Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Apparel Industry Stands by the Higg Index

Sep 14, 2017 12:45 PM ET

It’s hard to imagine two brands more different than Walmart and Patagonia, yet in 2009 they aligned their unique strengths and issued a call to the industry. In an invitation to some of the world’s largest retailers, then Walmart chief merchandising officer, John Fleming, and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard proposed an industry collaboration unlike any attempted before. The idea was to join competitors together to develop an index to measure the environmental impact of their products. The benefits, if the idea was successful and didn’t implode before it even got off the ground, would not only be at the individual company level, but would transform the industry.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Nominate Your Company for the 2018 WEC Gold Medal Award for Sustainability (due Sept. 18)

Sep 14, 2017 12:40 PM ET

Nominations are now being accepted for the World Environment Center’s (WEC) 2018 Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. The Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that demonstrates deep, organization-wide commitment to sustainability in its business practice and beyond.

Innovation & Technology

Closed Loop Foundation Releases Insights on Film and Flexible Packaging Recycling Investment Opportunities New "Recycling of Plastic Film Packaging" Research Study and Infographic Published

Sep 14, 2017 12:20 PM ET

With support from SC Johnson, Closed Loop Foundation, which is the independent 501c3 affiliate of Closed Loop Partners, announced key insights on how investors can advance film and flexible packaging recycling.

Energy

Kimberly-Clark to Power North American Mills With Renewable Wind Energy

Sep 14, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark Corporation today announced its first major commitment to renewable energy with agreements to annually purchase approximately 1,000,000 megawatt hours (245 megawatts - MW) of electricity from two new wind power projects in Texas and Oklahoma.

Research, Reports & Publications

DuPont Releases Sustainability Report, Cites Progress Toward 2020 Goals and Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Sep 14, 2017 12:15 PM ET

DuPont has released its 2017 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress toward its 2020 Sustainability Goals and ongoing engagement in areas reflected in the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as food security, environmental stewardship, and diversity and inclusion.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pfizer Is Accelerating the Supply Chain

Sep 14, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Through a Highly Orchestrated Supply Network (HOSuN) approach, Pfizer has developed a supply chain that is directly sensitive to patient needs and can speed our response to those needs. Enhanced with technological advances, we are able to track movement of product throughout the entire supply chain.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Morgan Stanley and the Economist Intelligence Unit Release New Index to Support Investors Seeking Climate Change Mitigation Opportunities

Sep 14, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Today the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing released the Climate Change Mitigation Opportunities Index, a report and interactive tool investors can use to examine the risks and opportunities of climate change mitigation investments. The index seeks to evaluate technology investment opportunities, both on their impact on mitigating climate change and their potential for market-rate returns.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Texas A&M Fair Trade University Designation Press Release

Sep 14, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Texas A&M is the 46th and largest university in the nation, and only the second in Texas, to earn official designation as a Fair Trade University from Fair Trade Campaigns, a national initiative that engages students in issues of global poverty.

Environment

Thinking, and Advocating, Globally

Sep 14, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Today’s consumers are more aware than ever before of the social and environmental issues related to their purchasing decisions. The rise of “green” brands and certification programs across a wide range of product categories are evidence of this growing awareness. However, truly understanding what goes into making products that people use every day is not always obvious or easy.

Events, Media & Communications

Can Private-Public Partnerships Solve Our Global Challenges?

Sep 14, 2017 10:05 AM ET

The suffering of millions displaced by powerful megastorms like hurricanes Harvey and Irma underscore the critical significance of finding solutions to the world’s greatest challenges and the need for countries and the private sector to work in collaboration. Tackling tough global problems is a driving force for Jim Thompson, director for innovation within the U.S. Secretary of State’s Office of Global Partnerships (SGP), and speaker at COMMIT!Forum’s “Brands Taking Stands” event on Oct. 11-12.

Events, Media & Communications

Schneider Electric WEBINAR | Help!! My Company Has Set Science-based Targets and Clean Energy Goals

Sep 14, 2017 10:05 AM ET

A further 150 European companies have agreed to set science-based targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, many of which will rely on renewable energy and other clean technologies to meet their goals. To help accelerate the pace, Schneider Electric today announced it’s expanding the reach of the New Energy Opportunities (NEO) Network™, a growing community of forward-thinking corporations committed to buying and developing renewable energy and cleantech around the world.

