Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Education

Samsung Gifts Graduates of Good Morning America’s Class of 2017

May 17, 2017 5:00 PM ET

On Thursday, May 11, Good Morning America honored graduates from the class of 2017, highlighting standout students with unique stories and backgrounds. The segment featured students who are graduating from high school or college this year and showcased advice from celebrities—including Brad Paisley, Mark Cuban, Tony Robbins and Adam Sandler.

Environment

Sodexo Ranks Top Metropolitan Areas for Sustainable Workplaces to Commemorate 2017 World FM Day

May 17, 2017 3:45 PM ET

Facilities managers play a critical role in conserving energy and water, maintaining air quality and using sustainable products in overseeing the daily operations of an office building. In recognition of World FM Day, Sodexo, world leader in quality of life services, assessed the top metropolitan areas boasting office buildings that have accumulated the highest number of per-capita LEED-certified points.

Innovation & Technology

Qualcomm Announces Top Eight Finalists for Cycle I of Qualcomm Design in India Challenge II

May 17, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Green Infrastructure

Trane Celebrates World FM Day by Honoring the Dedication of our Building’s Heroes

May 17, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Trane®, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, is celebrating the eighth annual World FM Day by recognizing facility managers across North America who have a track record of excellence in the buildings and projects they manage.

Media & Communications

How Communications Can Elevate Clients’ CSR Initiatives

May 17, 2017 3:00 PM ET

A key challenge for many companies is communicating CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities that remain true to their brand. As communicators, we have a responsibility to help our clients understand what will make their CSR initiatives impactful, relatable and inspiring. Convincing consumers that profitable companies are being good citizens for the betterment of society is no easy task; however, there are a few fundamental points to consider that can help accomplish the goal.

Health & Healthcare

Three Quality of Lifehacks for a Healthier & More Productive Workspace

May 17, 2017 3:00 PM ET

If you work in an office building, how do you feel about your workspace? Do you find your workspace, whether it’s a cubicle, open workspace, or private office, to be cramped, dimly lit, or poorly ventilated? If so, research shows that this can impact your happiness, health and productivity.

Environment

TD Bank Group Sponsors World's First Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre

May 17, 2017 2:35 PM ET

The goal of the Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre is to educate consumers about the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation, while helping to drive EV sales and the corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions.

Green Infrastructure

How to Build an Infrastructure Inventory

May 17, 2017 2:30 PM ET

The Ray is featured in the Atlas Blog

Health & Healthcare

Building a Better School Lunch

May 17, 2017 2:10 PM ET

Cargill partners with school districts across America to expand menu options and boost nutrition

Energy

San Diego Water Authority Awarded $1 Million Incentive to Deploy Clean Energy Storage Project

May 17, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The San Diego County Water Authority has received a $1 million incentive from the California Public Utilities Commission to build and deploy intelligent energy storage that will save ratepayers money and stretch the energy output potential of solar panels already installed at the Water Authority’s Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant.

Environment

Brightening Our Corner Newsletter - May 2017

May 17, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The quarterly online newsletter from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation has been published.

Sustainable Development Goals

GRI is Advancing the SDG Agenda 2030 in South Asia

May 17, 2017 1:15 PM ET

GRI’s Regional Hub South Asia and the CII ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development have launched a local initiative to understand SDGs in business context in the South Asian region trough a peer-learning platform.

Education

TMCF and Wells Fargo Work Hand-in-Hand to Affect Tangible, Lasting Change on Education

May 17, 2017 1:10 PM ET

Few non-profit organizations enjoy strategic and comprehensive partnerships that support its programs, improve the organization itself, and work hand-in-hand to affect tangible, lasting change in the lives of the people they serve. For the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), we have this type of relationship with Wells Fargo Bank.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteers Help Improve Green Space, Clean Air in Arcadia

May 17, 2017 1:10 PM ET

In its previous life, the Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia was a pebble quarry. It wasn’t pretty or inviting, but it served its industrial purpose. Today, the landscape is much different — it’s a beautiful, thriving green space in an area that is seriously lacking.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Search is On at the UN Global Compact for SDG Pioneers!

May 17, 2017 12:55 PM ET

Are you the next SDG Pioneer? UN Global Compact CEO and Executive Director Lise Kingo announces the search for the 2017 class of SDG Pioneers – business leaders in every region of the world who are demonstrating how business can be a force for good.

Education

T. Rowe Price Launches Teacher Edition of Its Popular Star Banks Adventure® Game for Kids

May 17, 2017 12:30 PM ET

T. Rowe Price has launched a Teacher Edition of the Star Banks Adventure game, a free app and online experience designed to teach kids financial concepts while having fun. The game was designed with a tile-matching concept to engage kids quickly and to reinforce the financial concepts embedded within the game.

Innovation & Technology

Infrastructure Week 2017: Water Leaders Focusing on Sustainability and Innovation

May 17, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Infrastructure Week 2017 gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the utility leaders whose drive toward a sustainable water future remains constant. On June 6, Black & Veatch will release our 2017 Strategic Directions: Water Industry Report, offering detailed analysis of trends in water technology, financing, safety and other issues.

Events, Media & Communications

Northern Trust Houston Hosts Trivia Night for Young Professionals

May 17, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Northern Trust Houston hosted their first ever trivia night for young professionals in the community.

Energy

Duke Energy Adding More Wind & Solar Resources

May 17, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Renewable energy technologies are advancing and prices are decreasing. Duke Energy is leveraging those advancements to expand its renewable energy portfolio and deliver cleaner energy to its customers.

Environment

Are Data Centers Facing a Literal Watershed Moment?

May 17, 2017 11:50 AM ET

Read Antea Group’s fascinating blog on why data centers are in a truly unique situation with regard to impacting global water solutions, and why, because they are so essential to business operations, data centers are in an exciting ‘watershed moment’ position.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Raises More Than $125 Million for its First Global Impact Fund

May 17, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has raised more than $125 million in final commitments for its first global impact fund, PMF Integro Fund I (“Integro” or the “Fund”).

Research, Reports & Publications

Americans Willing to Buy or Boycott Companies Based on Corporate Values, According to New Research by Cone Communications

May 17, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Seven-in-10 Americans believe companies have an obligation to take actions to improve issues that may not be relevant to everyday business operations, according to the 2017 Cone Communications CSR Study. The study, with benchmark data dating back to 1993, examines not only the consumer attitudes, perceptions and behaviors around corporate social responsibility (CSR), but also if and how companies should stand up for social injustices.

Energy

National Grid's Smart Energy Solutions Program in Worcester, Mass. Achieves Strong Results in Customer Satisfaction, Retention and Savings

May 17, 2017 11:05 AM ET

National Grid today announced strong results from its two-year Smart Energy Solutions (SES) program, demonstrating high customer satisfaction, retention and savings from a smart grid program for 11,000 customers in Worcester.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Climate Cast: No Choco-Pocalypse Yet but Cocoa Could Become Scarce

May 17, 2017 10:45 AM ET

MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner spoke to General Mills vice president Jerry Lynch about how climate change is viewed through the eyes of a major food supplier.

Education

Less than a Month Away! Agenda & Speakers Announced for Intro to ESG for Investment & Finance Professionals Certificate Course @ Baruch College 06.15.2017

May 17, 2017 10:45 AM ET

New date is fast approaching for for the second "Introduction to Corporate ESG for Investment & Finance Professionals Certification" scheduled for June 15, 2017. This full-day course is offered by Governance & Accountability Institute and Global Change Associates and is being hosted at Baruch College/CUNY at The Newman Vertical Campus in New York City.