Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Donates $10,000 to Flood Relief Efforts in New Brunswick

May 7, 2018 1:10 PM ET

To support our customers, employees and all community members, Scotiabank is donating $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with relief efforts in New Brunswick following recent flooding in the province. Our thoughts go out to the people of New Brunswick.

Environment

Protecting Eagles While Generating Carbon-Free Energy

May 7, 2018 12:20 PM ET

Environment

What’s So Drastic About Plastic? Earth Month 2018

May 7, 2018 12:00 PM ET

VMware’s EPIC2 values are the foundation of its strong company culture. VMware’s mission is to leave ahead a better future—to put back more into the environment, society and the global economy than we take – and to inspire our employees, customers and partners to do the same. We are reminded of this mission as we celebrate Earth Month 2018.

Research, Reports & Publications

Consumers Energy Releases 2018 Sustainability Report

May 7, 2018 11:50 AM ET

Consumers Energy has released its 2018 Sustainability Report, an annual snapshot of the energy provider’s commitment to the triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Making Moments of Good

May 7, 2018 11:30 AM ET

From a donation that helped make a dream come true for a high school marching band to thanking military service members with care packages, General Mills, Cheerios and Walmart just wrapped up “Moments of Good.” The campaign, from January through March, allowed Walmart and Cheerios to create one million special moments for people shopping in the retailer’s U.S. stores and within their surrounding communities.

Media & Communications

Are We Making Progress? Recent News About “Apparel Fashion & Sustainability” -- Investor Initiative to Help Make East Asian Factory Workers Safer & Better Paid…

May 7, 2018 11:30 AM ET

In monitoring the growing abundance of news stories and commentary about “supply chain,” “globalization” or “trade” topics and issues, our editors often see the focus is on apparel, clothing, textiles, fashion, etc. Companies in the developed economies widely source apparel footwear and related items in the developing and under-developed nations – and what happens there can quickly make news that travels around the globe.

Diversity & Inclusion

What Leadership Looks Like

May 7, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Throughout May, Bloomberg is highlighting the Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and allies who are making an impact at our company and across the business community. Diverse perspectives and skill sets strengthen our bottom line and reinforce our commitment to an inclusive workplace.

Diversity & Inclusion

HP Inc. Combats Unconscious Bias by Reinventing Mindsets

May 7, 2018 10:50 AM ET

The cure for systemic unconscious cultural bias in business is a systemic overhaul of corporate values from the top down. Not many companies have managed to immerse themselves in this diversity and inclusion challenge more than HP Inc. In 2015, when the Hewlett Packard Company split into 2 separate companies (Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc.), HP intentionally created a diverse board of directors that today is made up of 40% women and 50% minorities.

Environment

How Much Carbon Dioxide Is Emitted From Smallholders' Farms on Peatland?

May 7, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Walking on Indonesian peat that has been drained is like walking on a thick, bouncy, rubber mat. There are some 20.6 million hectares of peatland in Indonesia, nearly half the global total. That’s a little more than the area of Belarus and a little less than Ghana.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

SC Johnson Turkey Named 2018 Best Workplace

May 7, 2018 10:30 AM ET

SC Johnson Turkey today announced it has been recognized as a 2018 Best Workplace by the Great Place to Work® Institute. The organization earned the No. 2 spot in the ranking among mid-sized companies. This is the second consecutive year the Turkey operation has been recognized on the Institute’s annual Best Workplace list.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

MetLife Foundation and Trickle Up Partner to Combat Poverty, Improve Financial Health

May 7, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Evelyn Stark of MetLife Foundation discusses how they are supporting Trickle Up’s work, and how it fits into the broader context of MetLife Foundation’s strategy to improve financial inclusion and financial health for low- to moderate-income people globally.

Environment

Advisory: US Department of State, US Embassy San Salvador, and the World Environment Center to Host Webinar on ‘Power to Grow’

May 7, 2018 10:00 AM ET

On Monday, May 7, 2018 at 4:00 PM EST, the US Department of State, US Embassy San Salvador, and the World Environment Center will host a webinar on ‘Power to Grow.’

Environment

Aviso: Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, Embajada de los Estados Unidos en El Salvador y World Environment Center harán un webinar sobre ‘El Poder de Crecer’

May 7, 2018 10:00 AM ET

El día lunes 7 de mayo del 2018 a las 4:00 PM EST, Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, Embajada de los Estados Unidos en El Salvador y World Environment Center harán un webinar sobre ‘El Poder de Crecer’.

