Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Finalists Named for Seattle’s Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote

Sep 1, 2017 5:30 PM ET

KIRO 7, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, is recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces. Finalists for Seattle’s Cox Conserves Heroes program were announced today, and the public is being asked to vote for the winner now through Oct. 2.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteers Clean up, Have Fun at the Great Bud Light River Run

Sep 1, 2017 5:05 PM ET

The Great Bud Light River Run came to the Seattle and Portland areas in late August with local volunteers removing litter and, after their respective cleanup events, enjoying the outdoors of the Great Northwest.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hurricane Harvey: Unique Ways Companies Are Stepping Up

Sep 1, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Hurricane Harvey made landfall a week ago but the damage it leaves behind will not dissipate so quickly. The storm is a one-in-1,000 year rain event, dumping 24.5 trillion gallons of rain and displacing countless individuals in its wake. As relief workers begin to grapple with the scale of the disaster, the cry for help is urgent and widespread. This call extends to companies who are stepping up by providing money, in-kind donations and solutions. Although the list of companies providing support is extensive, with major companies like Walmart, Verizon and Amazon pledging large cash donations, here, we have highlighted a few unique activations.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Students from the United States Take Top Honor at Prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Sep 1, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Rachel Chang and Ryan Thorpe, both of Manhasset, N.Y., developed a project entitled, “A Novel Approach to Rapidly and Sensitively Detect and Purify Water Contaminated with Shigella, E. Coli, Salmonella and Cholera.” The system created by the students has applications in both developing and developed regions of the world.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Three Quality of Life Hacks to Recognize Employees for Labor Day

Sep 1, 2017 1:20 PM ET

The Labor Day holiday has come to represent many things beyond the original vision put forth by union leaders in the nineteenth century. For some, it represents one final dash to the beach for an end-of-summer celebration.

Research, Reports & Publications

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Post Doc Finds Positive Correlation Between Education and Polarized Opinions on Controversial Science Topics

Sep 1, 2017 1:05 PM ET

Public opinion toward some science and technology issues is polarized along religious and political lines. We investigate whether people with more education and greater science knowledge tend to express beliefs that are more (or less) polarized. Using data from the nationally representative General Social Survey, we find that more knowledgeable individuals are more likely to express beliefs consistent with their religious or political identities for issues that have become polarized along those lines (e.g., stem cell research, human evolution), but not for issues that are controversial on other grounds (e.g., genetically modified foods).

Diversity & Inclusion

Military Training Pays Off for Veterans at Whirlpool

Sep 1, 2017 1:00 PM ET

A U.S. Army veteran spoke with Diversity in Action magazine about how his training and experience in the military have helped him succeed in his career at Whirlpool Corporation.

Health & Healthcare

Shire: Innovative Therapies for Rare Diseases

Sep 1, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Shire is the global leader in serving patients with rare diseases. We strive to develop innovative therapies across a core of rare disease areas, supplemented by diversified capabilities in highly specialized conditions. We feel a strong sense of urgency to address the high unmet medical needs of these patient communities.

Environment

Hurricane Harvey Starkly Exposes the Financial Burden of Climate Change on Economy, Environment and Human Health

Sep 1, 2017 12:35 PM ET

Hurricane Harvey, potentially the costliest disaster in U.S. history, “starkly exposes the colossal financial burden of climate change and its impacts on the economy, the environment and human health,” Ceres said in a statement today.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

During Summer Break, Florida Teachers Trekked to the Rocky Mountains for Unique, Hands-On Professional Development

Sep 1, 2017 12:10 PM ET

Since 1976, Keystone Science School (KSS), nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, has taught scientific principles and leadership skills to young people, teachers, and community members through engaging hands-on field experiences. Because today's youth are our future leaders, KSS developed interactive science education programs that help students become familiar with scientific and critical thinking skills and encourage them to be engaged citizens.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Consumers Energy Foundation Awards 2017 Apprentice Scholarships Honoring Fallen Employee

Sep 1, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The Consumers Energy Foundation is assisting two men training to become utility line workers as the second-year recipients of a scholarship honoring an employee killed on the job in 2012.

Innovation & Technology

#TechstarsATL: Get to know Vlipsy

Sep 1, 2017 11:40 AM ET

Techstars Atlanta is presented in partnership with Cox Enterprises and is part of a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. Applications for the 2017 program’s 10 coveted spots came from 41 countries around the globe. 2ULaundry is one of the participants.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Habitat for Humanity Receives $300,000 Neighborhood Revitalization Grant from Wells Fargo

Sep 1, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Eleven local Habitats will receive a grant to implement revitalization projects, including neighborhood beautification and repairs to community common areas. These locations include San Francisco; Denver; Wilmington, Del.; Orlando and West Palm Beach, Fla; Macon, Ga.; Charlotte, N.C.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Rock Hill, S.C.; Houston; and Milwaukee.

