Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Teaching Computer Coding to Underserved Youth

Dec 4, 2015 12:25 PM ET

When Oscar Menjivar returned to his hometown of Watts after college, the friends he had grown up with were either incarcerated or not doing much with their lives.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

FIAT Brand and FCA US California Business Center Team up With Motor4Toys and Local Car Community to Bring Holiday Cheer to Underprivileged Kids

Dec 4, 2015 12:15 PM ET

The FIAT brand and the FCA US California Business Center will help deliver a little holiday cheer for underprivileged children in Southern California as the presenting sponsor of the Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive.

The event, now in its 12th year, has a mission to bring the motorsport community together for the holidays to collect as many toys as possible for less-fortunate children. The event takes place as part of Supercar Sunday, a weekly gathering of automotive enthusiasts in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Out@TWC Supports AIDS Project Los Angeles for the World AIDS Day Food Drive

Dec 4, 2015 12:00 PM ET

For World AIDS Day 2015, Out@TWC – the LGBT Employee Network of Time Warner Cable – will partner with AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) to collect non-perishable food donations and personal hygiene items for persons living with HIV/AIDS. The principal components of this campaign are donation bins which Out@TWC has placed in seven of our Southern California offices. At each site employees can easily drop-off any of the necessary items vital to the health and support of those living with HIV/AIDS.

Environment

Three Ways Companies are Changing the Climate Conversation

Dec 4, 2015 11:50 AM ET

The UN climate conference in Paris is underway now – with governments, NGOs, businesses and civil society organizations from around the world convening to solve one of our most pressing global challenges. The role of the private sector in tackling climate change will be one of the many subjects discussed in Paris. Indeed, companies have played a unique role in helping to shift the dialogue from risk to opportunity. The business community is demonstrating that it is possible to tackle the climate challenge while creating growth and greater global prosperity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bechtel Launches Campaign to Raise Money for Syrian Refugees

Dec 4, 2015 11:25 AM ET

Education

Oregon Student Dresses the Part

Dec 4, 2015 11:15 AM ET

Although he’s only in kindergarten, Glen already knows that he wants to be a garbage man when he grows up. Republic Services in Albany, Oregon helped Glen look the part for his recent Career Day event at school. A Republic employee took the time to sew the company logo onto the smallest vest we could find, and Glenn added to the look with his own gloves and work boots. The look on his face made everyone’s day and now all are eager to receive his employment application in about 12 years! Republic is proud that our drivers serve as such meaningful role models in the community.

Research, Reports & Publications

Domtar Prioritizes Recruiting and Retaining the Best Employees

Dec 4, 2015 10:35 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.

Energy

Pilot Hill Wind Project Closes Financing from GE and MetLife

Dec 4, 2015 10:30 AM ET

EDF Renewable Energy’s 175–megawatt (MW) Pilot Hill wind project located in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties in Illinois has closed structured equity financing from GE Unit (NYSE:GE) GE Energy Financial Services and MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) .

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Bloomberg to Head Climate Risk Taskforce to Bring Greater Transparency for Investors

Dec 4, 2015 10:20 AM ET

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York and head of the Bloomberg news empire, is to chair a new Climate Disclosure Taskforce set up by the Financial Stability Board (FSB).

Environment

Costa Cruises and the University of Gastronomic Sciences Together for Sustainable Food on Board

Dec 4, 2015 10:10 AM ET

A three-year cooperation-based project promoting sustainable food on board cruise ships is the subject of the agreement announced today by Costa Cruises (www.costacruise.com) and the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo (www.unisg.it).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Time Warner Cable Hosts Cyber Resiliency Summit to Help Businesses and Non-Profits Prevent Cyber Attacks

Dec 4, 2015 10:00 AM ET

Cybercrime was estimated in 2014 to cost the global economy upwards of $575 billion annually. Earlier this year, Time Warner Cable Business Class conducted its second annual small business technology survey and found that 27% of respondents said securing their network from external threats is their biggest technology challenge today.

