Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest news from 3BL’s clients.

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Diversity & Inclusion

21CF and U.S. State Department Host Second-Annual #HiddenNoMore Program, Helping Advance Women Around the World in STEAM Fields

In 2017, 21st Century Fox partnered with the U.S Department of State to launch #HiddenNoMore, an all-female STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) leadership development program inspired by the Fox 2000 film Hidden Figures. The initiative marked the first time in history that a Hollywood movie led to the creation of a publicly-funded educational exchange program.

Innovation & Technology

5 Best Practices of Design Thinking Companies Can Use to Ensure Data Privacy

As online security and user experience simultaneously become two of the most important topics for modern companies, GDPR compliance by companies is a must. There is an art to creating a high-quality user experience while also adhering to this new regulation, and it begins with design thinking.

Energy

Bloomberg, Cox Enterprises, Gap Inc., Salesforce and Workday Close All-New Renewable Energy Aggregation Deal

Bloomberg, Cox Enterprises, Gap Inc.(NYSE: GPS), Salesforce (NASDAQ: CRM), and Workday (NASDAQ: WDAY), with guidance from LevelTen Energy and its renewable energy procurement platform, closed 42.5 megawatts of a 100 megawatt North Carolina solar project, by global renewable energy developer, service provider and wholesaler, BayWa r.e. This group of companies, coming together as the Corporate Renewable Energy Aggregation Group, is the first example of companies aggregating similar, relatively small amounts of renewable energy demand to collaboratively enter into a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA), collectively acting as the anchor tenant for a large offsite renewable energy project.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PepsiCo and The Global FoodBanking Network Partnership Delivers More Than 85 Million Servings of Fresh Food to Communities in Need in 2018

PepsiCo, one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, and The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), a nonprofit organization that develops and supports food banks in more than 30 countries, delivered more than 85 million servings of fresh food to communities in need in 2018 as part of their partnership to strengthen food banks around the world.

Sustainable Development Goals

How DSM is Embracing The Sustainable Development Goals

As the world's largest food ingredient supplier and vitamin producer, Netherlands-based DSM has a clear interest in global nutrition. The company long has had an outward-looking approach to the subject, having signed a partnership with the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) back in 2007 and setting up its own Nutrition Improvement Program.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Schneider Electric Recognized by Bloomberg and Catalyst for Advancing Gender Equality and Inclusion

Schneider Electric, the global leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has received two significant accolades for its commitment and progress towards gender equality and inclusion across the Group. The company has been awarded as one of the 230 companies included in the 2019 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) and for the first time received the 2019 Catalyst Award that highlight companies for their bold and forward-thinking initiatives that help create safe and inclusive workplaces where women can advance.

Sustainable Development Goals

A Message to Entrepreneurs: This Is About Missing Entire Markets, Not Just Marketing Opportunities

Sahba Sobhani is a Global Programme Advisor-Private Sector in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), UN Development Programme (UNDP). He provides programme support and policy advice on private sector development issues and technical oversight for UNDP’s multi-stakeholder initiatives including the Business Call to Action Initiative, the Connecting Business Initiative and the G20 Global Platform on Inclusive Business. Previously, he managed two key UNDP private sector initiatives. He is a graduate of Yale University and the Fletcher School of Diplomacy (USA).

Events, Media & Communications

American Express Backs the Community of Puerto Rico

The company is proud to back global brand ambassador, Lin-Manuel Miranda, as he reprises his role of Alexander Hamilton in a special, limited-run of the award-winning musical Hamilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, all in support of the arts. Lin-Manuel has committed to donating proceeds from the production and its partnerships to the Flamboyan Arts Fund, in partnership with the Flamboyan Foundation.

Education

Lockheed Martin Announces $50,000 Scholarship for STEM Students in Partnership with Surface Navy Association

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced a $50,000 scholarship program for students pursuing a STEM path, in partnership with the Surface Navy Association (SNA). The scholarship will be $10,000 a year for the next five years. Four students across the nation will receive a $2,500 award each year for financial aid. Recipients of the 2019 scholarship will be announced in the spring.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Bloomberg Announces Founding Members of New Climate Finance Leadership Initiative

Today, Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action, announced the founding members of the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI), convening six influential financial sector leaders to help facilitate the private financing objectives included in the landmark Paris Agreement. Mary Schapiro, Special Advisor to the Founder and Chairman and Vice Chair for Public Policy at Bloomberg LP, will act as Vice Chair of the CFLI.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

MOMS Orange County Names Epsilon as 2019 Champion for Babies & Families

MOMS Orange County presents its Champion for Babies & Families award to Epsilon, a global leader in creating connections between people and brands, and an Alliance Data company.

Events, Media & Communications

GRI’s Membership Program Evolves: Welcome to the GRI Community!

As the field of sustainability reporting continues to evolve and grow, GRI’s membership program evolves with it. In 2019, we are building on years of success for GRI’s global network with the establishment of the new GRI Community. This platform will bring together businesses, organizations and sustainability leaders that are committed to transparency.

Sustainable Development Goals

Commercializing Flare Gas to Reduce Emissions and Develop Economies

Associated gas (AG) is produced from the reservoir during oil production. In this post, Tetra Tech’s John Sachs, director of project finance, and Artur Davtyan, manager of project finance, discuss how AG could be used to fuel power plants, used as bottled gas, serve as a feedstock, exported as liquid natural gas (LNG), or put to other productive use, with contributions by John Beardsworth and William Newton of Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP. All opinions expressed in this post are the authors’ own.

