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E2V Corporation Announces EVE Project

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Social Media Startup Seeks to Save the Planet Through Kindness

SAN FRANCISCO, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- E2V recently launched the EVE Project, a social media network designed to unite people worldwide to save the planet. The goal of EVE is to persuade people to work together for the betterment of the planet. Members will be able to rate other users based on their good deeds using the network’s Act of Kindness (AoK) rating system.

The EVE project was founded by a team of professionals with a passion for the environment and helping others. The founders want to combat climate disruption, biodiversity decline, human overconsumption and overpopulation. The team hopes to inspire positive change and encourage others to lead more safe, sustainable and honorable lives.

“Nowadays, many people are familiar with ratings. We already rate each other on Facebook, Instagram, Airbnb, Uber, and other platforms,” said Ella Enikeev, CEO of E2V. “On EVE, each person can help construct a guideline for a human rating that is led by the Act of Kindness (AoK). Users will determine and coordinate what good deeds will be acknowledged in the AoK-Rating and encourage others to perform good deeds.”

“User ratings will rise with every good deed you do - for example, planting a tree. Any action that benefits our planet will help raise your AoK-rating,” according to Yuri Lyalin, CFO of E2V.

”We continue to receive more and more warnings from scientists worldwide about the state of our planet. Every hour counts. It is about time to change the relationship of humankind with nature and with each other,” concludes Enikeev.

To learn more about the EVE Project, please visit www.eve2v.com.

CONTACT Ella Enikeev, CEO
COMPANY E2V
PHONE 1.877.727.6002
EMAIL contact@eve2v.com
WEB www.eve2v.com

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Dubai Chambers Joins Dubai Can Sustainability Initiative To Reduce Plastic Waste

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Dubai Chambers, one of three Chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, has announced its participation in the Dubai Can sustainability initiative, by launching a special campaign for its employees to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles [...] 

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Alaris Announces the Release of its Inaugural ESG Report

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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAW.

CALGARY, Alberta, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust ("Alaris" or the "Trust") (TSX:AD.UN) is pleased to announce the release of its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report, which outlines Alaris’ approach to a responsible ESG framework across three key elements: 1) ESG at the Trust Level, 2) ESG in Our Investment Process, and 3) ESG in Our Portfolio.

“ESG is a strategic priority for Alaris, and we are pleased to present this report as part of our commitment to the accountability and transparency on our approach to ESG. Our ESG initiatives align with our culture at the Trust level, differentiate us as a business, and drive value for our unitholders. Through this report, we share our strategy, progress, and ambition in addressing ESG risks and opportunities – both at the Trust level and within our investments,” said Steve King, President and CEO.

Highlights of the 2021 ESG report include:

1.) Enhancing ESG at Alaris: Alaris published its ESG Policy, developed an ESG Questionnaire for investment due diligence and engaged in educational sessions on ESG and ESG Reporting. In addition, by identifying priority ESG factors within its investment portfolio, Alaris provides materiality mapping for its Private Company Partners to help build and strengthen its ESG framework into its investment process.

2.) Governance: Alaris takes its responsibility to its business, unitholders and other stakeholders seriously, and these obligations require robust governance principles and practice. Alaris’ board is actively engaged in the Trust’s approach to managing ESG issues under a governance framework that provides clear oversight and accountability.

3.) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Diversity, equity and inclusion is important to Alaris, and is incorporated in various specific aspects of human capital management throughout the Trust, current Private Company Partners and the Community. At Alaris, 42% of the Board of Trustees were women, 38% of the total workforce are women and 27% of all management positions were held by women. In addition, seven out of eighteen (~39%) of Alaris’ Private Company Partners are women/minority-owned businesses.

4.) Community Engagement: Alaris places a high importance on being good corporate citizens to benefit its communities and engage its employees. Alaris has established a community giving program to support the local communities in which it operates. In 2021, over $110,000 were donated to the community through Alaris’ charity programs.

