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Fleet Advantage Helps Corporate Truck Fleets Certify GHG Output For New SEC Climate Disclosure Proposal

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Technology, Top Trucking, Trucking

Fleet Advantage Helps Corporate Truck Fleets Certify GHG Output For New SEC Climate Disclosure Proposal

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Fleet Advantage, a leading innovator in truck fleet business analytics, equipment financing, and life cycle cost management (LCCM), announced their program helps corporate truck fleets certify their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) output, recently mandated under a proposed rule issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Fleet Advantage is the only finance lessor that has been certifying such measures for a decade with a focus on tractor trailer fleets that operate high annual mileages (MPY).

On March 21, the SEC issued a proposed rule designed to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures divulged by public companies. Under the proposal, a registrant is required to adhere to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosures within qualitative governance disclosures within their annual reports (e.g., Form 10-K). Comments on the proposed rule are due 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register or May 20, 2022.

Pioneering Focus on ESG and Documented Certification for SEC Filings

With more than 12 years of experience reporting to America’s Top 50 corporate truck fleets to achieve emissions sustainability, the company developed innovative technologies analyzing billions of miles of data from more than 50,000 vehicles in its network and providing accurate, ongoing emissions audits combined with its Fleet Modernization and Finance Program. 

John Flynn founded Fleet Advantage in 2008 with the goal of developing solutions to significantly reduce emissions using a sustainable Fleet Modernization Program. The company has introduced breakthroughs including emissions scorecards, early truck EXchangeIT® program, and financial flexibility to acquire use of clean-diesel engines more frequently as the emission technology advances. This program has helped fleets meet GHG-1and -2 Federal mandates to reduce CO2, while saving millions of dollars year-over-year with improved MPG and reduced fuel consumption.

Fleet Advantage customers operate fleets with lower cost per mile, a reduced carbon footprint and improved safety and driver morale by maintaining their fleet’s average life at about 2-3 years. This helps compliment ESG strategies for its customers in their goal to report to regulators and critical stakeholders. The company’s data analytics have proven that switching from an 8-year truck life cycle to a 4-5-year life cycle nets an average fleet reduction of 2.5 million gallons and 25,000 metric tons of CO2. According to the IEA, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions continued to rise by 6% in 2021, their highest ever level.

Currently, five of America’s top ten corporate fleets trust Fleet Advantage as their truck finance partner. To learn more or receive an emissions scorecard and fleet modernization study, call 954-615-4400 or visit https://www.fleetadvantage.com/contact

FCPA
Archives, Commentary, Global Trade Daily

FCPA Can Provide a Favorable Competitive Edge for Your Business

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FCPA can be used as a useful business development tool when dealing with government officials and customers in international markets by conducting a valuable training awareness program or seminar.

 In 1977 FCPA Regulations were implanted in response to revelations of widespread bribery of foreign officials by U.S. companies. The US Regulation was intended to halt those corrupt practices, create a level playing field for honest businesses, and restore public confidence in the integrity of the marketplace. More recently, the Securities Exchange Commission has joined the Department of Justice is expanding the scope of what an FCPA violation means with vague, broad guidelines.

If one thinks US Multinationals are confused by the new regulation in nature and scope, one can only imagine the confusion of customers, vendors, government officials, and other stakeholders within over 80 International markets.

In many markets, the word “bribe” in business is not a negative reactionary term but respected and expected. In fact, in most emerging markets across Asia, Latin America, The Middle East, or Eastern Europe require this.  If some form of a gift, payment, or consideration is not part of the agreement, it is considered rude and disrespectful, and business negotiation will stall.

Emerging Markets are even finding themselves in a position where they are reluctant to do business with US Multinationals for not respecting local customs and norms and not understanding the FCPA Regulation itself due to the complexity. US Multinationals under FCPA jurisdiction are losing billions of dollars in business opportunities within these markets since their “hands are tied” when it comes to ensuring strict FCPA Compliance. All of which has led to a significant loss in revenue.

However, there is a solution with a win-win for all parties, including the SEC and DOJ.

A robust  FCPA/ Compliance and Controls Training Program delivered by US Companies to Emerging Markets customers, vendors, government officials,  and other third parties to help third party markets better understand US Regulations and has led to a measurable increase in local sales/revenue.

Locally, language adapted, simple, effectively delivered (and maybe even “fun”) training programs using case study interactive examples in a classroom setting provided to local clients/customers/government officials/vendors provides an essential need of US FCPA and Compliance and Controls Requirements.

