Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Green Infrastructure

Citi Tower, Hong Kong Achieves Sustainability and Wellbeing First

Jun 14, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Since first advising the bank on the acquisition of the tower for a record $700 million in 2014, CBRE have provided project and change management at the tower to deliver the most highly certified building in Hong Kong.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Connect with Work is Transforming Young Lives

Jun 14, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

A Visual Tour of a Colombian Coffee Farm

Jun 14, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Nescafé Taster’s Choice took a team of coffee-loving bloggers to Colombia to check out the incredible Nescafé farms growing high quality coffee.

Environment

JetBlue Cultivates Market Conditions for Greener Growth

Jun 14, 2017 9:05 AM ET

JetBlue isn’t afraid to make the first move – in 2015, we were the first commercial airline to join the American Business Act on Climate Pledge in support of the Conference of Parties (COP 21), the "Paris Climate Conference." However, it’s industry-wide collaboration that’s going to get us there.

Diversity & Inclusion

Consumers Energy is Commited to its People

Jun 14, 2017 9:05 AM ET

As featured in the Consumers Energy Sustainability Report 2017: Nearly 7,500 employees reflect the values and diversity of our state. We are the face and the heart of our energy company. We honor the trust you place in us by following a rigorous Code of Conduct that insists upon integrity, collaboration and safety.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Democratizing Philanthropy: A Conversation with Brandolon Barnett of Growfund at Global Impact

Jun 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In this episode of the Champions for Social Good Podcast, Jamie Serino speaks with Brandolon Barnett, Director, Partner Solutions at Growfund with Global Impact.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

National Geographic’s Courteney Monroe and Katie Couric Host Ghetto Film School’s Annual Table Read Event with Christian Slater and John Leguizamo

Jun 13, 2017 8:25 PM ET

High school students from long-time 21st Century Fox nonprofit partner, Ghetto Film School, had the unique opportunity to hear their short film scripts read by Hollywood talent and receive feedback from top industry executives last week at the school’s annual Table Read event in New York.

Events, Media & Communications

June 15th Webinar: Workplace Giving Donor Attitudes, Perceptions, Motivators, and Influencers

Jun 13, 2017 7:05 PM ET

Between January and April 2017, more than 1,500 employee donors across the country participated in America's Charities' Snapshot 2017 workplace giving survey, sharing what they value, how they make decisions about charitable giving and volunteering, and how their giving impacts their relationships with their employers.

Education

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars Visit Major League Baseball Players Association

Jun 13, 2017 5:50 PM ET

On Wednesday, June 7, 2017, I had the pleasure of visiting the Major League Baseball Players Association's headquarters in midtown Manhattan at the invitation of Melissa Persaud, Director of the Major League Baseball Players Trust, which is a sponsor of the Jackie Robinson Foundation where I am an intern this summer.

Environment

America's Pledge: Letter of Michael R. Bloomberg to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres & Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Patricia Espinosa

Jun 13, 2017 4:30 PM ET

The bulk of the decisions which drive U.S. climate action in the aggregate are made by cities, states, businesses, and civil society. The federal role, ideally, is to coordinate and support those efforts. In the absence of a supportive federal coordinating role, these actors will more closely coordinate their own decarbonization actions. Collectively, they will redouble their efforts to ensure that the U.S. achieves the carbon emissions reductions it pledged under the Paris Agreement.

Social Impact & Volunteering

These Plant Workers Are Devoted to Helping Their Town

Jun 13, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Employees at Allen Steam Station have a history of service, but last year, plant manager Brent Dueitt decided he wanted to do more. So, he trusted Adam Toney with building relationships and finding new ways employees could help.

Diversity & Inclusion

Strategies to Progress Our Inclusion and Diversity Journey

Jun 13, 2017 3:40 PM ET

Business resource groups (BRGs) were introduced at Newmont in 2014. A Business Resource Group (also known as an Affinity Group or Employee Resource Group) is a company-sanctioned organization of employees with a common background, set of interests and/or goals. Each BRG welcomes all employees. Since 2014, 17 BRGs have been established in our operating regions and at the corporate office. Newmont recognizes BRGs as critical partners for ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and diversity of thought is celebrated and leveraged with participation open to all employees.

Events, Media & Communications

Corporate Responsibility Association “Innovation Series” Webinar Features CEO of Phone2Action’s Digital Advocacy Platform, June 21, 1 pm ET

Jun 13, 2017 3:25 PM ET

When American skin care and cosmetics brand Beautycounter needed to mobilize customers and other key stakeholders to advocate for the safety of ingredients in personal care products, the innovative digital platform Phone2Action delivered immediate engagement.

