Sustain SC Roadmap by Administrator Trevetts

Roadmap to Sustain South Carolina The

Responsible growth requires planning, cooperation, a shared vision and the expectation that responsible leaders across our state will work together to set a higher standard, and collectively share in the success derived from those efforts.

HOPE FREEMAN Director, Communications & External Affairs, bp Vice Chair, Sustain SC

Dear Friends,

It is with great pride and humility that Sustain SC introduces the Roadmap to Sustain SC, an extensive year long initiative aimed at fostering a consensus-driven, data-supported approach to shaping the future of sustainability in the state of South Carolina.

The Roadmap to Sustain SC is a competitiveness strategy of seven accelerators with goals, timelines and implementation strategies that will ensure we continue to elevate Sustain SC’s mission to connect the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions that will benefit our economy, our environment and our people.

For many, Sustain SC is a nonprofit organization that is approaching its third anniversary in March 2024. To others, it signifies a decade of effort forging cross sector alliances, conducting data-driven analyses, fostering disruptive conversations and establishing a common mission, all while building lifelong friendships and partnerships.

For all of you accompanying us on this journey, Sustain SC embodies the spirit of South Carolina —a blend of commerce and conservation that defines our state's future. It represents a unique combination of a deep appreciation for our natural resources and the economic prosperity brought about by industry, agribusiness and innovation.

As we often acknowledge, consensus is easily reached on 80 percent of what matters in life, but it is the collaborative work remaining in the 20 percent where we have to approach differing viewpoints with intellectual honesty that sparks true magic. This is the distinguishing factor that Sustain SC has brought to our state, earning recognition both nationally and globally. Having experienced both stages, we remain a model others aspire to emulate.

The future is bright, and I am eager to stand alongside you in supporting our exceptional Board, our future CEO, our Senior Vice President, and our outstanding team as we continue our commitment to maintain South Carolina’s role as a leader in both commerce and conservation.

To each of you, a sincere thank you for your tireless work, support and unwavering determination in building something that will be a source of pride for generations to come.

With gratitude,

Ethel Bunch Founder & CEO

The population of South Carolina is projected to double in roughly 50 years.

Therefore, it is essential that South Carolinians work together across sectors to optimize land and water use in order to ensure a sustainable future for both our economy and our environment. In order for our state to remain competitive in a global economy, we must find a balance between commerce and conservation.

OUR MISSION

To connect the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment, and people.

Commerce + Conservation

The private sector is increasingly investing in economic innovation to reduce emissions, water use/waste and offsetting overall footprint. Our focus centers on keeping those sustainability dollars here in South Carolina bringing new investments and jobs supporting economic prosperity, while conserving our invaluable natural resources. This is the intersection of commerce AND conservation.

South Carolina will continue to build a competitive advantage if we connect the sustainability goals of our global business community with local solutions, to benefit the economy, environment, and people. This is the mission of Sustain SC. As an investor-driven economic development organization, we are committed to fostering an environment of sustainability that supports smart economic growth and private sector investment in our state’s natural resource based infrastructure.

Sustain SC Key Initiatives

We are setting the table for conversations between business local stakeholders, so that sustainability investments can be right here in our state benefiting both our economic and n resource infrastructures

The Sustainability Leadership Initiative, a partnership between Sustain SC and the Shi Institute of Furman University, educates state leaders across industry and conservation sectors through the Sustainability Leadership Initiative. This robust six month program conducts cross-boundary dialogue, active learning, case studies, site tours and field visits for Fellows to emerge with enhanced skills to be drivers of positive change within their organizations and communities to enhance our state at the intersection of commerce and conservation.

The exclusive Sustainability Member Network promotes opportunities for senior level leaders to contribute to their company’s sustainability goals in South Carolina. The network provides a safe space for sharing challenges and solutions, and provides access to opportunities and research on sustainability leadership and trends.

The Land and Water Action Platform brings in new private sector dollars towards conservation, leveraging county, state, and federal dollars to accelerate the protection of South Carolina’s most critical natural resources. The first project of the LWAP preserved a portion of Waites Island near North Myrtle Beach.

Roadmap to Sustain SC Executive Summary

In 2021, South Carolina was among the lowest ranked states in a U.S. Sustainable Development Report released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Ranked 37th out of 50 states, Sustain SC partnered with Ernst and Young (EY) in 2022 to assess how South Carolina could improve its low position on the list.

Close to 80% of the largest employers in SC with the greatest impact on our state’s GDP measure the sustainable development goals.

As an economic development focused organization, Sustain SC is committed to ensuring South Carolina remains competitive as we fulfill our mission of connecting the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment, and people.

