Global policy shifts are rewiring energy supply and control—and repricing risks and opportunities.

Climate change has become a defining force in geopolitics. As governments respond to record heat waves, floods, wildfires and droughts, their policies and economic posturing are reshaping manufacturing, trade and energy security across the capital markets. This makes global warming as much a financial risk as a physical one, with policy shifts repricing risks and opportunities across countries and companies alike.

Energy Security Moves to the Foreground

Energy security and climate policy are increasingly inseparable. Clean technology suppliers benefit from powerful structural tailwinds but also face cyclical risks tied to overcapacity and policy shifts. Meanwhile, fossil fuel exposure carries geopolitical risk and sensitivity to price swings, even when near term demand remains firm.

Case in point: Germany was an early leader in renewable energy, but its continued reliance on Russian gas left it exposed when supplies were cut following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Its economy has lagged the EU since.

More recently, oil price shocks from the conflict in Iran are rippling through global economies. Even if temporary, such disruptions can continue to reprice risks across energy markets and create lasting inflationary pressure. In our view, conflict in the Middle East underscores how dependence on fossil fuels can expose existing vulnerabilities when geopolitics intervene.

Geopolitical Footprints in Renewable Energy 

We think renewable energy is well positioned to meet geopolitical challenges and opportunities. Globally, renewable energy deployment continues to grow, hitting a record $2 trillion in 2025.

Renewable assets require higher up-front capital, making financing conditions, interest rates and policy certainty critical. Throughout Africa, for example, the cost of financing projects comprises the lion’s share of electricity costs generated from wind and solar, while in North America the up-front capital cost of building those assets is the dominant driver.

Once built and paid for, however, renewable assets incur minimal operating costs and fuel-price risk. Cost avoidance also factors into renewable energy’s bottom line. China, for example, avoided $441 billion in fossil fuel burning and pollution damage costs in 2024 (Display).

Renewables: The Opportunity
Estimated Annual Benefits from Renewable Power Generation in Selected Countries in 2024

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China leads in renewables spending, channeling $600 billion in 2025 to low-carbon technologies such as solar photovoltaics (PV) and electric vehicle manufacturing—about 10% of GDP. In fact, China accounted for at least 70% of combined global clean energy capacity in 2024, according to a BloombergNEF report. It’s also now the world’s largest EV maker, recently surpassing Tesla.

This is not by chance but through policy. In 2014, China laid the blueprint to transform its energy system, prioritizing renewables for state support to reduce import dependence, grow competitiveness and build technological leadership. Though mostly successful, China’s policies unintentionally created overproduction in areas such as solar panels, where a supply glut, global price collapse and layoffs underscore the need for greater policy flexibility.

The Cost Curve Can Matter More than Politics

While the cost of coal-generated electricity has barely changed in decades, solar power, wind and batteries (storage) have seen dramatic and sustained cost declines. For example, solar power—prohibitively expensive 40 years ago—is now the cheapest source of electricity (Display). Battery costs also continue to fall sharply due to improvements in technology and economies of scale.

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This dynamic helps explain why renewable deployment can gain ground even where climate policy ambitions are lacking. For example, substantial subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 accelerated US solar energy production for several years, leading to a 50% annual growth rate and even higher leaps in some states (Display).

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Texas, with relatively little state-level climate policy, surpassed even California in solar PV installations in 2024 (Display). But the surge reflects looser state policies that let installers benefit directly from IRA subsidies rather than environmental considerations alone.

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Policy support can be reversed. The US One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, for instance, tightened solar and wind power incentives, while maintaining other subsidies for low-carbon technologies like nuclear and geothermal.

Tariffs are another policy tool with two-sided consequences for renewable energy markets. US levies on renewable equipment may help support domestic production. But US expertise and independence in this area lag competitors and will require years of substantial investment in technology and labor. Until it can fill the supply chain domestically, the US will be challenged to manage costs, particularly when inputs include tariff-inflated components.

Investment Implications of Climate Geopolitics

For investors, the rise of climate geopolitics does not produce simple winners and losers. Rather, it rewards adaptability. Utilities with access to low cost clean power and grid investment opportunities may benefit significantly from rising demand in our analysis. Meanwhile, energy intensive industries face pressure, but those that invest early in efficiency and cleaner processes may improve long term competitiveness.

We see strong renewable opportunities among suppliers of solar panels, wind turbines and grid-level equipment. Many are based in emerging markets, including China, South Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

While policy can accelerate or slow clean energy adoption, cost curves—not politics alone—are likely to determine long term direction. The key is not to predict politics but to understand how regulation, commodity cycles, energy demand and technology costs interact across regions and industries. Climate geopolitics are reshaping markets unevenly—but decisively. For investors, the cost of ignoring that shift can be sudden and severe.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations, do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams and are subject to change over time.