5.) Empowering Employees: Alaris is committed to implementing best practices to recruit, retain, and develop its employees. By investing in the team’s professional development, it ensures and allows that Alaris fosters a strong culture of learning, and that the Trust remains committed to providing excellent professional development opportunities, as outlined in our Professional Development Policy.

6.) Environmental Stewardship: Alaris operates with a sustainable mindset by enhancing the identification and assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities in our business and our investments. The Trust is working continuously to improve its strategies around sustainability.

Within this report, the Trust has introduced and prepared it in accordance with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards. In addition, Alaris has adopted a phased approach to implementing the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommended guidelines. To view the Alaris 2021 ESG Report, please click here or visit our website at www.alarisequitypartners.com.

For more information please contact:

Investor Relations
P: (403) 260-1457
ir@alarisequity.com  

About Alaris:

The Trust, through its subsidiaries, indirectly provides alternative financing to private companies ("Partners") in exchange for distributions with the principal objective of generating stable and predictable cash flows for payment of distributions to unitholders of the Trust. Distributions from the Partners are adjusted each year based on the percentage change of a "top line" financial performance measure such as gross margin and same-store sales and rank in priority to the owners' common equity position.

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Amedisys Releases Inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report

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BATON ROUGE, La., June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amedisys, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMED), a leading provider of home health, hospice, personal care and high-acuity care, has released its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report for the year 2021, detailing actions, achievements and goals in each critical area.

“We are in the early stages of mapping our progress with the goal of being a good corporate citizen and to act responsibly in the way we treat our patients, our employees, our communities and the environment that we all share,” stated President and CEO Chris Gerard. “We wholly embrace our responsibility to advance social and environmental causes for the betterment of our communities and commit to operating with the highest standards of compliance and ethics.”

Amedisys participated in an ESG materiality assessment with independent consultants to identify key topics and areas of opportunity to begin tracking and reporting on key performance indicators for each. A newly formed ESG committee, comprised of executives and senior management, will develop, implement and monitor these initiatives and policies.

Highlights from the report include Amedisys’ commitment to:

  • A strong system of independent governance to ensure the Company meets the high standards expected of a leading healthcare company
  • Create an open and inclusive place to work, with comprehensive benefits, personal and professional development and high clinical standards
  • Ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace free of discrimination and to build capacity and competency to manage it
  • Continue outperforming the industry in quality of patient care in all lines of business
  • Support our employees and patients through the Amedisys Foundation
  • Quantify our environmental impact to develop meaningful strategies to help combat climate change
  • Achieve net-zero GHG emissions from our operations no later than 2050

The report has been informed by the guidance of the Value Reporting Foundation’s Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and is accessible on Amedisys’ investors site.

Contact:  
Nick Muscato  Kendra Kimmons
Amedisys, Inc. Amedisys, Inc.
Investor Relations Media Relations
615.928.5452 225.299.3720
nick.muscato@amedisys.com Kendra.kimmons@amedisys.com

About Amedisys:
Amedisys, Inc. is a leading healthcare at home Company delivering personalized home health, hospice, personal care and high-acuity care services. Amedisys is focused on delivering the care that is best for our patients, whether that is home-based personal care; inpatient hospital, palliative, and skilled nursing facility (“SNF”) care in their homes; recovery and rehabilitation after an operation or injury; care focused on empowering them to manage a chronic disease; or hospice care at the end of life. More than 3,000 hospitals and 90,000 physicians nationwide have chosen Amedisys as a partner in post-acute care. Founded in 1982, headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA with an executive office in Nashville, TN, Amedisys is a publicly held company. With approximately 21,000 employees, in 549 care centers in 38 states and the District of Columbia, Amedisys is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of care to the doorsteps of more than 445,000 patients in need every year, performing more than 11.5 million visits annually. For more information about the Company, please visit: www.amedisys.com.

Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains information regarding our plans, goals, commitments and other "forward-looking statements" as that phrase is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those described therein, including any failure to meet stated goals and commitments in our ESG framework. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”), including the measures that have been and may be taken by governmental authorities to mitigate it, on our business, financial condition and results of operations; the impact of current and proposed federal, state and local vaccine mandates, including potential staff shortages; changes in or our failure to comply with existing federal and state laws or regulations or the inability to comply with new government regulations on a timely basis; changes in Medicare and other medical payment levels; our ability to open care centers, acquire additional care centers and integrate and operate these care centers effectively; competition in the healthcare industry; changes in the case mix of patients and payment methodologies; changes in estimates and judgments associated with critical accounting policies; our ability to maintain or establish new patient referral sources; our ability to consistently provide high-quality care; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to keep our patients and employees safe; changes in payments and covered services by federal and state governments; future cost containment initiatives undertaken by third-party payors; our access to financing; our ability to meet debt service requirements and comply with covenants in debt agreements; business disruptions due to natural disasters or acts of terrorism, widespread protests or civil unrest; our ability to integrate, manage and keep our information systems secure; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, investments and joint ventures; and changes in law or developments with respect to any litigation relating to the Company, including various other matters, many of which are beyond our control.

Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on any forward-looking statement as a prediction of future events. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking and we do not intend to release publicly any updates or changes in our expectations concerning the forward-looking statements or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any forward-looking statement may be based, except as required by law.

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UAE Research Program For Rain Enhancement Science Hosts Two-Day Solicitation Workshop For Its Fifth Cycle

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The National Center of Meteorology (NCM), through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, hosted a solicitation workshop to discuss research pathways and set guidelines for proposals for the Program’s 5th Cycle in 2023. The two-day [...] 

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Ahold Delhaize publishes its second Human Rights Report

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Zaandam, the Netherlands, June 9, 2022 – Ahold Delhaize published its second Human Rights Report today, an important milestone for the company. The report focuses on the past two years of progress by Ahold Delhaize and its great local brands on the company’s global Roadmap on Human Rights. In addition, Ahold Delhaize published its updated Position on Human Rights today, which is grounded in the company’s Code of Ethics and outlines its commitment to supporting and respecting human rights in its own operations and supply chains. This updated Position on Human Rights broadens the benchmarks and international standards that guide the company’s approach to human rights. The updated Position also includes additional information on Ahold Delhaize's approach to due diligence and access to remedy. 

The Human Rights Report 2022 provides an update on efforts to ensure human rights are respected, both within Ahold Delhaize and the brands and across the supply chains they rely on. Following the global due diligence process finalized in 2020, Ahold Delhaize implemented a methodology to help each of the brands assess the human rights impacts in its own operations and supply chains. In addition to implementing this methodology, each brand or region also conducted a supply chain risk assessment. This report highlights examples of the brands’ great work, such as Albert Heijn recently publishing a report on its approach to human rights due diligence and Ahold Delhaize USA engaging Business for Social Responsibility to conduct a human rights assessment. 

In 2020, Ahold Delhaize shared an overview of its salient issues, including six priority issues: i) health & safety, ii) compensation, iii) freedom of association, iv) women's rights, v) forced labor and vi) discrimination & harassment. Another issue the brands consistently prioritize is child labor. The present report includes 27 case studies that highlight relevant programs and partnerships on each of the salient issues, including Alfa Beta’s SHARE Equality label, Food Lion Feeds and the partnership between Albert Heijn, Delhaize Belgium and IDH The Sustainable Trade Initiative in the Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables. 

The Human Rights Report 2022 also gives an update on Ahold Delhaize’s global governance of human rights and progress on key programs in its own operations, including the diversity and inclusion aspiration to achieve 100% gender balance at all levels, to be 100% reflective of the markets the brands serve, and to strive for 100% inclusion. The report shares how the company provides access to remedy through Speak Up lines and engages with stakeholders through its associate engagement survey and relevant partnerships.  

