Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Astellas Volunteers Spread Cheer to Patients Battling Cancer

Apr 16, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Being away from families and friends during the holidays can be difficult. For a person battling cancer and their loved ones – this can be especially challenging. To help brighten the day of these patients and their families, Astellas employees wrote inspirational messages on note cards and decorated them. These note cards were put into 2,000 care packages assembled by Astellas volunteers to give to patients and caregivers staying at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodges and Ronald McDonald Houses. The volunteer event was part of Astellas’ inaugural Patient and Caregiver Week – a series of events to educate employees on the patient’s journey and how Astellas can do more to help them.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Leadership in Times of Transition: Live From the American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit

Apr 16, 2018 5:45 PM ET

In case you missed it, this afternoon, Angela Fernandez, Esq. (executive director, Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights) and Dan Parks (managing editor, The Chronicle of Philanthropy) held a riveting conversation on leading during times of transition at the American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit.

Social Impact & Volunteering

April 16-20, 2018 Is National Volunteer Week

Apr 16, 2018 5:40 PM ET

LBG Canada companies encourage volunteering, do you? Join LBG Canada and advance your volunteering efforts! Get in touch! #CIMatters

Events, Media & Communications

Raising a Glass to Earth Day: A Facebook Live Event

Apr 16, 2018 5:25 PM ET

Caesars Entertainment is partnering with 3BL Media to execute a Facebook Live event called “Raising a Glass to Earth Day” that will showcase some of the CodeGreen cocktails being mixed for this year’s CodeGreen Cocktail Challenge.

Environment

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Taps Kimberly-Clark Professional to Recycle Used Gloves at its California and North Carolina Facilities

Apr 16, 2018 5:00 PM ET

To the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. sustainability is not simply an initiative, it is integral to every aspect of its operations. The company has won numerous local, state and national awards for its efforts and its Chico, California, headquarters has onsite wastewater treatment and composting facilities as well as the largest solar installation of any craft brewer.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Laura Gallagher, AIG Receives the ACCP Ignite Impact Award

Apr 16, 2018 4:15 PM ET

ACCP granted Laura K. Gallagher, Global Head, Corporate Citizenship, AIG the 2018 ACCP Ignite Award for her exceptional leadership in the corporate citizenship field. Ms. Gallagher was recognized for her dedication to AIG and her commitment to creating positive impact on environmental, social, end economic outcomes in AIG’s local community and around the world.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Arrow Electronics Teams with Salesforce to Fight Hunger in Colorado

Apr 16, 2018 2:25 PM ET

Employees from Arrow Electronics and Salesforce volunteered earlier this month at the Food Bank of the Rockies to support hunger relief efforts. Working in two shifts, the volunteers helped sort, pack and load 70,000 pounds of food that will be distributed throughout Colorado.

Green Infrastructure

International WELL Building Institute Announces New Global Market Partners to Accelerate Promotion of Buildings That Help People Thrive

Apr 16, 2018 2:20 PM ET

The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) today announced new market partners with several green building councils and other key organizations, marking an important milestone in the shared global mission to transform buildings to actively promote human health and wellness. Each organization is working with IWBI within their respective markets to accelerate the uptake of building practice that helps improve the health and wellness of people everywhere.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Live From the American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit

Apr 16, 2018 1:10 PM ET

Greetings from the fourth annual American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit in NYC! Over the next few days, we’ll be celebrating eleven years of a transformative program that has developed more than 3,000 nonprofit and social purpose leaders. Seventy-two distinguished program alumni from around the world are here today and tomorrow to grow their networks, enhance their leadership skills, and discuss key challenges facing nonprofit organizations.

Education

Help Classrooms Across the U.S. Win Up to $5,000 to Tell Their Story

Apr 16, 2018 12:50 PM ET

Over the last 6 weeks, we’ve watched as teachers and students from across the country – 46 states to be exact – submitted their projects to the AT&T Digital Storytelling Challenge Presented by DonorsChoose.org.

Energy

Green-e® Renewable Energy Standard for Chile Launches With Viña Concha y Toro Collaboration

Apr 16, 2018 12:30 PM ET

San Francisco–based NGO Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is developing a new standard for certifying the sale and use of green power in Chile through its market-leading Green-e® certification program. During the development of the new Green-e® Renewable Energy Standard for Chile, Green-e will conduct a pilot certification process with Chile-based Viña Concha y Toro, one of the world’s largest wine producers.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

College of Staten Island and Rhode Island School of Design Named Champions of RecycleMania 2018

Apr 16, 2018 12:15 PM ET

College of Staten Island, which is a four-year, senior college of The City University of New York, and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) have been named the winners of the two primary categories of the 2018 RecycleMania competition, sponsored by Rubbermaid Commercial Products®.

