BERKELEY, CALIF.—In a resounding vote of support for climate action, 92 percent of shareholders supported a Say on Climate resolution filed by shareholder representative As You Sow asking the world’s global foodservice leader, Sysco Corp., for Paris aligned, net-zero targets, an aligned climate transition plan, and annual reporting of progress. The proposal earned a majority vote of 92.1 percent representing more than $25.8 billion in assets voted. This resolution is part of a larger “Say on Climate,” global investor movement calling for companies to develop a net-zero, 1.5 degree-aligned climate transition plan for their Scope 1-3 greenhouse gas emissions plus annual reporting on success in reducing...

LONDON—Corona announced Corona Island, a unique destination for visitors to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with the natural world. Slated to open in late Spring 2022 in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Corona Island will be a destination centered around sustainability and is striving to become “Blue Verified” by Oceanic Global as part of the international NGO’s rigorous Blue Standard program. The verification and assessment addresses measures including: single-use plastic elimination and implementation of responsible waste management infrastructure. The assessment is currently underway with Corona Island set to become the first fully Blue Verified Island by its launch in spring of next year. “Corona Island is unlike...

HOUSTON—Waste Management announced its listing on the 2021 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World and North America Indices for its commitment to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) leadership and its commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices. This marks the fourth year for WM to be the category leader in Commercial & Professional Services. Overall, WM has been represented on the DJSI since 2004. To achieve its best-in-category recognition, WM ranked as follows on the DJSI: #1 in Governance & Economic Dimension #1 in Environmental Dimension #2 in Social Dimension “As we continue our sustainability journey, we meet and exceed the...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a market-leading industrial technology company, announced it has published its third annual EarthLIGHT Report, highlighting its Fiscal Year 2021 accomplishments and ongoing progress on its initiatives. EarthLIGHT—a central tenet of Acuity’s strategy—reflects its comprehensive approach to manage, organize and report Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) topics. Through EarthLIGHT, Acuity improves its performance, increases transparency, and better highlights results on its numerous ESG priorities. “We are committed to lessening our carbon footprint and helping our customers do the same,” said Neil M. Ashe, Chairman, President and CEO of Acuity Brands. “We are reducing waste, lowering costs, minimizing carbon impacts,...

EAGLE BEACH, ARUBA—Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is helping guests take vacations today that protect the vacations of tomorrow. As the Caribbean’s first and only certified carbon-neutral hotel, the resort stay is already net-zero and guilt-free. Now with the addition of the world’s first Carbon Offset Concierge—Jareth Vermeulen—guests can elevate their experience by making their entire vacation guilt free by offsetting their travel emissions. How it Works Every major airline servicing Aruba offers carbon emissions offset purchases on its website. Guests can certainly select that on their own or have their travel professional do so at the time of booking their...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Wild Nectar Immersive Travel Collection, the sustainability-focused luxury travel company, officially launched this fall. Wild Nectar Collection enables travelers to experience unique and life-changing travels that are sustainable by presenting each curated trip with a custom Eco Score, including carbon-offsetting recommendations for each journey using a Carbon Offsetting Calculator and bestowing Sustainability Awards based on the trip operators’ achievements. “Travel is a privilege and I’ve long felt the industry wasn’t doing enough to monitor the carbon footprint of an activity that is an honor to experience,” said Joy Martinello, founder and CEO, Wild Nectar Collection. “So, wI asked myself, what if...

PHILADELPHIA—Aramark, a global leader in food, facilities, and uniform services, announced its commitment to set enterprise-wide science-based targets, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This commitment follows the company’s announcement earlier this year, of its goal to reduce GHG emissions by 15 percent, from its 2019 baseline, by the end of 2025 (in the United States), and will align the company with the Science Based Target initiative’s new Net-Zero Standard. The announcement affirms Aramark’s commitment to set a near-term science-based target to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within 5 to 10 years and a...

PHILADELPHIA—To coincide with the start of National Seafood Month (October), Aramark, a global provider of hospitality, facilities, and uniform services, announced a new commitment to increasing local seafood sourcing in New England, through a partnership with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). Guided by its Sustainable Seafood Policy, Aramark strives to buy seafood from sources, whether fished or farmed, that maintain healthy marine life and ecosystems, and respect seafood workers and communities throughout the supply chain. All of Aramark’s Higher Education, Healthcare, and Business Dining accounts in New England will pursue the following goals over three years: One hundred percent...

BAA ATOLL, MALDIVES—With the world-famous manta destination of Hanifaru Bay on its doorstep, Amilla Maldives Resort wanted to do more to help protect these magnificent creatures. So Amilla Maldives has teamed up with the Manta Trust, an NGO dedicated to protecting manta rays and the marine ecosystems they inhabit. Now, as a Manta Trust Responsible Operator hotel partner, Amilla is officially committed to minimizing the impact its guests have on the mantas and mobula rays they encounter. Manta Season runs from April to November in Baa Atoll, Maldives. Peak time is July, and when the lunar, tidal and weather conditions are perfect something magical happens in the...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—HRS announced that Marriott International is the latest global hotel supplier to agree to participate in the HRS Green Stay Initiative. Marriott, with its 30 brands and acknowledged status as a leader in corporate hospitality, recently committed to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, joining the Race to Zero, and work with its broad range of suppliers, franchisees, and partners to enhance the practices in place today to reduce their environmental footprint. “HRS’ Green Stay Initiative provides another avenue for us to meet the needs of our stakeholders to publicly and transparently report on our sustainability metrics...