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ESG Book LEO Launches to Transform Sustainability Reporting for Corporates and Financial Institutions

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LEO is a purpose-designed solution built with Google Cloud for smarter, faster, and more efficient sustainability disclosure, developed in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Corporates and financial institutions face growing demands to meet sustainability due diligence and disclosure requirements, yet data gaps and inefficiencies persist.Powered by ESG Book’s platform and BCG’s Climate and Sustainability Data Template, LEO has been designed to align with evolving requirements and supports regulatory reporting, risk management, and opportunity creation. Smart pre-fill capabilities reduce the reporting burden, with access to 200,000+ disclosures cutting the time and cost of sharing sustainability information.Corporates can use LEO to efficiently manage disclosure requests, map data across frameworks, and securely share privileged data with multiple stakeholders. Leading financial institutions including ING, Lloyds, and NatWest are adopting or piloting LEO to support critical use cases including risk management, supply chain resilience, and capacity building.

LONDON and NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ESG Book, in partnership with BCG, today announced the launch of LEO, a purpose-built solution for smarter, faster, and more efficient sustainability disclosure, built with Google Cloud.

Corporates and financial institutions face growing demands to meet sustainability due diligence and disclosure requirements, making reliable, standardised data essential for risk management and regulatory compliance. However, challenges persist, as recent changes of corporate disclosure requirements could widen data gaps for financial institutions and make data collection inefficient and incomparable.

In response, LEO has been developed to offer a streamlined new approach to sustainability data sourcing and reporting, supporting corporates and financial institutions for a range of use cases including meeting evolving regulatory requirements, while reducing cost and effort.

Powered by ESG Book’s disclosure platform, which leverages cloud and AI technology, LEO is a secure, framework-neutral solution that helps corporates and financial institutions customise disclosure and data sourcing practices to meet regional regulations, industry standards, and stakeholder expectations.

Its modular reporting template, designed to be interoperable with global standards including those from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), adapts to the diverse needs of companies – from SMEs to large enterprises across industries and regions. Smart pre-fill capabilities, which allow for publicly disclosed data to be pre-filled into the template, ease the reporting burden with access to over 200,000 disclosures.

Leading financial institutions including ING, Lloyds, and NatWest are adopting or piloting LEO to ease client reporting burdens, increase efficiency of data sourcing, strengthen resilience, and drive capacity building.

ESG Book LEO enables corporates to:

Manage disclosure requests and easily map data across multiple frameworks and stakeholders.Reduce the reporting burden using pre-filled data.Manage data and control access in one place, saving time and money.Securely share data publicly or privately with multiple counterparties, with no need for lengthy questionnaires.

While supporting financial institutions to:

Automate and standardise data collection from clients and vendors, increasing efficiency and lowering costs.Facilitate compliance preparation for key regulations including EBA Pillar 3 and Basel III requirements.Enhance and streamline data access to support critical use cases including risk management and opportunity creation.  Improve data response rates from suppliers, enhancing engagement for use cases including supply chain resilience.

Justin Fitzpatrick, CEO of ESG Book, said: “As regulatory requirements evolve, managing risks and leveraging sustainability as an economic driver remains crucial for corporates and financial institutions. LEO cuts through complexity, simplifies reporting, and helps businesses focus on what matters – using data to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and create long-term value. Through our partnership with BCG and in collaboration with Google Cloud, we’re making data sharing smarter, faster, and more cost-effective.”

Roy Choudhury, Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG, said: “As the demand for reliable and comparable climate-related information continues to grow, a standardised data request and reporting template is essential. Our collaboration on the LEO platform leverages BCG’s intellectual property and sustainability expertise to foster an innovative response to this challenge. The platform provides a common framework that helps companies respond more efficiently, making decision-useful information easier to access and interpret. This is especially valuable when requesting data from privately held companies, where these disclosures are often limited. BCG is proud to have led the harmonisation of data requirements across the industry for the LEO platform.”

“Businesses need to focus on driving sustainable growth, efficiency, and resilience rather than being burdened with complex reporting and disclosure requirements,” said Justin Keeble, Managing Director of Global Sustainability for Google Cloud. “Cloud and AI are at the heart of LEO and help to make reporting easier and more efficient, allowing companies to focus on delivering performance.”

Caroline Haas, Head of Sustainable Finance Advisory, NatWest, said: “We’re proud to have helped support the launch of the LEO platform, which aims to provide more efficient tracking of sustainability disclosure. Our business customers are often searching for tools to help them capture their sustainability performance with the aim to help their value chain with regulatory reporting and risk management. This launch shows progress as the LEO platform aims to assist them do this more efficiently. Businesses are prioritising growth and value creation, while facing multiple external requests to provide their sustainability credentials and progress, so having the LEO platform as an option means help is potentially at hand to provide more efficient sustainability reporting.” 

