "Ben &amp; Jerry’s is one of the best examples of a company and brand that immediately spoke up after George Floyd’s murder caused by inhumane police brutality in an authentic manner," Lebec said. "From its <a href="https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2020/09/who-we-are-podcast" target="_blank">voice</a>, <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/NaN/justice-remixd-ben-jerrys-flavor-criminal-justice-reform/84801/" target="_blank">consumer products</a>, <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2022/how-one-brand-continues-get-social-responsibility-right/748756" target="_blank">donations</a> and <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/racial-justice-intersectional/707526" target="_blank">stance on public policy</a>, Ben &amp; Jerry’s took action. This is a brand that leads with empathy and purpose." 

The brand continues to work with grassroots racial empowerment and civil rights organizations like the <a href="https://advancementproject.org" target="_blank">Advancement Project</a>, <a href="https://www.closetheworkhouse.org" target="_blank">Close the Workhouse Coalition</a> and the <a href="https://www.poweru.org" target="_blank">Power U Center for Social Change</a>. "Taking bold positions on political topics has often helped the ice cream brand," Hunter added, citing a <a href="https://yougov.co.uk/topics/consumer/articles-reports/2020/06/17/ben-jerrys-takes-stand-black-lives-matter" target="_blank">2020 analysis from YouGov</a> which found customer affinity scores double after Ben &amp; Jerry's <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/responding-george-floyd-murder-ben-jerrys-targets-elephant-room/120506" target="_blank">publicly condemned white supremacy</a> and police violence. "The brand’s activism isn’t just the right thing to do. It also can help, in all honesty, your bottom line."

Still, what's a leader to do if their company remains hesitant? "One thing a business leader can tell their boss when they receive pushback is to look at the generations to follow and what matters to them. If their company wants to be around for years to come, they’ll soon be challenged by Gen Z and millennials for whom why businesses exist matters more than what they do," Hunter said. "You won’t exist for much longer without aligning with a cause or issue or a why that goes beyond dollars and cents."

"It doesn’t have to be specifically police brutality," she added, "but should that be the cause, then it’s worth knowing that advocacy work equals longevity for a brand. It also takes time to become the likes of Ben &amp; Jerry's, so start now, be intentional, and practice what you preach internally and externally."

<h2>Ready to take action to curb police violence and promote equity? Here's how to start</h2>

Hunter highly recommends connecting with outside experts or enlisting an agency to help you get better about acting and communicating around issues like police violence and equity more broadly.

"This isn’t the time to risk making mistakes with a DIY approach. You’re in this boat because if you had known better, you would’ve done better," she told us. "Nothing is worse than getting it wrong. Let the experts guide you so you do it right." 

For most brands, the first step in "getting it right" will start internally, with building inclusivity in operations, hiring and promotion practices, and supply chains. "It begins at home, so ensure you’re all squared away internally before making external statements that become void of truth once you’re called out on your internal practices," Hunter advised. 

Lebec agreed. "In addition to speaking up, companies need to truly live the values they espouse," she said. "This includes engaging in catalytic and trust-based philanthropy, impact investing and public-private partnership, supporting public policies that value equality and sustainability, and showing up for local communities."

If brand leadership has money to invest, the way they choose to do it also makes a big difference — both in terms of maximizing impact and supporting changemakers of color who are often overlooked. "Donate and invest in <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/support-black-owned-businesses/765796" target="_blank">local, minority-owned businesses</a> and <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/unrestricted-funding-black-led-nonprofits/767771" target="_blank">nonprofits</a> that have a strong track record with local communities, are typically underfunded, and have the potential to create more thriving local economies," Lebec told us.

"Corporations can also leverage their philanthropy in ways that will attract other forms of financing to the table — such as impact investment capital — and financially support organizations that are really making a difference here in the U.S. and across developing and emerging markets," she said. "<a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2022/xylem-invest-underserved-communities/744201" target="_blank">Investing directly from corporate balance sheets</a>, for instance, could unlock billions to trillion dollars of capital for economic and social equality."

Don't have money? Lend your voice. "Support public policies that are leveling the playing field for underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs and are pro-equality and sustainability," she advised. 

However they do it, brands would be wise to recognize the urgency of getting started. "In 2023, companies need to be vulnerable, action-oriented, timely, creative and authentic — or risk losing relevancy and loyalty," Lebec said. 

Image credit: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/ySknq-1gNB4" target="_blank">Clay Banks</a>/Unsplash

Brands Have Grown Silent on Police Violence: How Can They Do Better?

Most people don’t spend much time thinking about their roofs, but a home is quite literally a roof over our heads. Roofs will always need to be replaced at some point, and despite recession and supply chain woes, industry watch groups continue to <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-states-construction-industry-databook-report-2023-market-is-expected-to-grow-by-6-1-to-reach-1-419-192-million-in-2023---forecast-to-2027--301748275.html" target="_blank">predict growth</a> in the construction sector. So, what does that mean for the asphalt shingles that make up over 80 percent of home roofs? Owens Corning, one of the top global manufacturers of asphalt shingles, has a plan.

