Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Nat Geo Reporters Win 2017 Society of Environmental Journalists Awards for Beat Reporting on Effects of Climate Change and Illegal Wildlife Trading

Aug 28, 2017 8:15 AM ET

From a pool of nearly 400 submissions, the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) recently announced the winners of the 2016-17 Awards for Reporting on the Environment, and two awards went to 21st Century Fox’s National Geographic reporters, Craig Welch and Rachel Nuwer, for their important work in illuminating pressing issues of climate change and the human impact of wild animal welfare around the world.

Health & Healthcare

Panera Uses Cups to Curb Sugar Cravings

Aug 25, 2017 8:00 PM ET

Many fast food companies have started to address consumers’ desires to eat more consciously – and Panera has been on the frontlines of helping consumers make better dining choices. What started with the “No No List” has evolved into a series of commitments to take ‘clean eating’ mainstream. And the café chain isn’t stopping anytime soon. The next step in the menu cleanup process is focused on informing consumers about Panera’s beverage options with each sip they take.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whirlpool Corporation and Habitat - Building a Brand, New Home and a Stronger Community

Aug 25, 2017 5:45 PM ET

Executive Dir. of Habitat for Humanity in Cleveland, Tenn., Chip Willis, celebrates a years-long relationship with Whirlpool Corporation, recalling the visible impact that the company has made on the local community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Kris Bryant to Shine Light on Wings for Life Foundation During #PlayersWeekend

Aug 25, 2017 5:35 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy Foundation Hosts Special Olympics Southern California Young Athletes Festival at StubHub Center

Aug 25, 2017 5:30 PM ET

Earlier today, AEG’s LA Galaxy Foundation hosted the Special Olympics Southern California Young Athletes Festival for more than 100 athletes ages 5-8, with and without intellectual disabilities, at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Throughout the morning LA Galaxy Unified players helped lead activities alongside LA Galaxy staff, in conjunction with the team’s LA Galaxy Foundation Fridays volunteer program.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Q & A: Sands Cares Fresh Start Mobile Showers Powered by Clean the World Shawn Seipler, Clean the World Founder and CEO

Aug 25, 2017 2:05 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands and Clean the World have announced a first-of-its-kind service in Las Vegas to help homeless people. The Sands Cares Fresh Start Mobile Showers Powered by Clean the World is a traveling hygiene unit that visits locations serving the homeless to provide showers, hygiene supplies and other resources.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

More than 110,000 Children Need a Family Right Now

Aug 25, 2017 2:00 PM ET

In the United States, right now, there are more than 110,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted. President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Rita Soronen talks about the Foundation’s strategies to get these children their forever families and the changing attitudes of Americans towards children in foster care. “For 20,000 children in this country, year over year over year, they turn 18 and leave foster care without a family,” Soronen told host Tom Hodson of WOUB during the Spectrum podcast. The Foundation focuses specifically on finding families for those children most at risk of aging out of care.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CEOs Respond to Charlottesville

Aug 25, 2017 12:55 PM ET

Along with so many across the nation, CECP was shocked by the events in Charlottesville earlier this month and yet encouraged by the actions of the CEOs of many of world’s largest corporations – most affiliated with this CECP network – that demonstrated that the courage and conviction of business can and should be a force for good.

Education

VIDEO: HP World on Wheels | Digital Inclusion and Learning Labs

Aug 25, 2017 12:10 PM ET

Remote regions of emerging countries are often left behind in the connected global economy. HP is committed to build and deploy 48 mobile, self-contained, Internet-enabled digital inclusion and learning labs to help bridge this gap in rural India.

Innovation & Technology

#TechstarsATL: Get to Know Fraudmarc

Aug 25, 2017 11:10 AM ET

Techstars Atlanta is presented in partnership with Cox Enterprises and is part of a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. Applications for the 2017 program’s 10 coveted spots came from 41 countries around the globe.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CITGO Employees Invited to the Annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp

Aug 25, 2017 10:30 AM ET

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has invited CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery employees to attend “Sponsor Day” at the annual MDA Summer Camp in Camp Aranzazu near Rockport. During their time there, they will be free to tour the camp, participate in a camp activity and meet the campers that they have helped send to camp.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Arrow Employees and Suppliers Raise Funds for Operation Help a Hero

Aug 25, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

MealConnect Is Making A Difference

Aug 25, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Preventing food waste and feeding people facing hunger is proving to be easier than ever thanks to Feeding America’s MealConnect application.

Health & Healthcare

#WeAreWELL: Sarah Welton, Triathlete and Yogi

Aug 25, 2017 10:05 AM ET

As the VP of Technical Solutions at IWBI, Sarah Welton is the primary point of contact for prospective clients and registered projects, as well as a subject matter expert supporting the WELL Building Standard and certification process.