With the goal of boosting South Carolina’s ranking, Sustain SC embarked on an examination of sustainability in the state collaborating with 44 representatives who served as ambassadors and active participants. The ambassadors honed in on several focus areas: clean water; land conservation; industry, innovation, and infrastructure; responsible production and consumption; and a changing climate.

Through this collaboration, a plan for future sustainable development reflective of the unique commerce and conservation needs of the state was created….The Roadmap to Sustain SC. The roadmap focuses on seven accelerators that will help us push SC into the forefront of sustainability.

SOUTH CAROLINA SDG PILOT STUDY -

BY THE NUMBERS

Sustainability Survey Sponsors

LEAD SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

GREEN SPONSORS

Sustainability Survey Ambassadors

Amazon

Atlantic Packaging

Audubon

Blue Triton

BMW

Boeing

Center for Heirs Property Preservation

Coastal Conservation League

CocaCola

Darling Fibers

DHEC

EPR

Fraunhofer

GEL Engineering

Google

Ingevity

Lowcountry Land Trust

Michelin

Milliken

Milliken Advisors

The Nature Conservancy

Norfolk Southern

Pacolet Milliken

SCDOT

South Carolina Office of Resilience

Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

SONOCO

South Carolina Department of Commerce

Upstate Forever

Volvo

Weyerhaeuser

Trane Technologies

ZF Group

Roadmap to Sustain South Carolina Accelerators

We are planning the Roadmap to Sustain South Carolina.

1. Strategic Partnerships

A sustainable economy should foster economic prosperity and job growth while also encouraging resilience and conservation of natural resources. Sustain SC will advance a future of collaboration among commerce and conservation partners to attract new, sustainable industries and enhance the existing industry in South Carolina.

2. Resilience and Conservation

After five consecutive years of flooding and storms, South Carolina’s Office of Resilience (SCOR) has created a plan to protect our state’s natural resources and buffer our communities from increased threats through nature-based solutions. Sustain SC is collaborating with SCOR, as well as businesses and organizations in the industry and conservation sectors to focus on more than just mitigating environmental issues, but shift to land and water protection. By investing in sustainable conservation initiatives throughout the state, the joint efforts will reduce risk, encourage opportunities, and protect natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

3. Sustainable Workforce

Demand for sustainability-related skills in the job market has increased by nearly 40% since 2015. No longer limited to traditional hard sciences, these skills now encompass other areas like project management, emissions measurement, communications and marketing, insurance, finance, and knowledge of laws and regulations related to sustainability and resilience. Sustain SC is modernizing the STEM initiative to ensure all learners have the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development, enhance scientific research, upgrade technology capabilities, and encourage sustainable innovation throughout every workforce sector.

4. Innovation and the Sustainable Revolution

As the fastest growing region in the country, the Southeast is now considered the U.S. economic center of gravity. In an effort to establish South Carolina as the center point of sustainable economic development, Sustain SC is forging alliances between industry and conservation organizations to transition from traditional 20th-century economic practices to 21st-century industries that provide well-paying jobs and implement innovative, sustainable methods in production, supply chain management, and distribution. In 2023, South Carolina announced more than $9.7 billion in EV investments across the state.

5. Circular Economy

Reducing, reusing, repairing, and repurposing materials for production and consumption in South Carolina not only lowers emissions and protects our natural resources, it creates innovative solutions, reduces costs, increases profits, and saves consumers money. Industries in SC are engaged in the circular economy, reenvisioning our waste as an economic engine for our future.

6. Affordable, Reliable and Sustainable Energy

Sustain SC wants to support South Carolina towards an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy sector that powers the future of our industries and contributes to the resilience of our state. Through multi-stakeholder engagement with the private and public sector and conservation NGOs, we support cross-sector energy engagement to retain and attract industry in our state.

7. Metrics and Reporting

Approximately 80% of industries in South Carolina are actively assessing and tracking their sustainability efforts. Sustain SC is collaborating with both industry and conservation partners to establish standardized metrics and approaches for measuring sustainability that reflect the unique needs, goals, and natural resources of our state. We want to attract new sustainable industries and retain our graduates who, as studies show, prefer to work for companies engaged in planning and implementing sustainable solutions.

ACCELERATOR #1

Strategic Partnerships

Priorities Identified (Based on EY Strategic Planning)

• Convene individuals from the private and public sector to include companies, conservation groups, energy, forestry and agriculture at the intersection of commerce and conservation

Strategic Actions

(What We’re Actively Doing)

• Sustainable Leadership Initiative

• Sustain SC Member Network

• Roadmap to Sustain SC

• SC Allied Partners

ACCELERATOR #1 CASE STUDY

In 2021, Sustain SC partnered with The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University to establish the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI).

