Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Loss of Great Plains Grasslands Puts Critical Ecosystems at Risk

Oct 24, 2017 10:35 AM ET

The Great Plains lost about 2.5 million acres of previously intact grassland to crop production between 2015 and 2016, according to a new report from World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Across the US and Canada, the loss of grasslands undermines soil health and degrades water quality for downstream communities, while threatening iconic species, including songbirds and water-associated birds, and is driving the decline in the region’s native pollinators.

Green Infrastructure

First Look at the New Bloomberg HQ: Why Norman Foster's Design Is a Triumph

Oct 24, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Not many will mourn the passing of Bucklersbury House and Temple Court. Designed in 1953 for a site next to the Mansion House and completed five years later, they set the architectural direction for the post-war City of London. At 14 and 15 storeys high, they were the first office buildings to break the 100ft height limit, entirely ignore the street pattern and prioritise parking at the expense of pedestrians.

Education

Learning to Thrive in a New Environment: the Perspective From Cambridge

Oct 24, 2017 10:15 AM ET

On a surprisingly sunny Sunday afternoon, 21 students from 17 different countries all arrived in Cambridge. Each of us came from a unique background, armed with distinctive outlooks on life, but we all shared the same unequivocal curiosity and passion that science demands. The earlier arrivals amongst us (including me) formed a welcome party for those yet to come, taking the time to introduce ourselves.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability: Driving Forward Using the Rear-View Mirror

Oct 24, 2017 10:15 AM ET

You wouldn’t drive forward using only your rear-view mirror. Yet for years that is how many companies, including Domtar, managed safety—using only indicators of past performance to chart a future course.

Today, we have begun steering to improved safety performance using forward-looking safety techniques— addressing potential safety hazards before they result in an injury.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Announcing the Visa Foundation Alongside Inaugural Grant to Women’s World Banking

Oct 24, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Today marks the launch of the Visa Foundation, which has been established as part of Visa’s larger social impact strategy to prioritize the growth of micro and small enterprises around the world, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Reflections From a Field Builder: The Next 25 Years of SRI Investing

Oct 24, 2017 10:10 AM ET

The Sustainable, Responsible Impact Investing field has grown from $639 billion in assets in 1995 to $8.72 trillion in 2016. It will be very surprising if the next decade does not bring continued expansion in assets and in the types of investors who control those assets, as well as further growth in the products and services available.

Innovation & Technology

Integrated Drone Solution Enhances Utility Asset Data

Oct 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Black & Veatch and Aeryon Labs announced today that they have launched an end-to-end asset management inspection solution leveraging drone technology for global energy clients. Aeryon’s commercial unmanned aerial system (UAS) hardware, software and services enable the capture of critical infrastructure condition data that is integrated by Black & Veatch into utility’s existing enterprise asset management (EAM) systems. This streamlined solution speeds inspection times, reduces inspection costs and accelerates the integration of data into EAM systems.

Diversity & Inclusion

Love Has No Labels: Five Ways to Prevent Bullying

Oct 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Wells Fargo joins the Ad Council’s Love Has No Labels campaign to explore ways to create a more accepting world.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

GRI’s Collaboration With PRI Boosts Responsible Investment and Action Towards the SDGs

Oct 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Stella McCartney Commissions First-Ever LCA for Manmade Cellulosic Fibers

Oct 24, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Luxury fashion label Stella McCartney has released the results of a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental performance of ten different raw material sources of manmade cellulose fiber (MMCF). Conducted by third-party certifier SCS Global Services (SCS), the study examined a broad range of environmental issues.

Sustainable Development Goals

Water Sustainability Builds Agriculture, Provides Natural Habitat at India’s Jamnagar Refinery

Oct 24, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Reliance Industries Ltd. and Bechtel developed a system to create the water Reliance needs to run the world’s biggest oil refinery, despite the plant’s location in India’s arid state of Gujarat. The plant also produces enough surplus water to support a 1,600-acre ring of trees and plants surrounding the facility, as well as Asia’s largest mango farm. Without a robust water sustainability infrastructure and system, these improvements and farm would not be possible.

Green Infrastructure

Sharing Expertise: IWBI & Hines Continue Collaboration

Oct 24, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Citywide Collaborative and Citi Community Development Announce the Creation of the Interboro Community Land Trust and a $1MM Interboro CLT Growth Fund

Oct 24, 2017 9:00 AM ET

A citywide collaborative of non-profit affordable housing organizations, with support from founding corporate partner Citi Community Development, today announced the formation of the Interboro Community Land Trust (Interboro CLT), New York City’s first citywide community land trust with a primary focus on creating permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income households in one of the most expensive cities in the country.

