Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Creating a Great Place to Work

Aug 13, 2018 9:45 AM ET

It is important that our employees at all levels see themselves as valued contributors to our organization and have the tools they need to succeed.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Epsilon’s Dockmaster Keeps Business Humming

Aug 13, 2018 9:35 AM ET

When Kara Kluver started working full-time at Epsilon in the spring of 2016, her main job was handling the many packages that were delivered to the Irving offices of the global marketing firm. Today, as “dockmaster” for Epsilon’s seven-story building, Kluver not only accepts and delivers and tracks the packages on an iPad, but also confirms the identities of vendors and contractors who enter the facility and restocks the company’s multiple business centers every day.

Innovation & Technology

Our All-Action Heroes Engineer an Incredible Future

Aug 13, 2018 9:30 AM ET

As technological advances continue to transform the energy sector, CLP has deployed a robot to help inspect power plant boilers, introduced augmented reality welding training and used 3D printing technology to produce replacement parts for cooling fans, switches and insulators in Hong Kong.

Energy

Pathyway to 2030: Accelerate Decarbonization of the Electric Sector

Aug 13, 2018 9:10 AM ET

Today, zero-carbon electricity comprises over 50% of Northeast electricity generation. About 25% is from renewable electricity, including large-scale hydro. To position the region to achieve 2030 targets, total zero-carbon generation must increase to 67% of supply, with the renewable electricity share rising to nearly 50%, outpacing both RGGI and targets set in state-level RPS (Figure 3). All major classes of renewable resources figure prominently in the Pathway: onshore and offshore wind, distributed and large-scale solar, and hydro power.

Diversity & Inclusion

Supporting Our Military Community

Aug 13, 2018 9:05 AM ET

In 2012, we pledged to hire 2,000 veterans by 2015, and in 2015, we pledged to hire 10,000 members of the military community by the end of 2017. We surpassed both goals, and since 2010 we’ve added more than 15,000 veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses to the Comcast NBCUniversal family. Our success has led us to expand our hiring and outreach efforts.

We know that supporting our military community takes more than employment alone. We’re using our resources and reach to foster nationwide partnerships that empower the military community, and embracing volunteer service opportunities to support the efforts of many veterans and military-related nonprofit organizations.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby Letter

Aug 13, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In a letter to shareholders, Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby highlights how, as a leading global manufacturer of heavy equipment, we provide the solutions – the engines, locomotives, machines and services – our customers use to build a better world.

Health & Healthcare

SC Johnson Insect Experts Debunk 5 Common Myths About Using Personal Insect Repellents

Aug 13, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Whether you’ve been spending the summer in your backyard, at the beach or hiking in the woods, you’ve probably encountered familiar insects like mosquitoes and ticks – and their bites. The insect experts at the SC Johnson Institute of Insect Science for Family Health want to help you and your family defend yourselves from bug bites. Their advice: Planning for the insects you will meet outdoors is the first step to enjoying summer fun.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

John Holm of PYXERA Global Moderates Panel at NAEM Sustainability Conference

Aug 10, 2018 7:00 PM ET

John Holm, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, represented PYXERA Global at the National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM) Sustainability Management Conference in Providence, RI, from July 30–August 1. The NAEM Sustainability Management Conference brought together leaders from the private sector, public sector, and academia to discuss the latest trends in sustainability as well as progress on the ways companies operationalize the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

When It Comes to Packaging, Plastic Is the Environmental Material of Choice

Aug 10, 2018 4:00 PM ET

This title may scream fake news to many of you. Yet it is true, and particularly relevant given the latest efforts to ban the plastic straw. A 2016 study found that replacing plastics in packaging and consumer products could raise environmental costs nearly fourfold. This is because strong, lightweight plastics help us do more with less material, providing environmental benefits throughout the lifecycle of plastic products and packaging. The study also concludes that the environmental costs of alternative materials can be lower per ton of production but are greater in aggregate due to the much larger quantities of material needed to fulfill the same purposes as plastics.

Environment

Smithfield Foods Honors Employees and Facilities with Environmental and Sustainability Awards

Aug 10, 2018 3:45 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. has honored multiple facilities and employees with Environmental and Sustainability Awards, recognizing efforts that helped Smithfield save more than 1.1 billion gallons of water, more than 8.8 million kilowatts of electricity, and more than 21.1 million pounds of solid waste generation in 2017.