Events, Media & Communications

One Week Left for the Best BSR Conference 2017 Rates

Sep 14, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Are you planning on attending the BSR Conference 2017: How Business Leads? Make sure to register by next Friday September 22 for your last chance to save. After that, rates increase!

Education

How Volkswagen Chattanooga Changes Kids' Lives Through Mechatronics

Sep 14, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Imagine: programming a robot, using a 3D printer to create a fidget toy or dissembling then reassembling a Passat’s engine. Thanks to Volkswagen Chattanooga, in collaboration with a local university, Chattanooga-area high school students have the chance to experience all of these activities while attending summer camp – for free.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How a Dream Turned into ‘Life Changing’ Scholarships

Sep 14, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Karla Hernandez Navarro and other scholarship recipients have been able to attend college thanks to the Bay Area Gardeners Scholarship Foundation — a nonprofit that started with one man’s dream.

Environment

Black & Veatch Taps Joe Lauria to Support Rapid Growth Water Markets in U.S.

Sep 14, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Black & Veatch has named Joe Lauria as its Vice President and Director of Planning and Growth for the Americas in the company’s water business. In this new role, Lauria will help clients identify and implement sustainable solutions to evolving water challenges. Based in Irvine, California, his primary focus will be on fast-growth U.S. markets in California, Florida and Texas.

Health & Healthcare

Your Guide to the WELL Community Standard™ Pilot

Sep 14, 2017 9:45 AM ET

The WELL Community Standard™ pilot is a district-scale rating system centered exclusively on health and wellness that aims to set a new global benchmark for healthy communities. With the launch of the WELL Community Standard, IWBI is ushering in a new era of fostering and cultivating neighborhoods, districts and other communities that have health and wellness attributes built into their DNA.

Sustainable Development Goals

In Cocoa, Tackling Deforestation Begins with Supporting Farmers

Sep 14, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Stopping deforestation in cocoa begins with helping farmers improve their livelihoods. That is the approach Cargill is taking as we continue to deliver on our promise of ending deforestation in all of our operations, and it is especially true in cocoa.

Diversity & Inclusion

Why Girls and Women in STEM Need Role Models

Sep 14, 2017 9:35 AM ET

A good role model can be hard to find. Especially, for women in the technology industry. But for companies, role modeling is part of a well-rounded strategy for leveling the playing field. It is also one of the trickiest to execute well for some companies. But as we’re learning at HP, it doesn’t have to be such a challenge.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck’s Employee Volunteer Program Takes First Place in PR Daily’s 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Awards

Sep 14, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Ben & Jerry’s: Why Brands Taking Stands is Smart Business

Sep 14, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Few brands are as famous for their social activism than Ben & Jerry’s. The Vermont ice cream maker with global revenues of more than $1.2 billion (2015) is as much known for its social conscience as for its creamy, irresistible ice cream flavors. Pick a flavor and chances are you’ll walk away with more than just a good feeling in your tummy: You’ll feel you’re making a statement.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hormel Foods Announces Donations Totaling $300,000 to Fight Hunger Across the Country on Hunger Action Day

Sep 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In recognition of Hunger Action Day, Hormel Foods Corporation today announced donations totaling $300,000 to 41 hunger relief organizations throughout the United States through its Plant Community Donations Program. The donations are being presented to the organizations this month to support Hunger Action Month.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Agroforestry in India: National Policy Focuses on Improving the Productivity of Smallholding Farmers and Providing Them Sustainable Livelihoods

Sep 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Environment

Yosemite Creates More than 2,000 Tons of Trash Each Year. Here’s How You Can Help That Number Shrink

Sep 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Between the five million visitors who come through Yosemite National Park each year and the park’s 2,800 staff members, California’s famous national park sends nearly 2,200 tons of garbage each year to the Mariposa County Landfill.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Carol Chan Discusses Innovative Technology to Combat Counterfeit Seed

Sep 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

As part of our Leading with Science® campaign, we asked our employees to reflect on how they incorporate the latest science and technology into their work at Tetra Tech.

Environment

How Food Waste Reduction Can Save Wildlife

Sep 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Biodiversity is a crucial marker of Earth’s environmental health. The more diverse and abundant life is on this planet, the more resilient our landscapes and cities are to disease, drought, storms and other threats.