Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The (Surprising) Power of Benchmarking

Mar 31, 2016 1:30 PM ET

How good are you? Most companies tell their employees they are (of course) the best. But the truth is little time or money is spent confirming or dispelling the notion. Why take the risk of diminishing your company’s perceived achievements, because after all that’s how performance reviews and subsequent bonuses and promotions are determined, right?

Social Impact & Volunteering

Rising Above the Pack Through Targeted Pro Bono Program Design

Mar 31, 2016 12:40 PM ET

As pro bono continues to gain traction, companies are no longer asking themselves if they will create a pro bono program, but instead increasingly exploring how they can create one that is uniquely well aligned with their own core competencies and goals.

This question of how is where the real opportunity lies. A tried-and-true, off-the-shelf program design is sometimes exactly what a company needs. However, like any good investment, taking the time to build something intimately relevant to your company’s unique context can really pay off. If you’re investing the time and effort to build something new, don’t miss the opportunity to get creative and reach for maximum impact on your business and social goals.

Research, Reports & Publications

Implementing SASB – Aspirational Goals

Mar 31, 2016 12:40 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

FLASH REPORT: G&A Institute & Trust Across America Partner to Examine Trustworthiness for S&P 500® Companies Not Reporting on Sustainability

Mar 31, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Results Show Higher Trust for Firms Reporting on Their Sustainability Journeys New York, NY - March 24, 2016 -- Continuing the in-depth analysis of S&P 500 (r) companies' sustainability reporting activities, Governance & Accountability Institute teamed with the Trust Across America / Trust Around the World program to explore potential relationships of the trustworthiness of companies that do and do not report utilizing the TAA/TAW's proprietary FACTS® scoring.

Responsible Production & Consumption

GSK Expands Graduated Approach to Patents and Intellectual Property to Widen Access to Medicines in the World’s Poorest Countries

Mar 31, 2016 11:40 AM ET

Ahead of today’s meeting of the UN High Level Panel on Access to Medicines, GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty set out a series of steps designed to help bring innovative GSK medicines to more people living in the world’s poorest countries.

Energy

Antea Group Case Study: Safety Program for Chemical Production Plant

Mar 31, 2016 11:35 AM ET

The client facility was an active chemical production plant that consists of several buildings and an active landfill in a campus-like setting on 800 acres of land in New York state.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Staff of Sands Las Vegas Vote Where Donations Go

Mar 31, 2016 11:35 AM ET

In the casino, winning and losing is the name of the game. For Sands Las Vegas and its employees, giving back to the community is a win-win situation.

Energy

Arby’s Exceeds ‘15% By 2015’ Energy Reduction Goal

Mar 31, 2016 11:20 AM ET

Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (ARG), parent company of the franchisor of the Arby’s® brand, announced that as of Dec. 31, 2015, it reached 15.2 percent total energy reduction per company-owned restaurant from a 2011 baseline, exceeding the “15 Percent By 2015” energy savings goal set by the Brand in 2012.

Health & Healthcare

Women of FOX Sports volunteer at Children's Hospital LA as part of the #MakeMarchMatter campaign

Mar 31, 2016 11:00 AM ET

On March 22, members of the Women of FOX Sports group volunteered at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), a nonprofit hospital providing care to more than 107,000 children each year. The event came as part of CHLA's annual #MakeMarchMatter campaign, through which the hospital aims to raise $1 million in support of its programs and services. FOX Sports colleagues received a tour of the hospital and spent time with the patients by serving food and hosting arts & crafts activities.

Energy

Powered by Trash: Enabling Customer Sustainability

Mar 31, 2016 10:35 AM ET

At Caterpillar, we are “champions for our customers’ enduring success”. When it comes to sustainability projects, often times our customers are focused on their customers’ success. That is precisely the case for Caterpillar customer, Montauk Energy, and their work at the Bowerman Landfill in Orange County, California.

Health & Healthcare

Health in the City: Why Urbanisation can be a Risk Factor

Mar 31, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Today, Novo Nordisk published a new issue of the company’s sustainability magazine, TBL Quarterly. The latest instalment – The Urban Issue – presents recent research on urban health and some of the actions being taken to prevent chronic disease and improve treatment.

