Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest news from 3BL’s clients.







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Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Good Intentions Are Not Enough: How Microfinance Can Truly Serve Low-Income Women Entrepreneurs

Low-income women entrepreneurs in Egypt, as in many developing countries, face multiple obstacles to securing small-business financing. They seldom hold legal title to the kinds of assets (e.g. land or home) that could serve as collateral for a loan. Their businesses also tend to be smaller (often home-based) enterprises more compatible with family duties. Smaller businesses require smaller loans, which are generally less practical or profitable for a financial institution to deliver.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Agxa Achieves FSC Chain of Custody Certification

agxa, an AG International company, is an international trade and offshore business entity operating in Australia, Sri Lanka, India, and Singapore with principal networks in Asia, Europe and North America. It has now gained the most credible certification in the forest trade – Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification through SCS Global Services.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hormel Foods and Jennie-O Turkey Store Help Provide Thanksgiving Meal for Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey

Hormel Foods Corporation and its subsidiary Jennie-O Turkey Store donated turkeys and hams for a Thanksgiving meal and event for around 1,000 people affected by Hurricane Harvey and others in need on Nov. 22. The event took place at Celebration of Life Church in Baytown, Texas, and featured a musical performance by Mandisa, an American gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist and former American Idol contestant.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Be a #DreamMaker This #GivingTuesday

Many of our greatest memories are made with the children in our lives, whether it be our children, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, center around the holidays; there is something truly magical about this time of year. Unfortunately, some families only have a limited time to make incredible memories with the children in their lives, since many children are fighting a critical or chronic illness.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

On #GivingTuesday Help StandUp for Kids and End the Cycle of Youth Homelessness

On #GivingTuesday we will ask a supporter to donate $5 to our cause and then post about the donation to their social media, tag five of their friends, and ask them to match the gift.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Young Jewellery Designers Reach De Beers Group Shining Light Awards Final

The finalists, three from each of the company’s southern Africa producer countries of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, were selected from more than 130 entries.

Sustainable Development Goals

Upgrading Technology and Farming Methods Will Help India’s Mint Farmers: Mars

We use it in tea, lip balm, shampoos and a myriad of culinary recipes. It grows like a weed in North America, but is the currency of survival for many struggling farmers in India. Mint, a common plant that includes menthol, peppermint, lavender and sage has for years, a redeeming quality that has benefited rural farmers in Asia’s second-largest country: It’s simple to grow and harvest, and doesn’t take a lot of technological knowledge to benefit from its crops. It can also be sold as an oil and repurposed to a variety of commodities.

Events, Media & Communications

Today: A Giving Tuesday Chat With Cool Effect at #CarbonCantHide!

Join Cool Effect, March for Science, The Redford Center, and TriplePundit at #CarbonCantHide on “Giving Tuesday” – today, November 28th at 9am PT / Noon ET – to discuss ways that individuals and organizations can fight climate change and “give back” to Mother Earth!

Research, Reports & Publications

Barclays Releases New Access to Employment Report

The past decade has seen arguably the greatest shift in employment models for a generation. Technology has in part driven a de-centralisation in employment in a way not seen since the mass-privatisations of the 1980s in the UK. Fast-forward, and instead of a move from public to private sector, we’ve seen a huge shift towards self-employment in the UK.

Research, Reports & Publications

How to Deliver Business Quantifiable Impacts - Complimentary Report

We have recently published a 28-page report with experts from the likes of Unilever, Dell, Heineken, ebay, Mastercard, WBCSD, IKEA, Vodafone and Siemens on how they’re driving quantified social impact through their business.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Celebrating Somerville, MA’s Performance in the National Grid Community Initiative of 2016

Watch the video: Somerville, MA’s performance in the National Grid Community Initiative of 2016, completing 750 Home Energy Assessments.

Energy

Cool Effect Rolls Out Its Holiday Gift Packs

With Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah just around the corner, crowdfunding platform Cool Effect is rolling out a new set of holiday gift packs for the eco-conscious consumer. The six innovative concepts aren’t just designed to make gift-buyers feel good about their choices, though. They send that all-important message to recipients that Mother Earth should be on all of their gift lists as well. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that all gifts purchased with Cool Effect are tax-deductible!

Social Impact & Volunteering

GM Employees Help Texas and Puerto Rico Recover

When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico a little over a month ago, GM engineers mobilized to help the U.S. island territory. Hundreds of GM employees donated more than 12 tons of goods including batteries, solar cellphone chargers and lights, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, bottled water, baby formula and canned foods.

Energy

Unwrap Some Energy Savings This Holiday Season

Don’t let holiday shopping sap your energy this year. While this season can increase costs and bring on stress, you can reduce those worries with a few simple steps. Think about these six energy-saving gifts and ideas that can keep on giving throughout the year.

Diversity & Inclusion

Innovators @ Qualcomm: Kim Koro

Social Impact & Volunteering

Giving Tuesday Twitter Chat: #GivingSkills to Build Nonprofit Capacity

In honor of Giving Tuesday, Common Impact is hosting a Twitter chat on Tuesday, November 28th to reflect on a year in review through the lens of skills-based volunteering (SBV). In light of everything that happened over the past year, we will explore ways in which nonprofits and corporations are working together to building nonprofit capacity and enhance the social sector’s ability to meet their missions.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Faculty Member, Andy Hoffman Quoted in PRI.org on Mars Billion Dollar Investment in Sustainability

In the US, and throughout the globe for that matter, the private sector is increasingly being looked to as a source of leadership for combating climate change. And many companies are stepping up, especially with the lack of leadership coming from Washington.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

From Noble Poverty to My Brand of Joy

The first 40 years I lived a life of noble poverty. When I heard the term “noble poverty,” I had a visceral reaction in my heart and my gut. I felt deeply understood. I experienced a relief of having named a condition I had lived with since I was a child.

