Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

New Initiative Aims to Advance Responsible Sourcing of Raw Materials in Technology Supply Chains

Nov 15, 2016 8:30 AM ET

The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) today announced the launch of the Responsible Raw Materials Initiative (RRMI) to address the most significant social and environmental impacts related to the extraction and processing of raw materials used in the global supply chains of technology companies in multiple industries.

Environment

Cox Enterprises Announces Seven Zero Waste to Landfill Facilities

Nov 15, 2016 8:30 AM ET

In celebration of America Recycles Day, Cox Enterprises is proud to announce seven of its locations have achieved zero waste to landfill status. Cox Conserves, the company’s national sustainability program, focuses on waste management and carbon and water conservation. The program engages each of the company’s major divisions: Cox Communications, Cox Automotive and Cox Media Group.

Environment

Saving Jamaica Bay: Preserving Open Space in the Big Apple

Nov 15, 2016 8:15 AM ET

Many people have never heard of New York City’s largest open space: Jamaica Bay. Jamaica Bay’s distinctive makeup includes salt marsh, upland field and woods, fresh and brackish ponds and expansive bay, making it one the most important avian sanctuaries in the Northeastern United States. Despite being about three times the size of Central Park – and home to more than 400 species of animals – this impressive wetland never really garnered much attention.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Materiality Course: What Matters for Companies and Stakeholders

Nov 15, 2016 8:00 AM ET

This one-day interactive workshop will give you an opportunity to explore issues and develop a materiality matrix for your industry sector and your company in a practical way.

Health & Healthcare

Opinion: Creating a Humanitarian Supply Chain to Deliver Medicine in a Crisis

Nov 15, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Environment

Bacardi Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Half

Nov 15, 2016 7:55 AM ET

With sustainability, small steps add up; however, Bacardi has forged ahead with giant leaps. The largest privately held spirits company cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity, worldwide, in half—more than a year earlier than its end of December 2017 target. This astounding 50% reduction in GHGs is equivalent to taking 15,000 cars off the road each year, reducing oil use by 165,000 barrels annually or installing 18 wind turbines.

Green Infrastructure

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Awarded First LEED CI Platinum Certification in France

Nov 15, 2016 7:55 AM ET

In a collaborative effort by CBRE’s French and Spanish offices, Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Paris HQ has been awarded Platinum, the highest possible grade under the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) for the Commercial Interiors (CI) scheme by the US Green Building Council, It is the first time an office has achieved this accolade in France!

Environment

Why This Dead Patch of Grass Is a Good Thing

Nov 15, 2016 7:55 AM ET

Around Boise, Idaho, locals have plenty to say these days about HP and the look of its local campus—and they’re not happy about it. The landscaping, they say, looks neglected. The grass is dying, everything is turning brown, and HP doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it. In one sense, they’re right. HP is allowing things to die off. But it’s not due to neglect. Instead, the campus greenery is withering away for the sake of innovation and environmental responsibility. And, soon, things will look much better.

Events, Media & Communications

Americans Believe Recycling Progress Being Made Over Time: Concerned about Amount of Waste in Landfills and Oceans

Nov 15, 2016 5:30 AM ET

While the majority of consumers believe many of the issues related to recycling have improved since the 1970s, such as “ease of recycling” and the “amount of waste” that is recycled, most consumers feel the amount of waste in landfills and oceans is worse, according to the first “Consumer Tracker Recycling Survey,” released today by national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful and Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), a national market research firm.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Benevity Supports the Launch of Apple Pay for Charities

Nov 14, 2016 7:45 PM ET

Benevity, Inc., the global leader in online workplace giving, matching, volunteering and community investment software, is pleased to announce our supporting role in the launch of Apple Pay for charities – an easy, secure and private way to make and accept donations that’s fast and convenient.

Events, Media & Communications

Arrow Electronics Presents “Courage in Sports”

Nov 14, 2016 6:45 PM ET

Global technology company Arrow Electronics sponsored the U.S. television program “Courage in Sports” on Sunday, which highlights stories of athletes all over the world overcoming adversity. This is Arrow’s third year presenting the inspiring annual one-hour documentary-style show.

Environment

Technology Takes a Big Bite Out of GHGs

Nov 14, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Back in 1978 when the pulldown compressor station was invented by TransCanada, likely nobody — not even the inventors — realized the full extent of the “Eureka!” moment they were having.

Research, Reports & Publications

CDP Reporting Course: Measure and Manage Environmental Impact

Nov 14, 2016 5:00 PM ET

This workshop enhances your reporting capability, highlights alignment with other frameworks such as the Global Reporting Index (GRI) and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), and familiarizes participants with the background, methodology, and questionnaire.

