Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Special Olympics Receives Check from Albertsons

Feb 5, 2019 10:00 AM ET

“Albertson's Grocery managers presented the organization with a $15,000 check. "Every dime that we receive makes the difference to our athletes. When you increase that to 15 thousand dollars from one organization, it's great." Priscilla Dowse said.”

Media & Communications

Davos 2019: The Conversation in Switzerland Ripples Out to The Rest of the World – News, Commentaries, Reports, Initiatives, For Your Consideration

Feb 5, 2019 10:00 AM ET

The world leadership gathering in Switzerland in winter every year – we see this in the “Davos meetings” in the many news report datelines – are part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) broad activities -- this is the WEF’s annual meeting. Heads of state, CEOs, invited thought leaders, leading academics and journalists, politicians of all persuasions, NGOs, heads of multilateral heads (Christina Lagarde, International Monetary Fund)…they were all gathered there this year.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ingersoll Rand to Receive World Environment Center’s 2019 Gold Medal Award for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development

Feb 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The World Environment Center (WEC) is pleased to announce that its 35th annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development will be awarded to Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ingersoll Rand, Michael W. Lamach, will accept the Gold Medal Award on Thursday, May 16, 2019, during the Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

“Matter to a Million” Global Giving Partnership Celebrates Five Years, $21M in Loans

Feb 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Imagine turning $25 loans into more than $21 million, impacting more than 1 million people globally, in just five years. No, this isn’t the latest Shark Tank pitch. It is the outcome of Hewlett Packard Company’s Matter to a Million employee-engagement program.

Environment

How One Community Kept a Hurricane at Bay

Feb 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

When Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys in 2017, many beaches were diminished by high winds and ocean activity. But when Irma struck Virginia Key, a barrier island in Miami, a dune replanted there by the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science — and more than 3,000 volunteers — kept out the surge.

Research, Reports & Publications

Schneider Electric Research Tracks Corporate Energy and Sustainability Progress, Obstacles

Feb 5, 2019 8:30 AM ET

Schneider Electric today released the 2019 Corporate Energy & Sustainability Progress Report, a look at the global trends, barriers and opportunities impacting enterprise energy and carbon-management programs. Although corporate teams responsible for these efforts still struggle with funding and data, the report reveals that a majority of large companies have set public-facing sustainability targets — goals that are driving the adoption of innovative strategies and technologies, and shifting perceptions of the value of conservation and climate action.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Nutrition Labels Get a Makeover: Will It Make a Difference?

Feb 5, 2019 8:05 AM ET

It’s been nearly 25 years since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that all food and beverage packaging carry the Nutrition Facts panel. These labels, now found on over 700,000 products, provide the consumer with information like serving sizes, calories per serving, ingredients and nutritional content.

Energy

Putting Energy-Efficient Pizzazz Into Making Pizza

Feb 5, 2019 8:00 AM ET

SCE has been educating business customers on energy-efficient equipment for 25 years. The Foodservice Technology Center was set up to test the energy efficiency of commercial electric kitchen appliances ranging from the pizza ovens to fryers, induction cooktops and soft-serve yogurt machines.

Research, Reports & Publications

Life-Changing Technology for the Sustainable Future of Healthcare

Feb 5, 2019 8:00 AM ET

“By driving our business to achieve positive economic, social and environmental impact, Abbott is delivering life-changing technologies, creating value in communities worldwide and achieving sustainable growth.” – Miles D. White, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Abbott, a global healthcare leader, strives to help people live their best lives through life-changing technology – but also focuses on making this important work sustainable for the future. With leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines, the company serves people in more than 160 countries and employs 103,000 people.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

NFL Names '1st and Future' Safety Innovation Winners

Feb 5, 2019 8:00 AM ET

The NFL teamed with Arrow Electronics to host a live competition between five companies pitching innovative products and concepts aimed to enhance player health and safety. Additionally, four individuals were provided an opportunity to propose rule changes geared to reduce injuries on punt plays based on data.

Research, Reports & Publications

Climate-risk Awareness Rises Among Corporations, Says New Report

Feb 5, 2019 6:00 AM ET

A rising tide of companies around the world are waking up to the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change and other environmental issues, according to a new report from Trucost, part of S&P Global, and GreenBiz Group.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Business Leaders on the Value of the Bloomberg GEI

Feb 4, 2019 4:40 PM ET

This month, Bloomberg released the 2019 Gender-Equality Index (GEI), which includes 230 companies across industries that are committed to transparency in gender reporting and promoting equality. In my role as the head of the Index, I have had the opportunity to connect with business leaders from many of these organizations and gain a stronger insight into why companies report gender data and the value in participating. Below are a few highlights from my conversations with CEOs across the globe on the impact the Bloomberg GEI has had on their organizations.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Invests $15 Million to Help Provide Young People in the GTA a Strong Start

Feb 4, 2019 2:00 PM ET

United Way Greater Toronto announced a $15-million investment from Scotiabank to help ensure that young people in the GTA have the opportunities and resources they need to have a bright future. The funds – the largest corporate commitment in United Way Greater Toronto's history – will be invested in a network of agencies across Peel, Toronto and York that support more than 245,000 young people and their families, each year.