Health & Healthcare

For Some Kids, Summer's Not so Healthy When School Lunch Goes Away

Aug 10, 2018 3:10 PM ET

It’s August, and we’re well in to the heat of summer. It should be a carefree time for children, but for those who depend on the National School Lunch Program during the school year, summer may mean poor nutrition, even hunger.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kimberly-Clark Recognized at SBA Singapore for its Commitment to Sustainable Business

Aug 10, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark and its employees in Asia Pacific received two honors at the Sustainable Business Awards (SBA) Singapore for its sustainable business best-practices in the areas of waste productivity and water management.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Future Is Sweet – and Sustainable – for Allbirds

Aug 10, 2018 1:35 PM ET

If you take a quick look around your office, it probably won’t be hard to spot a pair of shoes made by Allbirds, the San Francisco-based footwear company that makes its products using materials like wool and eucalyptus fiber.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | Teen Flies Around World Solo to Raise Money for Family Friend's 8-Year-Old with Brain Cancer

Aug 10, 2018 1:25 PM ET

A 19-year-old pilot spent less than a month flying around the world to raise awareness for pediatric cancer research.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Digital Innovator Akon Announces First Official AKoin Partner: Lottery.com

Aug 10, 2018 1:20 PM ET

Grammy-winning artist and techno-philanthropist, Akon, keeps the hits coming with the first announcement towards the goal of creating a digital currency to help empower young entrepreneurs. The renowned artist announced Lottery.com as Akoin’s first official partner in the creation and implementation of the Akoin currency. Lottery.com, the leader in Lottery and creator of a blockchain-powered global impact platform, is the first official Akoin partner.

Research, Reports & Publications

What a Sustainable Business Looks Like – Erb Institute Professor Sara Soderstrom Comments on Brewery Vivant

Aug 10, 2018 1:00 PM ET

When Kris Spaulding started Brewery Vivant, she did so mindful of the possibilities to create a sustainable business with inspiration sparked at the University of Michigan.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Why Investors Should Diversify More Than Just Their Assets

Aug 10, 2018 12:50 PM ET

The next generation of investors demands more from their portfolios. While they still expect to generate returns that will fund a home, their children's education and retirement, a growing number also expect their investments to make a difference. They believe the power of their portfolios can be harnessed to positively impact the issues they care most about, building more diverse, more sustainable and higher-performing companies.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Republic Services Joins Together for Safer Roads in Ringing Nasdaq Closing Bell.

Aug 10, 2018 12:20 PM ET

On Monday, August 6, Together for Safer Roads (TSR) had the honor of ringing the Nasdaq closing bell alongside many of its member companies, including Republic Services. TSR is a coalition of global private sector companies working to improve worldwide road safety through initiatives, ideas and innovation.

Green Infrastructure

The Next-Generation Logistics Network

Aug 10, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Innovation and sustainability are part of UPS's DNA - see how they merge in this Q&A with CIO Juan Perez.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

NAEM Introduces Excellence Awards

Aug 10, 2018 10:55 AM ET

The National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM) will host its inaugural Excellence Awards on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the 26th Annual EHS & Sustainability Management Forum.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Workforce Incentives Can Help Win the War for Talent

Aug 10, 2018 10:50 AM ET

Energy

Aug. 11 (8-11) Serves as Convenient Reminder for Michigan Residents to Always Contact 811 before Digging

Aug 10, 2018 10:35 AM ET

With summer outdoor projects still in full swing, Aug. 11 or 8-11, serves as a natural reminder for Michigan residents to contact MISS DIG 811 before digging to have underground utilities marked.

Media & Communications

Owned, Operated – and Committed

Aug 10, 2018 10:35 AM ET

NBC and Telemundo owned stations are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. With efforts that include nationwide awareness campaigns focused on helping teachers and students in need and annual health fairs that attract thousands of people and deliver vital preventive health screenings and services, the NBC and Telemundo stations are invested in creating long-term good.

Events, Media & Communications

Stand-Off in Refusal of Salesforce Grant for Immigration Relief

Aug 10, 2018 9:55 AM ET

The story behind why RAICES, a small Texas-based nonprofit raising funds to cover the legal costs of Latino families separated by ICE at the border, was refusing a $250,000 grant from Salesforce.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Marketers Speak to the Power of Purpose at the Cannes Lions

Aug 10, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Once upon a time, the concept of “purpose” was de rigueur at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. It was threaded through just about every conversation, panel and presentation. Increasingly, that required conversation has shifted to gender equality, diversity and inclusion. That doesn’t mean that purpose has taken a back seat, but the discussion around purpose has been modified and when it’s discussed, the examples appear more meaningful, transparent, and true to an organization’s DNA.