Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

#HoustonStrong – Supporting Our Customers and Communities, Before and After Harvey

Nov 14, 2017 8:15 AM ET

At NRG Retail including Reliant, our customer care centers are prepared for situations like Harvey, but I continue to be impressed with our employees who went – and continue to go – above and beyond for our customers. Many of our employees performed heroically, even when faced with flooding and setbacks at their own homes.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

UK First As Barclays Issues €500m Green Bond

Nov 14, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Barclays PLC has successfully priced and issued a 0.625% €500m green bond. This is a first for the UK market, as it represents the first green bond issued by a UK bank, using UK assets. The transaction was well received, attracting a final order book of €1.85bn.

Sustainable Development Goals

below50 Goes Global: Regional Hubs Established Across Three Continents to Grow the Market for Low-carbon Fuels

Nov 14, 2017 8:05 AM ET

Today at COP23, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) announced a major expansion of its below50 project, designed to rapidly grow the market for the world’s most sustainable fuels. As part of this expansion, new hubs will begin operating across three continents: Australia, North America and South America.

Responsible Production & Consumption

American Apparel Launches New Pencils of Promise Collection to Support Literacy in Developing Countries

Nov 14, 2017 8:00 AM ET

American Apparel has launched a capsule collection of hoodies, t-shirts and bags in support of Pencils of Promise (POP) to fund the construction of schools and provide support for teachers in developing nations.

Green Infrastructure

Expert Interview With Scott Ceasar, Sustainable Design Expert

Nov 14, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Scott R. Ceasar is a Principal at Cosentini Associates, A Tetra Tech Company, and the Director of Sustainable Design. He promotes sustainable design practices in the building industry and within the firm, focusing on creating systems that are energy-efficient, environmentally responsible, and ensure occupant comfort.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kendall-Jackson and Net Impact Engage Young Professionals in Competition to Elevate Sustainability

Nov 14, 2017 7:30 AM ET

Net Impact, a global community of students and professionals, and Kendall-Jackson, the seminal winery in the Jackson Family Wines portfolio, have launched a sustainable wine case competition designed to harness the energy and ideas of young professionals dedicated to advancing sustainability. Julien Gervreau, Kendall-Jackson’s Director of Sustainability, made the announcement on the keynote stage at the 2017 Net Impact Conference on October 27th in Atlanta, GA.

Diversity & Inclusion

How Women Leaders in Technology Transform the Non-Profit World

Nov 13, 2017 8:20 PM ET

In recent years, the nonprofit sector has witnessed more women ascending to technology management positions. These leaders are on the front lines of discussions on management and employee engagement. And at a time when many organizations are shifting to a social enterprise model, technology remains central to NGOs’ missions.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Korea Named Best Workplace for the 1st Time

Nov 13, 2017 4:30 PM ET

SC Johnson announced today that the Great Place to Work® Institute has recognized SC Johnson Korea as one of the 35 Best Workplaces in Korea. This is the first time SC Johnson Korea has been recognized on the Institute’s annual Best Workplace list.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Humana Again Earns Perfect Score on LGBTQ Workplace Equality

Nov 13, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Humana has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This is the sixth year in a row that Humana has achieved a perfect score.

Environment

Beautiful Places Across South Carolina Will Benefit from Nearly $500,000 from Duke Energy

Nov 13, 2017 4:00 PM ET

The Duke Energy Foundation is investing nearly $500,000 in 14 South Carolina environmental nonprofit organizations. The grants will fund environmental projects, wildlife conservation efforts and environmental educational programs across the Duke Energy service territory in the state.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Voya Financial is Partnering with Special Olympics to Help Athletes Achieve their Goals Beyond Sport

Nov 13, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) today announced the launch of Invest in Something Special, the newest component of the company's broader effort to support the special needs community. The weeklong Invest in Something Special effort runs through Nov. 19, and will share the near-term goals and lifetime aspirations of Special Olympics athletes to raise awareness of their contributions to the community and amplify their voice on social media. Voya has pledged to donate up to $500,000 to be shared among Special Olympics Programs across the country based on likes, shares and comments for each athlete's #InvestInSomethingSpecial story.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Salesforce.org, From Corporate Philanthropy to Social Enterprise

Nov 13, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Environment

As U.S. Sheds Role as Climate Change Leader, Who Will Fill the Void?

