Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Consumers Energy Provides $10 Million to Help Families in Michigan With Winter Heating Bills

Jan 8, 2019 8:00 AM ET

Consumers Energy announced today that it has now contributed $10 million to help customers in need to pay their energy bills -- part of the energy provider’s ongoing efforts this winter to help Michigan residents stay safe and warm.

Events, Media & Communications

Markstein Appoints Public Relations Veteran Sheila McLean to Head New Washington, D.C. Office

Jan 8, 2019 8:00 AM ET

Markstein, a full-service marketing communications agency, today announced the opening of its Washington, D.C. office and appointment of Sheila McLean as president, Mid Atlantic. McLean will lead D.C. operations as Markstein expands to serve its rapidly growing issues/crisis, public affairs and advocacy work.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

SC Johnson Keeps Global Promise, Expands Ingredient Transparency to Latin America

Jan 8, 2019 7:00 AM ET

Today, SC Johnson is fulfilling a worldwide commitment made nearly 10 years ago by expanding its industry-leading global ingredient transparency program to Latin America and delivering transparency to consumers everywhere around the world who use its products. SC Johnson has led the industry toward greater transparency and continues to disclose beyond industry standards. The company has also led the charge with governmental bodies for positive reform of chemical management and disclosure. When the company first announced its ingredient transparency plan, regulations requiring ingredient disclosure did not exist.

Innovation & Technology

Trane Introduces Zero Carbon Compact Cooling and Heating Systems

Jan 8, 2019 6:15 AM ET

Trane®, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, is introducing CITY, three new chillers and heat pump products below 400kW for efficiently heating and cooling small commercial buildings, industrial facilities and industrial processes.

Events, Media & Communications

Maersk, P&G, ING on Delivering Net-Positive Ambition - Complimentary Webinar

Jan 8, 2019 5:00 AM ET

We’ll be hosting a webinar debate on how companies can change strategies and set ambitious targets to deliver a net-positive impact future.

Social Impact & Volunteering

This Holiday, a Resilient Florida Panhandle Rebuilds

Jan 7, 2019 4:15 PM ET

The holidays might look a little different in the Florida Panhandle this year. In June, a wildfire gutted 800 acres in Franklin County, and then in October, Hurricane Michael brought devastation back – even more so for neighboring counties Bay and Gulf.

Energy

Brightening the New Year: FCA US Sheds Light on "Smart" LEDs

Jan 7, 2019 3:00 PM ET

FCA US LLC rings in 2019 on a bright note after installing intelligent lighting systems in two metro Detroit operations, Jefferson North Assembly Plant and Warren Stamping Plant, helping drive down energy costs by at least 50 percent and improving employee productivity by making the spaces responsive to the needs at each workspace.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Giving Opportunity Throughout the New Year: From Your Family to Theirs

Jan 7, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Whole Planet Foundation invites you to join the Family Fund, a program that leverages the power of community to alleviate global poverty for families through entrepreneurship.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

It’s the People’s Choice for the Circular Economy. What’s Your Vote?

Jan 7, 2019 1:40 PM ET

Each year in January we turn our eyes to the Swiss chalet of Davos, home to the World Economic Forum. They gather the foremost political, business and societal leaders to discuss and shape solutions for positive change. Their group of Young Global Leaders (YGL) focuses on overcoming barriers that stand in the way of progress, and one of their projects has been to support the annual Circulars Awards, recognizing excellence and achievement in the Circular Economy. We believe that it takes ingenuity and collaboration to drive the changes needed for a switch to the circular economy, and the Dell Circular Economy People’s Choice Award is intended to recognize just that. Along with the YGL, we are presenting six exciting companies with innovative approaches.

Health & Healthcare

IWBI™ and Steve Leung Designers Announce Plans to Jointly Advance Human Health and Wellness Through WELL™

Jan 7, 2019 1:20 PM ET

The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBITM) and Hong Kong-based Steve Leung Designers Ltd. (SLD) has announced plans to jointly advance the uptake of building practice that places human health and wellness in the center of decision making in design and construction through SLD’s global network of architects and designers as well as its project portfolio. The collaboration underscores the important role of architects and designers as professional leaders whose design expertise can positively impact human health in the buildings and communities where we spend our time.

Events, Media & Communications

WEBINAR: A Year in Purpose: The Top 10 Trends of 2018

Jan 7, 2019 11:20 AM ET

As the year draws to a close, Cone evaluated 365 days’ worth of Purpose-driven campaigns to bring you the top 10 trends of 2018. Join us as we count down through what trended in 2018, the implications for businesses and what’s on the horizon for 2019.

Energy

6 Renewable Energy Trends To Watch In 2019

Jan 7, 2019 11:15 AM ET

2019 promises to be an exciting year for clean tech. An increasing number of countries, companies and regions are embracing sustainable energy generation and the landscape is rapidly evolving.