The SLI focuses on developing the qualities leaders need to steer South Carolina through unprecedented changes in human and natural communities. Those selected to be part of the exclusive program make up a robust cross-boundary stakeholder network of state leaders with the knowledge, skills, and desire to collaborate and support each other in identifying pathways and executing solutions for a sustainable future.

Fifty SLI Fellows have successfully completed the program, which means they are certified as Sustainability Leadership Fellows for the next three years and remain part of an active and tight-knit network of sustainability leaders. The new class of 26 participants marks the largest class of Fellows to date.

“The current SLI class is an exceptionally talented team positioned to lead sustainability initiatives in South Carolina,” said Sustain SC Senior Vice President Cynthia Davis. “In just two years, this unique leadership development program has flourished. I’m honored and excited to be a part of this ongoing journey of fostering sustainable change and nurturing the trailblazers who will make it happen.”

Becoming an SLI Fellow is more than a badge of honor, it’s a networking opportunity and chance to bring concepts, ideas and action to the workplace. The program cycle spans eight months from October to April and brings members all over the state for special site visits, leadership development sessions and field experiences. This unique opportunity allows Fellows to learn about company best practices, processes and plans, hear from sustainability professionals and witness first-hand how commerce and conservation can work in tandem. Leadership development sessions delve into the implementation of sustainability as well as the concepts of systems thinking, harnessing conflict, and communicating sustainability. These concepts

culminate into a strategic foresight approach that considers multiple future scenarios to help organizations make better decisions today and create a more sustainable social, technological, and environmental tomorrow.

“SLI helps bring about candid conversations and foster collaboration across various sectors,” said Andrew Predmore, Executive Director of the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University. “Each class of fellows has helped push the boundaries of what can be done to facilitate change in South Carolina. This is just the beginning and the interest continues to build.”

It will take strong partnerships in order to attract new sustainable industries and enhance the existing ones in South Carolina. Courtney Quinn, Ph.D., President of Nested Sustainability Consulting, served as the SLI Program Director since its inception and said the program is fulfilling its purpose.

“The SLI program provides the platform and otherwise rare opportunity for sustainability leaders to get in the same room together on a regular basis,” Courtney Quinn said. “Their ability to collaborate across sectors through deep listening and honest conversation is a model for sustainability leadership both locally and globally. It’s encouraging to see so many great candidates show interest in the program.”

The inaugural class crafted a Fellows’ Statement of Purpose that embodies SLI’s vision and aspirations:

“We are visionaries and collaborators who find and implement transformative strategies at the intersection of commerce and conservation to facilitate systems change. We build trust through sharing ideas, solutions, and best practices while challenging each other and celebrating sustainability successes.”

ACCELERATOR #2

Resilience and Conservation

Priorities Identified (Based on EY Strategic Planning)

• Cross-sector planning for resilience

• Linking industry sustainability requirements to local SC resilience goals

• Increasing conservation of land, protection of watersheds and wetlands to enhance resilience

• Reducing disaster risk and increasing risk management

Strategic Actions

(What We’re Actively Doing)

• MOU with Office of Resilience

• Sustain SC Conservation Summit with Private Sector

• Palmetto Green Mapping Tool

• Legislative Education Series

ACCELERATOR #2 CASE STUDY

In 2022, Sustain SC launched the Land and Water Action Platform (LWAP), a new conservation platform dedicated to protecting South Carolina’s precious natural resources.

Google contributed the first donation to the platform with a $500,000 grant, which went toward permanently protecting a portion of Waites Island from development. Waites Island is one of the last remaining undeveloped and unprotected barrier islands in the Southeast, located just north of North Myrtle Beach.

Open Space Institute (OSI), one of South Carolina’s leading land conservation organizations, was the first recipient of the platform’s monetary gift. OSI purchased 260 acres of the island in order to transfer it all over to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to be managed as a Heritage Preserve - the highest level of protection provided for property in South Carolina.

“The Sustain SC Fund is a long-waited and ground-breaking initiative, and Waites is a remarkable first project,” said Nate Berry, Senior Vice President of Open Space Institute. “We are honored to partner with Sustain SC and grateful for the generous contribution that will help OSI protect this stunning South Carolina barrier island in perpetuity.”

“This is a momentous step and Google is proud to be a part of it,” said Amber Tillman, Google’s Head of Data Center Economic and Community Development. “We fully support Sustain SC’s mission with this initiative and hope Google’s grant encourages others to take part in impactful conservation efforts for South Carolina.”

