Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Energy

Consumers Energy Chief Sees Solar Future in Michigan

May 20, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Patti Poppe likes to joke about the bumper sticker she once stuck on her Chevy Volt electric hybrid car: “I ♥ coal.”
These days, the sticker sits in Poppe’s office at Consumers Energy’s headquarters in her hometown of Jackson. It’s a symbol of her personal evolution on climate change — and the transformation she’s leading at Michigan’s largest natural gas and power provider.

Environment

Major League Baseball and Discovery Education Invite Students and Educators Nationwide to Participate in the Global Sustainability Challenge

May 20, 2019 11:25 AM ET

Major League Baseball® (MLB) and Discovery Education, the leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, invite all students and educators nationwide to participate in the Global Sustainability Challenge. During this unique no-cost event, participants will explore their impact on the environment and learn about the importance of environmental stewardship through a set of flexible digital resources that can either be integrated by educators into classroom instruction or completed independently by students over the summer as part of an enrichment activity.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

GreenMoney’s Videos Issue on Sustainable Business, Impact Investing and Environmental Sustainability

May 20, 2019 11:10 AM ET

GreenMoney’s annual all-Videos issue (May 19) is now online. Check out the lineup of selected short videos on Sustainable Business, Impact Investing and Environmental Sustainability

Innovation & Technology

Sustainability in Tech: How Tech and Human Ingenuity Can Save Our Future and Our Climate

May 20, 2019 11:05 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Latin American Companies Actively Seek to Deepen Social Impact

May 20, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a common agenda for the public, private, and social sectors in Latin America, and while partnership is recognized as a critical component toward this end, there has been no obvious pathway for cross-sector engagement and collaboration. Nevertheless, the will to take the necessary steps exists, and companies in the region are expressing interest in engaging with nonprofits and governments for social progress. PYXERA Global, in collaboration with the members of the Global Pro Bono Network, is promoting Global Pro Bono as a gateway to purposeful engagement. In late March, the two organizations teamed up to host the first Global Pro Bono Network Summit for Latin America in Mexico City.

Environment

Whole Kids Foundation Unites with Top Chefs and Celebrated Restaurants to Raise $100,000 and Fund 50 New School Beehives

May 20, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Today, World Bee Day, Whole Kids Foundation launched the Give Bees a Chance campaign to showcase the vital role that bees play in our food system, winning support from some of the nation’s most celebrated chefs. The monthlong fundraising effort to support the organization’s Bee Grant Program, which provides educational beehives to schools and nonprofits, will take place during June’s National Pollinator Month. The Give Bees a Chance campaign goal is to raise $100,000 to fund 50 new educational beehives for schools across the nation.

Environment

For the Love of Dirt: General Mills Invests in Soil Health

May 20, 2019 10:30 AM ET

General Mills is committed to advancing regenerative agriculture practices on 1 million acres of farmland by 2030. In partnership with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and Understanding Ag, the company trains farmers to use soil health practices that increase the resiliency of cropland and boost farm profitability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Life at PNC | Meet Our Employees : Alex

May 20, 2019 10:30 AM ET

"I am proud to work for PNC because it is a company made up of hard-working and ethical employees whose No. 1 priority is our customers. As both an employee and customer myself, I can see the great work that PNC does for its customers, employees and communities."

Green Infrastructure

Water Reuse, Resilience Gain From New Black & Veatch Appointment

May 20, 2019 10:15 AM ET

As climate change carries increasingly varied challenges of both too little and too much water, cities and utilities are renewing their focus on reuse strategies to ensure a safe and resilient supply. Black & Veatch announced today the addition of water reuse expert Jo Ann Jackson as One Water Planning Practice Leader in the global construction, engineering, and consulting company’s Water Planning Group.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Labs Rack up Big Energy Bills and Produce a Ton of Trash. Many Are Trying to Become More Eco-Friendly

May 20, 2019 10:10 AM ET

MilliporeSigma, which manufactures chemicals and other lab supplies, lets customers return plastic foam coolers and chemical containers. MilliporeSigma has also worked to repurpose the more difficult-to-recycle plastic products used in science. After being sterilized, the plastics are turned into plastic lumber that can be used in decking, speed bumps, and park benches.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bridgestone Launches Consumer Safety Campaign to Reach Drivers During National Tire Safety Week

May 20, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone) is launching a new consumer safety awareness campaign aimed at teaching drivers about the important role tires play in safety. The campaign, which is part of the company’s National Tire Safety Week initiative (May 20-27, 2019), centers on a partnership with lifestyle influencer Landyn Hutchinson, the creator and voice behind the Living with Landyn lifestyle channel.