<h2>Recycling 2 million tons of shingles per year</h2>

Owens Corning recently announced a commitment to <a href="https://newsroom.owenscorning.com/all-news-releases/news-details/2022/Owens-Corning-Advances-Toward-Circular-Economy-Aspiration-with-Enhanced-Shingle-Recycling-Efforts-Company-to-Partner-in-Asphalt-Shingle-Recycling-Pilot/default.aspx" target="_blank">recycle 2 million tons</a> of shingles per year in the U.S. by 2030. 

Approximately 12 million to 14 million tons of asphalt shingles are sent to landfills every year across the industry. This creates a problem for several reasons. “Think about what these things are,” Mark Leo, director of circular economy initiatives at Owens Corning, told TriplePundit. “We develop [shingles] to be extremely durable, with 20- to 30-year lifespans. This material doesn’t degrade quickly in a landfill.”

Solving this waste problem sits front and center within the company’s <a href="https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/corporate/sustainability/docs/2030-Sustainability-Goals-Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">sustainability goals</a>, which include doubling the positive impact of products and halving the negative impact of operations. “We want our handprint — the positive — to be bigger than our footprint — the negative,” Leo explained. “The [recycling] program fits into our waste story to become a net-positive company.”
<figure role="group"><img alt="Owens Corning Pilot Shingle Recycling Facility - Ribbon Cutting " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8cfb10c-1d55-45b3-a6bd-b472b0d5fa47" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Shingle%20Recycling%20Ribbon%20Cutting-5536.jpg" width="1500" height="1000" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Owens Corning Roofing Business President Gunner Smith at the pilot facility ribbon-cutting. </figcaption></figure><h2>How does shingle recycling work?</h2>

To meet that 2 million ton goal, Owens Corning is testing out new ways to process shingles in partnership with the recycling companies ASR Systems, CRS Reprocessing Services and Indiana Shingle Recycling. A shingle recycling pilot in Indianapolis will utilize proprietary, patented processes to break down shingles and extract the raw materials for reuse. Those materials will then be tested in Owens Corning manufacturing facilities to produce new shingles made from old ones. 

“This is a first-of-its-kind pilot facility to break these components down,” said Gunner Smith, president of roofing for Owens Corning. “They break down the shingles and pulverize them. Then, through the process, out comes liquid asphalt. It was the first time I’ve seen old-use shingles turned into something we use every day. It’s a full circle.”
<figure role="group"><img alt="owens corning team at ribbon-cutting of shingle recycling pilot plant" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="799d3089-c009-4fa6-b085-a4123d36dc74" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Shingle%20Recycling%20Ribbon%20Cutting-5548-2%20compressed.jpg" width="1500" height="1000" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Leaders from Owens Corning, ASR Systems, CRS Reprocessing Services and Indiana Shingle Recycling.</figcaption></figure>In addition to roofs, the company plans to give old shingles a second life in paving. “The configuration of Owens Corning — our business, technology and the way our assets are distributed throughout the country — helps us choose the approaches we’ll take,” Leo said. The company intends to help incorporate these materials into the paving industry, where it already has relationships. “The paving industry is looking for ways to improve their processes, like we are,” he continued. “We’re trying to reduce the amount of virgin materials and use more recycled materials to reduce our overall footprint.”
<figure role="group"><img alt="shingle recycling raw recovered material in test tubes" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="345d3253-2ddb-4a1f-9e0b-24ad1051eab0" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Shingle%20Recycling%20Ribbon%20Cutting-5259-2%20-%20compressed.jpg" width="1500" height="1000" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Guests of the ribbon-cutting ceremony received a commemorative gift showcasing raw materials recovered from waste shingles using the pilot process. </figcaption></figure><h2>The proof is in the pudding</h2>

The shingle recycling pilot launched in December of last year, and Owens Corning and its partners have been experimenting ever since — running trials in plants and testing how recycled-content shingles will stand up to tough conditions. “We need to go through it with a special eye,” Smith said. “We want this material to be as good or better than our traditional products.” 

Smith and his team believe Owens Corning’s decades of expertise give the company the flexibility and adaptability to push new processes forward. The industry has been trying to get its head around this problem for 20 years, Smith said, but he feels like this pilot is something different. “If we can prove this works and scale it, we’ve got a real game-changer here.”
<figure role="group"><img alt="recycled shingle material ground into granules for recycling" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="40704efd-e760-4a87-8997-df7898392cf1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Shingle%20Recycling%20Ribbon%20Cutting-5305-2-compressed.jpg" width="1500" height="1000" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Granules recovered from waste shingles using several proprietary, patented processes for deconstruction.</figcaption></figure><h2>“Stepping up.”</h2>

The construction industry faces significant challenges with the circularity of its materials — from concrete to steel to asphalt. Industry organizations are talking about how to increase sustainability while customers and contractors are asking for it. “It feels like we’ve gotten to a point as an industry where we all know we need to tackle these types of challenges,” Leo told us. “We’re all in. The industry needs leadership in this space, and we are happy to step up.”

The pilot is the first step toward making that happen. “We have a lot of work ahead of us,” Leo concluded. “We set that goal of 2 million tons a year, and we’ll advance toward it as fast as we can. We’ve got our marching orders.” And maybe the next time you replace your roof, it will be with recycled shingles born from a goal of making a handprint bigger than a footprint.

This article series is sponsored by Owens Corning and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

Images courtesy of Owens Corning

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