Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Norfolk Southern's Russ McDaniel Awarded 2016 Professional Environmental Excellence Award

Nov 3, 2016 8:55 AM ET

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has awarded the 2016 Professional Environmental Excellence Award, which is the highest honor for environmental professionals in the railroad industry, to Russ McDaniel of Norfolk Southern.

Environment

Disney Conservation Fund Announces 2016 Conservation Heroes

Nov 2, 2016 6:40 PM ET

The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) supports organizations working all over the world, through its “Reverse the Decline, Increase the Time” initiative, to reverse the decline of threatened species and increase the time kids and families spend in nature.

Events, Media & Communications

Prepare for Deep Dive when Pitching Sustainability to New York Times

Nov 2, 2016 5:55 PM ET

One of the best punchlines delivered so far at BSR Conference came from New York Times sustainability reporter David Gelles when panelists were asked to recommend new breakthrough communications techniques.

“If I could briefly plug print advertising,” Gelles said, referring to a full-page ad that appeared on the back of the Times business section today from the office chat platform Slack, which used the space to deliver an open letter to Microsoft.

Health & Healthcare

Sodexo Launches Zero October to Increase Safety and Facilitate Zero-Harm Culture

Nov 2, 2016 5:10 PM ET

As part of its commitment to improving workplace safety and reducing injuries, Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, launched Zero October last month, a month-long initiative dedicated to facilitating a zero-harm culture at all Sodexo work sites.

Environment

Making Vietnam a Little Greener

Nov 2, 2016 4:30 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Making the Civil Rights Movement a Reality for All

Nov 2, 2016 4:30 PM ET

Morris Dees and Joe Levin founded the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in 1971 to help ensure that the promise of the civil rights movement became a reality for all.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

St. Vincent De Paul Parish Partners with BJ’s Wholesale Club to Donate 400 Turkeys this Thanksgiving Season

Nov 2, 2016 4:10 PM ET

This November, 400 families will receive a turkey and all the trimmings for their Thanksgiving meal, thanks to the generous donation provided by St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore’s Parish Conference at Immaculate Conception-St. Cecilia and the BJ’s Wholesale Clubs in Baltimore, Canton and Owings Mills. Earlier today, BJ’s presented a check to St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore to help families in need just in time for Thanksgiving

Health & Healthcare

Safety First… No, Really

Nov 2, 2016 3:35 PM ET

We all know the sayings: “Safety first”, “better safe than sorry”, “safety begins with you.” These phrases are everywhere, on posters, in emails—so ubiquitous, in fact, that we start to tune them out. We know that safety is important, but it’s easy to take it for granted.

Energy

Timberland Cuts Over Half of Emissions Since 2006

Nov 2, 2016 3:05 PM ET

Following the release of data compiled for its Q2 CSR report, outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland shared that the company has met and exceeded its 2015 goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This achievement is a part of the company's commitment to innovate and operate in an accountable and responsible manner in terms of its products, the outdoors and communities around the world. Timberland reports the company has reduced GHG emissions by 53 percent, exceeding its target of 50 percent for 2015.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge® Raises $3.75 Million for Domestic Violence Programs

Nov 2, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Nearly 200 nonprofits stepped up as part of The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® Challenge to raise $3.75 million through online public donations and Allstate Foundation grants for domestic violence survivors around the country. The effort coincided with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, a key fundraising time for domestic violence programs.

Environment

Grant Brings Science of Stormwater Pollution to Businesses

Nov 2, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Thanks to a $95,000 grant from Boeing, the Washington Stormwater Center will help businesses understand stormwater runoff regulations and why they’re essential to good stormwater management.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

It’s a Big Deal – National Adoption Month

Nov 2, 2016 2:10 PM ET

November is the Anniversary of the founding of The Wendy's Company as well as National Adoption Month. Founder Dave Thomas was instrumental in helping cut the red-tape barriers to adoption on a national level.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Pipeline Remediation Portfolio Management for a Global Oil and Gas Company

Nov 2, 2016 2:10 PM ET

Antea Group was contracted by the owner/operator of a 400-mile interstate pipeline system to manage legacy environmental liabilities, and provide ongoing environmental support for active pipeline operations. The pipeline runs along a 299-mile corridor from Washington to Oregon transporting 1.3 billion gallons of refined petroleum products annually to terminals located at Seattle's Harbor Island, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Portland Oregon. The legacy liabilities are located along the pipeline right-of-way, and at operating pipeline delivery, distribution and bulk storage facilities.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Civic 50 Honorees AT&T and Hasbro Made a Difference by Mentoring Youth

