Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

Business Will Continue the Journey to Deliver the Paris Agreement

Jun 2, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Yesterday’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by the US Federal Government is not good news. However, businesses from around the world will not give up and will double down on their commitments to work together, in order to continue to find new and rewarding solutions in all countries of the world. The Paris Agreement has made the transformation to a low-carbon economy inevitable. This transition will in the long run be the only way to deliver successful financial results for companies, strong economies with jobs everywhere and a planet that is liveable for all.

Education

Education, Workforce Development in the Palmetto State Boosted by More than $900,000 in Duke Energy Grants

Jun 2, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Duke Energy has been powering South Carolina for more than a century, and continues to power the minds of its students and the workforce of the future by investing in innovative education programs and initiatives.

Through the Duke Energy Foundation, more than $900,000 in grants will go to initiatives across the state that emphasize science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), increasing childhood reading proficiency and workforce development.

Environment

Commitment to Climate Action: Message from Michael W. Lamach, Chairman and CEO of Ingersoll Rand

Jun 2, 2017 2:25 PM ET

I’ve received many questions over the past few months about Ingersoll Rand’s commitment to reducing energy demand and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Those questions intensified this week with news of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Environment

UN Global Compact Statement on US Decision to Withdraw from Paris Agreement

Jun 2, 2017 2:25 PM ET

We are disappointed by the decision of the United States to leave the Paris Agreement, a historic global accord to combat climate change and protect our planet for future generations. Despite this setback, there is also cause for optimism. The Paris Agreement has activated an unstoppable momentum for climate action, with an essential role spelled out for responsible business.

Innovation & Technology

Bridging the Digital Divide to Create Digital Equality

Jun 2, 2017 1:35 PM ET

As many educational institutions embrace technology and evolve their educational models, an almost equal number struggle to adequately join in this digital revolution. The result is a stark divide in our educational system and in public policy.

Sustainable Development Goals

Daimler Stakeholder Survey 2017

Jun 2, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Your opinion is important to us! Because it helps us to reflect on Daimler's commitment to sustainability and define action fields. This is the only way for us to improve further. That is why we kindly ask you to participate in our current stakeholder survey on sustainability. Completing the questionnaire will take about ten minutes.

Education

Supplementing Science Education with Khan Academy

Jun 2, 2017 1:00 PM ET

In 2015, the Amgen Foundation entered into a yearlong partnership with Khan Academy to help expand its free, online education offering to include science content. We’d seen how the power of technology can help improve science education and literacy around the world, and we were eager to do our part in those efforts.

Environment

National Grid Responds to U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Agreement

Jun 2, 2017 12:15 PM ET

In recent weeks, National Grid joined several of the largest companies in the United States to urge President Trump to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Environment

AkzoNobel Partners With the Ocean Cleanup for Largest Clean-up in History

Jun 2, 2017 11:30 AM ET

The complete removal of plastic from the world's oceans has moved a step closer after AkzoNobel joined forces with The Ocean Cleanup to help turn the tide on marine pollution. The partnership involves AkzoNobel providing advanced, biocide-free coatings technology for all the devices and equipment used by The Ocean Cleanup for the next five years.

Environment

Xylem Affirms Its Strong Support for the Paris Climate Agreement

Jun 2, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Following yesterday's announcement that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, Xylem, a leading global water technology company, issued a statement affirming its support for the agreement.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Morgan Stanley Employees Build New Playground in New Orleans as Part of Healthy Cities Program

Jun 2, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced that over 200 Morgan Stanley and community volunteers will build a playground at Dunbar Elementary as part of the Morgan Stanley’s Healthy Cities initiative. Joining forces with Choice Foundation and KaBOOM!, volunteers will give area kids the play space they deserve.

Education

Qualcomm’s Susie Armstrong Talks Thinkabit Labs, STEM, and Inspiring the Next Generation

Jun 2, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Since it began, Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ has exposed more than 12,000 students, teachers and parents to hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities and career exploration discussions that will prepare them for 21st-century jobs.