Energy

Hear from CEO Mauricio Gutierrez, NRG Energy

May 20, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Watch: The Barbershop Girls of India

May 20, 2019 9:45 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Northern Trust Celebrated International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

May 20, 2019 9:20 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Arbor Day Foundation Recognizes Dr. Edward E. Louis, Jr. of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium with J. Sterling Morton Award

May 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation has announced today that Dr. Edward E. Louis, Jr. has been awarded the Foundation's J. Sterling Morton Award. This award recognizes an individual who has had a positive impact on the environment due to his or her lifelong commitment to tree planting and conservation. Dr. Louis will be honored with the award on May 24 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Scott Aquarium Conference Center.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Intel Named A Top Company for Diversity by DiversityInc

May 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Diversity Inc. published their Top 50 Companies list and Intel was included as No. 50, after having been included as a Noteworthy Company last year. The Diversity Inc. Top 50 list is derived exclusively from corporate survey submissions and companies are evaluated within the context of their own industries. The survey is the most rigorous, data-driven analysis gauging detailed demographics based on race/ethnicity and gender at some of the largest U.S. employers, all in an effort to better assess initiatives to hire, retain and promote women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ and veterans.

Diversity & Inclusion

Interview With Alexandra Der, Mechanical Design Engineer

May 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Alexandra Der is a mechanical design engineer at Tetra Tech. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Boise State University, and she is currently working on completing her master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University. We talked with Alexandra as part of our #TtInspires campaign celebrating the passion of Tetra Tech employees. Follow #TtInspires on social media for more stories.

Research, Reports & Publications

Sustainability and business results align in “Innovating for Impact,” ArcelorMittal’s 2018 United States Integrated Report

May 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

ArcelorMittal announces the publication of its annual United States Integrated Report, Innovating for Impact. This marks ArcelorMittal’s tenth year of reporting on our corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives in the United States. This integrated report continues our dedication to transparency and directly connecting our 10 sustainable development outcomes with our business outcomes and financial drivers.

Diversity & Inclusion

How to Create a Pilot Program for Hiring Workers on the Autism Spectrum

May 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

A growing number of firms are recognizing this opportunity: DXC Technology, SAP, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft and EY all have initiatives to employ people on the autism spectrum. But more companies need to follow suit, said Bruyère, a leading expert in the field of employment disparities for people with disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum.

Media & Communications

More Than a Quack: The Story Behind Aflac’s Big Heart

May 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

You probably know the Aflac Duck, but do you know the company behind it? Catherine Hernandez-Blades, Aflac’s SVP, Chief ESG and Communications Officer, joined Purpose 360 to share how Aflac deftly manages reputation in a volatile world and bestowed a new social purpose on its beloved mascot. As a cancer insurance pioneer, Aflac has a now 24-year, $131M commitment to childhood cancer.

Research, Reports & Publications

Heathrow 2.0: Inspiring a Sustainable Future for Air Travel

May 20, 2019 5:00 AM ET

Heathrow 2.0, launched in 2017, signalled the beginning of a new chapter for Europe’s busiest airport. It sets out an inspiring journey to a sustainable future for air travel, moving beyond Heathrow’s own operations to create positive change across the industry.

Education

Comcast Partners with Three More State Attorneys General on Internet Safety Through Internet Essentials

May 17, 2019 4:15 PM ET

Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama attorneys general join the nationwide effort to address challenges seniors, parents, and students face online. Comcast surprised students and seniors with free laptops and invests in digital skills training across three southeastern states.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Please Speak to Strangers!

May 17, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Learn about global development and the importance of individuals engaging with others to create shared understanding from a discussion between Sherry Lee Muller and Brittany Lynk.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LeBron James and Walmart Team Up to Improve Local Communities

May 17, 2019 1:40 PM ET

A lot of times when you think about Walmart, you think about how big it is, right? We have 4,700 stores in the U.S. alone. But, if you take a minute to think about it, what’s unique about Walmart is that we have a physical presence in local communities. You walk into one of our stores, and you see your neighbors.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Named as a "Best for Vets" Employer by Military Times for Fifth Consecutive Year

May 17, 2019 1:15 PM ET

Merck has been recognized by Military Times as a 2019 “Best for Vets” employer for the fifth consecutive year. In its tenth year, the Best for Vets: Employers rankings evaluate companies’ culture, veteran recruiting, veteran policies, and accommodations for members of the National Guard and reserves. This year, a total of 132 employers made the list, comprising 113 for-profit companies, as well as 19 government and non-profit organizations.