Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Empowering Women in the Workplace: Female Employees Fast Tracked From Line Workers to Supervisors

Feb 12, 2018 9:05 AM ET

The readymade garments (RMG) industry in Bangladesh is the greatest contributor to female employment in Bangladesh; over 3.2 million of its employees live at the bottom of the economic pyramid (defined as people with less than US$10 per day in purchasing power in 2015 US dollars). Recognising this, at DBL Group we have focused on increasing the number of female workers: in 2012 women made up only 35 percent of DBL’s female workers in its garments manufacturing units, but today, in 2018, almost half of our employees (49%) are female.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy Partners With Playworks Southern California to Beautify Local Community Preparatory Academy; kicks Off “Galaxy Giving” Initiative

Feb 12, 2018 9:00 AM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy Foundation kicked off its “Galaxy Giving” initiative with a visit to the local Community Preparatory Academy in Carson, Calif. for a Playworks Beautification Project on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Throughout the day, LA Galaxy staff and LA Galaxy President Chris Klein worked to transform and improve the campus’ play space.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Visa Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies

Feb 12, 2018 9:00 AM ET

As the global leader in electronic payments, we understand the level of trust consumers and merchants place in our operations. That’s why we at Visa are proud to be recognized for the sixth consecutive year as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, the premier organization in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sands China Ltd. Celebrates First Class of International Strategic Leadership Program Graduates

Feb 12, 2018 8:45 AM ET

In July 2017, a group of 25 Sands China Ltd. Team Members were selected as the first class of Sands China International Strategic Leadership Program for Integrated Resorts. The class graduated on November 17 with a commencement ceremony at Sands Cotai Central.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Recognized by Bloomberg for Gender Equality

Feb 12, 2018 8:10 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, announced today that it has been named to Bloomberg’s 2018 Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for its advancement in gender equality.

Green Infrastructure

Expanding the Vision for Funding Water Projects

Feb 12, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Trevor Clements, Tetra Tech’s Mid Atlantic regional manager for Integrated Water Management, spoke to the North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority, the independent body with primary responsibility for awarding both federal and state funding, on the topic of One Water and its relationship to infrastructure funding on December 13, 2017. In this post, he shares his perspective on how communities can make the best use of limited water infrastructure funding. All opinions expressed in this post are the author’s own.

Research, Reports & Publications

Albemarle Announces 2017 Sustainability Report on 2016 Activities

Feb 12, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Albemarle is pleased to present its 2017 Sustainability Report on 2016 activities. This edition marks the tenth year that Albemarle has released a sustainability report, demonstrating the company's commitment to growing in a sustainable manner.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Voya Named One of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Feb 12, 2018 7:30 AM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth consecutive year.

Environment

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials - Built on Breakthroughs

Feb 9, 2018 5:45 PM ET

As a company built on breakthroughs we are always looking forward to the future! Our global R&D of over 300+ engineers, chemists and material scientists are focussed on the next series of innovations that will create the future of packaging.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Deconstructing Your Carbon Footprint: Save Your Sanity, Be the Change (Even If It’s Just a Little Bit)

Feb 9, 2018 4:15 PM ET

I saw that look. You read the title of this article and rolled your eyes. Maybe you didn’t mean to, it’s just a physical manifestation of cognitive overload. We’re all tired of feeling mostly powerless in the face of global forces, both human and environmental. Wishing, for a just a second, that it will all just go away, is certainly understandable.

Research, Reports & Publications

Erb Institute Board Member, Tom Catania, Helps Push the Needle on Sustainability - New Energy Index for Fans Will Help Gauge Efficiency

Feb 9, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Mohawk Group’s Lichen Honored by BGIS With Sustainable Product Award

Feb 9, 2018 12:10 PM ET

Mohawk Group’s Lichen carpet plank collection, which merges leading concepts in biophilic design and sustainability, was recently honored by BGIS with the Sustainable Product Award at its An Inspired Future event. The accolade was given on-site at the fifth biennial conference, which took place last week at the Hilton Markham Suites & Conference Centre in Markham, Ontario.

Sustainable Development Goals

5 Multinationals Stepping Up On Climate Action

Feb 9, 2018 11:20 AM ET

Of the 660+ companies committed to bold climate action through the We Mean Business coalition’s Take Action campaign, many are going further and faster to help bend the curve of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We spoke to BT, Ingersoll Rand, Mars, Unilever and HP Inc about their progress in harnessing climate action as a driver of innovation, competitiveness, risk management and growth.

Energy

Consumers Energy’s 130-Year History Profiled in New TV Program

Feb 9, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Consumers Energy has been providing energy to Michigan homes and businesses for over 130 years. That long and colorful history was the subject of a story by Jackson, Mich., television station JTV-TV. The “True Story” special gives particular emphasis to the energy provider’s connections with its hometown of Jackson, from its founding by the Foote brothers through its innovations and challenges over the last decades and more.

