Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Consumers in China Widely Support Upcoming Ivory Ban, but Awareness Is Low, Largest-ever Ivory Consumer Survey Finds

Dec 12, 2017 10:30 AM ET

As a landmark ban on domestic elephant ivory trade comes into effect in China at the end of this month, TRAFFIC and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) surveys found that the ban has widespread support from a majority of consumers surveyed and that it is likely to substantially reduce ivory purchase. However, many citizens are unaware of the upcoming ban.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The World's Most Solvable Problem: Hunger

Dec 12, 2017 10:30 AM ET

KFC Canada's Harvest Program (a program that donates surplus chicken to local charities), recently celebrated the enrollment of their 100th KFC restaurant! Since rolling out the program earlier this year, KFC Canada has donated nearly 14,000 pounds of chicken to local charities across Canada.

Education

CITGO Lemont Recognizes National STEM Day With First Annual Celebration

Dec 12, 2017 10:30 AM ET

CITGO Lemont Refinery celebrated National STEM Day on Nov. 8 with more than 360 students, teachers and parents from Homer Glenn, Lemont, Lockport and Romeoville participating in 29 hands-on STEM activities and live demonstrations. The event is part of the CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline, a program that seeks to increase access to educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | eBay Everyday Heroes: Closing the Technology Gap

Dec 12, 2017 10:15 AM ET

According to Pew Research, 44% of Americans making less than $30,000 a year do not own a desktop or laptop computer. To bridge the digital divide, eBay seller ReviveIT refurbishes computers and provides this commercial-grade technology to small businesses and schools at a lower cost than new—making technology more accessible to these organizations. ReviveIT also donates technology to programs that aide low income families.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Listen Now: GRI Podcast December Edition

Dec 12, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Corporate social responsibility efforts in Asia Pacific are on the rise, driven by new regulatory regimes and investor demand for sustainability data. This, and a report from GRI's Regional Hub US and Canada, are two of the topics of the GRI podcast: Beyond reports in December.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Ceres Joins Forces With Investors and Partner Organizations Worldwide to Launch Climate Action 100+

Dec 12, 2017 9:50 AM ET

The sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres joined forces with investors and partner organizations worldwide today to help launch a new five-year global initiative led by investors to engage with the largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters in North America and around the world to act on climate change. The effort is backed by more than 225 global investors, including nearly 70 North American investors, with USD $26.3trillion in assets under management at the time of launch.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How NAACP LDF Is Working to Secure Equal Justice for All

Dec 12, 2017 9:35 AM ET

We are facing increased attacks against civil rights. The current presidential administration has launched an “Election Integrity Commission” aimed at thwarting non-existent voter fraud that will lead to more voter suppression nationwide.

Education

Amgen Scholars Alumni Wants to Mentor Underrepresented Undergrads Interested in STEM

Dec 12, 2017 9:35 AM ET

"Ultimately, I aspire to become a principal investigator (PI) with my own lab crewed by brilliantly blossoming scientists. As of now, I am fascinated by neuroimmunology and the role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases."

Green Infrastructure

More People, More Infrastructure: The Big City Challenge

Dec 12, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Global urban population growth is expected to skyrocket by 2050, at which point 70 percent of the world’s population will be living in cities. With this growth comes added strain to urban infrastructures, especially those in need of repair.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Marina Bay Sands Team Members Share: What Volunteerism Means to Me

Dec 12, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Shortly after joining Marina Bay Sands in June 2014, Seah Beng Tat, Senior Guest Service Agent, signed up for his first Sands for Singapore volunteer opportunity. He recalled the event, where Team Members assisted children with dyslexia, as a memorable and motivational experience. Since then, Beng Tat has been an avid volunteer with Sands for Singapore, participating in numerous events over the past three years and making him one of the top 10 volunteers for the community event. His efforts go beyond Marina Bay Sands – during his own free time, he also helps out with the elderly and handicapped.

Sustainable Development Goals

How This Tunisian Mother Is Building Her Own Business and Creating Jobs

Dec 12, 2017 9:20 AM ET

In 2017, at age 37, Ines Mohdhi launched her own business — a service dedicated to the cleaning and environmental management of Kairouan, Tunisia, which eventually will help to create eight permanent jobs.

Environment

Looking to Hire Millennials? Sustainability Commitment Is Key

Dec 12, 2017 9:15 AM ET

The face of the U.S.’s workforce is undergoing a vast and rapid change as an estimated 10,000 baby boomers retire each day. With nearly 4 million people calling it quits each year, this silver tsunami is creating a personnel gap that is being felt by a broad range of industries.