Health & Healthcare

New Public-Private Partnership Promises Shared Value for Better Nutrition and Livelihoods in Nigeria

In Kaduna State, Nigeria, as in many parts of the developing world, post-harvest losses due to high levels of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, and other contaminants have plagued staple crops such as maize and soybean, making it much harder for small-holder farmers to earn a decent income. These mycotoxins also threaten the health and lives of humans and animals.

Innovation & Technology

Empowering Local Innovators to Solve Today’s Global Health Challenges

A $3 birthing kit created by an entrepreneur in India. A mHealth tool that enables health workers to accurately and rapidly diagnose common illnesses in rural Liberia. A chain of primary health clinics in rural Kenya that employ a community-ownership model. These are just a few of the unique healthcare approaches being supported by the Pfizer Foundation through its Global Health Innovations Grants (GHIG) program.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

#SeizetheSeason and Give Back this Holiday with PayPal

#GivingTuesday is just a week away on November 28th and we are gearing up for an exciting holiday season. We’re delighted to once again partner with 92nd Street Y, founders of this global day of giving, to rally people to celebrate the day, and to give generously to causes close to their heart.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $8.3 Million in Total Financing for Affordable Housing in Cincinnati

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided a total of $8.3 million in 9% LIHTC financing to The Model Group, Inc. and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, Inc. (OTRH) for the acquisition and renovation of Morgan Apartments, a 48-unit scattered site, affordable multifamily housing project in Cincinnati, OH. KeyBank arranged a $7.8 million construction loan and a $450,000 permanent loan, using the FHLB of Cincinnati’s Community Investment Program (CIP).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hanes’ National Sock Drive Marks Eighth Year, Celebrates #GivingTuesday by Donating 225,000 Pairs of Socks to Help The Homeless

America’s No. 1 apparel label has donated 225,000 pairs of socks and 18,000 pairs of underwear to organizations fighting homelessness across the United States as part of its eighth national sock drive. Since the program began in 2009, the brand has provided more than 2 million pairs of socks to help people experiencing homelessness.

Environment

AIDA Cruises Starts LNG Operation in Mediterranean Ports

Following the first successful tests, AIDA Cruises begins gradually over the coming weeks with the regular operations for supplying AIDAperla with low-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) while docked at the ports of Barcelona (Spain), Marseille (France) and Civitavecchia (Italy). The company is also currently in discussion with authorities in Palma de Mallorca (Spain).

Social Impact & Volunteering

Impact at Work: Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina

This month, we’re highlighting a project with a talented team from Fidelity Investments and its nonprofit partner, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (RTF), whose mission is to support and partner with local universities, create jobs, and lift up all the citizens of North Carolina by providing a positive economic and social impact. RTF manages the Research Triangle Park (RTP), the nation’s largest business park, and creates economic development by attracting and retaining over 200 innovative companies, driving business, university, and government collaboration, and by offering knowledge-based programming and incubation spaces such as The Frontier – a co-working space for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits.

Latest Campaigns

  1. Sustainability Insights
    General sustainability insights.
  2. KeyBank's Community Investment
    In states where Key has a presence, there are approximately 1.7 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Many LMI individuals don’t have bank...
  3. Scotts Miracle-Gro | Environment Improvement
    Earth's beauty and resources should be appreciated now and preserved for generations to come. Discover the stewardship initiatives underway to protect...
  4. Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games
    Vision of Milano Cortina 2026 The Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 is the first Olympic winter Games planned and organised under Olympic...
  5. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  6. Environmental Sustainability
    Cisco is working not only for a more inclusive future, but a more environmentally sustainable one as well. Environmental issues like climate change...
  7. Employee and Community Engagement
    At MilliporeSigma, we look for opportunities to use employee and community engagement to spark scientific curiosity and breakthroughs. We know that...
  8. Technology for Good
    We believe that technology, when thoughtfully and strategically applied, can bring positive, lasting change to people’s lives and communities and...
  9. Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
    Since its founding in 2002, the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has donated more than $4 million to solar and sustainability projects focusing on...
  10. AEG's Commitment to Social Impact and Volunteerism
    AEG embraces its responsibility to enrich the lives of people in the communities around the world where we do business, and to use business to create...
  11. Emergency Response
    Document rapid interventions when crises strike: delivering therapeutic food, water, hygiene kits, and deploying mobile med
  12. CARE Corporate Partnerships
    CARE works with corporate partners globally to invest in innovative, scalable, impactful, community-based solutions.
  13. LATAM Growth
    DP World is significantly expanding its operations in Latin America, focusing on enhancing port infrastructure and increasing cargo handling...
  14. Sustainability by Antea Group
    At Antea Group, we believe the best sustainability programs integrate sustainability into core business practices, we identify and act on relevant...
  15. IWBI | WELL Building Standard
    Our built environment can shape our habits and choices, regulate our sleep-wake cycle, drive us toward healthy and unhealthy choices, and passively...