Health & Healthcare

Merck for Mothers April 2018 Newsletter | Improving Maternity Waiting Homes in Zambia, Addressing Maternal Sepsis and More

May 7, 2018 9:40 AM ET

Read the Merck for Mothers April 2018 newsletter to catch up on everything being done to help end maternal mortality.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comcast Donations Continue to Support the Inspiring Work of Community Champion Finalists

May 7, 2018 9:30 AM ET

We created the Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award at the start of our NASCAR sponsorship to recognize the incredible individuals in the NASCAR family giving back to their communities in remarkable ways. I am proud to say this program has far exceeded all expectations, and the ongoing commitment to giving back within the sport continues to inspire us.

This year, we have introduced an exciting element of the program, allowing fans to weigh in with their nomination for the next Comcast Community Champion of the Year. Fans and members of the industry alike can visit ComcastCommunityChampion.com to nominate.

Media & Communications

IFF to Combine With Frutarom to Create a Global Leader in Taste, Scent and Nutrition

May 7, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Establishes an industry leader in naturals; broadens complementary customer base and expands differentiated product portfolio

•$7.1 billion transaction unlocks significant value creation opportunity; substantial cross-selling opportunities to accelerate long-term profitable growth
•Expected to realize approximately $145 million in run-rate cost synergies by the third full year
•Double-digit cash EPS accretive in second full year
•IFF expects to maintain its quarterly dividend consistent with prior guidance
•Frutarom shareholder representing 36% of shares outstanding has entered into an agreement to vote in favor of the transaction
•IFF and Frutarom to host conference call today at 8:00 am EST (3:00 pm IDT) to discuss transaction and IFF’s first quarter 2018 financial results

Education

Celebrating 15 Years of the Community Lab

May 7, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Opened in 2003, Biogen’s Community Lab is a dedicated laboratory classroom that teaches local middle and high school students about the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Role of Social Capital in Resilience for Displaced People in Urban Areas

May 7, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Simon Griffiths, the evaluation and research practice lead for the international development practice of Coffey, A Tetra Tech Company (Tetra Tech), reflects on Tetra Tech’s emerging approach to measuring urban resilience in humanitarian and urban settings. Focusing on Somalia, he looks at the importance of understanding and measuring social capital in building resilience among people who have migrated to urban areas due to drought and within the communities that host them in the short and long term. All opinions expressed in this post are the author’s own.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Supporting Puerto Rico in the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria

May 7, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Biogen employees rallied to aid the people of Puerto Rico by collecting supplies for those affected.

Health & Healthcare

First Online GLOBALG.A.P. Spanish-Language Training Debuts

May 7, 2018 9:00 AM ET

SCS Global Services (SCS), a leading food safety training center and certifier, is now offering the first online training course in Spanish for the GLOBALG.A.P. food safety standard, “IFA for Fruits and Vegetables.” GLOBALG.A.P. is an internationally recognized set of farm standards dedicated to good agricultural practices and recognized by the Global Food Safe Initiative (GFSI).

Research, Reports & Publications

Fibria 2017 Report: A Forest of Opportunities

May 7, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Fibria is a Brazilian company that believes in planted forests as a source for sustainable development. A world leader in the production of eucalyptus pulp, the corporation operates in 261 Brazilian municipalities and exports to 35 countries.

Research, Reports & Publications

Work Better - Aim high - Build the Future

May 7, 2018 5:00 AM ET

The company generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than 4 million customers in the province of Québec. It also exports its clean, renewable power and commercializes its unique expertise and innovations on world markets. Hydro-Québec carries out its activities in a spirit of sustainable development, and its sustainability vision goes well beyond the environment. The company contributes to the province’s economic vitality and encourages stakeholders to participate in its decisions. Hydro-Québec is leading the energy revolution.

Health & Healthcare

Today, May 5th, is World Hand Hygiene Day!

May 5, 2018 9:00 AM ET

World Hand Hygiene Day is May 5th. This day reminds us that hand hygiene is important today, and every day. And it is especially important in healthcare settings where hand hygiene reduces the risk of patients contracting infections and developing sepsis.

Sustainable Development Goals

fetch Is the Match Maker for Companies and Startups Committing to the SDGs

May 4, 2018 7:35 PM ET

In 2017, the Business Commission released research showing that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could create economic opportunities of up to $12 trillion a year and up to 380 million new jobs by 2030. And, as more businesses begin to unlock those trillions of dollars through new markets, investments and innovation by aligning their operations with the SDGs, they can now turn to a new digital platform for pioneering startup solutions.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep Prince William Beautiful Plants Pollinator Garden

May 4, 2018 5:30 PM ET

Keep Prince William Beautiful (KPWB) partnered with nearly 200 volunteers to create a pollinator garden at a local landfill with the help of a Keep America Beautiful/Lowe's Community Partners Grant.