Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi North America Opens 2018 ‘Ideas that Matter' Call for Entries

May 18, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the call for entries for its 2018 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how design – specifically print – can play an important role in changing lives for the better.

Sustainable Development Goals

Director of UNEP Speaks on the Role of the Private Sector in Achieving the SDGs

May 18, 2018 6:20 AM ET

In a recent interview with Ethical Corporation, the Director of Governance Affairs at UN Environment, Jorge Laguna-Celis, explained that engaging with the private sector has been part of UNEP’s “modus-operandi” since the SDGs were signed in 2015. According to Laguna-Celis, “the vision of our executive director Erik Solheim is very simple. In every division, every staff member, in every project he or she is working on, has to devote resources to engaging with the private sector.”

Environment

National Geographic Launches ‘Planet or Plastic?’ Initiative to Reduce Impact of Single-use Plastics on Our Oceans

May 17, 2018 8:15 PM ET

Every year, 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans and could remain in marine environments for more than 450 years. This escalating problem deserves our attention, and today National Geographic is kicking off a multiyear initiative to reduce the impact of single-use plastics on our oceans. The comprehensive plan of action called “Planet or Plastic?” launches today and is tied to the June issue of National Geographic magazine, which is available online now and will hit newsstands on May 29.

Diversity & Inclusion

Important Dialogue - Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

May 17, 2018 6:10 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

What is Market Transformation and Why Should Business Care?

May 17, 2018 4:45 PM ET

The Erb Institute is the University of Michigan’s business-sustainability partnership between the Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability. We work with business leaders to help them improve company competitiveness through enhanced social, environmental and economic performance. Our degree programs prepare students to be future business leaders for sustainability, while our research and executive education prepare current business leaders for what’s next in sustainability.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Looking for All Things Employee Engagement Embodied into One, Easy-to-Use Employee Giving Tool?

May 17, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Executing a multifaceted employee giving and engagement program can seem like an overwhelming process. But it doesn’t have to be. If you are looking for all things employee engagement embodied into one, easy-to-use employee giving tool - you can stop looking and start implementing now!

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CITGO Honored With Special Olympics Louisiana Outstanding Corporate Benefactor Award

May 17, 2018 3:30 PM ET

This past April, CITGO was honored to receive the Special Olympics Louisiana 2017 Outstanding State Corporate Benefactor Award, noting the company's historic and dependable support of Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Special Olympics. As a proud partner of SWLA Special Olympics for more than 30 years, CITGO was also presented with a SWLA Special Olympics Sponsor Recognition plaque.

Environment

A Water Crisis Promotes Early Childhood Education and Health

May 17, 2018 3:20 PM ET

The potential health impact on young children in Flint, Michigan is serious. Two years ago, lead in the city’s water supply reached toxic levels and the drinking water was declared unsafe. At high levels, exposure to lead can affect almost every system in the human body. For young children, especially, it can contribute to learning and behavior problems, slow growth and physical development, and lead to hearing and speech problems. Lead exposure also has been associated with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A Duke University study found that exposure to lead can have a negative impact on children’s lives for decades.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Strengthening the Social Economy: A Conversation With Catherine LaCour, Chief Marketing Officer at Blackbaud

May 17, 2018 3:05 PM ET

In this episode of the Champions for Social Good podcast, Rachel Hutchisson speaks with Catherine LaCour, chief marketing officer at Blackbaud, about how organizations can strengthen the social economy to build a better world. Learn why leveraging data, individual impact and radical collaboration are critical to achieving greater impact.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Duke Energy Empowers Economies Through Workforce Development

May 17, 2018 2:00 PM ET

A growing issue for Duke Energy and many businesses is the gap between demand for skilled STEM workers and available talent to fill open positions. One of the ways the company is closing the gap is through our investments in education and workforce development.

Education

For Low-Income Students, a New Graduation Equation

May 17, 2018 1:25 PM ET

Naffie Baldeh was 27 when she decided to go back to school. A single mother in the South Bronx, she’d been in and out of community colleges over the years as her family obligations and financial circumstances allowed. She was feeling the strain that comes with being a low-income student as her financial responsibilities—childcare, housing, the cost of school itself—competed with her academic ambitions.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Smithfield Foods Releases Latest Section of 2017 Sustainability Report, Shares New Programs and Companywide Commitment to Food Safety and Quality

May 17, 2018 12:40 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. released the Food Safety and Quality section of its 2017 Sustainability Report, which provides robust information about the company’s leading approach to producing safe, high-quality products. This section focuses on programs and achievements that underscore a culture of food safety, and highlights new product offerings that reflect Smithfield’s transformation into a world-class consumer packaged goods and protein company.

