Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Education

Ryerson University Team Wins Youth Empowerment National Champion Title

May 18, 2018 11:35 AM ET

Ryerson University students partnered with a local school in Pisac, Peru to implement a horticultural education program designed to generate a sustainable revenue stream for the school.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Baton Rouge Chamber Announces Diversity Star Award Recipients

May 18, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) today announced recipients of its inaugural Diversity Star Award at its sold-out Diversity in Business luncheon. Civil Solutions Consulting Group received the award for the small business category, and Republic Services of Baton Rouge received the award for the large business category.

Education

Mobile Science Lab Sparks Curiosity in Hawthorn Students

May 18, 2018 10:50 AM ET

“It’s exciting to see these experiences being made available to even more students,” says Victoria May, executive director of the ISP. “Too many students get to high school without the confidence to tackle STEM subjects or an awareness of the opportunities waiting for them in STEM fields. That’s why it’s important to make inroads with students when it matters most—in elementary and middle school.”

Environment

Around the World, Bloomberg Employee Volunteers Are Sustaining and Strengthening the Environment

May 18, 2018 10:45 AM ET

As part of our legacy of connecting with and protecting nature around the world, Bloomberg employees are dedicated to restoring our local green spaces and engaging as local stewards in the communities where we have offices. Last year, our employees volunteered over 12,000 hours in environmental stewardship efforts in local communities, planted more than 73,000 trees and plants, cleaned 75 local parks and waterways, and collected over 565,000 pounds of garbage and mulch. Read more about our philanthropy and engagement efforts in our 2017 Impact Report.

Sustainable Development Goals

Banning Charcoal Isn’t the Way to Go. Kenya Should Make It Sustainable.

May 18, 2018 10:45 AM ET

The Kenyan government has clamped down on the production of charcoal, which it blames for environmental damage. A three-month ban on trading is in force in a number of counties. The Conversation Africa’s Moina Spooner spoke to Mary Njenga about the crackdown.

Innovation & Technology

Ready, Set…Mars! Imagining Life on the Red Planet

May 18, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

U.S. Veterans Magazine Announces its 2018 Summer Best of The Best Early Results Lists

May 18, 2018 10:05 AM ET

(Irvine, California) – May 15, 2018– U.S. Veterans Magazine (USVM) today released the results of its highly anticipated 2018 evaluation of the nation’s Best of the Best Top Veteran-Friendly Companies, Top Supplier Diversity Programs, Top Government & Law Enforcement Agencies, and Top Veteran-Friendly Schools.

Responsible Production & Consumption

INFOGRAPHIC: Food Safety and Quality at Smithfield Foods

May 18, 2018 10:05 AM ET

More than 50Million invested in facility upgrades to enhance food safety, quality, and productivity. Learn more about Smithfield's commitment to food safety and quality.

Environment

Changing Yourself to Build a Sustainable Future

May 18, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Hollywood actress Maggie Q, along with CLP Director of Group Sustainability Dr Jeanne Ng, City University of Hong Kong Chair Professor of Atmospheric Science Prof Johnny Chan and the Green Earth Founder and Executive Director Edwin Lau, shares how people can change their habits and attitude to contribute to the global sustainable movement.

Events, Media & Communications

REWIRE: Unlocking Talent Solutions for Today & Tomorrow

May 18, 2018 10:00 AM ET

On Wednesday, June 13 the Shared Value Initiative and FSG will convene REWIRE, a new conference that’s digging into the whys & hows of implementing new hiring strategies to be more inclusive of untapped talent, and in turn, make your business more competitive.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi Partners with Sands Cares to Assemble Hygiene Kits for Veterans, Women and Children

May 18, 2018 9:55 AM ET

In March, Sands Bethlehem hosted a team from the Bacardi Group for two days of meetings and dinners. As part of their visit, the team built 500 hygiene kits for veterans, women and children, providing them with access to soap and other personal hygiene products. The kits were donated to the Victory House, YWCA of Bethlehem and Donegan Elementary School.

Green Infrastructure

Realizing the Future of WELL

May 18, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Last week, we flipped our calendars from April to May, and with that ushered in a landmark month in IWBI history – the one in which we'll launch the next version of WELL.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (May 2018)

May 18, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi North America Opens 2018 ‘Ideas that Matter' Call for Entries

May 18, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the call for entries for its 2018 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how design – specifically print – can play an important role in changing lives for the better.

