Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Conejo Valley, California High Schoolers are on the Run for Local Kids

Jun 28, 2017 5:25 PM ET

On Thursday, June 15, Westlake held its second annual “Action Run,” a 5K race at Conejo Creek Park to support youth from Area Housing of Ventura Country, a housing facility for low-income families that in addition to less expensive rent also provides activities and educational programs for their children.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

More Than A Mayor: Who Is Business Mogul Michael Bloomberg?

Jun 28, 2017 5:15 PM ET

Mike, as he prefers to be called, has just been named one of the 2017 Highest Rated CEOs according to employee reviews on Glassdoor. With a 95% CEO approval rating, Bloomberg has harnessed the power and passion of nearly 19,000 employees in 192 locations around the world. What’s his secret to success? An innovative (and politics-free) company culture, combined with some of the best opportunities that an organization can offer.

Environment

Four Tips to Stay Safe and Be More Environmentally Responsible this Fourth of July

Jun 28, 2017 4:30 PM ET

The summer is in full swing, and this July 4th weekend, Republic Services encourages you to incorporate safety and environmental responsibility into your festivities with these practical tips.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Employees Make a Difference Around the World with Earth Day Service Projects

Jun 28, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Environment

Seven Audacious Ideas to Reverse Global Warming

Jun 28, 2017 4:00 PM ET

How do we solve a problem like climate change? In the new book Drawdown, a team of over 200 scholars, scientists, policymakers, business leaders, and activists propose 100 practical solutions.

Media & Communications

Corporate Sustainability Disclosure – On the Rise But Does the Disclosure Address What Investors Seeking?

Jun 28, 2017 4:00 PM ET

The good news is that more public company managements are involved in, and approving, broader disclosure on sustainability information. There are widely-accepted frameworks in place to help boards and managements better understand the needs and desires of stakeholders -- especially providers of capital (asset owners, managers, analysts) seeking meaningful data and accompanying narrative to explain the progress being made (or lack thereof) in ESG performance.

Environment

Why Use Big Data to Measure CSR?

Jun 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

In the past several posts, we have defined Big Data, shown the problems we hope it will address, and described how CSRHub has implemented a Big Data approach to creating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability ratings. It is time now to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the “Big Data” approach.

Research, Reports & Publications

Curious About the Impact of Skilled Volunteerism?

Jun 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Each year, the Taproot Foundation conducts a nonprofit survey to get a pulse on the field of skilled volunteerism. Insights from last year’s survey found 95% of nonprofits reporting that pro bono service improved their organization’s effectiveness.

Diversity & Inclusion

Creating a Shared Society: A Spotlight on the Irish International Immigrant Center

Jun 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

This quarter, we’re highlighting the work of the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC), Boston’s Welcome Center for immigrant families, and who are working towards a shared society where all are welcomed and valued, and enjoy equal opportunities and protections. IIIC assists immigrant and refugee families from around the world as they integrate into American society. They do so by providing legal, wellness and education services, advocating for systemic change, and facilitating cross-cultural community building.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Points of Light Recognizes CVS Health as One of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the United States

Jun 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

CVS Health [NYSE:CVS] today was recognized by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, as one of the fifty most community-minded companies in the United States. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

Innovation & Technology

How Qualcomm Drone Technology is Improving Lives for Farmers in Brazil

Jun 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

See how Wireless Reach uses Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Flight drone technology to improve agricultural yields, reduce environmental impact and improve the economy for farmers in Brazil. Chad Sweet, Senior Director of Engineering at Qualcomm, weighs in on the benefits of this new category of IoT.

Research, Reports & Publications

Nonprofits - Make Your Voice Heard in the Taproot Foundation’s Annual Survey

Jun 28, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Do you work in the social sector at a nonprofit or social change organization? The Taproot Foundation wants to hear from you!

Environment

Clean Drinking Water More Important to Americans than Clean Air, According to New Study

Jun 28, 2017 1:05 PM ET

The study found that two in three Americans (66 percent) believe their own community’s clean drinking water is at risk, while 59 percent say a major overhaul of U.S. water infrastructure is needed to avoid that possibility. City-dwellers are especially likely to fear their community’s clean drinking water is at risk (70 percent versus 63 percent in rural areas). There is almost universal agreement (96 percent) that if the United States does not proactively invest in the country’s water infrastructure system now, it will end up costing more in the long run.

