Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

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

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Innovation & Technology

Cisco | What's on Your Desk: TacOps Edition

My name is Dustin Li, and I am one of the operations coordinators for Cisco Tactical Operations (TacOps). My job is a catch-all that includes everything from handling logistics for deployments and making sure equipment is ready to deploy, all the way to advancing our thought leadership efforts by giving talks at conferences and managing our remote sensing strategy. TacOps is a part of Cisco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. After a disaster strikes, we set up emergency communications.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

T. Rowe Price Reveals Impact of Water Scarcity on Security Selection

T. Rowe Price has released its inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance Annual Report, accompanied by a white paper highlighting the need for investors to consider the interaction between water, energy, and food – referred to as the ‘WEF Nexus’.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Broadening Financial Inclusion Borders in Bangladesh

According to Women’s World Banking, “Women in Bangladesh have the highest-ever rates of literacy and employment, and the country’s economy is growing. Financial inclusion now stands at more than 50 percent, nearly doubling in the past few years. But the financial inclusion gender gap is growing rapidly too, with fewer than half of women accessing or using formal financial services.”

Energy

Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Unite to Bring Sustainability to Landmark Campus

Leaders and staff from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club joined the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House to commemorate Sun Club-funded sustainability projects at the non-profit, including the unveiling of a 5-foot-solar-powered sculpture in a new orchard today. The sculpture, orchard, and an accompanying 125 kilowatt solar array, are additions to the Philadelphia campus made possible through a grant worth more than $315,000 from the Sun Club.

Energy

INGAA Foundation Study Affirms Natural Gas’ Importance in Coming Decades Amid Surge of Renewables

The new INGAA Foundation Inc. flagship report finds that natural gas will retain its critical role in the U.S. power sector for at least the next 20 years even as renewable energy grabs a bigger share of the nation’s electricity market. This trend, coupled with growing global demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, underscores the need for the gas industry’s continued investment in infrastructure to support these growing needs, according to Black & Veatch, the author of the report.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sands Cares Donates $100,000 to HELP of Southern Nevada’s Shannon West Homeless Youth Center

Las Vegas Sands’ global corporate giving program, Sands Cares, donated $100,000 to HELP of Southern Nevada’s Shannon West Homeless Youth Center to provide 1,807 nights of shelter for at-risk youth, and the opportunity to name five rooms on the first floor of the center after Sands Cares.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson fue nombrada como un Mejor lugar de trabajo de 2019 en México y el Reino Unido

SC Johnson anunció hoy que dos de las operaciones globales de la empresa han sido clasificadas entre los mejores lugares de trabajo en 2019 por Great Place to Work® (Los mejores lugares de trabajo). SC Johnson México fue nombrada en el puesto n.º 8 de mejor lugar de trabajo en el país y el equipo del Reino Unido de SC Johnson obtuvo el puesto n.º 20 en la lista de mejores lugares de trabajo del Reino Unido.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Named 2019 Best Workplace in Mexico and United Kingdom

SC Johnson today announces that two of the company’s global operations have been ranked among the best workplaces in 2019 by Great Place to Work®. SC Johnson Mexico was named the No. 8 Best Workplace on the list of companies in the country with 500-5,000 employees, and the SC Johnson United Kingdom team earned the No. 20 spot on the list of Best Large Workplaces in the U.K.

Environment

Keep America Beautiful Announces 50 Organizations Receive 2019 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program Grants

Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, today announced it has awarded 50 grants to Keep America Beautiful community-based affiliates and partner organizations for its 2019 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program® (CLPP), designed to help communities combat the most commonly littered item in America.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

New Holland Construction Sends Zero Waste to Landfill at Its Contagem Plant in Brazil

The New Holland Construction plant in Contagem, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, reached its ambitious target of Zero Landfill by treating 100% of its waste. The project, started in 2016, went through a feasibility study of various alternatives to ensure the environmentally correct choice was made: either through recycling or composting, and was then implemented in phases. The initiative was based on CNH Industrial’s World Class Manufacturing (WCM) philosophy, which seeks zero losses together with the methodology of the 5R Pyramid - refusing of waste (reverse logistics), reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery.

Events, Media & Communications

Energy Building for Sustainable Brands '19 Detroit

Sustainable Brands reveals program, networking and activity highlights for its upcoming global flagship conference: SB’19 Detroit. More than 2,500 business leaders will convene June 3-6 at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit to participate in the largest global gathering of brands transforming the economy through sustainable innovation.

Energy

General Mills Signs Its Largest Wind Power Agreement

General Mills, Inc. has signed a virtual 15-year power purchase agreement for 200 megawatts of the Maverick Creek wind project of Roaring Fork Wind, L.L.C., a joint venture between Renewable Energy Systems (RES) and Steelhead Americas.

Innovation & Technology

Innovating For Engagement

The use of virtual reality technology offers some key opportunities to improve social risk management on projects. First, enabling indigenous communities to visualize the future state of a project can enhance the “informed consultation process” between project sponsors and communities. Second, it helps shift indigenous communities from observers to more active participants – technically and spiritually – in how the project will impact their long-term, sustainable development. Finally, it can be a mechanism to help new workers joining the project to more effectively understand how the construction can affect the socio-political, cultural and environmental context of the impacted indigenous communities.

Research, Reports & Publications

Valvoline Releases Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, ‘Powered by People’

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, today released its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. The foundational pillars of corporate social responsibility at Valvoline™ continue to center on its “People, Product and Planet” approach with a strategic focus on achieving continual improvement in citizenship, sustainability, and diversity and inclusion.

