Business

Starbucks Expands Global Greener Stores Program

Announces First Certified Greener Store in Barbados

Starbucks certifies 3,500 Greener Stores in 20 markets, advancing progress towards resource positive goals.
By the end of 2023 and going forward, Starbucks in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will build all new stores in the region under the Greener Stores framework.
Located in Saint James, the Starbucks Holetown Greener Store is designed to reduce water consumption by 30%, emit less toxins with low embodied carbon values and practice energy efficiency. This store is committed to donating 100% of coffee grounds through the Grounds for Your Garden Program.

Starbucks announced the certification of its first Greener Store in Barbados, as the company accelerates the international expansion of its open-source Greener Store Framework intended to reduce global carbon emissions, water usage and waste sent to landfills by 50% by 2030. Located in Holetown, Saint James and operated in partnership with Caribbean Coffee Traders Limited (CCTL), the store will help reduce Starbucks environmental impact by providing customers with a range of options suited to their preferences while ensuring sustainable practices and materials.

The Holetown Greener Store adheres to the Starbucks Greener Store Framework through a more efficient use of resources, including water waste management, use of responsible materials and sustainable waste management techniques. The store is designed to reduce water usage by 30% with a combination of proper sizing of water heaters, filters, low flow plumbing fixtures and processes, and is energy efficient with 100% LED lighting fixtures. The use of responsible materials during construction emits less toxins with low embodied carbon values while the HVAC equipment is high efficiency and meet ASHRAE standards.

Approximately 50% of store partners (employees) are Greener Apron certified through the Starbucks Global Academy and are contributing toward our planet-positive future. CCTL is committed to donating 100% of coffee grounds to customers through the Grounds for Your Garden Program, a sustainability initiative driven by our partners (employees) in stores to provide customers with spent coffee grounds from stores to use as a compost additive for their plants and gardens.

“Having our first certified Starbucks Greener Stores in Barbados brings us one step closer to achieving our sustainability goals as a global brand and we are happy to play our part,” said Roxanne Dixon-Rose, regional director of Caribbean Coffee Traders Limited. “This is a remarkable achievement for our market, showing that no matter the size we can make an impact on Starbucks’ goals for a sustainable future, and look forward to having more stores certified as we expand on the island. We are proud of our Greener Apron certified partners for their passion in becoming sustainability ambassadors and exercising ecofriendly practices in-stores to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Starbucks Greener Store Framework was co-developed with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to accelerate the transformation of retail towards lower-impact stores that demonstrate reductions in carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste. Starbucks has committed to building and retrofitting 10,000 Greener Stores globally by 2025, a major step in leveraging its goal to accelerate the global movement towards a more sustainable future.

Since announcing the international expansion of Greener Stores in September 2021, Starbucks has implemented a global framework of design, construction and operations standards to certify new Greener Stores around the world. As of March 2023, Greener Stores have been certified in more than 20 markets globally; in Latin America and the Caribbean, this includes: Argentina, Mexico, Bahamas, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, in addition to Barbados.

“With a company of Starbucks scale – any one action, no matter how small, has the potential for massive impact,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer. “I’m so proud to see our Greener Stores framework continue to scale for good globally. The program we have created will continue to move us closer towards our resource positive goals.”

The Starbucks Holetown Greener Store is located at Massy Stores Supermarket Sunset Crest, Holetown, Saint James and it operates from Monday – Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:oo p.m. and Sundays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Starbucks Holetown and participating Starbucks stores across the market will give away reusable cups to customers with the purchase of any size of Starbucks handcrafted beverage while stocks last. (PR)

Business

GALA DINNER CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY

The Light & Power Employees Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. (LPECCUL) marked an impressive milestone on Saturday night, hosting a memorable 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Accra Hotel. The evening was a celebration of history, resilience, and growth, honouring LPECCUL’s four decades of commitment to financial empowerment and community service in Barbados.

Guests arriving at the gala were greeted with the warm sounds of steelpan music by Ms. Allana Goodridge, a graduate and former junior member of the credit union, who set an elegant tone for the evening. The festivities were expertly guided by Master of Ceremonies Paula Palmer, who delighted the crowd with a mix of exciting prizes and giveaways sponsored by Stade’s Distillery Visitor Centre.

A highlight of the evening was the special achievement award presentation by Mr. Anton Lovell, CEO of Co-Operators General Insurance Company Limited. Mr. Lovell recognised LPECCUL for its outstanding success and commended the longstanding partnership between the two institutions, underscoring the strength of their collaboration.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Trevor Browne, a founding member of LPECCUL, delivered a compelling speech on the origins of the credit union. He shared insights into its formation, early challenges, and eventual growth, citing the various business ventures and investments made over the years. Lt. Col. Browne emphasized the importance of credit unions in Barbados expanding their focus to attract and support younger members, highlighting the value of investing in youth-led businesses as a way forward.

