Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest news from 3BL’s clients.







Editors Pick

Sustainable Development Goals

Upgrading Technology and Farming Methods Will Help India’s Mint Farmers: Mars

We use it in tea, lip balm, shampoos and a myriad of culinary recipes. It grows like a weed in North America, but is the currency of survival for many struggling farmers in India. Mint, a common plant that includes menthol, peppermint, lavender and sage has for years, a redeeming quality that has benefited rural farmers in Asia’s second-largest country: It’s simple to grow and harvest, and doesn’t take a lot of technological knowledge to benefit from its crops. It can also be sold as an oil and repurposed to a variety of commodities.

Events, Media & Communications

Today: A Giving Tuesday Chat With Cool Effect at #CarbonCantHide!

Join Cool Effect, March for Science, The Redford Center, and TriplePundit at #CarbonCantHide on “Giving Tuesday” – today, November 28th at 9am PT / Noon ET – to discuss ways that individuals and organizations can fight climate change and “give back” to Mother Earth!

Research, Reports & Publications

Barclays Releases New Access to Employment Report

The past decade has seen arguably the greatest shift in employment models for a generation. Technology has in part driven a de-centralisation in employment in a way not seen since the mass-privatisations of the 1980s in the UK. Fast-forward, and instead of a move from public to private sector, we’ve seen a huge shift towards self-employment in the UK.

Research, Reports & Publications

How to Deliver Business Quantifiable Impacts - Complimentary Report

We have recently published a 28-page report with experts from the likes of Unilever, Dell, Heineken, ebay, Mastercard, WBCSD, IKEA, Vodafone and Siemens on how they’re driving quantified social impact through their business.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Celebrating Somerville, MA’s Performance in the National Grid Community Initiative of 2016

Watch the video: Somerville, MA’s performance in the National Grid Community Initiative of 2016, completing 750 Home Energy Assessments.

Energy

Cool Effect Rolls Out Its Holiday Gift Packs

With Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah just around the corner, crowdfunding platform Cool Effect is rolling out a new set of holiday gift packs for the eco-conscious consumer. The six innovative concepts aren’t just designed to make gift-buyers feel good about their choices, though. They send that all-important message to recipients that Mother Earth should be on all of their gift lists as well. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that all gifts purchased with Cool Effect are tax-deductible!

Social Impact & Volunteering

GM Employees Help Texas and Puerto Rico Recover

When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico a little over a month ago, GM engineers mobilized to help the U.S. island territory. Hundreds of GM employees donated more than 12 tons of goods including batteries, solar cellphone chargers and lights, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, bottled water, baby formula and canned foods.

Energy

Unwrap Some Energy Savings This Holiday Season

Don’t let holiday shopping sap your energy this year. While this season can increase costs and bring on stress, you can reduce those worries with a few simple steps. Think about these six energy-saving gifts and ideas that can keep on giving throughout the year.

Diversity & Inclusion

Innovators @ Qualcomm: Kim Koro

Social Impact & Volunteering

Giving Tuesday Twitter Chat: #GivingSkills to Build Nonprofit Capacity

In honor of Giving Tuesday, Common Impact is hosting a Twitter chat on Tuesday, November 28th to reflect on a year in review through the lens of skills-based volunteering (SBV). In light of everything that happened over the past year, we will explore ways in which nonprofits and corporations are working together to building nonprofit capacity and enhance the social sector’s ability to meet their missions.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Faculty Member, Andy Hoffman Quoted in PRI.org on Mars Billion Dollar Investment in Sustainability

In the US, and throughout the globe for that matter, the private sector is increasingly being looked to as a source of leadership for combating climate change. And many companies are stepping up, especially with the lack of leadership coming from Washington.

Health & Healthcare

New Public-Private Partnership Promises Shared Value for Better Nutrition and Livelihoods in Nigeria

In Kaduna State, Nigeria, as in many parts of the developing world, post-harvest losses due to high levels of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, and other contaminants have plagued staple crops such as maize and soybean, making it much harder for small-holder farmers to earn a decent income. These mycotoxins also threaten the health and lives of humans and animals.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

From Noble Poverty to My Brand of Joy

The first 40 years I lived a life of noble poverty. When I heard the term “noble poverty,” I had a visceral reaction in my heart and my gut. I felt deeply understood. I experienced a relief of having named a condition I had lived with since I was a child.

Innovation & Technology

Empowering Local Innovators to Solve Today’s Global Health Challenges

A $3 birthing kit created by an entrepreneur in India. A mHealth tool that enables health workers to accurately and rapidly diagnose common illnesses in rural Liberia. A chain of primary health clinics in rural Kenya that employ a community-ownership model. These are just a few of the unique healthcare approaches being supported by the Pfizer Foundation through its Global Health Innovations Grants (GHIG) program.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

#SeizetheSeason and Give Back this Holiday with PayPal

#GivingTuesday is just a week away on November 28th and we are gearing up for an exciting holiday season. We’re delighted to once again partner with 92nd Street Y, founders of this global day of giving, to rally people to celebrate the day, and to give generously to causes close to their heart.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $8.3 Million in Total Financing for Affordable Housing in Cincinnati

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided a total of $8.3 million in 9% LIHTC financing to The Model Group, Inc. and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, Inc. (OTRH) for the acquisition and renovation of Morgan Apartments, a 48-unit scattered site, affordable multifamily housing project in Cincinnati, OH. KeyBank arranged a $7.8 million construction loan and a $450,000 permanent loan, using the FHLB of Cincinnati’s Community Investment Program (CIP).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hanes’ National Sock Drive Marks Eighth Year, Celebrates #GivingTuesday by Donating 225,000 Pairs of Socks to Help The Homeless

America’s No. 1 apparel label has donated 225,000 pairs of socks and 18,000 pairs of underwear to organizations fighting homelessness across the United States as part of its eighth national sock drive. Since the program began in 2009, the brand has provided more than 2 million pairs of socks to help people experiencing homelessness.

