News from Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest impact news from companies embracing the triple bottom line, shared via 3BL's publishing platform.

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Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Fair Trade Seafood at Work: Cleaning up Mexico’s Altata Bay

Within five years of hitting grocery stores, Fair Trade Certified™ seafood has generated almost $1 million in additional funds to fishermen and seafood workers in coastal communities. A look at those funds in action in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Diversity & Inclusion

Important Dialogue: Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

Join LBG Canada companies on June 5, 2018 in Calgary, as we discuss community investment's role in a diversity and inclusion strategy.

Panelists include leaders influencing corporate thinking on abilities, LGBTQ inclusion, Action 92 and Indigenous inclusion, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Thermo King “Moves Food” to Increase Food Security

More than 40 million Americans struggle with hunger yet nearly $220 billion dollars of food is thrown away in the U.S. each year.

Thermo King, the leader in transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, together with the Ingersoll Rand Foundation and Feeding America, recognize the imperative need to close this gap and are pleased to announce a breakthrough social initiative.

Research, Reports & Publications

GRI's 6 Steps to Produce a Sustainability Report Materiality Assessment

As a standard setter in sustainability reporting, GRI has a responsibility to engage in sustainability reporting and exemplify best practice in doing so. GRI is sharing the process when writing their sustainability report, the problems that faced along the way, and the solutions found. And it all begins with the materiality assessment. ​

Energy

Optimizing Piping Configurations for Energy Efficiency

What’s one of the smartest ways a manufacturing facility can save on energy costs over the long term? If you’re thinking along the lines of compressed air efficiency then you’re correct. The single biggest cost associated with producing compressed air is the energy required to power the compressor. To save money in the long run, it’s good practice to maximize compressed air energy efficiency.

Diversity & Inclusion

Minnesota Faces of Margraten: “The Biggest Gift”

The call came from Minnesota Faces of Margraten, a joint project by Medtronic employees and retirees in the Netherlands and the United States, to locate photographs of all 234 Minnesota soldiers memorialized at the Netherlands American Cemetery near the village of Margraten. Thanks to Minnesota Faces of Margraten, Linda’s favorite picture of her father now stands beside his gravesite in the Netherlands.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods and Victory Junction Unveil New Indoor Archery Facility

Today, Victory Junction, a children’s camp committed to enriching the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camp experiences, unveiled the Smithfield Foods Archery Center. The camp’s new indoor facility is funded by a $500,000 gift from the Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

The Hidden Story of Climate Proposals in the 2018 Proxy Season

The 2017 proxy season offered some indelible headlines on climate-related shareholder action: majority votes at ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum and PPL Corporation; the first-ever votes in favor of climate shareholder proposals by major investors BlackRock and Vanguard; and the much-anticipated release of initial 2-degree scenario analyses from North American oil and gas and electric power companies. This year’s narrative is more subtle, but potentially more powerful.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Love, Security and a Second Chance

This guest blog post is written by Chris Mace, an adoptive father of three. His two sons, Steven and Kota, were adopted through the Foundation’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program.

Environment

VIDEO | Ottawa County Plant Home to 3 New Peregrine Chicks

Representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Consumers Energy climbed the JH Campbell Generating Complex in West Olive to band three peregrine falcon chicks.

Media & Communications

Executive Compensation and the Investor, Worker & Stakeholder: The New Corporate Disclosures on CEO Pay Ratios Are Now Part of the Public Dialogue

There are some interesting new angles to the perennial public dialogues that go on about issues related to executive compensation. The new news is regarding the compensation packages for the Top Man (in the Fortune 500 universe, there are only 24 companies that have female CEOs) and the relationship of that sum to (1) the employees of the firm and (2) the shareholders, including key fiduciaries managing OPM (other peoples’ money). The CEO Pay Ratio disclosures of 2018 are now becoming more of a public dialogue.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Talk Walking

We recently set out to calculate our organizational carbon footprint for 2017 so that we could purchase carbon offsets and claim to be carbon-neutral in our operations. That probably sounds complicated…and yes, it is.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Viacom Supports 1in6 and NO MORE’s Powerful Public Service Announcement

Yes, it’s hard to believe, and yes research shows that at least 1 in 6 men have been sexually abused or assaulted in either childhood or adulthood. 1 in 6 is an organization devoted to helping men who have experienced unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live happier and healthier lives. No MORE similarly operates with a goal to create a community with zero gender-based bias and is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by creating awareness, inspiring action through movements as such, and fueling culture change.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Ambitious Targets in Essity’s New Fiber Sourcing Policy

Essity has finalized a new Fiber Sourcing Policy, describing the company’s principles, intentions and requirements for its deliveries of fresh wood based fiber materials. The policy sets a target that all fiber raw material in Essity’s products will be certified.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Multipliers of Prosperity: Lending With a Mission

Mohammed Ali and his siblings had been driving past the vacant gas station on the east side of Saint Paul, Minnesota for years before they finally decided to make an offer to buy it—with the idea of opening a restaurant and grocery store catering to the neighborhood’s vibrant community of immigrants.