Research, Reports & Publications

All Regulations Are Local: States Surge to Help Set Clean Energy Agenda

Aug 25, 2017 10:00 AM ET

A new administration has vowed to roll back numerous environmental regulations aimed at reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. Does this give power providers new impetus to rewrite their long-term planning? This year’s Strategic Directions: Electric Industry Report finds this isn’t necessarily the case.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How the GRI Standards Exam Will Benefit Sustainability Professionals: An Interview with Tim Lo

Aug 25, 2017 10:00 AM ET

GRI recently launched a new online platform for people to test and demonstrate their knowledge on the GRI Standards, launched in October 2016. We asked Tim Lo, the first successful GRI Standards Exam taker, about his exam experience and how it adds value to his career as a sustainability professional.

Health & Healthcare

Aramark Launches New Plant-Based Culinary Training Curriculum with The Humane Society of the United States

Aug 25, 2017 9:50 AM ET

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities and uniforms, announced today that it will partner with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to conduct a series of plant-based culinary trainings over the next six months as part of its ongoing efforts to develop strategies that increase plant-based food offerings for consumers. Currently, as part of its Healthy for Life 20 By 20 commitment with the American Heart Association, 30 percent of the main dishes Aramark serves across its dining operations in Healthcare, Higher Education and Business Dining are vegan or vegetarian, and 10 percent feature whole grains as their main ingredient.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

4 Innovative Projects from Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists

Aug 25, 2017 9:45 AM ET

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize brings together young innovators from around the world who have created new solutions to growing water challenges. This year, a record 33 countries have participated, presenting new solutions for water treatment, agriculture and water reuse.

Every year, the competition draws more than 10,000 entries. Each country selects one finalist to attend Stockholm World Water Week, where the winner will be announced on August 29. Xylem continues their support of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize as the Founding Global Sponsor.

Health & Healthcare

New Merck for Mothers Blog: The Host Shining a Light on Maternal Health Around the World

Aug 25, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Ivy Prosper is a television host, producer and speaker. She's also an advocate for the empowerment of women and for their maternal health rights. She currently works as a producer on documentary projects telling stories in Africa. She is also developing a line of handbags and accessories where a portion of sales go towards maternal health needs in Ghana.

Innovation & Technology

Unreasonable Impact | Innovation: Sexy, But Not Always Right

Aug 25, 2017 9:35 AM ET

For much of the past 25 years, I’ve dedicated my time to figuring out how mobile technology might help support positive social and environmental change in the developing world. During that time, I created FrontlineSMS, an open source software for grassroots organizations to distribute and collect information via text messages, and it was built from the ground up to reach global scale. Along the way, I spent time living and working in many communities where I both led and witnessed development projects firsthand. I’ve seen attempts at innovation go well, and I’ve seen others crash and burn.

Sustainable Development Goals

Schneider Electric CEO: Regarding Climate, I Am Neither Optimistic Nor Pessimistic; I Am An Activist

Aug 25, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The big picture is clear. It is our corporate duty to fight climate change brought on by carbon emissions. But we are running against the clock and we must act now. As the Paris climate agreement maps out, we must limit global warming to 2°C above preindustrial levels. Globally, that means cutting emissions in half by 2050.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | Progressive and Forward-looking, Energy-intensive Companies are Looking to Technology to Make Them Compliant with the Paris Agreement

Aug 25, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Managing Director of WBCSD’s Natural Capital Area, Maria Mendiluce, speaks to We Mean Business about the Paris Agreement and what companies are doing to take action.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Power of Companies to Influence Social Norms

Aug 25, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Companies are uniquely positioned to drive change around social norms by using their brand credibility, marketing expertise, reach, and access to key influencers, among other assets. Companies can create significant, lasting social change by shifting harmful social norms. But why should companies invest in changing social norms, and what are the practical steps to starting this process?

Environment

The Right Tree for the Right Place

Aug 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Trees offer so much to home landscapes and benefit homeowners and the communities they live in whether it’s shade, beauty, privacy, windbreak, or higher property values. But these benefits are only enjoyed when you plant the right tree in the right place.

Social Impact & Volunteering

LA Galaxy to Partner with Los Angeles Police Department to Host Youth Community Clinic at 109th Street Recreation Center

Aug 24, 2017 8:45 PM ET

As part of AEG’s LA Galaxy Community Clinic Series, LA Galaxy coaches will provide free soccer lessons and lead local youth through soccer drills and scrimmages alongside Los Angeles Police Department Southeast division officers at the 109th Street Recreation Center on Saturday, Aug. 26. Youth to participate in the clinic have been invited by the LAPD Southeast division.