Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

CSRHub CEO Highlights Difficulty of Performing Well Across ESG Spectrum

Mar 22, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Cynthia Figge, co-founder and CEO of CSRHub, joined Nareit for a video interview at Nareit’s 2018 ESG Forum in Seattle.

Figge described CSRHub, which she co-founded in 2007, as the “largest aggregation of ESG metrics worldwide.” CSRHub rates 17,000 companies on ESG measures and aggregates data from more than 500 sources, she noted.

Diversity & Inclusion

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE: Business’s Greatest Untapped Resource: Women

Mar 22, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Women occupy just 15 percent of board seats worldwide. In the US, women account for just five percent of all CEOs among S&P 500 companies. In the UK the situation is worse: in 2016 there were more male CEOs named David (eight) than women CEOs (six) in the FTSE 100.

These figures make for uncomfortable reading for men and women alike, but we have two choices in the face of this harsh reality – we can either feel discouraged by the lack of progress and downbeat about the prospects for women in the workplace. Or, we can allow this data to fuel women’s rise to the top and help drive the change that is needed at the higher echelons of business.

Events, Media & Communications

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Debuts Water Positive Docuseries on Harmful Algal Bloom Water Crisis

Mar 22, 2018 10:55 AM ET

To spotlight the global environmental and economic challenges caused by harmful algal blooms in fresh waterbodies, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation today released a three-part docuseries with National Geographic photographer Andy Mann, coinciding with World Water Day.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | Papyrus-Recycled Greetings is Powering Her Potential Through Whole Planet Foundation

Mar 22, 2018 10:50 AM ET

Whole Planet Foundation is proud to share that Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, the founding member of the $100,000 Fund, has donated a total of $500,000 to fund 5,800 microloans and create 29,000 opportunities for microentrepreneurs and their family members to pull themselves out of poverty.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Blackbaud & Leading Experts Team up to Release New eBook on the Future of CSR

Mar 22, 2018 10:30 AM ET

This new ebook, “CSR 2020: Experts Look Ahead,” examines not only all the ways in which CSR has been evolving, but what companies will need to do in the next few years as expectations continue to increase.

Health & Healthcare

Aramark and American Heart Association Engaging Consumers to Feed Their Potential During National Nutrition Month

Mar 22, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Just two years into their breakthrough initiative, Healthy for Life 20 By 20, Aramark and the American Heart Association have made great strides to improve the health of all Americans 20 percent by the year 2020. As part of this alliance, Aramark launched Feed Your Potential 365, a health and wellness campaign dedicated to inspiring consumers to make healthy food choices a part of their everyday life.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Havas PR With MilliporeSigma: Curiosity Cube Sparks Scientific Curiosity Across the United States

Mar 22, 2018 10:10 AM ET

Havas PR created a comprehensive media relations strategy focused on generating buzz around each market the Curiosity Cube visits and highlighting its purpose in igniting scientific passion. The Curiosity Cube is a retrofitted shipping container that has been transformed into a mobile science lab. Knowing how important it is for all students to have access to science education, MilliporeSigma brings its Curiosity Labs program and the Curiosity Cube to students in underserved school districts.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Symantec Volunteers Build Water Tower in Honor of World Water Day

Mar 22, 2018 10:10 AM ET

Environment

2018 World Water Day

Mar 22, 2018 10:00 AM ET

In celebration of World Water Day, Nestlé Waters North America has announced that its remaining two factories in California, Cabazon and Los Angeles, have received certification against the rigorous Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard.

All five of the company’s water bottling facilities in California are now certified to the AWS Standard, a priority outlined by Nestlé Waters in late 2017.

Sustainable Development Goals

Pentair Commemorates World Water Day Through Ongoing Commitment to Sustainable Agricultural Initiatives

Mar 22, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Pentair, a leading global water treatment company focused on smart, sustainable water solutions, today commemorated World Water Day 2018 through its philanthropic work in Kenya with The Nature Conservancy’s Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund. World Water Day is an international observance created by the United Nations to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable freshwater resources.

Research, Reports & Publications

Yorkshire Building Society Delivers Its Vision of Creating a Lasting Positive Impact on Society

Mar 22, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Yorkshire Building Society Group has today published its latest Society Matters report. The report demonstrates the Society’s recent achievements and vision to fulfil its commitment to create a lasting, positive impact on society in the UK, focusing on the key priority areas of Customers, People, Community and the Environment.

Diversity & Inclusion

In China, a New Program Helps Women Supply Chain Workers Get Ahead

Mar 22, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

WBCSD | Insider Perspective: World Water Forum

Mar 22, 2018 8:40 AM ET

The World Water Forum is the world’s largest water-focused gathering, taking place every three years and bridging political, citizens’ and thematic processes. This year’s edition, held in Brasilia, Brazil under the theme of ‘Sharing water’, saw a further innovation - the Forum’s first-ever Business Day, jointly organized by our Global Network partner BCSD Brazil / CEBDS, the Confederation of National Industry (CNI) and UN Global Compact Brazil, in association with international partners WBCSD, CEO Water Mandate and CDP.

