Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Schneider Electric Partners with Habitat for Humanity for 17th Year

Jun 23, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Schneider Electric today announced a partnership renewal with Habitat for Humanity that will help more than 20 families secure an affordable place to call home. With a cash donation of more than $725,000, Schneider Electric’s commitment to Habitat exceeds $7.5 million in 17 years of partnership.

Sustainable Development Goals

Implementing Carbon Pricing at AkzoNobel

Jun 23, 2017 11:00 AM ET

At the Paris Climate Conference in 2015 (COP 21), most countries agreed to reach net zero greenhouse emissions by the second half of this century. It is an ambitious, but achievable target. It also represents an opportunity for businesses to prepare for a low carbon future with simple determination, and by leveraging their innovation and expertise.

Diversity & Inclusion

Why Inclusion and Diversity is Good for Business

Jun 23, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Medtronic Leader Among Ireland's 25 Most Powerful Women

Jun 23, 2017 10:45 AM ET

For the third year in a row, Medtronic Vice President Bronwyn Brophy has been named among Ireland’s 25 Most Powerful Women by Ireland’s Women’s Executive Network (WXN). Brophy leads her company’s Early Technologies division for Europe, Middle East and Africa. In Ireland, the WXN is the largest network of female senior executives, managers and entrepreneurs, with over 2,500 members. Brophy was interviewed after being notified of the recognition, and asked to share more about her role and what the award means to her.

Education

Consumers Energy Foundation Sponsors Agri-Learning

Jun 23, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Don’t Miss Out on the Best Rates for the BSR Conference 2017

Jun 23, 2017 10:00 AM ET

There's only one week left to save on the leading event for collaboration and action on sustainable business. Rates for the BSR Conference 2017 go up June 30.

Social Impact & Volunteering

AEG and BET Team Up to Give Back to Los Angeles Community

Jun 23, 2017 10:00 AM ET

AEG and BET teamed up with TreePeople, an environmental non-profit organization, to provide tree care throughout Griffith Park in Los Angeles for an annual joint community service day leading up the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE and the BET Awards on Sunday, June 25 at Microsoft Theater.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (June 2017)

Jun 23, 2017 9:55 AM ET

The UN Global Compact Bulletin is designed to keep participants up to date on news, actions you can take, resources and events.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Civic 50: AT&T No. 1 Community-Minded Communications Company

Jun 23, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Environment

Newsletter Shines a Light on De Beers’ Conservation Projects

Jun 23, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The online Diamond Route newsletter carries a host of stories that illustrate how the company’s specialists are conserving the areas around its mines and the animals that live there.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Growing Beyond Europe, Korona Candles Lights Up U.S.

Jun 23, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Today, a new chapter is being written in Dublin, Virginia, at the company’s first production facility in the States. Back in Poland, the company started the manual production of candles with a team of about 20 workers and several basic machines. It was very labor intensive, Agnieszka Fafara, the company’s president and CEO, explained. Ignited by the desire to manufacture top-quality candles, the company invested in automation and attracted more skilled employees in the process. Korona experienced tremendous growth in its hometown, building up to 900 employees.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Going All In for the Bees in France

Jun 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

While we’ve had a long-standing connection to the Xerces Society in the U.S., the General Mills partnership with the French Observatory of Apidology (OFA) in Southern France has taken flight over the last couple years, with more than $200,000 in grants to the organization to help it make an impact across Europe.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Circular Economy and a Low-Carbon Future

Jun 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

All the latest World Business Council on Sustainable Development news for June 2017.

Diversity & Inclusion

Lessons for Funders Supporting LGBTQ Communities

Jun 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

FSG’s Efrain Gutierrez recently presented in front of more than 200 grantmakers committed to LGBTQ issues in Seattle, WA, as a part of the Pacific Northwest Plenary for Funding Forward 2017, a conference organized by Funders for LGBTQ Issues (FSG is a proud member). While the session focused on supporting LGBTQ communities in the Pacific Northwest, funders in the U.S. and abroad can apply the lessons from our discussion to support LGBTQ communities more intentionally.

