Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Avista Named 2015 Philanthropic Corporation of the Year by United Way

Jan 11, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Good People, Good Causes was the theme of the 2015 United Way Emerging Leaders Society Philanthropic Awards in Spokane, Wash. And that theme aptly describes Avista’s commitment to the communities that the company has proudly served for 126 years. Avista was one of eight finalists for Philanthropic Corporation of the Year and emerged as the winner in that category, reinforcing the company’s purpose of improving life’s quality with energy – safely, reliably and responsibly.

Environment

Saving Energy, Water and Time by Keeping Our Air Fleet Clean

Jan 11, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Keeping a fleet of vehicles clean is a necessary, but important task for businesses whose calling card is their livery and the condition of which reflects directly on the brand – good or bad. But when your fleet includes aircraft, the task takes on a whole new level of complexity.

Education

JetBlue Pushes STEM in Volusia Classroom

Jan 11, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Five hundred books dropped from the sky Wednesday as JetBlue Airways donated a library worth of books to Turie T. Small Elementary School students in celebration of its new daily service between Daytona Beach and New York.

Education

Harlem First, Mapping of a Community Gallery Opening

Jan 11, 2016 1:30 PM ET

You are invited to the opening reception of Harlem First, Mapping the Health of a Community, an exhibition of work by MFA Design for Social Innovation students that addresses the health needs of a community.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Deloitte Builds Sustainability Eminence with New Appointments

Jan 11, 2016 1:20 PM ET

GRI recently announced the appointment of new members on its Board of Directors, Stakeholder Council (SC), and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)—the three governance bodies that oversee GRI’s activities and play a leading role in the development of its Sustainability Reporting Framework.

Events, Media & Communications

DC Metro Nonprofits Gain $150,000 in Pro Bono Services from Taproot Foundation and Project Management for Change on MLK Day

Jan 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

As part of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, Taproot Foundation and Project Management for Change will lead the second annual Project Management Day of Service Pro Bono Lab. This pro bono volunteer event will bring critical resources in strategic planning, marketing, IT, finance, and HR to local nonprofit organizations. Facilitated by the Taproot Foundation and Project Management for Change, in partnership with 5 local Project Management Institute (PMI) chapters, this one-day event will connect over 300 seasoned project managers and subject matter experts with 100 nonprofit organizations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

11th Annual CECP Board of Boards Convening of CEOs

Jan 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Fifty CEOs of the world’s largest companies will convene at CECP’s 11th annual Board of Boards: Competing for the Long Run, February 29, 2016 in New York, NY. A Forbes-named top three “power player” event for CEOs, the Board of Boards is a closed-door, CEO-to-CEO forum on the case for thinking long-term about business and societal strategies.

Events, Media & Communications

5 Powerful Ways to Create an Inspiring Work Culture for Millennials

Jan 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services Supports Upbring Foster Program in Texas

Jan 11, 2016 12:45 PM ET

In December, Republic Services’ Harlingen, TX division collected over 50 toys and donated them to Upbring foster program in Texas.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Interview with Aldo Cristiano, Director of Cocoa Procurement at Ferrero

Jan 11, 2016 12:15 PM ET

Interview with Aldo Cristiano, Director of Cocoa Procurement, Ferrero

Energy

5 Reasons to go Electric … And How the Chevrolet Bolt EV Delivers

Jan 11, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Haven’t gone electric yet? Chevrolet’s latest electric vehicle, the Bolt EV, might convince you to take the plunge. Our engineers designed this roomy and bright small crossover hatchback for…well, everyone.

Social Impact & Volunteering

5 Ways to Serve on MLK Day

Jan 11, 2016 11:20 AM ET

How will you make the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday a day on instead of a day off? Join millions of Americans across the country on Jan. 18 for volunteer service and dialogue to honor Dr. King's memory.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Vaseline’s “Healing Project” Brings Relief to Refugees

Jan 11, 2016 11:15 AM ET

As the refugee crisis continues across the globe, many displaced citizens are going without access to basic needs such as clean water, food, clothing and shelter. Many companies are stepping up to provide aid, from Ikea's flat-packed refugee shelters toGoogle's $5.5 million donation match to humanitarian groups. Yet sometimes a company's own product can be the very best source of relief. When dermatologists Grace Bandow and Samar Jaber arrived at a Syrian refugee camp in 2014, they were surprised to learn many of the ailments affecting patients in the dry, hot, exposed desert could be easily relieved with a very simple product: Vaseline.

