Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Health & Healthcare

Corporate Responsibility Practitioner Roundup: Kohler

Jul 20, 2017 4:30 PM ET

In the run up to the COMMIT!Forum, CR Magazine spoke with Robert Zimmerman, director of WaSH (water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) products for Kohler. Rob leads Kohler’s efforts to develop water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) products and services for underserved markets globally.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $142.4 Million in Financing for Affordable Housing Portfolio

Jul 20, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Baxter Releases Annual Corporate Responsibility Report; Announces Progress Toward Social and Environmental 2020 Goals

Jul 20, 2017 3:40 PM ET

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX), a global medical products company, today announced the publication of its 18th annual corporate responsibility report. Entitled Making a Meaningful Difference, the report details Baxter’s commitment to delivering environmental, social and economic value to the communities and constituencies the company serves in support of its mission to “Save and Sustain Lives.”

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Provides Platform for Business Leaders to Take Action on the SDGs

Jul 20, 2017 3:25 PM ET

The UN Global Compact brought together leaders from business with representatives from government, the UN, civil society and academia to highlight private sector commitment to take action on the SDGs at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) – the annual platform for reviewing progress and guiding global efforts on the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. UN Secretary-General António Guterres encouraged the business community to see the SDGs as an opportunity to “participate in dialog with other sectors of society in building a common project, in building a common approach, in which the combined efforts of everybody can guarantee that the goals are implemented.”

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Provides Advanced Solutions to Meet a Basic Need

Jul 20, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Caterpillar and the Caterpillar Foundation are committed to reducing energy poverty so that sustainable progress is possible — progress such as sanitation and education. These are the building blocks to grow economies and improve living standards for millions.

Social Impact & Volunteering

97 GM Facilities Connect with Nature for World Environment Day

Jul 20, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Nearly 100 General Motors facilities participated in World Environment Day, an observation established by the United Nations. This year’s theme: “connect people to nature.”

While all of GM’s manufacturing sites conduct at least one environmental outreach activity a year, this is the second time GM rallied its teams to measure its collective impact within roughly the same period.

Green Infrastructure

Pay Attention to The Ray, Urges WheelRight's John Catling

Jul 20, 2017 2:20 PM ET

Development of a connected and sustainable highway needs dedicated leaders within institutions, companies and governments. Europe should take heed of The Ray initiative in the US, argues John Catling

Environment

New Student Art Installation Encouraging Recycling Unveiled at Grand Teton National Park Thanks to Partnership With Subaru of America

Jul 20, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Public Art and the Teton County School District, recently unveiled a set of art installations designed to raise awareness of reducing waste in the park and encouraging recycling for all those visiting Grand Teton National Park. The two projects debuted at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park, where an estimated 100,000 visitors will view the artwork through July 30, 2017.

Events, Media & Communications

The 11th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference to Feature a Lineup of Dynamic Speakers on August 7 & 8 in Las Vegas

Jul 20, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The 2017 Women’s Leadership Conference theme is “Women Inspiring Women.” For the fourth year in a row, WLC has sold out, an indication that women are seeking career advice more than ever, organizers said. The conference will offer a wide range of learning opportunities, career guidance and personal growth tools.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Congratulations to Virginia's 2017 Cox Conserves Hero - Barbara Duerk

Jul 20, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Bloomberg's Progress Towards 2020 Sustainability Goals

Jul 20, 2017 1:35 PM ET

Our founder’s ethos of “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it” is at the core of everything we do. In 2013, we announced 2020 Targets; we summarize our progress over the past four years.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Six Companies Who Go Global and Local With CSR

Jul 20, 2017 1:30 PM ET

What are your reasons for supporting or withholding support from specific companies? Does Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sound familiar? Whether you’re aware of it or not, people often align with an organization's values or implementation of social responsibility in the workplace or community — locally and globally.

