Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Kohler Donation Funds Health Clinic Expansion

May 10, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Kohler Co. leaders, Lakeshore Community Health Care (LCHC) representatives and members of the Sheboygan community gathered Friday, May 5, to unveil LCHC's newly renovated Medical and Behavioral Health Wing.

Innovation & Technology

Avnet’s Team of IoT Experts to Present at IoT World 2017

May 10, 2017 11:55 AM ET

Avnet, a leading global technology distributor, will share its IoT industry knowledge and expertise throughout Internet of Things World next week at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Executives representing Avnet’s leading team of IoT experts will share insights on how companies of all sizes can design, supply, build and deliver IoT products anywhere in the world. The conference kicks off on May 16 with a keynote from Lou Lutostanski, Avnet’s vice president, Internet of Things.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services Makes Elite Forbes America’s Best Employers 2017 List

May 10, 2017 11:40 AM ET

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is pleased to announce that the Company has been named to the elite Forbes America’s Best Employer 2017 List, an employer ranking based on the results of an independent survey conducted among 30,000 U.S. workers at companies and institutions across the country. Republic is the only recycling and waste company named to this year’s list. The Company is included in the Large Employer category, under Utilities.

Environment

A Holistic Approach to Water Stewardship: 5 Strategic Considerations for Food & Beverage Companies

May 10, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Diminishing water resources is a rising global challenge that food and beverage companies are uniquely positioned to tackle in order to protect their business, communities and ecosystems around the world.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CSRHub Releases Second e-Book in How to Improve Your CSR Score Series

May 10, 2017 11:10 AM ET

As the world’s largest sustainability business intelligence database, CSRHub is in a unique position to understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings. We have studied each of our 525 data sources’ metrics, and our system automatically identifies which sustainability reporting investments add the most value, pinpoints areas of lagging or leading performance, and produces benchmarks against other companies. In How to Improve Your CSR Score, CSRHub will try to share some of the “secret sauce” its co-founders, Cynthia Figge and Bahar Gidwani, have developed through their combined 30+ years of experience with sustainability metrics.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Announces 2017 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine Concepts

May 10, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announced details of enhancements and menus from Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 2017 season last night. Building on the success of last summer’s inaugural season with local restaurateurs and James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and business partner restaurateur Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group, and Sodexo Sports & Leisure, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining options for visitors to the iconic venue.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

From the First Day, I Didn't Want to Leave Him

May 10, 2017 11:00 AM ET

"I knew we were going to face a lot of uphill battles together. But right from that first day, I didn't want to leave him." Dee Marks was no stranger to foster care adoption. She had already adopted her daughter when she was approached by a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter about an 8 year old boy named CJ who has autism.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Marketing of the Electric Vehicle

May 10, 2017 10:40 AM ET

General Motors has designed the Chevrolet Volt and Bolt EV for markets across all 50 states and around the world – a demonstration of the company’s commitment to electrification. While growing the electric-vehicle market is a more complex challenge than simply bringing a new car to the dealership showroom, Chevrolet focuses on marketing and education efforts to help drive consumer adoption.

Research, Reports & Publications

AccountAbility Releases German Translation of the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard

May 10, 2017 10:00 AM ET

AccountAbility has released the German translation of the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard (AA1000SES) 2015. Part of the AA1000 Series of Standards, the AA1000SES (2015) provides practical guidance on how to assess, design, implement and communicate effective stakeholder engagement.

Environment

PepsiCo VP Talks Long-Term Positive Water Impact: “It’s a Journey, Not a Destination.”

May 10, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Last year, PepsiCo introduced its Performance with Purpose 2025 agenda, renewing efforts to drive further progress across its sustainability goals. At the forefront is the company’s strategic global approach to water stewardship. Roberta Barbieri, PepsiCo’s vice president of global water and environmental solutions, recently discussed this important topic and offered an inside look at how the company is striving to achieve its goals during an interview with GreenBiz, a media resource focused on business, technology and sustainability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

New BSR Report: Scaling Clean Energy Through Financial Industry Collaboration

May 10, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The transition to a low-carbon economy is underway. This new research report from BSR, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and ClimateWorks, highlights how collaboration with the financial industry can help address three specific market barriers and scale finance for clean energy action.

Events, Media & Communications

Reporting 3.0 Announces Final Conference Program

May 10, 2017 10:00 AM ET

When and how will companies be able to say they have achieved bona fide sustainability? What changes do they need to make in assessing context, materiality, and success measurement?

