Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

PODCAST: How an Indonesian Coconut Plantation Inspired Mars’ “Aha Moment” on Sustainability

Aug 9, 2018 1:15 PM ET

You likely know Mars as the company behind M&M’s, Pedigree dog food, and Uncle Ben’s Rice. But Mars is also known for environmental leadership. In this episode, EDF’s Tom Murray chats with Mars Chief Sustainability and Chief Procurement Officer Barry Parkin on setting—and meeting—big climate goals.

Events, Media & Communications

Boost Employee Giving and Scale Your Company's Community Impact With This Modern Approach to Workplace Giving

Aug 9, 2018 1:05 PM ET

One of the top five detractors from an employee donor's giving experience is the limited ability to donate how and when they want. And among the biggest obstacles to giving is affordability, with about 1 in 8 Americans surveyed in Thrivent Financial's Money Mindset Report saying it’s because they “can’t give enough to make a difference.”

Energy

Changing Lives With New Homes, Free Solar Panels

Aug 9, 2018 1:00 PM ET

The Ramos and Limon families attend the same church in Montebello. Now, they are also neighbors and new homeowners with solar panels, thanks to nonprofits Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and GRID Alternatives.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sands ECO360 Executive Profile: Pranav Jampani, Director of Sustainability

Aug 9, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Pranav Jampani has been surrounded by some form of sustainability throughout his academic life and career. It’s only fitting that as the director of sustainability at The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo, Jampani works to effectively integrate sustainability into the resort’s practices, processes, and culture.

Green Infrastructure

Verizon Is Helping Cities Improve Their Quality of Life Through Technology Solutions

Aug 9, 2018 12:00 PM ET

From population growth to rapid urbanization, cities are facing new challenges to maintaining high standards of livability, resiliency and sustainability. Victoria Dower and the Smart Communities team at Verizon are identifying and delivering solutions. ​

Innovation & Technology

How Barclays Is Using Financial Intelligence to Tackle Human Traffickers

Aug 9, 2018 11:50 AM ET

Environment

Never Too Late for Due Diligence: An EHS Checklist for Integrations, Location Changes, and Expansions

Aug 9, 2018 11:40 AM ET

Learn how to do due diligence with Antea Group's EHS checklist for any move, merger, or acquisition.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Timberland Joins Rotary Peacebuilding Summit to Share Insights on Collaborative Cross-Sector Partnerships

Aug 9, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Timberland recently joined Rotary members and leaders from around the world in Toronto at the Rotary Peacebuilding Summit, part of the 109th annual Rotary International Convention. The Summit marked the culmination of a series of presidential peacebuilding conferences held since February in different locations around the world. This final Summit presented findings from the previous events to create a plan to apply Rotary’s focus areas to identify conflicts and their root causes in communities worldwide, develop action steps to create peace, and connect with others interested in peacebuilding work to prevent conflict worldwide.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hanes and Alternative Launch New National Park Foundation Collections

Aug 9, 2018 11:05 AM ET

HanesBrands and the NPF, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, launched a five-year partnership in April 2018 to encourage awareness, exploration and conservation of America’s parks. The partnership will generate $4 million for NPF and feature designs from the company’s Hanes, Alternative and Champion brands.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

The State of Corporate Community Investment

Aug 9, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Corporate Citizenship’s LBG member network of corporate community investment (CCI) professionals, has conducted an annual survey for the past two years on trends, innovations and what the future holds for CCI.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Northern Trust Named Diversity Champions

Aug 9, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Northern Trust Asset Management's commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its senior management ranks, and its use of a director of global diversity and inclusion to ensure progressiveness in programs, trainings and policies. The senior leadership team is gender and ethnically diverse, with women representing 38% of top executives and African-Americans 23% of the board.

Sustainable Development Goals

VIDEO | Solving the Energy Challenge on International Youth Day

Aug 9, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Green Infrastructure

WELL Tip: Pursuing WELL for Existing Spaces

Aug 9, 2018 10:05 AM ET

WELL Certification is for all types of projects - from commercial offices to warehouses to apartment buildings. And just as WELL offers flexibility when it comes to project types, it also offers flexibility with regard to project stage. Whether newly constructed, undergoing renovation or existing, your project can achieve WELL Certification.

