Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Temple University Student Who Fled Syria has Designs on Helping Refugees

Jul 6, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Maryam Hallaj remembers fleeing Syria five years ago with just a half-full suitcase in her hand and her family at her side.

Innovation & Technology

A Virtual Tour of a Cleaner, Safer, Stronger City

Jul 6, 2016 4:50 PM ET

Recently I found myself riding in a virtual helicopter looking down on a city of the future. Flying through the skyscrapers, I enjoyed a 360 degree view of a beautiful Tron-like cityscape. After checking out a sensor report from smart light post, I hopped into a self-driving car and zipped back to cybersecurity headquarters. All the while, my corporeal self was actually sitting in the AT&T Smart Cities booth in Austin, TX at the Smart Cities Innovation Summit.

Diversity & Inclusion

Program Launched to Help Former Prisoners Land Jobs, and to Resolve "Check the Box" Dilemma

Jul 6, 2016 4:00 PM ET

With nearly 700,000 people being released annually from prisons in the U.S., there is a dire need for programs that help former prisoners reintegrate into society and establish productive lives. Finding employment is a crucial step in the re-entry process, and that’s where WhenPeopleWork.com comes in.

Environment

Best Buy Joins Nation's Leading Public Service Campaign to Improve Package Recycling with Holiday Initiative

Jul 6, 2016 4:00 PM ET

The 'I Want To Be Recycled' campaign, a national initiative of longtime nonprofit partners Keep America Beautiful and the Ad Council, today announced a new partnership with Best Buy to remind consumers to recycle shipping and product packaging this holiday season.

Environment

Sodexo Partners with Easterseals to Aid Farmers with Disabilities

Jul 6, 2016 3:45 PM ET

After being paralyzed from the waist down, Russell Boseck of Villisca, Iowa, wasn’t sure he’d be able to work as a farmer again. But, thanks to an electronic recycling partnership between Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, and Easterseals, Boseck received a grant that lets him continue making a living doing the farm work he loves so much.

Social Impact & Volunteering

‘Train Your Brain’ to Cross Railroad Tracks Carefully and Get Home Safely

Jul 6, 2016 3:25 PM ET

Norfolk Southern is bringing its Train Your Brain public safety campaign to Indiana to encourage motorists to be smart and safe when crossing train tracks.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Major Leaguers Honor America’s Service Members for Independence Day

Jul 6, 2016 3:15 PM ET

Players were out in their communities in the days leading up to the Fourth of July honoring those who fought and continue to fight for our country.

Education

Subaru Donates SUVs

Jul 6, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Subaru, based in Cherry Hill, N.J., recently donated two brand-new Subaru Outback SUVs to the museum. The donation supports the popular Academy on the Go outreach program which serves more than 20,000 students each year, many through grant-supported free visits.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Old Mutual on Financial Inclusion: Why it Matters

Jul 6, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Why it matters

Education is only part of the solution. People also need access to suitable products.

Energy

Columbia Pipeline Acquisition a Game Changer

Jul 6, 2016 2:55 PM ET

TransCanada’s natural gas pipelines president, Karl Johannson, says company’s $13 billion acquisition of Columbia Pipeline Group – completed last week – is a game changer.

Environment

General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - July 2016

Jul 6, 2016 2:35 PM ET

GREENER VEHICLES What’s Driving Electric Cars into the Mainstream? Plenty.

Environment

MGM Resorts International and NRG Energy Complete the Installation of One of the Nation’s Largest Rooftop Solar Array

Jul 6, 2016 2:00 PM ET

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) today announced the completed expansion of the nation's largest rooftop solar array. On the roof of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the expanded solar array has more than 26,000 photovoltaic panels and produces a combined 8.3 MW dc (6.5 MW ac) of electricity, a new national record for rooftop arrays. At full production, the system supplies 25% of the power demand of the entire Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino campus.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Growing Future Leaders in the Fight to End Hunger