Environment

We Mean Business When it Comes to Climate Change

May 10, 2017 9:30 AM ET

These days, it’s nearly impossible to open up a paper, news website or even Twitter and not see mention of a climate-related issue. People everywhere – concerned citizens to climate scientists to federal legislators – are trying to understand what to make of it and what to do about it. According to NASA’s scientific-based evidence, climate change is real and is happening as 2016 was our warmest year to date. At this moment in history, we know that we can still make changes to alter human impact on our climate. And at General Mills, we’ve taken the approach that we have a responsibility to do something about it.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volkswagen Group of America’s Young Professionals Employee Resource Group supports Fauquier Habitat for Humanity building a new home

May 10, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Recently, 25 members of the Volkswagen Group of America Young Professionals Employee Resource Group (YP ERG) supported Fauquier Habitat for Humanity to construct a new home for a young couple and their Labrador mix in Huntly, Va. The YP ERG members used their volunteer day, a company provided paid day off to serve in the community, to install windows and doors, add structural elements and raise a shed.

Social Impact & Volunteering

New Laureus Sport for Good Project

May 10, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Ski-jump star and Laureus Sport for Good ambassador Thomas Morgenstern mingled among the teams on site in order to play soccer with the girls.

Research, Reports & Publications

2016 Co-op Way Report

May 10, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with over 4 million active members. Its purpose is ‘Championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities’.

Research, Reports & Publications

De Beers Reports a Rise in Local Investment in South Africa

May 10, 2017 8:00 AM ET

De Beers Group increased its investment in local goods and services in South Africa last year and made a major contribution to supporting community development, according to its latest Report to Society.

Research, Reports & Publications

It’s Your Business

May 10, 2017 5:00 AM ET

John Lewis Partnership has launched an online Corporate Responsibility report and Human Rights and Modern Slavery report to complement its 2017 Annual Report and Accounts.

Responsible Production & Consumption

21st Century Fox Marks 10 Years of Industry-Leading Sustainability Efforts

May 9, 2017 7:25 PM ET

Ten years ago today, our company made a bold commitment to minimize our environmental impacts, grow sustainably, and inspire others to take action, with the launch of the Global Energy Initiative.

Thanks to the dedication, creativity and passion of colleagues from around the world, we have delivered on that commitment, and improved our business and our communities in the process. Our efforts have reduced our operating costs by hundreds of millions of dollars, built important relationships with partners and audiences, earned recognition for our leadership, and established best practices for the entire entertainment industry.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy Named to Forbes List of America's Best Employers 2017

May 9, 2017 5:45 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Announcing USA TODAY Network as Citizens Awards Media Partner!

May 9, 2017 5:45 PM ET

Thrilled to announce USA TODAY Network as our media partner for the 2017 Corporate Citizenship Awards! Submit a nomination before June 23 to be recognized for the impact your organization makes in communities around the world.

Diversity & Inclusion

Crewmember Resource Groups Bolster Co-Workers and the Community

May 9, 2017 3:45 PM ET

In 2016, Crewmember Resource Groups (CRGs) – JetPride, Women in Flight, Vets in Blue, and Blue Conexión – deepened relationships with co-workers and the community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

WEBINAR: How to Launch a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign Without a Budget

May 9, 2017 2:05 PM ET

Planning and executing a successful crowdfunding campaign can be daunting. You need a compelling promo video, inviting graphics, simple yet informative communications, an engaging email strategy, and stand-out social media. Don’t panic: all this is achievable even without a budget or in-house expertise. This webinar will teach you how to harness the expertise of marketing, graphic design, videography, and communications professionals who want to volunteer to help your cause.

Research, Reports & Publications

Charting a New Course in Sustainability Reporting

May 9, 2017 1:30 PM ET

There’s currently a debate brewing among sustainability and corporate responsibility professionals about the best way to report CSR and environmental information. Is a sustainability report the proper time for storytelling or do readers just want the facts? Truth is, we are often trying to reach multiple (and different audiences) with one report. This year, JetBlue decided to revisit how we report our environmental, social and purpose-driven initiatives.

Events, Media & Communications

John Picard to Speak About The Ray at Sustainatopia

May 9, 2017 1:30 PM ET

John Picard to speak about The Ray at Sustainatopia, today and tomorrow.