Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Energy

Transmissions from the Future: 3 Energy Trends to Watch

May 14, 2018 3:05 PM ET

More than 2,000 decision-makers from the business, finance and policy communities assembled at The Future of Energy Summit, hosted by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). The topics were wide ranging, but the constant was a focus on sharing ideas and developments moving utilities and companies to a more efficient, productive and low-carbon tomorrow.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

More Than $1 Million Awarded for Mexico's Earthquake-struck Monte Albán

May 14, 2018 2:25 PM ET

World Monuments Fund (WMF) announced today more than $1 million in funding to support disaster response and restoration efforts at Monte Albán Archaeological Site in Oaxaca, Mexico. The new project is the latest in WMF’s long history of supporting cultural heritage sites damaged or destroyed at the hands of natural disaster – beginning with the floods of Venice in 1966.

Sustainable Development Goals

CECP's Global Exchange Welcomes Three New Local Authorities

May 14, 2018 1:50 PM ET

CECP´s Global Exchange continues to expand its global footprint to unite country-based, mission-driven corporate engagement organizations to advance business as a force for good around the world. CECP is excited to welcome three new local authorities to the coalition; Centro Mexicano para la Filantropía (Cemefi) in Mexico, Fundación SERES in Spain, and United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia (GCMY).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation | Empowering Entrepreneurs: Interview with Christie Zangrilli

May 14, 2018 1:45 PM ET

Christie is a new partner of Whole Planet Foundation whose design-forward and fun furniture provides inspiration and is a unique way of “lending”. Through her leadership, Party at the Moontower loaned and styled Whole Planet Foundation lounge furniture for our 2017 Annual Benefit & Live Auction. On Saturday, June 2nd, Christie is a panelist at Whole Planet Foundation's Power Her Potential Women’s Expo, speaking about Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Recycling Initiative Takes Shape at Sands Expo & Convention Center

May 14, 2018 12:25 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands has long been committed to the impact made on the planet. Through its sustainability program, Sands ECO360, the company extends its efforts to partnerships internally and externally, and engages Team Members to unite in protecting the planet. For Facilities/Sustainability Manager at Sands Expo, Lorraine Kalyanaprapruit, her focus is on reducing waste and providing Team Members with knowledge on recycling.

Social Impact & Volunteering

American Woman’s Jen Bartels and Yellowstone’s Kelsey Asbille Give Back on Viacommunity Day

May 14, 2018 11:25 AM ET

For the past 22 years, Viacom’s annual worldwide Viacommunity Day has given back to those in need. On Friday, April 20, thousands of employees across Viacom and its brands once again volunteered to make a difference in communities around the world, from supporting L.A.’s homeless to organizing gun-safety projects in Florida to restoring outdated facilities in New York City.

Joining the Viacom employees for one project at their Times Square headquarters was talent from Paramount Network’s forthcoming originals: Jen Bartels of American Woman (premiering June 7) and Kelsey Asbille of Yellowstone (June 20). The pair sat down with the other volunteers to decorate bags that students at Free Arts NYC can use to carry home the art they create in the program.

Environment

Digital Learning Disruption: What You Need to Know About the Next Phase of eLearning for EHS Training

May 14, 2018 11:15 AM ET

EHS professionals should arm themselves to meet their new responsibilities in today’s digital eLearning age. Find out how in Antea Group’s new blog.

Education

Big Impact in Bio: Funding the Translation From Bench to Bedside at the American Academy

May 14, 2018 11:10 AM ET

At a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology last year, Megan Krench saw something remarkable: Children, previously unable to move their head or sit up, were turning their heads to look at their parents, sitting up, and even walking. It was a video of a company’s clinical trial for a gene therapy to treat a devastating childhood neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy. Infants with this disease typically never reach any developmental milestones, and most die by age two.

Events, Media & Communications

Peter Paul van de Wijs Joins GRI as Chief Communications Officer

May 14, 2018 11:00 AM ET

GRI has appointed Peter Paul van de Wijs as Chief Communications Officer. With extensive international experience in communications and sustainable development, he will bring valuable input to driving GRI's mission of empowering decisions that create social, environmental and economic benefits for everyone.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Best Employers 2018: VMware Named #21 by Forbes

May 14, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Each year, Forbes partners with market research company Statista to poll 30,000 U.S. employees. With this data, the companies compile a country-wide ranking of the best employers of 2018. This year, VMware is excited to announce that the company ranks #21 on Forbes’ list of best employers. Additionally, when looking at companies in the “IT, Internet, Software & Services” category, VMware ranks as the #4 best employer. And if you look at companies headquartered in the competitive San Francisco Bay Area, VMware takes the #3 spot!

Environment

Humans, Not Trees, Are the Solution for the Philippines

May 14, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Blockchain Technology: Revolutionizing Food Traceability and Security

May 14, 2018 10:00 AM ET

As the world’s population continues to grow at a rapid pace, so must our ability to feed it. To meet this need, companies are seeking new ways to enhance and expand their capabilities to safely produce and distribute food across the globe, making the journey from farm to table more complex than it once was. Although rare, food safety and security concerns do arise, and when they do, time is of the essence as public health and lives are at stake, not to mention the livelihoods of industries, companies, and employees. Because of this, food traceability has become increasingly important.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Harnessing Uganda’s Agricultural Potential to Improve Farmers’ Lives

May 14, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Divine Masters Ltd (DML), a Ugandan socially-focussed agribusiness enterprise, has joined Business Call to Action (BCtA) with the aim to incorporate 96,000 Ugandan farmers into its agricultural value chain, increasing their production yields, reduce post-harvest losses through climate adaptation practices, improve access to markets and increase household income by 10 percent by 2020.