Diversity & Inclusion

Why Diversity and Inclusion Should Matter to Financial Advisers

Feb 9, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The face of the U.S. financial consumer is changing rapidly. Millennials are expected to drive a seismic shift in attitudes that will shape our culture, how they seek financial advice, and where they choose to work. With the changing demographics in the workplace and marketplace, advisers have an opportunity to build their business and to attract and retain younger clients by demonstrating a commitment to inclusion and being supportive of the LGBT community.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

IFF Recognized As World Leader for Corporate Environmental Action

Feb 9, 2018 10:30 AM ET

IFF has been identified as a global leader for its actions and strategies to manage environmental issues, and has been awarded a position on the Supplier Climate A List by CDP, the non-profit global environmental disclosure platform.

100 companies appear on the A List, which has been produced at the request of 99 CDP supply chain purchasing member organizations with a combined annual spend of over US$3 trillion.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Supports The Faison Center

Feb 9, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Smithfield Foods is proud to support the Faison Center with a grant for a driving simulator to teach driving skills in a safe environment to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Faison Center and Clemson University are conducting research using the simulator to refine driver education programs. This project aligns with our focus on education and helping communities where our people live and work.

Events, Media & Communications

Your Exclusive Discount for 'Engage for Good 2018'

Feb 9, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Work at the intersection of profit & purpose? Wonder what your peers in the corporate social responsibility space are up to? Crave greater social impact for your company? If so, you’ll want to attend Engage for Good 2018! An annual gathering of over 500 corporate social impact professionals from top corporate and nonprofit brands, Engage for Good is a conference about exchanging trends, best practices, and practical execution strategies for building a better world (and your company’s bottom line).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Shire and SeriousFun Children's Network Celebrate Two Years of Partnership

Feb 9, 2018 10:05 AM ET

In February of 2016, we committed $3 million over three years to SeriousFun Children’s Network. Our support will enable nearly 1,000 children, many with rare diseases, to attend SeriousFun’s transformative camps and programs free of charge. This is a look at our partnership in year two!

Energy

Duke Energy Proposes Two Additional Renewable Energy Programs for North Carolina Customers

Feb 9, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Duke Energy has filed two more renewable energy programs with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to expand renewable energy options for its 3.2 million customers in the state.

Research, Reports & Publications

GRI Newsletter: Reporting Inspiration

Feb 9, 2018 10:00 AM ET

This month, GRI's newsletter highlights information to support what for many companies is the beginning of the reporting cycle. For example, there's an article on what kinds of businesses in Denmark and Greece now fall under the EU Directive on Non-financial Reporting, given how the company scope requirements were incorporated in local legislation.

Research, Reports & Publications

Start with Empathy: Design a Brand with People at the Center

Feb 9, 2018 9:30 AM ET

To stay relevant in a world of limited resources and mounting concerns, brands cannot simply show up and sell more stuff. Like never before, consumers expect brands to make their lives better. Doing so means understanding consumers’ struggles, needs and aspirations and addressing the issues that matter to them in meaningful ways.

A fundamental design principle in divided times is to start with empathy and listen to what people are feeling and what they desire for their lives. Empathy is fundamentally about respect. When was the last time you truly listened? When people feel ignored, or when their basic human needs are not being met, it is time for brands to start listening.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Marina Bay Sands Team Member Pretika R K Shares: What Volunteerism Means to Me

Feb 9, 2018 9:25 AM ET

When Pretika R K left the Republic of Singapore Navy after nearly a decade of service to her country, she rededicated her life to another form of service – making a difference in the lives of others. Pretika has been an active member of the community since she was young and has volunteered at various organizations on her own time.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Actress Nikki Reed and Dell Collaborate on Recycled Gold Jewelry Collection

Feb 9, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Nikki Reed and Dell created a recycled gold jewelry collection from e-waste.

Events, Media & Communications

Living Future unConference Promotional Video

Feb 9, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The International Living Future Institute is hosting its 12th annual unConference, Living Future 2018, May 1-4, 2018 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

This three-day event will bring together Authenticity and Action as individuals and organizations with unique backgrounds, experiences and personalities gather to create unified action toward a living future. Keynote speakers—conservationist Terry Tempest Williams, activist Raj Patel, and urban revitalization strategy consultant Majora Carter—will deliver their messages on Wednesday night and Thursday and Friday mornings with inspiring messages for attendees.

Celebrate 12 years of innovation and discover the added noteworthy twists that exemplify the unConference. Visit 2018.livingfutureunconference.org to register.