Research, Reports & Publications

Bloomberg's Path to 100% Renewable Energy

Jun 2, 2017 10:15 AM ET

In 2016, Bloomberg joined RE100, a global initiative by influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity. We have pledged to obtain 100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Our initial target continues to be 35% electricity from renewables by 2020. To date, our completed solar projects have generated more than 15,000 megawatt hours and saved Bloomberg more than $1 million.

Education

Meet Some of the Speakers Lined Up for Intro to ESG, Sustainable & Impact Investment Training

Jun 2, 2017 10:00 AM ET

For professionals in the capital markets, and in the corporate sector, G&A Institute and Global Change Associates are teamed to present a one-day professional training program, hosted by Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College/CUNY, in midtown Manhattan. This is an excellent introduction to the application of ESG factors to investment making decisions and corporate valuations.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Coca-Cola, Walmart, AkzoNobel, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, M&S and Covestro Gather for Europe’s Leading Responsible Supply Chain Event

Jun 2, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The 12th annual Sustainable Supply Chain Summit will take place on 17-18 October in London - bringing together 150+ global organisations to debate how business can deliver positive impacts through their supply chains

Energy

Consumers Energy Offers New Rooftop Solar Pilot Program for Michigan Households

Jun 2, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Consumers Energy announced that it has started a new solar energy pilot program, giving Michigan residents another option to help build a clean future for our state. Consumers Energy’s new Solar Distributed Generation (DG) Pilot program allows customers to put solar panels on the rooftops of their homes, working with industry-leading solar provider SunPower to offer Michigan customers a full-service home solar solution.

Responsible Production & Consumption

How Basil is Helping a Community Get Back to Work, Grow Local, and Save Water

Jun 2, 2017 9:05 AM ET

You probably cook with basil in your kitchen — for most of us it’s a staple herb, and not something we give much thought to as we chop it up and sprinkle it into our food. For a community in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, basil is more than just a flavor enhancer: it’s a way to reintegrate back into the community, to grow food sustainably, and sell that food locally to chefs at organizations like Nestlé Professional.

Education

How Barclays is Supporting the Inventors of Tomorrow

Jun 2, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Since its launch in 2014, MakerClub has established eight after-school clubs that introduce young people to coding, creative thinking and emerging technologies. Here, director Declan Cassidy reveals his aim to grow that number to 50 across the UK in 2017 – and tells how Barclays is supporting his team’s ambitious plans to develop the ‘inventors of tomorrow’.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AmeriCorps Members Lend Their Hands During Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon

Jun 2, 2017 9:05 AM ET

As part of Habitat for Humanity’s annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon event, more than 350 Habitat AmeriCorps members and alumni will travel to select cities in May and June, to build, repair and landscape 22 homes.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Xylem Honored for Engaging Colleagues in Service Around the Globe

Jun 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, announced today it has been honored by Engage for Good (formerly the Cause Marketing Forum) with the Gold Halo Award in the Employee Engagement category.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Why Weatherford Rides

Jun 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Weatherford team joined thousands of cyclists and volunteers for the BP MS 150, a two-day fundraising bike ride benefiting the National MS Society.

Research, Reports & Publications

Vodafone Group Plc Sustainable Business Report 2017

Jun 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Vodafone Group Plc has published its Sustainable Business Report 2017, the second report under its sustainable business strategy that was launched in 2016. The strategy sets out to ensure an even closer alignment between Vodafone’s core commercial goals and the maximum possible social and economic benefit achievable as a consequence of those goals.

Research, Reports & Publications

Daimler Sustainability Report 2016 Key Figures

Jun 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tetra Tech is #1 in Water for 14 Years

Jun 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Media & Communications

TriplePundit — On Growing Up

Jun 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Avid readers will have read the news. This week, TriplePundit was acquired by 3BL Media, the leading provider of distribution services for corporate social responsibility and sustainability news and content. As we whispered a sneak preview to friends and colleagues in person at the Sustainable Brands conference in Detroit last week, our team got the same response again and again – “Congratulations…. Right?”

Go ahead and pop the champagne bottles – this is tremendous news for our organization and the sustainability movement as a whole.