Frans Muller, President and CEO of Ahold Delhaize said, “We believe that it is our responsibility to respect human rights. By stepping up on our commitments, we aim to contribute to a more equitable society that also recognizes and respects human rights. Over the past two years, our brands have made significant progress on our Roadmap on Human Rights. The brands are the driving force of our business and the case studies in this report demonstrate their dedication to advancing our efforts on topics such as diversity and inclusion, health, sustainability and human rights. As we progress, we will continue to learn and grow so that we can make meaningful contributions to human rights in our brands’ operations, supply chains and communities.” 

More work needs to be done, and the implementation of the Roadmap is a process of continuous improvement. Ahold Delhaize will continue to demonstrate progress on its Roadmap and report publicly and transparently on its human rights commitments to external stakeholders and against relevant benchmarks in its annual reports.

The next steps on our Roadmap on Human Rights

More information on the report and the updated Position on Human Rights can be found here. The Ahold Delhaize team welcomes feedback and input on this Report and its Roadmap. Please send any comments or questions to: ethics@aholddelhaize.com.

- Ends - 

Cautionary notice
This communication includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as progress, commitment(s), supporting, respecting, broadens, approach, efforts, ensure, assessment, priority, consistently, prioritize, update, to be, strive for, to, believe, stepping up, aim to, are, advancing, continue, learn, grow, so that, meaningful, contributions, needs to be, implementation, process, continuous, improvement, will, demonstrate, report, relevant, next steps, incorporate, upcoming, review, embed, engage, implement, develop, monitor, along and way, or other similar words or expressions, are typically used to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (the “Company”) to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the Company’s public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company’s management and assumptions based on information currently available to the Company’s management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.

For more information

  • Press office: +31 88 6595134 / media.relations@aholddelhaize.com
  • Investor relations: +31 88 659 5213
  • Social media: Instagram: @Ahold-Delhaize | LinkedIn: @Ahold-Delhaize | Twitter: @AholdDelhaize

About Ahold Delhaize
Ahold Delhaize is one of the world’s largest food retail groups and a leader in both supermarkets and e-commerce. Its family of great local brands serves 55 million customers each week, both in stores and online, in the United States, Europe, and Indonesia. Together, these brands employ more than 413,000 associates in 7,452 grocery and specialty stores and include the top online retailer in the Benelux and the leading online grocers in the Benelux and the United States. Ahold Delhaize brands are at the forefront of sustainable retailing, sourcing responsibly, supporting local communities and helping customers make healthier choices. The company’s focus on four growth drivers – drive omnichannel growth, elevate healthy and sustainable, cultivate best talent and strengthen operational excellence – is helping to fulfil its purpose, achieve its vision and prepare its brands and businesses for tomorrow. Headquartered in Zaandam, the Netherlands, Ahold Delhaize is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and Brussels stock exchanges (ticker: AD) and its American Depositary Receipts are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. and quoted on the OTCQX International marketplace (ticker: ADRNY). For more information, please visit: www.aholddelhaize.com.

 

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VAALCO Announces Publication of 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report

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HOUSTON, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY; LSE: EGY) (“VAALCO” or the “Company”) today announced that it has issued its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) report, which is now available on VAALCO’s web site, www.vaalco.com, under the “Sustainability” tab.

The report covers VAALCO’s ESG initiatives and related key performance indicators for the three-year period 2019 through 2021. In the preparation of the qualitative and quantitative information and data, the Company continued to consult the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s (“SASB”) Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Sustainability Accounting Standard, and this year took a more meaningful dive into the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”).

Commenting on its release, Chief Executive Officer George Maxwell said, “We continue to place great emphasis on capturing, monitoring, analyzing and ultimately presenting our ESG performance with our stakeholders. I am pleased to present VAALCO’s 2021 Annual ESG Report.

“In what has been a busy year for the team, the continued progress that we are making across all aspects of our operating and social performance is very positive.

“Importantly, as we grow and in step with our commitment to defining a clear emissions reduction strategy, we continue to acquire new competencies into our team. The appointment of an ESG Process Engineer, who has extensive oil and gas experience, will enable the Company to take a very pragmatic look at our operating base to design a suitable decarbonization pathway. I look forward to providing further updates in due course.”