Events, Media & Communications

Global Celebration of Women’s History in March

Mar 31, 2016 10:00 AM ET

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Legg Mason and Affiliate employees honored and celebrated the achievements of women by attending several events around the world.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Linda, the "Neighborhood Health Advocate"

Mar 31, 2016 10:00 AM ET

An interview with Linda, GSK Community Partnership Representative, 26-year employee of GSK, the second in a three-generation family of GSK’ers, and a Philadelphia native.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

UPS Launches #BAGS4BIRDIES Global Golf Campaign

Mar 31, 2016 10:00 AM ET

UPS will donate junior sets of golf clubs for every birdie or better that UPS golf ambassadors Lee Westwood or Louis Oosthuizen make during a competitive round in the four 2016 major championships to deserving kids in select markets around the world.

Responsible Production & Consumption

This Is the Latest Giant Company to Free Its Chickens

Mar 31, 2016 10:00 AM ET

The cage-free egg movement struts on.

Research, Reports & Publications

Atlas Copco: Creating Shared Value (Infographics)

Mar 31, 2016 9:15 AM ET

Energy

Report: Renewables Hit Major Global Milestones

Mar 31, 2016 9:00 AM ET

A new report by the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) on the growth in renewable energy showed some remarkable accomplishments.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

2016 Global Philanthropy Forum Conference Kicks Off Next Week, Focuses on Mass Migration

Mar 31, 2016 7:00 AM ET

People are on the move more than ever before. Some, experiencing economic mobility for the first time, are moving to cities in search of opportunity. Others, displaced by war, natural disaster and state failure are on the move in search of safety, resulting in 60-million refugees worldwide.

Research, Reports & Publications

Coca-Cola HBC AG 2015 Integrated Annual Report Showcases Focus on Sustainable Growth

Mar 31, 2016 5:00 AM ET

Coca-Cola HBC AG published on March 17, 2016 its fourth integrated report, “Refreshing business”, which provides details on all aspects of business, governance and sustainability performance, and celebrates a year of strong results and achievements.

Environment

In Australia, the Seeds of Living Retail Are About to Bloom

Mar 30, 2016 6:00 PM ET

The Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA) is delighted to announce an inaugural living design competition in partnership with Frasers Property Australia.

Diversity & Inclusion

Homeless Veteran Finds Hope at Time Warner Cable

Mar 30, 2016 5:10 PM ET

Time Warner Cable is proud of its military veterans. From our Vet Net employee network to our comprehensive military leave policy for reservists and active duty, TWC celebrates the contributions these employees make to our country and our company. In fact, military veterans make up just over 8 percent of TWC’s workforce.

Environment

National Grid Joins EPA Efforts to Reduce Methane Emissions

Mar 30, 2016 4:55 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hunger Is Closer Than You Think: Walmart Secures Meals for Those in Need

Mar 30, 2016 4:35 PM ET

You may not realize it, but those in your community may be going to bed hungry. Today, YOU can join us and help fight hunger in America. Purchase participating items in-store and online to join Walmart and Feeding America to help secure meals for those in need.
Learn more at http://bit.ly/FightHungerWalmart

Social Impact & Volunteering

CITGO and Corpus Christi American Heart Association Help Fight Cardiovascular Disease at Annual Heart Ball

Mar 30, 2016 4:10 PM ET

According to the American Heart Association, 17.3 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year, and the death toll is expected to grow to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Prudential Pledges $5 Million to Ignite Positive Social Impact Through the Blended Catalyst Fund

Mar 30, 2016 3:35 PM ET

On March 29, Prudential Financial, Inc. proudly announced its $5 million investment in Living Cities’ newly launched Blended Catalyst Fund, a $31 million impact investing debt fund that will test innovative approaches to solving urban problems. The Blended Catalyst Fund combines philanthropic and commercial debt under the premise that both types of capital are needed to support initiatives that achieve better results for low-income people in US cities.