Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Events, Media & Communications

Integrated Management and Reporting: The Next Step in Corporate Commitment

Aug 24, 2017 10:30 AM ET

The CEOs of BlackRock and State Street are requesting that companies disclose long-term strategies and demanding board oversight for environmental, social and governance topics (ESG). Some corporate professionals see this as a burden, while others turn these market developments into strategic advantage.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Finalists Named for Louisiana’s 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote

Aug 24, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces. Finalists for Louisiana’s Cox Conserves Heroes program were announced today, and the public is being asked to vote for the winner now through Sept. 14. To vote, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com and select the Louisiana area. A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability: Transportation and Logistics

Aug 24, 2017 10:15 AM ET

We operate a sophisticated, efficient distribution network to move pulp, paper and personal care products using third-party truck, rail, intermodal and ocean vessel transport providers. This focus on efficiency, combined with the geographic diversity of our principal manufacturing and distribution locations, allows us to attract new global customers while managing costs and reducing environmental emissions.

Environment

Carlsberg Creates ZERO Carbon Windmill Bar

Aug 24, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Following commitments to 100% renewable electricity and ZERO carbon emissions at its breweries, Carlsberg asked itself whether it was possible to develop the most climate-friendly bar in the world. The answer? Probably!

As part of 170 hours of celebration to mark the brewer’s 170 years anniversary, Carlsberg has built a ZERO Carbon Windmill Bar at the historical Carlsberg District in Copenhagen.

The bar is powered completely by an integrated windmill and in true Danish-style, an attached bicycle which consumers can use to generate enough power to pour their beer in case of no wind. Following the recent Carlsberg advert starring Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen biking through Copenhagen, the sustainability innovation sends a clear signal to Carlsberg’s Danish provenance.

Research, Reports & Publications

For Water Utilities, Information is Power

Aug 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

For water utilities, information is power. View expert insights on on data analytics, water infrastructure and customer engagement and more from 2017 Strategic Directions: Water Industry Report.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Nestlé’s Parent Support Spotlight on Nicole: Being in the Moment

Aug 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

My experience having my daughter, Audra, and my life as a mom have been totally different at Nestlé.

Health & Healthcare

Kimberly-Clark and China Women's Development Foundation Launch White Angels Campaign

Aug 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Earlier this year, the China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) held a launch ceremony for the ‘Kimberly-Clark Cares for White Angels’ campaign in Beijing, which is part of Kimberly-Clark’s Touch of White Angels flagship program that was launched in partnership with CWDF in 2011.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volkswagen Group of America Gives Back at 2017 National Urban League Conference

Aug 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA) employees and interns journeyed to St. Louis for four action-filled days to volunteer their time to support empowering causes at the 2017 National Urban League (NUL) Conference.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tom Gores and Consumers Energy Pledge $2 Million to Help Start Flint Promise Scholarship Program

Aug 24, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Tom Gores and Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe announced today a $2 million commitment to help fund the creation of a Flint Promise scholarship program. The new privately funded scholarship has a goal to launch for the 2018-2019 school year.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Northern Trust: All Hands on Deck

Aug 24, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Northern Trust kicks off its annual United Way fundraising campaign with a day of caring. With a theme this year of “All Hands on Deck,” employees chose Lakeview Pantry, one of the longest operating pantries in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Do Your Homework to Help Avoid Wire Transfer Scams

Aug 23, 2017 4:50 PM ET

Scott was crossing the finish line on his first home purchase. His home inspection was complete; closing funds wired to an out-of-state settlement company; and a final walkthrough that showed his new home to be move-in ready.

Research, Reports & Publications

Ingersoll Rand CEO Shares Thoughts on a Sustainable Future in 2016 Sustainability Supplement

Aug 23, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Sustainability in all its forms — business, social and environmental — is central to Ingersoll Rand’s strategy. Just as it has for the past 146 years, Ingersoll Rand continues to build a more sustainable and thriving enterprise. It is leading the way to long-term value creation and positive societal impact within its industries, and building a legacy for the next century and beyond.

Education

“How Will You … End Littering?” Video Contest Launches for Second Year

Aug 23, 2017 3:45 PM ET

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, today launched its second annual effort to tap into the imagination and innovation of our nation’s youth to continue to advance its fight to End Littering in America. The “How Will You … End Littering?” Video Contest, open to students in grades 9-12, asks the next generation of community stewards to share their ideas about how to end littering by educating and motivating people to properly dispose of their trash.