The funding also will support two additional Habitat organizations in Santa Ana, Calif. and Savannah, Ga., in their efforts to develop formal plans for future neighborhood revitalization projects.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Asia: At the Vanguard of Sustainable Business

Sep 1, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Asia is moving aggressively towards greater corporate transparency around important sustainability topics. In this blog, GRI's Chief Executive Tim Mohin analyzes the main drivers behind this trend, and presents aspirations for the future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi Contributes Up to $100,000 to Support Communities Affected by Hurricane Harvey

Sep 1, 2017 10:35 AM ET

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s impact and devastation in parts of Texas, Bacardi U.S.A, Inc. announced today its contribution of up to $100,000 to support its business partners and others affected by the storm.

Diversity & Inclusion

So Many Good Jobs, But Where Are the Workers?

Sep 1, 2017 10:30 AM ET

As Labor Day approaches, we take a closer look at the nation’s evolving workplace. The U.S. recently celebrated a 16-year low unemployment rate of 4.4 percent. Yet, employers are still looking to fill a record-breaking 6.2 million open jobs.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Aflac and TSYS Give to Hurricane Harvey Relief, Others Urged to Help

Sep 1, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

FCA US and the FCA Foundation Support Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

Sep 1, 2017 10:05 AM ET

As Texas continues to face unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, FCA US LLC and the FCA Foundation have partnered with disaster relief organizations to support residents and communities affected by the storm. The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA US, announced a total of $200,000 in grants to three disaster relief organizations that provide resources in communities across the country.

Environment

Unreasonable Impact | One of the World’s Largest Electric Vehicle Fleets Is Providing Tomorrow’s Transportation, Today

Sep 1, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Based in India, Lithium Urban Technologies is pioneering a shift toward more sustainable urban mobility, operating the most productive electric vehicle fleet in the world. This company is India’s first 100 percent, zero emission transport service, providing a large fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) along with highly trained and certified drivers. With the lowest energy cost per kilometer on the market, Lithium offers the cheapest and cleanest commercial transport option on the market – and it’s the largest fleet outside of China.

Events, Media & Communications

Responsible Gaming Ambassadors Use Training to Help Guests

Sep 1, 2017 10:00 AM ET

In May, a Team Member from The Venetian | The Palazzo Front Desk experienced first-hand the direct impact and importance of the Responsible Gaming Ambassador Program provided by Las Vegas Sands. The Team Member, who works as a Hotel Manager, had attended the Responsible Gaming Ambassador training in January.

Education

Building Mining Leaders of Tomorrow

Sep 1, 2017 9:50 AM ET

We believe in supporting programs that encourage youth to pursue careers in mining and to create long-term socio-economic benefits in the communities where we operate.

This past summer, our Éléonore mine in Northern Québec welcomed several new faces to its workforce with its Summer Student Employment Program (SSEP).

The SSEP was launched as an opportunity for Cree students at a post-secondary education level to learn more about the mining industry. The SSEP differs from classroom training in that it allows students to build skills through hands-on work experience alongside miners and employees.

Social Impact & Volunteering

HP Volunteers Make a Difference in Their Communities

Sep 1, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Each year, HP employees around the world volunteer in their local communities, with support from HP, which offers every employee four paid volunteer hours each month. This year the HP Foundation invited employees to volunteer with their colleagues to support causes that are close to their homes — and hearts — as part of its 40 Days of Doing Good campaign.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

PANDORA is Creating Shared Value & Strategic Partners

Sep 1, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Our engagement spans from active membership of – and communication through – the United Nations Global Compact and the Danish Business Network for Human Rights (DBNHR) to community engagement at our Thai crafting facilities, support to charitable organisations and dialogue with the millions of consumers that has signed up to our social media platforms. As members of the steering committees for both the Danish UN Global Compact network and the DBNHR we seek to learn from and influence the ethical performance of other Danish companies.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hormel Foods Lends a Helping Hand After Hurricane Harvey

Sep 1, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Hormel Foods has a history of being a good neighbor and Hurricane Harvey is no exception. Hormel Foods is lending a helping hand to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey through its partnership with Convoy of Hope. In anticipation of hurricane season this year, Hormel Foods partnered with Convoy of Hope to help stock their warehouse with protein-rich products, such as SKIPPY® peanut butter, Stagg® chili, Hormel® premium chicken breast and SPAM® products, that could be positioned and distributed immediately for disaster relief efforts. Convoy of Hope sent their disaster services team with our products to help with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts on Friday, Aug. 25, and began distributing over the weekend.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Weatherford Holds Suppliers to High Standards

Sep 1, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Weatherford requires suppliers to adhere to ethical business standards.