References to specific securities discussed are for illustrative purposes only and should not to be considered recommendations by AllianceBernstein L.P. It should not be assumed that investments in the securities mentioned have necessarily been or will necessarily be profitable.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.

One of Nokia’s foundational strengths continues to be our focus on sustainability where we advance connectivity to positively impact both people and planet. We have been reporting our sustainability performance through our voluntary report (People and Planet) since 1999. Fast forward to 2017, and Nokia became the first telecom vendor with a 2030 climate target validated by the SBTi. More recently, in 2023, we integrated sustainability in our strategy and incorporated it in our incentive structure. In 2024, Nokia became one of the first in the ICT sector with SBTi-validated Net Zero 2040 targets. Last year, Nokia was ranked the #1 sustainable company in the communications industry by Corporate Knights, #37 in the world’s most sustainable companies by TIME and Statista, and among the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the ninth time. This year, Nokia was recognized by TIME Magazine and Statista as 4th in a list of the world’s most sustainable companies in 2026. 

It’s our relentless focus to embed sustainability in our technology and operations that has won us trust with our customers and shareholders. This focus has also helped us meet regulatory requirements and helped make our supply chain more resilient.  But customer requirements are increasing, regulatory compliance demands are growing, and stakeholder expectations are expanding. 

Sustainability now directly influences customer procurement decisions and continues to be a strategic focus area for investors looking to manage ESG risks and performance. It is also a key component of global supply chain resilience and helps us to address risks and opportunities in climate, circularity and bridging the digital divide.

In our industry, the AI supercycle is upon us. Nokia’s North Star, advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world, provides a new way forward. The evolving business environment requires us to enhance our sustainability focus with a performance-enabling and growth-seeking engine. We look to be the most trusted connectivity partner, driving innovation and resilience for a sustainable future.

Nokia’s sustainability strategy

Nokia’s sustainability strategy acknowledges the fact that our position as a trusted vendor in network connectivity technology offers us a unique opportunity to differentiate in the market, with sustainability. 

Our sustainability strategy centers on four impact areas and four enablers to address impacts, risks, as well as evolving customer demands and market opportunities in sustainability.  

Four impact areas 

1. Decarbonization & circular transition: Nokia is accelerating its decarbonization to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 across our value chain. We aim for 95% circularity by 2030 for waste, and we are increasing the amount of recycled content in our products.​
2. Bridging the digital divide: Close to 3.4 billion people are still unconnected or underserved in terms of internet access according to the GSMA, making them more susceptible to climate-related disasters and economic marginalization. We aim to help our customers connect 2 billion mobile subscribers and 140 million new fiber-to-home customers by 2030​. Our goal is to support both our customers and those currently unconnected or underserved by promoting digital adoption and providing access to connectivity. ​
3. Supply chain resilience: Our global supply chain is a powerful engine with an annual spend in the billions of Euros and thousands of suppliers spread over 100 countries. It brings both risks and opportunities.​Amid global volatility, we will amplify our responsible sourcing and sustainable supply chain programs that ensure compliance, strengthen resilience, and help us meet customer expectations.
4. Responsible use of technology: Disruptive technologies like AI, 6G, and quantum are increasingly viewed as components of digital sovereignty, making responsible technology a critical differentiator for Nokia. We will be focusing on differentiating ourselves against our competitors as a trusted and responsible producer of technology.​   

Four key enablers

• Customer engagement: Deepen relationships with key customers, where some of our largest put a specific weighting in their technology procurement using sustainability factors.
• Ecosystem collaboration: Meaningful business and sustainability outcomes require collaboration across the ecosystem. Our key goals include unlocking public funding, convening critical partners, shaping global sustainability standards, and leveraging open-source innovation.  
• Innovation: Accelerate non-linear sustainability innovation through our own research and customer co-creation.
• Digitalization: Improve ESG data management by digitalizing, automating processes, and leveraging AI to drive efficiency. 

As we focus on these evolving areas of our strategy, we will continue to aim to uphold the highest standards in compliance, governance, and ethics. 

The foundation that we have built on compliance, risk mitigation, and governance remains the bedrock of Nokia’s reputation and trustworthiness in the market. We’re building on top of it. 

Sharpening our focus 

Our technologies power more than 4.5 billion mobile subscriptions across 150+ countries and the networks of nine out of the top ten AI and cloud providers. Our sustainability strategy focuses on today’s need of connecting intelligence across the world while acting in a responsible manner towards tomorrow’s people and our planet. You can find out more information here. 

Sustainability is an engine for innovation and long-term impact. It’s about focus. It’s about value creation. It’s about collaboration. We look forward to building this future together with you.

