Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sappi North America Opens 2019 ‘Ideas That Matter' Call for Entries

May 1, 2019 1:25 PM ET

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the call for entries for its 2019 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how print can play an important role in changing lives for the better. This year, the company celebrates the 20th anniversary of the program, which Sappi established to support designers who apply their creative talents to benefit causes that address significant issues facing our society.

Research, Reports & Publications

Study: White Oak Pastures Beef Reduces Atmospheric Carbon

May 1, 2019 1:00 PM ET

Will Harris is many things to many people. To chefs and foodies, he is a legendary farmer producing some of the world’s best pasture-raised meats infused with the terroir of South Georgia. To athletes, body-hackers, and health-conscious consumers, he is the owner of White Oak Pastures, which ships humanely-raised, non-GMO, grassfed proteins to their doorsteps. To the communities surrounding Bluffton, Georgia, he is one of the last good ole’ boys and the largest private employer in the county. To his colleagues in agriculture, he’s a renegade and an inspiration. But Will Harris’ legacy might turn out to be something else entirely. He may be remembered as the cattleman who figured out how to enlist cows in future generations’ struggle to reverse climate change.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Los Angeles Convention Center Unveils Largest Public Art & Civic Project in the United States by Portraits of Hope

May 1, 2019 1:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by AEG Facilities, recently revealed a massive, hand-painted mural created by Portraits of Hope, titled Shaping LA. The mural, spanning the length of four football fields, and accompanying artwork will be displayed for approximately six months on the LACC’s South Hall facing the 110 freeway and on the ground level of the facility in and around the West Hall parking garage and walkway facing STAPLES Center.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Nearly 18,000 Bloomberg Customers Are Using ESG Data

May 1, 2019 12:20 PM ET

Financial markets are demanding greater transparency around ESG issues. Bloomberg empowers financial decision-makers by providing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data on 11,500+ companies.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Why Employee Volunteer Recognition is Important

May 1, 2019 12:10 PM ET

If your employee volunteer program is perceived as important, it goes a long way to making the employee feel important. Employee volunteering can have far-reaching individual, workplace, and community impact – it can do a lot. It’s also asking a lot. So, it’s important that companies see this, and recognize it appropriately. The big question is – how?

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Record Number of Dresses Collected for Comerica Bank’s Detroit Prom Dress Drive

May 1, 2019 12:00 PM ET

With more than 2,000 dresses collected, Comerica Bank’s Detroit Prom Dress Drive distributed a record total to Hope Closet. To further support Hope Closet and its community outreach, Comerica presented a $5,000 donation to Hope Closet President Whitney Drake.

Education

Here’s What Lockheed Martin Is Doing to Bring in More Young Engineers

May 1, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Turkey Named Best Workplace for Third Consecutive Year

May 1, 2019 11:00 AM ET

SC Johnson Turkey has been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Turkey by Great Place to Work® for the third consecutive year. The Turkey organization earned the No. 3 spot among mid-sized companies on the annual Best Workplace list of companies in Turkey with 50-250 employees.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Revisiting Maria

May 1, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Though the storm blew over a year and a half ago, Maria has not left the island. I’m not sure she ever will.

Environment

Duke Energy Reaches $10 Million Commitment to Support Waterways in the Carolinas

May 1, 2019 10:30 AM ET

Twelve organizations spanning 43 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina will receive $940,000 in new grants from Duke Energy’s Water Resources Fund to support environmental and wildlife programs.

Education

SMART Student Health Center Shows Impressive Results After Just Six Months

May 1, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Just six months after the opening of the SMART Student Health and Wellness Centers in Pickens County, Alabama, chronic absenteeism at one school dropped 55 percent.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Verizon Honored With Arbor Day Foundation’s Friend of the Forest Award

May 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation has announced today that Verizon has been awarded the Friend of the Forest award, which recognizes a corporation and its leaders for their commitment to using trees and forests to achieve corporate sustainability goals and targets. The award will be presented on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at a tree planting event on Verizon’s corporate campus in Southlake, Texas.