Environment

Michael Bloomberg Co-Authoring Climate Change Book

Nov 14, 2016 4:30 PM ET

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is working with environmentalist Carl Pope on a book about climate change.

Environment

The Future of Sustainable Design

Nov 14, 2016 4:15 PM ET

The next step in sustainable production is the circular economy, says Eco-Chick.com founder and editor Starre Vartan. That means leaving behind today’s make, use, dispose model to create products transparently and with less impact.

Environment

Bill McKibben to Discuss Moving Forward on Climate in Hostile Administration on Live Webinar

Nov 14, 2016 2:00 PM ET

As results rolled in election night, and it appeared Donald Trump—a climate-change denier—would be the next President of the United States, climate activist Bill McKibben tweeted, “If Trump wins, it savages the planet’s chances of dealing with climate change. In the (very) long run, the biggest result of a hideous night.” Donald Trump won; now what?
Join the live webinar Wednesday, November 16th for a discussion on the post-election climate for climate action. The talk takes place at 12 noon. EST and can be viewed at: bluejeans.com/163092697. An audio only dial-in can be accessed by dialing 888-240-2560.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Exploring the Role of Higher Education in Creating Community

Nov 14, 2016 1:35 PM ET

Establishing a strong sense of belonging and purpose, both on campus and in the larger community is essential to engaging and retaining students. For many students, college represents their first taste of true independence, away from parents, teachers and other authority figures. Their actions are their own, and the decision whether or not to get involved is up to them. For college and university administrators, it is imperative that they establish an environment, on campus and beyond, that fosters a sense of belonging so students have the best opportunity to succeed academically, socially and civically.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Nonstop Goodness

Nov 14, 2016 1:00 PM ET

We’ve been in the business of caring since 2000, setting out to bring humanity back to air travel. First, we challenged the industry by making their extras our standards. We’ve continued to soar forward by inspiring humanity. However, caring extends beyond what we do at 35,000 feet. At JetBlue, we’re committed to making the communities we serve even better. Because it’s not just about where we fly. It’s about engaging and working with the cities that our customers and crewmembers call home.

Events, Media & Communications

For Finance/Investing Professionals: "ESG" in Focus in All Day Workshop Hosted at Baruch College/CUNY

Nov 14, 2016 12:45 PM ET

The interest in sustainable investing continues to rise in the mainstream investment community. Numerous data & analytics providers, ratings & rankings organizations, and other influentials are busily shaping new approaches in and for the mainstream investment community. Corporate “ESG” factors are an important addition to the ubiquitous Bloomberg terminals, as example (i.e. the ESG Dashboard). Mainstream asset managers -- notably BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, State Street, and others -- are putting sustainable investment approaches in place and launching new products for clients that are demanding “investable” vehicles for “doing well and doing good” with their assets.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Regarding the Uzbekistan Textile Protocol

Nov 14, 2016 12:40 PM ET

The European Parliament is currently under pressure to reject the Uzbekistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and cease the trade of textiles with Uzbekistan. This pressure stems from strong evidence that forced labor and child labor continues to remain a nationwide practice in Uzbekistan, despite earlier reports of compliance.

Health & Healthcare

Diageo Serves Up a Healthy Portion of Thanksgiving Tips for the Responsible Host

Nov 14, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to toast good fortune and health – and many will do so with a cocktail or a glass of wine, beer or champagne. If you are hosting a Thanksgiving meal this year, it’s important to plan the drinks as well as the dinner. Providing a variety of beverage options for guests to celebrate responsibly will help everyone to enjoy the evening even more – and these simple tips can help:

Environment

As Seen on The Guardian: Tiny Houses and Other Little Matters Prove Less is More for the Environment

Nov 14, 2016 11:35 AM ET

To reduce your carbon footprint, try thinking smaller – whether it’s your home, your fuel consumption or amount of stuff you buy.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Venetian and The Palazzo Exterior Horticulture Department Wins Green Star Award

Nov 14, 2016 11:15 AM ET

The exterior horticulture department at The Venetian and The Palazzo received a Green Star Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). The prestigious Green Star Award recognizes outstanding landscape design and construction.

Environment

How Do We Fill the Gap?

Nov 14, 2016 11:05 AM ET

There is also a strong sense of determination at COP22 in Marrakech by business and investors alike to move forward with fulfilling the commitments made. The question is not “will we enact change,” but how do we move forward with efficiency and speed.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

TED@UPS: What If Data was Donated?

Nov 14, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Companies are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to solve the world’s most vexing problems. What many firms don’t realize, however, is that they already have a silver bullet at their disposal. It’s their data.