About VAALCO

VAALCO, founded in 1985, is a Houston, USA based, independent energy company with production, development and exploration assets in the West African region.

The Company is an established operator within the region, holding a 63.6% participating interest in the Etame Marin block, located offshore Gabon, which to date has produced over 126 million barrels of crude oil and of which the Company is the operator.

For Further Information

VAALCO Energy, Inc. (General and Investor Enquiries) +00 1 713 623 0801
Website: www.vaalco.com
   
Al Petrie Advisors (US Investor Relations) +00 1 713 543 3422
Al Petrie / Chris Delange  
   
Buchanan (UK Financial PR) +44 (0) 207 466 5000
Ben Romney / Jon Krinks / Chris Judd (ESG) VAALCO@buchanan.uk.com

Forward Looking Statements

This document includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this document that address activities, events, plans, expectations, objectives or developments that VAALCO expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements may include statements related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the sharp decline in the global demand for and resulting global oversupply of crude oil and the resulting steep decline in oil prices, production quotas imposed by Gabon, disruptions in global supply chains, quarantines of our workforce or workforce reductions and other matters related to the pandemic, well results, wells anticipated to be drilled and placed on production, future levels of drilling and operational activity and associated expectations, the implementation of the Company’s business plans and strategy, prospect evaluations, prospective resources and reserve growth, its activities in Equatorial Guinea, expected sources of and potential difficulties in obtaining future capital funding and future liquidity, its ability to restore production in non-producing wells, our ability to find a replacement for the FPSO or to renew the FPSO charter, future operating losses, future changes in crude oil and natural gas prices, future strategic alternatives, future and pending acquisitions, capital expenditures, future drilling plans, acquisition and interpretation of seismic data and costs thereof, negotiations with governments and third parties, timing of the settlement of Gabon income taxes, and expectations regarding processing facilities, production, sales and financial projections. These statements are based on assumptions made by VAALCO based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond VAALCO’s control. These risks include, but are not limited to, crude oil and natural gas price volatility, the impact of production quotas imposed by Gabon in response to production cuts agreed to as a member of OPEC, inflation, general economic conditions, the outbreak of COVID-19, the Company’s success in discovering, developing and producing reserves, production and sales differences due to timing of liftings, decisions by future lenders, the risks associated with liquidity, lack of availability of goods, services and capital, environmental risks, drilling risks, foreign regulatory and operational risks, and regulatory changes.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. VAALCO disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Inside Information

This announcement contains inside information as defined in Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse (“MAR”) and is made in accordance with the Company’s obligations under article 17 of MAR.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Releases 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report

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MIAMI, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (the “Company”), a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, today published its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) index as part of the Company’s global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain. Highlights from the Company’s previously published 2021 Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) Report are also included in the 2021 ESG Report.

“We are more focused now than ever on our commitment to drive a positive impact on society and the environment through our global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain. The success of our business and our ability to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders is undeniably linked to the health of our planet, our people and the communities we visit worldwide,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Our 2021 ESG Report highlights our progress and commitments on our top ESG priorities, providing critical transparency to our key stakeholders. We do not plan to stop here and we will continue to build upon our accomplishments to-date as we collectively chart a path towards a more sustainable future.”

The 2021 ESG Report highlights the Company’s key advancements since its last published report and impactful initiatives underway across the five pillars of its Sail & Sustain program, including:

Reducing Environmental Impact

  • Committed to pursue net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across the Company’s operations and value chain. To support the path to net zero, the Company also committed to develop short- and near-term greenhouse gas reduction targets.
  • Joined the Methanol Institute in 2022, a global trade association for the methanol industry which represents the world’s leading methanol producers, distributors and technology providers, to collaborate, share and adapt solutions for the future. Alongside strategic partners such as engine manufacturers and classification societies, the Company is assessing the feasibility of retrofitting existing engines to operate with dual fuels – diesel and methanol – with the goal to test the use of methanol by 2025.
  • Committed to offset three million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) over a three-year period from 2021-2023 to help bridge the gap in its decarbonization efforts as it explores long-term solutions such as alternative fuels.
  • Established target for approximately 70% of the Company’s fleet to be equipped with shore power capabilities by 2025, allowing these ships to connect to onshore electrical power grids while in ports with the required infrastructure.
  • Welcomed guests to its new state-of-the-art PortMiami terminal, the first LEED Gold New Construction V4.0 cruise ship terminal in the world.
  • Continued focus on water stewardship by self-producing approximately 80% of water used onboard in 2021. Targeting a 4% decrease in bunkered water by 2025, as compared to 2019.
  • Updated Supplier Code of Conduct in 2022 and introduced a Responsible Sourcing Mission Statement and Animal Welfare Commitment all of which can be found here.

Sailing Safely

  • Enhanced existing robust commitment to health and safety in response to COVID-19 with its comprehensive SailSAFE™ health and safety program. The robust SailSAFE program consists of new and enhanced protocols to create multiple layers of protection against COVID-19.
  • Established the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, the Company’s expert public health council, chaired by former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Dr. Scott Gottlieb.

Empowering People

  • Strengthened commitment to maintaining the Company’s culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace with President and CEO Frank Del Rio signing the CEO Action pledge for Diversity & Inclusion in March 2022. As of year-end 2021 approximately 48% of the global shoreside manager and above team was female and approximately 49% of the U.S. shoreside manager and above team self-identified as an under-represented minority.
  • Launched new team member resource group in 2022, EMBRACE, which focuses on diversity in leadership for managers and above.
  • As part of its supplier diversity program, the Company estimates that approximately 39% of U.S. supply chain spending in 2021 was with small businesses or businesses with minority, veteran or economically disadvantaged qualifications.
  • Named by Forbes to the 2021 list of the World’s Best Employers and by the South Florida Business Journal to its 2022 Healthiest Employers honorees.
  • Nearly $1.5 million was invested in office protocols such as antigen testing, office safety enhancements and onsite nurses since 2020 to protect team members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Supported employees through Company’s student loan repayment and tuition reimbursement programs, paying over $375,000 in 2021.

Strengthening our Communities

  • Provided a Paid Volunteer Day for all U.S. shoreside team members beginning in 2021 to support community involvement efforts.
  • Provided approximately $12 million in cash, cruise and other in-kind donations in 2021 to various important causes.
  • Launched numerous philanthropic initiatives including Norwegian Cruise Line’s Giving Joy campaign which recognized hardworking teachers. As part of the 2021 Giving Joy campaign, 100 teachers across the U.S. and Canada were awarded a free week-long cruises for two, which were collectively valued at over $750,000. In addition, the top three winners were awarded $10,000, $15,000 or $25,000 for their schools from the cruise line.
  • Activated Company’s Crew Relief Fund and providing ongoing communications and logistical support and counseling to Ukrainian and other team members impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. Also pledged an additional $100,000 to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.

Operating with Integrity and Accountability

  • ESG oversight at the Board of Directors level with the Technology, Environmental, Safety and Security (“TESS”) Committee.
  • The Compensation Committee of the Board approved the inclusion of an ESG metric, tied to progress on setting greenhouse gas reduction targets, as part of the Company’s 2022 short-term incentive compensation program (“STI”). STI eligible employees extend deep into the organization encompassing the shoreside Manager and above leadership team.
  • Created a formal governance structure to oversee and accelerate progress on climate action and decarbonization strategy consisting of the Decarbonization Executive Steering Committee and a Decarbonization Action Group.

The 2021 ESG Report and additional information on the Company’s global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, can be found on the Company’s website at http://nclhltd.com/sustainability.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with approximately 60,000 berths, these brands offer itineraries to approximately 500 destinations worldwide. The Company has nine additional ships scheduled for delivery through 2027, comprising approximately 24,000 berths.

