Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Untapped Potential of Employee Volunteer Programs

Mar 27, 2018 11:15 AM ET

We are at an exciting moment for employee engagement, with its untapped potential arguably larger than ever. Civic engagement is on the rise with volunteer platforms showing double to triple digit increases in engaged citizens. Millennials are maturing into leadership positions, enabling them to translate their appetite for purpose-driven work into everyday business practice. Over the next few years, we will see this manifest into an increasing private sector ambition on community issues, a growing sophistication of volunteer programs that reinforce leadership development, and a rise in CEO activism.

Sustainable Development Goals

INFOGRAPHIC | The Energy Landscape Is on the Brink of Disruption, Which Direction Is the Business World Headed?

Mar 27, 2018 11:15 AM ET

The energy ecosystem and electricity system is on the verge of disruption. Energy is becoming decentralized and new technologies are enabling business to both produce and consume energy. Many companies are looking at these megatrends to find new ways to save money, meet sustainability goals and build resiliency.

Innovation & Technology

Curiosity Cube to Visit Local Schools; Solar-Powered Mobile Science Lab Sparks Interest in STEM

Mar 27, 2018 11:05 AM ET

With an expanding workforce that calls for more graduates to fill the pipeline, MilliporeSigma is engaging students in STEM learning through the Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab. Science industry experts agree that these hands-on experiences are critical to sparking student interest in STEM careers.

Health & Healthcare

Responding Disruptively to a Most Profound Disruption: Working to Help Childhood Cancer Survivors

Mar 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Humana Foundation Announces Strategic Community Investing Program for 2018

Mar 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., is evolving its giving process to hone in on health-focused community investments. The new giving strategy will address the root causes of health issues, creating improved and sustained positive health outcomes, and will focus on eight Bold Goal communities.

Environment

Review of GRI's Waste Disclosures - Get Involved!

Mar 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET

GRI and the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) are excited to announce the review of the waste disclosures in the GRI 306 Effluents and Waste reporting standard. Stakeholders with expertise in the topic can now apply to join the multi-stakeholder Project Working Group, with initial work taking place between June 2018 and September 2019. Don't miss this opportunity to shape the future of sustainability reporting!

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecocentricity Blog: Do I Smell Smoke?

Mar 27, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Maybe someday leasing will be the norm for durable goods. I hope so. It would be a big boost for environmentally friendly business practices, and I really don’t think people will mind the shift

Sustainable Development Goals

Impact Measurement Impacting Lives: How Female Coffee Farmers in Kenya Are Improving Yields and Incomes With Data

Mar 27, 2018 10:10 AM ET

Environment

PepsiCo’s New Conservation Projects Help Mitigate Water Risk in Southwest

Mar 27, 2018 10:00 AM ET

PepsiCo has taken a major step toward its water conservation goal with new projects in the Southwestern US, the company announced today. The projects, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, bring together farmers and other key stakeholders to address and manage watersheds in high-risk areas. With such projects, the company is actively facing risks related to climate change.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Day in the Life of a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter

Mar 27, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is proud to fund adoption recruiter positions throughout the U.S. and Canada at private and public adoption agencies. These recruiters are part of our signature adoption program called Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.

Health & Healthcare

Meet the Scientist: Les Miranda, Executive Director of Research, Therapeutic Discovery

Mar 27, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Every day is different because the landscape of research is unpredictable. While you generally have a direction, every project dictates a custom set of questions that have to be tackled. Because of this, every day involves communicating and strategizing with people to understand where we stand on projects and our options going forward. The world around us is continually changing and this impacts us too.

Environment

VIDEO | The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation: Clean Water Demands Clear Commitment

Mar 27, 2018 9:55 AM ET

From the beginning, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation has been deeply rooted in the issue of water –- protecting it, conserving it, and ensuring everyone has access to it. We are stemming the tide of nutrient pollution that feeds harmful algal blooms in our waterways through research, funding, and public engagement.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Accessing Capital, John Donohue and John Hope Bryant, Launch+Grow

Mar 27, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Silviculture Can Improve Farmers’ Incomes

Mar 27, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

How the Digital Manufacturing Revolution Can Benefit Everyone

Mar 27, 2018 9:20 AM ET

Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, big data, advanced robotics and 3D printing will be catalysts for the 4thIndustrial Revolution.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Passion, Purpose & Profit, Patrice Diaz-Migoyo, Career Gear, Launch+Grow

Mar 27, 2018 9:15 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Building a New Future Together: The Rezidor Hotel Group Sustainability Report

Mar 27, 2018 9:00 AM ET

As a leader of Responsible Business in the hospitality industry, The Rezidor Hotel Group publishes its 2017 Responsible Business Report. Included since 2010 in Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies List, Rezidor is committed to work in a responsible and sustainable way. Rezidor operates 470+ hotels of sustainable hotel brands such as Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson. Rezidor is a member of The Radisson Hotel Group.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Water and Investing: Is Your Portfolio on the Growth Side of Disruption?

