Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

GM Employees to Plant 25,000 Hardwood Trees in the U.S.

Apr 28, 2017 1:45 PM ET

The national nonprofit Living Lands & Waters began its MillionTrees Project in 2007 by collecting and planting acorns. The group harvests the growing saplings and partners with communities and companies like General Motors to meet its ambitious goal – growing 1 million trees across the United States. This year, 27 GM facilities in seven states are taking part, providing more than 25,000 oak trees to employees and their families for Earth Day and Arbor Day plantings.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whirlpool Corporation Employees Volunteer for FIRST Robotics

Apr 28, 2017 1:00 PM ET

At Whirlpool Corporation, we’re proud of our employees who volunteer their time and talents throughout the world. In 2016, 337,000 employees volunteered and 300+ non-profit organizations were impacted globally through volunteerism and donations.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Change or Be Changed: The Future of Food & Beverage is Now

Apr 28, 2017 12:40 PM ET

The food and beverage industry is facing major change and shifting expectations, and brands have to decide whether to adapt, or risk losing out. This year’s WorldView event in NYC offered attendees a timely, big picture view of macro-trends the food & beverage industry is facing. Our four industry-leading speakers offered up a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, but what do we do with this information, and how do organizations embrace change and innovation rather than being left behind? Let’s break it down.

Health & Healthcare

Shire Partners with The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

Apr 28, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Across the U.S., there is a significant shortage of medical geneticists. With only one geneticist for every 600,000 individuals, the U.S. has less than half of the genetic workforce it needs. As an issue directly related to our business, we announced a $1.65 million grant to the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine. The ACMG Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to attract and fund training for the next generation of medical geneticists and genetic counselors. The Foundation also sponsors important research, and promotes information about medical genetics.

Social Impact & Volunteering

NFL Safety Jonathan Meeks Inspires Hope, Creating Opportunities for Youth

Apr 28, 2017 12:05 PM ET

"I volunteer because I want to impact change, not only in my community but in the world," said Jonathan Meeks, NFL safety – an unrestricted free agent who previously played four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Jonathan uses his platform to give back, locally and around the world.

Events, Media & Communications

Global Tourism Stakeholders to Convene at Summit to Create a Sustainable Future

Apr 28, 2017 12:00 PM ET

GreenBiz Group will host a Sustainable Tourism Summit during its VERGE Hawaii: Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit, which returns to Honolulu on June 20-22. The Summit will be produced in collaboration with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and global NGO, Sustainable Travel International, and will take place on Wednesday, June 21.

Innovation & Technology

In Honor of Earth Day – Find Out How Much Carbon Your Virtualization Infrastructure is Avoiding!

Apr 28, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Having pioneered the development of server virtualization, VMware has significantly increased the operational efficiency of IT resources. Server virtualization is a key element of cloud computing. It allows for elasticity through rapid provisioning and de-provisioning of services. By reducing the number of servers needed, and increasing the utilization rates of servers deployed, virtualization software also decreases, often dramatically, the total energy required to support a given service. Lower power consumption associated with server virtualization reduces the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2).

Health & Healthcare

Bringing Resources to Bear to Improve Global Health

Apr 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

At Pfizer, we believe our business and societal missions are the same: ensuring all individuals everywhere have access to quality medicines, vaccines and health care, and the opportunity to lead healthy lives. Every day, we strive to use our full resources – our people, products and funding – to find new ways to positively impact the health of people around the world and across their lifespan.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation’s Madagascar Partner Jiro-Ve, Innovating Affordable Lighting Solutions to Low-Income Households

Apr 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Many social enterprises focus on innovation of high-quality products designed to reach low-income customers. By the numbers, this bottom of the pyramid strategy to reach impact and market at scale seems to make sense – analysis of World Bank data from 2011 shows that 71% of the world’s population can be considered poor or low-income.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Congratulations to The Exceptions (Northern Trust Bank) for Winning Best Band at Band Together

Apr 28, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Tribeca Flashpoint College students supported fund raising efforts of four charitable organizations in Band Together: Spring 2017’s Production-In-Action on April 26th 2017. Sarah's Circle, supported by "The Exceptions" (Northern Trust Bank)

Research, Reports & Publications

Designing Inspiring and Healthy Workplaces

Apr 28, 2017 10:00 AM ET

“Our workplace design for the Philadelphia Navy Yard site has helped transform the level of energy and engagement of our employees. We want everyone at GSK to feel energized and inspired. We are in the process of taking our industry-leading design approach to the labs and creating modern, collaborative, flexible research and development workspaces for our scientists.” (Ray, Head, Workplace Design)

Environment

BNY Mellon Celebrates Sixth-Annual Eco Days

Apr 28, 2017 9:30 AM ET

From tree planting and biking to work to an all-out print reduction competition, BNY Mellon employees are taking eco-friendly action this spring. Eco Days began with Earth Day on April 22 and continue through World Environment Day on June 5.

