Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Production & Consumption

Smart Water Programs Seek to Uncover Valuable Data for Improved Operations

Jul 15, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Water and wastewater systems use hundreds and sometimes thousands of data-producing instruments, but much of that information remains isolated. There is little two-way communication, so the vast amount of data stays buried, just as the water infrastructure itself is mostly buried and out of sight. Smart water programs are seeking to change all that.

Energy

WWF Report Cites SCA as Fore-Runner Within Sustainable Sourcing

Jul 15, 2016 10:50 AM ET

A new report from WWF International highlights SCA as a good example within sustainable sourcing and sustainability information. According to the report, unlike SCA, the vast majority of leading consumer goods companies and retailers have not taken “meaningful” actions to source sustainably produced commodities.

Environment

Are You Ready for 2017?

Jul 15, 2016 10:15 AM ET

2017 has been designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development .

According to the World Tourism Organization website, “this decision follows the recognition by global leaders at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) that “well-designed and well-managed tourism” can contribute to the three dimensions of sustainable development, to job creation and to trade.”

Events, Media & Communications

Republic of Pittsfield, MA Take Part in the Largest Fourth of July Parade in the U.S.

Jul 15, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Republic Services’ Pittsfield, MA division participated in the largest Fourth of July Parade and Festival in the country with over 175 exhibitors and sponsors.

Innovation & Technology

How Brazilian Farmers Will Use Drones to Boost Agriculture and Support Environmental Sustainability

Jul 15, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Similar to how mobile phones evolved from being a luxury item for the few into a ubiquitous tool that’s improving people’s lives globally, a new Qualcomm Wireless Reach funded program in Brazil aims to achieve the vision of a drone on every farm.

Innovation & Technology

Creating Eco-friendly Airport Systems for the Future

Jul 15, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Airports have traditionally been viewed as a prime source of anti-environmental activity. Whether it is the high amount of air pollution from the airplanes, the high energy consumption levels within the airport, or the noise pollution that is generated as a plane takes off or lands, the airport systems have been low on sustainability in almost every major area.

Innovation & Technology

What is The VolunteerMatch Network?

Jul 15, 2016 9:00 AM ET

In press releases. In blog posts. In webinars. You may have heard the phrase, “The VolunteerMatch Network,” thrown around—either by VolunteerMatch employees or one of our many corporate and nonprofit partners.

We’ve mentioned how The VolunteerMatch Network is the largest of its kind, and we’ve talked about why it’s an integral part of a comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. But what exactly is The VolunteerMatch Network? And perhaps more importantly, what can it do for you and your employee volunteer program?

Events, Media & Communications

Shaping Innovation Through Play

Jul 14, 2016 3:45 PM ET

I live in San Francisco, where “making” and “tinkering” has become a rite of passage for kids. Schools, public and independent, are building maker spaces. Libraries are hosting making workshops. And every summer, parents go to somewhat absurd lengths to get their kids into the stunningly popular Maker Camps that have popped up across the city. I know, I’m one of them. And it’s worth it, my now eight-year-old still remembers proudly the giant crocodile he built two years ago at a Maker Camp, and brags daily that he knows how to use a chop saw. To him, making equals fun, and first and foremost that’s what it is. But it’s also deeply empowering for young people, who learn through making to collaborate, evaluate and create.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar's Pledge to Minimize Waste

Jul 14, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Kimberly-Clark Corporation Unveils New Sustainability Strategy and Goals

Jul 14, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark Corporation recently published its annual report on sustainability, providing a comprehensive update on the company's efforts and introducing new sustainability priorities and goals through 2022.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Where Barclays has Led, Others are Following

Jul 14, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Test Your Employee Engagement IQ

Jul 14, 2016 2:45 PM ET

What do your employees really want? It’s not all about volunteerism and matching grants. Put your employee engagement knowledge to the test and learn more about the findings of the 2016 Cone Communications Employee Engagement Study.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Harnessing the Power of Non-Profit Partnerships

Jul 14, 2016 2:25 PM ET

Sanofi Pasteur partners with more than a dozen local non-profit organizations each year through employee volunteerism.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pfizer Seeks to Increase Patient Access to Medicines

Jul 14, 2016 2:00 PM ET

In seeking to improve health around the world, we strive to make the best use of Pfizer's resources — our people, products and funding — to help build health care capacity and expand access to medicines.

Research, Reports & Publications

Quest Diagnostics Environmental Impact

Jul 14, 2016 2:00 PM ET

At Quest, we process 157 million test requests annually. Transporting those samples requires every car and plane in our fleet. We continually look to make small, green changes that can have a big impact.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Guest Blog: One Recruiter's Journey to Help Children in Foster Care

Jul 14, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Elizabeth Johnson is a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter who works every day to find forever homes for children in foster care.

Health & Healthcare

New Challenges May Present Opportunities for the Hospital C-Suite

Jul 14, 2016 1:55 PM ET

The healthcare industry has changed irrevocably and hospital c-suites are grappling with new responsibilities as well as the complexities of creating a new continuum of care.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

The Power of Job Creation

Jul 14, 2016 1:55 PM ET

Poverty and the unsustainable use of land often go hand in hand for forest dependent communities across the developing world, leading to severe forest degradation and eventually forest clearance. In such areas, the development of stable livelihoods is arguably one of the most important aspects in the transition of a population from one depending on small scale shifting agriculture, to a cash economy that can co-exist within areas set aside for conservation purposes.

Events, Media & Communications

Making the Business Case for Sustainability Programs

Jul 14, 2016 1:35 PM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Morgan Stanley: Aligning Financial Returns with Impact Objectives

Jul 14, 2016 1:30 PM ET

The impact investment community continues to grow and the need for increased capital to fund sustainability based investments is at an all-time high. Investors are searching for a way to align their financial returns with their impact objectives.

Innovation & Technology

Accenture, The University of Notre Dame, and The Rural Development Company in South Africa Launch Renewable Energy Program in KwaZulu-Natal, Delivering Clean, Affordable Electricity

Jul 14, 2016 1:15 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

Timberland Welcomes African Entrepreneurs as a Part of Mandela Washington Fellowship

Jul 14, 2016 1:15 PM ET

Last week, outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland hosted 25 of Africa’s most talented, emerging leaders at its Stratham, NH headquarters to share the company’s values-driven approach to business. Each of the entrepreneurs is a recipient of the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training and networking.

Social Impact & Volunteering

America’s Charities Selected to Design and Facilitate the 2016 State of Maryland Charity Campaign

Jul 14, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Secretary of State John Wobensmith is pleased to announce that America’s Charities has been selected as the 2016 contractor for the State’s Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC). The MCC allows State employees and retirees an opportunity to donate to nearly 1,000 eligible charities.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Winning Designs Announced for Future of Housing Competition

Jul 14, 2016 1:00 PM ET

The winning designs in an innovative housing competition Re-defining Home: Home Today, Home Tomorrow were announced today by AARP, AARP Foundation, Home Matters and the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, a founding supporter of the Home Matters movement. The goal of this first-of-its-kind nationwide competition was to select the best plan for redesigning a typical home so that it would enable people to continue living there through every stage of their life.

Environment

AT&T Takes on AoT

Jul 14, 2016 12:35 PM ET

By now, you’ve heard of IoT. You’ve probably heard of IIoT. But have you heard of AoT?