Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

GM Earns ‘Biggest Loser’ Recognition in the Michigan Battle of the Buildings

Apr 26, 2019 12:00 PM ET

General Motors has won the title of 2018 Biggest Loser in the Michigan Battle of the Buildings competition for its energy and water reduction efforts at three Michigan sites. Over 1,000 buildings across the state competed in the year-long energy and water reduction competition hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan (USGBC-WM).

Environment

Earth Day 2019: More Relevant than Ever

Apr 26, 2019 11:30 AM ET

There is a sea change underway, and it is being led in no small part by organizations. Faced with increasing risk of business disruption from climate-related weather events, pressure from stakeholders to future-proof operations, and policy and political shifts, more and more organizations are taking voluntary action on environmental concerns. Commonly, these actions are also economically beneficial, helping organizations to reduce resource consumption, hedge against market conditions, or improve financial performance.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Chopped Champion Roshara Sanders Changes the Culinary Scene for Families and Veterans

Apr 26, 2019 11:15 AM ET

Chef Ro Sanders' recent celebrity ambassadorships with leading global nonprofit Habitat for Humanity led her to launch “Home Cooking with Love,” which marks a 20-year partnership between Habitat and Whirlpool Corp., stressing ways to cook for families on a budget and veterans.

Research, Reports & Publications

CNH Industrial Leaders Address Latest Ambitious Sustainability Goals for 2030 in 2018 Sustainability Report

Apr 26, 2019 11:05 AM ET

In our inaugural Sustainability Report address as Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, we wish to outline the results achieved Company-wide from our work in sustainability in 2018 and share our strategic vision and targets for CNH Industrial going forward. We have updated our key targets to reflect CNH Industrial’s commitment to taking on this challenge. We have set even more ambitious goals for 2030: committing to cut CO2 emissions per production unit by 60% (compared to 2014) across our plants worldwide and to obtaining 90% of our total electricity consumption from renewable sources.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Red Nose Day Returns to NBC May 23

Apr 26, 2019 11:05 AM ET

Red Nose Day, the national fundraising campaign to end child poverty, will return to NBC in 2019 with a night of special primetime programming on Thursday, May 23.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

My Special Aflac Duck® Testimonial: Child Life Specialist Bethany Fisackerly

Apr 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

This is what health care professionals are saying about My Special Aflac Duck™: "The Aflac ducks are a game-changer, and honestly have made me fall in love with Child Life all over again. It reinforces to me the value of play, and the importance of empowering children to retain control over their environments. As of today, we have distributed 33 ducks (with another dozen or so slated to go out this week), and they have been universally adored across the ages.” - Child Life Specialist Bethany Fisackerly, MS, CCLS; Child Life Specialist: Hematology/Oncology, Rheumatology, Bone Marrow Transplant

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Canada Named One of 2019 Best Workplaces

Apr 26, 2019 10:50 AM ET

SC Johnson Canada today announces it has been ranked No. 49 on the 2019 list of Best Workplaces by Great Place to Work®. This marks the 12th time the Canada operation has been recognized on the annual Best Workplace list of large and multinational workplaces in Canada, with more than 1,000 employees working in Canada or worldwide.

Environment

Consumers Energy Helps Grand Rapids Reach 40% Tree Canopy Goal

Apr 26, 2019 10:25 AM ET

Did you know one tree can produce enough oxygen for up to four people? According to the Arbor Day Foundation, planting trees has many benefits including improving air quality, protecting wildlife and enabling energy savings.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Culture of Health for Business Task Force

Apr 26, 2019 10:15 AM ET

GRI is launching an 18-month task force in May 2019 with 10-15 US-based companies under the Culture of Health for Business (COH4B) project with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

Research, Reports & Publications

Timberland 2018 CSR Report Shows Steady Progress Toward 2020 Sustainability Goals

Apr 26, 2019 10:10 AM ET

On the heels of Earth Day, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland today releases its 2018 corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, showing steady progress toward its 2020 sustainability goals in support of three key pillars: better product, a greener world and stronger communities.

Education

Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics Division Partnered with Students on Top-Secret Project

Apr 26, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Lockheed Martin and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital curriculum resources, digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, surprised students this month in California and Texas with a top-secret STEM mission:, to create a prototype aircraft that could serve in a humanitarian aid mission.

Energy

Hormel Foods Announces Construction of Solar Energy Project at its Swiss American Sausage Company Facility in California

Apr 26, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) and IGS Solar have started construction on a solar energy project at the Hormel Foods Swiss American Sausage Company facility in Lathrop, Calif. The project is slated for completion in July.

Innovation & Technology

Dynamic Innovators Transform the World of Energy

Apr 25, 2019 8:45 PM ET

Pioneering entrepreneurs from leading global innovation hubs are using their digital savvy expertise to accelerate the transformation of the power industry. After disrupting sectors such as retail, marketing, and transport, start-up companies are now working increasingly closely with electricity utility companies including CLP to change the world of energy.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep America Beautiful Rallies Grassroots Volunteers for Great American Cleanup ‘Earth Week’ Events Nationwide

Apr 25, 2019 5:00 PM ET

The week surrounding the 2019 Earth Day (April 22) has been a focus of activity during the annual Keep America Beautiful® Great American Cleanup®, as the national community improvement nonprofit rallies volunteers at cleanup and green-up events across America. Thousands of events have unfolded from coast to coast prior to Earth Day and hundreds more are scheduled for the weekend of April 27-28, and throughout the remainder of the spring Great American Cleanup program period.