About Sail & Sustain

Sail & Sustain is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ global sustainability program centered around its commitment to drive a positive impact on society and the environment while delivering on its vision to be the vacation of choice for everyone around the world. This program is structured around five pillars developed through cross-functional collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders. The pillars include: Reducing Environmental Impact, Sailing Safely, Empowering People, Strengthening our Communities and Operating with Integrity and Accountability.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects, actions taken or strategies being considered with respect to our liquidity position, valuation and appraisals of our assets and objectives of management for future operations (including those regarding expected fleet additions, our ability to weather the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our expectations regarding the impact of Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine, our expectations regarding cruise voyage occupancy, the implementation of and effectiveness of our health and safety protocols, operational position, demand for voyages, plans or goals for our sustainability program, ESG and decarbonization efforts, our expectations for future cash flows and profitability, financing opportunities and extensions, and future cost mitigation and cash conservation efforts and efforts to reduce operating expenses and capital expenditures) are forward-looking statements. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “future” and similar words. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the impact of: the spread of epidemics, pandemics and viral outbreaks and specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic, including its effect on the ability or desire of people to travel (including on cruises), which is expected to continue to adversely impact our results, operations, outlook, plans, goals, growth, reputation, cash flows, liquidity, demand for voyages and share price; implementing precautions in coordination with regulators and global public health authorities to protect the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities we visit and to comply with regulatory restrictions related to the pandemic; legislation prohibiting companies from verifying vaccination status; our indebtedness and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness that require us to maintain minimum levels of liquidity and be in compliance with maintenance covenants and otherwise limit our flexibility in operating our business, including the significant portion of assets that are collateral under these agreements; our ability to work with lenders and others or otherwise pursue options to defer, renegotiate, refinance or restructure our existing debt profile, near-term debt amortization, newbuild related payments and other obligations and to work with credit card processors to satisfy current or potential future demands for collateral on cash advanced from customers relating to future cruises; our need for additional financing or financing to optimize our balance sheet, which may not be available on favorable terms, or at all, and our outstanding exchangeable notes and any future financing which may be dilutive to existing shareholders; the unavailability of ports of call; future increases in the price of, or major changes or reduction in, commercial airline services; changes involving the tax and environmental regulatory regimes in which we operate, including new regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; the accuracy of any appraisals of our assets as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise; our success in controlling operating expenses and capital expenditures; trends in, or changes to, future bookings and our ability to take future reservations and receive deposits related thereto; adverse events impacting the security of travel, such as terrorist acts, armed conflict, such as Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine, and threats thereof, acts of piracy, and other international events; adverse incidents involving cruise ships; adverse general economic and related factors, including as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine or otherwise, such as fluctuating or increasing levels of interest rates, inflation, unemployment, underemployment and the volatility of fuel prices, declines in the securities and real estate markets, and perceptions of these conditions that decrease the level of disposable income of consumers or consumer confidence; breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology and other networks or our actual or perceived failure to comply with requirements regarding data privacy and protection; changes in fuel prices and the type of fuel we are permitted to use and/or other cruise operating costs; mechanical malfunctions and repairs, delays in our shipbuilding program, maintenance and refurbishments and the consolidation of qualified shipyard facilities; the risks and increased costs associated with operating internationally; our inability to recruit or retain qualified personnel or the loss of key personnel or employee relations issues; our inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions; any further impairment of our trademarks, trade names or goodwill; volatility and disruptions in the global credit and financial markets, which may adversely affect our ability to borrow and could increase our counterparty credit risks, including those under our credit facilities, derivatives, contingent obligations, insurance contracts and new ship progress payment guarantees; our reliance on third parties to provide hotel management services for certain ships and certain other services; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our expansion into new markets and investments in new markets and land-based destination projects; overcapacity in key markets or globally; and other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and will continue to be amplified by, or in the future may be amplified by, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our present and future business strategies and the environment in which we expect to operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based, except as required by law.