For customers impacted by the severe weather and prolonged power outages in Indiana, T-Mobile is offering unlimited talk, text and data to T-Mobile Postpaid and Prepaid, Metro by T-Mobile, UScellular, Assurance Wireless, Mint and Ultra customers in affected areas who don’t already have it, from Friday, August 21 through Tuesday, September 15.

T-Mobile also provided free Wi-Fi and device charging support in impacted communities across Northwest and east-central Indiana. Support was available to everyone in the community, no matter which wireless provider they use.

In Northwest Indiana, support was available in Merrillville, Highland and Gary, with additional support in Connersville in east-central Indiana. As commercial power was restored and T-Mobile coordinated with local agencies on remaining community needs, teams concluded on-site support at select locations while continuing to monitor conditions.

Behind the scenes, teams deployed portable generators and satellite backhaul solutions where needed, helping support connectivity as recovery efforts continued.

For the latest preparedness and response updates, visit T-Mobile’s Emergency Response hub: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/emergency-response.

At a glance

• Verizon deployed Frontline Crisis Response teams and assets in Washington, Indiana and Hawai’i and new Community Disaster Resilience connectivity vans in impacted areas to provide emergency Wi-Fi, charging stations, and essential relief to first responders and displaced residents.
• To support long-term recovery, Verizon awarded targeted local grants to nonprofits in Hawaiʻi, Washington, Indiana, and West Virginia, assisting communities impacted by severe storms, wildfires, and flooding.
• Marking National Preparedness Month in September, select Verizon retail stores are handing out free portable power banks and encouraging residents to build digital preparedness plans. 

As natural disasters become more frequent, evidenced by recent weather across the country, communities are left increasingly vulnerable. Verizon is meeting this challenge holistically by combining long-term resilience investments with immediate aid. By deploying specialized connectivity fleets, awarding targeted community grants, and preparing communities before disaster, Verizon is on the scene when needed most.

On the frontlines

Built on the philosophy that Verizon runs to a crisis, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response team provides mission critical support to emergency personnel and first responders. The team employs a host of Frontline response assets to provide vital connectivity and essential communications.

Following severe storms in Northwest Indiana, the team mobilized rapidly to support local emergency efforts by deploying satellite assets, 5G routers, and mobile devices. In addition, Verizon is keeping customers in Indiana connected by offering unlimited domestic Talk, Text & Data to our active postpaid and SMB customers and prepaid customers until September 15.

In Hawaiʻi, in response to Hurricane Lala, specialized engineers from Verizon’s Disaster Incident Response Team were on the ground to support technical crews.

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Mobile assets were also deployed in Spokane, WA including mobile cell sites, portable generators and satellite links that were ready to deploy for rapid recovery and community support.

The Community Disaster Resilience Vans in action

The latest addition to our Frontline response assets are the Community Disaster Resilience (CDR) connectivity vans, created to deliver essential resources and critical internet access directly to local neighborhoods.

In response to the ongoing Hawk Wildfire in Reno, Nevada, a CDR van has been deployed to the Reno Community Resource Center stocked with LED rechargeable flashlights, water, document dry bags, chargers to distribute to the community along with Wi-Fi, charging, and printing capabilities.

After severe weather ripped through the Midwest, a CDR van supported hundreds of displaced residents and shelter guests in Hobart and Gary, Indiana, with bottled water, Wi-Fi, and continuous device charging.

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Out West, a CDR van joined the Spokane Disaster Assistance Center to deliver secure device charging lockers, tabletop charging ports, and public-access Chromebooks. Teams also distributed critical supplies—including flashlights, dry bags for protecting vital documents, and N95 masks to mitigate poor air quality. Beyond the van, Verizon supplied emergency charging kits directly to American Red Cross evacuation shelters and opened local retail stores as dedicated community charging hubs.

When a tornado displaced dozens of residents in Steger, Illinois, the CDR van brought critical infrastructure straight to the shelter doors. Fay Kiaurakis, Director of the Louis Sherman Community Center, shared her appreciation for how Verizon showed up during the crisis:

“Your charging stations were a godsend; we were running out of outlets…There are not enough words for how grateful I am for…Verizon for coming to our aid. Thank you for sending the truck and [the team]. They are welcome here anytime and so is Verizon.”
Fay Kiaurakis
Director of the Louis Sherman Community Center

In Menasha, Wisconsin, a connectivity van deployed directly into storm-impacted communities following severe weather disruptions, providing emergency high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, multi-device charging lockers, and preparedness items like LED flashlights and foldable water bottles to prepare for future disaster.