Cristina Gil White, Chief Engagement Officer at GRI, said: “We’re pleased to support the launch of the LEO platform. As a licensed GRI software partner, ESG Book’s practical digital reporting tools help organisations to effectively apply GRI’s globally leading standards for sustainability impacts. Providing a clear and structured set of metrics, LEO supports companies in navigating the GRI Standards alongside other frameworks – an approach that aligns with our aims to enable streamlined yet comprehensive sustainability reporting.” 

“More than 30 jurisdictions representing approximately 60 percent of global GDP are progressing towards introducing ISSB Standards in their regulatory frameworks,” said Andrew Brenner, Director of Client Integration, IFRS. “In order to facilitate corporate disclosure in this new regulatory environment, it’s imperative that various services and tools integrate ISSB Standards. As such, we welcome the development of the LEO platform, which aims to support the disclosure process.”

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SOURCE ESG Book

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Cash or Card? New Upgraded Points Survey Reveals How Travelers Pay Abroad

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AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new Upgraded Points survey of 1,500 recent international travelers, including 1,000 Americans, finds that travelers use a mix of cash and cards abroad, but exchange rates, fees, and declined transactions can complicate purchases.

“Spending money should be the easy part of a trip abroad,” said Ryan Smith, Director of News at Upgraded Points. “But exchange rates, fees, and payment options can complicate even the simplest purchase. We wanted to learn how travelers prepare, where their plans run into trouble, and what they do when convenience and the best exchange rate move in different directions.”

Study Methodology

Upgraded Points surveyed 1,500 adults who had traveled internationally within the past 12 months, including 1,000 U.S. adults and 500 adults from other countries. Respondents answered questions about payment methods, cash habits, credit card use, airport currency exchanges, and their confidence navigating exchange rates. The results were compared to show how Americans’ payment habits differ from those of other international travelers.

Payment Planning Often Starts Months Before a Trip

Nearly one-third (32%) begin planning how they’ll pay abroad three to six months before departure. U.S. travelers are more likely than non-U.S. travelers to start earlier, with 20% beginning more than six months ahead, compared with 12% of non-U.S. travelers.

Travelers’ Confidence in Exchange Rates Varies

Just 35% of respondents said they feel very confident understanding exchange rates abroad. Confidence also varied by age and gender:

44% of men feel very confident, compared with 26% of women.28% of Gen Z travelers feel very confident, compared with 40% of Gen X travelers and 37% of Baby Boomers.

Cash and Cards Remain Popular Abroad

Cash in the local currency and physical credit cards were nearly tied as the payment methods travelers most often use abroad. Mobile wallets were more popular among younger travelers:

71% use cash in the local currency.69% use a physical credit card.44% use a mobile wallet, including 56% of Gen Z travelers and 22% of travelers age 61 and older.35% use a physical debit card.

Most Travelers Carry Local Currency

More than 8 in 10 travelers (81%) carry cash in the destination’s currency, often for situations where cards may not be accepted:

64% use it at street vendors, markets, or small businesses.55% use it for tips and other customary cash payments.53% carry it for emergencies.

Travelers generally avoid carrying a large amount at once. About 44% exchange enough cash for several days, while 26% exchange enough for the full trip.

Familiar Card Brands Lead Among U.S. Travelers

Among U.S. respondents, Visa was the most commonly used card network, while Chase and Capital One were the most commonly used issuers:

Visa: 24%Chase: 21%Capital One: 19%American Express: 15%

Fees and Declined Cards Can Complicate Purchases

Among all respondents, travelers most often said their bank or card company contacted them about a purchase made abroad. Other issues increased the cost of a purchase or prevented it from going through:

38% were contacted by their bank or card company about a purchase.34% paid more than expected because of the exchange rate.29% were charged an unexpected foreign transaction fee.26% had a card declined.

Find the full study here.

About Upgraded Points LLC

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that helps to demystify the complex world of travel and credit cards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to help travelers maximize their travel, points, and experiences. Learn more at www.UpgradedPoints.com.

Media Contact:
Alex Miller, Founder
1-214-646-8866
425187@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cash-or-card-new-upgraded-points-survey-reveals-how-travelers-pay-abroad-302922010.html

SOURCE Upgraded Points

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ESI supplying solar array components to missile defense programs

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SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ESI Motion Inc. is proud to announce that it is supplying the Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) to Lockheed Martin for its work on the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) programs.

Under the agreement, ESI Motion’s SADE technology will support SDA as the PWSA is developed.