Sustainable Development Goals

Have a Reporting Season Sanity Latte with the Antea Group Corporate Reporting Dream Team

Jun 13, 2017 3:15 PM ET

Whether you are panicked or progressing smoothly in your corporate sustainability disclosure reporting this year, Antea Group's team has several insights to help you across the finish line. Read their timely blog here.

Diversity & Inclusion

How Employee Diversity and Inclusion Become Competitive Advantages

Jun 13, 2017 2:45 PM ET

When Todd Sears started his career as a Wall Street investment banker in the late ‘90s, he had to be discreet about his sexual orientation and sought another job where he could bring “his whole self to work.” In a more welcoming atmosphere, he opened a lucrative new market for his subsequent employer, catering to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients, a groundbreaking idea for the time.

Stephen Frost, head of diversity and inclusion for the London Olympics and author of the book The Inclusion Imperative, says this situation is hardly unique: Frost’s research found that people within the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community who remain in the closet are 10 percent less productive than those who feel they can be themselves.

Innovation & Technology

GM Scales Autonomous Vehicle Fleet to 180 Electric Cars

Jun 13, 2017 2:30 PM ET

GM is using mass-production methods to manufacture 130 fully electric Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles equipped with self-driving technology at an assembly plant in Michigan. These vehicles will join the 50 already deployed in San Francisco, Scottsdale and metro Detroit. GM is testing these self-driving cars and collecting real-world data, ensuring they meet the company’s strict safety and quality standards.

Innovation & Technology

GM Produces First Round of Self-Driving Chevrolet Bolt EV Test Vehicles

Jun 13, 2017 1:15 PM ET

General Motors today announced that it completed production of 130 Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles equipped with its next generation of self-driving technology at its Orion Assembly Plant located in Orion Township, Michigan. The vehicles will join the more than 50 current-generation self-driving Bolt EVs already deployed in testing fleets in San Francisco; Scottsdale, Arizona; and metro Detroit.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Arrow Electronics Sponsors Junior Achievement Business Week for Colorado High School Students

Jun 13, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Arrow Electronics is again the presenting sponsor for Junior Achievement Business Week, a week-long residential business “boot camp” experience for students in grades 9-12 taking place June 11–16 on the Johnson & Wales campus in Denver. JA Business Week provides students from all walks of life with the entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills that will help them succeed when they enter the work force.

Education

University Presidents Share Perspectives on Student Success

Jun 13, 2017 12:45 PM ET

The 2016-2017 edition of President to President, titled “Integrated Approaches to Student Living and Campus Housing—Enhancing Quality of Life and Performance,” focused on issues, trends and opportunities related to campus life. University presidents from around the country shared their views and experiences on the relationship between life on campus and student success, comfort, and performance. Key takeaways included the importance of student living, diversity and inclusion on campus, safety & security, student retention and fostering resiliency.

Diversity & Inclusion

Successful Role Models Embody Trust, Foster a ‘Speak Up’ Culture at Their Companies

Jun 13, 2017 12:35 PM ET

A good role model is hard to find – and that’s especially true if you’re a woman in the technology industry. Role modeling, along with tackling unconscious bias in hiring and investing in programs to widen the pipeline of women in technical positions, is of course part of a well-rounded strategy for leveling the playing field.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

GRI and Australian Government to Accelerate Investment in the Indo-Pacific

Jun 13, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Starting in June, GRI and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are launching a new program, ‘Sustainable Trade and Investment through Reporting’ in the Indo-Pacific (STIR Indo-Pacific). The program will target five developing countries in Asia: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. ​

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

BIMA wins The Wall Street Journal’s Financial Inclusion Challenge 2017

Jun 13, 2017 11:55 AM ET

The Wall Street Journal has celebrated the winning enterprises of The Financial Inclusion Challenge 2017, sponsored by MetLife Foundation. BIMA, Kinara Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance Lab were all recognized as leaders in the field of financial inclusion at an awards ceremony at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.

Energy

Top 3 Benefits of Military Microgrids

Jun 13, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The advantages of deploying microgrids are abundant, with sustainability and reliability leading the charge. These are easy to communicate on a community level, but have more specific benefits when installed at military applications.

Environment

Michael Bloomberg: 'Sadiq Khan is a Good Mayor. I Don't Know What Prompted Donald Trump'

Jun 13, 2017 10:40 AM ET

As the philanthropist and former mayor of New York arrives in London to open his new £1 billion HQ, Michael Bloomberg talks climate change, capitalism and impeachment with Anne McElvoy.

Media & Communications

82% of the S&P 500(r) Published a Sustainability Report in 2016 - Analysis Just Released on the Index Universe of Leading Companies

Jun 13, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Our first analysis was shared publicly in 2011, for the results of year 2010 company reporting. We found that just about 20% or one-in-five of the S&P 500 universe was publishing a sustainability report in some form. Now we have year 2016 results -- holding steady at 82%.