Sustainable Development Goals

Aligning Business with the Global Goals: 3BL Media SDG Webinar Series Features Las Vegas Sands, August 23, 2 p.m. ET

Aug 9, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Environment

VIDEO | Investing in Bamboo to Curb Floods in Kenya

Aug 9, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Prioritizes the Importance of Measuring the ROI of Sustainable Business

Aug 9, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently unveiled full program details for New Metrics 2018: The ROI of Sustainable Business, running October 29-31 in Philadelphia, PA. Gathering together a unique combination of more than 400 business leaders from financial, sustainability and marketing backgrounds, New Metrics ‘18 will explore how cutting-edge brands are identifying and quantifying new forms of business value through sustainable and social innovation.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Making a Difference with Family-Friendly Factory Spaces

Aug 9, 2018 9:35 AM ET

In China, it’s common for families to be separated for months at a time. Many parents work in factories in large cities while their children stay in villages with relatives to go to school. The Chinese social system connects access to schools and healthcare to the migrant worker’s home province, so most factory workers cannot bring their children with them when they move to cities to work.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Corporate Social Responsibility Connects Us to Consumers

Aug 9, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Long gone are the days of disengaged consumers, whose allegiance is garnered merely through coupons and loyalty programs. Today’s customers are increasingly sophisticated and selective. They like to keep their finger on the pulse of the companies with which they have chosen, or are thinking of choosing, to do business. Does the business align with their values? Is it engaged with the community, and what is it doing for the greater good?

Energy

High-performing Surfactants May Mean Even Better Cold-water Cleaning—and Reduced Household Energy Consumption by Encouraging Eco-friendly Consumer Habits

Aug 9, 2018 9:35 AM ET

On June 11, 2018, Procter & Gamble (P&G) announced presentations given on new research into sustainability innovations for its Tide® laundry detergent. The presentations discussed the potential for improved cleaning performance in cold water conditions with detergents containing a patented branched surfactant. While machine washing in cold water can reduce a household’s energy footprint, detergents may not perform as well on this setting, which can compel consumers to use more energy and water to compensate.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Caterpillar Foundation's Value of Water Campaign Video: Will DIG for Water

Aug 9, 2018 9:25 AM ET

The Caterpillar Foundation is on a mission to alleviate poverty. Through its work, the Foundation recognizes that water is one of the most critical basic needs of people and their communities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo and NAACP’s ACT-SO Initiative Award High School Students With Scholarships to the Culinary Institute of America

Aug 9, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, and NAACP’s ACT-SO initiative (Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics), the civil rights organization’s year-long youth program, held its annual competition with culinary and hospitality high school students last month in San Antonio, Texas. Winners received monetary scholarships to attend the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Responsible Production & Consumption

Customers Help Albertsons Redesign Open Nature Brand

Aug 9, 2018 8:55 AM ET

“This new look reflects what customers have always loved about Open Nature: high quality and minimally processed products that support a clean lifestyle for the whole family,” Geoff White, president of own brands at Albertsons Cos., said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have the new design fully rolled out across all of our trusted Open Nature products.”

Media & Communications

Freeport-McMoRan Publishes 2017 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report “Powered By Copper”

Aug 9, 2018 8:50 AM ET

Freeport-McMoRan’s 2017 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report now is available online. Titled "Powered by Copper," the report provides information on the company's sustainability programs – including approach, focus areas and performance targets – and highlights the company's progress made on key issues affecting the company and stakeholders.

Environment

Geoff Dembicki: A Glass Half-Full Approach To Climate Change

Aug 8, 2018 8:00 PM ET

As wildfires rage out of control for yet another summer and the Mueller investigation inches ahead at a seemingly glacial pace, there’s a lot to be down about when it comes to politics and the environment. But this week on Sea Change Radio, we speak to a journalist who’s trying to look at things through a more upbeat lens. By delving into things that should encourage us about our future on this planet, Geoff Dembicki offers plenty of reasons to keep fighting the good fight against climate change. Dembicki sheds some light on issues like housing, education and the hope of converting climate change deniers in an effort to put a spring in our collective steps, even in the face of some pretty dark times.

Education

How Cisco Is Helping Tweens Become Tech-Savvy Global Problem Solvers

Aug 8, 2018 5:25 PM ET

For more than two decades, Cisco has built a world-leading IT training program, Cisco Networking Academy, which has empowered millions around the world. Now we are taking this experience to younger learners with Global Problem Solvers: The Series (GPS: The Series), a new animated web series for kids exploring entrepreneurship, life skills, and how to use technology for social good.