Google’s commitment inspired others. The Waccamaw Community Foundation matched Google’s gift with a $500,000 contribution.

In 2023, Sustain SC established a formal partnership with the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR), a newly formed department dedicated to lessening the

impact of disasters on the communities and citizens of South Carolina. Through the partnership, Sustain SC serves as a liaison bringing state agencies, public sector leaders, corporations and conservation NGOs together to support SCOR on a number of initiatives.

“The launch of the Land and Water Action Platform inspired us to formally partner with Sustain SC,” said Ben Duncan, Executive Director of the South Carolina Office of Resilience. “This partnership will allow us to continue capturing private sector investments and leverage state and federal dollars. It’s a fortuitous relationship needed to help us fulfill our mission and provide the resources needed to support high priority conservation projects, and ensure we are building a resilient state that supports both a strong economy and the protection of our people and precious natural resources in perpetuity.”

ACCELERATOR #3

Sustainable Workforce

Priorities Identified

(Based on EY Strategic Planning)

• Leveraging workforce pipeline opportunities

• Identifying future green skills requirements

• Linking skills training with employers

Strategic Actions (What We’re Actively Doing)

• Green Skill Demand Market Analysis Phase II

• Sustain SC Youth Symposium

• Academia Forums with SCDEW and Sustain

SC Member Companies

• Green Skills Toolbox

New STEM skills are needed in energy, manufacturing, construction, transportation, IT, finance, business services, health, hospitality/tourism, agriculture, and government jobs

The Sustainable Workforce accelerator seeks to bring forth sustainability as a new “S” in STEM and identify and remove barriers through innovative and equitable thought leadership, partnership, and action to create a robust workforce with sustainability skills for 21st Century economic development in South Carolina.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT A GLANCE

TheWorldEconomicForum estimatesthatsustainablepractices andinnovationscouldgenerate $10TRILLIONANNUALLY forbusinessopportunitiesinareas suchasagricultureandfinance.

ThenewSTEMworkforcegrew 9.6%GLOBALLY from2016-2022andratesofhirefor sustainabilityskillsareoutpacing traditionalsectors 10%OFALLJOBPOSTINGS inLinkedInincludeatleastone newSTEMskill STEMemployeesin SouthCarolinacanearnover 82%MOREINSALARY

ACCELERATOR #3 CASE STUDY

Demand for sustainability-related skills in the job market has increased by nearly 40% since 2015.

These unique skillsets are needed in energy, manufacturing, transportation, IT, finance, insurance, health, hospitality and tourism, marketing and communications, agriculture, business services and government jobs.

Universities are playing a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow who will tackle the challenges of our changing world. Schools like the University of South Carolina are adding sustainability curriculums and concentrations in response to CEOs and businesses identifying sustainability as a top priority for their businesses.

The University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business now offers a Sustainability in Business Undergraduate Concentration which allows students to deepen their understanding of the key environmental, social, economic, and governance issues facing society today. While the Moore School has offered sustainabilityrelated classes for the last 15 years, it wasn’t until the fall 2022 semester that an undergraduate concentration was available for students.

The Sustainability in Business concentration requires 12 credit hours which includes a core course offering the basics behind sustainability. So far, 14 students have pledged to complete the concentration.

Dr. Kealy Carter, clinical associate professor at the Darla Moore School of Business, said Sustain SC was pivotal in helping establish the concentration.

“Sustain SC has helped us highlight some of the business needs and interests in this program. There were some members of the university that we were trying to work with that benefitted from hearing that business perspective from Sustain SC,” Carter said.

“It was great to have a group of members from the business community in the room to say we need students that have certain skill sets and understandings of sustainability.”

The Moore School recently joined ClimateCAP, a partnership of more than 35 business schools from across the world working together to educate MBA students by providing them with the skills and insights they will need to lead in climate action throughout their careers.

“Joining ClimateCAP gives MBA students a chance to go deeper with sustainability,” Carter said. “Sustain SC played an integral role in influencing both the certification and the ClimateCAP partnership. This is the start of something really special that will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

Founded and led by the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, ClimateCAP partners include Harvard, Northwestern, NYU, Yale, MIT, and others.

The impetus in interest sparked another initiative. Sustain SC launched the Sustainability Workforce accelerator in the fall of 2023. The project seeks to identify and remove barriers through innovative thought leadership, partnership, and action to create a robust workforce with sustainability skills for 21st Century economic development in South Carolina.