Investing in the communities we serve

In addition to our on-the-ground response, Verizon is also reinforcing our commitment to the wellbeing of our communities by providing four local grants to nonprofits who are working to support individuals impacted by natural disasters.

Indiana—To directly support community recovery, Verizon is awarding $20,000 in emergency disaster relief grants to two frontline organizations: $10,000 to the United Way of Northwest Indiana to coordinate direct aid for rebuilding families, and $10,000 to the American Red Cross Indiana Region for local shelter and emergency supplies.

Hawaiʻi—After working with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation in 2023 in response to the Maui fires, Verizon is teaming up with this local organization once again to support the Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund. Verizon’s $15,000 donation will help support statewide disaster and emergency related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience.

Washington—Verizon is reinforcing its commitment to the Spokane, WA, community with a $25,000 donation to Innovia Foundation’s Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund. These funds are intended to support immediate and long-term needs related to the ongoing fires in the Spokane region.

West Virginia—Verizon proudly donated $25,000 to the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation to coordinate direct aid and community resources. Verizon also donated  $25,000 to the Tygart Valley United Way in partnership with the West Virginia University Center for Community Engagement, funding the Lewis and Upshur Flood Fund to assist families in the state’s hardest-hit counties.

Preparing communities before the storm

September is National Preparedness Month, and Verizon is helping customers across several states ensure they are ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store.

For the second time this year, as part of Verizon’s community disaster resilience initiatives, Verizon is preparing communities before disaster strikes. Across the country select Verizon stores in California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington will be handing out free portable chargers, while supplies last, to local communities and urging residents to create their personal digital preparedness plans.

Mike describes uniformity coefficient as an indication of how tightly grouped the particle sizes are within a product. The tighter the distribution, the lower the uniformity coefficient. Effective size provides another measurement of the material’s particle sizing. Depending on the application, customers may also consider characteristics such as:

• Specific Gravity
• Grain shape
• Acid solubility

Understanding these specifications for filtration sand and gravel is essential because the requirements can vary from one project to the next. That technical knowledge is part of what Joel believes makes specialization so important in the market.

“Water filtration is a very niche market,” Joel said. “You need somebody that’s specialized in that market who can talk that market’s language, know the customers in that market, build those relationships, and continue to grow it.”

A Project Business Where Timing Matters

Understanding the specification is only the beginning. Commercial filtration is often project-based, unlike other industries that are more likely to yield recurring orders. In addition, the nature of water filtration projects creates a timing challenge that requires the necessary filtration media to be available before work can begin.

“These customers are generally repurposing a filter,” Joel explained. “They’re putting new media in the filter, and they’re scheduling their project to take down the filter at a certain point of time, and they have to have it back up and running at a certain point in time.”

Winning an order is only one part of the process. A single project can require several grades of material. Different layers of gravel and sand may work together within the filtration system, making product availability and coordination important considerations. If one aspect of the project isn’t aligned, it creates immediate problems for the customer.

Commercial projects require coordination among sales, production, plant leadership, product development, technical resources, and logistics. Each group plays a critical role in delivering a successful outcome for the customer. For Mike and Joel, collaboration is essential, both internally and externally, because successful filtration projects depend not only on product quality but also on flawless execution and strong customer relationships. By working closely with customers throughout the process, they build trust, gain a deeper understanding of customer needs, and ensure expectations are met every step of the way. This level of teamwork and partnership demonstrates Covia’s commitment to being a trusted partner and reliable supplier that customers can count on for future orders.

“We build that relationship with that customer for their trust,” Mike shared. “They know that they can count on us to deliver a good product in the timeline that they need.”

Create Partnerships on Three Sides of the Project

Unlike a traditional sales relationship centered primarily on a purchasing contract, filtration projects can involve several groups with significant influence over the final material selection. For Joel, each project in the commercial filtration market is like a three-legged stool, with three key parties supporting the project:

• The municipality
• The engineer designing the filter
• The construction company installing the filter

Each group plays a different role. The municipality or end user decides what the system needs. Engineers help design the filtration system and establish specifications. Contractors bid on the work and ultimately need confidence in the suppliers providing the materials they will install.

“To win the contract, you have to have all three of them bought in because they all make decisions in that process,” Joel explained. “It’s a complicated process, and that complexity makes building those relationships especially valuable.”

The project-based cadence of water filtration is another reason why Joel’s and Mike’s ability to build trust among each group is notable. A successful experience with one engineer, municipality, or contractor can create credibility that carries into future opportunities.

“We want to be the first call for the customer,” Joel said. “We want to be trusted advisors. We want to be the ones where they pick up the phone and they call and ask questions, and we can give them answers and we can also give them solutions.”