Defending our nation in space is more important than ever. The Space Development Agency’s PWSA programs provide the military with a network of satellites with secure communication, missile tracking and space-based support to make sure our troops have the latest and greatest technology.

The SADE consists of our Space-rated, flight heritage, SuperNova and Pulsar motor controllers. These motion controllers ensure all mission parameters are fulfilled, with high-reliable technology. 

ESI Motion Inc., U.S. Company, is a trusted supplier and partner, supporting mission operations for space, military and industrial customers around the world for over 20 years. Please visit our website; www.esimotion.com

Mitchell Haerterich, mhaerterich@esimotion.com

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SOURCE ESI Motion

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Envoy AI Launches “Boss of Machines” Program to Develop the Next Generation of Freight Leaders

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New AI Operations Lab will provide college students with hands-on experience in freight technology, operational transformation, and a $2,500 scholarship.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Envoy AI, the AI Native platform behind logistics autonomous agent system and execution layer Ellie, today announced the launch of Boss of Machines: AI Operations Lab, a new internship and scholarship program designed to prepare the next generation of logistics professionals for an industry increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital labor.

The people starting their careers in freight now are going to spend a lot of their day managing agents. Somebody has to be the boss of those machines. We named the program after that job because it’s the one brokerages are going to be hiring for.

The program was introduced by Envoy AI CEO Robby Nathan during his fireside chat at FreightWaves’ F3: Future of Freight Festival on October 27.

“Freight has always been a people business, and that isn’t changing,” said Robby Nathan, Envoy AI CEO. “What is changing is how the work gets done. We want students to understand that shift firsthand. There’s a big difference between learning about AI in a classroom and seeing what it takes to put it to work in a real operation. Our goal is to give them that experience and help prepare them to become the leaders this industry will need.”

Launching in spring 2027, the three-month program will select two college juniors or seniors for an immersive experience working directly with Envoy AI’s product, engineering, and operations teams. Participants will gain firsthand exposure to how AI technology is developed, implemented, and used to solve real operational challenges across the freight industry.

Preparing Students for a Changing Industry

As freight companies adopt AI to automate routine work, improve productivity, and scale operations, the skills future logistics leaders need are evolving.

The Boss of Machines program bridges the gap between classroom education and the practical experience needed to lead technology-enabled operations.

Students will participate in four areas of learning:

Building AI for Operations: Understanding how AI agents are developed and applied to freight workflows.Deploying Digital Labor: Learning how new technology is integrated into existing systems, implemented with customers, and adopted by operational teams.Measuring Operational Performance: Exploring the role of analytics, productivity, and return on investment in evaluating technology initiatives.Leading Modern Freight Operations: Developing an understanding of how people and AI agents work together to manage and execute freight operations.

Investing in the Next Generation

The initiative reflects Envoy AI’s commitment to developing talent and giving students meaningful exposure to the technology and operational practices shaping the future of transportation.

“About 75% of the freight in our live accounts is already booked through Ellie, and that changes the job a new hire walks into,” said Nathan. “The people starting their careers in freight now are going to spend a lot of their day managing agents. That takes someone who can tell when a rate doesn’t make sense for the lane, and who’ll catch a carrier about to fall off before the shipper ever hears about it. Somebody has to be the boss of those machines. We named the program after that job because it’s the one brokerages are going to be hiring for.”

Throughout the program, students will work alongside experienced industry professionals, gaining exposure to product development, customer implementations, operational workflows, and the business decisions involved in deploying AI at scale.

Upon successful completion of the three-month program, each participant will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support their fall 2027 studies.

Applications and Program Timeline

The inaugural Boss of Machines: AI Operations Lab will welcome two students for the spring 2027 semester.

The program is open to college juniors and seniors interested in logistics, supply chain management, technology, engineering, business operations, and related fields.

Applicants will be asked to share their interests, relevant experience, and perspectives on how technology can improve freight operations.

Envoy AI will announce selected participants in January 2027, ahead of the spring program kickoff.

Additional program details and application information will be available through Envoy AI’s website.

About Envoy AI

Envoy AI develops AI-powered digital labor solutions for freight and logistics operations. Through its AI workforce, Ellie, the company helps logistics teams automate operational workflows, improve productivity, and execute freight processes across existing transportation systems. Envoy AI helps transportation organizations scale operations through practical AI applications.

Media Contact

Michelle McBride, Envoy AI, 1 972-821-2012, michelle@tryenvoy.ai, tryenvoy.ai

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/envoy-ai-launches-boss-of-machines-program-to-develop-the-next-generation-of-freight-leaders-302922133.html

SOURCE Envoy AI

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