Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Patricia Stitzel Named Tupperware Brands First Female CEO

Jun 7, 2018 10:35 AM ET

“I believe confidence is a journey," says Tricia Stitzel, Tupperware Brands' first female CEO.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces the American Cities Climate Challenge to Support Mayors Tackling Climate Change in the United States

Jun 7, 2018 10:30 AM ET

On June 1, Mike Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action and co-chair of America’s Pledge, announced the $70 million American Cities Climate Challenge, a major new effort to expedite progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while growing local economies during a time of inaction from the federal government.

Research, Reports & Publications

Delivering Constructive Change through CSR

Jun 7, 2018 10:30 AM ET

It is gratifying to work for a company genuinely committed to the wellbeing of the world and its citizens. Part of my role at BNY Mellon is to help determine where we can use our resources for the most positive, tangible impact. We do this by studying global trends, responding through our CSR strategy and supporting achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals that aim to address the world’s most pressing needs. As you’ve can see in our 2017 CSR Report, we believe we can make a real difference by focusing on gender equality, climate change and the effects of technology, globalization and the changing workforce.

Green Infrastructure

IWBI Launches WELL v2™

Jun 7, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Launched worldwide and celebrated with fanfare in New York, Beijing, London and Sydney, the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) unveiled the WELL v2™ pilot, the next version of its pioneering WELL Building Standard™, the first rating system to focus exclusively on the impacts of buildings on human health and wellness.

Diversity & Inclusion

Integrating Diversity and Inclusion Into Corporate Social Engagement

Jun 7, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Over the course of the past year, CECP has, with support of the Walmart Foundation, led an inquiry into the role and current practice of companies integrating Diversity and Inclusion into their Corporate Social Engagement efforts. This effort has been propelled by a questioning of the role of companies in the midst of rising inequality, racial tensions, and social movements such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter, among others. The interest and engagement of CECP’s coalition in this research has been high; CECP has engaged over 50 companies in interviews, case study collection, quantitative survey, and discussion.

Research, Reports & Publications

Alliance Data Offers 2017 Corporate Responsibility Highlights Ahead of Report Launch

Jun 7, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Alliance Data shares how disruptive technologies are reshaping the business and social landscape and creating unparalleled opportunities for the company in its 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report that will be out later this month. In advance of the full report, the abbreviated highlights report shares an overview of 2017, a year that allowed us to thrive and do what we do best - be innovative, smart, trusted, responsible, inclusive and generous.

Innovation & Technology

Multipliers of Prosperity: Social Platforms, Social Change

Jun 7, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Every month, Donna Bowen of Mattapan, Massachusetts, communicates with around 45 complete strangers. Some are looking for advice on saving or credit-building, while others want to compare notes on issues like housing or education. They come from all places: not just nearby Boston, but Detroit, Albuquerque and Oakland. Each has a personal goal in mind—like purchasing a home, getting out of debt or starting their own business—and whatever the case, wherever they are, Bowen is there to lend an open ear and a voice of experience. She’s a user of a platform called UpTogether, an online network connecting members of low- and moderate-income communities across the country.

Education

New York City Department of Education ‘Lighthouse School’ M.S. 88 Integrates Computational Thinking Into Core Subjects to Prepare Students 21ST Century Careers

Jun 7, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Through “Ignite My Future in School,” Tata Consultancy Services and Discovery Education, in Partnership with Cornell Tech, Deliver Digital Skills to Students and World-Class Professional Development to Educators in New York City

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

INFOGRAPHIC | A Look at the “eBay Economy” In the US

Jun 7, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Commercial sellers and full-time entrepreneurs on the eBay platform are responsible for creating more than 690,000 jobs, and more than a third of our U.S. sellers come from small towns and rural areas.

Events, Media & Communications

Calling All Authors and Subject Matter Experts: Submit Your Story by June 30!

Jun 7, 2018 10:00 AM ET

PYXERA Global has an opportunity for you to contribute and inform the growing conversation around four solvable problems we are diving into at the Global Engagement Forum: Live conference this October 10–11. Our goal is to reveal the many facets of these complex global challenges to build a conceptual framework through which to propose collaborative solutions. To inform our work and broaden the conversation, we’ll share your valuable perspective on our publication, the Global Engagement Forum: Online this summer and fall, with the possibility of featuring it in our next print magazine.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

The Woman Driving Sustainable Finance at Barclays

Jun 7, 2018 9:45 AM ET

“Someone said to me a little while ago that once you start immersing yourself and engaging yourself with climate change issues, it’s almost impossible to go back to anything else. You would have to wake up every morning and think: I’m using all my skills and abilities to help support a ‘six degree world’. So, I can’t go back. This is me for the next twenty years.”