Research, Reports & Publications

Sustainability at UPS: The Road Ahead

Jun 28, 2017 1:00 PM ET

UPS has been helping people and businesses move goods by focusing on the road ahead — both literally and figuratively. Our success reflects relentless attention to emerging trends, innovative ideas and transformative technologies that enable global commerce, growth and sustainable solutions.

Innovation & Technology

Why All Digital Roads Lead to Rome

Jun 28, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Our very own Matt Lasmanis (US VP, IT) shares how the rapid increase in velocity, accessibility, and volume of information is reshaping society and our expectations.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

MetLife Foundation Asks Where next?

Jun 28, 2017 12:40 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Journey Toward Impact and Outcomes: A Conversation with Michelle DiSabato, Impact Advisor at Blackbaud

Jun 28, 2017 12:15 PM ET

In this episode of the Champions for Social Good Podcast, Jamie Serino speaks with Michelle DiSabato, Impact Advisor for the Corporate and Foundation Solutions division of Blackbaud. Michelle explains how her passion for impact and measurement led her to a career centered on helping foundations and corporations more clearly understand the impact that their programs are having on the people and communities that they're serving.

Education

GM Intensifies Push to Train Young People for Jobs of the Future

Jun 28, 2017 11:15 AM ET

GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra and nonprofit leaders today introduced new, innovative programs designed to encourage young people to go into technology and engineering professions and improve teacher training in STEM-related subjects.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Cox Communications President Pat Esser Named to 2017 Highest-Rated CEOs List

Jun 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Congratulations to Cox Communications President Pat Esser who has been honored by Glassdoor as one of the top 100 Highest Rated CEOs in the large US Business category.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Students Help Build Hope for Victims of Hurricane Matthew

Jun 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Amid the sawdust and hum of power tools, students at East Columbus High School in Lake Waccamaw, N.C., are helping rebuild their community. Students built 50 wooden bed frames in their classroom workshop for Columbus County residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Matthew. The October 2016 storm started in Florida and moved up the coast, killing nearly 50 people and damaging more than 100,000 homes and businesses in North Carolina.

Education

Building a Toolkit for Becoming an Effective Mentor and Educator

Jun 28, 2017 10:40 AM ET

This summer, 1,100 student interns will be living, studying, and working on the sprawling campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, just north of Washington, D.C. Among them will be five Amgen Scholar alumni who will serve as mentors to some of the high school student interns in a unique pilot program to teach scientists how to be educators.

Innovation & Technology

HPE and Tokyo Institute of Technology Build the World's Most Powerful Green Supercomputer

Jun 28, 2017 10:35 AM ET

The amount of energy required to fuel today’s supercomputers is enormous and can create an immense drain on resources. This is because traditional supercomputers consume massive amounts of electrical power and produce high amounts of heat, requiring larger cooling facilities to be built to ensure proper performance. To address this challenge, a new breed of innovation is required, purpose-built to maximize efficiency without sacrificing performance and scale.

Education

Why Microsoft and The Markle Foundation Are Working Together to Connect Workers with New Opportunities in the Digital Economy

Jun 28, 2017 10:20 AM ET

Today we announced a three-year partnership between The Markle Foundation and Microsoft Philanthropies. Microsoft is investing more than $25 million over three years in Markle and the expansion of its successful Skillful initiative, first across Colorado and then to other states. This is one of the single biggest philanthropic investments Microsoft Philanthropies has made, reflecting the importance of the work involved.

Sustainable Development Goals

Aligning Sustainability with Your Company's Long-Term Strategy

Jun 28, 2017 10:10 AM ET

Clare Connolly, a Sustainability Manager at Cabot Corp., explains how her team is working to align sustainability programs with the company's long-term vision and strategy. To learn more about how other EHS and sustainability leaders are making the business case for their programs, register for NAEM's 2017 Sustainability Management Conference or visit www.naem.org.-

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg is One of the Highest-Ranked CEOs in the U.S.

Jun 28, 2017 10:10 AM ET

Business leaders are often judged by the financial success of their company. But every year Glassdoor lets employees be the critics.