Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

A Decade of Impact: Bloomberg LP Improves Energy Efficiency by 45%, Avoids Using More Than 1 Million Metric Tonnes of CO2 Emissions

Apr 11, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Bloomberg LP’s sustainable business practices have improved the company’s energy efficiency by 45% since 2008, avoiding more than 1 million metric tonnes of CO2e emissions, according to the company’s 10th annual Impact Report released today. Bloomberg is on target to reach 35% renewable energy use in 2020, continuing on its path of 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Green Infrastructure

5 Tips for Planting and Caring for Trees This Arbor Day

Apr 11, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Trees are not only beautiful to look at; they also serve important purposes in our communities and all over the world. They provide the oxygen we breathe, regulate the temperature of our neighborhoods, provide food and shelter for wildlife and add value to our homes. If you’ve ever wanted to plant trees in your own yard, or if you want to join a community tree planting project, Arbor Day is a great time to get started.

Media & Communications

Common Impact Expands Team to Support Growing Demand for Skills-Based Volunteer Programs

Apr 11, 2019 8:00 AM ET

Common Impact, a national nonprofit leader for skills-based volunteerism, has announced the appointment of Wes Moe as director of consulting. The addition of Moe to the organization’s leadership team comes with Common Impact’s continuing expansion as the demand for pro bono service, corporate social responsibility and employee engagement grows. Reporting to COO Tara Cardone, Moe will manage and grow Common Impact’s skills-based volunteer programs, oversee the consulting team and partner with the organization’s cross-sector clients.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

7 Strategies for Turning Your Volunteering Program Into a Cultural Driver

Apr 11, 2019 7:25 AM ET

Find out the strategies that top performing companies are using to achieve greater scale, engagement and impact—and how you can get there too!

Social Impact & Volunteering

Common Impact Connections Newsletter: National Volunteer Week Edition

Apr 10, 2019 7:00 PM ET

In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 7-13), we've been sharing some of our favorite volunteer stories from throughout the year. Follow us on Twitter @CommonImpact to join the conversation and tag us in some of your favorite volunteer moments! We’re also using the occasion to spotlight women in leadership. Research tells us that the specific leadership qualities that are naturally strong in women lead to more holistic, thoughtful, engaged and effective leadership. Still, women are significantly underrepresented in leadership positions across sectors.

Environment

Major Food Brands Back a Price on Carbon, Raising the Bar for Policy Leadership

Apr 10, 2019 4:30 PM ET

The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA), which includes Danone North America; Mars, Incorporated; Nestlé USA; and Unilever United States, today released a set of climate policy principles to accelerate and guide the development of federal climate legislation.

Research, Reports & Publications

A Decade of Impact: Bloomberg LP Improves Energy Efficiency by 45%, Avoids Using More Than 1 Million Metric Tonnes of CO2 Emissions

Apr 10, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Bloomberg LP’s sustainable business practices have improved the company’s energy efficiency by 45% since 2008, avoiding more than 1 million metric tonnes of CO2e emissions, according to the company’s 10th annual Impact Report released today. Bloomberg is on target to reach 35% renewable energy use in 2020, continuing on its path of 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Research, Reports & Publications

Bechtel Releases 2019 Annual Report Showing Strong Financial and Sustainability Performance

Apr 10, 2019 3:05 PM ET

Today, Bechtel Corporation released its Annual Report showing it ended 2018 in a healthy financial position. Through helping customers deliver their most important projects and in making important progress on its own sustainability goals, Bechtel reinforced its standing as a trusted engineering, procurement and construction partner to industries and governments worldwide.

Environment

Pampers has Invented Unique SmartBbins to Enable Diaper Waste Collection

Apr 10, 2019 3:05 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Earns 2019 ENERGY STAR® Partner of The Year – Sustained Excellence Award

Apr 10, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Since CBRE developed its environmental sustainability program in 2006, ENERGY STAR has remained the operational framework for advancing energy efficiency practices in the company’s managed portfolio. In 2018, CBRE registered and benchmarked a record-breaking 6,418 buildings, representing more than 420 million square feet of managed assets.

Health & Healthcare

How Johnson & Johnson Is Helping Tackle a Devastating Tropical Disease That Impacts Kids

Apr 10, 2019 2:45 PM ET

STH. It's an illness you likely haven't heard of, yet it affects approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, making it one of the world's most common infections.

Education

PNC Continues to Inspire Great Futures

Apr 10, 2019 2:15 PM ET

Spring is a time when all of our planting and watering finally pays off, yielding beautiful blooming flowers. This simple philosophy is the same one we apply to PNC’s long-standing corporate philanthropy focus of early childhood education.

This year, in the early days of spring, we celebrate the 15th anniversary of PNC Grow Up Great, a bilingual initiative to help children from birth through age 5 prepare for success in school and in life. A lot has changed in 15 years but one thing has remained the same – our focus and commitment to improving access to quality early childhood education.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

NAEM Expands EHS&S Excellence Awards as 2019 Nominations Open

Apr 10, 2019 2:05 PM ET

To honor outstanding corporate leaders whose efforts are transforming companies from within, the National Association for Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Management (NAEM) is expanding its Excellence Awards program in 2019, the association announced today.

Sustainable Development Goals

Report: Michigan Adds 4,800 Clean Energy Jobs in 2018; 9% Growth Projected

Apr 10, 2019 1:20 PM ET

Michigan has the most clean energy jobs in the Midwest, topping Illinois by nearly 3,000, and it is ranked fifth in the nation for number of clean energy jobs. Whirlpool Corp. is one of the largest clean energy job employers.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Stanley Black & Decker Opens State-of-the-Art Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Hartford, CT

Apr 10, 2019 1:00 PM ET

The center will also be an innovation hub for the local region, helping Hartford continue its evolution as a leading market for advanced manufacturing in the United States.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Top 3 Corporate Sustainability Trends all Business Leaders Should be Watching in 2019

Apr 10, 2019 12:35 PM ET

Last year, I identified the top corporate sustainability trends of 2018. Six months later, I revisited those trends and shared company-specific examples that pointed to their growing traction.

I decided to repeat this process again for this year. But, before I share the top trends for 2019, let me first explain how they are identified.

Environment

Cascadian Farm Works to Advance Climate-Beneficial Foods With Limited-Edition, Small-Batch Honey Toasted Kernza® Cereal

Apr 10, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Cascadian FarmTM, a pioneer in the organic food movement, is working to advance climate-beneficial foods with the launch of its small-batch, limited-edition Honey Toasted Kernza® cereal.

Events, Media & Communications

Thought Leaders Emphasize Cattle Health and Well-Being for the Sustainable Development of the Beef Industry

Apr 10, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Bayer brought together global thought leaders in beef cattle health and management to share the latest in research and innovation at its 2nd International Beef Symposium in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil from 31st March to 2nd April.

More than 220 participating cattle veterinarians and producers from 14 countries had access to the latest in research and knowledge, and engaged in discussions with global experts. The three-day symposium featured a curated program encompassing scientific presentations, expert panel discussions and a day on a beef cattle farm for hands-on demonstrations and application of science in practice.

Diversity & Inclusion

Queen Latifah with Dee Rees: Premiere of the Queen Collective Shorts

Apr 10, 2019 12:05 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sysco Partners with Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s The Store to Help Feed Those in Need

Apr 10, 2019 12:05 PM ET

Sysco’s new sponsorship with Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s non-profit organization, The Store, as part of our Nourishing Neighbors initiative, will provide refrigeration equipment for The Store facility and fresh produce through FreshPoint.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

The TriplePundit Flash: New Fund Aims to Close Lending Gap for Women Entrepreneurs

Apr 10, 2019 12:00 PM ET

The Wisdom Fund, a fixed income vehicle that increases capital access and lending for women-owned businesses, was created by CNote in partnership with mission-driven lender CDC Small Business Finance and four innovative nonprofits.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Viacom Scores Perfect 100 on Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

Apr 10, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Walking among the 2 million revelers at last year’s New York City Pride Parade was a yellow-clad contingent of 350 marchers clustered around floats sponsored by VH1 and Comedy Central. These employees, media members and corporate partners marching on behalf of Viacom underscored the company’s dedication to supporting, promoting and delivering equality to the LGBTQ community.

Energy

Hormel Foods to Become Powered by Nearly 50 Percent Renewable Energy

Apr 10, 2019 10:45 AM ET

The new wind farm will be located near Milligan, Nebraska. Construction is expected to be completed in 2020. The farm will be capable of 74 MW of power and an estimated 349,000 MWh of electricity each year. Hormel Foods partnered with Kinect Energy Group to assess the project and negotiate the agreement. In addition to this agreement, Hormel Foods also supports the renewable energy markets by subscribing to community solar gardens at five manufacturing locations, including a co-sponsorship with Westar Energy for its first community solar garden near Wichita, Kan., where the company manufactures most of its Hormel® Natural Choice® bacon products.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bloomberg Is Named a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by Human Rights Campaign Foundation for Third Straight Year

Apr 10, 2019 10:35 AM ET

Bloomberg has been named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, receiving a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality across the United States. Bloomberg joins the ranks of more than 560 major U.S. businesses that earned top marks this year.

Environment

Ray C. Anderson Foundation’s NextGen Committee Issues Grant RFP for Projects Helping to Reduce Global Warming

Apr 10, 2019 10:30 AM ET

The NextGen Committee of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation has issued a call for proposals for one $100,000 grant to fund work in the 2020 calendar year for new or existing programs that will help to reduce global warming, whether through direct carbon avoidance, climate communication, climate education, industry engagement, or otherwise.