News from Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest impact news from companies embracing the triple bottom line, shared via 3BL's publishing platform.

Focus for maximum impact

Focus™ is 3BL’s premier product, a comprehensive suite of proprietary tools and expertise to optimize your impact programs with precision and purpose.

Discover Focus

Smarter impact communications

Power your message with data, insights and confidence

Find out more at 3BL.com

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

3 Things Veterans Should Look for in a Civilian Employer

At Nestlé, we believe that military values like a sense of purpose and mission, collaboration, and agility, can cross over into a civilian work experience. And what’s more, we know that veterans and transitioning military members make Nestlé better. The experience and skills veterans bring to the table is a natural fit for us, and we believe our purpose-driven company culture is a natural fit for them.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

You Didn’t Learn This in Business School

Few of today’s CEOs earned their job because they were socially responsible and spoke out on hot topics. Yet key stakeholders increasingly want to know where companies and CEOs stand on critical social issues. It might be argued that speaking out is becoming a 21st-century requirement for the leaders of major companies. Data confirms a shift in expectations from the public: research from Weber Shandwick indicates that 47% of Millennials believe CEOs have a responsibility to speak up about issues that are important to society [emphasis added].

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ahead of His Time: Chris Fox, VP Corporate Responsibility at HanesBrands

In 2007, after HanesBrands broke off from Sara Lee, Fox was tasked with spearheading the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. As part of reinventing the culture at the newly formed company, the entire work force—at every level, in every function—became increasingly accountable for sustainable, ethical production of apparel.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bloomberg Headquarters in New York Achieves Prestigious LEED Green Building Certification

Bloomberg L.P.’s headquarters at 731 Lexington Avenue in New York has been LEED® certified to the Gold level for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) for existing buildings. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building program is a rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sporting Sustainability Launches to Reduce Food Waste

Sporting Kansas City announced on Tuesday the launch of Sporting Sustainability, a collaborative platform that unites prominent industry leaders to reduce food waste and achieve additional key sustainability outcomes in the Midwest.

Diversity & Inclusion

Wise Investment

Tommy Swearingen has the privilege of meeting a lot of employees in his job as human resources manager at MegaMex Foods. Even so, he remembers vividly the day in 2008 when Porsche White crossed his path. What’s more, in the years since their first meeting, he’s been able to watch her make a difference in the life of Hormel Foods and perhaps more important, in the lives of its workers.

“I’ve had a front-row seat witnessing this amazing growth and the contributions and impact that she has made,” says Tommy. In addition, he adds, she is steadfast in her commitment to the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Indeed, Porsche believes furthering the diversity and inclusion platform of Hormel Foods is one of the most important aspects of her job as a manager for the company.

Environment

How General Mills, McDonalds and Kering Are Setting Credible, Courageous Sustainability Goals

Corporate adoption of science-driven sustainability targets is gaining momentum, as companies seek to align their strategies more specifically with the ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed to avoid global temperature increases of more than 2 degrees Celsius.

Green Infrastructure

A Mohawk in the New York Fashion District

A new face has arrived at the heart of New York's Fashion District. Mohawk Group, a producer and distributor of quality commercial flooring, opened a flagship location that evokes the company’s stylish and innovative floor coverings. It's a testament to their commitment to sustainable design.

Health & Healthcare

Tetra Tech Recognizes June as Safety Month

Tetra Tech places safety at the forefront of its daily operations, and its commitment to safety extends from executive management to hands-on project personnel and office staff around the world.

Education

Common Tree Pests and How to Spot Them

Spring is a wonderful time of year, when everything around us is bursting to life. This, of course, includes pesky insects that have it out for your trees. As the weather warms up, pests come out of the woodwork, so to speak, and you’ll want to know what signs to look for. When trees are stressed after a long winter, they are especially susceptible to attack.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Albertsons Companies Celebrates Dairy Month with Innovative Packaging

Over the years, we have proudly introduced our brands such as Lucerne®, Open Nature® and O Organics®, all offering an assortment of wholesome dairy products from milk, cheese and butter to yogurt and ice cream and everything in between. While the product quality and taste of these products is a no brainer, our environmental footprint is also of huge importance to our company. As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we continue to explore opportunities to minimize our carbon emissions and reduce the waste output in our facilities. In honor of National Dairy Month this June, read on to learn more about how we are helping the environment by buying local and reducing plastic waste!

Environment

Rebuilding Together Dedicated to Long-term Disaster Support in Louisiana, Texas, California and Florida

At the beginning of the 2018 hurricane season, Rebuilding Together, the leading national nonprofit organization with a mission of repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives, is continuing its disaster recovery work in four states affected by natural disaster in 2017 and 2016.

Environment

Meet the Winners of the 21CF in the Wild Photography Contest in Honor of Earth Month 2018

In celebration of April’s Earth Month 2018, and at this critical time for wildlife conservation, 21CF partnered with National Geographic to launch our third annual exclusive photography competition. Animals play a vital role in keeping our environment balanced and running smoothly and, to honor that, we invited our colleagues to share their best photos of creatures and critters from around the world—whether a shot from their travels or a selfie with a beloved pet.

Energy

Home Charging Installation Rebates Make it Easier to Drive Electric

Southern California Edison celebrated today the installation of 1,000 electric vehicle chargers in more than 60 locations throughout the Southland, and also announced that it is starting a new pilot program to help customers install EV charging stations at home. The 1,000th charger was installed at South El Monte High School through Charge Ready, SCE’s pilot program to add EV charging stations at locations where people leave their cars for the day. These locations include workplaces, public parking lots, hospitals and destination centers, as well as apartment and condominium complexes.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

American Express Announces $500,000 Commitment to Strive for College and UStrive Inc.

