Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

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







Recent Alerts

Join Leaders From Google, Microsoft, REI & More at GreenBiz 26

Trellis Group

Events, Media & Communications

sustainability: 2025 Report - Rockwell Automation
Building a More Resilient, Agile, and Sustainable Future

Rockwell Automation

Research, Reports & Publications

people in a boat
What We Learned (Or Didn’t) From Hurricane Katrina

TriplePundit

Social Impact & Volunteering

Environment

7 Basic Steps for Conducting a Successful Materiality Assessment

Materiality is a hot topic in the corporate sustainability world, with CSR teams working hard to meaningfully convey the opportunities and successes of their initiatives to both internal and external stakeholders.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Mike Bloomberg Is Our Saint of Rational Self-Interest

“The world is turned upside down,” says Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire businessman, UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, three-term former New York City mayor, public health and immigrant champion, lover of cities and enemy of gun violence, climate quant, and sugar daddy many times over to his philanthropic causes.… It’s hard to succinctly describe what Bloomberg does. I counted, with absolutely no confidence that I was even skimming the surface, more than 20 organizations and initiatives he is currently engaged with as founder, chair, or major funder.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Dreaming Big

So how about you? Do you have an idea for a biomimetic innovation that could help solve our next challenge of climate change? If so, we’d love to see you enter the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge.

Energy

Major Businesses Call on International Trade Commission to Reconsider Solar Tariff

In a letter sent today, major businesses are calling on the head of the International Trade Commission to reconsider its recommendation to impose a tariff or trade restrictions on imported solar products, citing the potential impacts on U.S. businesses and homeowners.

Responsible Production & Consumption

General Mills Works to Make the Cocoa Sector More Sustainable

General Mills is working to make the cocoa sector more sustainable and to reduce child labor. In 2013, the company made a commitment to sustainably source its ingredients, with the goal to sustainably source 100 percent of its top 10 ingredients by 2020. Those top 10 ingredients include cocoa, oats, wheat, corn, dairy, fiber packaging, vanilla, palm oil, sugar cane and sugar beets, which represent over 50 percent of its annual raw material purchases.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How to Make the Business Case for Pro Bono at Your Company

Those of us who have experienced pro bono service understand that it is a powerful way to drive social change. Pro bono can equip social good organizations with the expertise and support they need to serve more beneficiaries, become more efficient, and deliver on their missions more effectively.

Sustainable Development Goals

Bringing Transparency to Climate Change Actions

Media & Communications

The Power of She: The Fair Trade Difference

Most of the people who make Athleta clothes are women. Which is kind of fitting when you think about it. It’s also what drove us, back in January, to partner with Fair Trade USA to create more than 40 Fair Trade Certified styles. Because our mission is to empower women and girls to achieve their limitless potential.

Innovation & Technology

Black & Veatch, Renewable Energy Test Center Launch Solar Industry’s First Bifacial Module Ranking

Black & Veatch, a leading engineering, construction and consulting company and Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC), a world-class engineering services and certification testing provider for photovoltaic and renewable energy products, will launch the first bifacial photovoltaic (PV) module ranking in the solar industry.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Congrats to the Best Environmental Stewardship Finalists!

Congratulations to the 2017 Best Environmental Stewardship Finalists! The Best Environmental Stewardship Corporate Citizenship Award recognizes businesses that innovate and help create a more sustainable future. Read on to learn more about the significant, positive impacts these businesses have had in communities, locally and globally.

Research, Reports & Publications

Stella McCartney Backs First Life Cycle Assessment for Man Made Cellulosic Fibers

Luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney will be able to better map the environmental impacts of its raw materials, after commissioning the first ever Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for man-made cellulose fiber (MMCF) used in production.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fresh Start Supports CARE Complex's Mission to Help Homeless Build New Lives

One of Las Vegas Sands’ community partners in bringing Fresh Start Mobile Showers to people in need is CARE Complex. Dedicated to the elimination of homelessness in downtown Las Vegas, CARE Complex works to help clients achieve self-reliance and successfully transition out of homelessness.

Environment

Nestlé Waters Continues to Lead as Sacramento and Livermore Factories Achieve Prestigious Water Conservation Certification

Nestlé Waters North America announced today that its Sacramento and Livermore, Calif., factories have received certification for meeting the rigorous Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard.

