Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Supply Chains Delivering Business Profit Not Added Costs

Jun 27, 2018 6:05 AM ET

C-Suite leaders in responsible supply chain from United Nations Global Compact, H&M, Nestlé, Sodexo, Neal’s Yard Remedies, OHCHR, DSM and Mattel have already confirmed to speak. Access the brochure here to see the unrivalled speaker line-up and agenda topics.

Research, Reports & Publications

New Circular Fashion, Less Resources, More Sustainable Materials

Jun 27, 2018 5:00 AM ET

Global fashion retailer C&A reports strong performance towards its 2020 sustainability goals. In its new ‘2017 Global Sustainability Report’, the company announces its achievements and commitments with focus on its products, its supply chain and employees.

Environment

Spencer Wise: There’s No Business Like Shoe Business

Jun 26, 2018 8:40 PM ET

Take a look at the shoes you’re wearing right now. You’ve probably logged more than a few miles in them already. But what kind of journey did they take before they ended up on your feet? This week on Sea Change Radio, we speak to Spencer Wise, an author whose debut novel, The Emperor of Shoes, is set in an international shoe-manufacturing enterprise.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sappi's Jennifer Miller Reflects on Community Engagement as Key to Success

Jun 26, 2018 5:30 PM ET

Jennifer Miller, Chief Business Sustainability Officer, reflects on how customer, colleague and community connections build stronger companies.

Sustainable Development Goals

Whirlpool EMEA Pledges to Adopt Components of Appliances Made of 100 Percent Recycled Plastics by 2025

Jun 26, 2018 4:30 PM ET

Whirlpool EMEA today announces that it has successfully responded to the EU Commission invitation to come forward with voluntary pledges on reducing plastics waste and boosting the uptake of recycled plastics.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Contributes $250,000 for Bay Area Affordable Housing, Revitalization Efforts

Jun 26, 2018 3:35 PM ET

Wells Fargo's NeighborhoodLIFT program will donate $250,000 total to three East Bay Area nonprofits for affordable housing, youth and family initiatives.

Research, Reports & Publications

Innovative Technologies Driving Sustainability at UPS

Jun 26, 2018 3:00 PM ET

UPS’s 16th annual Sustainability Report, published today, highlights the company’s sustainability challenges and accomplishments during 2017, including progress toward its 2020 and 2025 goals in support of the environment, global workforce, and communities around the world.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sustainable by Design: GM’s Global Design Center Turns Waste into Works of Art

Jun 26, 2018 2:30 PM ET

At General Motors, we see waste as simply a resource out of place, and we strive to keep materials in use for as long as possible.

Diversity & Inclusion

Taking Pride in One's Food

Jun 26, 2018 2:25 PM ET

With June being National Pride Month, the Whirlpool Corporation convinced The Hearty Boys to come in as guest chefs for a couple days.

Sustainable Development Goals

VIDEO | Barclays Citizenship Awards: The Water Challenge Team

Jun 26, 2018 1:45 PM ET

The Water Challenge, Preserving a Global Resource, was published in partnership with Columbia University. The report analyses financial and technical solutions the energy industry can use to lower water-related costs and improve its fresh-water footprint, featuring case studies of companies improving outcomes as a result of these innovative solutions and partnerships.

Diversity & Inclusion

SAGE: Ensuring Dignity and Respect for LGBT Elders

Jun 26, 2018 1:30 PM ET

As the leading advocate for LGBT elders, SAGE is more than just an organization. It’s a movement of caring activists dedicated to providing advocacy, services, and support to older members of the LGBT community.

Research, Reports & Publications

Using Open Data to Address the World’s Mobility Challenges

Jun 26, 2018 1:15 PM ET

The keys to developing smarter transportation infrastructure lie not only in the physical world of roads, rail and bridges, but also in the invisible world of data — specifically, open mobility data, which is the aggregated data that transit agencies make publicly available. This data tracks stoplight timing, traffic patterns and transit routes, and can be used by everyone from transportation officials looking to redesign routes to software companies developing new navigation applications.

Diversity & Inclusion

Looking Outside the Box We Can Solve the Cyber Security Workforce Gap

Jun 26, 2018 1:10 PM ET

Over the past three years, NPower requests for cyber security talent have been mounting. It is clear this is not by coincidence and it is crucial we address the need.

