Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Education

Art Therapy and Authentic Creative Expression Emphasized at TEDx NYU

May 23, 2016 12:00 PM ET

On April 15, 2016, Dr. Jordan Potash, ATR-BC, REAT, LCPAT, LCAT, represented the American Art Therapy Association at Color Party: TEDx NYU (New York University). As a student organization, TEDx NYU plans annual conferences and smaller community events that act as platforms to address pertinent topics. Along with fellow art therapists and digital arts developers, Dr. Potash discussed adult coloring books by comparing it to other leisure-based and success-oriented activities and contrasting it to art therapy, a regulated mental health profession.

Environment

Researchers Set to Start Work Onboard Costa's Ships

May 23, 2016 11:40 AM ET

A high degree of synergy between the partners – both actively engaged in the field of environmental sustainability, albeit in different ways and areas

Events, Media & Communications

Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of Partnering for Social Development

May 23, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Partnerships are intended to de-risk a project, but carry risks of their own,” Judy Brown, the Chief Advisor for External Affairs in the East Pacific and Latin America at Rio Tinto and a veteran of field-level sustainability work, advised a group of 15 students in the Georgetown Master of Science in Foreign Service program. For both the public and private sector, the advent of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) make partnerships that catalyze the development of local markets especially important. Brown had joined Whitney Shinkle, a senior advisor to Bancroft Global Development, and me to speak with my class on public-private partnerships about the ethics, risks, and benefits of partnering with local governments and NGOs, something large companies are increasingly being

Environment

Kashi Brings “Certified Transitional” Organic Products to Consumers

May 23, 2016 11:15 AM ET

Cereal brand Kashi has long been in the organic food space. In fact, it was the first to launch an organic cereal back in 2002, according to Take Part. Now, in an effort to keep up with demand, Kashi is offering a new way to encourage farms to transition to organic. This week the brand announced it will be introducing a "Certified Transitional" label on certain cereals.

Innovation & Technology

Causecast and Versaic Team Up to Deliver Breakthrough Volunteer and Giving Experience

May 23, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Causecast, the premiere global SaaS technology company helping organizations build irresistible giving and volunteering programs, and Versaic, the leading provider of corporate contribution, grants, and sponsorship program management solutions, have introduced an integrated software solution that combines best of breed tools for volunteering and giving, delivering greater insight, efficiency and impact to their clients. Companies will now be able to draw on Causecast and Versaic’s combined 20+ years of CSR, cause marketing and employee engagement expertise and benefit from complete, trusted, and scalable software to amplify their impact.

Health & Healthcare

Nestlé Welcomes the Food and Drug Administration’s Final Nutrition Facts Panel Rules

May 23, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Nestlé in the United States welcomes the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) final rules on the revision of the Nutrition and Supplemental Facts labels and updating of the serving sizes.

Innovation & Technology

Experience Wins "Best in Mobile Fan Experience" at Sports Business Awards

May 23, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Experience (expapp.com) was named the inaugural winner in the newly created “Best in Mobile Fan Experience” category at the ninth annual Sports Business Awards. This is the second SBA victory for the company, winning in 2014 for “Best in Sports Technology.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Merck Foundation Announces the Alliance to Advance Patient-Centered Cancer Care, a $15 Million Initiative to Improve Access to High-Quality Cancer Care in Underserved Communities in the United States

May 23, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Environment

Toyota Financial Services Supports Environmental Sustainability by Expanding Green Bond Program

May 23, 2016 10:00 AM ET

TORRANCE, Calif., May 23, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to supporting the sale of green vehicles, Toyota Financial Services (TFS) issued its third Asset-Backed Green Bond in the amount of $1.6 billion.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

National Grid Recognized for Contribution to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program

May 23, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

KeyCorp Releases 2015 Corporate Responsibility Report

May 23, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Today, KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) released its 2015 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report, detailing the company’s responsible approach to banking, citizenship and operations during the 2015 calendar year. The annual report describes and shares data related to KeyBank's products and services, diversity and philanthropy initiatives and sustainability efforts.

Innovation & Technology

Atlas Copco: Sustainability in the United States (Video)

May 23, 2016 9:15 AM ET

The brand promise of Atlas Copco is to be committed to sustainable productivity. Let us share with you some of the steps we are most proud of which we have made in the United States.

Diversity & Inclusion

Barclays Introduces Spectrum Allies

May 23, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

GreenBiz to Provide Exclusive Livestream of Clean Energy Ministerial Event

May 23, 2016 9:00 AM ET

GreenBiz Group has been named the official livestream partner for the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Public-Private Action Summit, an all-day event on June 2 in San Francisco.

