Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

General Mills Signs on to World Cocoa Foundation's Joint Frameworks for Action to Combat Deforestation

Nov 16, 2017 9:30 AM ET

General Mills joins leading companies in an agreement to end deforestation, protect national parks from illegal cocoa production and develop alternative livelihoods for affected smallholder farmers in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. The two countries produce nearly two-thirds of the world’s annual supply of cocoa. The far-reaching joint Frameworks for Action, led by the World Cocoa Foundation, was announced today at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability: Simple Idea. Big Savings

Nov 16, 2017 9:15 AM ET

How do you heat more with less? Reuse the heat you have.

That is what our Rothschild, Wisconsin, mill did by installing a heat exchanger to warm incoming process water with outgoing process water. The idea is simple. Instead of being lost to the wastewater treatment plant, some of the heat from the outgoing water is captured and sent back into the mill.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Ray C. Anderson Foundation Divests From Fossil Fuel Investments

Nov 16, 2017 9:15 AM ET

“Fossil fuel divestment is both ethically and fiscally responsible,” said John A. Lanier, executive director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and one of Ray’s five grandchildren. “Investment has consequences, and we intend for our assets to grow by fueling renewable energy and other clean technologies that will combat climate change.”

Environment

Racing to Protect Forests and Local Jobs

Nov 16, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Did you know that the forest products industry employs nearly 2.7 million workers in the U.S.? Or that large, uninterrupted forests are habitat to 60% of the U.S.’s at-risk wildlife? Did you know that the security of America’s forestland has undergone a dramatic shift in the last 30 years?

Events, Media & Communications

BSR Alumni Discuss the Evolution of Sustainable Business Over the Past 25 Years

Nov 16, 2017 9:00 AM ET

At the BSR Conference 2017, a panel of BSR alumni, including Amazon's Kara Hurst; Levi Strauss & Co.'s Michael Kobori; and Alliance of Green Consumption and Green Supply Chain, China, and The Sustainability Consortium's Wei Dong Zhou discussed the evolution of sustainable business over the past 25 years.

Research, Reports & Publications

CLP Shares New Trends in Corporate Sustainability Reporting

Nov 16, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In the last two decades, there has been a manifold increase in the number of reporting requirements and guidance documents related to corporate reporting on ESG issues as governments, nonprofits, stock exchanges and others look to companies for transparency on their sustainability performance. As a result, an increasing robustness is now seen in non-financial reporting among companies worldwide.

The CLP Group highlighted the importance of tracking the trends that are changing the business landscape and the need for incorporating the trends into a company’s strategy to maintain a sustainable business in the latest edition of Reporting matters.

Education

Education and Empowerment: Powerful Tools for Girls in STEM

Nov 16, 2017 8:50 AM ET

The push for young minds to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers is more prevalent now than ever before. While more and more educators and organizations are acknowledging this need, it is just as important to address the existing gender gap in STEM. According to the National Science Foundation, women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 29 percent of the science and engineering workforce.

Health & Healthcare

Aflac Holiday Duck Has a Huge Heart in Fight Against Childhood Cancer

Nov 16, 2017 8:35 AM ET

It’s a warm and fuzzy gift. It’s a keepsake collectable. But, most importantly, it’s a way for anyone and everyone to give from their hearts in the crusade against childhood cancer.

Innovation & Technology

Barclays’ Annual Technology and Futures Conference: The Age of Connection

Nov 16, 2017 8:05 AM ET

Hundreds of decision-makers and innovators from the finance and technology sectors and beyond have gathered in London for the Barclays New Frontiers conference to consider what Barclays Group CEO Jes Staley called “the new age of connection”.

Environment

Northern Catalpa: Rarely Unnoticed

Nov 16, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Catalpa is a hard tree to overlook. Trumpet-shaped flowers herald its awakening for the summer and are soon followed by some of the largest leaves in the northern hemisphere. Elephant ears would not be too far off the mark for their description. Finally come the seed pods — bean-like in shape draping the tree like green tinsel.

Environment

Why Can’t We Get Greener When We Want To?

Nov 16, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Trevor Clements, Tetra Tech’s Mid Atlantic regional manager for Integrated Water Management, is co-leading efforts to support the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, vision for advancing low impact development and green stormwater infrastructure citywide and shares how removing barriers in city codes, policies, and operations is essential to moving forward. All opinions expressed in this post are the author's own.

