Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Lifting Up Those Left Behind in L.A.’s Forgotten ZIP Codes

Apr 6, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Watts is a Los Angeles neighborhood with a legacy of poverty, racial tension and violence. It’s notorious for the Watts Riots, a nightmarish five-day 1965 clash set off by police brutality and intensified by poor race relations. Today, residents of Watts’ low-income housing projects are still hindered by the city’s lack of interest in rehabilitating and modernizing their neighborhood. Children growing up in the area have more options to pick a gang than a college, and their tap water is potentially contaminated with lead or arsenic.

The 2017 Viacommunity Award winner, Flora Huang, was recognized for her efforts to help stop this cycle of hopelessness.

Innovation & Technology

Cisco VIDEO | Meet the Global Problem Solver: Good World Solutions

Apr 6, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Good World Solutions’s mobile technology allows companies — and consumers — to know what life is like for the thousands of factory workers behind the scenes.

Events, Media & Communications

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation President Jim King Discusses The George Barley Water Prize with The Weather Channel

Apr 6, 2018 9:55 AM ET

On World Water Day, The Weather Channel's Kait Parker chatted with Jim King, President of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation about the issue of harmful algae blooms in waterways caused by an excess of phosphorus. Scotts Miracle-Gro is the presenting sponsor of The George Barley Water Prize, a four-stage global competition to find a solution to this global problem.

Research, Reports & Publications

Barclays Promotes Access to Financial and Digital Empowerment

Apr 6, 2018 9:45 AM ET

In 2017 over 97,000 people engaged with our 14 Eagle Labs across the UK, helping local businesses to start-up and grow.

Education

Helping the Next Alexander Hamilton Rise

Apr 6, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Two lines in the last scene of the hip hop Broadway phenomenon “Hamilton” have had an outsized impact. “Oh, can I show you what I’m proudest of? I established the first private orphanage in New York City,” sings Eliza Hamilton, referring to the Orphan Asylum Society, which she founded after her husband’s death to help children like Alexander Hamilton, who was an orp

Events, Media & Communications

Gina McCarthy to Share Inspiring Vision at NAEM’s Conference for Corporate EHS&S Leaders

Apr 6, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Safeguarding the environment and protecting public health can go hand-in-hand with business growth, Gina McCarthy says, and on May 16 she will share this vision with corporate leaders at NAEM’s 2018 Compliance Management conference in Austin.

Events, Media & Communications

Video: How to Craft a Volunteer Program That Meets Employee Needs

Apr 6, 2018 9:20 AM ET

On Tuesday, March 27, 2018, VolunteerMatch — the web’s largest network of volunteer opportunities — presented ways to gauge employee preferences and proposed solutions that mobilize employees to give back in the way they want to. Miss the webinar? Watch the recording here.

Innovation & Technology

How IoT Is Transforming the Energy Industry

Apr 6, 2018 9:10 AM ET

As the cost of sensors, devices, edge networks, machine learning, and analytics decreases, the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) is creating a new industrial paradigm that impacts every industry, energy included. Energy has been evolving in terms of generation and distribution, and the IoT stands to be the most transformational aspect of this brave new world. Here’s how we expect it to affect corporate energy users in the next decade.

Sustainable Development Goals

Cashew Trees Abuzz in the Diamond Mining Areas of Côte d’Ivoire

Apr 6, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In a recent post, Terah discusses how the PRADD II Project began a beekeeping program on cashew plantations within diamond mining communities to increase yields and diversify their livelihoods away from dependence on diamonds.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Nominate Today: CR Magazine Responsible CEO of the Year Awards Deadline April 30

Apr 6, 2018 9:00 AM ET

CR Magazine is accepting nominations through April 30, 2018, for the 11th annual Responsible CEO of the Year Awards. These awards are presented to CEOs that visibly exceed standards in the areas of employee relations, environmental impact, sustainability, human rights, philanthropy and corporate responsibility practices.

Education

Spring 2018 Alumni Travel Award Opens

Apr 6, 2018 6:55 AM ET

The Amgen Scholars Global Program Office is now accepting applications for Spring 2018 U.S. Alumni Travel Awards. The deadline for application submission is April 20, 2018.

Research, Reports & Publications

CEMEX Creates Value Through Digital Transformation: 2017 Integrated Report

Apr 6, 2018 5:00 AM ET

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (CEMEX) (NYSE: CX) published its 2017 Integrated Report, “Leading Our Industry’s Digital Transformation.” As CEMEX’s second Integrated Report, it provides comprehensive insight into how the company is creating value across its four strategic pillars: People, Customers, Markets, and Sustainability.

Environment

Learn More About Lutheran World Relief's Work to Help Small Cocoa Farmers and Cooperatives in Central America

Apr 5, 2018 5:50 PM ET

Lutheran World Relief helps small cocoa farmers and cooperatives in Central America to build sustainable businesses, generating a map of flavors learn more about them in Cacao Movil.

Environment

Aprende más sobre Lutheran World Relief ayuda a pequeños agricultores de cacao y cooperativas de Centroamérica

Apr 5, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Lutheran World Relief ayuda a pequeños agricultores de cacao y cooperativas de Centroamérica a construir negocios sostenibles, generando un mapa de Sabores Aprende más sobre ellos en Cacao Movil.