“From efforts to minimize environmental impacts, to actions that make our communities better, our success is powered by Valvoline team members around the globe,” CEO Sam Mitchell said. “We are proud to feature their hard work and innovative thinking in this year’s CSR report.”

Research, Reports & Publications

AEP Releases 2019 Corporate Accountability Report

American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has issued its 2019 Corporate Accountability Report, an annual assessment of its performance as a public company and a community partner. This is the 13th year AEP has released the report, which details its developments in energy and technology, social responsibility, community investments and environmental stewardship.

The report’s theme, “Innovating for a Boundless Energy Future,” mirrors AEP’s efforts to embrace technology and digitization to deliver clean, reliable energy to its customers and value to its shareholders, while also being a positive force in the communities it serves.

Energy

Developer of Leading-edge Wind Energy Technology Joins Black & Veatch

The UK government has just thrown down the gauntlet to the wind energy sector: deliver more than 30 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by 2030. The appointment of Dr Peter Clive as Black & Veatch’s Principal Renewable Wind Energy Consultant, will help the company’s clients rise to this challenge.

Health & Healthcare

Well Living Lab Introduces New Alliance Member Program

The Well Living Lab today announced a new alliance member program for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to transforming health and well-being in the indoor environment.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Breaking the Gridlock on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking affects more than 20 million people globally - with more than 120,000 vehicles on the road, UPS is training drivers to notice and report this crime that is often hidden in plain sight on America’s roadways.

Events, Media & Communications

Register for the June 7th Collective Impact Conference in Washington, D.C.

Is your organization committed to creating greater social impact through workplace giving, corporate citizenship, CSR, and employee giving and engagement programs?

Register for FREE by May 22nd and join us at the Collective Impact Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 7th!

Offering an innovative, safe space for cross-sector collaboration, the Collective Impact Conference will allow participants to explore ways to engage in the business of giving back through workplace giving, employee engagement, and related areas of philanthropy.

Research, Reports & Publications

TD Releases First Standalone Environmental, Social and Governance Report

In a world of rapidly accelerating change and shifting customer expectations, TD believes that it is incumbent on organizations to reimagine responsible business practices to ensure they are helping to make a positive impact on the communities where they do business.

Education

Consumers Energy Powers Future STEM Careers by Inspiring Students through Robotics Programs

This year’s season is over for high school robotics teams across Michigan, but Consumers Energy is still bringing the energy to their cause.

Consumers Energy sponsored last month’s FIRST Championship for high school teams in Detroit. Why? Because we feel we can’t do enough to promote this fun and life-changing program in schools. Our charitable foundation last year contributed more than $450,000 to support STEM programs, including FIRST teams across the state, because we see the need for students to fill demanding jobs with our company and others in Michigan.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Econ 101

We need to understand both microeconomic sustainability (what it takes for a single business, like Interface, to become sustainable) and macroeconomic sustainability (what a sustainable economic system would look like).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Contributes $250,000 to Richmond Afterschool Youth Learning Program

The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has donated $250,000 to NextUp RVA, an afterschool system for middle school students in Richmond, Virginia which serves to support academic and social development in students through hands-on learning activities. This is the third year the company has contributed to NextUp RVA, and funding for this year will focus on the program’s Sports and Wellness track. Smithfield’s substantial contribution to NextUp RVA is part of the company’s recently announced charitable grant program that aims to address the unique needs of Smithfield’s local communities.

Environment

AEG Joins UN Sports for Climate Action Framework

AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, today announced its pledge to support the United Nation’s (UN) Sports for Climate Action Framework (Framework).

Environment

Walmart on Track to Reduce 1 Billion Metric Tons of Emission From Global Supply Chains by 2030

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today issued its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which details the company’s goals, progress and achievements for fiscal year 2019 toward its commitment to increase economic opportunity for associates and local communities, build sustainability in supply chains and activate climate change initiatives.

Latest Campaigns

  1. AMD Environmental Sustainability
    Advancing sustainability across our operations, supply chain manufacturing and product stewardship
  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. Sustainable Products and Innovation
    Ongoing research into innovative solutions enables CNH’s brands to manufacture products that respect the environment while satisfying customers’...
  4. Healthy Spaces Podcast: Season 5
    Welcome to Season 5 of Healthy Spaces by Trane Technologies, the podcast where experts and disruptors explore how climate technology and innovation...
  5. 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...
  6. Impacting Today and Tomorrow
    What we do matters and our associates can expect opportunities to create real impact at work and in the community.
  7. International Paper | SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
    Vision 2030 Goal: Improve our climate impact and advance water stewardship
  8. Sustainability by Antea Group
    At Antea Group, we believe the best sustainability programs integrate sustainability into core business practices, we identify and act on relevant...
  9. PSEG People & Communities
    PSEG is committed to improving the lives of our customers, our employees and the diverse communities we serve throughout New Jersey and Long Island...
  10. KeyBank Foundation: Helping Communities Thrive through Education, Workforce Development, and Service
    KeyBank Foundation helps build thriving communities by supporting organizations and programs that foster thriving students and a thriving workforce...
  11. 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...
  12. Sustainability- Carnival Corporation's Way of Doing Business
    Carnival’s approach to sustainability is a full-time commitment; it is not a cost of doing business, it is a way of doing business. We at Carnival...
  13. Sustainable Products and Innovation
    Ongoing research into innovative solutions enables CNH’s brands to manufacture products that respect the environment while satisfying customers’...
  14. 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...
  15. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...