Environment

JetBlue: Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Apr 28, 2017 9:20 AM ET

To us, Earth Day is every day (even if it was technically on April 22). That’s why we’re implementing smarter approaches to move us forward and giving back to our communities whenever we can. Here are some of the ways we celebrate our planet around the clock:

Education

529 New School Gardens Funded by Whole Kids Foundation®

Apr 28, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Today, Whole Kids Foundation announced 529 new school garden grant recipients and 93 extended learning garden grant recipients. The recipients cover 50 U.S. states, nine Canadian provinces and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing educational opportunities around agriculture, ecology, nutrition and business for 437,850 students.

Environment

This Arbor Day, Consumers Energy Encourages Michigan Residents to Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Apr 28, 2017 9:05 AM ET

With Arbor Day being celebrated on Friday, Consumers Energy is reminding Michigan residents to choose the right tree for the right place as they plant and to always call MISS DIG 811 before putting a shovel in the ground.

Research, Reports & Publications

Walmart Today | What is a GRR?

Apr 28, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

National Rebuilding Month: Get Involved

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Last year for National Rebuilding Month, 148 of the 1,942 rebuilding projects were completed for community facilities and spaces, which collectively impacted 100,000 people across the country.

Research, Reports & Publications

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Publishes Corporate Responsibility Report 2016

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has published its eighth Corporate Responsibility Report, covering the years 2015 and 2016. It is available online at www.emdgroup.com/cr-report.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Indonesia: LESTARI | Reducing GHG Emissions and Conserving Biodiversity

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Indonesia is considered a mega-diverse country, with 17,493 tropical islands containing some of the highest levels of biological diversity across the globe.

Energy

A Culture of Safety: Weatherford Celebrates World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Today we celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work, dedicated to the prevention of occupational incidents globally. The United Nations and International Labour Organization's annual awareness-raising campaign promotes safe, healthy, and decent work – stressing how a strong safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related injuries.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Together for Safer Roads, Republic Services and other TSR Member Companies Celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Between 25 and 33 percent of global crashes are work-related and 36 percent of occupational deaths worldwide are due to road crashes. As of 2010, there were more than 307 million commercial vehicles on the world’s roads. Companies have the responsibility to consider the welfare of their employees, as well as the dangers business fleets pose to other road users.

Education

Sodexo Participates in 2017 Global STEM Talent Summit for Collective Short-Term Solutions to STEM Talent Development Strategies

Apr 27, 2017 8:10 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, today joined the nation’s top employers and thought leaders at the Global STEM Talent Summit (GSTS), held April 27-28, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The summit is led by STEMconnector,® the leading organization working with industry, higher education, NGOs and the public sector to provide resources and leadership that supports smart STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) investments.

Media & Communications

‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘He Named Me Malala’ and More from 21CF Win Shorty Awards for Outstanding Social Media Campaigns

Apr 27, 2017 8:00 PM ET

The Ninth Annual Shorty Awards on April 23 recognized recent social impact campaigns from 21st Century Fox for their innovative and effective use of social media to engage audiences. 21CF’s Search for Hidden Figures contest, which distributed more than $200,000 in scholarships to women in STEM, and the Stand with Malala campaign, which drove support and awareness of the Malala Fund and its fight for girls’ education, won their respective categories.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Roma Boots: Taking Steps to Grow Their Business & Help Children

Apr 27, 2017 6:40 PM ET

Next week is National Small Business Week, and PayPal is excited to celebrate the millions of inspiring small businesses we work with globally. We’re interviewing small businesses to find out what inspired them to start their business, the challenges they have faced, and the advice they have for other aspiring business owners. We sat down with Samuel Bistrian, the founder and CEO, and Beatrice Pitocco, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing, of Roma Boots.

Health & Healthcare

National Rebuilding Month: Impact of Home Hazards on Early Childhood Development

Apr 27, 2017 5:35 PM ET

Early childhood development can be significantly impeded by an unsafe or unhealthy environment. Rebuilding Together affiliates nationwide gather volunteers to tackle such issues for families with young children.