Green Infrastructure

What You Can’t See Can Hurt You: Improving the Air We Breathe Indoors

Air quality is no longer something we can judge by our senses alone, especially indoors. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulates, carbon monoxide, and radon are among the chief culprits for poor indoor air quality, along with dust, mold, and bacteria. Building design, interior design, and building maintenance are key factors influencing your “micro-climate” – that is, the space in which you live and work, and specifically, the air you breathe. Optimizing your micro-climate involves smart design, purchasing, and an understanding of the air around you.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Test Vehicle Washing Helps Save Water

Learn more about how the facility in Qingzhou, China, identified a key opportunity to significantly reduce water consumption by redesigning the vehicle washing processes.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Disaster Relief Solutions for the Long Run

In the past months, many Benevity clients stepped up their disaster relief efforts to mobilize rapid response from their consumers, vendors, partners, the personal networks of their people and the public at large. These companies raised half a million dollars through the portals in the first two days alone, bringing much-needed funds to communities in distress. As usual, more dollars and hands are required, but where and, perhaps more importantly, when?

Environment

Sugar Maple: a Sweet Reward

Europeans were long familiar with the qualities of the maple wood. Species growing in the old world were used for the unpleasantness of pikes and lances. Imagine the happy surprise to find a maple in the New World from which fine furniture could be crafted and from which sugar could be produced in great quantity. So great, in fact, that it became an important commodity to sell or trade for merchandise in the early years of our country.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Home Depot Strengthens Forestry Protection and Improves Chemical Standards in 2017 Responsibility Report

The Home Depot® is increasing its protection of High Conservation Value Forests and tropical Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) by not accepting any wood products from The Amazon (South America) and Congo (Africa) Basins, unless Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Impact of Pro-Bono Volunteering

“Why not extend the benefit of volunteering to more people?" This question became the spark that inspired the Global Month of Volunteering at GSK, now underway in October. GSK has been working towards democratizing volunteering—by taking it from the 100 or so employees who can participate in PULSE (our three or six month full-time, immersive volunteer program) to our global employee population of 100,000 employees.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Housing Foundation Announces $6 Million in Grants

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced $6 million toward neighborhood revitalization efforts with 47 grants to nonprofits through the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation’s 2017 Priority Markets Program. The 2017 Wells Fargo Housing Foundation Priority Markets Program supports projects, programs and initiatives that help remove barriers to sustainable housing in low- and moderate-income communities.

Social Impact & Volunteering

People Power Sustainability

During Sustainable September, we spoke with Alicia Procello, VP, Corporate Social Responsibility and President, Avery Dennison Foundation and Janet Sandoval, Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility and the Avery Dennison Foundation. They spoke about their work and how serving as a force for good contributes to a more sustainable future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sodexo Emphasizes the Importance of Childhood Health and Wellness Through Support of Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services and a partner to the United States Marine Corps, joined forces with that organization last weekend in support of its annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Kids Run. This event, a one-mile just-for-fun run for kids age 5-12, is an annual lead-up activity to the largest marathon in the world that doesn't offer prize money. Sodexo has sponsored the event since 2003.

Diversity & Inclusion

Sanofi’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Community Continues With the Third Annual Sanofi in Our Communities Event

Building on a commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Community, Sanofi held its third annual Sanofi in Our Communities, Celebrating Diversity event, demonstrating the company’s support for local Corporate Social Responsibility. As announced at the event, over $700,000 has been awarded in 2017 to select New Jersey-based non-profit organizations focused on enhancing the quality of life in the Garden Sate.

Events, Media & Communications

Aligning Your Volunteer Program With Employee Interests [Webinar]

Studies show that employees seek out companies that embody socially responsible values and provide an outlet for volunteering. You’ve checked those boxes yet can’t seem to get your employees to participate in your volunteer program. On Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT, we will present solutions to this common, yet solvable, challenge.

Latest Campaigns

  1. 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...
  2. Opportunity for All
    At Trane Technologies, uplifting our communities and workforce is the key to our continued success. We focus on broadening access to education...
  3. CARE Corporate Partnerships
    CARE works with corporate partners globally to invest in innovative, scalable, impactful, community-based solutions.
  4. 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...
  5. Corporate Social Responsibility
    Whirlpool Corporation has several CSR partners including United Way, Habitat for Humanity International, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Consulada...
  6. Aflac Stories
    Get a closer look at the people, products and stories that make Aflac the company we know today.
  7. SustainabilityHQ.com Weekly Highlights
    Highlighting the top news, commentary, and research for the week coming from SHQ. The highlights newsletter also spotlights one profiled organization...
  8. Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)
    The business landscape is reorienting itself and you can almost hear priorities shifting toward change-readiness and the bigger picture. And in this...
  9. AEG's Commitment to Social Impact and Volunteerism
    AEG embraces its responsibility to enrich the lives of people in the communities around the world where we do business, and to use business to create...
  10. 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...
  11. 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...
  12. Wesco Cares
    Life-changing events can happen to any of us, often when we least expect them. Employees in need can turn to the Wesco Cares. Its mission is to be an...
  13. People
    As a family-owned business, Bacardi values the importance of creating a warm and welcoming workplace. We do so by fostering an environment where...
  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. Community Investment
    all community engagement efforts (e.g., Teach for All, volunteerism, etc.)