Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Multipliers of Prosperity: A Match Made in Reality

May 23, 2018 10:25 AM ET

With support from MetLife Foundation, The Financial Clinic teamed up with the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce to gauge the return on investment of integrating financial security services into workforce development programs for greater impact.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

INFOGRAPHIC: Smithfield Foods Leading as a People-Oriented Company

May 23, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Smithfield Foods strives to create an engaging environment for our people. We provide a variety of opportunities for talent development and career enhancement, including educational opportunities, training and employee resource groups.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Fair Trade USA and Flor de Caña Partner to Bring Fair Trade Certified™ Rum to the Global Community

May 23, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Fair Trade USA, the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America, welcomed Flor de Caña premium rum to the Fair Trade community after certifying that the raw ingredients used in the production of the Nicaraguan rum are produced under rigorous social and environmental standards - covering areas like safe working conditions, protection of fundamental human rights and environmental best practices. Flor de Caña is proud of its partnership with Fair Trade USA to bring Fair Trade Certified rum to the global community by mid 2018.

Innovation & Technology

With AI Watching, Clues to Why Neighborhoods Flourish or Fail

May 23, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

How an Indonesian Coconut Plantation Inspired Mars' “Aha Moment” on Sustainability

May 23, 2018 9:00 AM ET

For those of us in the field of corporate social responsibility, Mars is well-known for its environmental leadership. The company’s goals are therefore nothing short of ambitious. But if anyone can help the company meet those targets, it is chief procurement and sustainability officer Barry Parkin, who believes that big goals drive big innovation.

Research, Reports & Publications

Steel and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand in ArcelorMittal’s 2017 United States Integrated Report

May 23, 2018 9:00 AM ET

ArcelorMittal USA is excited to announce the publication of its annual 2017 United States Integrated Report, “Powered by Resilience.” Since 2009, ArcelorMittal has reported on its corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives in the United States. This third publication of an integrated report continues the company’s dedication to transparency and directly connects ArcelorMittal’s 10 sustainable development outcomes to its business outcomes and financial drivers.

Research, Reports & Publications

SABIC Has Recently Launched Its 2017 Sustainability Report, Building a Better Future

May 23, 2018 5:00 AM ET

SABIC’s 2017 Sustainability Report: Building a Better Future, its seventh such report, is an impressive achievement. It continues the company’s effort to lead in sustainability and tell this story to stakeholders through an engaging annual publication.

Energy

Oil Primer With Dan Dicker

May 22, 2018 10:15 PM ET

Have you forgotten the days of $5 gas from a few years ago? Well, after a period of relatively low prices, the price of the world's most-used fossil fuel is on the rise again. Here to explain on Sea Change Radio what is driving the surge in pricing is oil expert Dan Dicker.

Innovation & Technology

Musselwhite’s Digital Fleet Management System Improves Safety, Communication and Productivity

May 22, 2018 8:00 PM ET

After years of relying on a manual paper-based system and radio communications to relay vital information to underground equipment operators, Ontario’s Musselwhite mine recently implemented a digital fleet management system for underground vehicle dispatch that helped improve productivity and enhanced safety.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Kimberly-Clark Awards $1.2 Million in Bright Futures College Scholarships

May 22, 2018 7:05 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark today announced its 2018 Bright Futures Scholarship Program has awarded $1.2 million in college scholarships to 60 children of Kimberly-Clark employees in 17 U.S. states. Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership, work experience and involvement in extracurricular activities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Highlights Charitable Giving and New Employee Programs in Full Release of 2017 Sustainability Report

May 22, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. issued the fourth and final installment of its 2017 Sustainability Report with the release of its Helping Communities and People sections. The Helping Communities section focuses on Smithfield’s 2017 charitable giving within the communities where its employees live and work. The People section features new programs rolled out in 2017 that focus on keeping employees safe and engaged, and highlights employee talent development and educational opportunities.

Education

Duke Energy Energizes Ohio and Kentucky with Nearly $600,000 in STEM, Literacy and Workforce Development Grants

May 22, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Duke Energy is expanding its investment in local students and workforce development by funding 36 education and training programs – totaling nearly $600,000 – in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. The grants, which are administered by the Duke Energy Foundation, will benefit and enhance educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), childhood reading proficiency and workforce development.

Diversity & Inclusion

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

May 22, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Join LBG Canada companies on June 5, 2018 in Calgary, as we discuss community investment's role in a diversity and inclusion strategy.

Panelists include leaders influencing corporate thinking on abilities, LGBTQ inclusion, Action 92 and Indigenous inclusion, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Green Infrastructure

Global Launch of New Climate-Based Water Resilience Criteria

May 22, 2018 4:40 PM ET

The Water Consortium, a global group of climate finance and sustainability organisations, has formally launched the new Water Infrastructure Criteria of the Climate Bonds Standard marking a major turning point in best practice for sustainable investment in water-based infrastructure and green/grey hybrid systems.