Education

SC Johnson Donations are Helping to Develop Tomorrow’s Workforce

Mar 22, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Recognizing the need to continue developing students today for tomorrow’s workforce, SC Johnson is proud to support education through its philanthropic contributions, a portion of which includes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs worldwide.

Education

How an Outdoor Classroom Can Transform Learning for Students

Mar 22, 2018 8:30 AM ET

When Grade 3 students from Calgary's Westgate School were tasked with writing about nature, the idea of sitting indoors and looking at photos of trees and plants did not spark creativity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

First Mercy Ships Volunteer Comes Onboard a Ship in Carnival Corporation's Costa Group

Mar 21, 2018 5:45 PM ET

As part of the cooperation announced in 2017 between Mercy Ships and Costa Group the joint volunteer program is proceeding with the first Africa Mercy crewmember embarking onboard Costa neoRomantica.

Energy

Scientists Say California Can Aim Higher on Clean Fuels

Mar 21, 2018 5:40 PM ET

California can reduce carbon emissions by more than 70 million metric tons by 2030, akin to taking 15 million gasoline-powered cars off the road in one year, by adopting a higher target for its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), according to “California's Clean Fuel Future: Assessing Achievable Fuel Carbon Intensity Reductions Through 2030,” an analysis released today by the UK-based research firm Cerulogy.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Action, Reaction and Market Transformation in the Apparel Industry - Erb Institute | Business For Sustainability

Mar 21, 2018 4:40 PM ET

Sustainability—or a lack of it—has punctuated the apparel industry’s most notable moments over the last few decades. They include Nike’s sweatshop scandal in 1991, Patagonia’s public commitment to recycled polyester in 1992 and organic cotton in 1996, Levi’s 2010 launch of its WaterAdidas “Speedfactory” opening in Germany.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Case Study: Creating Positive Business Impacts for Exporters and Investors Through CSR

Mar 21, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Export Development Canada helps Canadian companies look for business opportunities abroad, and uses sustainability data to do this. Read more about the different aspects CSR reporting plays for EDC's work.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

What Could Your Nonprofit Accomplish With the Support of Skilled Volunteers?

Mar 21, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Join Taproot Foundation’s webinar on Tuesday, April 3rd for all the tools you need to get started on Taproot+, their cost-free online platform that connects nonprofits with skilled volunteers for short-term pro bono projects. During the event, Taproot staff will show you how to translate your challenges and plans into a clear volunteer request and guide you through posting your project live.

Research, Reports & Publications

Panalpina Publishes Second Integrated Management Report

Mar 21, 2018 3:00 PM ET

The Panalpina Integrated Management Report 2017 gives an overview of the company’s strategy and business model, the performance of its regions and products, and its approach to sustainability management. For the second year, the report integrates the discussion of Panalpina’s business performance and sustainability.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comcast NBCUniversal Again Named a Top Ten Company By LinkedIn

Mar 21, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Comcast NBCUniversal has been named to LinkedIn’s Top Companies for 2018, ranking number seven among companies that attract and retain top talent globally.

LinkedIn Top Companies ranks the most sought-after companies where people want to work and stay and this is the second year in a row that Comcast NBCUniversal has been included among the Top Ten companies in the country. Top Companies measures the behavior of over a half billion of professionals on LinkedIn and is powered by proprietary LinkedIn data including job seeker reach, engagement, job interest, and retention combined with an editorial lens.

Health & Healthcare

Meet the Scientist: Jennifer Lippens, Post-doctoral Fellow at Amgen Thousand Oaks

Mar 21, 2018 1:10 PM ET

In a typical day, I spend a lot of time in lab running experiments on the various mass spectrometers I utilize for my projects. When I am not in the lab, I am in the office analyzing data, working on manuscripts or planning my next experiment based on the current results I have. There are also weekly meetings that I attend and I help to organize monthly meetings for the post-doctoral fellows at Amgen.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Aflac, Astellas and Carnival Balance Social Action With Their Core Business Messages

Mar 21, 2018 12:40 PM ET

Not long ago, companies were counseled to stay out of politics and social causes; “stick to business and you won’t offend customers or potential customers,” was thought to be the best route. Things have changed, partly owing to the millennial generation’s preference to buy from and work at companies that are responsible (see tables below). With millennials comprising 40% of the workforce by 2020, brands are correct to heed their voice.

Research, Reports & Publications

Delos-Commissioned Research Underscores Effectiveness of Naava Green Wall Air Purification Technology

Mar 21, 2018 12:25 PM ET

The future of office design has begun to turn “outside-in” as the best of the natural world begins to infiltrate our interior environments. From Amazon’s recently opened plant-filled office in Seattle, WA to Google’s biophilic Chicago headquarters, this movement is taking shape in some of the most innovative organizations and offices in the world. Leading this charge is Finnish health technology company Naava, a global pioneer in botanic indoor air purification.