Research, Reports & Publications

FedEx Multiplies Opportunities Around the World: 2019 Global Citizenship Report

May 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

FedEx multiplies opportunities using our vast network, which reaches more than 99 percent of the world’s GDP. The 2019 Global Citizenship Report showcases how our networks connect people and possibilities, creating growth for customers, good for our community, potential for our p

Research, Reports & Publications

eBay Publishes Annual Impact Progress Update, Including Renewable Energy Milestone and New Carbon Target

May 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

eBay released its 2018 Impact Progress Update, an annual report on the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework, policies and programs. The Progress Update shows not only how eBay manages its own impacts, but also the positive impact that emerges when people use eBay’s technology and resources. Anchoring the Progress Update are details on eBay’s environmental footprint and progress against each of eBay’s five existing impact goals. This year, we also announced a sixth goal within our Progress Update, aimed at reducing the company’s carbon emissions.

Environment

Time for Trash Talk: GRI Waste Standard Out for Public Comment

May 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

In the face of a growing global waste crisis, new corporate reporting disclosures are being developed by GRI to help organizations better understand and communicate their waste impacts.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Welcomes the Belt and Road Leaders’ Endorsement of the Ten Principles

Apr 30, 2019 8:15 PM ET

Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, welcomed the joint communiqué from the Leaders' Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, calling it a significant endorsement of the role of the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact in helping business make their critical contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Environment

Ceres Applauds U.S. House Leaders for Bill to Keep U.S. in the Paris Agreement

Apr 30, 2019 7:10 PM ET

The sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for bringing to a vote a new bill aimed at keeping the U.S. as a participant in the historic Paris Agreement on climate change. This will be the first climate bill to be voted on in the U.S. House in the last 10 years.

Education

Talent is Universal – Opportunity is Not

Apr 30, 2019 7:00 PM ET

We need to discover and develop and harness talent, wherever it may be. And this is not happening, not in the world of chess, and not in the world of science. John Gardner aptly stated the potential when he wrote about the release of human possibilities in his wisdom-filled book On Leadership:

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Law Day 2019: Celebrating Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society

Apr 30, 2019 6:15 PM ET

Taking place on May 1st each year, Law Day is a national day established by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law. Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.

Diversity & Inclusion

Discovery Education, USC Shoah Foundation and DC Web Fest Kick Off First-Ever Excellence in Social Impact Category to Inspire Youth to Fight Against Hate and Discrimination

Apr 30, 2019 6:00 PM ET

Discovery Education, USC Shoah Foundation and the DC Web Fest have collaborated, for the first time ever, to uplift USC Shoah Foundation’s Teaching with Testimony Stronger Than Hate Challenge. During, D.C. Web Fest’s 7th Annual Festival hosted this April, film makers engaged in a meaningful dialogue about leveraging the power of testimony and film to fight against discrimination, hate and injustice.

Education

Partners in Purpose: Consumers Energy Supports the Robotics Revolution

Apr 30, 2019 6:00 PM ET

This past weekend, Consumers Energy sponsored the FIRST Championship for high school robotics teams across the world. The competition was held in Michigan, with 90 local teams participating - more than any other state! By supporting events like the FIRST Championship, Consumers Energy hopes to advance the development of skills employers in the area need, from manufacturing and engineering to marketing and communications.

Diversity & Inclusion

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Sandra Leung Pushes A Plurality of Perspectives

Apr 30, 2019 5:00 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

eBay | A Legacy of Generosity

Apr 30, 2019 4:30 PM ET

GLIDE is pleased to announce the annual eBay for Charity Auction for Power Lunch with Warren Buffett, which will run Sunday, May 26 through Friday, May 31, 2019. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the legendary auction, which to date has provided nearly $30 million to support GLIDE’s comprehensive suite of social services that help San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents. The annual Power Lunch with Warren Buffett is made possible through the support of eBay for Charity—one of the world’s largest charitable platforms, which helps millions of eBay users support the causes they care about.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Duke Energy Awards $3.2 Million to Innovative Education Programs As Part of Its Powerful Communities Grant Program

Apr 30, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Duke Energy announced today it is awarding $3.2 million in grants to support 131 innovative K-12 education programs across the communities served by the company.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Jetblue’s Bluebud Business Mentoring Program Helps Eat Your Coffee, 9 Miles East and Sustainable Snacks Learn What It Takes to Get Their Brands off the Ground

Apr 30, 2019 3:00 PM ET

The BlueBud program launched in 2015 and originally focused on up-and-coming environmentally and socially responsible food brands based in New York. This year, JetBlue expanded the program to also include small businesses in the greater Boston area.