Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi North America Awarded by Minnesota Office of Foreign Direct Investment

Sep 22, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today received an award for its investment in the state of Minnesota from the Minnesota Office of Foreign Direct Investment, under the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The award highlights the company’s contributions to the economic vitality of local communities, and its commitment to keeping Minnesota a world-leading business destination.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation and UPS Airlines Continue to Support Humanitarian Relief Needs

Sep 22, 2017 3:25 PM ET

Following recent natural disasters, UPS announced that The UPS Foundation and UPS Airlines will expand humanitarian aid and support in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Mexico.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Italian Students Become "Guardians of the Coast" With Carnival Corporation's Costa Crociere Foundation

Sep 22, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Making young people more aware about protecting the sea and the Italian coastline is the idea behind the "Guardians of the Coast", the citizen science project promoted by Costa Crociere Foundation, which aims to create a long-term environmental snapshot of Italy's coastline, from Liguria to Friuli Venezia Giulia, as well as Sardinia and Sicily, with the active participation of teachers and students from over 200 Italian high schools.

Innovation & Technology

Technology Moves to the Head of the 21st Century Classroom

Sep 22, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Featured Case Study: Ending the Woes of Short-Termism

Sep 22, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Eric Ries, one of the most prominent entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley, is launching the Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE), a new stock exchange for companies and investors that want to focus on long-term values and sustainable development rather than short-term profit gains

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Honoring the Legacy of Artist and Activist Romare Bearden

Sep 22, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Charlotte’s newest public art – a swirling sculpture to make the city fall in love with a native son all over again – thrusts a gentle steel spear point into the sky above Romare Bearden Park.

The name “Spiral Odyssey” is a triple tribute. It honors Bearden, the master collage maker who co-founded the New York group Spiral in 1963 to encourage African-American artists. It refers to Homer’s “Odyssey,” which Bearden explored multiple times in his work. And it hints at the two-decade friendship between Bearden and Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Avista Volunteers Package Meals During United Way Day of Action

Sep 22, 2017 12:00 PM ET

More than 60 Avista employees volunteered for the Spokane County United Way Day of Action in Spokane on Sept. 15 to Make a Meal for Many.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Supports Relief Efforts in Florida, Mexico and Puerto Rico

Sep 22, 2017 11:45 AM ET

The recent spate of natural disasters have left a trail of destruction across Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico. To urgently respond to these crises, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation is donating $400,000 to support emergency relief efforts in affected communities.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Voya Financial Chairman and CEO Presents Long-Term Perspective at CECP's CEO Investor Forum

Sep 22, 2017 11:40 AM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), Chairman and CEO Rodney O. Martin, Jr.participated in CECP's second CEO Investor Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, to promote the integration of ESG performance into long-term business plans.

Education

Scaling What Works in #STEM

Sep 22, 2017 11:40 AM ET

The cover of National Geographic magazine’s March 2015 issue is framed in my home office. The image of a staged moon landing, and five short sentences challenging common known facts serve as the backdrop for an ominous title: “The War on Science.” In the excellent article “The Age of Disbelief,” Joel Achenbach and photographer Richard Barnes quote geophysicist Marcia McNutt, now president of the National Academies of Sciences, who said, “scientific thinking has to be taught and sometimes it is not taught well,” and that struck a chord.

Innovation & Technology

Ibero University Inaugurates Bloomberg Financial Lab

Sep 22, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Universidad Iberoamericana, one of the most prestigious universities in Mexico, and Bloomberg announced today the inauguration of a campus Bloomberg Financial Laboratory.

Social Impact & Volunteering

John Holm, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at PYXERA Global, to speak at NGO Expo on New Collaboration Model

Sep 22, 2017 11:15 AM ET

John Holm, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at PYXERA Global, to speak at NGO Expo on New Collaboration Models - John Holm, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at PYXERA Global, will be speaking with CSR leaders at the NGO Expo, a gathering on the coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly, on programs for social impact.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact 2017 SDG Pioneers

Sep 22, 2017 11:05 AM ET

The United Nations Global Compact recognized 10 SDG Pioneers – individuals from around the world who are championing sustainability through their own companies and mobilizing the broader business community to take action in pursuit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). Six SDG Pioneers were recognized on stage during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2017 on 21 September at the New York Hilton Midtown.

