Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

5 Keys to Attracting — and Keeping — Socially Minded Employees

Oct 23, 2017 12:05 PM ET

A competitive salary, great benefits and the opportunity to advance are crucial factors for employees when they are choosing where to work. But companies that want an extra edge in landing and keeping top talent might want to consider another key factor: a top-flight workplace giving and volunteering program.

Energy

National Grid and NYSERDA Announce Clean Heating and Cooling Demonstration Projects for Long Island Residents

Oct 23, 2017 11:35 AM ET

National Grid and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced two demonstration projects that will provide clean heating and cooling systems (geothermal) to Long Island residents.

Sustainable Development Goals

Survey: Business Water Management Efforts Are Still a Drop in the Bucket

Oct 23, 2017 11:15 AM ET

To encourage better water management practices, Nalco Water, Ecolab’s global water management business, has created Water University, a hands-on training facility for Nalco Water clients and associates. The new Water University will be officially dedicated on Oct. 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nalco Water’s Naperville campus. Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, former U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, State Senator Michael Connelly and Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, as well as leaders from industry and non-governmental organizations and other local representatives, will be part of the opening ceremonies.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Pro Bono Challenge Spotlights: OCJ Kids

Oct 23, 2017 11:15 AM ET

In 2016, 59 nonprofit organizations participated in the Charles Schwab Pro Bono Challenge—a skills-based flash consulting event where Schwab employees utilize their talents and expertise to support local nonprofit organizations in building capacity to serve the community. The projects spanned across 8 regions, engaged 318 employee volunteers and generated almost half a million dollars in social return on investment to the nonprofit participants. Talk about impact!

Diversity & Inclusion

Black, Female Insurance Exec on Quest to Mentor Teen Girls

Oct 23, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Teresa White, the first woman and African-American president of Georgia-based insurance giant Aflac U.S., has the knack to inspire. So says Seychelle Hercules, a formerly bashful girl who went on to win Georgia’s Miss Columbus pageant after hearing the trailblazing Black executive speak.

Green Infrastructure

HP Inc.’s Boise Idaho Campus Awarded SITES Gold for Achievement in Landscape Sustainability

Oct 23, 2017 10:50 AM ET

Today, HP Inc. announced its Boise Idaho Campus was awarded Gold under the Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES) rating system. Owned and administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), SITES is the most comprehensive program for designing, developing and maintaining sustainable landscapes.

Diversity & Inclusion

Female SMB Owners Are Leading the Way in Sustainability

Oct 23, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Women continue to serve as pioneers in sustainability, leading the way through advocacy and implementation. The Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey (CCSS), which focused on small and medium-sized business owners (SMBs), found that 42 percent of female-run SMBs are committed to increasing sustainable business practices versus 35 percent of male-run SMBs. Women recognize sustainability as an important part of running a business.

Innovation & Technology

HPE Labs VIDEO | How a Ground-up Approach Can Keep Data Safe

Oct 23, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Labs researchers are developing ways to separate the part of a computer responsible for security from the main operating environment so it can monitor for signs of an intrusion. They’re also coming up with technologies for detecting anomalous behavior on the network, rapidly encrypting data even while it’s in use, and authenticating not just users and applications but also discrete processes.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Are You Part of the Pro Bono Movement?

Oct 23, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Pro bono service is a movement. It’s made up of people who see not just a challenge in their communities, but a solution. The movement is filled with nonprofit professionals who refuse to be held back by their lack of resources. They’re scrappy, determined, and bursting at the seams with ideas to make their communities a better place. And the movement is fueled by companies and corporate professionals who wake up with their hands raised, ready to work alongside their community partners to make those ideas a reality.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Actress Advocates for Diabetes Awareness, Health Care and Research

Oct 23, 2017 10:00 AM ET

At age 12, she was the voice of Nala in Disney’s “The Lion King” movie. Since then, she has appeared in TV shows, off-Broadway plays and commercials. But Niketa Calame-Harris found that developing a chronic illness – in her case, Type 1 diabetes – came without a script.

Media & Communications

14 Easy Ways You Can Fair Trade Your Daily Routine, From Start to Finish

Oct 23, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Every day, we make choices. We choose what to wear to work, what to eat for breakfast, and which blanket to curl up under at night. Each one of these decisions has the power to improve the world when you choose items with the Fair Trade Certified seal. That's because every time you do, it sends money directly back to the farmers, workers, or fishermen who produced that item for you, which they invest back into their own communities. This October, making the commitment to choosing Fair Trade products has never been easier.