In 2014, we partnered with Symantec in the launch of their Symantec Cyber Career Connection (Symantec C3) program. The Symantec C3 program targets the under-employment of young adults (ages 18 to 29), specifically women and minorities, as well as veterans.

Symantec has been an incredible partner to NPower, sharing our vision that students need a mix of skills to be successful in the professional world, and that there is a huge opportunity to open the doors for an underutilized talent market while strengthening the future of the industry.

Green Infrastructure

The Rise of the Intelligent Sewer

Jun 26, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Kansas City’s Smart Sewer program is the largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history.

The program employs a network of sensors—including sonar and radar technology—to accurately track real-time sewer overflows and optimize the use of its existing sewer system.

Kansas City is among a handful of American cities like Cincinnati and South Bend that are responding to chronic problems with sewer overflows by adopting the latest in smart tech to access real-time data to direct wastewater to existing stations. The new method saves money and protects the major waterways.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Impact at Work: An Interview With May Malik From NYC Service

Jun 26, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Last week, we released a blog post on some of our favorites communities of practice that bring diverse professionals together across sectors to achieve maximum business and social value in their communities. As a follow-up, I had the pleasure of interviewing May Malik, Director of Public-Private Partnerships at NYC Service who has an infectious passion for service and a unique vantage point from her role in the public sector.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac Recognized as One of America's 50 Most Community-Minded Companies Company Honored by Points of Light with Civic 50 Award

Jun 26, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the worksite in the United States, announced that Points of Light has named Aflac to its 2018 Civic 50 list. According to their website, Points of Light is the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the communities in which they do business. The award recognizes Aflac as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States.

Environment

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Named Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year

Jun 26, 2018 12:25 PM ET

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid took home two titles from the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) 2018 Drive Revolution green vehicle competition, including the Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year, and for the second year in a row, the Northwest Family-sized Plug-in Hybrid of the Year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Kicking off Grilling Season with the Chicago Spark Program

Jun 26, 2018 11:35 AM ET

The Spark Program connects schools in the Chicago community with corporate partners to immerse middle schoolers in workplace mentorships based on skills and interests.

“These mentorships go beyond educational aspects. Spark Mentors often have a big influence on the social and emotional development of these adolescents,” said Principal of Frazier International Magnet School, Charlette Broxton, “we are very lucky to partner with corporations, such as Tyson Foods, through the Spark Program.”

Tyson Foods has been a partner with the Spark Program since 2015, and with Chicago Public Schools closing out the year, it only made sense to have our Spark students join us for this summer celebration.

Events, Media & Communications

Lunch With Warren Buffett Auctioned Off for $3.3 Million

Jun 26, 2018 11:15 AM ET

For the 19th year in a row, the octogenarian CEO of Berkshire Hathawayauctioned off a lunch date to raise money for Glide, an anti-poverty organization in San Francisco, California. When the auction closed late Friday, the winning bid topped $3.3 million according to the online event hosted by eBay for Charity.

Environment

Founder Spotlight—Bob Karls

Jun 26, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Antea Group spotlights inspirational Bob Karls in a disarming and passionate snapshot of his career.

Environment

Designing New Climate Change Solutions, With Inspiration That Is Millions of Years Old

Jun 26, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Eight finalist teams from around the world have been announced for nature-inspired climate change design solutions in the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge, sponsored by the Biomimicry Institute.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Forbes Names Republic Services One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies

Jun 26, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) has been recognized as one of most innovative companies in the world by Forbes Magazine. Ranked 89th, Republic is one of only two recycling and solid waste management companies on the 2018 list. Forbes selects its annual 100 World’s Most Innovative Companies list by identifying companies that investors believe to be forward thinking, who will continue to achieve profitable new growth through future advances.

Education

Orlando Sentinel | EA, Tupperware Work to Raise Female Impact in STEM

Jun 26, 2018 10:25 AM ET

As corporations push to add women in tech fields, some leaders say they are seeing results in Central Florida. Organizers behind the programs, which feature female employees leading activities designed to reach female workers and students directly, say they can serve two purposes: show female students potential career paths and help businesses foster future workers.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Europe Earns Best Multinational Workplace Recognition

Jun 26, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

For a World Without Disease - Eradication and Prevention of Disease

Jun 26, 2018 10:15 AM ET