American Express announced today that the company will join forces with Strive for College and UStrive Inc. to increase college access for students across the United States. Strive for College is a national nonprofit that provides students with mentoring through the college admissions and financial aid application process through the UStrive virtual mentoring platform. American Express has committed $500,000 to the initiative, and plans to engage hundreds of American Express professionals as mentors to the underserved youth Strive for College serves.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

VIDEO | eBay Retail Revival: Akron Honey Company

Brent Wesley started an urban beekeeping movement in Akron, Ohio, creating natural honey and personal care products featuring pure, all-natural ingredients. Today, Brent is one of more than 100 small businesses participating in eBay’s Retail Revival program, a 12-month economic development pilot. Retail Revival harnesses the power of technology and eBay’s global marketplace to support and grow small businesses, strengthen local economies and foster vibrant community growth.

Green Infrastructure

The Ray Joins World Class Sustainable Electrified Transportation Center

The Ray is excited to announce a new partnership with Sustainable Electrified Transportation (SELECT) Research Center, led by Utah State University. As a member of SELECT, The Ray will join the nation’s leading researchers and experts across sectors, including automotive OEMs, suppliers/manufacturers, civil engineering firms, departments of transportation and academia, in understanding and developing ways in which a fully electrified transportation ecosystem can be strategically and successfully piloted in the near future.

Research, Reports & Publications

‘We Will Become A Better, Stronger Wells Fargo’

Jon Campbell, head of Corporate Responsibility for Wells Fargo, shares how the company is enhancing its approach to corporate social responsibility to make a bigger impact.

Social Impact & Volunteering

NRG Energy’s PositiveNRG Week Delivers People Power to Communities Nationwide

For the 11th consecutive year, NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) employees took to the communities where they live and work to volunteer in the name of “positiveNRG week,” the company’s annual week of volunteering. This year’s efforts resulted in nearly 1,000 NRG employees across 16 states volunteering nearly 5,000 hours to 71 charities and nonprofits.

Innovation & Technology

FCA US LLC Expands Partnership With Waymo

FCA US LLC and Waymo today announced they will expand their partnership with an agreement to add up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybridminivans to Waymo’s self-driving fleet. This venture builds upon a previous commitment, announced in January, to deliver thousands of vehicles to Waymo’s driverless transportation service. Vehicle delivery is expected to begin in late 2018.

Education

Can Creativity Be Taught?

Experts agree that creativity is critical to success in the future. But can creativity be taught? If so, how? Middle school teachers are finding answers to these questions in a program that aims to put today’s students on the path to success in tomorrow’s jobs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

An ‘Activist at Heart’ from the Nonprofit World Joins Nestlé

Riham recently came to Nestlé after spending nearly five years working for a nonprofit. In her new role as an Employee Ambassador and Thought Leadership Manager, she will help Nestlé employees from across the company share their stories. Riham works with the communications team at Nestlé USA’s new Arlington, Virginia headquarters. We spoke with her during her fourth week on the job about what drew her to Nestlé, the transition from the nonprofit sector, and advice for others considering an industry change.

Environment

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Recreation and Park Association Launch ‘Parks for Pollinators’

To address the critical need to increase pollinator habitat for beneficial insects, such as honey bees, monarch butterflies and others, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) have teamed up on a new “Parks for Pollinators” campaign aimed at raising public awareness of pollinator health and encouraging local action through public parks and pollinator gardens.

Research, Reports & Publications

New SEC Search Tool Finds Inadequate Human and Workers’ Rights Disclosure in Financial Filings

Ceres and CookESG Research released a new tool for identifying corporate disclosure of human and workers’ rights risks and opportunities in annual financial filings. The tool covers more than 5,000 U.S. and foreign companies’ filings (10-K, 20-F and 40-F) to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC search tool also expands Ceres’ work to address investors’ concerns about improving the disclosure of decision-useful sustainability information in mandatory filings.

Education

Walmart’s New Education Benefit Puts Cap and Gown Within Reach for Associates

In partnership with Guild Education, a leading education benefits platform, Walmart associates will be able to access affordable, high-quality associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Business or Supply Chain Management. Under the program, which will be made available to all Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club associates, Walmart will subsidize the cost of higher education, beyond financial aid and an associate contribution equivalent to $1 a day.

Latest Campaigns

  1. 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...
  2. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  3. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  4. Sustainable Products and Innovation
    Ongoing research into innovative solutions enables CNH’s brands to manufacture products that respect the environment while satisfying customers’...
  5. Corporate Social Responsibility
    Gilead Sciences Corporate Social Responsibility
  6. Corporate Social Responsibility
    Whirlpool Corporation has several CSR partners including United Way, Habitat for Humanity International, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Consulada...
  7. People: Belonging
    We have committed to making the next ten years the best yet for Bacardi, and part of that journey includes creating a unified global community of...
  8. Diversity & Inclusion
    Kimberly-Clark: Diversity & Inclusion
  9. 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...
  10. Drive for MPC
    At Marathon Petroleum, our professional truck drivers share one common vision: no accidents, no injuries, and no harm to the environment. We’re proud...
  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. People
    Empowering Team Members, focusing on safety, and strengthening our communities.
  13. Social Impact at Mastercard
    At Mastercard, we’re powering economies and empowering people, building a sustainable economy where everyone prospers.
  14. 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...
  15. Responsible Investing
    Responsible Investing