Environment

BSR COP21 Daily Dispatch: Day 5

Dec 4, 2015 9:30 AM ET

The BSR COP21 Daily Dispatch highlights news and insights on the policy negotiations and their implications for business and a sustainable future for our climate.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Peace Corps and IBM Corporate Service Corps Team Up to Help Communities Around the World Thrive

Dec 4, 2015 9:30 AM ET

IBM and the Peace Corps have entered a landmark public-private partnership that will combine the strengths of both organizations to benefit communities around the world. Through this partnership, IBM Corporate Service Corps participants will serve in short-term, high-impact pro bono consulting assignments through the Peace Corps Response program. The partnership's combination of grassroots networks with multinational reach will help speed essential assistance to where it's needed most.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Benefits of Quantifying Sustainability

Dec 4, 2015 8:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bristol-Myers Squibb Receives Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s 2015 Collaborator Award

Dec 4, 2015 8:00 AM ET

Environment

Heating up the Fight Against Climate Change

Dec 4, 2015 8:00 AM ET

Over the past year, the debate about what actions should be taken to halt climate change has continued in earnest. Involvement from experts, religious leaders, companies, activists, and consumers has reached a fever pitch, and governments have responded.

Research, Reports & Publications

From Water to Waste to Wildlife: Toyota’s Environmental “To Do” List

Dec 4, 2015 8:00 AM ET

Five priority issues - carbon, water, materials, biodiversity, and outreach - guide Toyota’s efforts in North America.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Take 5 Challenge Accepted: December 2015

Dec 4, 2015 8:00 AM ET

From fundraising for cancer, to facility improvement and cybersecurity training, Symantec employees around the world have accepted the Take 5 challenge and are making a difference in their communities.

Events, Media & Communications

COP21: Bloomberg's Paris Climate Conference Jargon Buster

Dec 4, 2015 7:10 AM ET

UN-sponsored climate talks in Paris – commonly referred to as COP21 – have opened in the French capital, with leaders including French President Francois Hollande, U.S. President Barack Obama and China's President Xi Jinping leading calls for a global deal.

Environment

21st Century Fox Signs on to White House Climate Pledge, Commits to Action on Climate Change

Dec 3, 2015 7:00 PM ET

On December 1, 21st Century Fox announced that it has joined the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, a new initiative from the Obama Administration in which a total of 154 companies from across the American economy have committed to demonstrate their support for action on climate change and to voice support for a strong outcome to the COP21 Paris climate negotiations. The company has committed to reduce its carbon emissions, invest in renewable energy, and disclose its annual energy use.

Environment

CEOs are Calling for a Climate Change Agreement in Paris

Dec 3, 2015 6:00 PM ET

According to a global study by the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture of 750 business leaders surveyed:

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Securing a Sustainable Supply Chain: Lessons from CSR Research

Dec 3, 2015 5:40 PM ET

To address environmental, social, and governance issues effectively, CSR professionals today must look beyond their own operations and deep into their supply chain. How and where are materials sourced? How are the components of products developed? What are the environmental and human rights ramifications of those processes? Issues as serious as child labor, conflict minerals, and climate change can only be effectively tackled when a company’s commitments to corporate citizenship and reporting are adopted by their suppliers and partners.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Here’s How Your Kids Can Spread Joy This Holiday Season

Dec 3, 2015 3:50 PM ET

Your kids can help brighten the holidays for others through the generationOn Joy Maker Challenge, which engages youth in volunteer service. During the challenge – through Dec. 23 – Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots for every child or teen who signs up and volunteers, up to $1 million worth.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

‘Gender-Lens Investing’ to Promote Female Entrepreneurship

Dec 3, 2015 3:45 PM ET

The idea of providing financial backing to specifically improve the lives of women and girls, while at the same time generating financial returns, is gaining traction in both emerging economies and the developed countries. According to think-tank Criterion Institute, the term ‘gender-lens investing’ represents this idea, and there is evidence to show that investing in women and girls carries both financial and social benefits.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

DuPont Joins Together for Sustainability Initiative

Dec 3, 2015 3:05 PM ET

DuPont announced that it has joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative. DuPont is among the first U.S.-based members and is targeting completion of the TfS on-boarding process by the end of 2016.