Research, Reports & Publications

Lockheed Martin’s Annual Sustainability Report Highlights Resource Efficiency, Employee Wellbeing and other Key Areas

Apr 25, 2019 4:50 PM ET

Lockheed Martin today released its 2018 corporate sustainability report, “The Science of Citizenship.” The peer-recognized report details the corporation’s approach to sustainability, which incorporates sound science and future-oriented thinking to address pressing environmental, social and governance issues.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CyberGrants NPO Council Continues Tradition of Collaboration

Apr 25, 2019 4:00 PM ET

“Non-profits are stakeholders. Someone finally listened.” A direct quote from one of the founding members at the third annual CyberGrants Nonprofit Organization Council (NPO Council) meeting. The words were in reaction to those from CyberGrants CEO Mark Layden when he said “We used to think the NPO was merely the outcome at the end of the donation process in our Visio diagram. That simply is not true. We want to change the way we do things so you can change the world.”

Responsible Production & Consumption

Albertsons Companies’ Open Nature® Brand Expands Sustainable Portfolio with New Compostable and Bamboo Products

Apr 25, 2019 4:00 PM ET

Albertsons Companies’ Own Brands is elevating environmental stewardship and helping consumers live green with the launch of compostable and earth-friendly products in the popular Open Nature® brand. Coinciding with the beginning of Earth Month, the unveiling of the new eco picnic wares continues a long history of responsible environmental practices and broad selections of better-for-you and sustainable Own Brands products throughout the store.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Arrow Electronics Employees Spend Earth Day Cleaning Denver Park

Apr 25, 2019 3:45 PM ET

For the second year, Arrow Electronics employees at the company’s global headquarters celebrated Earth Day by teaming with Denver Parks and Recreation to clean Commons Park, near downtown Denver. Arrow volunteers mulched around trees, picked up litter and pruned overgrowth at the park. Collectively, the 75 participating employees contributed 250 hours of volunteer labor. They were part of a larger group of 375 employees from local companies that saved the city $25,000 in maintenance work.

Sustainable Development Goals

DSM: Climate Action is Both Responsibility and Opportunity

Apr 25, 2019 3:10 PM ET

DSM believes that taking climate action is both a responsibility and an opportunity. That’s why we improve our own environmental impact, enable the same for our customers, and advocate a progressive climate action agenda.

Research, Reports & Publications

Sappi North America Releases 2018 Sustainability Report, Celebrates Transformational Year With New Team

Apr 25, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp, on Wednesday released its 2018 Sustainability Report showcasing its industry-leading sustainability efforts.

Energy

3 Ways to Elevate Efficiency for Low-Carbon Growth

Apr 25, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Disruptive changes in today’s global energy landscape shape a new economy that is hyper-efficient and low-carbon. In this new energy paradigm, efficiency becomes a lever for profitability and growth – and more companies are taking notice. Already, 96 percent of companies have energy efficiency technology. The pace of adoption in renewables and energy storage has also accelerated: up 11 percent from the previous year. While technology may be an enabler, many companies struggle to translate these investments into long-term growth.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Myung Lee: Bringing Communities Together Through Service

Apr 25, 2019 1:10 PM ET

2019 Global Pro Bono Summit keynote speaker and leader of Cities of Service, Myung Lee, shares her unique perspective on volunteerism in this profile from Taproot Foundation.

Events, Media & Communications

CECP’s Groundbreaking CEO Investor Forum Heads to Chicago on May 8th

Apr 25, 2019 1:05 PM ET

CECP’s CEO Investor Forum (CIF) is headed to Chicago for the first time! CECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative cordially invites you to its seventh CIF on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, from 8AM to 1:30PM (CT) at The Union League Club of Chicago. This event will provide unique insights into the utilities sector with Long-Term Plan presentations from the CEOs of American Electric Power (AEP) and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG). If you are an investor or ESG professional, the Forum also presents an invaluable networking opportunity to engage with prominent business leaders. Register for CIF 7.0 here.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bayer & PepsiCo | The Best Snack Starts in the Field

Apr 25, 2019 12:45 PM ET

There is not a more South American tuber than potato. This ingredient also inspires delicious product lines from PepsiCo, one of the leading global food and beverage companies. The Company knows that success highly depends on what comes from the field, so it is there that we turn our eyes to secure the best raw material for our snacks. Due to the high demand of potatoes for industrial use in Brazil, PepsiCo has been developing since 2009 the Agro Batata program, in partnership with Bayer.

Environment

Virginie Helias of P&G and Tom Szaky from Loop France Discuss Packaging Innovation in Collaboration

Apr 25, 2019 12:35 PM ET