“As the head of HR for a global company, these green skills are critical for moving South Carolina forward,” said Michael Morris, Director of HR at ZF Transmission. “We need a robust workforce to help us transition from combustion to EV engines and it will take a multigenerational approach in order to make it happen.”

ACCELERATOR #4

Innovation and the Sustainable Revolution

Priorities Identified

(Based on EY Strategic Planning)

• Defining economic innovation opportunities in SC

• Understanding the risk of not developing sustainable economic pathways for industry, resilience, and workforce development

Strategic Actions (What We’re Actively Doing)

• MOU with SC Department of Commerce

• Economic Innovation Market Analysis Phase II

• Sustain SC Symposium

• Sustainability B2B

• Sustainability Consulting Platform

• MX.O Innovation Conference

• Legislative Education Series

Potential economic losses for Potential

Economic Losses for S.C. Firms in the Absence of Access to Sustainable Technologies

Impacts Resulting from Potential Reductions in Firm Revenue Growth Among Existing S.C. Firms

-$30.2 Billion in lost economic opportunity over 10 years

Source: Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D. Research Economist University of South Carolina October 2023

Impacts Resulting from Potential Reductions in Future In-State Investment Among Existing S.C. Firms

In addition to these estimated economic losses, 6.8% of surveyed firms report that they are “very likely” to relocate their existing South Carolina facilities elsewhere if they are unable to meet their sustainable technology requirements. in billions in billions

-$101.2 Billion in lost economic opportunity over 10 years

Source: Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D. Research Economist

University of South Carolina October 2023

Source: Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D. Research Economist

ACCELERATOR #4 CASE STUDY

Demand for sustainable technologies is on the rise in the United States and in South Carolina.

In a quest to gauge the economic impact of sustainability, Sustain SC commissioned a study led by Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D., a Research Economist at the University of South Carolina. The purpose of the study was to determine the specific sustainable technology needs of South Carolina businesses and then quantify the potential economic benefits for South Carolina if those needs were met.

According to the study, 46-percent of survey respondents indicated that their revenue projections over the next decade would be negatively impacted without sufficient access to sustainable technologies. The lack of access comes at a considerable cost, generating losses of between $30.2 billion and $101.2 billion in total economic activity for South Carolina. Solar energy, renewable natural gas, landfill and/or organic waste innovations, and electric vehicle infrastructure were the most commonly cited needs.

Those economic losses are not solely isolated to the decrease in potential business growth among firms needing access to sustainable technologies. When these firms reduce their purchase activity with instate suppliers, it sets off a supply chain “ripple effect” touching a wide variety of industry sectors.

“This study provided a rare opportunity to quantify and gauge what is at stake economically in South Carolina. As the study found, there’s a lot to gain through implementation of sustainable initiatives, and also a lot to lose,” said Dr. Von Nessen. “The doors of economic opportunity are wide open in South Carolina. It’s now more important than ever to elevate and enhance existing sustainability initiatives because the future depends on it.”

In addition to the estimated economic losses, nearly 7-percent of surveyed firms report they are “very likely” to relocate their existing South Carolina facilities elsewhere if they are unable to meet their sustainable technology

requirements. Another sticking point of the study was workforce development. About 67-percent of survey respondents also reported employees will need to have sustainability-related expertise in the future.

Manufacturing industry is one of the main drivers of demand for renewable energy in South Carolina, particularly the production of electric vehicles (EVs). Automotive manufacturers in the state and their supply chains are increasingly looking to power their facilities with electricity produced from renewables.

Given that manufacturing is one of the state’s largest industry sectors and supports nearly 30 percent of South Carolina’s total employment base, the availability of renewable energy resources will become increasingly important over time as the manufacturing footprint expands.

As businesses continue to expand in South Carolina and look to maximize their ability to meet market demand, improving access to sustainable technology resources is likely to become a paramount component of a statewide economic growth strategy needed to usher in the sustainable revolution.

ACCELERATOR #5

Circular Economy

Priorities Identified (Based on EY Strategic Planning)

• Understanding best practices for recycling

• Reducing waste by creating new businesses and supporting existing business solutions

• Reducing litter and plastics pollution

• Understanding economics of end product demand to support recycling market reform

Strategic Actions (What

We’re Actively Doing)

• Pending: EPA Partnership Grant

• REMDAC Partnership

• Co-Hosted Recycling Forums

• Litter Study

• Legislative Education Series

South Carolina’s Economic Opportunity

ECONOMY

Circular economy is the process for complete recycling, where waste materials, including energy, become inputs for other processes. This regenerative approach, aimed at eliminating waste, is in contrast to the traditional “take, make, dispose” linear economy model.