Events, Media & Communications

World Water Week and Creating Tomorrow

Aug 23, 2017 3:35 PM ET

80% of our water currently goes back into the environment untreated. We have to get serious about reducing, reusing and recycling water. At this year’s World Water Week, join us to find out about companies’ best practice on climate adaptation and water stewardship; how corporates can improve supply chain resilience through access to water, sanitation and hygiene; and why your company should sign the WBCSD WASH Pledge. You can also check out best practice case studies as part of our Business Guide to circular water management. If you would like to meet with us in Stockholm, get in touch!

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Named a FTSE4Good Constituent Member

Aug 23, 2017 2:45 PM ET

FTSE Russell, a global index provider, has once again named Merck & Co., Inc. to the FTSE4Good Index, a compilation of publicly-traded companies that meet globally-recognized corporate responsibility standards.

Sustainable Development Goals

How to Align Your Corporate Citizenship Strategy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Aug 23, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Have you been tasked with addressing how your company supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Are you hoping to connect and align your corporate citizenship efforts to a shared global strategy to put your activities in context and amplify your impact?

Research, Reports & Publications

Qualcomm Wireless Reach THRIVEIndonesia Program Enhances Women's Healthcare

Aug 23, 2017 2:00 PM ET

For millions of people in emerging regions, frontline health workers (FHWs) are the first and often the only point of contact for health care access. FHWs form the backbone of the health system, especially in resource-constrained environments which have a shortage of trained physicians and nurses. The THRIVE Indonesia program is demonstrating how a digital registry system, known as Open Smart Register Platform (OpenSRP), compared to a paper-based system, can improve FHW efficiencies, immunization coverage, continuity and quality of care, data quality, timeliness of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) interventions and reduce maternal and child morbidity.

Education

Interns Apply Skills to Innovative Utility Projects

Aug 23, 2017 1:30 PM ET

When Matthew Stilwell, 20, first applied for his field engineering internship at Southern California Edison earlier this summer, he expected to fetch coffees and file papers. Instead, after 12 weeks, the California State University, Fresno student’s proposal to re-direct the flow of electricity will be implemented as a $450,000 company project to shorten outages in the city of Visalia.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Michael Bloomberg To Be Honored For His Environmentalism

Aug 23, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Education

Voya Financial’s Alain Karaoglan Elected to Scholarship America Board of Trustees

Aug 23, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) announced today that Alain Karaoglan, chief operating officer, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of Scholarship America, the nation’s leading nonprofit scholarship and educational support organization.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO: Experiencing the Eclipse with Our Aira Explorer

Aug 23, 2017 12:10 PM ET

On Aug. 21, millions of people watched as the moon passed in front of the sun, creating a solar eclipse. In some places, it was completely dark for more than 2 minutes. Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was one of those places.

Luckily, my family and I got to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event and in Hopkinsville. And I will never forget it thanks to the teams at AT&T, Aira and Georgia Tech.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Clean Water in Cambodia

Aug 23, 2017 10:55 AM ET

For residents of the remote Cambodian village of Roka, the dry season means annual water shortages and the rainy season means flooded, impassable roadways. Even during the rainy season, the bountiful water supply isn't safe for drinking and cooking.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability Monthly Minute | August 2017

Aug 23, 2017 10:15 AM ET

First there was the agrarian revolution, followed by the industrial revolution and now the digital revolution. So how does the forest products industry keep pace? Domtar's Shabnam Sanaei has a few ideas. Find out what she's doing each day to help identify the next big thing.

Innovation & Technology

Biomimicry = Return on Inspiration

Aug 23, 2017 10:05 AM ET

New models of product design, process engineering, packaging, and local distributed manufacturing are springing daily from bio-inspired minds. A 2010 economic study predicted that Biomimicry could represent $1 trillion of global Gross Domestic Product by 2025, and in 2012, Biomimicry topped the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ annual list of “innovations that could change the way you manufacture.” Fortune provocated: “if you’re not incorporating the most brilliant ideas from the natural world into what you sell, you’re leaving money on the table.”

Research, Reports & Publications

Power Generation – Is Coal Making a Comeback?

Aug 23, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The current administration has revived debates over coal’s role in the country’s overall energy mix. Still seen as one of the most economical generation resources, some believe coal may experience a revival of sorts. However, most forward-looking infrastructure investors and industry leaders are not as optimistic – read more in this year’s Strategic Directions: Electric Industry Report.