Energy

Sappi Increases Renewable Energy Usage

Energy intensity, or the total energy consumed to produce a set unit of product, is a key focus of our monitoring and improvement work. Operators manage fuel usage in the steam and power generation systems at each of our mills to optimize production and cost effi ciencies and work to achieve our current five-year goal to reduce energy consumption per ton of product by 5 percent. The reported energy profiles of our Westbrook and Somerset mills reflect sales of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).

Environment

Responses to: “The Unholy Marriage Between Crony Capitalism & Sustainability”

There’s been a lot of interest in my recent article, “The Unholy Marriage Between Crony Capitalism and Sustainability”. On LinkedIn there were 8000+ views and on the TSSS website there were another 1000. It was interesting to see how people responded. Usually in 1 of 2 ways.

Diversity & Inclusion

Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index: Data for Good

Influential CEOs talk about the rising importance of transparency in data about gender equality.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The 2019 LBG Canada Audit Cycle Has Started

LBG Canada companies reported a total investment of $410 million in community during the 2018 LBG Canada audit cycle. We look forward to seeing the impact created as we enter the 2019 cycle!

Environment

The World’s Biggest Plastic Producers Join Forces to Improve Waste Collection and Recycling

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste is made up of 30 companies including Shell, ExxonMobil, Dow, and Procter & Gamble, along with investment management firm Circulate Capital and New York consultancy SecondMuse. The alliance will invest the fund on waste collection and recycling projects over the next five years.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Aflac Offers Premium Grace Period for Policyholders Employed by the Federal Government and Impacted by the Shutdown

Aflac Incorporated announced today that it is offering a grace period for premium payments from policyholders employed by the Federal government who are not receiving pay during the government shutdown. This grace period will extend until payroll resumes for these government employees. Eligible policyholders may inquire about the grace period online at aflac.com or by calling 888.515.1941.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Schneider Electric Recognized for Gender Equality and Inclusion Efforts

Schneider Electric is excited to be recognized by both Catalyst and Bloomberg for our holistic gender equality approach.

Diversity & Inclusion

Advocating for the 40 Million Americans With Disabilities

In 1977, Congress enacted the Community Reinvestment Act to put an end to discriminatory lending practices and reinforce the need for financial institutions to invest in the economic vitality of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA encouraged banks to help meet the credit needs of all people where they have a physical footprint, including responsive financial services to individuals and families in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Northern Trust Recognized for Commitment to Advancement of Women in Workplace

Northern Trust has been recognized as one of a select group of companies for the 2019 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), which distinguishes companies committed to transparency in gender reporting and advancing women’s equality.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Accelerating a More Sustainable Industrial Revolution with Digital Manufacturing

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is shaping up to be one of the most significant opportunities of our lifetime. We are already seeing jobs, policies, industries and entire economies shifting as our digital and physical worlds merge. This represents an important opportunity for business and for society. With this industrial revolution, we have a collective responsibility to ensure sustainability is a priority from the start.

Social Impact & Volunteering

CECP Q&A Series: How One Community of Corporate Leaders Is Elevating Volunteering for Greater Impact

Jennifer Weston-Murphy of CECP’s Corporate Leadership Team sat down with Service for Impact Co-Chairs Matthew Nelson, Corporate Vice President, New York Life and Lalita Badinehal, Director of Grantmaking, Credit Suisse Americas Foundation talk about what Service for Impact aims to accomplish and how the employee engagement field has evolved in recent years.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning

Engaging Boards and Trustees and Strategic Learning provides a toolkit for grantmakers use in conversations with board members about strategic learning.

Latest Campaigns

  1. AEG Celebrates Inclusion
    At AEG, we embrace inclusion and strive to create a workplace where our employees feel welcomed, valued and respected for the viewpoints, ideas...
  2. Collaboration and Partnership
    Cascale shares updates on its strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders geared toward shifting the industry into one that gives back more than...
  3. AMD Environmental Sustainability
    Advancing sustainability across our operations, supply chain manufacturing and product stewardship
  4. AEG Celebrates Inclusion
    At AEG, we embrace inclusion and strive to create a workplace where our employees feel welcomed, valued and respected for the viewpoints, ideas...
  5. Sustainable Products and Innovation
    Ongoing research into innovative solutions enables CNH’s brands to manufacture products that respect the environment while satisfying customers’...
  6. Healthy Spaces Podcast: Season 5
    Welcome to Season 5 of Healthy Spaces by Trane Technologies, the podcast where experts and disruptors explore how climate technology and innovation...
  7. Kingfisher Around the World
    The SCS Kingfisher certification mark is showing up on an increasing number of products around the world. It differentiates companies that are making...
  8. Impacting Today and Tomorrow
    What we do matters and our associates can expect opportunities to create real impact at work and in the community.
  9. International Paper | SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
    Vision 2030 Goal: Improve our climate impact and advance water stewardship
  10. Shared Goodness Promise - Hershey's ESG Progress
    The Hershey Company is committed to publishing annual environment, social, and governance reports that give updates on our publicly stated goals and...
  11. Sustainability by Antea Group
    At Antea Group, we believe the best sustainability programs integrate sustainability into core business practices, we identify and act on relevant...
  12. PSEG People & Communities
    PSEG is committed to improving the lives of our customers, our employees and the diverse communities we serve throughout New Jersey and Long Island...
  13. KeyBank Foundation: Helping Communities Thrive through Education, Workforce Development, and Service
    KeyBank Foundation helps build thriving communities by supporting organizations and programs that foster thriving students and a thriving workforce...
  14. AEG Celebrates Inclusion
    At AEG, we embrace inclusion and strive to create a workplace where our employees feel welcomed, valued and respected for the viewpoints, ideas...
  15. Sustainability- Carnival Corporation's Way of Doing Business
    Carnival’s approach to sustainability is a full-time commitment; it is not a cost of doing business, it is a way of doing business. We at Carnival...