Research, Reports & Publications

New Article From John Kania, Mark Kramer, and Peter Senge Provides an Actionable Framework for Catalyzing Systems Change

Jun 6, 2018 9:00 AM ET

A new article, The Water of Systems Change, published by FSG, provides an actionable model for funders and other social sector institutions interested in creating systems change. Many funders and grantees today find the concept of systems change and its implications difficult to grasp and apply, despite decades of academic research and activist leadership. The Water of Systems Change aims to clarify what it means to shift the conditions holding a social or environmental problem in place.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Role of Land Rights Documentation in Promoting Sustainable Land Use Practices

Jun 6, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Tetra Tech’s Dr. Matt Sommerville, senior associate with Tetra Tech International Development Services, participated in a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) LandLinks expert interview that highlights the innovative approaches used for customary land documentation in Zambia and ways the Tenure and Global Climate Change (TGCC) project institutionalized land reform at the local, regional, and national levels. All opinions expressed in this post are the author’s own.

Education

Duke Energy Connects Students and Educators with STEM, Literacy and Workforce Development Opportunities in North Carolina

Jun 5, 2018 3:15 PM ET

Duke Energy is empowering students, educators and the workforce of the future by investing $2.5 million in 67 education and training initiatives across North Carolina. The 2018 grants, from the Duke Energy Foundation, will enhance educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), K-3 early childhood literacy and workforce development.

Research, Reports & Publications

Barilla 2018 Sustainability Report "Good For You, Good For The Planet"

Jun 5, 2018 3:00 PM ET

The Barilla Group has released its new Sustainability Report.

Highlights include Barilla’s answer to the complex scenario set by the international community and challenges related to the sustainability of the food and agricultural industry.

Sustainable Development Goals

Monsanto and Iowa State Partner to Improve Water Quality

Jun 5, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Monsanto Company, along with its subsidiary, The Climate Corporation, today announced a partnership with the Iowa State University (ISU) Department of Agronomy to create an infrastructure project designed to monitor water quality and downstream nitrate loss. The project will provide researchers with valuable information on management practices that help keep nitrogen fertilizer from entering surrounding waterways.

Events, Media & Communications

We Are All ‘Still In’ This Together

Jun 5, 2018 3:00 PM ET

One year ago, leaders from all over the U.S. — representing businesses, investors, colleges, universities, towns, cities, and states throughout America — joined together to declare “We Are Still In” the global Paris Agreement, promising to world leaders that America will fulfill its global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb the damaging effects of climate change.mNow, with nearly 2,800 signatories and growing, representing 160 million Americans and more than $6.2 trillion of the U.S. economy, this diverse cross section of the economy is helping to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in climate change.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Team Viacom Marches to Stomp Out AIDS

Jun 5, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Here’s a shocking statistic: one in five new HIV infections is among people ages 13 to 24.

These are the same young people at the heart of so much of Viacom’s programming. On Sunday, May 20, Viacom showed that it is caring, giving, walking, and fighting to battle this epidemic by participating in AIDS Walk New York, the largest single-day AIDS fundraising event in the world.

The team, 50-strong and the driving force behind more than $10,000 in donations to AIDS Walk NY (proceeds will benefit GMHC and dozens of other local HIV/AIDS service organizations), rallied prior to the walk alongside other top corporate sponsors in the so-called “gold section,” a segment reserved for the top fundraising teams, which Viacom has been a part of for several years.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Watch: Measuring Beyond Money in NYC's Forgotten Shore Community

Jun 5, 2018 2:00 PM ET

How can America's forgotten communities overcome decades of extractive development? This NYC community's search for long-term economic vitality reveals the often overlooked qualities of building truly sustainable economic and social vitality.

Diversity & Inclusion

Arrow Electronics Engineer Highlighted in Minority Engineer Magazine

Jun 5, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Featuring several rising stars in the engineering and technology industry across the United States, Minority Engineer magazine has spotlighted Arrow Electronics’ Victoria Bohannon-Pea.

Responsible Production & Consumption

'Mountain Futures 2018' Launches Major New Centre for Mountain Research

Jun 5, 2018 12:35 PM ET

Researchers and representatives from governments, mountain communities and private sector companies from across the globe met on June 4th to launch a major new centre for mountain research. The four-day Mountain Futures 2018 conference, organized by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB), Chinese Academy of Sciences includes a visit to the new 200-hectare site in China’s Yunnan Province dedicated to developing innovative farming systems that tackle poverty and environmental degradation in the world’s mountain areas.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Employees Celebrate Their 20th Annual Earth Day Service Event

Jun 5, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Over 300 employees from Timberland’s global headquarters in Stratham, NH recently pulled on their boots for a day of volunteer service to celebrate Timberlands’ 20th annual Earth Day service event. The outdoor lifestyle brand closed its corporate office on May 10 to encourage employees to serve at one of six local projects designed to meet community needs while helping to green and grow the community.