Environment

Florida County Successfully Tests Direct Potable Reuse

Jun 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

In July 2016, Xylem collaborated with Tetra Tech, the WateReuse Association, and GE to design, build, and operate a pilot purification process for direct potable reuse. The process would treat reclaimed effluent wastewater to comply with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Creating Employee Experience through Technology is Crucial Amidst Rising Prime Office Occupancy Costs, According to CBRE

Jun 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Amidst rising occupancy costs, companies are tasked with creating a user experience, in part through technology, that makes employees more efficient and effective, and that makes the office the preferred place to work, according to CBRE Research’s latest Global Prime Office Occupancy Costs report.

Environment

Barclays Infographic | Utilities: Turned On or Tapped Out?

Jun 23, 2017 9:10 AM ET

This new infographic highlights technologies & practices that could save costs, preserve infrastructure & conserve energy to ensure that clean water will be available when we need it.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue's Technical Operations Team Builds Bikes for Kids in Foster Care

Jun 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Last month, JetBlue honored the memory of Charles E. Taylor, the father of aviation maintenance, with celebrations at its 11 maintenance facilities and New York City Support Center. In the second annual JetBlue For Good Bike Build, JetBlue’s Technical Operations and Corporate Social Responsibility teams partnered to build 275 bikes that were donated to children in the foster care system. JetBlue crewmembers are aiming to build and donate 500 bikes next year.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The 2017 Most Responsible Companies Ranked by Industry Sector – Energy

Jun 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

CR Magazine has put together its annual set of the “2017 Most Responsible Companies Ranked by Industry Sector” list. This list serves to help readers establish that their supply chain is comprised of the most responsible, sustainable, and transparent companies—creating shared value when strategic opportunities arise.

Education

Refugee Students Get Scholarships from Las Vegas Charity

Jun 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Seven South Sudanese teenagers whose families live in a Kenyan refugee camp, will now receive a high school education because of scholarships awarded by the South Sudan Center of America (SSCA), a local Las Vegas charity. SSCA was founded by Biar Atem, a Sands Cares Hero of the Year and Team Member at The Venetian and The Palazzo who was a South Sudanese “lost boy.” He was also named by Fortune magazine as one of the top 50 “Heroes of the 500.” The center seeks to assist and educate South Sudanese refugees living in the United States and abroad.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How to Start Your Career in Corporate Social Responsibility

Jun 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

As Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Viacom’s BET Networks, Nneka Norville has the kind of job many people dream of. Every day she works to make a difference while building BET’s brand. It’s a job that involves strategy, creativity, interpersonal skills and generosity.

Research, Reports & Publications

Royal Mail Group Publishes Its 2016-17 Corporate Responsibility Report

Jun 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Royal Mail’s vision is to be recognised as the best delivery company in the UK and across Europe. Against a backdrop of significant change, innovation and diversification, Royal Mail has continued to put the principles of corporate responsibility at the heart of its business strategy. Royal Mail believes that this holds the key to building sustainable value for its shareholders.

Environment

TD Bank Group Supports Vancouver's Greenest City Action Plan

Jun 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In 2016, TD Bank Group collaborated with Bullfrog Power on a first-of-its kind renewable energy initiative to address 100% of its energy footprint for TD branches in Vancouver, as well as a portion of its business-related travel in the city.

The collaboration between TD and Bullfrog Power will help to achieve some of these goals, and provide a necessary model for how businesses can address 100 per cent of their energy footprint in support of a low-carbon economy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Growth of Green Product Certification in China

Jun 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Much has been written about three trends that are important in answering this question – growing affluence in China, the power of e-commerce, and the export of Chinese goods to the rest of the world. These trends, in turn, are creating a greater demand for truth in labeling, and driving the growth of third-party verification and validation. This article steps back to take stock of where we are, and where we are headed.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sustainability and Profitability

Jun 23, 2017 8:55 AM ET

While many companies jump to the conclusion that environmental stewardship and bottom-line profitability are mutually exclusive of each other, Bechtel has always embraced the concept of sustainability and continues to advance it through innovation in the company.