Education

Teachers on the New Frontier

May 17, 2018 12:25 PM ET

For many middle school teachers, taking part in a one-to-one initiative, where every student has a digital device for learning, has led to an existential search. In a technology-driven, student-centered learning environment, what does it mean to be a teacher?

Environment

Whole Kids Foundation Joins Forces With Top Chef Talent to Fund School Beehives

May 17, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Today, Whole Kids Foundation announced the Give Bees A Chance Campaign to showcase the vital role that honey bees play in our food and gardens. The month-long fundraising effort to support the Honey Bee Grant Program, which provides educational honey beehives to schools and nonprofits, will take place during June, National Pollinator Month.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Morgan Stanley Foundation Announces Additional $1.5 Million in Grants to Local Food Banks Across the United States

May 17, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Morgan Stanley Foundation today announced over $1,500,000 in grants to local food banks in 29 cities across 20 states to support hunger-relief programs that deliver food assistance and healthy meals to children and families. These grants are part of our most recent commitment, bringing our support total to more than $23 million to 200 Feeding America member food banks to help launch, build upon and sustain critical child nutrition programs through child hunger grants and expand access to fresh produce through produce grants. Morgan Stanley is committed to providing children with a healthy start to life and access to nutritious food is a vital part of that pledge.

Sustainable Development Goals

Boosting Farmers’ Income While Strengthening Climate Resilience in Colombia

May 17, 2018 10:50 AM ET

Media & Communications

Earth911.com Interviews: Cynthia Figge, CEO of CSRHub.com

May 17, 2018 10:45 AM ET

Consumers have access to corporate sustainability and social responsibility reporting they can use to select the companies they can trust to act ethically. With the rise of "big data" and transparency, there is more information on which to base a smart buying decision than ever before. Cynthia Figge, co-founder and CEO of CSRHub.com, a Seattle-based website that rates and ranks companies based on environmental and social responsibility, joins Mitch Ratcliffe to discuss what CSR reports cover, why business has learned sustainability is good for their bottom line, and how consumers can begin to access CSR data -- including on Earth911.com

Energy

As a Member of RE100, Bloomberg Has Pledged to Obtain 100% of Our Electricity From Renewable Sources by 2025

May 17, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Bloomberg began investigating renewable energy projects in 2008; our first project, a 1.8MW solar installation in New Jersey, began providing us with energy in 2012. We currently obtain energy from five on- and off-site solar and wind sites. Our newest installation is a 5MW wind farm in Hidalgo, Texas, which started providing us with energy in 2017.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

SC Johnson Switzerland Named 2018 Best Workplace

May 17, 2018 10:30 AM ET

SC Johnson Switzerland today announced it has been recognized as a 2018 Best Workplace by the Great Place to Work® Institute for the second consecutive year. The organization earned the No. 18 spot in the ranking.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | eBay Everyday Heroes: human-I-T Helps Connect a City

May 17, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Did you know nearly half of low-income households in Los Angeles do not own a computer and are not connected to the internet*? Watch how eBay seller human-I-T provides teenage mothers in LA with their own PCs to help open new doors for them.

Events, Media & Communications

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Presents Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 2018 Season

May 17, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announced today details of the menus for the 2018 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine season. Building on the success of last two summers with award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and business partner restaurateur Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group, and Sodexo Sports & Leisure, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining for visitors to the iconic venue.

Health & Healthcare

Insights: Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet Reflects on Merck for Mothers’ Efforts and What’s Next

May 17, 2018 9:30 AM ET

GBC Health sat down with Merck for Mothers Executive Director, Dr. Mary Ann-Etiebet, to hear about the progress that has been made, why she joined the company last year, and what’s next for the global initiative.

Environment

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden to Open May 19

May 17, 2018 9:20 AM ET

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens today announced the much-anticipated opening of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden, a two-acre immersive experience designed to connect children with nature.

Environment

Stomachache? Soil gets them, too

May 17, 2018 8:30 AM ET

If your mother told you it’s important to chew your food, she was right. Dr. Kris Nichols, microbiologist and former chief scientist of Rodale, can scientifically prove it. “We all have microbes that process food in our stomachs, and if you don’t chew your food well, the microbes get upset and lead to a stomachache,” she says. Believe it or not, soil acts in the exact same way.

Research, Reports & Publications

FedEx Multiplies Opportunities: 2018 Global Citizenship Report

May 17, 2018 5:00 AM ET

FedEx is committed to using its size, scale and network to multiply positive outcomes for businesses, people and communities around the world. The 2018 Global Citizenship Report tracks these efforts across three areas: Economy, Environment and People. Highlights from the report include: