Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Baton Rouge and eBay Announce Economic Development Initiatives

May 7, 2019 12:30 PM ET

eBay CEO Devin Wenig joined Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome in Baton Rouge to celebrate two economic initiatives with the city — the expansion of Retail Reviva, which aims to help traditional “Main Street” businesses effectively compete in today’s digital economy, and eBay@Home to Baton Rouge. The announcements come during National Small Business Week, when the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners are celebrated across the U.S.

Diversity & Inclusion

Empowering Women in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

May 7, 2019 12:25 PM ET

The workforce is facing a deficiency of STEM workers with a significant female talent gap – here’s four ways that UPS Longitudes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and REC Foundation think we should re-invent learning for diverse future leaders of innovation

Media & Communications

World Environment Center Elects New Emeritus Directors

May 7, 2019 12:00 PM ET

As part of an ongoing commitment to expand its thought leadership, diversity and effectiveness as a global sustainability organization, the World Environment Center’s Board of Directors has elected the following individuals as Emeritus Directors:

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Named One of the Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Working Mother

May 7, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Merck has been named one of the 2019 Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Working Mother magazine. This list recognizes U.S. companies that create and use best practices in hiring, retaining, and promoting multicultural women. The winners will be featured in the June/July issue of Working Mother and at workingmother.com.

Environment

Combatting Plastic Waste Crisis, SC Johnson Expands Offerings of Concentrate Products

May 7, 2019 12:00 PM ET

One million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute of each day. As an early champion of concentrate products nearly a decade ago, SC Johnson is continuing to address the plastic waste crisis by expanding and widening access to its concentrate offerings.

Environment

Cascadian Farm Says This New Cereal Can Help Fight Climate Change

May 7, 2019 11:45 AM ET

I have an unusual box of cereal in my pantry—the first of a kind, you might say. The manufacturer, organic foods brand Cascadian Farm, claims that kernza, the grain that is the key ingredient in its Honey Toasted Kernza Cereal, helps store carbon, protect water resources and prevent soil erosion. With talk like that, kernza has a lot to answer for.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sowing the Seeds for a Culture of Innovation

May 7, 2019 11:45 AM ET

The global business environment is changing rapidly and no company can afford to stand still. CLP understands the need to transform and innovate and in the past two years has significantly stepped up its efforts to be an innovative and progressive energy provider.

Energy

Bloomberg Is on Target to Reach 35% Renewable Energy Use in 2020, Continuing on Its Path of 100% Renewable Energy by 2025

May 7, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Bloomberg began investigating renewable energy projects in 2008; our first project, a 1.8 megawatt (MW) solar installation in New Jersey, began providing us with energy in 2012. In 2018, we obtained energy from six on- and off-site solar and wind sites. Our newest installation, a 20MW wind farm in Arkwright, New York, started providing us with energy in October 2018.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fitspirit Celebrations Welcomes More Girls to Build Self-Esteem Through Sport

May 7, 2019 11:30 AM ET

With the support of Scotiabank, FitSpirit Celebrations will be held in eight cities across Ontario and Québec to inspire girls to come together and rediscover the joys of physical activity through a range of exciting challenges and activities. The Celebrations are open to girls ages 12-17 and are designed to encourage physical fitness, regardless of athletic abilities. New this year, FitSpirit welcomes non-partner schools and girls who haven't participated in FitSpirit activities in the past to join in on the experience.

Social Impact & Volunteering

For Small Businesses, Doing Good Is Part of the Job

May 7, 2019 11:20 AM ET

Small businesses are a powerful economic engine and a catalyst for good in their communities. During National Small Business Week (May 5-11), Duke Energy is spotlighting small businesses in its service area that are dedicated to giving back.

Environment

How Green Is Your Julep?

May 7, 2019 11:00 AM ET

After picking out the brimmiest hats and placing their bets, most Derby-goers aren’t exactly asking the hard questions about the bourbon that goes into their mint juleps. But in the face of climate change, some of Kentucky’s biggest distilleries are making environmentally friendlier shifts in the name of keeping their signature export’s $8.5 billion industry going strong in today’s rapidly globalizing economy. In recent years, in fact, it’s these unassuming Appalachian distillers that have taken the lead in the sustainable spirits industry.

Diversity & Inclusion

Reengaging the Hispanic Workforce Through Innovation

May 7, 2019 10:35 AM ET

A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report indicated that across all employment types and demographics fatal work injuries have decreased from 5,190 in 2016 to 5,147 in 2017, and the numbers of fatalities in construction and extraction occupation have fallen from 970 to 965. However, fatalities among Hispanic and Latino workers have increased from 879 to 903 over the same time span.

The National Hispanic Entrepreneurs’ Organization (NHEO) Institute is a non-profit leading the Building a Safer Future campaign that tackles this issue by providing support to local communities and corporations among Hispanic workers.