Closing the event, LPECCUL President Sheena Edwards delivered a heartfelt Vote of Thanks. She expressed deep appreciation to the evening’s special guests, including representatives from credit unions across Barbados, eight of LPECCUL’s original 40 founding members: Anthony Seale, Charles Holder, Donald Hoyte, Oliver Jones, Ian Bridgeman, Julie Alleyne, Keith Burnett and Lt. Col. Trevor Browne, and former company manager Curtis Smith. She also extended her gratitude to the dedicated LPECCUL staff, The Light & Power Employees Co-operative Credit Union Ltd.whose hard work and commitment have been instrumental to the credit union’s enduringsuccess.

The 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner was a celebration not only of LPECCUL’s history but also of its ongoing mission to inspire financial independence and support the community. As LPECCUL continues to innovate and expand its services, the credit union remains committed to fostering financial success for all members.(PR)

Business

Barbados To Host Regional Economic Conference

Local, regional, and international economics, finance, and development experts will gather in Barbados from November 6 to 8, 2024, for the 55th Annual Monetary Studies Conference (AMSC).

The event, which the Central Bank of Barbados is co-hosting with the Caribbean Economic Research Team (CERT), will be held under the theme: “Macroeconomic Management in an Era of Polycrises.”

“We are living at a time when our islands face multiple issues, ranging from high debt levels to climate change, to an aging population to geo-political tensions such as the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Hamas conflict,” Director of Communications, Information, and Outreach at the Central Bank, Novaline Brewster, said.

“Each of these on its own would represent a challenge. Combined, they could threaten the stability of our economies and the livelihoods of our citizens. The AMSC gives us an opportunity to bring together some of the leading minds to share their insights and offer research-based approaches to addressing these various crises.”

Ms. Brewster revealed that to complement the more technical sessions, on the second day of the conference, November 7, at 4:00 p.m., American economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs will deliver the 37th Adlith Brown Memorial Lecture, the topic for which will be the same as the conference’s theme.

“In addition to the Adlith Brown lecture, we will be hosting a panel discussion entitled: “The Role of Central Banks in Facilitating the Mobilisation of Regional Investment for Development Support” on the final day, November 8, at 10:15 a.m. The panel for that event will comprise several of our regional central bank governors,” she revealed.

Both the panel discussion and the lecture will be livestreamed on the Central Bank of Barbados’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Central Bank of Barbados will host the 63rd gathering of this group as Barbados’ Governor, Dr. Kevin Greenidge, is the current Chair of the committee. (PR/GIS)

Business

Barbados to Host Regional Economic Conference

Local, regional, and international economics, finance, and development experts will gather in Barbados from November 6 to 8, 2024 for the 55th Annual Monetary Studies Conference (AMSC). The event, which the Central Bank of Barbados is co-hosting with the Caribbean Economic Research Team (CERT), will be held under the theme “Macroeconomic Management in an Era of Polycrises.” “We are living at a time when our islands face multiple issues, ranging from high debt levels to climate change to an aging population to geo-political tensions such as the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Hamas conflict,” said Novaline Brewster, Director of Communications, Information, and Outreach at the Central Bank. “Each of these on its own would represent a challenge. Combined, they could threaten the stability of our economies and the livelihoods of our citizens. The AMSC gives us an opportunity to bring together some of the leading minds to share their insights and offer research-based approaches to addressing these various crises.”

The three-day conference will feature sessions related to financial development and financial stability, adjusting to climate change, digital innovations and transformation, regional integration and governance, and regional economic development. Brewster revealed that to complement the more technical sessions, on the second day of the conference, November 7, at 4:00 p.m., American economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs will deliver the 37th Adlith Brown Memorial Lecture, the topic for which will be the same as the conference theme. “In addition to the Adlith Brown lecture, we will be hosting a panel discussion entitled “The Role of Central Banks in Facilitating the Mobilisation of Regional Investment for Development Support” on the final day, November 8, at 10:15 a.m. The panel for that event will comprise several of our regional central bank governors.” Both the panel discussion and the lecture will be livestreamed on the Central Bank of Barbados’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Annual Monetary Studies Conference, the oldest academic conference of economists in the Caribbean, is held in a different territory each year to coincide with the second of the Bi-Annual Meetings of the CARICOM Committee of Central Bank Governors. Central Bank of Barbados will host the 63rd gathering of this group as Barbados Governor Dr. Kevin Greenidge is the current Chair of the committee.