Creating a Larger Platform for Growth

Covia had been active in the water filtration market before acquiring the Thompson plant, including an established presence in pool filtration through AQUAQUARTZ® pool filter sand. However, both Mike and Joel see the 2024 acquisition as a key opportunity to deepen that commercial filtration presence.

“The acquisition of Thompson gave us an opportunity to expand into the commercial water filtration market and provide better service,” Joel said. “We have always been a player in this market, but now we are dedicating more time and focus.”

Joel also points to collaboration with the Covia Innovation Center and product development teams as another part of the effort. These teams are doing developmental work and evaluating products and capabilities that could address more needs within the filtration market.

Looking Beyond the Next Project

Mike and Joel know that growing the filtration business isn’t about a single defining sale. In a project-based market, progress is built one specification, one relationship, and one successful delivery at a time. That growth requires time for specifications, customer calls, plant coordination, and travel, but it’s also important for both of them to leave room for life outside work.

Mike enjoys traveling with his family, attending his children’s soccer activities, and fitting in an occasional cruise.

Joel takes a similar approach, prioritizing his children’s sporting events along with golf and biking. He also enjoys spending time on the water, even after once insisting he would never own a boat.

The balance is fitting for two careers built around relationships. Whether they are working with a customer, coordinating with a plant, developing a new opportunity, or spending time with family, Mike and Joel understand that trust is rarely built in one moment. It develops through consistency, communication, and showing up when it matters.

For Covia’s growing water filtration business, those same principles are helping turn specialized capabilities into new opportunities, one project at a time.

by Tina Casey

The United States lost more than 270,000 journalism jobs over the past two decades as almost 3,500 newspapers shut down. Even as independent news outlets are forced to close, a well-capitalized network of partisan platforms that some have likened to propaganda machines is growing quietly in the background.

Media critics have long focused attention on Fox as a mainstream news outlet singularly dedicated to coloring the news with a formulaic ratings strategy that promotes and amplifies conservative talking points on issues like climate change and transgender rights. Even casual Fox News viewers can determine pretty quickly the network has a partisan bent, but that’s not always the case.

In one concerning example, investigative journalist Judd Legum recently identified a new network of Republican-affiliated news websites aimed at influencing voters in key swing states under the guise of reliable media outlets.

“One Nation, the Senate GOP’s primary dark money group, is producing propaganda masquerading as journalism,” Legum reported in his Popular Information newsletter earlier this month. So far, he found half a dozen such operations, covering key races in Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire and Ohio in the runup to the November midterm elections.

These outlets are branded as neutral and credible local news platforms like Maine Policy Updates, which publishes under the tagline “Maine’s News Source,” and Iowa Voice (“Stay Informed. Stay Iowa”), making it almost impossible for readers to tell the sites are entirely owned and operated by One Nation. Legum also identified factual inaccuracies reported in the outlets that match messaging used in One Nation political ads.

The loss of credible news outlets alongside the rising prevalence of fake news is not the only concern. The decline of trustworthy information resources in the United States takes many forms — from social media platforms, where over half of Americans are exposed to misinformation on a daily basis, to the Donald Trump administration’s systematic elimination of evidence-based federal programs and resources.

In the face of these challenges, a group of often unsung heroes are still fulfilling the role of professionally trained, reliable information and community outreach specialists, even as budget cuts threaten their mission. Yes, we’re talking about your local librarians, who perhaps are more important now than ever before.

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Libraries remain a trusted resource, but staffing and budget shortfalls pose problems

Trump took office last year with a reputation for criticizing public libraries, among other independent social and cultural institutions. But the latest numbers from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent federal agency Trump unsuccessfully tried to eliminate, tell a story of an essential community resource.

“This year’s data make clear that public libraries remain one of the most trusted and utilized institutions in American life. With over 800 million visits, millions of programs offered, and a steady rise in both physical and digital circulation, libraries are demonstrating their enduring relevance and reach in communities nationwide,” according to the most recent IMLS report tracking over 9,000 U.S. public library systems. “A total of 93 million people attended 4.6 million programs, addressing critical needs in early learning, digital and financial literacy, workforce development, and public health.”

The use of digital library services is also on the rise. Earlier this year, the Ohio-based e-lending firm OverDrive noted that digital lending broke records last year among the 114 countries where it provides services, with U.S. library systems listed in nine of the top 10 library systems providing e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines.

Yet the gap between library budgets and the rising demand for library services is widening. While library room reservations and e-resources increased alongside in-person visits from 2021 to 2024, staffing and budgets have not kept up, the advocacy organization Every Library warns. In 2024, staffing levels remained 8.2 percent below pre-pandemic levels and a 5 percent budget increase failed to match the pace of inflation.

