Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Prudential Pledges $5 Million to Ignite Positive Social Impact Through the Blended Catalyst Fund

Mar 30, 2016 3:35 PM ET

On March 29, Prudential Financial, Inc. proudly announced its $5 million investment in Living Cities’ newly launched Blended Catalyst Fund, a $31 million impact investing debt fund that will test innovative approaches to solving urban problems. The Blended Catalyst Fund combines philanthropic and commercial debt under the premise that both types of capital are needed to support initiatives that achieve better results for low-income people in US cities.

Innovation & Technology

Humanizing the Workplace: Using Design Principles to Inspire Workplace Thinking

Mar 30, 2016 3:10 PM ET

This is the sixth in a continuing blog series based on insights and findings from the Sodexo 2016 Workplace Trends Report. The Reportexamines nine key trends affecting business outcomes and the quality of life of employees and consumers. To learn more, access the full article: Humanizing the Workplace: Using Design Principles to Inspire Workplace Thinking

Innovation & Technology

MetLife Foundation and Verb Announce Global Competition to Improve Financial Services for the Underserved

Mar 30, 2016 2:40 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ashland Inc., Dell and Peter Dudley of Wells Fargo Win 2016 Charities@Work Corporate Impact Awards

Mar 30, 2016 2:35 PM ET

Charities@Work today announced Ashland Inc., Dell and Peter Dudley, Senior Vice President, Community Support Programs of Wells Fargo, winners of the 2016 Corporate Impact Awards for giving back to society in extraordinary ways. The awards were presented by the four partners that comprise Charities@Work—America’s Charities, Community Health Charities, EarthShare and Global Impact—during the 15th Annual Charities@Work Best Practices Summit on Employee Engagement luncheon held at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Diversity & Inclusion

In Search of Gideon, 53 Years Later

Mar 30, 2016 2:10 PM ET

Today, 80% of people accused of crimes in the U.S. must rely on public defenders and court-appointed lawyers who often have burdensome caseloads, conflicting interests, and other issues. This affects poor, working poor, and middle-class Americans. How did this come about and what can we do about it?

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Why It's Time for Boards to Take a Stand on Sustainability

Mar 30, 2016 1:45 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Accenture Releases 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report; Skills to Succeed Initiative Equips More than 1.2 Million People with Job Skills

Mar 30, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has released its 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report, “Making a Measureable Difference,” which explores the company’s progress, performance and goals across its global operations.

Energy

HP Commits to 100 Percent Renewable Electricity

Mar 30, 2016 1:10 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CVS Health Foundation Awards $1.5 Million in Community Health Grants to Increase Access to Quality Care and Support Chronic Disease Management

Mar 30, 2016 12:55 PM ET

As part of a multi-year, $5 million commitment to increase access to health care in communities nationwide, the CVS Health Foundation today released new data from programs supported through partnerships with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). The Foundation also announced $1.5 million in new grants distributed to 46 community health centers and free clinics for 2016.

Environment

Toyota Mirai Wins 2016 World Green Car

Mar 30, 2016 12:45 PM ET

“Just as Prius changed the world nearly 20 years ago, the hydrogen-powered Mirai is ready to make history,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division.

Environment

15M Babies’ Nappies Composted as Part of Sustainability Plan

Mar 30, 2016 12:45 PM ET

Environment

We’re Up for the Challenge

Mar 30, 2016 11:35 AM ET

EPA Launches New Voluntary Methane Challenge Program To Reduce Emissions from the Oil and Gas Sector

Environment

National Keep America Beautiful Initiative Reports 52 Percent Reduction of Cigarette Litter in Participating Communities

Mar 30, 2016 11:35 AM ET

Keep America Beautiful, the national nonprofit that envisions a country where every community is a clean, green and beautiful place to live, today announced an average 52 percent reduction in cigarette litter in communities that implemented its Cigarette Litter Prevention Program in 2015, a 4 percent increase over the 2014 results.

Events, Media & Communications

This Year's Tally of S&P 500 Company Disclosures - 81% Now Publishing Sustainability / Responsibility Reports

Mar 30, 2016 11:30 AM ET

For institutional investors, the key benchmark for many professionals is the S&P 500®, which is considered to be the best single gauge of large-cap U. S. equities. More than US$7 trillion in Assets Under Management are benchmarked to this index, including indexed AUM of $1.9 trillion. In all, the S&P 500 captures 80% coverage of available market cap.

Research, Reports & Publications

Implementing SASB - Two Industry Examples

Mar 30, 2016 11:25 AM ET

Over the past six months, we have been working with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) on a series of reports we call the Sustainability Accounting Standings Series (SASS).

Diversity & Inclusion

How Women are Teaching Communities to Fish with Mobile Nets

Mar 30, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Colombian women from traditional fishing communities are leading the effort in the adoption of mobile technologies and a path to a better future in our Qualcomm Wireless Reach Fishing with Mobile Nets program.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

New Case Study: Skandia Group Creating Shared Value in Sweden's Financial Sector

Mar 30, 2016 11:00 AM ET

The concept of shared value recognizes that the health of any business is inextricably linked to the long-term prosperity of its clients and communities.

Education

"Xploration Station," Fox's Two-Hour Block of STEM Programming for Kids, Earns Two Emmy Nominations

Mar 30, 2016 11:00 AM ET

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominees for the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and "Xploration Earth 2050" received two nominations, one for Outstanding Special Class Series and another for Outstanding Writing Special Class. The series, hosted by renowned artist and futurist Chuck Pell, is one of four shows comprising "Xploration Station," a two-hour blog of STEM-related programming airing on Saturday mornings on Fox TV stations.

Responsible Production & Consumption

What’s Humane When it Comes to Animal Welfare?

Mar 30, 2016 10:55 AM ET

Environment

Two New Reports Released on the Current State of US Plastics Recycling

Mar 30, 2016 10:45 AM ET

Two reports were recently released at the 2016 Plastics Recycling Council detailing the progress made towards increased plastics recycling in the United States. One report looks specifically at non-bottle rigid plastics, and the other focuses on plastic bags and film. Both reports were prepared by Moore Recycling Associates and were funded by the American Chemistry Council.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Europe Amgen Scholars Alumni Travel Award Cycle Opens

Mar 30, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Environment

Institutional Investors Tick Green for Building Selection

Mar 30, 2016 10:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Putting Responsible Business Principles into Practice

Mar 30, 2016 10:00 AM ET

GSK released our Annual Report and Responsible Business Supplement, which outlines our progress against 23 bold commitments to be a better business. I invite you to go on this journey with me. Below, you can click through to learn what it’s like and what it takes for four GSK US “intrapreneurs” to build healthier communities, transform our commercial model, reduce our environmental footprint, and create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays 2015 Citizenship Plan Infographic

Mar 30, 2016 9:35 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Techstars Atlanta Names Entrepreneur Michael Cohn as Managing Director

Mar 30, 2016 9:30 AM ET