The final development phase extends the Criteria’s reach to cover nature-based and hybrid water infrastructure, such as wetlands and watersheds, that may be used for purposes of water collection, storage, treatment and distribution, flood protection and drought resilience.

Responsible Production & Consumption

National Geographic Fights Single-Use Plastic on All Fronts

May 22, 2018 3:45 PM ET

Plastic pollution has become a trending topic over the past year. Companies have partnered with environmental organizations and nonprofits to upcycle plastic pollution, they have joined coalitions and launched a new initiative to address their supply chains – diverting plastic waste from our oceans. Plastic waste is such a critical issue, it was even the theme of this year’s Earth Day. With stakeholders from all industries working to decrease the impact of plastic pollutants, National Geographic kicked-off a multifaceted campaign leaning on its aptitude for storytelling in the hopes of reducing global reliance on single-use plastics.

Diversity & Inclusion

DiversityInc Puts Medtronic on the "Top 50" List for 2018

May 22, 2018 2:35 PM ET

After six years away from the workforce, Amanda Miranda returned to the engineering field through a Medtronic hiring initiative called Careers 2.0 – an initiative provides returnship opportunities for women in engineering after taking time away from the field. Amanda’s story is one of hundreds from around Medtronic that represent the company’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. Medtronic is being recognized for that commitment on DiversityInc’s Top 50 list.

Events, Media & Communications

Highlights from the Taproot Foundation's 2018 U.S. Pro Bono Summit

May 22, 2018 1:35 PM ET

The Taproot Foundation’s U.S. Pro Bono Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from across sectors and industries with a shared vision to make the talents and skills of the business community accessible to social change organizations. The 7th annual Summit was held in San Francisco on April 18 and 19.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services’ Chuck Serianni Named 2018 Financial Executive of the Year by the Financial Executives International

May 22, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Education

JetBlue’s Soar with Reading® Initiative Lands in San Francisco and Oakland This Summer

May 22, 2018 12:45 PM ET

JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. as the next locations to receive free book vending machines as part of its annual Soar with Reading program. This award-winning literacy initiative tackles the issue of “book deserts” and provides access to age-appropriate books to children in underserved communities. To kick off the eighth year of Soar with Reading, JetBlue also announced a new partnership with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Thinking Green As We Make Change Happen on Comcast Cares Day

May 22, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Every year on Comcast Cares Day, our employees get their hands dirty to give back to their communities – and this year was no exception. At so many of our 1,200 community service projects that were part of our 17th Comcast Cares Day, our employees and other volunteers – a record 115,000 turned out – worked to make a positive impact and inspire environmental responsibility in all we do.

Education

Teens School Peers on Distracted Driving: There's No "Fine" Time to Text

May 22, 2018 11:55 AM ET

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools high school seniors Kirklin “Mack” Hopkins (17) and Kellen Stadler (18) send a clear message: A single second can have life-long consequences. Their poignant video, titled “It’s Not Fine,” is the winner of the Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge, a national driver safety public service announcement competition, using the tools of storytelling to get through to young drivers.

Diversity & Inclusion

Walmart Reaches 5th Anniversary of Veterans Welcome Home Commitment With Announcement of More Than 200,000 Veteran Hires

May 22, 2018 11:50 AM ET

Today, Walmart announced it has hired more than 200,000 veterans and promoted more than 28,000 to roles of greater responsibility since launching its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment five years ago. Recognizing the important skills and leadership abilities veterans possess, the commitment helps veterans find career opportunities at Walmart and aims to ease the sometimes difficult transition from active duty to civilian life. Walmart is now more than 80 percent of the way to reaching its goal of hiring 250,000 veterans by 2020.

Environment

4 Important Reasons Ergonomics Should Be a Priority in Lower-Risk Workplaces

May 22, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Antea Group’s blog discusses the importance of ergonomics for low-risk workplaces such as offices, warehouses and data centers.

Green Infrastructure

Ecocentricity Blog: Itty Bitty Living Space

May 22, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Chances are that by now you’ve heard of tiny homes. Back in 2014 though, that was my first introduction to them. Now, it’s apparently become a movement, and I get why.

Environment

Uganda Will Use Trees on Farms to Meet National Biodiversity Targets

May 22, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Expansion of agriculture is one of the main drivers of global deforestation and loss of habitat. Like many other countries in the world, Uganda has experienced severe deforestation, with forest cover declining by nearly 60 percent from about 5 million hectares in 1990 to just under 2 million in 2015.