“Smaller libraries have been hit especially hard. Their staffing levels were down 11.5 percent, more than three times the average,” Every Library emphasized. “They also saw a decrease in e-resource usage, contradicting the trend seen in larger systems.”

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Changes to federal broadband program could threaten digital access and restrict access to content at public libraries

Libraries are also beacons of digital literacy for people with limited access to the internet, undercutting educational and employment opportunities among other life goals. Around 66 million U.S. households have “low levels of digital readiness,” and 33 million do not use the internet at home, according to the American Library Association. People of color, rural residents, low-income families and people with disabilities are most impacted by digital opportunity gaps, according to the ALA.

“America’s libraries — 120,000 strong — are essential to addressing these gaps and realizing the vision of universal broadband adoption and ability to use,” the organization argues. Even so, smaller libraries are more likely to cut e-services when budgets fall short.

Despite these concerns, in June the Federal Communications Commission signaled that it will propose new rules impacting its E-Rate program, which provides schools and public libraries with low-cost broadband access.

The FCC followed up on August 14, filing a document in the Federal Register in which it opened several proposed rules for public comment. Although the FCC previously stated that no facilities would be cut from the E-Rate program, advocacy groups continue to raise alarms over the potential for paring down the program, if not eliminating it entirely.

Equally concerning is the FCC’s apparent willingness to impose new content restrictions on E-Rate users that target minorities, particularly transgender individuals. Specifically, the agency’s proposal references CIPA, the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000, which is intended to prevent minors from accessing pornography online. However, words like pornography are subject to interpretation, and Trump swept into office under a social agenda targeting “transgender ideology” as pornographic.

Although the text of the FCC filing emphasizes general concerns over “children’s screen time,” the initial reference to CIPA is of a piece with the Trump administration’s persistent efforts to demonize transgender persons, providing powerful momentum for ongoing attempts to prevent LGBTQ materials from circulating in public libraries.

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Library advocates fight back

This summer, the American Library Association partnered with the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition to launch a national campaign calling on the public to lobby their representatives in Congress to preserve E-Rate. “E-Rate is a congressionally-mandated program, and we need Congress to help us defend E-Rate now,” the partners emphasize.

The campaign also includes an online tool to help people submit comments to the FCC before the October 13 deadline.

While the result remains to be seen, raising awareness about the potential impact on library services is a solid first step. For communities already impacted by cuts to food assistance benefits and new Medicaid work requirements, losing free services at a local public library is yet another cut that runs deep.

Featured image: Mitya Ivanov/Unsplash

One of the greatest impacts of in-kind shipping from FedEx is that its reach extends far beyond any single shipment. It helps Rise Against Hunger build stronger relationships with our in-country partners, expand access to healthcare in the communities we serve and respond quickly when emergencies arise.

A recent vaccine donation distribution in Haiti is a powerful example. With support from FedEx, Rise Against Hunger facilitated the temperature-sensitive transportation of HPV vaccines from New York to Miami before they continued to Haiti. Working directly with Haiti’s Minister of Health, Dr. Bertrand Sinal, and his team, we coordinated all logistics to ensure the rapid clearance of the vaccines through customs while maintaining the integrity of the cold chain transportation. The successful shipment, valued at $9.8 million, will help protect approximately 2,500 Haitians against HPV-related cancers and has opened the door to discussions about a substantially larger donation opportunity with the vaccine donor.

However, the impact of that collaboration did not end when the vaccines arrived in Haiti. In the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Venezuela, Dr. Sinal reached out to share that Haiti deployed a delegation of medical professionals and a cargo plane carrying supplies from Haitian hospitals to respond to the crisis. 

Through our relationship, Dr. Sinal and his team connected Rise Against Hunger with Haiti’s ambassador to Venezuela, as well as other government officials involved in the response.

Those connections created a direct pathway for Rise Against Hunger to provide additional assistance. As part of our immediate emergency response, we coordinated the transfer of 285,120 Rise Against Hunger meals from multiple warehouses to the Port of Miami for delivery to Venezuela using the FedEx in-kind shipping program.

Our response has expanded beyond meeting immediate food needs to helping strengthen healthcare access for earthquake-affected communities. We have prepared a shipping container filled with 40 pallets of hospital and trauma supplies, antibiotics and other medications for adults and children, along with a large quantity of adult, children’s and prenatal vitamins. These products will help healthcare providers treat injuries, address ongoing medical needs, and continue caring for vulnerable families as recovery efforts move forward.

This response demonstrates the true multiplier effect of our relationship. A shipment that began with expanding access to preventive healthcare in Haiti helped strengthen the relationship with the country’s Ministry of Health. That relationship then created an opportunity for the nation of Haiti, Rise Against Hunger and our established partners to respond to an emergency in another country while expanding access to healthcare for those impacted by the earthquake throughout the longer-term recovery.