The summit is part of CEM7, the seventh annual gathering of energy ministers from the world’s largest and most forward-leaning countries working together to accelerate the global transition to clean energy. The United States hosted the first CEM meeting in Washington, D.C., in 2010.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

New Research Highlights Strategies to Increase Inclusion of Women and Minority Entrepreneurs in High-Tech Incubators and Accelerators

May 23, 2016 9:00 AM ET

A new research report by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) finds that women and minorities are significantly underrepresented in high-tech incubators and accelerators, but uncovers many examples of incubators and accelerators that have been successful in attracting more diverse entrepreneurs. The report, Creating Inclusive High-Tech Incubators and Accelerators: Strategies to Increase Participation Rates of Women and Minority Entrepreneurs, was announced by JPMorgan Chase and ICIC on Monday in a session at Detroit Startup Week.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Nestlé Announces the Finalists for the 2016 CSV Prize

May 23, 2016 9:00 AM ET

With the opening of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Nestlé has announced the finalists for the Creating Shared Value [CSV] Prize 2016:Natural Extracts Industries [NEI] from Tanzania and Agro-Hub from Cameroun. After four screening phases, the two finalists were selected from a group of 450 applicants by the Nestlé CSV Council, along with 9 independent experts and 9 Nestlé internal experts.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

HPE Living Progress News: Introducing Lara Birkes

May 23, 2016 8:55 AM ET

HPE’s new Vice President, Lara Birkes, Living Progress and Chief Sustainability Officer, shares her vision and a few surprises

Research, Reports & Publications

Improving Business Impacts: New Research

May 23, 2016 5:00 AM ET

‘Impact for Change’ is a programme of work by Corporate Citizenship which helps companies around the world to measure, improve and effectively communicate their impacts on society.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Corporate Matching: Observing the Multiplier Effect

May 22, 2016 1:00 PM ET

It has long been acknowledged that one of the most powerful ways to get people more engaged in giving programs is to match individual donations with company dollars. So it’s easy to see why roughly 65% (and growing) of Fortune 1000 companies employ a strategy of donation matching. Even better, as employees become more engaged in their giving programs they also become more engaged in the workplace overall. Given that the potential impact is huge, how do you foster even greater engagement? Here are a few suggestions.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Trust and Transparency: Building Better Business and Policy Worldwide

May 21, 2016 1:00 PM ET

“Delivering a better future is not just an option, it’s a necessity. There is no Plan B,” urged Lise Kingo, Executive Director, UN Global Compact, as she opened the fourth and final plenary of the 5th GRI Global Conference. Lise Kingo’s speech set the stage for a lively debate on the importance of trust and transparency for building better businesses, stronger economies and a more sustainable world.

Events, Media & Communications

Supporting Survivors Through a Tough Mudder

May 21, 2016 8:00 AM ET

I love the LIVESTRONG mission because it supports ANY Cancer at ANY stage of the process. Three years ago, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 small intestine cancer. He had a year-long fight which included multiple rounds of chemo, multiple surgeries and rehab. As of this month, my dad is two years cancer free! My family and I were so blessed by the love and support of friends, family, co-workers all throughout my dad’s battle.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Honda Associates Assist Homeowners in Need

May 20, 2016 5:30 PM ET

Two Ohio homeowners received much-needed assistance with home improvement projects, thanks to two groups of Honda volunteers, who teamed up this spring to help those in need.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Jerome Williams Received the ANCOR 2016 Pennsylvania Direct Support Professional Award

May 20, 2016 4:15 PM ET

Jerome Williams, a direct support professional (DSP) for Keystone Human Services, received the Pennsylvania Direct Support Professional Award from ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources). This award is given annually to a DSP who has been exemplary in their service. For the past 27 years, Jerome has built trusting relationships with the people he supports and has been a strong advocate for people to live in the community and pursue their dreams.

Social Impact & Volunteering

#GoingToBat Community Spotlight: David Robertson

May 20, 2016 4:05 PM ET

When David Robertson isn’t on the mound for the White Sox, he spends his time working with his foundation – High Socks for Hope.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

UN Global Compact and GRI Strengthen Collaboration for the New SDG Era

May 20, 2016 2:30 PM ET

20 May 2016, Amsterdam. Today the UN Global Compact and GRI announced a renewed Memorandum of Understanding at the 5th GRI Global Conference outlining continued collaboration over the next three years, notably in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).