Diversity & Inclusion

Bloomberg Reporter Increases Women Quoted in Stories to 50 Percent

Jan 7, 2019 11:15 AM ET

Ben Bartenstein, an emerging markets reporter for Bloomberg News, increased the percentage of female sources quoted in his stories to 50 percent in 2018.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Corporate Responsibility in the Workplace at NRG

Jan 7, 2019 10:50 AM ET

To keep our employees healthy, happy and operating at their best, NRG provides several wellness benefits. We offer full and part-time employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week health, dental and vision insurance, mental health assistance, a non-tobacco user discount, adoption assistance, parental leave and tuition reimbursement, among other benefits. Additionally, we sponsored more than a dozen runs, walks and bike rides to promote healthy behavior and hosted more than 25 employee health fairs in 2017 at NRG locations across the country.

Environment

Inogen Member Spotlight--Peter Ramsay, Peter J. Ramsay & Associates

Jan 7, 2019 10:45 AM ET

Antea Group talks to Peter Ramsay, Managing Director of Peter J Ramsay & Associates, an Inogen member firm based in Melbourne, Australia.

Energy

How Mohawk’s Smartflowers Make a Social Impact

Jan 7, 2019 10:35 AM ET

Between the elementary and high schools of Rockingham County is Mohawk Group’s latest smartflower installation. Throughout the day, students can watch the 194 square-foot ground-mounted structure's solar paneled petals open and turn in the direction of the sun. It’s the second of 10 smartflowers to be installed over the next three years in collaboration with Groundswell, a nonprofit dedicated to developing community solar projects. The effort serves a multi-faceted purpose: save energy, empower underserved communities and raise awareness around sustainability. It also helped two of Mohawk’s floor coverings — Pivot Point resilient tile and Sunweave broadloom carpet — achieve Living Product Challenge Petal certifications.

Health & Healthcare

Educating 5 Million Rural Bangladeshi Children on Health, Hygiene and Safe Drinking Water

Jan 7, 2019 10:20 AM ET

Consumer goods giant Unilever Bangladesh has joined Business Call to Action with a commitment to educate an additional 5 million rural children on handwashing and tooth-brushing, ensure access to safe drinking water for over 1 million people, and ensure above minimum wage employment for thousands by 2021.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Moody’s Donates $10,000 to Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls

Jan 7, 2019 10:10 AM ET

We truly believe that knowledge fuels opportunity – and we’re proud to support the intelligent, focused and determined young women graduating from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG)with scholarships for 25 students to help with the cost of university textbooks. Moody’s Foundation, represented by Moody’s Foundation President Arlene Isaacs-Lowe, and Moody’s South Africa Country Manager Sylvia Chahonyo, made a $10,000 donation to the school in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Events, Media & Communications

Life and Laboratory Will Collide at P&G’s LifeLab, January 8-11 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Jan 7, 2019 9:55 AM ET

Illuminating six product experiences, our LifeLab exhibit will showcase how we are combining breakthrough science and technologies with deep consumer understanding to deliver connected innovations that transform people’s lives.

Innovation & Technology

The Top 3 Cyber Threats to Watch Out for in 2019

Jan 7, 2019 9:45 AM ET

Every day, cyber criminals from across the world are scheming about ways to steal your data. According to the FBI’s 2017 Internet Crime Report,[1] a total of 301,580 complaints were reported by victims with losses in excess of $1.4 billion that year. They seem to be using increasingly sophisticated methods, which means consumers need to stay on high alert to protect their personal information.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Adding Value to Society

Jan 7, 2019 9:35 AM ET

Our Mission reminds us that our foremost priority is to contribute to human welfare. As global citizens, we leverage the full size and reach of our company to contribute to communities around the world.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Partnership Focuses on Waste Reduction and Overcrowding at National Parks

Jan 7, 2019 8:35 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Unholy Marriage Between Crony Capitalism and Sustainability

Jan 7, 2019 8:15 AM ET

In a marketplace littered with crony capitalism is this what passes as corporate sustainability these days?

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Decade of Impact in Africa

Jan 7, 2019 8:00 AM ET

This is a true story about 1,500 African food companies in nine African countries, and 1,500 volunteers from six food companies that worked together to improve food security across Africa.

Sustainable Development Goals

Expert Interview With Hope Herron, Resilient Infrastructure Expert

Jan 7, 2019 8:00 AM ET

Hope Herron has been an environmental specialist and climate resilience expert with Tetra Tech for more than 10 years. She develops strategic, sustainable, resilient, and socio-economic solutions to global development challenges. Hope uses her knowledge to improve livelihoods, mitigate climate change impacts, and increase transparency for sustainable supply chains—from creating climate change assessment tools in the Caribbean to incorporating environmental considerations into road and bridge design in South Sudan.