Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Highlights Charitable Giving and New Employee Programs in Full Release of 2017 Sustainability Report

May 22, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. issued the fourth and final installment of its 2017 Sustainability Report with the release of its Helping Communities and People sections. The Helping Communities section focuses on Smithfield’s 2017 charitable giving within the communities where its employees live and work. The People section features new programs rolled out in 2017 that focus on keeping employees safe and engaged, and highlights employee talent development and educational opportunities.

Education

Duke Energy Energizes Ohio and Kentucky with Nearly $600,000 in STEM, Literacy and Workforce Development Grants

May 22, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Duke Energy is expanding its investment in local students and workforce development by funding 36 education and training programs – totaling nearly $600,000 – in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. The grants, which are administered by the Duke Energy Foundation, will benefit and enhance educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), childhood reading proficiency and workforce development.

Diversity & Inclusion

Important Dialogue: Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

May 22, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Join LBG Canada companies on June 5, 2018 in Calgary, as we discuss community investment's role in a diversity and inclusion strategy.

Panelists include leaders influencing corporate thinking on abilities, LGBTQ inclusion, Action 92 and Indigenous inclusion, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Green Infrastructure

Global Launch of New Climate-Based Water Resilience Criteria

May 22, 2018 4:40 PM ET

The Water Consortium, a global group of climate finance and sustainability organisations, has formally launched the new Water Infrastructure Criteria of the Climate Bonds Standard marking a major turning point in best practice for sustainable investment in water-based infrastructure and green/grey hybrid systems.

The final development phase extends the Criteria’s reach to cover nature-based and hybrid water infrastructure, such as wetlands and watersheds, that may be used for purposes of water collection, storage, treatment and distribution, flood protection and drought resilience.

Responsible Production & Consumption

National Geographic Fights Single-Use Plastic on All Fronts

May 22, 2018 3:45 PM ET

Plastic pollution has become a trending topic over the past year. Companies have partnered with environmental organizations and nonprofits to upcycle plastic pollution, they have joined coalitions and launched a new initiative to address their supply chains – diverting plastic waste from our oceans. Plastic waste is such a critical issue, it was even the theme of this year’s Earth Day. With stakeholders from all industries working to decrease the impact of plastic pollutants, National Geographic kicked-off a multifaceted campaign leaning on its aptitude for storytelling in the hopes of reducing global reliance on single-use plastics.

Diversity & Inclusion

DiversityInc Puts Medtronic on the "Top 50" List for 2018

May 22, 2018 2:35 PM ET

After six years away from the workforce, Amanda Miranda returned to the engineering field through a Medtronic hiring initiative called Careers 2.0 – an initiative provides returnship opportunities for women in engineering after taking time away from the field. Amanda’s story is one of hundreds from around Medtronic that represent the company’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. Medtronic is being recognized for that commitment on DiversityInc’s Top 50 list.

Events, Media & Communications

Highlights from the Taproot Foundation's 2018 U.S. Pro Bono Summit

May 22, 2018 1:35 PM ET

The Taproot Foundation’s U.S. Pro Bono Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from across sectors and industries with a shared vision to make the talents and skills of the business community accessible to social change organizations. The 7th annual Summit was held in San Francisco on April 18 and 19.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services’ Chuck Serianni Named 2018 Financial Executive of the Year by the Financial Executives International

May 22, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Education

JetBlue’s Soar with Reading® Initiative Lands in San Francisco and Oakland This Summer

May 22, 2018 12:45 PM ET

JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. as the next locations to receive free book vending machines as part of its annual Soar with Reading program. This award-winning literacy initiative tackles the issue of “book deserts” and provides access to age-appropriate books to children in underserved communities. To kick off the eighth year of Soar with Reading, JetBlue also announced a new partnership with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Thinking Green As We Make Change Happen on Comcast Cares Day

May 22, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Every year on Comcast Cares Day, our employees get their hands dirty to give back to their communities – and this year was no exception. At so many of our 1,200 community service projects that were part of our 17th Comcast Cares Day, our employees and other volunteers – a record 115,000 turned out – worked to make a positive impact and inspire environmental responsibility in all we do.

Education

Teens School Peers on Distracted Driving: There's No "Fine" Time to Text

May 22, 2018 11:55 AM ET

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools high school seniors Kirklin “Mack” Hopkins (17) and Kellen Stadler (18) send a clear message: A single second can have life-long consequences. Their poignant video, titled “It’s Not Fine,” is the winner of the Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge, a national driver safety public service announcement competition, using the tools of storytelling to get through to young drivers.

Diversity & Inclusion

Walmart Reaches 5th Anniversary of Veterans Welcome Home Commitment With Announcement of More Than 200,000 Veteran Hires

May 22, 2018 11:50 AM ET

Today, Walmart announced it has hired more than 200,000 veterans and promoted more than 28,000 to roles of greater responsibility since launching its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment five years ago. Recognizing the important skills and leadership abilities veterans possess, the commitment helps veterans find career opportunities at Walmart and aims to ease the sometimes difficult transition from active duty to civilian life. Walmart is now more than 80 percent of the way to reaching its goal of hiring 250,000 veterans by 2020.

