Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

HPE: Inspiring Progress Blog | Our Power is in Collective Action

Jul 7, 2017 9:25 AM ET

The mobilization of businesses, governments, and individuals in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has been heartening and inspiring. Within just days of President Trump’s announcement, businesses contributing $6.2 trillion to the US economy, and states accounting for more than one-third of national GDP, have joined together to declare their intent to continue the path towards a low-carbon economy. But we aren’t just forging ahead because it’s good for the planet, we also understand that it’s good for business.

Innovation & Technology

Unreasonable Impact | This Company’s Unique Technology Will Help Millions Make Safer Food Choices

Jul 7, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Vitargent believes that every person should have the information they need to make informed decisions about the products they purchase and consume. Their technology is not only enabling more widespread access to information, but it’s also pioneering the field of safety testing technology using medaka and zebrafish embryos – making animal testing a thing of the past.

Innovation & Technology

PT Freeport Indonesia, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Completes Construction of Papua Airstrip

Jul 7, 2017 9:20 AM ET

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) invests in the future of the local community where it operates. From 1996 to 2016, the Freeport Partnership Fund for Community Development has invested more than $680 million in the local community. PTFI invests in infrastructure such as roads, a port, an airport, electrification and communications systems, schools, hospitals and community facilities.

Diversity & Inclusion

Logo’s Trailblazer Honorees “Stood On the Shoulders of Giants” to Become Pioneers of Change for This Generation

Jul 7, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Throughout history, art has defended the human spirit. Especially in times of political crisis, art and activism become inextricably related. This was clear after attending Logo’s Trailblazer Honors, which celebrates the work of honorees who have made indelible contributions to LGBT civil rights—through writing, dancing, singing and producing.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How Funders Can Support Immigrant Communities in Today’s Environment

Jul 7, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Green Infrastructure

Using Technology to Power a Sustainable Built Environment

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Nestlé Waters North America Announces Completion of a $79 Million, Two-Year Expansion of its Lehigh Valley Bottling Facility

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Nestlé Waters is also focused on being a good community partner for the long term. In 2016 alone, the company sponsored or hosted water education programs for some 3,000 local students, supported non-profits and community organizations in our spring communities with more than $100,000 in charitable contributions, and donated some 140,000 bottles of water to valuable local partners such as the Allentown Health Bureau’s Fruit & Veggies On The Move Program and the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whole Foods Market Lives Its Core Values, Increases Employee Engagement Through Global Volunteer Program

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

In 2010 I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala for 30 days as part of Whole Foods Market’s Team Member Volunteer Program near Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful yet poorest regions of the country. Whole Foods Market launched its volunteer program in 2007 to give employees (called Team Members) the opportunity to witness the transformative power of microcredit in person and to volunteer alongside the community where Whole Foods Market sources products.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Walking the Tight Rope

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Non-profits often don’t have processes for inquiring about the risks they face, prioritizing those risks, and how to responding to them. For most, risk management begins and ends with insurance, their only safety net.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Arrow Electronics’ Interns Build 32 Wheelchairs for Veterans

Jul 7, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Arrow Electronics summer intern class teamed together last month to build 32 wheelchairs for military veterans in need. The Build-a-Wheelchair® corporate social responsibility team-building event was a part of Arrow’s annual Intern Kickoff event.

Green Infrastructure

Living Shoreline Demonstration Project | Restoring and Preserving the Louisiana Coastline

Jul 7, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Louisiana coastline loses an average of more than 16 square miles of wetlands per year according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana (CPRA) is the single state entity with authority to develop, articulate, implement, and enforce a comprehensive coastal restoration and protection master plan to reduce hurricane storm surge flood impact, restore Louisiana’s bountiful natural resources, build land to protect critical energy infrastructure, and secure Louisiana’s coast now and for future generations.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Watermark Water Challenge Field Testing

Jul 7, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Xylem employees inspire students about science, the environment and water with practical, hands-on field experience.

Innovation & Technology

Going Cashless: The Fast Lane to Payments

Jul 6, 2017 6:35 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

How Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Spooner is Inspiring the Next Generation of Girls

Jul 6, 2017 5:35 PM ET

As a young girl growing up playing hockey, Natalie Spooner felt she didn’t have much to aspire to within the sport of hockey. Now an Olympic gold medalist and Canadian Women’s Hockey League All-Star, she’s inspiring the next generation of girls through initiatives like Project North and Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Republic Services Honors Veterans at 'Follow the Flag' Event in Utah's Grove Creek Canyon

Jul 6, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Republic Services Salt Lake division proudly sponsored the annual Follow the Flag ceremonial event, established to honor Veteran’s with a large American flag hung between two canyon walls across a 600-foot-wide crevice in Grove Creek Canyon, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Republic Services provided thousands of attendees with water bottles, sunglasses, and recycling education materials. Republic also provided recycling bins throughout the event, supporting our customers at the city and the Pleasant Grove Parks and Rec recycling efforts for the ceremony.

Research, Reports & Publications

Taproot Foundation & BMW Foundation Release 2017 Global Pro Bono Summit Recap

Jul 6, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Carnival Cruise Line Thanks The Troops With The World's First Social Media Powered Barbecue At Marine Corps Air Station Miramar In San Diego

Jul 6, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Astellas Employees Support Veterans at 2017 Warrior Games

Jul 6, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

First Costa Group Volunteer on Board the Africa Mercy

Jul 6, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Mike Bloomberg Announces $200 Million American Cities Initiative at the U.S. Conference of Mayors

Jul 6, 2017 3:00 PM ET

“Thank you Manny, and good afternoon, everyone! We’re lucky to have Manny as a Board Member at Bloomberg Philanthropies, and I want to thank him and Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine for welcoming us here.

Events, Media & Communications

Living Future unConference Call for Proposals

Jul 6, 2017 3:00 PM ET

The International Living Future Institute is excited to announce the Call for Proposals for the upcoming Living Future unConference in Portland, Oregon on May 1-4, 2018. At the 12th annual unConference, ILFI invites you to lead us in the exploration of AUTHENTICITY and inspire and equip us to take ACTION that echoes our truth.

Green Infrastructure

Chicago Named Nation’s Greenest City in CBRE Study

Jul 6, 2017 2:45 PM ET

After placing second last year, the Chicago market claimed the top spot with 66% of its space qualified as green certified according to the fourth annual Green Building Adoption Index study by CBRE and Maastricht University. San Francisco slipped to second, while Atlanta, Houston and Minneapolis again claimed spots in the top 5 in the 2017 report.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Agile Organizations: The Balance of Speed and Stability

Jul 6, 2017 2:45 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Drew Finally Triumphs Over Jonathan in HGTV's ‘Brother vs. Brother: Jonathan vs. Drew’

Jul 6, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Drew and Jonathan Scott collected the highest total profit in Brother vs. Brother history with an impressive $160,500. The proceeds from the sales will benefit projects in both Galveston and Houston via Rebuilding Together—a national U.S. nonprofit organization that preserves affordable homeownership and helps to revitalize neighborhoods by providing free home repairs and modifications to homeowners in need.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Rises To Sustainability Standards Challenge

Jul 6, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Timothy J. Mohin is the Chief Executive of GRI, developer of the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards. A veteran in the field of corporate sustainability reporting, he is now steering GRI to lead the evolution of sustainability reporting. Here's how he will do this.