The multiplier effect of FedEx in-kind shipping often begins long before a completed shipment leaves our warehouse. Knowing that transportation support is available gives us the confidence to say “yes” when a donor offers medications, medical supplies or other urgently needed products. It allows us to move donations from multiple locations, consolidate them in our warehouses and prepare larger, more comprehensive shipments based on the priorities identified by our partners and government officials.

We have seen firsthand how one successful shipment can lead to so much more. When donors see that we can safely and efficiently move a complex donation, it often leads to additional product offers and larger opportunities. When ministries of health and in-country partners see that we follow through on our commitments, it builds trust and often leads to new connections, requests and opportunities to reach even more communities. The impacts of FedEx in-kind shipping often happen behind the scenes and may not always be visible in an individual shipment update.

This is what collaboration looks like at its best: one act of support opening the door to another and creating an impact far greater than any of us could achieve alone.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

In our 2024 Report, we discuss how ESG assessments have become a key aspect for selecting strategic business partners, and how they are incorporated within our vendor selection process.

The process begins with a comprehensive questionnaire that every potential vendor is required to complete. This helps us make informed decisions when selecting strategic business partners and ensure they align with our environmental, social and regulations standards. The questionnaire covers various ESG related topics and requirements including:

• Health and Safety

Defined health and safety policies, procedures and certifications.

• Environment

Following local regulations and implementing environmental improvement strategies. 

• Compliance

Meeting required regulatory and statutory standards.

• Workforce management

Ensuring adequate working conditions, maintaining a strict policy against child labor, and complying with wage and working hours regulations.

• Quality and certifications

Align with Caesarstone quality standards and certifications. For example, conducting quality inspections, performing internal audits, and addressing customer issues. These certifications include quality management systems such as ISO 9001:2015, National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Safety certification, GREENGUARD low chemical emissions certifications, and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certifications for environmental, social, and chemical compliance throughout the value chain.

Improving Strategic Business Partners’ ESG Performance

We work closely with our business partners within the supply chain, to ensure they meet any required standards and to support their continuous improvement. To ensure ongoing improvement, we have implemented several initiatives:

• A full-time strategic business partner manager in Israel is tasked with managing our relationships and ensuring compliance.
   
• Regular audits at the strategic business partner’s sites are conducted to ensure that our standards are maintained. 
   
• We make sure strategic business partners adopt any essential standards or processes in case they are required, while ensuring they possess all necessary certifications.

Adhering to the Global SMETA Standard

In 2024, we performed social and environmental audits on all our strategic business partners according to the global SMETA standard, to further evaluate and enhance their sustainability practices. The findings from the SMETA audit were carefully reviewed and analyzed. Identified violations were incorporated into an action plan for the strategic business partners to ensure corrective measures. Of particular importance are topics related to forced-or-child labor, where Caesarstone does not tolerate violations of any kind.

Monitoring Supply Chain Performance

This year, we placed an increased focus on monitoring different aspects of ESG performance throughout our extended value chain. This process is laying the groundwork for close collaboration with our strategic partners in the hopes of tracking and improving ESG metrics as part of our overall sustainability journey. We currently have processes and systems to monitor environmental metrics such as electricity, fuel, and water consumption, as well as waste disposal and raw material usage. This commitment allows us to hold our strategic partners to the high environmental standard we hold ourselves to, as well as the environmental standards of our stakeholders. As we expand our ESG management and work toward achieving our goals, we recognize that extending our supply chain comes with a responsibility to ensure environmental performance, safety standards, and the monitoring and continuous improvement of governance processes.

Read the full Caesarstone Report ESG 2024

Recent consumer research and survey data from Science Direct and FMCG Gurus, highlights a powerful shift with European consumers:

• 65% of European consumers want to reduce their meat consumption.
• 80% cite environmental concerns as a motivator to reduce meat consumption.
• 76% believe reducing meat is healthier.
• 58% are driven to reduce meat consumption by animal welfare considerations.

To meet these evolving expectations, Griffith Foods identifies three routes to lowering meat intake:

1. Meat analogues that fully replicate meat using plant-based proteins.
2. Plant forward products that do not attempt to mimic meat, such as veggie patties, tofu or falafel.
3. Hybrid products that blend meat with plant-based ingredients like vegetables.

The Rise of Hybrid Foods

Research shows that nearly two in three European consumers are willing to try hybrid products—significantly higher than the adoption rates for fully plant-based alternatives. Hybrids solve two of the biggest barriers in the alternative protein market: taste and nutrition. By combining meat’s familiar flavor and texture with the environmental and nutritional benefits of plants, hybrids offer the best of both worlds. Additionally, with beef and poultry prices at all time highs, hybrid products are more affordable and tend to be less expensive for customers, offering value with great tasting food at a lower price point.