ProductsmadefromrecycledmaterialinSCincludeglass,plastic,aluminum,steel,waste food&organics,andpaper.SCfacilitatesacirculareconomybyworkingwithcompaniestoreduce waste,litter,andplasticspollution,resultinginincreasedefficiencyandprofitsfor21stcenturyjobs.

INCREASEPROFITS

● $2.7Blaborincome generated annuallyinSouthCarolina.

● Total taxrevenues forrecyclingare estimatedtobeover $551M.

● IfSChouseholdsincreasedtoa75% recyclingrate,theindustrywouldaccount for9%oftheSCeconomy.

CREATE21stCENTURYJOBS

● In2022,RedwoodMaterialsannounceda $3.5billioninvestment inBerkeleyCounty torecycleEVbatteriestocreateacircular supplychainforelectricvehicles.Thiswill markthelargesteconomicdevelopment inSChistory.

● SouthCarolina’srecyclingindustry continuestogeneratenewinvestment andjobcreationinindustrysectorsfrom aerospace,automotive,agribusiness, logisticsandotherscontributingtothe overalldemand.

REDUCEWASTE

● InFY2022, 1,161,924tonsofMunicipalSolid Waste(MSW)wasrecycled.Thatisthe equivalentof4,201Boeing787planes, loadedatmaximumweight.

● SouthCarolina’s MSWrecyclingrate was 22.7% inFY2022

REDUCELITTER&PLASTICSPOLLUTION

● 36% ofbusinessdevelopment representativessay litterimpactsa decisiontolocateinacommunity.

● 81%oflitteringisintentional

● 76%ofroadwaylitteroriginatesfrom motoristsandpedestrians.Individual actionsaswellasimproperlycovered trucksandcargoloadscontributeto roadwaylitter.

● 15%oflitteringisdirectlyaffected bytheenvironment.

ThankyoutotheSCDepartmentofHealthandEnvironmental Control,SCDepartmentofCommerceandPalmettoPridefor providingsupportingdata.

ACCELERATOR #5 CASE STUDY

Global companies like Coca-Cola Consolidated are harnessing the economic opportunity in South Carolina and helping build the circular economy by capturing plastic waste

In March 2023, Sustain SC and Coca-Cola Consolidated installed a Litter Gitter on the University of South Carolina’s campus. The Litter Gitter is a floating structure designed to collect litter and debris into a “trash trap” to prevent it from going farther downstream. Installed by a team from the Osprey Initiative, it deployed on the Rocky Branch Creek which is a magnet for litter that is left on campus as wind, rain, and gravity direct it toward the stream channel.

The Litter Gitter is a perfect example of commitments to creating a circular economy. By capturing waste from waterways, it prevents trash from polluting the environment and harming wildlife, while also creating new opportunities for recycling and repurposing.

The partnership is part of Coca-Cola Consolidated’s Refresh Recycle Renew initiative, which invests in collaborations to establish, promote, and maximize recycling programs to ensure the company’s own recycled plastic and aluminum packages are turned into new bottles and cans.

“If there is going to be a large-scale change, it’s going to be from businesses,” said Don Bates,

Founder of the Osprey Initiative. “I’m seeing an honest effort from Coca-Cola Consolidated. Coke is committed to this.”

“Being Columbia’s local Coca-Cola bottler and the official fan refreshment of the Gamecocks comes with a responsibility to improve the communities we serve,” said Todd Marty, Senior Director of Sustainability at Coca-Cola Consolidated. “We embrace our responsibility to protect our environment and this Litter Gitter is one of the innovative programs we’ve developed to help collect and recycle our packaging.”

Since its installment, the Litter Gitter has collected nearly 143 pounds of trash consisting of 60-percent plastic and 20-percent Styrofoam.

The installation of the Litter Gitter will assist the University’s Facilities Landscaping and Waste & Recycling Services in their efforts to keep campus clean. It will also provide opportunities for integrative learning experiences for current and future students, often facilitated by the Office of Sustainability and its student organization, Sustainable Carolina.