Events, Media & Communications

Highlights of BIER 2018 Spring Meeting

Jun 5, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Global beverage industry leaders convened May 22-24, 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark for the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) semi-annual meeting. Hosted by the Carlsberg Group, this three-day meeting’s agenda tackled environmental sustainability challenges and successes through best practice sharing on carbon emissions, water reuse and technology, energy and climate change, and transparency and disclosure. Additionally, we learned about the Carlsberg Group’s manufacturing operations and their journey toward zero emissions.

Environment

PNC's Environmental Performance Infographic

Jun 5, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Kohler Expands Environmental, Health Disclosures for Kitchen & Bath Products

Jun 5, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Today, in recognition of World Environmental Day, Kohler Co. announces expansion of its environmental and human health product disclosures for its kitchen and bath products.

Environment

World Environment Day

Jun 5, 2018 11:05 AM ET

In April 2018, Nestlé set a bold ambition to make 100% of our packaging either recyclable or reusable by 2025.

As part of that pledge, we are committed to playing an active role in the development of well-functioning collection, sorting and recycling schemes across all the countries where we operate through collaborating with other stakeholders.

A lot of the hard work is already taking place in our markets around the world.

Environment

How Do You Spell “Ubiquitous”?

Jun 5, 2018 11:00 AM ET

I’m out of my depth talking too much about dietary health, so I’ll punt on the rest of that discussion. From an environmental standpoint though, I know a thing or two, and in that respect it is a massive problem.

Environment

Corporate Sustainability & Consumers: 3 Trends Every Company Needs to Know

Jun 5, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Antea Group's blog presents 3 consumer trends that demonstrate that sustainability is a growing societal value and a business imperative.

Events, Media & Communications

Become a Corporate Sustainability Activist

Jun 5, 2018 10:55 AM ET

World Environment Day: An annual time to bring awareness to and spur action for the protection of our ecosystem. “Beat Plastic Pollution” is the theme for 2018 and all companies should be looking at how they can reduce plastic pollution.

Research, Reports & Publications

Delivering Impact: Corporate Social Responsibility at BNY Mellon

Jun 5, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Every day, BNY Mellon contributes to the safe and consistent functioning of global financial systems, supporting stability in a constantly changing world. The company’s approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a role in driving meaningful change for financial markets, the world and its citizens.

Environment

Recycling Electronics While Rebuilding Lives

Jun 5, 2018 10:25 AM ET

L.A.'s Homeboy Electronics Recycling is helping HP support local communities as it expands its pioneering closed-loop recycling system.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hormel Foods Donates 37,000 Cases of Food Products for Global Disaster- and Hunger-Relief Efforts

Jun 5, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Hormel Foods Corporation today announced it has donated over 37,000 cases (600,000+ cans) of shelf-stable food products to Convoy of Hope for disaster- and other hunger-relief efforts around the world. A portion of the products donated were sent to Hawaii to help with volcano disaster-relief efforts.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | eBay Everyday Heroes: Love in 3D

Jun 5, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Callum Miller’s 10-year-old son, Jamie, was born without a left hand. But after exploring expensive prosthetic options for Jamie, Callum successfully built a prosthetic hand for him, using only a YouTube tutorial and a 3D printer he purchased on eBay.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® Initiative Donates More Than 1.3 Million Servings of Protein During May

Jun 5, 2018 10:05 AM ET

During the month of May, Smithfield Foods’ hunger relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes®, visited nine communities from coast to coast and donated more than 330,000 pounds of protein—the equivalent of more than 1,320,000 servings—to those in need. This year, Smithfield celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Helping Hungry Homes®. Smithfield has provided more than 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs since the program’s inception.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Chairman of the Company Behind Snickers and M&Ms Reveals What's Next for the Chocolate Giant

Jun 5, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Mars Inc, the maker of M&Ms, Snickers, and Milky Way, was once one of the most secretive companies in the United States. But that has started to change during the last few years. The 106-year-old company is making some big transformations in an effort to tackle new challenges and new opportunities.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

New Publication From GRI: Incentivizing Sustainability Reporting by SMEs Through Policy

Jun 5, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Transparency is becoming a growing point throughout global supply chains, of which SMEs form a large part. How can policy empower responsible business practices among SMEs? Published today, GRI's new paper examines this challenge, issuing recommnedations to policy makers.