How Griffith Foods Enables Hybrid Innovation

Griffith Foods supports hybrid product development through seasoning blends, binders, coating systems, and sauces that deliver 20–60% meat reduction while maintaining the sensory experience consumers expect.

Depending on the ingredients and level of replacement, hybrid products can achieve up to a 60% lower carbon footprint at the ingredient level, helping companies reach their emissions reduction targets.

A Path Forward for Sustainable Food Systems

Hybrid foods represent more than a product trend—they’re a practical, consumer aligned solution for accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable food system. By lowering environmental impact, improving nutritional profiles, and preserving the taste experiences people love, hybrids help bridge the gap between current eating habits and a more sustainable future.

For companies striving to meet climate goals while responding to shifting consumer expectations, hybrid innovation offers a powerful and scalable opportunity. As our teams at Griffith Foods work to develop a more nutritious and sustainable product portfolio for our blends, coatings, sauces and more, we are also excited to partner with customers who share this mission.

View original content here.

About Griffith Foods

Griffith Foods is a global product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers with high-quality, culinary driven, customized products. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois, USA, Griffith Foods is a family-owned business known for collaborative innovation guided by its purpose to “Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World.” Operating in over 40 countries across six continents, Griffith Foods employs more than 5,000 people, including over 40 chefs and 340 food scientists, who work together to create solutions that nourish people, planet, and communities. The company’s product capabilities include seasonings, sauces, dressings, coating systems, and alternative protein solutions. Griffith Foods’ primary areas of focus include Foodservice, Food Manufacturers, Protein Processors, and Retail.

For 70 years, a simple belief has guided Elanco: Food and Companionship Enriching Life. Today, that vision is more than a goal. It is our reality. Around the world, society is asking more from animals than ever before. More nutritious food for a growing and aging population. More sustainable ways to produce protein. More companionship in an increasingly connected world. More innovation to improve health and well-being. At the same time, expectations for our industry continue to rise.

Consumers are actively increasing their protein consumption.

With 61% of Americans reporting they are eating more protein today than in previous years. Protein consumption has become critical for GLP-1 users, with their growth expected to further accelerate protein demand. Meanwhile, in the aging population, protein consumption is booming to support muscle retention, and the over age 60 population is projected to increase by 25% by 2030. As a result, protein is increasingly viewed not simply as food, but as a critical component of long-term health and wellness.

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At home, pets continue to become more integrated into our families and daily lives.

Pet owners are seeking greater convenience, more personalized care and higher standards of treatment. A generation of pets adopted during the pandemic is now entering middle age, creating increased demand for care. Around the world, emerging markets are expected to drive nearly 70% of future pet ownership growth. Together, these trends are transforming animal health into one of society’s most essential industries. The global animal health industry is expected to grow from approximately $40 billion today to $60 billion over the next decade. Yet for us, growth is not the goal. Growth is the outcome of creating meaningful value for society.

At Elanco, we believe healthy animals are essential to healthier people, stronger communities and a more sustainable future. When farmers have access to innovative animal health solutions, they can produce safe, affordable protein while using resources more efficiently. When veterinarians have the tools they need to improve animal care, they strengthen the humananimal bond that enriches millions of lives. When pets live longer, healthier lives, families benefit from the companionship, comfort and connection that our four-legged family members provide.

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This is why impact is not separate from our business strategy; it is our business strategy.

We do not view environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities as programs that sit alongside our business. They are embedded in how we innovate, how we operate and how we create long-term value. Whether helping producers improve sustainability outcomes, expanding access to care, strengthening nutrition security, supporting veterinary well-being or empowering our employees to act with integrity and ownership, our impact is directly connected to our purpose and performance.

That commitment is reflected in our four impact pillars:

• For Animals, we address critical health needs through innovation and increase access to products and services that improve animal well-being.
• For Customers, we unlock economic value for producers, support veterinarians and help strengthen the resilience of the global food system.
• For Society, we contribute to food security, nutrition security, public health and stronger communities by supporting access to safe, affordable protein and healthy companion animals.
• For Our People, we foster a culture of ownership, ethics and accountability that enables our team to create lasting impact around the world.

Throughout this report, you will see how these commitments come to life, from delivering breakthrough innovations for pets and livestock, to helping farmers meet growing protein demand, to investing in nutrition security and community partnerships that improve lives.

The future of animal health is bigger than our industry. It is about helping society meet some of its most important needs.

As those needs continue to grow, Elanco will continue to Go Beyond—because making life better for animals, makes life better.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Real Elanco’s full 2025 Impact Report here