Bechtel is one of our partners to identify and eliminate barriers within its industry among its non-native English speakers.

Innovation & Technology

Does the Tortoise Really Win in the End? I Hope So

May 7, 2019 10:15 AM ET

My impatience has been a red thread through many of my experiences, specifically in a space that is chock-full of opportunity, like our Corporate Responsibility work at MilliporeSigma. This experience started years ago with a novel product now known at Cyrene™. One of my team members did the legwork to identify a novel solution that could be a potential replacement for two challenging but ubiquitous solvents. While these solvents are extremely common, they’re under increasing scrutiny from organizations like Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

This novel material was arrived upon through a collaboration with an Australian company named Circa and The University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE). It’s a great example of repurpos

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ugly Produce Gets Some Love!

May 7, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The latest, or at least the most disturbing, food trend is farm-to-landfill. One study estimates that America loses “up to 40% of its food from farm-to-landfill.” The cause? According to multiple research reports, it’s all about cosmetics.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

New Fifth Third Community Mortgage Helps Pay Closing Costs

May 7, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Fifth Third Bank is proud to introduce a new type of mortgage that provides an affordable option for low-income families and people purchasing in low-income communities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

New Categories for 2019’s Leading Awards Just Announced!

May 7, 2019 6:15 AM ET

Ethical Corporation is delighted to announce the updated 2019 category list for the world’s leading Awards celebrating responsible business excellence. In total, there are 15 Awards to win.

Environment

Corporate Renewable Energy Commitments Catalyzing Change

May 6, 2019 7:00 PM ET

Last year, the world’s leading climate scientists sent a clear message: we must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent in 10 years and transition to a carbon free economy by 2050 in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. Despite the urgent need for action, the current U.S. federal administration is committed to pulling us in the wrong direction. How can we remake the energy landscape in the United States to embrace a robust clean energy and decarbonization trajectory within a decade, and do so in the face of significant political headwinds at the federal level?

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How Does Workplace Giving Benefit Nonprofits?

May 6, 2019 6:00 PM ET

You've heard about the value of employee giving from workplace giving campaign managers. Next, get the perspective from nonprofits! Join us May 15th as representatives from America's Charities nonprofit members—Candi Maciel, from the Best Friends Animal Society, and Willemijn Keizer, from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)—share how recurring, sustainable funds generated from employee giving programs are helping their organizations address critical issues impacting the world around us. REGISTER NOW

Social Impact & Volunteering

Partners in Purpose: Alliance Data Transforms Food Bank Operations

May 6, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Energy

Minnesota's General Mills and Hormel Buy Wind Power to Offset Energy Used to Make Food

May 6, 2019 1:30 PM ET

General Mills signed a 15-year purchase agreement with Roaring Fork Wind, LLC in Texas. When coupled with its 2017 wind power agreement, the project will offset all of the electricity used at Golden Valley-based food maker’s owned U.S. facilities for the next decade and a half. It’s the company’s second and largest wind-power purchase agreement.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Autism Hiring Program: Joelyn Finds Support at Dell

May 6, 2019 1:10 PM ET

Our commitment to flexible work means Joelyn can maintain her career while caring for a child with special needs, and the Dell Autism Hiring Program gives her hope for her son's future.

Education

CITGO and the Boston Red Sox Feature Double Header for STEM Education Days

May 6, 2019 12:55 PM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation and the Boston Red Sox teamed up to host two special science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) days showcasing the scientific principles that shape the world and America's pastime.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Employees Drive Spirit of Volunteerism on Comcast Cares Day and All Year Round

May 6, 2019 12:45 PM ET

Throughout the last several weeks, thousands of volunteers have given their time and energy to participate in service projects in hundreds of communities nationwide and around the globe. Those efforts were part of the lead up to today’s companywide celebration of Comcast Cares Day, one of the largest corporate commitments to volunteerism and service in America. From coast to coast and in 22 countries abroad, our employees – including our new colleagues at Sky, friends, family members, nonprofit partners, and local leaders, worked together to improve their communities and bring one of our company’s greatest traditions to life.

Events, Media & Communications

Cast Your Vote for the 2019 Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge Finalists

May 6, 2019 12:35 PM ET

The third annual Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge aims to recognize new business ideas that leverage technology for social impact from student entrepreneurs around the world. Check out the finalists for the 2019 GPS Challenge to cast your vote. You may vote for as many entries as you like, but you can only vote once per entry. Winners will be announced on May 20, 2019.

Diversity & Inclusion

CASE Construction Equipment Unveiled Accessible Backhoe Loader Prototype at bauma 2019

May 6, 2019 12:05 PM ET

CASE Construction Equipment, a global construction equipment brand of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI) presented an accessible backhoe loader prototype at bauma 2019, which took place in Munich, Germany, in early April 2019. The machine has been developed to ensure that operators of all mobility levels can be members of the CASE operators’ community.