Private and Public Sector examples show that across Emerging Markets a robust, custom-developed FCPA Training Program, in the local language with interactive case studies  successfully delivered in a hotel or meeting room including modest meals and beverages,  will lead to increased sales/revenue and cost avoidance  in the areas of  Government Tender revenue, ease of custom clearings,  and accelerated regulatory approvals of product or services.

The bottom line benefits are:

-FCPA Regulators appreciate the training and awareness of programs delivered throughout Emerging Markets avoiding subsequent fines and actions

-In-country clients/third parties and government officials enjoy learning about FCPA and how it might differ from their local country norms around bribing

-US Multi-Nationals could significantly increase revenue within emerging markets while complying with FCPA Regulations.

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If you would like to find out more, please contact Frank Orlowski, Founder Ation Advisory Group at 917-821-2147.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, Special Reports

Will Facebook’s Libra Help Bring Cryptocurrency To The Masses?

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When Facebook announced plans for a stablecoin called Libra, the reaction from the cryptocurrency world ranged somewhere between skeptical and cautiously optimistic.

But, regardless of any specific merits of Facebook’s version of a digital coin, the social-media giant’s move could help speed the adoption of cryptocurrency to a larger audience, says Kirill Bensonoff (www.kirillbensonoff.com), a serial entrepreneur and an expert in blockchain.

“The biggest issue now is that most people are not familiar with crypto; they think it’s difficult to use, and they may not trust it,” Bensonoff says. “Facebook will put a digital wallet on many phones and computers, and sending payments with crypto will become commonplace.”

Facebook’s Libra is proposed as a stablecoin, which is a form of cryptocurrency. Using Libra, people would be able to buy things or send money to others while paying, at most, minor fees. Unlike other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, the value of stablecoins is tied to an asset such as gold, the U.S. dollar, the Euro or other currencies.

Facebook won’t have complete control of Libra. It’s just part of a bigger group of partners that’s creating the stablecoin.

What might all this mean for the future of cryptocurrencies – and for the average person who still knows little about them? Bensonoff says a few things worth knowing about Libra in particular and stablecoins in general include:

-Bringing stability to cryptocurrency. As the name implies, the idea of stablecoins is to bring more stability – and more peace of mind for wary investors – to the world of cryptocurrency. “I don’t think Facebook will bring stability immediately,” Bensonoff says. “I believe it’s going to take a lot more in terms of mass adoption, but Libra could be a step in the right direction.”

-The SEC’s view. Regulators at the Securities and Exchange Commission have been eyeing stablecoins with the possibility that some of them could be classified as securities. “That could put stablecoins in the same category as stocks, subject to the registration, disclosures, and accreditation of investors that demands,” Bensonoff says.

-Will Libra replace PayPal? Maybe not, considering that PayPay is one of the founding members of Libra, Bensonoff says. “I think they will have some influence on the direction,” he says. “However, crypto in general is a threat to all existing payment processors, including PayPal. I believe PayPal is smart and will adopt and accept crypto payments, and they will figure out a way to monetize it. The downside for them is they won’t be able to charge nearly as much as they do now.”

“I believe Libra is going to have a positive impact in terms of awareness, adoption and interest in cryptocurrency from both businesses and consumers,” Bensonoff says. “But at the same time, with that could come more regulatory scrutiny.”

About Kirill Bensonoff

Kirill Bensonoff (www.kirillbensonoff.com) has over 20 years experience in entrepreneurship, technology and innovation as a founder, advisor and investor in over 30 companies. He’s the CEO of OpenLTV, which gives investors across the world access to passive income, collateralized by real estate, powered by blockchain. In the information technology and cloud services space, Kirill founded U.S. Web Hosting while still in college, was co-founder of ComputerSupport.com in 2006, and launched Unigma in 2015. All three companies had a successful exit.

As an innovator in the blockchain and DLT space, Kirill launched the crypto startup Caviar in 2017 and has worked to build the blockchain community in Boston by hosting the Boston Blockchain, Fintech and Innovation Meetup. He is also the producer and host of The Exchange with KB podcast and leads the Blockchain + AI Rising Angel.co syndicate. Kirill earned a B.S. degree from Connecticut State University, is a graduate of the EO Entrepreneurial Masters at MIT, and holds a number of technical certifications. He has been published or quoted in Inc., Hacker Noon, The Street, Forbes, Huffington Post, Bitcoin Magazine and Cointelegraph and many others.