Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Letter That We’ve Been Waiting For

Jan 30, 2018 3:45 PM ET

You’ve read it, right? The Larry Fink, Blackrock’s CEO, open letter to CEOs. The letter that says what we all believe. If you haven’t, read it now. Go ahead. I’ll wait. It is that important.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Manufacturing Institute, Ingersoll Rand Promote Women in Manufacturing

Jan 30, 2018 3:00 PM ET

The Manufacturing Institute and Ingersoll Rand plc (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, brought together 200 women in manufacturing for a two-day event, STEP Forward: Charlotte, packed with leadership development sessions, networking, and roundtable discussions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

In Michigan, Walk for Warmth Combines Corporate and Grassroots Action to Help With Winter Heating Costs

Jan 30, 2018 2:30 PM ET

As within much of the U.S., economic prospects have improved across Michigan. But a recent report concluded that the poverty rate actually increased in about half of the state’s communities over the past decade. And with winter now blanketing Michigan, where daily low temperatures often fall under 20°F, this time is a reminder of how some of the state’s residents struggle paying off those expensive winter heating bills.

Events, Media & Communications

Final Week for Shared Value Leadership Summit Speaker Applications

Jan 30, 2018 1:30 PM ET

It's the final week to submit proposals for the 2018 Shared Value Leadership Summit's popular Storytellers speaking opportunities and the NEW for 2018, Solutions Salons. Each year Summit attendees join over 400 leaders from companies, nonprofits, and governments to start innovating the real business solutions that our world urgently needs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

PYXERA Global Opens Shanghai Office

Jan 30, 2018 12:30 PM ET

PYXERA Global celebrated the opening of its first China office in a signing ceremony this January. The ceremony marked the formal issuance of PYXERA Global’s registration with the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, the final step in establishing the organization under the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

Education

Opportunity for Transformation, Innovation, and Diversity: Thoughts on the Amgen Scholars Program

Jan 30, 2018 12:15 PM ET

For Cammi Valdez, undergraduate research was a pivotal moment in her life. It was her first exposure to thinking critically about a single question and the first time she could delve into thinking about creating something novel. Now program manager for the Harvard University Amgen Scholars Program, Valdez loves seeing that transformation occur for students participating in the undergraduate research experience.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Vote for Humana in the Corporate Citizenship Film Festival

Jan 30, 2018 12:00 PM ET

In Broward County, more than 281,000 individuals struggle with food insecurity. We’re working with Bold Goal partner Feeding South Florida to combat food insecurity by providing greater access to fresh, nutritious food, helping Broward County become a healthier community. Want more people to know about Humana’s work to fight food insecurity? Help us get this Bold Goal video a finalist spot in the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Film Festival.

Events, Media & Communications

Bringing “Truth to Power” on Climate Change Through Partnerships

Jan 30, 2018 11:40 AM ET

Environment

Which Tree? Where? Why? Farmers in India Can Now Choose From 25 Species of Trees Based on Their Usefulness for Timber, Fruit, Fuel, Fodder, Building and Medicine

Jan 30, 2018 11:15 AM ET

While India has a world-first national policy for agroforestry, aka trees on farms, farmers in different agro-climatic zones need help with which trees to grow. A new book is now here to help. “With multiple research initiatives underway, a lot of scientific knowledge on different species of agroforestry has been generated. Promising Agroforestry Tree Species in India is an assemblage of useful knowledge,” said Trilochan Mohapatra, secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and director-general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Innovation & Technology

How Data Science Can Be Applied to Solve Public Interest Problems Without Losing Its Soul

Jan 30, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Data science has had a tremendous impact in the private sector and is increasingly being applied in the public sector. The Data for Good Exchange (D4GX) is an annual conference centered on these novel problems and applications. This article describes the history of the conference and introduces a selection of the best papers from the 2017 conference that focus on human services.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO: Feeding Better Futures Seeks Young Innovators

Jan 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The global population is rising, and our current food system simply isn't equipped to handle it. We're solving the food accessibility problems of today and tomorrow with help and ideas from amazing young people — like you.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Guest Post: Timberland Shares Best Practices and Lessons Learned at Corporate Service Council Meeting in Atlanta

Jan 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend and participate in the 2018 Points of Light Corporate Service Council (CSC) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Those of us who arrived on Sunday January 14th were invited to the Annual Martin Luther King Sunday Supper, which encourages corporate and civic leaders to break bread and barriers by having open conversations about topics currently affecting their community.

Green Infrastructure

From Davos to Hong Kong: Sustainable Transportation Systems Around the World

Jan 30, 2018 10:45 AM ET

As business leaders and heads of state congregate at Davos for the 2018 World Economic Forum to explore solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, they will come across an innovative new way to get around town—public bus transportation.