Filling the void is the generation that in 2015 became the largest in the U.S. workforce, according to the Pew Research Center — millennials, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as those born between 1982 and 1998.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Special Recognition Award Recipients Honored at R&D 100 Award Gala Event in Orlando

Dec 12, 2017 9:10 AM ET

MilliporeSigma received a Special Recognition Silver Award for Corporate Social Responsibility, along with co-developer Betabox, for its Curiosity Platform: Curiosity Labs and Curiosity Cube Programs. The program is an inquiry-based, hands-on science curriculum enabling students to engage in experiments used in real-world application, such as DNA extraction. It was launched by MilliporeSigma as part of their global science education program—known as the SPARK program— which aims to bring leading-edge science technology and experiments to students around the globe, inspiring them to seek a career in STEM.

Research, Reports & Publications

WBCSD Releases CEO Guide to Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Dec 12, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has released the CEO Guide to climate-related financial disclosures. The new guide, written in partnership with the CEOs of 25 WBCSD member-companies, sets out clear actions that CEOs can take to align their organizations with the recommendations of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).

Research, Reports & Publications

ING, Verizon, Mars and Siemens on Transforming Business

Dec 12, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Being able to prove how transformative strategies contribute to the long-term goals of the business is crucial. To meet the UN Global Goals and the 2 Degree target requires a wholesale change in practice, across both the business and industry.

Events, Media & Communications

Schneider Electric VIDEO | Why Should Companies Attend Climate Conferences?

Dec 12, 2017 8:55 AM ET

“Schneider Electric’s participation in COP23 has become a tradition for many years. We are in these meetings to better understand stakes, especially for climate change, and to discuss with other stakeholders to find the right solutions.” -- Gilles Vermot Desroches, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, Schneider Electric

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

NRG Makes the "A-list" for Water Stewardship

Dec 12, 2017 8:55 AM ET

NRG has joined the ranks of the CDP Water A-list, announced October 25, affirming our measurable corporate progress toward water stewardship. Only 14 U.S. companies are part of the list, and no other U.S. company in the “utilities” category (in which NRG is found) scored as high.

Green Infrastructure

Introducing WELL Coaching Contacts: Who We Are and How We Can Help You

Dec 12, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Do you feel like you’re hitting a roadblock in a project or you’re struggling with a step in the certification process? Meet your WELL coaching contact. We’re proud to announce that all WELL projects will now be paired with a WELL coaching contact from a member of IWBI’s Technical Solutions team. Your WELL coaching contact will be your point person to help you, as the WELL AP, navigate the certification process smoothly, overcome challenges, brainstorm solutions and inspire effective implementation of WELL.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

P&G Named One of America’s Best Corporate Citizens

Dec 12, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

How to Improve the Engagement and Retention of Young Hourly Workers

Dec 12, 2017 8:15 AM ET

What would you do if the majority of your entry-level, hourly workforce was planning to leave in less than a year? More than half of the 1,200 young people working in entry-level jobs we surveyed said that was their plan — and less than a quarter felt highly satisfied with their job. That’s expensive for business.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Arbor Day Foundation Is Proud to Present Its 2017 Annual Report

Dec 12, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Planting trees is core to the Arbor Day Foundation mission. It’s what we’ve always done. Because trees help to improve people’s lives. In fact, they provide the necessities of life itself: clean air, healthy water, a tolerable climate, people’s health and wellness.

Sustainable Development Goals

Schneider Electric VIDEO | Envisioning a Sustainable Future Through Innovation

Dec 11, 2017 4:30 PM ET

As a technology company, Schneider Electric brings to the table solutions that drive energy efficiency and long-term sustainability. We’re committed to ensuring that Life Is On™ for everyone, everywhere, and at every moment. This corporate promise also means helping the 2.3 billion people worldwide who do not have access to reliable electricity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Family is Our Recipe

Dec 11, 2017 2:00 PM ET

When Monarika’s adoption was finalized in April, 2017, her new sisters surprised her with custom t-shirts that said “Team Hedges.” Everyone in the court room wore one, and when the judge announced the adoption was official, they took off their jackets to reveal the wording on the back: “Lifetime Member.” They wanted Monarika to truly know that this was her forever family.

Research, Reports & Publications

Erb Featured Business Sustainability Case Study: Hampton Creek's Vegan Take on Mayo

Dec 11, 2017 2:00 PM ET

In 2013, Hampton Creek entered the mayonnaise marketplace with the world’s first plant-based, vegan mayonnaise “Just Mayo”. The creation of an egg-free version of mayonnaise had the potential to upset the market, especially for Unilever’s Hellmann’s brand. The case provides an overview of Unilever’s role in the mayonnaise market, highlighting its commitment to innovation and sustainability, as well as its analysis of Hampton Creek as both an opportunity and a threat.

Health & Healthcare

Healthy Holiday Hacks From the Experts at Aramark and the American Heart Association

Dec 11, 2017 1:50 PM ET

Celebrating the holidays with food, family and friends is what makes this time of year special. Aramark and the American Heart Association (AHA) have teamed up to dish out recipes, tips and tricks from their experts, to help families create a healthy holiday celebration.