Nov 2, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Maya Angelou. Quincy Jones. Sting. Tom Brokaw. President Bill Clinton. What do all of these people have in common? Their successes in life would not have been possible without the guidance and advice of a mentor. Civic 50 sector leaders AT&T and Hasbro Inc. recognize the importance of mentorship – especially in the lives of underserved youth who may lack the resources or individuals in their lives to guide them through tough decisions such as college, career, and more.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Es La Hora: Univision Hace Un Llamado A Votantes Inscritos A Que “Voten Por Su América”

Nov 2, 2016 12:35 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Time Is Now: Univision Calls on Registered Voters to “Vote For Your America”

Nov 2, 2016 12:30 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Novartis Wins Two Prestigious Prix Galien Foundation Awards

Nov 2, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Novartis has been awarded the prestigious 2016 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Product for Cosentyx® (secukinumab), as well as the Prix Galien Foundation “Discovery of the Decade” Award for Best Pharmaceutical Product for the drug Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate). The awards were presented at a ceremony in New York City.

Diversity & Inclusion

JetBlue Focuses on Diversity & Inclusion

Nov 2, 2016 11:30 AM ET

JetBlue customers come from different backgrounds and life experiences. A diverse workforce helps us to better understand and respond to their needs. In 2015, we reaffirmed our commitment to recognize the many aspects of diversity at JetBlue. We held activities throughout the year including our annual Respectful Workplace Week, diversity trainings for JetBlue leadership and celebration of traditional heritage and awareness months.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Three-Quarters of Millennials Would Take a Pay Cut to Work for a Socially Responsible Company, According to Research from Cone Communications

Nov 2, 2016 11:15 AM ET

Three-quarters (76%) of Millennials consider a company’s social and environmental commitments when deciding where to work and nearly two-thirds (64%) won’t take a job if a potential employer doesn’t have strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, according to the 2016 Cone Communications Millennial Employee Engagement Study. The study reveals that meaningful engagement around CSR is a business – and bottom line – imperative, impacting a company’s ability to appeal to, retain and inspire Millennial talent.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Cox Announces Rory McCracken as Louisiana’s 2016 Cox Conserves Hero

Nov 2, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Cox Communications, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, announced Rory McCracken as Louisiana’s 2016 Cox Conserves Hero. The program honors volunteers in Cox’s service areas in Acadiana, Baton Rouge and New Orleans who are creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces.

Events, Media & Communications

Largest Corporate Citizenship Film Festival Announces Call for Entries

Nov 2, 2016 10:50 AM ET

The call for entries is open for the largest film festival devoted exclusively to celebrating the work of corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals, their companies, and programs.

Diversity & Inclusion

Meet the Antea Group Denver Office!

Nov 2, 2016 10:15 AM ET

With seasoned practitioners representing each of our practice areas, plus the regional operations leader and sustainability practice lead, Denver is one of the most diverse offices in our company--a one-stop shop!

Sustainability, and in particular water stewardship, is a major strength for this office. We also have deep expertise in ergonomics, air quality source testing, and due diligence support and serve clients ranging from the craft brewing to oil and gas. While serving the Denver metro and greater Colorado area, the office does a lot of work internationally as well, supporting global clients wherever we are needed.

Events, Media & Communications

Collaboration is Vital to Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals

Nov 2, 2016 10:15 AM ET

No one sector can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) alone. Gavin Cepelak, Vice President, Global Pro Bono, PYXERA Global, will be a panelist on Collaborating for the SDGs at the Conservation Conference 2016, November 3.

Environment

Shower Power: Doniece Sandoval

Nov 2, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Do you live in a city? Well, if you don’t, you may soon. It is predicted that by 2050, more than 70 percent of us human beings will be living in cities. The urban landscape offers several advantages for sustainability, including reduced transportation emissions, more efficient water delivery, and less per-capita energy consumption.

Education

T. Rowe Price: More Than Half of Parents Try to Get Everything on Kids’ Holiday Wish Lists No Matter the Cost

Nov 2, 2016 10:05 AM ET

T. Rowe Price's Parents, Kids & Money Survey revealed that many parents are willing to overextend their finances to fulfill their kids’ holiday wish lists. And 25% of parents have either taken from their 401(k)s or their emergency funds or taken a payday loan to cover holiday spending.