Green Infrastructure

Schneider Electric VIDEO | Listening to Young Voices to Discover How to Reshape Industries, Transform Cities and Enrich Lives

Oct 23, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Schneider Electric -- the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation -- organized the 7th Edition of Go Green in the City, a competition to engage students to find innovative energy solutions for smart cities worldwide. Twenty four students split in twelve teams reached the finals. Besides presenting the project under the professional instructions from Schneider Electric’s employees, they also took part in workshops and presentations on the Group's activities, experiencing multicultural and exciting cooperating atmosphere.

Green Infrastructure

Mohawk Believes in Better

Oct 23, 2017 9:50 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Making Good Work Better

Oct 23, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Q&A: Carlos Fonseca, SVP of Marketing Sciences at MetLife

Health & Healthcare

Merck for Mothers Film Encourages All to “PUSH” to Make a Change

Oct 23, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Watch to see how motherhood unfolds for each in this powerful portrayal of three women's journey.e

Events, Media & Communications

All the Ways to Follow Us at #BSR17

Oct 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Tomorrow, we’re kicking off the BSR Conference 2017 in Huntington Beach, California. Whether you’re joining us in person or online, here are the best ways to follow along with #BSR17.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Korea Cleans Up Tae An Beach as Part of First-Ever Watermark Activity

Oct 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

On September 22, 2017, all 39 employees from Xylem Korea participated in a beach clean-up at Tae An beach as part of their first-ever Watermark activity.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Mohawk Group Participates in CBRE Green Week to Bring Awareness to Making ‘Greener’ Choices

Oct 23, 2017 8:45 AM ET

A corporate partner in this year’s CBRE Green Week, Mohawk Group and its employees took to social media to share how they are making greener choices, inside and outside of the office, to help make a more sustainable planet.Green Week, which took place October 9–13, encourages companies to increase environmental awareness through employee engagement.

Diversity & Inclusion

FOX Sports Welcomes Barrier-breaking Nigerian Sports Journalist Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke as Part of Global Sports Mentoring Program

Oct 23, 2017 8:45 AM ET

FOX Sports is participating in the Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP) for the first time this year. The initiative, launched by the U.S. Department of State, organizes one-month mentorships for emerging women leaders from around the world each year in the hopes of empowering them to better serve their local communities through the power of sport. Through Women of FOX Sports, FOX Sports is hosting accomplished Nigerian sports journalist Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke, the first female anchor and sports analyst for SuperSport Nigeria.

Green Infrastructure

India Indoors: Earning Credit for Your Low-Emitting Materials

Oct 23, 2017 8:05 AM ET

The building sector in India is rapidly emerging as a global center for green building construction. The World Green Building Trends 2016 report suggests that environmental regulations, combined with the desire to create healthier neighborhoods and to “do the right thing,” are driving this growth. The greatest growth is anticipated in new high-rise residential construction, mixed-use development and commercial building.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CSX Recognized for Diversity in the Boardroom

Oct 20, 2017 6:20 PM ET

CSX Corporation (Nasdaq: CSX) was honored this week at the Women Executive Leadership (WEL) Florida annual Corporate Salute Event for advancing gender diversity in corporate boardrooms. WEL is a member-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women serving on corporate boards and in executive suites by advocating, educating and connecting accomplished leaders.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Bay Area Breakfast Panel With CSR Innovators [Video]

Oct 20, 2017 5:45 PM ET

On Tuesday, October 10, VolunteerMatch hosted a free breakfast and a session of networking, collaboration, and open discussion on the challenges corporate giving professionals face. We heard from corporate giving superstars at Airbnb, Pandora, A. May Consulting, and Pledge 1% in the above panel session. Check it out!

Diversity & Inclusion

Viacom Shares Global, Cross-Brand Message for National Coming Out Day

Oct 20, 2017 4:30 PM ET

What started with a march in 1987 has continued to grow in momentum as individuals ban together to celebrate coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) – or as an ally. National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), created by the Human Rights Campaign, works to promote a safe world for LGBTQ individuals to live truthfully and openly.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru Share the Love® Event Returns for Its Tenth Anniversary in 2017

Oct 20, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the return of its annual Share the Love Event in 2017. This year marks the automaker’s 50th Anniversary in the U.S. and, for the second year in a row, there will be no cap on the total donation from Subaru of America to its Share the Love charitable partners. At the culmination of this year, Subaru hopes to exceed a grand total of $115 million donated since the creation of Share the Love to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the event.

Environment

How 73 Organizations Are Protecting the Carolinas’ Waterways

Oct 20, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Duke Energy is proud to support the countless water stewards in our communities who are implementing innovative projects that protect our natural resources. In 2014, we established the Water Resources Fund, a $10 million, multiyear commitment to leave a lasting impact on our region’s waterways by expanding nonprofit partnerships and enhancing the environments where families live, play and work.