Environment

AIDA Cruises Starts LNG Operation in Mediterranean Ports

Following the first successful tests, AIDA Cruises begins gradually over the coming weeks with the regular operations for supplying AIDAperla with low-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) while docked at the ports of Barcelona (Spain), Marseille (France) and Civitavecchia (Italy). The company is also currently in discussion with authorities in Palma de Mallorca (Spain).

Social Impact & Volunteering

Impact at Work: Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina

This month, we’re highlighting a project with a talented team from Fidelity Investments and its nonprofit partner, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (RTF), whose mission is to support and partner with local universities, create jobs, and lift up all the citizens of North Carolina by providing a positive economic and social impact. RTF manages the Research Triangle Park (RTP), the nation’s largest business park, and creates economic development by attracting and retaining over 200 innovative companies, driving business, university, and government collaboration, and by offering knowledge-based programming and incubation spaces such as The Frontier – a co-working space for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits.

Environment

WBCSD Presents: A Short Film About the Importance of Natural Capital

Don't get caught short-sighted. Watch this short film from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to learn about how important it is to value your company’s relationship with nature. You’ll also see how some businesses are already leading the way.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank: CSR in London, Sleep Out for Centrepoint

In mid-November, over 30 Scotiabankers from the London, United Kingdom office took on the challenge of swapping their beds for sleeping bags for one night to raise money and awareness for homeless young people through Centrepoint’s annual Sleep Out.

Education

255 Schools Advance in Samsung’s $2 Million* National STEAM Contest

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced the 255 state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – a nationwide competition that challenges students to creatively use STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills to address real-world issues and inspire change in their local communities. Each year, the program sheds light on societal and environmental problems that affect students in their everyday lives, and empowers them to voice their concerns proactively and unite with their classmates to find a resolution.

Diversity & Inclusion

CBRE UK Diversity & Inclusion

CBRE’s Diversity & Inclusion mission is to provide a work environment that attracts, develops and celebrates the professional success of every individual.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Are Retailers Contributing to the Economy?

Good business has been defined in recent years as companies proactively being responsible and held accountable to their actions. No longer is it enough to develop safe products, recycle, and make charitable donations as the bedrock of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

We’re Inspired

Inspiration. Tricky to define, but you know it when you see it. And make no mistake…you see a lot of it at Hormel Foods.

The company’s newly coined purpose statement – Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ – is all about it, and with good reason. Helping workers feel inspired and free to tap into their inspiration is serious business for the global food company. So is understanding that people are unique and thus, inspired in myriad ways.

Latest Campaigns

  1. AEG's Commitment to Social Impact and Volunteerism
    AEG embraces its responsibility to enrich the lives of people in the communities around the world where we do business, and to use business to create...
  2. Southwire 2024 Sustainability Report
    Southwire was founded in 1950 with the goal of bringing electric light to people who needed it. In 2025, as we celebrate the 75-year history of our...
  3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
    At Franklin Templeton, we are proud of our commitment to communities where we live and work. Each year, we engage with hundreds of organizations...
  4. KeyBank's Community Investment
    In states where Key has a presence, there are approximately 1.7 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Many LMI individuals don’t have bank...
  5. Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)
    The business landscape is reorienting itself and you can almost hear priorities shifting toward change-readiness and the bigger picture. And in this...
  6. Social Progress
    Social engagement has always been an integral part of our sense of responsibility as a company. We care and we act to do our part to improve the...
  7. Greener Products and Solutions
    We actively integrate sustainability into the product development process and look at all phases of the product life cycle for opportunities to...
  8. Accelerating access to healthcare technology
    We believe technology can help close the world’s health gaps. By putting people first, we find new ways to advance health while reducing costs. And...
  9. Innovation Spotlight: Duke Energy
    At Duke Energy, we’re always improving operations and finding smart, safe and innovative ways to power the communities we serve. We’re embracing new...
  10. Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)
    The business landscape is reorienting itself and you can almost hear priorities shifting toward change-readiness and the bigger picture. And in this...
  11. Leading ESG & Sustainability Stewardship
    The new CNH continues on its longstanding path of excellence in sustainability, which is recognized by the foremost authorities.
  12. GoDaddy | Customers
    GoDaddy is the world’s largest services platform for entrepreneurs around the globe. We’re on a mission to empower our worldwide community of 20+...
  13. Subaru Love Promise: Community
    Subaru is dedicated to supporting those who need it the most in our communities. From donating food to Feeding America, providing essential items to...
  14. CARE Corporate Partnerships
    CARE works with corporate partners globally to invest in innovative, scalable, impactful, community-based solutions.
  15. AEG's Commitment to Sustainable Operations
    AEG's sustainability initiatives are designed to reduce our consumption of the planet’s limited resources. Through our comprehensive sustainability...