Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Tetra Pak Aligns Its Environmental Goals with Paris Climate Agreement

Aug 2, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Tetra Pak is keen to show that its efforts are absolutely in line with the collective global requirement to take climate change seriously. Aligning with current climate science allows the business to play its role in limiting global warming to well below the 2°C limit as established by the Paris Agreement. The business was the first packaging company to complete the SBT target review process.

Innovation & Technology

Technology Creates New Efficiencies, But Are Water Utilities Prepared for the Security Risk?

Aug 2, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Yahoo!, the Democratic National Convention and the U.S. Department of Justice were among the high-profile victims hit by major cyber attacks in 2016. Many people believe it’s only a matter of time before a water utility joins the list. Some consider physical security to be the weak link in ensuring a well-protected water supply; while others worry that the Internet of Things has created an incalculable number of entry points for hackers to create mischief.

Environment

Earth Overshoot Day: Living Large in a Crowded World

Aug 2, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Today is Earth Overshoot Day. As of today, the year is done for planet Earth, she has given a year’s worth of natural resources. It may seem counter-intuitive at first. Obviously, we aren’t done with 2017 yet. How can we take more than the Earth makes, for decades on end?

Research, Reports & Publications

New Report: Interface and PayPal Make the Social Purpose Business Case

Aug 2, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Ethical Corporation released a new report with case studies from Interface and PayPal on making the social purpose business case.

Events, Media & Communications

MTV Presents “An Inconvenient Special” Town Hall on Climate Change, Hosted by Former Vice President Al Gore

Aug 2, 2017 2:45 PM ET

MTV will present, “An Inconvenient Special,” a town hall forum to amplify young people’s voices on the topic of climate change on Wednesday, August 2nd at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. The special will be hosted by former Vice President Al Gore in connection with his upcoming film, “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.” Viacom Networks will also help bring awareness to the issue by declaring the week of July 31st as, “An Inconvenient Week,” with social, digital and on-air support across 10 channels including MTV, VH1, LOGO, Comedy Central, Spike, BET, CMT, TV Land, Nick@Nite, and Teen Nick.

Diversity & Inclusion

Retired Colonel Heads Preparedness Operation for Duke Energy, Where Veterans Play Major Role in the Workforce

Aug 2, 2017 2:25 PM ET

Steve McGugan’s passion to help people in the midst of crisis didn’t diminish when he retired from the U.S. Army. Only the battlefield has changed. Driven to run to the sound of the guns, as one of his generals said, and responding to urgent situations distinguished his 24 years in the Army, including 39 months in combat operations. That drive led McGugan, a colonel, to a new career. He joined Duke Energy in January as director of emergency preparedness.

Environment

Healing an Ailing Forest

Aug 2, 2017 2:05 PM ET

As a biologist trained to preserve wildlife and their habitat, you would think Stephen Byrd would have reservations about setting a fire in the tinder-dry Sierra Nevada.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Innovation Doesn’t End on the Product Line

Aug 2, 2017 1:45 PM ET

It isn’t exactly TED Talk material to note that the world’s best companies must innovate. At Nestlé USA, innovation is our lifeblood. But it’s more than keeping up with the times or even with competitors. A company must keep up with its workforce, too.

Energy

The Need for Speed: Utilities, Clean Tech and Regulators Agree the Energy Transition has to Move Faster

Aug 2, 2017 1:20 PM ET

National Grid’s Nouel says his team issues open RFPs to encourage innovation: “We say, here’s the problem; give us the solution.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Frontline Families AmeriCorps Member Serves Veterans, Local Community

Aug 2, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Wendy Samples may have been the only Frontline Families AmeriCorps member in the entire state of Mississippi over the last year, but her friend and colleague, Heath Dearman, said she has been the perfect fit for this role.

Events, Media & Communications

Registration Opens for Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship's Management Intensive

Aug 2, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship is pleased to open registration for its Management Intensive, a deep-dive into corporate citizenship best practices with a strong focus on managerial responsibility.