Research, Reports & Publications

Brands Taking Stands Newsletter, 6/6/18

Jun 7, 2018 9:35 AM ET

“The Big Story” in this week’s edition of the Brands Taking Stands Newsletter focuses on how stands taken on principle by a business that already has a purpose-driven mission doubles down on the perception that that company is “better” than one that just does business-as-usual. New research shows positive benefits for firms promoting values as well as products and services.

Environment

Nestlé Waters to Certify All Its Sites to Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard by 2025

Jun 7, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Nestlé Waters has today announced that it will extend its commitment to water stewardship by certifying all of its sites to the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by 2025.

The global standard promotes responsible water use that benefits local communities socially and economically, while ensuring environmental sustainability of watersheds – all priorities for Nestlé. Since first committing to the AWS Standard in 2017, Nestlé Waters has already certified eight of its factories around the world, including in Pakistan, Canada and the United States.

Events, Media & Communications

Bechtel Podcast | Jim Nolan on Construction Management and Innovation

Jun 7, 2018 9:20 AM ET

“We need to focus on training, we need to focus on safety, we need to focus on everything you can imagine to be able to even function. It’s a journey in culture really, and I like to start with safety,” stated Bechtel’s Jim Nolan, president of equipment operations on the challenges of merging construction management and innovation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Follow the Money: How Sands Cares Assists WestCare

Jun 7, 2018 9:15 AM ET

Through the implementation of the Fresh Start Mobile Showers, WestCare partnered with Sands Cares, Las Vegas Sands’ corporate giving program, as a local stop for providing the community’s homeless population with private showering facilities. As the mobile showers began to gain traction, WestCare has been an important partner in assisting those experiencing homelessness in the Las Vegas area.

Research, Reports & Publications

M&S Publishes Its First Update on Plan A 2025 as Part of Its Business Transformation

Jun 7, 2018 9:00 AM ET

M&S updates stakeholders on progress against its 100 new Plan A commitments launched last year. This year’s update comes as part of a wider business transformation programme.

Environment

6 Natural Adventures to Visit This Summer

Jun 7, 2018 9:00 AM ET

June marks National Great Outdoors Month and National Water Month. The beauty of our nation’s forests and parks are that they are filled with breathtaking views, unbeatable hiking trails, and diverse wildlife. The summer is the season to get outdoors and connect with nature. Here are 6 forests, parks, and preserves that we are replanting in and that are full of adventure.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sustainability Winners Unwrapped

Jun 7, 2018 5:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Twitter Chat With Aetna: #HealthierWorld, Thursday, 6/7 Noon ET/ 9am PT

Jun 6, 2018 6:30 PM ET

Join us on Twitter tomorrow, Thursday, June 7, at Noon ET (9:00 a.m. PT), as Aetna, along with public health leaders, share ideas and provide insight on how to build a healthier world, one community at a time. You can follow the conversation by locating the hashtag, #HealthierWorld.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Grid Earns EEI Emergency Assistance Award and Emergency Recovery Award for Restoration Efforts Across U.S.

Jun 6, 2018 5:05 PM ET

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented National Grid with the EEI Emergency Assistance Award and the EEI Emergency Recovery Award for its outstanding power restoration efforts after Winter Storm Riley, Winter Storm Quinn, and a severe wind and ice storm that impacted New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island in October 2017, March 2018, and April 2018.

Education

Washington, D.C., students learn in a floating classroom

Jun 6, 2018 5:00 PM ET

It’s not often that teenagers are able to spend a school day on a boat instead of in a classroom, but students from The School Without Walls High School in Washington, D.C., had that opportunity recently. As the high school students traveled along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, they tested water quality, identified fish, examined maps, and surveyed bird diversity.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Celebrates Pride Month this Month and Every Month

Jun 6, 2018 4:35 PM ET

This #PrideMonth, and every month, we're proud to recognize the diversity of our partners! We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Environment

How China’s Ban on ‘Foreign Trash’ Will Impact U.S. Recycling

Jun 6, 2018 3:25 PM ET

Are you a conscientious recycler, someone who scrubs their aluminum cans and glass containers before tossing them in the bin? Do you know the plastic recycling number codes by heart? Well, now a new rule by China might make some of these efforts moot.

Diversity & Inclusion

What’s in a Name?

Jun 6, 2018 2:10 PM ET

As a child on the playground, did you ever experience a bully relentlessly calling you a “tomboy” (if you are a female) or a “sissy” (if you are a male)? That’s how many transgender people feel, even as adults, every time they have to present their identification with their birth name and assigned gender – that information does not represent who they are, and the exercise is dehumanizing and demoralizing.

Research, Reports & Publications

Sands ECO360 Launches 2017 Environmental Progress Report with Focus on Sustainable Dining

Jun 6, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands is the leader in sustainability within the hospitality industry. Through Sands ECO360, its global sustainability program, the company implements strategic initiatives that minimize its environmental footprint on the planet. Since setting the five-year goals in 2015, the program has made outstanding progress detailed in its 2017 Environmental Progress Report.