Responsible Production & Consumption

EFI Welcomes Rouge River Farms to Its Growing Family of Ethical Suppliers

May 14, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Rouge River Farms joins a fast-growing network of certified growers that have made a commitment to improve labor conditions, food safety and pest management through Equitable Food Initiative’s workforce development program.

The company’s farming and packing operations in Clewiston, Florida, became EFI's first certified grower shipper on the East Coast after meeting more than 300 rigorous indicators, based on independent assessment by third-party certifier SCS Global Services.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark Again Honored as a Top 50 Company for Diversity

May 14, 2018 8:20 AM ET

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, was once again named to DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for diversity list.

Diversity & Inclusion

Ryan Murphy to Donate All Profits From FX’s “Pose” to LGBTQ Charities

May 14, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Ahead of the June 3 premiere of his new FX series Pose, a dance musical about ball culture in 1980s New York City, writer and producer Ryan Murphy announced he will donate 100% of his profits from the show to trans and LGBTQ charities across the U.S. The series features the largest cast of transgender actors in regular roles in TV history, as well as the largest recurring cast of LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series. Murphy will spotlight each of the recipient organization on his Twitter account and plans to host fundraiser screenings and other benefits to continue to raise awareness and drive donations. Murphy is also the creator of hit FX series American Horror Story, American Crime Story, and Feud, as well as FOX’s 9-1-1.

Diversity & Inclusion

Ikea Bullies Plants to Demonstrate the Impact of Negative Words

May 11, 2018 7:15 PM ET

More than one-out-of-five students in the U.S. reports being bullied, making it a prevalent topic for educators and parents. And, over the past few years, organizations and brands have joined the conversation – creating hashtags, emojis and even hidden camera stunts – to bring awareness to the issue. Now, Ikea is joining the ranks with a simple, tangible activation that demonstrates the negative effects of bullying.

Education

Discovery Partnerships Pave Pathways Toward College Access and Career Success

May 11, 2018 4:45 PM ET

At Discovery Education, we have established collaborative relationships with a variety of like-minded partners who are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to college for all students—while also highlighting examples of the diverse career paths available to them.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Bloomberg Provides ESG Data to Nearly 15,000 Investors on the Bloomberg Terminal

May 11, 2018 3:35 PM ET

Bloomberg collects, scrubs, verifies and continually updates environmental, social and governance (ESG) data from published company disclosures on the Terminal. Currently, we provide company-reported ESG data for almost 9,500 companies in 83 countries and executive compensation data for more than 5,600 companies in 69 countries — and we’re on track to provide ESG data on 13,000 companies by the end of 2018. Investors across asset classes can dig into data on energy and emissions, waste, gender diversity on boards, independent directors, workforce accidents and more to better understand the risks and opportunities associated with potential investments and counterparties. Our ESG data now also includes daily corporate governance data that displays changes in board membership when proxy docum

Innovation & Technology

Aflac Toy Robot for Kids Faces Cancer With Real Feelings

May 11, 2018 2:40 PM ET

Aflac has teamed up with robotics toy company Sproutel to create My Special Aflac Duck, a technology that offers emotional support to kids with cancer.

Innovation & Technology

Hacking for a Better Commute

May 11, 2018 2:25 PM ET

Dell and Forum for the Future, sponsored a hackathon as part of New York City’s Open Data Week. The Open Data L-train Innovation Challenge asked participants to create ideas that focused on using open data to help mitigate and manage the effects of the planned shutdown of the Canarsie Tunnel in April 2019.

Research, Reports & Publications

KeyBank Releases Corporate Responsibility Report and 2017 Community Benefits Plan Results

May 11, 2018 11:30 AM ET

KeyBank has released its 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report, highlighting progress in the areas of responsible banking, responsible citizenship and responsible operations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CEO Patti Poppe Discusses Consumers Energy's Commitment to People, Planet and Prosperity

May 11, 2018 10:50 AM ET

In this brief video, Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe discusses the company's commitment to its triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity.

Green Infrastructure

WELL AP Community Surpasses 5,000 Mark

May 11, 2018 9:55 AM ET

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) announced a milestone achievement in the growth of its WELL AP program as it surpassed 5,000 registrants. The WELL AP credential denotes expertise in the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and a commitment to advancing human health and wellness in buildings and communities

Events, Media & Communications

WBCSD's Panorama Podcast | Cities’ Response to Climate Change

May 11, 2018 9:50 AM ET

As the world becomes more urban, our cities are under increasing pressure to take the lead on sustainability. How have cities responded to this challenge? And what action is business taking? To answer these questions, and many more, we speak with Bianca Nijhof, Global Sustainability Program Manager at Arcadis and Simon Hansen, Director of Regions at C40.