Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Education

Amgen Scholars Alumni in Action: Megan Krench

Dec 30, 2015 8:45 AM ET

At an Amgen Scholars alumni event held at MIT in spring 2015, we asked former Scholars how the Program has affected their career paths. Here’s what they told us.

Environment

Sappi’s Laura Thompson Explains Why 2014 was a Pivotal Year of Change for the Paper Industry

Dec 30, 2015 8:30 AM ET

For Sappi North America, 2014 may long be remembered as a pivotal year of change. We saw a merger of two of the biggest merchants in our supply chain as well as our two largest competitors. Coated paper markets struggled, a global economic slowdown hurt the sales of release papers, and dissolving pulp prices took a sharp downward turn. While it certainly had its challenges, 2014 was also a critical year for foundation building and refinement to position Sappi for the next generation.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The American Industrial Skincare Goes ‘Green’

Dec 30, 2015 8:00 AM ET

We’ve seen a rise in sustainable skin care companies, an idea that has largely been driven by consumer demand and awareness. These are skin-care companies that genuinely care about sustainability, and the effects that their produces have on the environment and people’s health.

Education

Amal Clooney Scholarship for Young Women Launches in Lebanon

Dec 29, 2015 4:00 PM ET

The human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has partnered with 100 Lives, a new global initiative that supports an annual scholarship for young women from Lebanon to pursue studies at the United World College Dilijan in Armenia.

Energy

National Grid’s Terence Sobolewski Elected To Alliance To Save Energy’s Board Of Directors

Dec 29, 2015 3:20 PM ET

Environment

Acquiring a Taste for the Circular Economy

Dec 29, 2015 2:15 PM ET

Food waste is a growing scandal which now has the public’s full attention. In the United States and much of Western Europe, food scraps constitute around 19% of the waste dumped in landfills, where it ends up rotting and producing methane, a greenhouse gas. This is not only undesirable in terms of sustainability and environmental impact but costly for food retailers paying high disposal costs.

Diversity & Inclusion

A Better Path to Impact Careers for MBAs

Dec 29, 2015 12:30 PM ET

As I stood in front of my booth at the Net Impact Conference Expo, I watched eager MBA students stride between tables. These aren’t your typical MBA students. They’re not interested in climbing the corporate ladder or the highest-paying careers. These MBAs want to use their degrees to create a better world.

Research, Reports & Publications

Environmental Sustainability at Northern Trust

Dec 29, 2015 12:25 PM ET

“In the financial service sector, environmental sustainability take many forms. From best-in-class facilities management to innovative employee engagement activities we take this work seriously. In 2014, we are proud to report a more than 10% decrease in our overall emissions per full-time employee, based on base year 2011. The efforts of professionals around the globe working to eliminate and mitigate negative environmental impacts from our operations made this decrease possible.”

Environment

Outstanding Audit Results From Arrow Value Recovery Facilities in EMEA and USA

Dec 29, 2015 11:15 AM ET

In January 2015, Arrow Electronics’ Value Recovery business added its North American processing facilities to the company’s existing Asset Disposal and Information Security Alliance (ADISA) certification programme.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Youngstown Republic Services Employees Give Back to Their Community

Dec 29, 2015 10:05 AM ET

The Youngstown division of Republic Services hosted a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley in “Project: Feed Our Valley.” In order to make this a success, Republic added a little “friendly competition” between the employees. One location collected 615 pounds and the other collected 640! Combined, the Youngstown Republic Services team donated 1,255 pounds of food, which is equivalent to about 1,045 meals provided!

Environment

Let’s Play a Game

Dec 29, 2015 10:00 AM ET

I’m encouraged by the recent trend of gamification, in particular its applications in the environmental space.

Innovation & Technology

Meet One of the Wizards Bringing Hogwarts to Hollywood

Dec 29, 2015 10:00 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

CITGO and The Conservation Foundation Lead Volunteers in Protecting the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area

Dec 29, 2015 9:20 AM ET

Nearly 300 volunteers led by the CITGO Lemont Refinery and The Conservation Foundation came together this fall to remove invasive plants attacking wildlife within the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area (HQRA).

Responsible Production & Consumption

Hotels and Restaurants to Launch Sustainable Seafood Week

Dec 29, 2015 8:00 AM ET

More than half of the world's population lives within 100 km of the coast. While human beings have always depended on the ocean for food, advancements in fishing technology and unsustainable fishing practices are now taking their toll.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Countries Ranked on Sustainable Competitiveness by SolAbility

Dec 28, 2015 4:00 PM ET

Competitiveness of nations is traditionally compared on the basis of economic and financial indicators. However, in the wake of global environmental and social challenges, economic competitiveness alone has become an inadequate measure for risk and investment analysis or credit ratings.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How Psychology Bolsters Financial Inclusion

Dec 28, 2015 3:15 PM ET

Environment

My Obsession With Road Trips

Dec 28, 2015 1:45 PM ET

Automobiles and road trips have been a nonstop obsession for me ever since I was an infant. I think this love began with my parents who were fond of the all-American road trip, which usually resulted in long family outings.

Energy

UPS Rolling Laboratory at a Glance

Dec 28, 2015 12:00 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion and Talent Management at Northern Trust

Dec 28, 2015 11:45 AM ET

Northern Trust enforces a workforce policy that does not tolerate discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religious choice and many other personal characteristics. In addition, we do not tolerate forced labor, child labor or violating the rights of indigenous people. Our guiding principles embrace inclusion and diversity of culture, thought, experience and other attributes of individuals’ backgrounds, and we hold in highest regard the dignity of, and respect for, all partners in our workplace. We support the principles set forth by the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and strive to treat all individuals equally.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Give Once, Support Many with America's Charities New Cause Funds

Dec 28, 2015 11:30 AM ET

The world of philanthropy is changing – in the workplace and at home. Donors want more charitable choice. They want their hard-earned dollars invested in effective, reputable charities that are tackling major issues of critical importance. They want to amplify the impact of their charitable donations. And more and more people want to support a cause, not just an institution. We’ve paid attention and are happy to announce that we just launched new Cause Funds that allow a donor to do all those things and more. Our new Cause Funds are the latest in America’s Charities offerings to donors who want to make a significant difference both inside and outside of the workplace.

Research, Reports & Publications

Domtar Continues to Improve Transportation Efficiency

Dec 28, 2015 10:45 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services Greenville Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity

Dec 28, 2015 10:15 AM ET

Education

Amgen Scholars Program: Jonathan Stoltzfus, PhD

Dec 28, 2015 9:30 AM ET

Jonathan Stoltzfus’s summer as a UCSF Amgen Scholar in 2007 confirmed his desire to become a scientist and catalyzed his career. As an early-career scientist in academia, he is now bringing to aspiring scientists the research opportunity he had as an undergraduate.

Education

FCA US Releases Arsenal of Democracy Documentary

Dec 28, 2015 9:00 AM ET

In recognition of the 75th anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s historic “Arsenal of Democracy” radio broadcast (December 29, 1940), FCA US LLC has released Automakers and the Arsenal of Democracy, a short documentary, which chronicles the role of the Chrysler Corporation as one of the primary military suppliers for the Allied war effort.

Research, Reports & Publications

Domtar Reduced Total Recordable Safety Incidents by 52% Since 2008

Dec 27, 2015 10:25 AM ET

Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of fiber-based products, including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers, and absorbent hygiene products.