Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Education

Computational Thinking Helps Students Learn Language Basics in D.C. Public Schools

May 31, 2019 4:25 PM ET

Ignite My Future in School’s online lesson Speak My Language helps students demystify language learning and encourages them to use computational thinking methods to quickly learn the basics and speak their new language confidently. They do so by collecting and analyzing data, finding patterns, and identifying basic words and phrases. Ignite My Future in School is an initiative that combines the best of digital content, lesson plans, career vignettes, and professional learning to help teachers prepare their students for careers of the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Smithfield Foods Awarded “Best for Vets” 2019 Employer Ranking

May 31, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc., a global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer, announced today its recognition by Military Times in the publication’s Best for Vets Employers 2019 rankings. The rankings, awarded during National Military Month, recognize companies for their efforts to recruit and support service members, veterans, and military families.

Innovation & Technology

Intel Technology for Good

May 31, 2019 3:35 PM ET

Intel® technology and investments empower individuals, companies, and governments to improve lives around the world. We are at the forefront of new technologies that are being used to solve major societal challenges.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep America Beautiful 2019–2020 National Youth Advisory Council Application Still Open!

May 31, 2019 3:30 PM ET

Applications are still being accepted for the Keep America Beautiful® National Youth Advisory Council through July 8, 2019.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PSEG and PSEG Long Island Launch Power of One Community Engagement Initiative to Celebrate Volunteerism & Community Service

May 31, 2019 2:05 PM ET

Throughout its history, PSEG has strived to improve the lives of the individuals it serves. This dedication is demonstrated not only through its services, but also through the volunteer efforts of its 13,000-person workforce, which has a long tradition of serving the communities in which they live and work.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Reflections on the Global Pro Bono Summit | Taproot Foundation's Advisory Services Newsletter

May 31, 2019 1:25 PM ET

We recognize that the world’s most pressing social issues are persistent and complex. Although we’re pro bono evangelists, we know that it isn’t a magic bullet—pro bono service alone isn’t enough to address the problems that society faces.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CBRE Korea's Annual Walk for a Wish Charity Event

May 31, 2019 1:20 PM ET

Launched in Asia Pacific in 2010, CBRE’s annual “Walk for a Wish” takes place in the third week of each year and is part of a wider “Wellness Week” initiative in which the company promotes the wellbeing of the mind, body and environment through a series of internal activities. Walk For a Wish involves our employees, clients and other stakeholders from over 22 countries in the region including Australia, China, Japan and Hong Kong. The event has raised over US $1.8 million to date and this year, CBRE Korea raised about 5 million won for the soul Senior Welfare Center in Jongro-Ju, Seoul.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sehat Kahani Nominated for 2019 Rolex Awards

May 31, 2019 1:15 PM ET

Dr. Sara Saeed, Co-Founder and CEO of Business Call to Action member Sehat Kahani, a Pakistan-based telemedicine service that connects home-based female doctors with people in rural and impoverished communities to provide essential, low-cost healthcare, has been nominated for the 2019 Rolex Awards.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Newest Food Trend Is in the Ground

May 31, 2019 1:00 PM ET

At General Mills, chief sustainability officer Jerry Lynch is working with organizations that have direct relationships with oat and wheat farmers in the northern Great Plains to help the company meet its goal of reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions 28% by 2025. Almost half of the company’s carbon footprint, and 99% of its water footprint, comes from agriculture, Lynch says.

Energy

Finding the Path to a Zero-Emissions Future

May 31, 2019 12:50 PM ET

It’s not a matter of if, but when zero-emissions technologies will become the new normal.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Schneider Electric ESS Receives Awards for Top Product and Top Project of 2019

May 31, 2019 12:35 PM ET

Schneider Electric’s Energy & Sustainability Services (ESS) has received a double honor from Business Sector Media, publisher of Environmental Leader and Energy Manager under the company’s 2019 awards program. The company announced this week that ESS has received both the Top Product of 2019 award for its renewable energy-focused NEO Network™ and Top Project of 2019 award for its Advanced Visualization Hack Challenge done in collaboration with client, Procter & Gamble.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pathways to a Lower-Carbon Future: C2ES Collaborates With Duke Energy and 20+ Companies on New Report

May 31, 2019 11:20 AM ET

The nonpartisan Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) issued a report this week exploring the various paths to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2050. Duke Energy joined more than 20 other companies representing many sectors that helped develop the scenarios evaluated in the report.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Tequila Neat, Hold the Waste: A Look at One Distiller’s Zero Waste Efforts

May 31, 2019 11:15 AM ET

Since its inception, Tequila Cazadores, which is known for using only blue agave, has always kept sustainability as a top priority. Today, the distillery houses a biomass boiler, making it 100 percent biomass fueled—60 percent of the biofuel is used to produce the tequila and comes from spent agave fibers, which equates to about 11,000 tons a year. The other 40 percent comprises roughly 8,000 tons of carbon-neutral, renewable fuel sources like clean waste wood, biomass briquettes, sawdust, coconut shells and tree cuttings.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist Joins DTE and Consumers Energy as Companies Announce $15 Billion Commitment to Grow Michigan Businesses

May 31, 2019 11:05 AM ET

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, DTE and Consumers Energy today announced a $15 billion commitment to spend with Michigan-based companies over the next five years through Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) initiative.