Jul 6, 2016 1:20 PM ET

There are some remarkable people out there who are fighting to end hunger. These people have dedicated countless hours to ensuring no one goes hungry, whether it’s in their own communities or around the world. Some have donated thousands of pounds of food to people in need. Some have recruited others and inspired them to get involved in service. And some have done all of this before graduating high school.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

BSR16 Early Registration Deadline Extended to July 15

Jul 6, 2016 1:00 PM ET

We heard from a number of you, and we’re taking it to heart! We know that summer deadlines are tough, so if you missed the BSR Conference 2016 early registration deadline, you are in luck.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CITGO Richmond Terminal Golf Tournament Benefits Muscular Dystrophy Association

Jul 6, 2016 12:20 PM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation’s Richmond Terminal hosted its 27th Annual Golf Tournament on May 26, raising a record-breaking fundraising total of more than $34,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) of Greater Virginia. Over the course of 27 years, the CITGO Terminal’s annual golf tournament has raised more than $850,000 for the MDA.

Diversity & Inclusion

“Change the World Like a Woman"

Jul 6, 2016 12:20 PM ET

Environment

Two Thought-Provoking Talks at Ecological Economists Event

Jul 6, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Ecological economists are playing an increasingly important role in assessing the economic value of natural capital and ecosystem services. SCS Global Services’ Stowe Beam addressed the largely academic audience at the International Society for Ecological Economists conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 29th with thought-provoking presentations on two topics requiring sound ecological accountability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

What is BNY Mellon's Role in the World?

Jul 6, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) supports BNY Mellon’s vision of improving lives through investing. As an engine for the financial markets, BNY Mellon helps drive global growth and prosperity.

Research, Reports & Publications

GRI Standards: Have Your Say!

Jul 6, 2016 12:00 PM ET

The Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) is transitioning the G4 Guidelines into GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards). In line with GRI's longstanding multi-stakeholder approach and Due Process Protocol for standards development, the exposure drafts of GRI Standards are open for review and comment until 17 July 2016. Check out what others are saying about the new standards.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Whalesafe: Presentation of the Sperm Whale Protection Protocol of Conduct

Jul 6, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Monday morning the Aquarium of Genoa played host to the presentation of the sperm whale protection protocol of conduct developed by the partners of the Whalesafe conservation project and co-financed by the European Union through the Life+ program, including the University of Genoa (Department of Physics and the Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and Life), Costa Edutainment, the Maritime Administration of Genoa, the Harbourmaster's Office of Savona and Softeco Sismat.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Safety and Education Top Priorities for Sappi and Its People

Jul 6, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Since 2008, Sappi North America has established regional long-term goals to focus our collective efforts on areas that are critical to our business.

Health & Healthcare

Strengthening Health System through Tri-Sector Collaboration in Ghana

Jul 6, 2016 11:00 AM ET

“Utilizing this unique multi-company cohort to support evidenced-based health interventions builds capacity among this coalition,” said Sharon Rudy, Director, GHFP-II. “This collaboration is made possible by USAID, who provides the underlying support through the Global Health Fellows Program II, while the corporate partners provide the generous pro bono support.”

Energy

Ecocentricity Blog: Grid Parity and Other Solar Thoughts

Jul 6, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Grid parity is when new solar and wind farms cost less than new natural gas power plants, even without subsidies. And we might already be there.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Toyota Serves as a National Host Sponsor of the Largest Annual Wheelchair Multi-Sport Event in the World

Jul 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) co-hosts, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans), are proud to recognize Toyota as a National Host sponsor of the 36th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

Education

Middle and High School Students Embark on Global Journeys Through National Geographic Student Expeditions Program

Jul 6, 2016 8:00 AM ET

National Geographic's Student Expeditions program offers educational travel experiences for students all over the world, providing unique learning opportunities at more than 40 locations for budding photographers, writers and scientists. National Geographic also provides scholarship assistance for students in need, awarding nearly two dozen free expeditions this summer to students completing 6th through 12th grades. 21st Century Fox expanded its partnership with the National Geographic Society last fall, with 27% of all current proceeds going toward the society's grant-making pursuits.