Investor Relations & Media Contact
Jessica John
(305) 468-2339
InvestorRelations@nclcorp.com

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GEMS Education Partners With Fixerman To Launch The UAE’s Largest School E-Waste Campaign

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GEMS Education has teamed up with Fixerman, the Dubai-based device repair specialists, to launch the largest school electronic waste (e-waste) campaign in the UAE.

The campaign aims to reduce the amount of broken or unwanted devices, including mobile [...] 

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New Survey Reveals Nearly 60% of Respondents Believe Companies are Making Empty Promises or Will Require Government Intervention to Achieve Net-Zero Emissions

Image for New Survey Reveals Nearly 60% of Respondents Believe Companies are Making Empty Promises or Will Require Government Intervention to Achieve Net-Zero Emissions

Additional Findings Highlight Concerns around the Impact of Russia - Ukraine Conflict on Energy Security and Pricing, the Shortfalls of Wind and Solar, and the Need for Reliable Power

DANBURY, Conn., June 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) -- a global leader in manufacturing stationary fuel cell energy platforms for decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen to enable a world empowered by clean energy – today unveiled the results of a survey undertaken this May of more than 1,000 U.S. citizens, age 25+, on their sentiments concerning clean energy. The study revealed significant concerns about the environment, skepticism around company climate pledges and carbon credit purchase programs, as well as mixed views on how to make the biggest impact to meet tomorrow’s energy and environmental goals.

Key findings from survey respondents’ answers include:

Big concerns

  • 78% are concerned that increased consumption of oil, gas and coal will lead to more environmental issues.
  • 87% are somewhat concerned that the recent Russia - Ukraine conflict will have a negative impact on availability, pricing of energy resources and overall energy security.
  • 32% are most concerned about manufacturing as the industry that most pollutes the environment. Another 32% responded that energy production is the most concerning. Agriculture, construction and transportation/logistics were less of a concern.

Skepticism around corporate promises

  • 58% feel that when companies pledge to achieve net-zero emissions that these are empty promises or will only happen if mandated by the government. However, 30% are “cautiously optimistic” that progress is being made towards these goals.
  • 41% responded that when a brand’s approach to carbon reduction is primarily focused on purchasing carbon credits, it’s a good start, but the brand should be doing more to achieve authentic solutions.

Solid awareness of hydrogen

  • 52% have heard of “clean hydrogen” as a fuel source.
  • 50% know what hydrogen fuel cells are.
  • 53% are aware that hydrogen can be used to power a zero-emission car or truck.

Opinions on the way forward

  • 60% feel we shouldn’t rely exclusively on wind and solar, or we need to lean on other clean energy options.
  • A surprising 31% of respondents said “better negotiations with foreign countries rich with resources” or “fracking” would make the biggest impact on meeting energy and environmental goals.
  • 32% said building the infrastructure necessary to store localized energy resources would make the biggest impact on goals.
  • 30% said that the most important issue as an energy consumer is increasing reliance on renewable energy. 25% responded that the most important was to find a transition between the hydrocarbon-based economy of today and a renewable energy-based economy.

“This research gives us a snapshot of the concerns top of mind for people today as they think about the environment and energy sources,” said Mark Feasel, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for FuelCell Energy. “While some of the responses related to what would make the biggest impact on meeting energy and environmental goals were a surprise, what’s nearly universal is that there are significant concerns about the state of energy today, and the need for reliability and energy security.”

About FuelCell Energy
FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL): FuelCell Energy is a global leader in sustainable clean energy technologies that address some of the world’s most critical challenges around energy, safety and global urbanization. As a leading global manufacturer of proprietary fuel cell technology platforms, FuelCell Energy is uniquely positioned to serve customers worldwide with sustainable products and solutions for businesses, utilities, governments and municipalities. Our solutions are designed to enable a world empowered by clean energy, enhancing the quality of life for people around the globe.

Contact:

FuelCell Energy, Inc.
fuelcell@escalatepr.com

 

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