Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest news from 3BL’s clients.







Recent Alerts

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Koch Industries: How We Think About our Role as a Business in Society

In my more than two decades at Koch Industries, I have witnessed—and been part of—remarkable transformations inside the company and the business areas in which we operate. Working at Koch is probably unlike working for most other companies. Spend a few hours at one of our manufacturing facilities or offices across the country, and you might notice the difference, too. It was a privilege to share a slice of that at The Atlantic’s recent Power of Purpose Summit in New York. At Koch, we think about the role of business in society a little differently than others might.

Events, Media & Communications

The Dawn of Full Impact Reporting: ABN AMRO, Siemens, Metro, CDP Share Strategies

Ethical Corporation is excited to announce the launch of its new and improved Sustainability Reporting and Communications Summit (16-17 October 2019). Click here to be the first to access the newly released event brochure – containing the full agenda, speaker line-up and exclusive discounts.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Franklin Templeton Joins SASB's Investor Advisory Group

Franklin Templeton today announced that it has joined the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Investor Advisory Group (IAG), a group of leading asset owners and managers that are committed to improving sustainability-related disclosures to investors.

Environment

Encouraging the Not-So-Secret Life of Bees

As students grow milkweed, sunflowers, asters, parsley and other native plants at six schools in Florida, the gardens will help more than the pollinators that depend on the plants for survival. Without bees, butterflies and other insects, humans won’t survive either. It’s a lesson teachers hope students in Volusia County take with them for life.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

LG Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2030

LG Electronics Inc. has launched its aggressive global Zero Carbon 2030 initiative, committing to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its worldwide operations within 12 years. In line with its larger sustainable business strategy, LG plans to reduce carbon emissions from its global operations by 50 percent (compared to a 2017 baseline) by implementing various carbon reduction and renewable energy initiatives. This effort will help bring LG closer to reaching its ultimate goal of carbon neutrality, achieving a net-zero carbon emissions footprint by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal.

Research, Reports & Publications

Smithfield Foods Showcases Continued Leadership and Transparency in New Sustainability Report, Launches Unique Tool for Today’s Conscious Consumer

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its 2018 Sustainability Report, highlighting key milestones and ongoing efforts to feed the world’s growing population in a responsible way. Smithfield’s robust sustainability program drives all aspects of its business, creating value in the following areas: animal care, environment, food safety and quality, helping communities, and people.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

3 Ways to Honor Memorial Day Through Corporate Philanthropy

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the US military. Originating during the Civil War, Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971. While businesses across the nation are closed, giving their employees the three-day weekend start to summer, it doesn’t mean you can’t observe and incorporate this day into your total CSR strategy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

HP and Smile Direct Club Collaborate on Largest Multi Jet Fusion 3D Production Factory in the U.S.

At Rapid 2019, North America’s largest 3D printing conference, HP Inc. and SmileDirectClub, the pioneer of teledentistry and market leader in doctor-directed, remote clear aligner therapy, announced an expanded collaboration to revolutionize the way that millions of people can achieve a straighter smile. SmileDirectClub is powering its digital differentiation and rapid manufacturing expansion of clear aligners with HP’s Jet Fusion 3D printing solutions, making it the largest producer of Multi Jet Fusion 3D printed parts in the country.

Health & Healthcare

New Public-Private Partnership to Strengthen Primary Healthcare in Vietnam

A new public-private partnership, comprising the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, and three other founding members, i.e. World Economic Forum (WEF), Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care and Novartis could transform primary healthcare in Vietnam. As announced by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, this innovative public-private partnership will help deliver on the Ministry of Health’s objectives the Vietnamese Ministry of Health by strengthening existing primary care demonstration projects in 30 provinces.

Events, Media & Communications

Calling All Business and Community Leaders: Join Us for a Half-Day on June 7 in Washington, D.C., to Catalyze Social Change and Chart a Course for Collective Impact

The America’s Charities Collective Impact Conference is the only event of its kind that brings together private and public sector employers and nonprofits for a rich discussion of what’s new, what’s tried and true, and what is yet to come as it relates to tackling real-world challenges via giving and engagement.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Making a Difference by Sharing Expertise

MetLife Foundation focuses on improving the financial health of low-income people. And that can be done in many different ways, including by making a social impact in local communities. Thanks to MetLife volunteers, numerous nonprofit organizations have gained invaluable help and improved their futures – without spending a dollar.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ecolab Event Raises More Than $200,000 for National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships

Ecolab Inc., a global leader in food safety solutions and expertise, helped raise more than $200,000 for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) during the 17th Annual Ecolab Chairman's Reception, held Sunday, May 19 in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.

Research, Reports & Publications

Consumers Energy Focuses on Providing World Class Performance While Delivering Hometown Service

At Consumers Energy, we’re more than pipes, poles and wires. We’re part of Michigan’s landscape. That’s why we’ve worked proudly to maintain the Mitten for more than 130 years. As we reflect on our efforts to pursue our purpose of World Class Performance Delivering Hometown Service, we know our business is about more than profits. It’s about enabling the communities we serve to share in our success. Learn more about Consumers Energy’s commitment to the Triple Bottom Line in their 2019 Sustainability Report.

Events, Media & Communications

Ray of Hope Prize at Circularity 19

The 4th Annual Ray of Hope Prize will be awarded Tuesday, June 18th at Circularity 19 in Minneapolis, MN

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Future of Business Sustainability — Extending Inclusiveness to People With Disabilities

People with disabilities constitute the largest minority group, at an estimated one in six people globally, but their needs often are overlooked. Businesses and other organizations that aim to be more inclusive might opt to create an environment where these people’s needs are understood. However, it is often difficult to recognize the best way to make changes. To effectively engage people with disabilities, managers need to understand disability and how their products touch disability, and how businesses can use their position to further promote education and advocacy while also building customer and employee relationships.