Environment

Sahibabad, India, Green Team Conserves Water, Harvests Rain to Benefit Environment, Community

Jul 20, 2017 1:25 PM ET

Our manufacturing facility in Sahibabad, India, is in the heart of India's water crisis. The country's water shortage – caused by drought, urbanization, a dramatically increasing population and more – leaves 77 million people in India without access to safe drinking water and overstresses groundwater resources. Sahibabad's Green Team jumped into action and spearheaded an effort to reduce its water consumption while recharging the groundwater supply with harvested rainwater. Their efforts are making a positive impact on local water resources, and therefore the community.

Social Impact & Volunteering

College-Bound Girl Scout Starts Nonprofit to Save the Bees

Jul 20, 2017 1:20 PM ET

Two years ago, Elizabeth Klosky was brainstorming ideas with her father on what to do for her Girl Scouts Gold Award project when she had the idea to do something to protect bees. She and her father had just begun to keep bees in the yard, but when she realized how important they were to the environment – and that certain bee populations around the world were struggling – she wanted to help.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

From Foster Care to Forever Families

Jul 20, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Education

Voya Financial Supports Professional Development of STEM Educators with New Fellowship Program

Jul 20, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), today announced the launch of a national fellowship program for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teachers, in partnership with the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY).

Social Impact & Volunteering

GM Student Corps Celebrates 5 Years of Enhancing Communities and Changing Young Lives

Jul 20, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Brittany Agee is well on her way toward achieving her dream of becoming a social worker. This summer, the former GM Student Corps high school intern — who’s now a junior at Alabama State University — is returning as a college intern and mentor to help other students see their potential.

Education

Scotiabank Partners with The Rumie Initiative for Project North

Jul 20, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Scotiabank marks #Canada150 by partnering with @RumieInitiative to bring educational tablets to children in remote areas. #InfinitePotential

Sustainable Development Goals

Food Safety and Sustainability: Flip Sides of the Same Coin

Jul 20, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Energy

Myth Busting: You Actually Can Install Solar Panels at Home (and It’s Easy and Affordable)

Jul 20, 2017 12:00 PM ET

"Going solar is too expensive. Too difficult. Too risky." These are all fairly common complaints about going solar. But the solar panels of 15 years ago are not the solar panels of today. In fact, with dropping costs of solar panel installations and rising energy costs, there hasn't been a better time to go solar. New tools are making it easier for customers to make the switch, and more installers working in the market has produced more competition. For many homeowners, it has never been easier, more efficient, or more affordable to go solar.

Events, Media & Communications

Matt Clark Named as Honorable Mention for Emerging Leader Award by InsideNGO

Jul 20, 2017 11:00 AM ET

PYXERA Global proudly announces the recognition of Senior Global Engagement Manager, Matt Clark, by Inside NGO’s Excellence Awards. Clark, who co-designed PYXERA Global’s popular tri-sector partnership training and currently leads The Center for Citizen Diplomacy, received honorable mention at Inside NGO’s 2017 Annual Conference yesterday under the Emerging Leader category.

Environment

Bioswales on The Ray

Jul 20, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The Ray and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) have installed five to ten acres of native grasses and pollinator plant seeds in the median and northbound lane gore area of Exit 6 on I-85 near LaGrange, Georgia.

Environment

Top Pop Culture EHS Moments

Jul 20, 2017 10:55 AM ET

From a hilarious "I Love Lucy" show factory assembly line to a falling injury in "There Will Be Blood" - enjoy our collection of EHS moments in the movies.

Innovation & Technology

Chevrolet Brings All-Electric Vehicle Technology from the Moon to Earth

Jul 20, 2017 10:55 AM ET

DETROIT — In July 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts explored the moon in the first electric-powered Lunar Rover, thanks to help from General Motors engineers. Fast-forward to the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and it’s clear once again that GM remains at the forefront of EV engineering. With an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles on a single charge and costing a fraction of the Lunar Rover’s $38 million price tag, the Bolt EV has made driving electric attainable for the Earth-bound.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Don't Suck. Stop Using Wasteful Plastic Straws

Jul 20, 2017 10:45 AM ET

International spirits company Bacardi has joined with the Surfrider Foundation for a "no-straw movement" as part of its Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future program.