Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

Gilead Publishes 2017 Year in Review

May 2, 2018 7:00 AM ET

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced the release of its 2017 Year in Review, composed of its Annual Report and Corporate Social Responsibility report. The Year in Review provides a comprehensive view into the company’s achievements and highlights how it has continued to deliver on its mission to improve the lives of people living with life-threatening diseases.

Research, Reports & Publications

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Publishes 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report

May 2, 2018 5:00 AM ET

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has published its ninth Corporate Responsibility Report, covering the year 2017. It is available online at http://reports.emdgroup.com/2017/cr-report/. At Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, responsible conduct has been embedded in our fundamental principles for 350 years and is an integral element of our global strategy. In this vein, we meet global challenges in a variety of ways.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Astellas' Nahrin Marino Named a 2018 Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Luminary

May 1, 2018 6:00 PM ET

Astellas has announced that Nahrin Marino, Deputy General Counsel, Legal, will be recognized as one of the most inspirational people in the life sciences industry by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA). The HBA will honor Nahrin as a 2018 Luminary at its 29th Woman of the Year awards ceremony in New York City on May 3, 2018. HBA Luminaries are industry veterans who serve as role models in their company, actively mentor and sponsor others and help advance the careers of businesswomen.

Environment

Guest Blog: Nature’s Hidden Lessons and How My Favorite Teachers Taught Me How to Find Them (the Tangential Magical)

May 1, 2018 6:00 PM ET

Mentors come in all forms, shapes, and sizes and communicate in uniquely diverse ways. I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors who have shaped my life—from the profoundly eloquent and sharp, to the rambling, and tangential, and even the completely silent. When I was in college, I had a professor named Mike. Professor Mike (who is still teaching) taught Fluvial Geomorphology—the dynamics of how rivers and lakes change and evolve over time, on their own. He was the kind of teacher who was more of a person than a professor and treated students like peers, rather than pupils.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Celebrating Small Businesses with PayPal Small Business Month

May 1, 2018 4:10 PM ET

Small businesses play a critical role in the global economy. Entrepreneurs create jobs and foster healthy local economies, which leads to a more vibrant national economy. They contribute to local causes, have relationships with their neighbors and are the foundation of the community. We also recognize that not all small businesses have the same issues or dynamics. Some work 9-to-5 while others operate outside traditional business hours. With all of this in mind, it is vital that the public and private sector work to foster an environment where technology and innovation help deliver small business success around the world.

Events, Media & Communications

Melissa Ben-Ishay to Keynote the 2018 Tri-State Diversity and Leadership Conference

May 1, 2018 4:00 PM ET

The Tri-State Diversity Council is proud to welcome Melissa Ben-Ishay as a keynote speaker for the 8th Annual Diversity and Leadership Conference. The conference will take place in New York, NY at the New Yorker Hotel on August 23, 2018. The theme of this year’s annual conference is “Inclusion: The Source of Innovation.”

Diversity & Inclusion

Carnival Corporation Earns Perfect Score in Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index

May 1, 2018 3:30 PM ET

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, today announced that it has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) with a perfect score for the second consecutive year in its Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which rates U.S. companies on their treatment of LGBTQ consumers, investors and employees.

Events, Media & Communications

Utilizing the Power of Technology for Social Good

May 1, 2018 3:15 PM ET

Innovative partnerships, where businesses can work with and leverage the assets of governments, NGOs, and civil society, can help develop creative, sustainable, and scalable solutions that can create significant impact. The partnerships and the technologies that make this possible is the focus of Digital Empowers: Accelerating Innovation for Business and Social Good, a forum hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Tata Consultancy Services.

Media & Communications

Eco-design, Energy Efficiency, CSR Practices, and Good Governance Reported at Bloomberg

May 1, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Efficiency and environmental measures have cut carbon dioxide emissions by 834,209 tons in nine years reports Bloomberg, the Manhattan-based financial, software, data and media company. As a result, operating costs have been reduced by an impressive $103m (£74m, €84m). The emissions statistics are among the ethical achievements listed in Bloomberg’s 2017 impact report.

Innovation & Technology

Unlocking ¢hange: BNY Mellon and Ashoka Launch Social Innovation Challenge

May 1, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Today, six out of ten Americans will experience financial insecurity in their lifetimes1. While saving money can be a challenge for a variety of reasons, the inability to build a strong financial foundation is often a symptom of a greater, systemic problem. Now, BNY Mellon and Ashoka are launching a collaborative effort aimed at addressing the root causes of financial inequality through innovation—the Unlocking ¢hange Challenge.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Forbes Names National Grid One of “America’s Best Employers 2018”

May 1, 2018 2:30 PM ET

Forbes Magazine selected National Grid as one of “America’s Best Employers 2018,” ranking in the top 500 companies in the United States. National Grid also received this honor in 2017. National Grid is joined by national and global brands like Google, REI and JetBlue Airways on this list.