ACCELERATOR #6

Affordable, Reliable and Sustainable Energy

Priorities Identified (Based on EY Strategic Planning)

• Supporting companies’ demand for meeting emissions goals

• Providing access to affordable, reliable & clean energy

• Creating a resilient energy infrastructure

Strategic Actions

(What We’re Actively Doing)

• SC Nexus Tech Hub Partnership

• Clean Energy Federal Grant Support

• Governor’s Energy Forum

• Legislative Education Series

CleanEnergyis PoweringSC’sEconomy!*

*Topinvestmentsfrom2022–23

RELIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

1. RedwoodMaterials

BerkeleyCounty

$3.5billioninvestment/1,500jobs

Batterymaterialsrecyclingfacility

2. ScoutMotors

RichlandCounty

$2billioninvestment/4,000jobs

Electricvehiclemanufacturingfacility

3. BMW

SpartanburgCounty

$1.7billioninvestment/300jobs

Plantexpansionforelectricvehicleproduction& newhigh-voltagebatteryassemblyfacility

4. AlbermarleCorporation

ChesterCounty

$1.3billioninvestment/300jobs

Lithiummega-flexprocessingfacility

5. EnvisionAESC

FlorenceCounty

$810millioninvestment/1,000+jobs

Batterycellgigafactory

6. KontrolmatikPomega

ColletonCounty

$279millioninvestment/575jobs

Lithium-ionbatterystoragefactory

7. Bosch

DorchesterCounty

$260millioninvestment/350jobs

Electricmotorproduction

8. Bosch

AndersonCounty

$200millioninvestment/350jobs

Fuelcellproduction

9. SolarGen

ClarendonCounty

$150millioninvestment

Large-scalesolarfarm

10. DukeEnergy

GreenwoodCounty

$115millioninvestment

Large-scalesolarfarm

11. SolarPowerInnovationEnergyCo.,Ltd. SumterCounty

$66millioninvestment/300jobs

SouthCarolinaSolarOperations

12. BorgWarnerInc. OconeeCounty

$42.7millioninvestment/122jobs

AutomotivesupplierexpandingitsUpstatefacilityto supportthegrowingdemandforEVbatterysystems

13. HounenSolar

OrangeburgCounty

$33millioninvestment/200jobs

Solarpanelproduction

14. ABBE-mobility

LexingtonCounty

$4millioninvestment/100jobs

Electricvehiclechargermanufacturer

ACCELERATOR #6 CASE STUDY

Incorporating a clean energy mix into South Carolina’s infrastructure has become a cross-sector priority.

In recent years, South Carolina has seen more than $9 billion in capital investments in the EV industry. This is an industry that crosses political boundaries as it provides both environmental and economic benefits and signifies the arrival of the sustainable revolution in the state.

In May 2023, Sustain SC hosted its first Energy Forum and invited stakeholders from across the state to discuss various industry-specific initiatives. The Energy Forum provided an opportunity for wide-ranging conversations among elected officials, public, private, and non-profit organizations who have a role in the actions that need to take place to ensure a strong, secure, and competitive energy future for South Carolina.

South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith was one of the guest speakers. The Republican lawmaker emphasized the need for action on a legislative level, particularly a realistic energy policy with bipartisan support.

“I do not believe that having clean energy, reliable and expanded energy are mutually exclusive to one another, I think they can both be complemented,” Smith said. “There is a demand for clean energy. There is a demand by industry, there’s a demand by the public and we’re going to have to make sure we put an emphasis on clean energy as we move forward.”

There’s no shortage of sunshine in South Carolina and solar energy is a significant revenue generator, particularly at the local level. Forum panelist Hamilton Davis of Southern Current remarked on the growing demand for solar and the need for a robust development plan.

“The conversation we’re starting to have in earnest with industry, Ag (SC Department of Agriculture), and with the leaders at the city and county level, is about making sure

we are moving forward in a responsible way,” Hamilton said. “We know there is a need and a demand with solar coming to the state, but let’s make sure we’re being responsible with that development.”

Solar is, in fact, an integral part of many South Carolina energy companies’ short-term plans. Heather Shirley Smith of Duke Energy touts it as a win-win for customers and the industry. She says, “The same solar that we would procure as fuel free energy to help mitigate volatile fuel costs would be the same solar that we would utilize to source customer programs so that our customers can harvest the renewable attributes off of that solar and meet their sustainability goals.”

Companies in the global manufacturing market look to renewable energy for long-term solutions. Representing Milliken & Company, panelist Maurice Lawrence expressed the desire for more collaborative policies to foster companies’ ability to remain competitive and pursue green innovations like solar generation battery storage and emerging technologies like hydrogen renewable natural gas.

Clean energy is already powering South Carolina’s economy and we look forward to seeing more investments come to the state. In the past year, a number of companies have made substantial investments with various projects all over the state. In Berkeley County, Redwood Materials has invested $3.5 billion for a battery materials recycling facility; In Spartanburg County, BMW has invested $1.7 billion on a plant expansion for electric vehicle production and new high-voltage battery assembly facility. Albermarle Corporation is investing $1.3 billion for a lithium megaflex processing facility in Chester County and Scout Motors plans to bring 4,000 jobs and a $1.3 billion investment to Richland County with an electric vehicle manufacturing facility.