Environment

Sanofi – Cop 21 - What are the Consequences for Climate Change on Population’s Health?

Jan 11, 2016 10:55 AM ET

Sylvie Joussaume, Climatologist at National Institute of Sciences of the Universe (CNRS, France), explains how climate change is already noticeable and affects people's health: extreme weather events, food shortages, restrict access to water or air pollution, are some of its consequences.

Events, Media & Communications

2016 – A “Hopeful” Year for Sustainability Innovation? Technology Experts Share Their “I Hope” List

Jan 11, 2016 10:45 AM ET

Elaine Hsieh, director of VERGE at the Greenbiz Group, gave us her “biggest hopes for sustainability technology in 2016,” which Greenbiz presented in a year end post.

Environment

The Art and Science of Corporate Sustainability Goal Setting

Jan 11, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Corporate sustainability goals can be something of a mystery. I am sometimes asked: why do companies set the sustainability goals that they do? I often answer that as a science company, DuPont focuses on developing science-based solutions to market problems. But for any company --- not just DuPont --- setting corporate sustainability goals is as much art as it is science. Developing the right goal means balancing the (not mutually exclusive) needs to grow the business, demonstrate shareholder value, incorporate oft-competing inputs of stakeholders, and contribute our fair share to protect the planet. Here’s the inside scoop on the evolution of corporate sustainability goal setting from the front lines.

Research, Reports & Publications

Toward a Living Community

Jan 11, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The time is now to make the First Hill and Central District neighborhoods of Seattle the most environmentally regenerative, socially just, and culturally thriving neighborhoods in the nation.

Environment

Luxury Fashion Industry Focuses on Environmental Protection

Jan 11, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Environmental consciousness in the luxury sector has arisen slowly. For years, leading luxury fashion brands performed little in terms of investing in actual sustainable measures.

Events, Media & Communications

Neil deGrasse Tyson's Science Talk Show 'StarTalk' to Return to Nat Geo Channel in Fall 2016

Jan 11, 2016 7:00 AM ET

21st Century Fox's National Geographic Channel announced that its Emmy®-nominated science talk show StarTalk, hosted by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, will return for a third season in fall 2016. The series, derived from Tyson's popular podcast of the same name, features Tyson in conversation with comedians, academics, and celebrity guests about how science affects their lives and careers. The third season premiere will also coincide with the release of the first StarTalk book, published by National Geographic Books and featuring vivid photography, the latest scientific facts, and quotes from previous and upcoming StarTalk guests.

Events, Media & Communications

CBS EcoMedia Helps Advertisers Put the ‘Aid’ in Paid Media

Jan 8, 2016 8:30 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

A Different Language

Jan 8, 2016 4:10 PM ET

Energy

Algae Fuel Producers Look Beyond Fuel to Stay Afloat

Jan 8, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Just about every start up has to face the dreaded “Valley of Death,” the time that comes after they have demonstrated their idea and before they are producing it at significant scale and generating revenue.

Education

Building for People: Human-centered Design with Local Materials

Jan 8, 2016 3:00 PM ET

A mobile laboratory is traveling across Europe. Designed and built by university students, the lab serves as a hub for innovative façade design.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Using Text to Fulfill Your New Year's Resolution

Jan 8, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Most resolutions are about self improvement -- get fit, eat well, explore more.

Diversity & Inclusion

Timberland Hosts Presidential Town Halls for Employees

Jan 8, 2016 2:15 PM ET

As part of its commitment to community engagement, Timberland has a tradition of inviting current presidential candidates to speak to its employees during the lead-up to presidential elections. On Friday, January 8, in the first such visits of the 2016 cycle, John Kasich, Governor of Ohio and Republican Candidate for President of the United States, held an open invitation town hall meeting at Timberland’s headquarters in Stratham, NH for employees and their immediate family members.