Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

MilliporeSigma Employees SPARK Curiosity Around the World

May 16, 2018 9:55 AM ET

With the successful launch of the SPARK Global Volunteer Program in 2016, MilliporeSigma, the life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, employees continue to SPARK curiosity around the world, giving back to the communities in which they live and work during 2018 quarterly dedicated SPARK weeks. In addition to SPARK events organized throughout the year, the dedicated SPARK weeks model brings employees together at specific and consistent points in time.

Events, Media & Communications

How to Boost Employee Engagement With the VolunteerMatch Network [Webinar]

May 16, 2018 9:40 AM ET

Many companies invest a lot of time in researching nonprofits and curating one-off volunteer opportunities for their employees. Yet research shows that one-third of employees won’t actually give through their workplace because they’re not able to choose the causes that matter to them. In this month's free webinar on May 29, 2018, we will introduce the VolunteerMatch Network and how it can serve the interests of both your company and its individual employees.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Market Forces Driving Combined Food Safety and Sustainability Initiatives

May 16, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Sound food safety practices are integral to sustainable and resilient agricultural production systems, which in turn are viewed as essential to ending hunger worldwide, as discussed under the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal #2. Even so, approaching food safety and sustainability in tandem is just now becoming mainstream. Nonetheless, a recent consumer survey by SCS Global Services shows that today's shoppers already see food safety and sustainability as congruent. Read more about what's driving this convergence in SCS' latest blogpost.

Research, Reports & Publications

Owens Corning Publishes 12th Annual Sustainability Report

May 16, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) today published its 2017 Sustainability Report. The company’s 12th annual report, themed Purpose + People + Action, documents the progress made against its 2020 sustainability goals and its stated commitment to making the world a better place. The report also prominently features Owens Corning employee stories and employee images as a testament to their contributions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Good Goes Global During Our Volunteer Week

May 16, 2018 8:55 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Philip Morris International Sustainability Report Shows Relentless Business Shift Towards Smoke-Free Future

May 16, 2018 5:00 AM ET

Philip Morris International Inc. (“PMI”) (NYSE: PM) today published its third Sustainability Report (2017), outlining the concrete steps being taken to fundamentally transform its business by putting smoke-free products at the core of PMI’s sustainability efforts to address wider societal challenges, drive operational excellence, manage its social impact and reduce its environmental footprint.

Environment

Paul Ehrlich on Jaws

May 15, 2018 8:20 PM ET

Did you know that 300 years ago people had larger jaws? Why would this be the case and why is it important? Paul Ehrlich, the founding father of modern population sciences, is here to talk about his new book which is a bit of a diversion from his usual work – warning us to not have too many kids. This time, Ehrlich, along with co-author and orthodontist Sandra Kahn, explore the links between jaw size and an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, sleep apnea and hyperactivity. Today, Ehrlich discusses the evolutionary biology of jaws and talks about what people can do to reverse what he calls a “hidden epidemic.”

Diversity & Inclusion

Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy - Have you registered?

May 15, 2018 7:05 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Gildan Donates $570,000 to Refurbish Majoncho Sosa Community Park in Honduras

May 15, 2018 5:15 PM ET

Gildan Activewear Inc. is announcing the opening of a newly refurbished community park in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, which was inaugurated yesterday by President Juan Orlando Hernández, Gildan representatives and members of the community. This park is the largest in the city, and second largest in the country, providing a modern, multi-sport recreational space to unite families and promote sporting activity as part of the “Parques para una Vida Mejor” (Better Life Parks) program.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Announces 2018 Innovation Open Semi-finalists

May 15, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently announced 11 semi-finalists to compete at the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) startup competition co-sponsored by Makersite and RISN Incubator at Arizona State University. The SBIO competition attracts world-changing entrepreneurial teams with unique ideas to solve some of the world’s pressing environmental and social concerns.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ecolab to Receive World Environment Center’s 2018 Gold Medal Award for Corporate Sustainability

May 15, 2018 5:00 PM ET

The World Environment Center (WEC) is pleased to announce that Ecolab will receive the Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development during the 34th annual Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 17. Doug Baker, chairman and CEO of Ecolab, will accept the award on behalf of the company.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Donates $250,000 for Denver-Aurora Stabilization Efforts

