Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Whirlpool Corporation Celebrates Earth Day

Apr 21, 2017 4:30 PM ET

At Whirlpool Corporation, we have been focused on sustainability since 1969, long before it became the norm, and we continue to integrate it into our everyday work.

Environment

Case Study: 20th Century Fox Pioneers Industry-Leading Green Production Practices

Apr 21, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Over the past ten years, Twentieth Century Fox has taken every opportunity to make its global production operations among the most environmentally sustainable in the industry. From taking aggressive steps to responsibly manage energy and waste at its Los Angeles production campus to spearheading best practices for filming on location, the studio has consistently undertaken innovative projects that address the unique sustainability challenges facing film and television production. These efforts began with the launch of parent company 21st Century Fox’s corporate sustainability program in 2007, prompting the leadership at Fox Studios to make early investments in solar power and LEED certification.

Environment

In Celebration of Earth Day, Republic Services of Kent Announces Expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-Powered Fleet

Apr 21, 2017 3:40 PM ET

Republic Services announced the unveiling of a new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station and the addition of 30 new CNG-powered trucks to serve customers throughout Kent. The new CNG trucks replace older diesel-powered trucks, and bring the total number of natural gas vehicles operated locally by Republic to 74.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Support for Women and Children in Camps in the North of France

Apr 21, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Despite the displacement of migrants, following the dismantling of the camps in late 2016 and the Great Synthe fire in early April 2017, the number of people in the region is estimated at 2,300 people including 300 women and children, living in the jungles or in the wild, without a fixed camp. With the arrival of spring, humanitarian organizations fear the influx of new migrants into the area.

Social Impact & Volunteering

NBCUniversal’s HR for GOOD Merges Pro Bono Work and Professional Development

Apr 21, 2017 2:35 PM ET

"Work and live to serve others, to leave the world a little better than you found it and garner for yourself as much peace of mind as you can. This is happiness." The quote by NBC’s founder David Sarnoff is featured in a book of inspirational phrases that NBCUniversal gives to each participant in its HR for GOOD program, developed in partnership with the Taproot Foundation.

Innovation & Technology

Annual Ideagen Silicon Valley Tech for Good Summit 2017

Apr 21, 2017 1:45 PM ET

On March 27 & 28, we held our Annual Ideagen Silicon Valley Tech for Good Summit hosted by Capgemini and the following day hosted by Vodafone Americas Foundation. World’s leading companies, start-ups, NGO’s and public sectors joined together to innovate and collaborate via cross-sector innovation.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Timberland’s Spring 2017 Collection: Raising the Bar for Eco-Conscious Fashion

Apr 21, 2017 1:30 PM ET

With its spring 2017 collection, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland builds off the brand’s long-term commitment to reduce the environmental impact of virtually every product it makes across footwear, apparel and accessories.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Continuing our Commitment to Creating Stronger Communities

Apr 21, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo releases 2016 Corporate Social Responsibility Interim Report and some of the progress our team members have made toward achieving our five-year CSR goals, which have three areas of strategic focus: fostering a diverse and inclusive culture that drives innovation, creating economic opportunities in underserved communities, and doing our part to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Environment

On Earth Day - Thoughts from Mars on Climate Change

Apr 21, 2017 1:20 PM ET

Earth Day 2017 comes exactly a year after 175 countries signed the Paris Agreement on climate change. One of the most critical and long term challenges the world has ever faced. On this important day, we wanted to reflect on the journey we are on to help turn this agreement into reality and share some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Environment

Bristol-Myers Squibb Contributes to a Healthy Environment

Apr 21, 2017 1:20 PM ET

Contributing to a healthy environment requires a strong willingness to give back. See how we’re making an impact: #EarthDay

Social Impact & Volunteering

16th Annual Arkansas River Trash Roundup Set for Earth Day, April 22

Apr 21, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Taking place on Earth Day, the 16th annual Arkansas River Trash Roundup will see hundreds of volunteers remove tons of garbage from downtown area waters, benefitting both the river and wetlands restoration efforts at Wichita’s Great Plains Nature Center by Wichita Ducks Unlimited.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CSX Partner Spotlight: Operation Lifesaver

Apr 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Safety has always been CSX’s top priority – and the company’s partnership with Operation Lifesaver is critical to tackling this important issue head-on by promoting public safety around the tracks.