Environment

Valuing Water: The Secret Rests with Our Smart Phones

Oct 24, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Tetra Tech is joining the Value of Water Coalition and leaders from across the water industry for the Coalition’s third annual Imagine a Day Without Water event on October 12, 2017. The event supports the Coalition’s mission to raise “awareness about the importance of water and the often invisible water challenges threatening our country.”

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity at Northern Trust, an Essential Element in our Corporate Culture

Oct 24, 2017 8:25 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

HanesBrands Employees Give Back to the Community With Day of Caring Volunteerism

Oct 23, 2017 6:40 PM ET

Nearly 400 HanesBrands employees are set to participate in the company’s Day of Caring event, the finale of the company’s 2017 United Way campaign that raised $1.95 million. The two-week campaign ends with employees trading an afternoon of work to help those in need. Hanes’ Day of Caring will take place from 1 to 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27, at 13 Forsyth County agencies.

Events, Media & Communications

Everyday Heroines in the Spotlight: Presentation of the GOLDEN BILD DER FRAU Awards Aboard AIDAprima

Oct 23, 2017 6:10 PM ET

On October 21, 2017: The “GOLDEN BILD DER FRAU” awards were presented for the 11th time in Hamburg, aboard AIDAprima. For the first time, AIDA Cruises hosted this awards ceremony which is staged by Europe’s biggest women’s magazine (Bild der Frau) at which six women are honored for their civil courage and charitable efforts.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Why I Run – 25,000 Runners Raise Money for 200 Charities at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Oct 23, 2017 5:30 PM ET

People who are making their run matter by taking the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, raising money for charities that make a difference in the community. We asked four dedicated runners why they are taking the Challenge this year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comcast NBCUniversal Contributes Nearly $1.5M in Cash and In-Kind Support for Northern California Wildfire Relief Efforts

Oct 23, 2017 5:15 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy Foundation Teams Up with Playworks to Support “Real Players Don’t Bully” Campaign

Oct 23, 2017 5:00 PM ET

In celebration of National Bullying Prevention Month and through its partnership with Playworks, a nonprofit organization promoting the power of play for children before, during and after school, AEG’s LA Galaxy Foundation (LAGF) teamed up with the nonprofit for the launch of its “Real Players Don't Bully” online campaign. In an effort to highlight bullying prevention and “positive play,” LA Galaxy players posed in the campaign shirts for photos which were then shared to the team’s social media accounts, reaching more than 450K followers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Carnival Cruise Line Hosts Build-A-Bear Day of Fun For 100 Kids from Boys & Girls Club Aboard Carnival Magic in Port Carnival

Oct 23, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Carnival Cruise Line hosted a Build-A-Bear Workshop event that provided more than 100 kids from Brevard, Fla.-area Boys & Girls Clubs with a day of fun aboard the Carnival Magic in Port Canaveral, Fla.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Food for Thought: JetBlue Partners With Innovative Food and Beverage Brands Merging Product With Purpose

Oct 23, 2017 4:30 PM ET

It is no secret that airlines haven’t traditionally been associated with fresh and responsible foods. That is one of the many reasons it’s such an appealing area to work on within the sustainability department of an airline. Food has become a way for people to express and act on their social engagement and personal lifestyle. As the customer, just because you bought an airplane ticket doesn’t mean you suddenly want junk food or have stopped caring about your food preferences.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

100 Advocates Join The Poverty Is Unnecessary Project

Oct 23, 2017 4:15 PM ET

The Poverty Is Unnecessary Project includes Poverty Is Unnecessary Fund members donating $325,000 to alleviate global poverty and the Poverty Is Unnecessary Benefit & Live Auction to celebrate the impact of this work by Whole Planet Foundation and its supporters.

Environment

Stewart Leeth Of Smithfield Foods Joins GHI Board

Oct 23, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Global Harvest Initiative welcomes new member company, Smithfield Foods, Inc., and Stewart Leeth, Smithfield Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer, to board membership. In this interview for the Harvest 2050 blog, Stewart describes how he became involved in agriculture, as well as Smithfield’s commitments to sustainability and reducing hunger.

Health & Healthcare

What Every Chef Knows & Every Business Needs to Learn

Oct 23, 2017 3:30 PM ET

Each year a third of the world’s food is wasted, along with the resources used to produce and transport it, according to the United Nations. Considering our already overburdened environment, reduction is an obvious and immediate priority.

Our individual actions can make a dent in the problem, no doubt. Consumers are responsible for 43% of food loss and waste along the food supply chain. Meal planning, freezing leftovers and other simple steps to reduce waste are good, cost-saving habits for us all.

The business community, however, can make a bigger dent more quickly by embracing its own new habits and influencing consumer behavior.