Energy

Schneider Electric Helps City of Holland Adopt 40-year Community Energy Plan

With aspirations to be a national leader in energy efficiency and sustainability, City leaders in Holland, Michigan adopted a progressive Community Energy Plan with goals to ensure economic competitiveness, provide reliable and affordable energy and protect the environment. Watch the video to learn more from Schneider Electric Project Manager Ty Miller about how the city will meet its goals.

Diversity & Inclusion

In Celebration of National Military Appreciation Month, Walmart Announces the Hiring of Nearly 6,000 Military Spouses Through the Military Spouse Career Connection and a $1 Million Grant to Hire Heroes USA From Walmart Foundation

Walmart today announced the hiring of nearly 6,000 military spouses since launching the Military Spouse Career Connection (MSCC) on Veterans Day 2018. In its sixth month, the MSCC gives hiring preference to military spouses who seek employment with Walmart or Sam’s Club.

This announcement comes at a time when more than 75 percent of our nation’s 500,000 military spouses want or need work, according to the Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership. The MSCC serves as a natural step for Walmart, as the company’s Military Family Promise, now in its ninth year, also guarantees a job at a nearby store or club for all military personnel and military spouses employed by the company who move to a different part of the country as part of their military service.

Green Infrastructure

The Next Mile Podcast: Allie Kelly of The Ray

Allie Kelly, executive director of The Ray shares information about how the The Ray is tangibly working toward reducing waste, increasing productivity, and transforming the everyday transportation experience for Americans.

Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations Global Compact Launches Search for SDG Pioneers

The United Nations Global Compact today launched a global search for the 2019 class of SDG Pioneers — business leaders who are doing an exceptional job to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Social Impact & Volunteering

FCA Community: Volunteers Transform Michigan Neighborhood, One House at a Time

To help end local homelessness, Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac, Michigan, has weaved together supportive services, safe and affordable housing, and neighborhood revitalization efforts to create “Little Grace Village.” Once a blighted neighborhood, this area is now a “community of hope” thanks in part to the hundreds of FCA volunteers who have donated thousands of hours over the course of five years to transform homes for people who are trying to transform their lives.

Energy

The Business Case for Clean Power

General Mills began milling grain with water power from the Mississippi River 150 years ago. Now, the Fortune 500 company is using wind to power operations and cut its carbon footprint.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Update to Chinese Translations of GRI Standards

Additional Chinese translations of the GRI Standards, the world's most widely adopted sustainability reporting framework, are now available.

Environment

Timberland, Wrangler, VF Foundation Support Regenerative Ranching Research

The VF Foundation (the charitable arm of VF Corporation) and the Timberland® and Wrangler® brands today announced $150,000 in grants to researchers at seven US universities — including Arizona State University and Michigan State University — that are conducting the first comprehensive research into regenerative ranching practices.

Environment

How One Small Business in Brazil is making a Big Impact on the Country’s Deforestation Problem

The Kitambar factory, which formerly used firewood to fire up its kilns, was indirectly involved in this trend by sourcing its wood fuel from forests that are "unmanaged," which essentially means that the biodiversity and health of these forests were not actively maintained by governmental or private parties. Previously, the factory would have used over 30,000 tons of non-renewable wood as fuel each year— mostly because it was cheap and there was little incentive to try to find cleaner fuel sources.

Latest Campaigns

  1. AEG Celebrates Inclusion
    At AEG, we embrace inclusion and strive to create a workplace where our employees feel welcomed, valued and respected for the viewpoints, ideas...
  2. Accelerating access to healthcare technology
    We believe technology can help close the world’s health gaps. By putting people first, we find new ways to advance health while reducing costs. And...
  3. IWBI | WELL Building Standard
    Our built environment can shape our habits and choices, regulate our sleep-wake cycle, drive us toward healthy and unhealthy choices, and passively...
  4. Collective Action
    Cascale shares updates on its efforts and initiatives geared toward activating its ecosystem to develop and scale solutions that drive collective...
  5. Aflac Stories
    Get a closer look at the people, products and stories that make Aflac the company we know today.
  6. Kids to College Powered by Entergy
    Entergy believes in the dreams of the families we serve. Everyone deserves the opportunity to continue their education and, as a corporate leader and...
  7. Financial health
    At Wells Fargo, we're opening pathways to economic advancement for racially and ethnically diverse and low- and moderate-income individuals and...
  8. KeyBank: Responsible Banking
    Everyone’s financial journey is different. We make intentional efforts to meet the individual needs of clients and communities through a diverse range...
  9. AEG Celebrates Inclusion
    At AEG, we embrace inclusion and strive to create a workplace where our employees feel welcomed, valued and respected for the viewpoints, ideas...
  10. Sustainable Products and Innovation
    Ongoing research into innovative solutions enables CNH’s brands to manufacture products that respect the environment while satisfying customers’...
  11. Health and Safety by Antea Group
    Antea Group's health and safety consultants understand what it takes to help make a positive impact on safety culture. Read blogs, insights, and more...
  12. Corporate Social Responsibility
    Whirlpool Corporation has several CSR partners including United Way, Habitat for Humanity International, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Consulada...
  13. Arbor Day Foundation News
    Stay up to date on the latest news and events from the Arbor Day Foundation. Subscribe to the Arbor Day e-news arborday.org/accounts/optin.cfm
  14. Integrated Tools
    Cascale shares updates on its efforts to align the industry on a common language to describe sustainability performance to reduce duplication and...
  15. KeyBank's Community Investment
    In states where Key has a presence, there are approximately 1.7 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Many LMI individuals don’t have bank...