The TOSA bus, developed by ABB, a Swiss technology company, isn’t just any bus; it’s an electric bus that can recharge its batteries in as little as 20 seconds by linking up to overhead flash-charging points as it makes stops along its route.

The TOSA bus is the latest in new public transportation initiatives in several cities worldwide that are incorporating sustainable technologies to deal with rapid population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure.

Environment

New Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Expected by July 2018

Jan 30, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Read Antea Group’s summary of the EPA’s proposed final rule for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals in July 2018 and find out how we can assist you.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Trap of #Workfomo

Jan 30, 2018 10:10 AM ET

One thing I spend a lot of time thinking about is the future. That’s one big part of my job, and I default to it because it’s the part that I like the most. I’ve also found success in that space. The details of how it all gets done are important. I can wade through them when forced, but ask anyone who knows me and they can probably mimic a face I’d make when you start talking about details. However, this year I was especially keen on seeing us really dig deeper into the details. Somewhere between late November and early January, I landed on what was going to be my “stand” for 2018, double down.

Health & Healthcare

The Soul of Sustainability and the Opioid Epidemic

Jan 30, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Where to find the soul of sustainability and why it is critical to being empathetic and compassionate in your work. The opioid epidemic requires all hands on deck regardless of your race, income, or profession.

Social Impact & Volunteering

KeyBank Offers Free Tax Preparation Services at Nine Super Refund Saturday Events on February 3

Jan 30, 2018 10:00 AM ET

KeyBank will host its annual Super Refund Saturday event on February 3, 2018, partnering with organizations in nine communities to provide free tax season and post-tax season support. For 13 years on Super Refund Saturday, KeyBank employees have worked alongside volunteers from community organizations to provide free tax preparation services to those who need it most, helping low- to moderate-income individuals and families determine their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Media & Communications

AT&T HELLO LAB Mentorship Program Premieres 5 Short Films on DIRECTV NOW

Jan 30, 2018 9:30 AM ET

January is National Mentoring Month, a month dedicated to promoting and encouraging youth mentoring across the country. We know that when mentors connect to young people, both are changed for the better. In fact, more than one in three students at risk of not graduating from high school grow up without an adult mentor in their life.

Environment

As Environmentalists Warn About Water Scarcity, Pepsico Is Saving Water and Money

Jan 30, 2018 9:00 AM ET

PepsiCo produces many types of beverages — including Gatorade — as well as several kinds of chips like Cheetos, Ruffles and Tostitos. At a massive Gatorade facility in the city of Tolleson, Arizona, which is just outside of Phoenix, bottling lines fill up 600 containers per minute. “We’re doing grape, we’re doing fruit punch, we’re doing lemon-lime,” says Tim Carey, who directs sustainability programs for PepsiCo Beverages in North America. Carey says the company started investing in water efficiency four years ago in water-scarce Arizona. Since then, they’ve seen a 24 percent improvement at the facility.

Education

Investing in Young People: A Winning Idea: Promoting Financial Literacy

Jan 30, 2018 8:35 AM ET

Environment

De Beers' Group's Senior Ecology Manager Piet Oosthuizen Explains Why He Has the Best Job in the World

Jan 30, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Since I started in 1989, I was involved with the mine’s wildlife clubs, where I developed a good sense for something that very soon became a passion.

Responsible Production & Consumption

UN Recognition for British American Tobacco’s Programme to Inspire a New Generation of Farmers in Brazil

Jan 30, 2018 8:25 AM ET

BAT’s Novos Rurais programme in Brazil, which is run by the company’s Souza Cruz Institute, provides entrepreneurial training and opportunities for young people to receive financial support for setting up new agricultural businesses.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Recognition for Boeing's Environmental Leadership in South Carolina

Jan 30, 2018 8:00 AM ET

A transformative wildlife protection initiative in South Carolina, spearheaded by Boeing in partnership with government and private sector agencies, has earned the highest level of conservation certification from the U.S. Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and is leading the way for similar efforts from other corporations in the state.

Education

Tiger Woods Foundation and Discovery Education Promote Student Exploration of Innovative Careers in Tech

Jan 30, 2018 8:00 AM ET

The Tiger Woods Foundation (TWF) and Discovery Education – the leading provider of digital education content and professional development for K-12 classrooms – have collaborated to captivate students, empower teachers and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CITGO Raises More Than $65,000 for Local Community Programs with 2017 Spirit Pump Initiative

Jan 30, 2018 8:00 AM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation, along with its Marketers and Retailers, raised more than $65,000 in 2017 through the installation of “Spirit Pumps” at participating CITGO stations across 29 states.