Environment

Tree Pittsburgh Receives “Net Zero” Sustainability Grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Sep 22, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The ambitious goal of achieving net zero energy status and LEED Platinum certification is becoming a reality for Tree Pittsburgh’s new campus thanks in large part to a $134,800 solar and sustainability grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

Sustainable Development Goals

What Does Private Sector Need in Terms of an Enabling Environment to More Strategically Contribute to the SDGs?

Sep 22, 2017 11:00 AM ET

There is a common understanding that the active participation of business will be a principal driver in achieving the SDGs. But specific recommendations, capacity and practices enabling such contributions have yet to be fully developed in order to reach global recognition.

Green Infrastructure

Why High-Tech Highways Will Change the Way You Drive

Sep 22, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Drive Interstate 85 in Georgia and you may happen upon an area that looks a little different. You can roll over panels that are collecting energy from the sun, then pass over a sensor that instantly detects the air pressure in your tires.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Procter & Gamble Brings Relief to Residents Affected by Hurricane Irma with P&G Personal Care and Cleaning Kits and Tide Loads of Hope Laundry Services

Sep 22, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

High-Level UN Dialogue on Harnessing Africa's Demographic Dividend

Sep 22, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Today, at the United Nations, His Excellency Prof. Alpha Condé, President of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union, convened a high-level meeting to strengthen the partnership with the private sector and discuss opportunities created by Africa’s demographic change. Bringing together African leaders, CEOs and other development partners, the event explored how smart investments in health, empowerment, education and employment can reduce vulnerability and support young people to reach their full potential.

Mabingue Ngom, Regional Director West and Central African Region UNFPA, highlighted that: “Such high-level dialogues further strengthen public-private partnership, which is required to attract increased private sector investment, thereby harnessing the demographic dividend in Africa

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity and Quicken Loans to Transform Three Communities in Second Annual Quicken Loans Neighborhoods Week

Sep 22, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Habitat for Humanity is again partnering with Quicken Loans in three cities across America during Quicken Loans Neighborhoods Week. Team members from the Quicken Loans Family of Companies will work alongside homeowners and residents to help strengthen their communities.

Continuing through October, activities will take place in Charlotte, Cleveland and Phoenix. The projects will include new home construction and home repairs in Cleveland and Phoenix, and a neighborhood garden project in Charlotte.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wearing Hairnets and Big Grins, These Wisconsin Residents Are Packing Meals for Hurricane Harvey Victims

Sep 22, 2017 10:00 AM ET

When PepsiCo decided to provide one million meals to people affected by Hurricane Harvey in Southeast Texas, company leaders knew it would require many partners coming together — the PepsiCo Foundation, Food for Good, Frito-Lay, and multiple relief organizations.

Education

ACC graduate receives Consumers Energy Foundation Scholarship

Sep 22, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Brayden Bell, a 2017 graduate of Alpena Community College’s Utility Technician Program, was one of two recipients selected to receive a $2,500 Consumers Energy/Jeffrey Creel Memorial Scholarship. Bell used the scholarship to attend 10-week courses held at the Consumers Energy’s training center in Marshall.

Health & Healthcare

Aflac has Donated More Than $118 Million to Childhood Cancer

Sep 22, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Did you know Aflac entered the childhood cancer community 22 years ago? Aflac donated $3 million to sponsor the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center at what is now known as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Research, Reports & Publications

Yale and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Announce Collaboration to Improve Corporate Reporting

Sep 22, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Recognizing the critical role that private capital flows will play in moving society toward a more sustainable future, Yale University has launched the Yale Initiative on Sustainable Finance (YISF). This new academic effort will provide high-quality research on the flow of capital into sustainability-oriented projects and sustainable companies.

Energy

170 Years of Lighting DC: How WGL Plans for a More Sustainable Future

Sep 22, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Few institutions in the nation’s capital are older than WGL Holdings. Its history dates back to 1848, the same year the Washington Monument’s construction began and 15 years before the U.S. Capitol’s iconic dome was completed. In fact, one of the company’s first projects (when it was known as Washington Gas) was to build a power plant that could reliably source and deliver gas necessary to light the Capitol’s dome. In addition, one of the chartered company’s most important missions was to ensure D.C.’s streets were safely lit at night. A decade after its founding, the company boasted 30 miles of gas mains, 500 street lights and 1,700 customers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® and Albertsons Donate Nearly 40,000 Pounds of Protein to The Idaho Foodbank

Sep 22, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Last week, Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with Albertsons to donate nearly 40,000 pounds of protein to The Idaho Foodbank. The donation, equivalent to nearly 160,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in Idaho, where one in seven individuals is food insecure.