Health & Healthcare

The Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA Educational Foundation and Discovery Education Announce 10 National Finalists For Second Annual ‘Operation Prevention’ Video Challenge

May 1, 2018 2:25 PM ET

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA Educational Foundation and Discovery Education today announced 10 national Operation Prevention Video Challenge finalists. The Operation Prevention Video Challenge – a peer-to-peer platform for communicating messages about the dangers of opioid misuse – invites educators, students, teen advocates and communities to vote for the People’s Choice winner through May 15, 2018 at OperationPrevention.com.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Northwest Ohio Wind Farm to Power General Motors’ Ohio, Indiana Plants

May 1, 2018 2:10 PM ET

Officials from General Motors and Starwood Energy Group joined Ohio lawmakers, county officials and local landowners today at a press conference to unveil the Northwest Ohio Wind Farm, a 100-megawatt wind project under construction in Paulding County, Ohio. Power purchased from the wind farm will help offset the power used at General Motors’ Ohio and Indiana manufacturing facilities with clean, renewable energy.

Events, Media & Communications

WBCSD Sustain Newsletter | Sustainability Comes Together in Our Biggest-ever Event in Montreaux

May 1, 2018 1:45 PM ET

WBCSD’s annual Liaison Delegate Meeting is a truly global event, with sustainability leaders from across the world visiting Montreux, Switzerland from 16-19 April for this year’s event.

Research, Reports & Publications

Duke Energy's Renewable Energy Portfolio Grew Almost 20 Percent in 2017, According to New Report

May 1, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Duke Energy's renewable energy capacity grew by almost 20 percent in 2017, according to the company's newly posted Sustainability Report. One of the company's sustainability goals is to own, or have under contract, 8,000 megawatts (MW) of wind, solar and biomass capacity by 2020. Over the past year, the company has made strong progress toward that goal, growing its renewable energy capacity from 5,400 MW to more than 6,400 MW, which can power more than 1 million homes at peak production.

Research, Reports & Publications

Prudential Strengthens Their Community Through Pro Bono

May 1, 2018 1:25 PM ET

Newark, New Jersey, is experiencing a revival. Graduation rates are climbing, economic growth has risen, and the city has become increasingly prosperous and vibrant. Since its founding in 1875, Prudential has contributed immensely to this progress through significant investments in local infrastructure, organizations, and people. As one of Newark’s anchor institutions, Prudential’s commitment to the city has included a focus on pro bono service: a powerful tool for strengthening local nonprofits that, in turn, greatly benefits society.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

May is Foster Care Awareness Month and We NEED Your Help

May 1, 2018 12:55 PM ET

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Right now, there are more than 430,000 children in foster care. Some will be reunified with their biological families, but will not. Today, more than 117,000 are in need of a loving, adoptive home.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Social Value Canada Announces Dates for SROI (Social Return on Investment) Training

May 1, 2018 12:55 PM ET

May 30-31, 2018 in Calgary and June 13-14, 2018 in Toronto, join Social Value Canada for SROI Accreditation training. The course is a requirement for all individuals seeking accreditation by the SROI International Network.

Innovation & Technology

AI as a Force for Good in Supply Chain Management

May 1, 2018 12:25 PM ET

As artificial intelligence (AI) moves from research to reality, new insights and increasingly automated decision making are disrupting entire supply chain networks. AI will affect everything-from raw materials sourcing to factory floor productivity. These emerging technologies will unlock business value while simultaneously revealing opportunities to better utilize the workers within those ecosystems.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bans on Plastic Straws Are Growing. But Is the Travel Industry Doing Enough?

May 1, 2018 11:40 AM ET

Spirit companies have joined the fight, stating that there’s no place for plastics in cocktails. Bacardi launched its No Straw campaign in 2016, estimated to eliminate one million straws a year.

Environment

Powering a Greener Future

May 1, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Next-generation 4G and 5G mobile networks are enabling innovations that protect the environment and improve quality of life. That was the key takeaway from “Celebrating Earth Day: The Power of Next Generation Networks to Advance Environmental Sustainability,” an event Verizon hosted earlier this week. Steve Rochlin of IO Sustainability moderated a panel of experts and innovators who discussed how mobile networks are supporting innovations that save energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Events, Media & Communications

Carnival Cruise Line Salutes Military Couples Aboard Carnival Miracle at Port Tampa Bay

May 1, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Carnival Cruise Line, which carries more active and retired military personnel than any other cruise operator, joined forces with Operation Homefront Sunday, April 29, 2018, to host a “day date” event for 100 military couples aboard Carnival Miracle at Port Tampa Bay in Florida.

Green Infrastructure

Boost Your Workplace Wellness With These 4 Green Habits Today

May 1, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Education

As the Education World Relies More on Data, Nonprofits Need Help With the Numbers

May 1, 2018 10:15 AM ET

The education world is dense with data. And all those numbers can be numbing, especially for nonprofits trying to make a difference. One day each year, Fidelity Investments invites those groups to its complex near Grapevine Lake to help make sense of it all.

Health & Healthcare

Merck for Mothers Blog | Assessing and Addressing Maternal Sepsis

May 1, 2018 10:10 AM ET

Every pregnant or recently pregnant woman is at risk of an infection that could trigger maternal sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. Despite it being one of the main causes of maternal death and leading to about 35,000 deaths every year, the true burden of maternal sepsis is presently unknown, due to a lack of data.