Research, Reports & Publications

Interface and PayPal make the Social Purpose Business Case

Aug 2, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Ethical Corporation released a new report with case studies from Interface and PayPal on making the social purpose business case.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

GM Helps Accelerate Resident-Led Community Transformation Plan

Aug 2, 2017 12:30 PM ET

General Motors, The Skillman Foundation and the Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance are collaborating to revitalize and strengthen the Cody Rouge community in Detroit. The groups will amplify collective strengths and capital – both human and financial – to achieve measureable positive change in the neighborhood, which recently announced a strategic, resident-led transformation plan.

Diversity & Inclusion

T. Rowe Price CEO Signs Diversity and Inclusion Pledge

Aug 2, 2017 12:30 PM ET

By joining the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ coalition of companies and organizations, T. Rowe Price is committing to three initial goals intended to catalyze further conversation and action around diversity and inclusion within the workplace and foster collaboration among the member organizations.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Creating the Conditions for Inclusive Markets

Aug 2, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Inclusive markets not only are possible, but can be made more possible. Find out how in new FSG report.

Environment

Head Back to School with Seven Eco-Friendly Tips

Aug 2, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Three Quality of Lifehacks for Eating Healthier at Work

Aug 2, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Do you feel sluggish or tired at work? Taking simple steps throughout the day to make healthier food choices can boost your mood and productivity.

Responsible Production & Consumption

JetBlue Helps Food Brands in New York Blossom With Third BlueBud Business Mentoring Program

Aug 2, 2017 11:45 AM ET

Now in its third year, JetBlue’s BlueBud initiative offers innovative, socially responsible food and beverage brands special access to JetBlue senior leaders and the airline's unique product development culture, as well as valuable industry insights.

Energy

Green Charge eBook: Solar + Energy Storage A Golden Opportunity in the Golden State

Aug 2, 2017 11:35 AM ET

In 2017, the energy storage market is expected to double in size in California thanks to more than $448 million in federal and local incentives to pair storage with solar projects. Together, both solar and energy storage work to lower electric bills: solar by overall consumption and storage by spikes in power demand. Variable power generation is a weakness of solar systems that energy storage improves on. Pairing solar and energy storage brings stability, increased reliability and resiliency to the electrical grid.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

UPS Logistics and Technology Solutions Help TerraCycle Divert 40 Million Pounds of Waste from Landfills

Aug 2, 2017 11:20 AM ET

Global customs and logistics solutions by UPS (NYSE: UPS) are powering TerraCycle’s mission to transform hard-to-recycle items like toothpaste tubes and snack bags into new products, diverting 40 million pounds of waste from landfills as part of the circular economy since 2012.

Environment

Leading the Discussion on Healthcare Plastics Recycling

Aug 2, 2017 11:20 AM ET

If you want to develop and present a business case for healthcare plastics recycling to hospital executives, HPRC has developed very useful and practical tools you can access through HPRC’s blog.

Environment

Sustainable U: What Rising Sustainability Leaders Expect From Food & Beverage Companies

Aug 2, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Tensie Whelan, Director of the Center for Sustainable Business at NYU Stern School of Business blogs about the value of sustainability in strengthening an organization’s position, including food and beverage companies, into the sustainability-focused future.

Health & Healthcare

Pfizer: Bringing Resources to Bear to Improve Global Health

Aug 2, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Pfizer believes its business and societal missions are the same: to ensure that all individuals everywhere have access to quality medicines, vaccines and healthcare, and the opportunity to lead healthy lives. Every day, the company strives to use its full resources – people, products and funding – to find new ways to positively impact the health of people around the world.

Events, Media & Communications

Webinar: Introduction to the Green-e Framework for Renewable Energy Certification

Aug 2, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Center for Resource Solutions recently released a new global energy certification framework that establishes the baseline criteria for new regional and country-specific Green-e standards throughout the world. The Green-e Framework for Renewable Energy Certification addresses the longstanding need for consistent international criteria that enforce the quality of renewable energy generation, transactions and use, while providing a way to address local stakeholder and market-development goals.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Marina Bay Sands and The Venetian Macao Among The World’s Nine Most Gorgeous Casinos

Aug 2, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Earlier this year, Architectural Digest named Marina Bay Sands and The Venetian Macao among the nine most gorgeous casinos around the world. Others in the listing include The Ritz Club London, Wynn Las Vegas, Casino de Monte-Carlo, and Casino Baden Baden in Germany.