Education

NBA and Discovery Education Invite Teachers and Students Nationwide to Game Plan For the Future: An All-Star Virtual Field Trip

Feb 4, 2019 1:05 PM ET

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital curriculum resources, digital content, and professional development for K-12 classrooms, today invited teachers and students nationwide to participate in Game Plan For The Future: An All-Star Virtual Field Trip on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. EST. During this immersive virtual experience, teachers and students will join NBA players and executives to hear how they use the STEM skills learned in school to bring the excitement of regular season games, playoffs, NBA Finals, and NBA All-Star to life for fans around the world.

Innovation & Technology

Helping Foster Youth Protect Against Identity Theft

Feb 4, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Identity theft is a nightmare for anyone who falls prey to it, and while everyone is vulnerable, America’s foster youth are particularly at-risk. There is conflicting data about exactly how many foster youth are impacted by this problem, but estimates run as high as up to 50 percent of foster youth have been affected by identity theft such that by the age of 18, many of them are starting their adult lives with their credit already destroyed. This is an enormous problem when you consider that almost half a million children were in foster care as of 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Hormel Foods Drives Environmental Sustainability Results Through Annual Competition

Feb 4, 2019 10:45 AM ET

Hormel Foods Corporation has announced its Austin (Minn.) Plant team has been named the company’s 2018 Environmental Sustainability Best of the Best champion for its heat recovery project. The internal annual Environmental Sustainability Best of the Best award program, now in its 11th year, recognizes teams for their achievements in reducing environmental impacts. The Austin Plant team’s winning project focused on the design and installation of the most efficient heat recovery system available to meet the plant’s needs, which resulted in an annual energy savings of 101,000 MMBtu and an additional 17 million gallons of water.

Responsible Production & Consumption

How Durkan’s Definity Carpet Solved Acoustics Concerns While Sharing the Stage with Carrie Underwood

Feb 4, 2019 10:35 AM ET

Carrie Underwood and her team at Universal Music Group Nashville pulled off the Cry Pretty album listening event with the help of hospitality flooring by Durkan. After the event, the carpet that had been installed in a day for only one night’s use had to be removed. Both Underwood and UMG Nashville were adamant that the carpet be disposed of responsibly.

Luckily, our company-wide commitment to sustainability meant that we were able to leverage ReCover, the carpet recycling program of our parent company Mohawk Industries, to give the broadloom from the event a whole new life.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue’s “Destination Good” Revealed

Feb 4, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Last fall, JetBlue embarked on one of its most surprising initiatives to date. In October, JetBlue kicked off JetBlue for Good month with its second annual “#CheckInForGood Contest.” The contest had a twist - entrants did not know where they were traveling. It wasn’t until the winners arrived at New York’s JFK Airport that when JetBlue revealed “Destination Good” as the Dominican Republic. All 100 winners and guests then boarded the brand new JetBlue for Good plane, and were on their way to do good.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Albertsons Companies: A Store Brands Success Story

Feb 4, 2019 10:00 AM ET

“Geoff has put together a diverse team; everybody brings something different to the table,” says Nancy Cota, Albertsons’ vice president of Own Brands, who has spent 42 years in the grocery industry. “That’s what makes us so strong. And when you trust each other like we trust each other, you want to win together.”

Events, Media & Communications

National Grid Foundation Elects Eileen Cohen as New Chairman of the Board

Feb 4, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Recently retired from JP Morgan Asset Management as Managing Director, Ms. Cohen was Chair of the North America Governance Committee and led the firm’s initiatives in corporate governance. She also was a Senior Client Portfolio Manager and a proven expert in investment consulting, financial management and financial communications.

Innovation & Technology

Five Elements of a Cyber-Secure BYOD Policy

Feb 4, 2019 9:35 AM ET

Between 80 and 90 percent of the U.S. workforce prefers to work from home at least some of the time, according to GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com. The modern workforce craves flexibility, and the technology needed to provide it is more readily available than ever before.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Invests $442 Million in LIFT Programs, Creating Nearly 20,000 Homeowners Across the U.S.

Feb 4, 2019 9:30 AM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) and NeighborWorks® America announced today that more than 3,900 homeowners were created in 2018 through the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT® program — bringing the total number of homeowners assisted to nearly 20,000 since LIFT programs were launched in 2012 in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Environment

Super Bowl ad Shows Anheuser-Busch InBev's Global Leadership on Renewable Energy

Feb 4, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ingersoll Rand Recognized for Outstanding Business, Social and Environmental Sustainability

Feb 4, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, was recently recognized for outstanding business, social and environmental performance by three prestigious organizations that rank companies on elements of sustainability. Recognition by Fortune, Corporate Knights and Forbes in conjunction with their research partners, solidifies Ingersoll Rand’s position as a global sustainability leader.

Research, Reports & Publications

Novartis Releases Novartis in Society 2018 Report

Feb 4, 2019 8:00 AM ET

For the sixth consecutive year, Novartis is publishing an annual Novartis in Society report (formerly our Corporate Responsibility Report).