ACCELERATOR #7

Metrics and Reporting

Priorities Identified (Based on EY Strategic Planning)

• Analyzing common industry trends and needs

• Integrating state resilience metrics and industry sustainability metrics

• Supporting global goals at the local level

Strategic

Actions (What We’re Actively Doing)

• Roadmap to Sustain SC

• Corporate Member South Carolina Sustainability Reports

• SDG Esri Platform

• Legislative Education Series

ACCELERATOR #7 CASE STUDY

Implementing global initiatives at the local level is no easy feat.

For global companies like Michelin, moving the needle requires a multi-pronged approach, and for sustainability leaders like Kara Fulcher, it’s a very grassroots approach. As the Director of Sustainability at Michelin North America, Inc., headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, it’s Fulcher’s role to take the strategic initiatives set at the company’s highest levels and implement them regionally.

“There are a lot of factors to consider–commitments to organizing bodies, reporting standards, and expectations from our customers – when making tangible decisions on behalf of the environment,” Fulcher said. “It’s about looking at the ingredients we have, resources at hand, and figuring out how we can craft that into a solution to meet those goals.”

Fulcher has been plugged into South Carolina’s sustainability conversation for years. She’s witnessed it move from a compliance-oriented conversation placing responsibility on individuals (i.e. littering) to something much more robust and holistic, especially over the last five years.

“Decarbonization, tackling the supply chain, all of that is still being developed, but people now understand those conversations and can wrap their arms around it,” she explained. “There are other topics that have been continuing to come to the fore.”

Michelin has globally ambitious sustainability goals, so Fulcher is tasked with translating those global goals in a way that resonates locally and stays true to Michelin’s strategy. It takes an organization like Sustain SC to help connect the dots.

“It is a small state, yet we punch above our weight when it comes to the kinds of companies that are located here in South Carolina,” Fulcher said.

“There’s a high level of advanced thinking with the talented leaders we have here. There’s an

opportunity to develop a trusted cohort of peers, which I think is really unique. Sustain SC has made important strides in making these opportunities more real.”

Fulcher has been a member of Sustain SC for several years and involved in the development of the Roadmap to Sustain SC. She said it’s been a beneficial partnership in more ways than one and provided exposure to thought leaders grappling with the same sustainabilityrelated challenges.

“It certainly provided opportunities for specific engagement with other major actors here in the Upstate, to learn about paths chosen and paths not chosen,” said Fulcher. “At a higher level, I’ve been able to have engaging conversations with people truly plugged into the sustainability landscape and other groups within the United Nations who have provided me with a much more global understanding of what’s happening on the ground in other parts of the world.”

Who We Work With

Sustain SC’s membership includes industry, utilities, state agencies, conservation NGOs, and agribusiness representat who are committed to sustainability in South Carolina

Our members recognize the opportunity to attract and encourage new economic innovation for our state through sustainability. We have a goal of creating new jobs and investments all while decreasing a company ' s footprint through access to clean energy alternatives, sustainable agriculture technologies, carbon capture, utilization and storage, the circular economy and other innovative technologies.

Benore Logistic Systems, Inc

Branham Group, Inc.

Cherry Street Energy

Colite Technologies

Davis & Floyd

Delta Bravo

EPR

GEL Engineering, LLC

Greentree Land Management, LLC

HRP Associates, Inc.

JW Aluminum

Kimley-Horn

Central SC Alliance

City of North Charleston

Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University

Conservation Voters of South Carolina

Lowcountry Land Trust

Maritime Association of SC

Mixon Seed

Open Space Institute

Palmetto Pride

Lumenant

MainOcean Carolinas

MUSC

Samsung

SC Dept. of Agriculture

Siemens

South Carolina Mitigation Association

Tetramer Technologies

The Beach Company

Upstate SC Alliance

Water & Land Solutions

ZF Group

SC Aquarium

SCMEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership)

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

South Carolina Forestry Commission

South Carolina National Heritage Corridor

The Darla Moore School of Business

The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University

Town of Mt. Pleasant

VisionGreenwood

How you can help:

Make a commitment to the sustainability of commerce + conservation in South Carolina.

Three ways you can help:

→ Become a member of Sustain SC.

→ Attend Sustain SC events to better understand sustainability in South Carolina.

→ Be a voice for strategic sustainable economic growth in our state.

For more information, please contact Cynthia Davis, SVP: cynthia@sustainsouthcarolina org or visit sustainsouthcarolina org

sustainsouthcarolina.org/roadmap