Health & Healthcare

Bacardi Launches Product Nutrition Website

Apr 5, 2018 5:25 PM ET

As part of the company’s continued commitment to marketing alcohol responsibly, Bacardi Limited has added a section to its website providing nutritional information for many of the spirits brands in its portfolio including BACARDÍ®, GREY GOOSE®, MARTINI®, DEWAR’S®, D’USSÉ®, among others.

In line with the Producers’ Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking, the first phase of the nutrition site is now accessible from the homepage of www.BacardiLimited.com with information about its products available in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Spain. The information is available in English, Spanish, and French, with plans to expand to additional languages.

Green Infrastructure

Manufacturers Scramble to Meet New EPA Formaldehyde Emissions Compliance Deadline

Apr 5, 2018 4:20 PM ET

By the beginning of June this year –less than two months away – virtually all composite wood products manufactured or sold in the United States, as well as products made with composite wood components, must meet tough formaldehyde standards. As a result, manufacturers of hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, and a wide range of products containing these materials, are now racing the clock to have their products certified in time to demonstrate compliance.

Health & Healthcare

CBRE Awarded WELL Certification Across its Three Toronto Offices, Now Has the Most WELL Certified Spaces in the World

Apr 5, 2018 3:45 PM ET

CBRE announces its three Toronto offices have simultaneously achieved WELL Certification at the silver level for New and Existing Interiors by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™). Awarded based on IWBI’s WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™), the world’s first building standard to focus on enhancing employees’ health and wellness through the built environment, CBRE is pioneering wellness in workplace design with the most WELL Certified office spaces of any company across the globe. The firm now has a total of six WELL Certified offices globally, four in Canada alone, with an additional three registered for certification.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Pfizer’s 15-Year Legacy of Skills-Based Volunteering Helps Improve Healthcare Capacity Around the World

Apr 5, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Smithfield Foods Announces Partnership with Anuvia™ Plant Nutrients to Develop and Market Bio-Based Sustainable Fertilizer Products

Apr 5, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Anuvia™ Plant Nutrients are pleased to announce a new partnership to create sustainable fertilizer from renewable biological materials collected from manure treatment systems at Smithfield’s hog farms. This project is part of Smithfield Renewables, the company’s new platform dedicated to unifying and accelerating its carbon reduction and renewable energy efforts.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CECP Announces KPMG U.S. Chairman and CEO Lynne Doughtie, Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky, and USAA CEO Stuart Parker to Join Board of Directors

Apr 5, 2018 2:15 PM ET

As part of its continuing efforts to create a better world through business, CECP: The CEO Force for Good announced that it will add three top CEOs to the organization’s Board of Directors: KPMG U.S. Chairman and CEO Lynne Doughtie, Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky, and USAA CEO Stuart Parker. As a CEO-led coalition of more than 200 of the world’s largest companies, CECP believes a company’s social strategy – how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers – determines a company’s success. Mr. Gorsky will also serve as Co-Chair of CECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative, alongside Bill McNabb, Chairman, Vanguard.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Accenture Is Taking a Leap to Make a Difference: Tiffany & Tyrone's Story

Apr 5, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Accenture is committed to helping people succeed and grow in the digital era. Business partners Tiffany Hoang and Tyrone Botelho got the skills and mentoring they needed to build their business through Accenture's Skills to Succeed partner Youth Business USA. Want to read more stories about how Accenture making a difference? Read its 2017 Corporate Citizenship Report.

Health & Healthcare

Tyson Foods, UFCW Expand Workplace Safety Efforts

Apr 5, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Tyson Foods, Inc. and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) are expanding their collaborative efforts to make workplace safety improvements at the company’s food processing plants and commemorating 30 years of working together for safer workplaces.

The three decades-long partnership is one union leaders call a model for the food industry. It began in 1988, with the launch of a landmark ergonomics program and has evolved to include improvements that have helped reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. While the primary focus has been Tyson Foods’ beef and pork operations, it is now being expanded to the company’s poultry business, which has been accelerating its workplace safety efforts in recent years.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Future of Fashion: Are We Missing the Mark?

Apr 5, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Little has changed since the 1940s in the way we make our clothes. We still heavily rely on people to power sewing machines, large swaths of agricultural land to grow cotton, and millions of gallons of petroleum to produce synthetic fabrics. Historically, the fashion industry has not leaned on research and development to stay competitive, instead figuring out ways to reduce production costs and get new products to consumers as quickly as possible.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Colombian Renaissance

Apr 5, 2018 12:35 PM ET

Contemplate, for a moment, some of the most destructive challenges facing development today: the increasing prevalence of natural disasters; the underfunding of development goals; the violations of the freedoms of association, expression, and peaceful assembly; the maddening persistence of poverty; and above all, the accelerating effects of global climate change.

Education

Let’s Teach Our Kids About the Economics of Life – Before It’s Too Late!

Apr 5, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Should I buy a coffee on my way to work or make coffee in the office break room? Is taking on student loans for a private four year college really the best choice for me? Should I pay my full credit card bill or just the minimum amount? Every adult – regardless of age, income and marital status – makes countless financial decisions every day.