Sustainable Development Goals

Director of UNEP Speaks on the Role of the Private Sector in Achieving the SDGs

May 18, 2018 6:20 AM ET

In a recent interview with Ethical Corporation, the Director of Governance Affairs at UN Environment, Jorge Laguna-Celis, explained that engaging with the private sector has been part of UNEP’s “modus-operandi” since the SDGs were signed in 2015. According to Laguna-Celis, “the vision of our executive director Erik Solheim is very simple. In every division, every staff member, in every project he or she is working on, has to devote resources to engaging with the private sector.”

Environment

National Geographic Launches ‘Planet or Plastic?’ Initiative to Reduce Impact of Single-use Plastics on Our Oceans

May 17, 2018 8:15 PM ET

Every year, 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans and could remain in marine environments for more than 450 years. This escalating problem deserves our attention, and today National Geographic is kicking off a multiyear initiative to reduce the impact of single-use plastics on our oceans. The comprehensive plan of action called “Planet or Plastic?” launches today and is tied to the June issue of National Geographic magazine, which is available online now and will hit newsstands on May 29.

Diversity & Inclusion

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

May 17, 2018 6:10 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

What is Market Transformation and Why Should Business Care?

May 17, 2018 4:45 PM ET

The Erb Institute is the University of Michigan’s business-sustainability partnership between the Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability. We work with business leaders to help them improve company competitiveness through enhanced social, environmental and economic performance. Our degree programs prepare students to be future business leaders for sustainability, while our research and executive education prepare current business leaders for what’s next in sustainability.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Looking for All Things Employee Engagement Embodied into One, Easy-to-Use Employee Giving Tool?

May 17, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Executing a multifaceted employee giving and engagement program can seem like an overwhelming process. But it doesn’t have to be. If you are looking for all things employee engagement embodied into one, easy-to-use employee giving tool - you can stop looking and start implementing now!

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CITGO Honored With Special Olympics Louisiana Outstanding Corporate Benefactor Award

May 17, 2018 3:30 PM ET

This past April, CITGO was honored to receive the Special Olympics Louisiana 2017 Outstanding State Corporate Benefactor Award, noting the company's historic and dependable support of Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Special Olympics. As a proud partner of SWLA Special Olympics for more than 30 years, CITGO was also presented with a SWLA Special Olympics Sponsor Recognition plaque.

Environment

A Water Crisis Promotes Early Childhood Education and Health

May 17, 2018 3:20 PM ET

The potential health impact on young children in Flint, Michigan is serious. Two years ago, lead in the city’s water supply reached toxic levels and the drinking water was declared unsafe. At high levels, exposure to lead can affect almost every system in the human body. For young children, especially, it can contribute to learning and behavior problems, slow growth and physical development, and lead to hearing and speech problems. Lead exposure also has been associated with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A Duke University study found that exposure to lead can have a negative impact on children’s lives for decades.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Strengthening the Social Economy: A Conversation With Catherine LaCour, Chief Marketing Officer at Blackbaud

May 17, 2018 3:05 PM ET

In this episode of the Champions for Social Good podcast, Rachel Hutchisson speaks with Catherine LaCour, chief marketing officer at Blackbaud, about how organizations can strengthen the social economy to build a better world. Learn why leveraging data, individual impact and radical collaboration are critical to achieving greater impact.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Duke Energy Empowers Economies Through Workforce Development

May 17, 2018 2:00 PM ET

A growing issue for Duke Energy and many businesses is the gap between demand for skilled STEM workers and available talent to fill open positions. One of the ways the company is closing the gap is through our investments in education and workforce development.

Education

For Low-Income Students, a New Graduation Equation

May 17, 2018 1:25 PM ET

Naffie Baldeh was 27 when she decided to go back to school. A single mother in the South Bronx, she’d been in and out of community colleges over the years as her family obligations and financial circumstances allowed. She was feeling the strain that comes with being a low-income student as her financial responsibilities—childcare, housing, the cost of school itself—competed with her academic ambitions.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Smithfield Foods Releases Latest Section of 2017 Sustainability Report, Shares New Programs and Companywide Commitment to Food Safety and Quality

May 17, 2018 12:40 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. released the Food Safety and Quality section of its 2017 Sustainability Report, which provides robust information about the company’s leading approach to producing safe, high-quality products. This section focuses on programs and achievements that underscore a culture of food safety, and highlights new product offerings that reflect Smithfield’s transformation into a world-class consumer packaged goods and protein company.