Health & Healthcare

Labels are for Jars, Not for People

May 31, 2019 11:00 AM ET

At Symantec, employees are key players in the success and expansion of our Corporate Responsibility (CR) program. Employee activism, advocacy, and passion is what transforms our CR strategy into tangible results. We have a robust community relations program that is aligned to our business and we are committed to building a culture that enables employees to apply their time and talents to the issues they care most deeply about. Each quarter we celebrate outstanding volunteer efforts and provide a $1,000 grant to an organization chosen by our “Volunteer of the Quarter.” This quarter, meet Melissa Chouikrat-Marcinkowski, Sales Engineer Manager in Dublin, Ireland, and mental health champion.

Health & Healthcare

Why Always Wants to Teach Girls and Boys About Puberty

May 31, 2019 9:45 AM ET

Many people around the world miss out on school or work, and opt out of activities they enjoy, like sports or eating certain foods, every month — just because of their period. The reasons are endless — maybe they’ve been told they’re dirty because they have periods, they don’t have pads or tampons, or they don’t have access to clean water and toilets.

Research, Reports & Publications

Deloitte Study: Only 19 Percent of Business Leaders Say They Are Ready to Lead the Social Enterprise – Despite Increased Importance

May 31, 2019 9:45 AM ET

Amid rapid technological, economic and social change, it is important for organizations to move beyond mission statements and social impact programs to put humans at the center of their business strategies.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Practices that Drive Alliance Data’s Success

May 31, 2019 9:35 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Affordable Housing for Everyone

May 31, 2019 9:30 AM ET

With the rapid development and change we are experiencing in cities and communities, the cost of living is increasing. This is leading to unaffordable and unstable housing situations, which can go hand-in-hand with financial instability, especially when a large chunk of your paycheque goes to housing.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Supply chain Transparency Is a Business Necessity

May 31, 2019 9:15 AM ET

Considerations about sustainability in the supply chain are no longer optional. In all regions of the world, these issues are front and center of both the business and political agenda.

When it comes to the supply chain, transparency is not the first instinct of business. A company’s sourcing practices can be one of the ways to stay ahead of the competition. But, when it comes to sustainability, it’s essential to track the origin of products and services for their environmental and human rights implications.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Tetra Tech Recognizes Safety Month 2019, Safe By Choice

May 31, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Safety is at the forefront of Tetra Tech’s daily operations. Each June, in partnership with the National Safety Council, we recognize Safety Month by renewing our commitment to safety and reinforcing the importance of safety awareness among our employees around the world. At Tetra Tech, we are Safe by Choice* at work, home, and on the road.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Army Deploys at Dondero, Betty’s Dream

May 31, 2019 9:00 AM ET

About 100 Timberland employees labored on the grounds of Dondero School Thursday, while dozens more painted and landscaped at Betty’s Dream, during the company’s bi-annual day of service. Most wearing “Timbs” work boots, employees for the Stratham-based shoe and clothing maker showed up early for the 27th year the company has paid its employees to volunteer in the community. Mike Gass works in footwear product development, lives in the Dondero neighborhood and his son Latham is a special needs student at the elementary school.

Diversity & Inclusion

Chevron is Engineering Opportunities for Women

May 31, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Chevron was honored with the Catalyst Award for efforts related to attracting, retaining, developing and advancing women at Chevron. In this video, Chevron executives and employees share the company’s 20-year journey to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace driven by The Chevron Way and senior-level management commitment.

Media & Communications

The PR Week 5.24.2019 Catherine Hernandez-Blades, Aflac

May 31, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Catherine Hernandez-Blades, who serves as the chief ESG (environmental, social and governance) and communications officer at Aflac, chats about My Special Aflac Duck, which was the focus of the campaign that won Best in Corporate Branding at the 2019 PRWeek U.S. Awards.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

This Apparel Brand Transparently Shows You Who Made Your Clothes

May 31, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Throughout the month of April, millions of consumers took to social media to ask the question #whomademyclothes, helping ignite a global conversation about supply chain transparency.