Mar 27, 2018 8:15 AM ET

Water is a systemic risk to investors, as in many parts of the United States and other areas of the world this precious resource is in danger. Investors and market players should be deepening their research and investment process to tackle water risks, often hidden in holdings across all asset classes. As investors, how do we first protect our clients from these risks, and how do we position these same clients to benefit from the growth opportunities in companies that are providing innovative systems, products and services to solve water quantity, quality and resilience issues?

Social Impact & Volunteering

Rebuilding Together Affiliates to Host 33,000 Volunteers, Educate Communities During National Rebuilding Month This April

Mar 27, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Rebuilding Together, a leading national nonprofit organization with a mission to repair the homes of people in need and revitalize our communities, will host its annual National Rebuilding Month this April. More than 33,000 volunteers will serve in nearly 1,500 affiliate-led rebuild projects throughout the country during National Rebuilding Month.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

80+ CEOs and Leaders to Drive a Responsible Business Agenda at European Summit

Mar 27, 2018 6:05 AM ET

The Responsible Business Summit Europe 2018 is taking place in London, 13-14 June. This year’s event will bring together inspirational businesses and speakers to share their advice on the key issues that matter to your business. By providing “unique, refreshing perspective and insights”, these discussions will enable business leaders to develop innovative strategies to “advance responsible and sustainable business models”, Paul Polman, CEO at Unilever

Environment

Discover How Wakami, a Member of La Red, Transforms the Lives of Rural Women in Guatemala

Mar 26, 2018 5:30 PM ET

Wakami works with women from indigenous communities of Guatemala to help them create their own companies. They are driven by the belief that inclusive businesses is a powerful transformation tool. Watch this video to know more about Wakami, a member organization of La Red de Innovación e Impacto and one of the participating Alumni of the Innovation Challenge.

Environment

Descubre cómo Wakami ha transformado la vida de muchas mujeres de áreas rurales

Mar 26, 2018 5:30 PM ET

Wakami trabaja con mujeres de poblaciones indígenas de Guatemala, creando empresas rurales con la convicción de que los negocios incluyentes son una poderosa herramienta de transformación. mira este video para conocer más sobre Wakami, organización miembro de La Red de Innovación e Impacto y uno de los Alumni participantes en el Concurso de Innovación.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

DJ Khaled, Get Schooled and Viacom Announce New Scholarship Under Major Keys Campaign

Mar 26, 2018 5:30 PM ET

Get Schooled national spokesperson and hip-hop mogul DJ Khaled today joined Viacom to announce Key to Social Change, an initiative that will empower high school and college students to make a positive impact in their communities through social media. Organized under the Major Keys campaign, which assists students in securing a college education, Key to Social Change launches April 2, 2018, and will award more than $20,000 in scholarships to select participants.

“Now more than ever, we must unite and use our voices to drive change,” said DJ Khaled. “Get Schooled and Viacom have become family to me and we’ll continue our work to help young people use their talent and leadership for good.”

Education

Edison Scholar Pursues Passion for Environment in Honor of His Dad

Mar 26, 2018 5:00 PM ET

By the time Justin Hogenauer was 11 years old, he had already visited all 50 states with his dad, Alan, with whom he shared a passion for traveling, largely in their family car with the license plate “Allofem.”

Alan is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the first person to visit all U.S. national parks and Justin, a Junior Ranger, has himself visited more than 100 of them. Sadly, Alan passed away in 2013 and Justin, now 17, has continued their shared love of traveling. Seeing the beauty of America’s parks has also influenced Justin’s future career choice: environmental studies.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $23.7 Million in Financing for Affordable Housing Acquisitions in Texas

Mar 26, 2018 5:00 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided a total of $23.7 million in Fannie Mae financing to Harmony Housing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe, clean and comfortable affordable housing throughout the United States, for the acquisition of two affordable housing properties in Texas.