Sustainable Development Goals

Wells Fargo Invested $67 Billion in 2016 to Advance CSR Goals

Apr 21, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company announced today that the company invested nearly $67 billion in lending capital and grants during 2016 toward achieving its 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals that were set last year to help create solutions to address global challenges and strengthen communities. Wells Fargo’s 2016 CSR Interim Report, released today, details the company’s performance and progress in addressing three areas of strategic focus: advancing diversity and social inclusion, creating economic opportunities in underserved communities, and accelerating the transition to a lower-carbon economy and a healthier planet.

Environment

Why does a Financial Services Company Focus on the Environment?

Apr 21, 2017 12:10 PM ET

Business relies on natural resources to operate — from the energy and water needed to run our buildings, to the minerals used in the manufacture of our computers. The sustainability of our business is linked to the planet’s sustainability.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Amgen Volunteer Uses Impact Day to Wrap Gifts

Apr 21, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Jamie, an Amgen Sr. Biopharmaceutical Rep. from Denver, used her volunteer Impact Day to wrap gifts for children and families living at Brent’s Place, a free housing option for children who are immune-compromised.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Abbott Again Named One of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by CR Magazine

Apr 21, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Abbott was again recognized by Corporate Responsibility Magazine on its annual list of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens. The company ranked No. 11 this year, and has been on the list for nine consecutive years.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pentair Releases 2016 Corporate Responsibility Report

Apr 21, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Pentair, a global company dedicated to building a safer, more sustainable world, announces the release of its 2016 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report.

Green Infrastructure

Case Study Snapshot: TAIPEI 101

Apr 21, 2017 11:05 AM ET

CBRE’s Sustainability Group has made TAIPEI 101’s green profile soar, helping it become the first LEED v4 Platinum super tall building in the world and the only project to achieve 90 points.

Green Infrastructure

Coca-Cola/Keep America Beautiful Recycling Bin Grant Brings 42 New Bins to Downtown Des Moines

Apr 21, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Recycle DSM (Des Moines), a partnership between the City of Des Moines, Iowa, and Operation Downtown, added 42 new recycling bins for the City's Downtown. The new bins, which were provided by a Coca-Cola/Keep America Beautiful Public Space Recycling Bin Grant, are placed in the Historic East Village and the Western Gateway.

Environment

Earth Day and Managing the Clean Energy Transition

Apr 21, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Because it falls on a spring day, it’s easy to mark Earth Day as a time of sunny, optimistic renewal. It’s become traditional to plant trees, clean up parks, recycle, and reduce energy.

Environment

National Grid Employees Pitch in for Earth Day in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

Apr 21, 2017 10:15 AM ET

April is Earth Month, and National Grid continues its annual commitment by sponsoring Earth Day events throughout our service territory of New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. This year we have over 600 volunteers participating in 19 community activities throughout the month in all three states.

Environment

Sustainability HP Reinvents Every Day to Make Earth a Better Place

Apr 21, 2017 10:15 AM ET

According to independent analyses conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2016 was the warmest year on record globally and represented the third record year in a row. The analyses noted that the rise in temperature is being driven primarily by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Inspiring Learning and Discovery

Apr 21, 2017 10:05 AM ET

This is part three in a series highlighting the SAP Social Sabbatical for global engagement in Cape Town, South Africa, which focused on bridging the digital divide in the city’s most underserved communities. Stay tuned for part IV, out next week. Read part one and two here.

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Walking into the Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC) on a busy weekday morning can result in a bit of sensory overload as children of all ages run, skip, and hop around the massive warehouse located in the Observatory neighborhood of Cape Town.

A bottle rocket zooms on a zip line overhead, leaving a group of students giggling at their aeronautic success in its wake. A defiant announcement of “check” comes from the teenager dragging his Bishop with two hands across the giant life-sized chess board on the floor.

Sustainable Development Goals

Applying Human Centered Design to Solvable Problems

Apr 21, 2017 10:05 AM ET

The amount of post-harvest loss (PHL) in countries of the Global South is familiar to many by now. In Africa alone, 50 percent of fruits and vegetables, 40 percent of roots and tubers, and 20 percent of cereals—all of which are staple foods—are lost after harvest or during processing. Fortunately, solutions to PHL exist and with pilots underway attempting to introduce low-fidelity technologies into the equation, the future of reduced PHL looks promising. While PHL is a solvable problem, the timely diffusion of applicable technologies into the local context remains challenging. And the negative repercussions of insensitive approaches of noble intent should be identified and avoided early in the process.

Environment

Tide purclean Encourages Energy-saving Laundry Habits Through Its Sustainable Laundry Pledge and Donates $250,000 to World Wildlife Fund for Earth Day

Apr 21, 2017 9:50 AM ET