Social Impact & Volunteering

GSK Honors Triangle Nonprofits Making a Positive Impact on Health Outcomes

Nov 16, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Ten nonprofits will receive $40,000 to support healthy eating, quality employment and education, affordable housing, and other social determinants of health.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

JPMorgan Chase Announces $900,000 in Sustainable Infrastructure Investments and Branch Enhancements to Support Detroit’s Economic Recovery

Nov 16, 2017 8:00 AM ET

JPMorgan Chase & Co. today announced a $900,000 investment to support sustainable infrastructure projects in Detroit. In addition, the firm is retrofitting over 70 percent of Chase branches in the city with LED lights and new Building Management Systems.

Environment

SC Johnson Unveils ‘Carnaúba: Tree of Life’ Exhibit at Museum of Industry in Fortaleza, Brazil

Nov 16, 2017 7:00 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fox Partners With Team Rubicon for New Documentary Series on Global Disaster Relief Efforts

Nov 15, 2017 7:45 PM ET

As Puerto Rico continues to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in September, Fox Networks Group is set to unveil a new documentary series about the nonprofit Team Rubicon and its disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico, the continental United States, and beyond. The series will air in short segments across FNG’s full portfolio, including FOX Broadcasting, FX, National Geographic, and FOX Sports. Each installment will highlight the organization’s relief operations, which include the provision of clean water and medical care. The program will culminate in a feature length documentary set to air on FNG channels next spring.

Environment

Joel Solomon: the Dirt on Clean Money

Nov 15, 2017 5:35 PM ET

Are people’s investment and buying decisions fueled by beneficence or are they simply selfish acts? This week’s guest on Sea Change Radio, Joel Solomon, believes that the future of our economic well-being hinges upon our ability to recognize, develop, and reward inherent altruism.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AEG Kicks Off Annual Season of Giving

Nov 15, 2017 3:20 PM ET

In celebration of National Philanthropy Day, AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, announced its plans for its annual Season of Giving, the company’s initiative that encourages its employees throughout the world to engage in charitable activities in their local communities to HOPE. ACT. GIVE. During the initiative throughout November and December, AEG focuses its philanthropic efforts to raise funds and generate awareness for nonprofit organizations working on substantive issues related to hunger, homelessness, healthcare and education.

Environment

Major U.S. Businesses Have Pledged to Act on Climate. Here's What That Looks Like.

Nov 15, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Country negotiators are in the spotlight at UN climate negotiations in Bonn. But the private sector will be represented at COP23 as well, particularly from the United States. Major U.S. corporations are stepping up on climate action because they understand the grave risk this threat poses to their customers and bottom lines. Increasingly, they are taking bold action to do their part to solve the problem.

Environment

The Breakdown on What Happens to Your Laptop to #BeRecycled

Nov 15, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

First Living Product Challenge Petal Certified Flooring Captures Awards in Healthcare Design

Nov 15, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Mohawk Group, a leading commercial flooring company known for cutting-edge and innovative flooring solutions, announced today that the company’s Lichen carpet plank collection is a winning product in the prestigious Nightingale Awards program at the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference. Resulting from innovations that merge leading concepts in biophilic design and sustainability, the world’s first floor covering to achieve Living Product Challenge Petal Certification was honored with two key awards: best of competition and gold for carpet.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comcast Makes Big Difference to Families Who Want to Adopt

Nov 15, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Throughout November, National Adoption Month, we are sharing the adoption stories from our top adoption-friendly partners. This year Comcast was 34th on the list and shared one employee’s adoption journey.

Events, Media & Communications

'Tobacco at a Cancer Summit': Trump Coal Push Savaged at Climate Conference

Nov 15, 2017 1:15 PM ET

​The Trump team was heckled and interrupted by a protest song at the UN’s climate change summit in Bonn on Monday after using its only official appearance to say fossil fuels were vital to reducing poverty around the world and to saving jobs in the US.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Doubling Down on Impact: Leveraging All That I Have for the World I Want to See

Nov 15, 2017 1:00 PM ET

As an impact investor, a financial change agent and entrepreneur, my money story centers around aligning assets with values. At Nia Impact Advisors, we move investment dollars into the companies that matter—those working to create the world in which we want to live. I come by this work having grown up immersed in the belly of our financial markets.

Environment

America Recycles Day Marks 20th Anniversary; Focuses Nation’s Attention on Improving Recycling Everyday

Nov 15, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Today, Nov. 15, 2017, is the 20th anniversary of America Recycles Day, a Keep America Beautiful national initiative to raise awareness about the value of recycling.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Grid Receives First-Ever Innovation in Gas Industry Award from National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

Nov 15, 2017 12:35 PM ET

National Grid receives the first-ever National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners “Utility Industry Innovation In Gas Award” for the company’s Natural Gas Demand Response Program which uses advanced technology to help commercial and industrial customers shift their energy usage which will help National Grid manage peak demand during the coldest winter days.