Environment

4 Important Reasons Ergonomics Should Be a Priority in Lower-Risk Workplaces

May 22, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Antea Group’s blog discusses the importance of ergonomics for low-risk workplaces such as offices, warehouses and data centers.

Green Infrastructure

Ecocentricity Blog: Itty Bitty Living Space

May 22, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Chances are that by now you’ve heard of tiny homes. Back in 2014 though, that was my first introduction to them. Now, it’s apparently become a movement, and I get why.

Environment

Uganda Will Use Trees on Farms to Meet National Biodiversity Targets

May 22, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Expansion of agriculture is one of the main drivers of global deforestation and loss of habitat. Like many other countries in the world, Uganda has experienced severe deforestation, with forest cover declining by nearly 60 percent from about 5 million hectares in 1990 to just under 2 million in 2015.

Innovation & Technology

Advanced Software Design Technology Leads GM to Lighter, More Efficient Vehicles

May 22, 2018 10:45 AM ET

General Motors is committed to building efficient vehicles in a responsible manner, reducing its footprint and strengthening its communities around the world. As part of those efforts, General Motors is the first automaker in North America to use new generative design software technology from Bay Area-based software company Autodesk. The technology is key to vehicle lightweighting, or developing lighter and more efficient vehicles.

Media & Communications

CECP Continues to Advance Business As a Force for Good With Hire of New Managing Director

May 22, 2018 10:10 AM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good announced the addition of Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas as Managing Director, an integral part of CECP’s senior leadership team. As a CEO-led coalition of more than 200 of the world’s largest companies, CECP believes a company’s social strategy – how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers – determines a company’s success. As the former Executive Director of The Mosaic Company Foundation, Kari brings multiple years of experience in corporate social investments, company strategy, and business development.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GreenMoney's Annual Videos Issue on ESG & CSR

May 22, 2018 10:05 AM ET

It's time for GreenMoney's 3rd Annual All-Videos Issue. We’ve selected films from innovative leaders in the interconnected worlds of Impact Investing, Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability.

Environment

VIDEO | 4th Street Farms Unites Neighbors to Revitalize a Community

May 22, 2018 9:50 AM ET

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation has helped create 1,000 community gardens across America. Here’s the story of one of those gardens, the 4th Street Farms in Columbus, Ohio.

Energy

Schneider Electric VIDEO | The Future of the Energy Economy is Diversified

May 22, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Without a doubt, today’s electricity grid is the largest and most complex machine in the world. Flying over a city at night gives one an appreciation for just how sprawling and interconnected this modern marvel is. One can think about nearly every twinkling light on the ground below as an asset connected to the grid ecosystem.

Events, Media & Communications

Anticipating Complex Challenges Ahead, Social Investment Leaders Meet to Share Best Practices and Map Strategy

May 22, 2018 9:45 AM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good will convene the 2018 CECP Summit: Leading Through Complexity May 22-23, 2018 in NYC, bringing together 250 corporate leaders who drive societal investment strategies at the world’s largest companies. Attendees will learn and connect with the trailblazers making big, bold moves in a complex business climate – those who are taking charge and re-defining ‘purpose’ and success for themselves. CECP is a coalition of more than 200 companies and CEOs that believes that a company’s social strategy--how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers--determines company success.

Sustainable Development Goals

Professionalising African Motorcycle Taxis: From Vitamins to Painkillers

May 22, 2018 9:20 AM ET

SafeMotos is proud to announce our new version of our smart phone application: what we believe to be the most localized piece of software ever built by an African startup. It’s been a rocky journey though, with many missteps along the way. Our hope is that we can pass on some of my lessons learned at SafeMotos to others so they can avoid some of our pitfalls.

Environment

Cisco Employees Are Earth Aware, Making a Positive Impact on the Planet

May 22, 2018 9:15 AM ET

Earth Aware is Cisco’s annual month-long volunteerism and awareness campaign in support of the sustainability and the environment. Through dozens of “green” events, such as volunteer-led tree plantings, Earth fairs, beach cleanups, recycling seminars, and more, employees took action to positively impact the planet, at work and at home.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Is the Commodity Era Over?

May 22, 2018 9:00 AM ET

I’ve recently begun to wonder if we’re moving away from the world of commodities as we’ve known them for hundreds of years. The buying, selling, trading and hedging of commodities like cocoa, grains and energy have been stalwarts of global trade. For decades, people in corporate procurement have sourced raw materials from around the world based on defined specifications and quality standards.

Diversity & Inclusion

Brands Taking Stands Newsletter, 5/22/18

May 22, 2018 9:00 AM ET

“The Big Story” in this week’s edition of the Brands Taking Stands Newsletter focuses on the issue of companies supporting LGBTQ rights. The issue continues to be a crossroads for private-public conflict, as business pushes back against public policy perceived as discriminatory.