Nov 13, 2017 2:55 PM ET

When President Trump announced in June that the United States would withdraw from the Paris agreement, America officially ceded its global leadership on climate change.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

First Annual Stephen R. Kellert Biophilic Design Award Goes to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

Nov 13, 2017 2:20 PM ET

The International Living Future Institute (ILFI), in partnership with Interface, honored the late scholar and Yale University social ecologist Stephen R. Kellert’s legacy with the first ever, Biophilic Design Award at the Greenbuild Expo in Boston. The award was presented to CPG Consultants Pte Ltd, Senior Vice President Ong Chin-Po, Jerry and Alexandra Health System, Director Donald Wai Wing Tai for Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore, in recognition of the innovative and extensive use of biophilic design to engage all of the senses to promote healing and wellbeing.

Environment

Keep America Beautiful Partnership With Zephyrhills® Brand Natural Spring Water Increases Access to On-The-Go Recycling Across Florida

Nov 13, 2017 1:30 PM ET

In advance of America Recycles Day, Keep America Beautiful and Zephyrhills® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water are honoring four Florida communities that have increased their on-the-go recycling rates. This effort was enabled by a grant from Zephyrhills® that funded 220 recycling bins to increase access to recycling on beaches and at other public recreation locations along Florida’s waterways.

Media & Communications

All Together Now -- Industries, Sectors & Professional Groups See Collective Efforts as the Way Forward for Managing Sustainability Issues

Nov 13, 2017 1:15 PM ET

There is encouraging news as corporate executives, managers and a range of professionals get together to address the risks and opportunities inherent in sustainability matters that could affect a particular industry, sector or profession. And, how with collective industry effort these challenges might be addressed.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Vanguard Group Adoption Policies Benefit Employees Looking to Grow Their Family

Nov 13, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Each year the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption ranks the nation’s Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces. Throughout November, National Adoption Month, we are sharing the adoption stories from our top adoption-friendly partners. This year The Vanguard Group was 18th on the list and shared one employee’s adoption journey. Mark Stevens and his wife were able to adopt twice because of the Vanugard adoption policies.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Whirlpool Corporation Named to 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index

Nov 13, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation, the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and natural resource efficiency with its inclusion on the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. Whirlpool Corporation has made numerous strides in sustainability since opening a corporate office for environmental control in 1970.

Health & Healthcare

Join Our Quest for an Alzheimer’s Cure

Nov 13, 2017 12:50 PM ET

Alzheimer’s disease is an overwhelming degenerative condition for individuals and the family members who care for them. Yet there is hope in the promise of new research. Donors can help bring that promise to fruition by supporting innovative, high-quality scientific research through BrightFocus Foundation’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research program.

Events, Media & Communications

WEBINAR: How to Accelerate and Scale Your Renewable Energy Plan

Nov 13, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Are you interested in how companies are scaling their clean energy use? General Motors’ global manager of renewable energy, Rob Threlkeld, and Lily Donge, principal of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Business Renewable Center, will lead a free GreenBiz webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. eastern.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Astellas USA Foundation Grant Supports Free Physicals During Special Olympics Illinois’ 19th Annual MedFest

Nov 13, 2017 12:25 PM ET

For those living with intellectual disabilities, subtle stigma and discrimination can compromise the quality of health care they receive. To address this issue, Astellas USA Foundation provided a grant and recruited Astellas volunteers to support SO Illinois’ 19th annual Chicago MedFest on November 7.

Environment

Kimberly-Clark Asks You to Pause When You Flush This World Toilet Day

Nov 13, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Globally, 1 in 3 people don’t have access to a clean and safe toilet according to the World Health Organization. This Sunday, on World Toilet Day, we are encouraging people to pause while they flush and consider how the lack of basic sanitation facilities profoundly affects peoples’ lives.

Energy

Business Leaders Applaud Progress on Regional Approach to Cut Transportation Emissions

Nov 13, 2017 11:50 AM ET

As global leaders meet in Bonn to discuss efforts to tackle climate change, 7 states and the District of Columbia announced a regional stakeholder process in pursuit of policies to reduce emissions in the transportation sector. These states have decided to embark on an extended process over the coming year which could substantially transform the region’s transportation sector.

Research, Reports & Publications

New Report Finds Clean Energy Investment Trends Are Improving Investment Returns

Nov 13, 2017 11:50 AM ET

As investors converge in Bonn, Germany this week for the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties, or COP23, to showcase how they are taking action to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint, a new report released today by the sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres and the Clean Energy Venture Fund (CEVF) finds that the accelerating trends in the clean energy technology investment market over the last seven years are expected to improve investment returns into the foreseeable future.

Energy

National Grid and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to Collaborate on Transmission Grid Modernization and Energy Storage Research

Nov 13, 2017 11:30 AM ET

National Grid, a leading US transmission company, and the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have entered into an agreement to work together on research in the areas of transmission grid modernization and energy storage technologies.