Health & Healthcare

How Nutrition Data Can Be Used to Give Kids a Healthy Start

Stacey Ragin aims to make busy parents’ lives easier — and healthier — by teaching nutrition classes to parents in Newark, New Jersey. During her courses, offered as part of Nestlé’s Start Healthy, Stay Healthy program, she lays out the benefits of breastfeeding, provides tips for managing picky eaters, and makes suggestions for healthy snacks.

Research, Reports & Publications

VIDEO | A Chapter Closed for Schneider Electric’s 2015-2017 Planet & Society Barometer

Every three years, Schneider Electric defines a new indicator to measure its sustainability achievements which form part of the Group’s non-financial results. The sustainability indicators are presented together with the Group’s financial information: by the CEO at the annual and half-year results, and by the CFO at the first and third quarter results. This integrated communication demonstrates Schneider Electric commitment to making sustainability part of the company’s long-term strategy.

Sustainable Development Goals

Georgian Microfinance Lender Brings Innovative Financial Services to Rural Areas

Crystal, a leading Georgian microfinance lender, has joined Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a pledge to provide access to finance – including loans and value chain services – to 30,000 new clients in rural areas of Georgia, as well as disperse 1,000 new loans for green/solar solutions and energy efficiency projects by 2020. As part of this commitment, Crystal will continue its record of fostering economic opportunity for farmers, women and micro entrepreneurs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Investing Human Capital: A New Approach to Achieving the SDGs

The private sector has direct access to financial and human capital. With the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to provide a shared lexicon and to guide decision-making, the private sector can lead a global social movement ­– and corporations are in a unique position to leverage existing resources to help save the planet. Through IMPACT 2030, which provides the platform for investing these resources, the private sector can collaborate with other investors and measure the long-term return. But, what do we mean by “resources”? And how do we leverage these resources through IMPACT 2030 to get closer to achieving the SDGs?

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bloomberg's Data Center in Upstate NY Has a Rainwater Capture System That Saves Us 5 Million Gallons of Water Annually

Bloomberg is always looking for opportunities to reduce water-consumption in our facilities. We used an estimated 122 million gallons of water in 2017, largely driven by our employees and building operations. Accurately quantifying the scale of our global water consumption has proven challenging, but that has not deterred our global water-reduction strategy.

Environment

How EHS + Due Diligence Can Power Up Your Acquisition and Integration Strategy

From safeguarding your risk to protecting your brand, Antea Group brings you the benefits of factoring in EHS and due diligence in your transactions.

Education

In Their Own Words: Why Storytelling Is a Powerful Tool for Children

Paro, the young daydreamer at the center of a new short film by the same name, can’t help but see stories all around her. She’s constantly writing and drawing — during class and under the covers in bed at night. Her creative passion draws her attention away from schoolwork, leading to a confrontation with her parents and her teacher, who confiscates Paro’s beloved journal.

Responsible Production & Consumption

First Squid Fishery in the World MSC Certified as Sustainable

The U.S. Northeastern Longfin Inshore Squid fishery in the Northwest Atlantic is the first squid fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification as a sustainable and well-managed fishery. The certification was awarded on May 22 by independent certifier SCS Global Services following an 11-month long detailed assessment.

Innovation & Technology

New Cameras Installed on SCE Telecom Tower to Monitor Wildfire Activity

The Orange County Fire Authority is now part of a growing number of fire agencies that use a high-tech approach to monitor wildfire activity. Recently, six cameras and a weather station were installed on a Southern California Edison telecommunications tower located on Santiago Peak, the highest point in Orange County.

Latest Campaigns

  1. Tapestry I The Power of Our People
    We aim to foster a culture of purpose and fulfillment at Tapestry by embedding equity, inclusion and diversity throughout our organization, and...
  2. 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...
  3. Kingfisher Around the World
    The SCS Kingfisher certification mark is showing up on an increasing number of products around the world. It differentiates companies that are making...
  4. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  5. Enriching Women's Lives
    60 years ago, Mary Kay Ash created an unparalleled opportunity for women to define their own successes and control their own futures. Her vision of...
  6. International Paper | HEALTHY & ABUNDANT FORESTS
    Vision 2030 Goal: Lead forest stewardship efforts globally
  7. Recognition of our Company
    As the leading sports and live music company in the world, we recognize our responsibility to provide industry leadership and to conduct our business...
  8. Climate Stabilization
    SCS is working to advance climate accounting and reporting based on the latest climate science to help stabilize climate below temperature thresholds...
  9. Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
    The vision of Paris 2024 Paris 2024 will see a new vision of Olympism in action, delivered in a unique spirit of international celebration. We will...
  10. Economic Growth
    CARE’s Economic Growth team works to increase women’s wealth by changing the system
  11. Carton Council
    Formed in 2009, the Carton Council is an industry organization committed to growing carton recycling in the U.S. By promoting both recycling...
  12. GoDaddy | Customers
    GoDaddy is the world’s largest services platform for entrepreneurs around the globe. We’re on a mission to empower our worldwide community of 20+...
  13. Recognition of our Company
    As the leading sports and live music company in the world, we recognize our responsibility to provide industry leadership and to conduct our business...
  14. Cascale Governance
    Cascale shares updates from its Board of Directors who serve as the principal governing body and are responsible for setting the strategic direction...
  15. First Responder Programming
    At Motorola Solutions, our customers are everyday heroes, and our philanthropic arm, the Motorola Solutions Foundation is dedicated to paying it...