May 15, 2018 4:50 PM ET

Wells Fargo today announced a total of $250,000 in donations for three local nonprofits to help revitalize Denver-Aurora neighborhoods through the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT® program.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

2019 Gender-Equality Index Gives Companies Chance to Prove Their Commitment to Gender Equality to Investors

May 15, 2018 4:40 PM ET

Last week’s discussions at the Bloomberg Business of Equality Summit proved that the topic of gender equality is ubiquitous – companies can no longer ignore gender-related issues in the workplace. Policies and practices that promote equality benefit everyone – employees are happier, more productive and exhibit a greater sense of loyalty. Not surprisingly, we also know that companies that prioritize inclusion tend to outperform those that do not.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Fully Paid Parental Leave for Duke Energy’s Moms, Dads

May 15, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Duke Energy in 2017 began offering its employees fully paid parental leave – totaling six weeks – to bolster workfamily balance and help attract and retain highly skilled workers.

Research, Reports & Publications

Aetna Releases 2016-2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

May 15, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Aetna, one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, today released its 2016-2017 Corporate Social Responsibility report. This year’s report covers the 2016 and 2017 calendar years and provides an in-depth look into Aetna’s commitment to building healthy communities.

Education

Meet the 2018 AT&T Aspire Accelerator Class

May 15, 2018 2:45 PM ET

I love getting to meet and learn from innovators from all walks of life. When people from diverse backgrounds — geographically, culturally, ethnically or professionally — come together to address social challenges, the results are awe-inspiring.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

GM Makes 100 Best Corporate Citizens List

May 15, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Corporate Responsibility Magazine has named General Motors to its 19th annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens list. Ranked at No. 21, General Motors is the only automaker recognized for standout environmental, social and governance performance.

Energy

Ecocentricity Blog: This One Is a Step Back

May 15, 2018 1:15 PM ET

It is important for environmentalists to acknowledge each step back at the same time they celebrate every two steps forward. Credibility is lost if sustainability’s successes are trumpeted while ignoring its failures.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Jack Daniel's Brand Ambassador Explains Importance of Responsibility

May 15, 2018 12:20 PM ET

Jack Daniel's brand ambassador and bartender for over 20 years, Eric "ET" Tecosky, explains the importance of responsibility in an on-premise environment.

Diversity & Inclusion

Israel: Workforce Diversity is the Key to Building an Innovative Society

May 15, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Israel is home to more than 15 different cultures, each with their own distinctive traditions and ancestral backgrounds. Although Israel is often characterized as the world’s only Jewish state, diversity is, and always has been at the heart of its identity as a nation.

Health & Healthcare

Nestlé Launches Global Initiative to Help Children Lead Healthier Lives

May 15, 2018 11:55 AM ET

On the United Nations International Day of Families, Nestlé announced its global “Nestlé for Healthier Kids” initiative. The program includes the further development of healthier products and advice for families on nutrition and exercise. It aims at helping 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030.

Health & Healthcare

INFOGRAPHIC: How to Boost Industrial Safety and Productivity with a “Culture of Clean”

May 15, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Industrial workers aren’t afraid to “get down and dirty” on the job – but they’ll be happier, safer and more productive if their work environments are equipped to be kept as clean as can be.

This requires more than a once-in-a-while initiative of posters and pamphlets encouraging your workforce to be mindful of the mess. If you want to take full advantage of the business-building benefits of a cleaner work environment, it takes a new corporate mindset, from the corner office to the shop floor. This infographic highlights three key steps that will take you a long way down this often-overlooked path to a safer, more productive workplace.

Innovation & Technology

Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education Celebrate 'Siemens NATIONAL DAY OF STEM' to Spark Student Interest in Real-World Applications of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

May 15, 2018 11:05 AM ET

The Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education are teaming up today to host the annual Siemens National Day of STEM. The day is designed to spark a national conversation about pathways to success for students through STEM and demonstrate how science, technology, engineering and math work together to shape the future.

Events, Media & Communications

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Goldcorp Sign Collaboration Agreement

May 15, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

HP VIDEO | Reinvent Mindsets: #LatinoJobs

May 15, 2018 10:25 AM ET