Energy

VIDEO | How Companies Can Accelerate Use of Renewable Energy and Contribute to a More Sustainable World

Apr 16, 2018 12:05 PM ET

With rising corporate commitments and shifting regulatory requirements, companies are looking for ways to quickly advance renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. Corporations are increasingly turning their attention to address science-based targets and clean energy goals across their footprint.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Teenager Adopted from Foster Care after 13 Years

Apr 16, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Imagine all your major life milestones happening without your family there to celebrate. That was life for 15-year-old Carlo. He entered foster care as a toddler and for 13 years was bounced home to home without the stability of a permanent address, let alone a loving, permanent family.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Commits $300,000 in Support of the Community of Humboldt and the Province of Saskatchewan

Apr 16, 2018 12:00 PM ET

To demonstrate our support following the recent tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos Junior hockey team, Scotiabank is committing $300,000 in support of the people of Humboldt, Saskatchewan and area.

Diversity & Inclusion

Nick Animation Dazzles with Content Celebrating Women’s History Month

Apr 16, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Viacom celebrated Women’s History Month with events and activations throughout the company, including a global cross-brand collaboration for International Women’s Day on March 8, and employee events (including an employee Art Exhibit) sponsored by HERE, Viacom’s resource group for women.

Women’s History Month is especially fascinating at a creative company like Viacom, as different brands and divisions offer bespoke contributions to honor women’s achievement.

Media & Communications

Feeding 9 Billion People in 2050? Challenging! – A Leading U.S. CEO in the Food & Agriculture Business Has Important Perspectives to Share

Apr 16, 2018 11:30 AM ET

The CEO of one of the nation’s leading food and agriculture companies has important messages for us: “To move the planet forward, farmers must lead the charge. But they cannot do it alone. Coordinated action on sustainability across the food supply chains is the only way to achieve lasting progress.” He tells us how and why in his commentary in a Top Story.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Could It Be the Last Straw for Plastic Straws?

Apr 16, 2018 11:30 AM ET

We are now in the middle of a war on straws being fought by environmentalists as well as some bartenders and liquor companies (such as Bacardi, which banned plastic straws from events two years ago). Several cities in California now have “straw-on-request” laws that prohibit waiters from handing out straws unless a diner expressly asks for one.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Philippines Needs a National Agroforestry Policy to Meet the Sustainable Development Goals

Apr 16, 2018 11:25 AM ET

The Philippines is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, annually experiencing more than 20 typhoons, of increasing strength, that destroy lives and livelihoods.

Environment

The World Wildlife Fund Turns Instagram Wanderlust Into Environmental Awareness

Apr 16, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Influencer marketing has become a hot trend in social media. And with more than 800 million active users on Instagram, influencers can truly amplify a message and deliver real results for brands, especially amongst social media savvy Gen Z and Millennial audiences. Leveraging the popular platform, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) launched a simple, eye-opening campaign to showcase the effects of environmental destruction.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Mars Inc. Aligns Sustainability With Biz Strategy: Q&A With Supply Chain Exec

Apr 16, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Global food manufacturer Mars Inc. recently made public the fact that the global carbon footprint from its extended supply chain is equivalent to a country roughly the size of Panama. But last week, the company announced its new commitment to reduce its GHG emissions from its full value chain by 27% by 2025, and by 67% by 2050 (from 2015 levels).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fourth Annual American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit Connects Social Purpose Leaders from Around the World

Apr 16, 2018 11:00 AM ET

American Express (NYSE: AXP) will host its fourth annual Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit in New York on April 16 and 17, celebrating eleven years of a transformative program that has developed more than 3,600 nonprofit and social purpose leaders. Seventy-two distinguished program alumni from around the world will have the opportunity to discuss best practices and participate in workshops with eleven premier leadership development organizations, including The Aspen Institute, Ashoka Changemakers, Center for Creative Leadership, Common Purpose, and Independent Sector.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

iCause Partners With the Shining Life Foundation

Apr 16, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

This Woman Uses All-Natural, Local Ingredients to Make Soap and Cosmetics in Tunisia

Apr 16, 2018 10:10 AM ET

In 2017, when she was 29 years old, Amina Zaoui launched an artisanal soap and natural cosmetics business in Tozeur, Tunisia.

Sustainable Development Goals

eBay Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief on Internet Sales Tax

Apr 16, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Brief urges the Court to consider the consequences of taxing independent small businesses in states where they do not have facilities, employees or a voice in the local political process.