Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Scotiabank – Understanding Your Customers from the Inside Out

Jun 30, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Like other employers at the Syrian Refugees Jobs Agenda Roundtable, convened by Hire Immigrants, Scotiabank has a longstanding commitment to workforce diversity. According to Maureen Neglia, Vice President of Human Resources, Global Recruitment, it has always made strategic sense. Ensuring Scotiabank has a workforce that reflects the people and communities it does business with is a logical strategy.

Diversity & Inclusion

Voya Celebrates Pride Month at Their Minneapolis Office

Jun 30, 2017 8:05 AM ET

This weekend we lit our Minneapolis office in rainbow colors in honor of Pride Month.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Crown Announces Another Record Income Return of £328.8 Million to the Public Finances

Jun 30, 2017 5:00 AM ET

The Crown Estate’s annual report and accounts for 2016/17, the organisation’s fifth integrated report, continues to show innovation in reporting and tells a coherent, concise story about how it delivers value beyond the financial.

Green Infrastructure

SCE, Greenlining Institute Partner to Develop Community-Centric Solutions for Air Quality, Climate

Jun 30, 2017 12:35 AM ET

Southern California Edison, a leader in the transformation of the energy sector, today announced a partnership with The Greenlining Institute, a leading California policy and advocacy group working on environmental and social equity, to develop community-centric solutions for healthy air and a healthy climate.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Astellas USA Foundation Donates to GrowingGreat for Garden Education Programs

Jun 29, 2017 7:30 PM ET

As part of the Science WoRx program, Astellas USA Foundation provided funding to GrowingGreat to support their “From Bean Seeds to Frijoles: STEM Learning Begins” program and donated additional funds to support three garden education programs in the Los Angeles area, with locations at Gratts Primary Center and Para Los Niños Head Start preschools in the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Hollywood and Atwater Village. The goal of the learning gardens is to bring STEM exploration to life with hands-on activities, while teaching urban gardening skills to early learners.

Environment

Better Market Information Can Help Combat Climate Change

Jun 29, 2017 5:45 PM ET

Markets do more than help nations prosper. They can help solve our most pressing problems. Case in point: climate change. Financial markets have the potential to improve our prospects for tackling climate change, but only if we make climate risks and opportunities more transparent. Public policy, technology and consumer preferences are advancing, but this backdrop is complex and dynamic.

Research, Reports & Publications

New Circular Economy Case Study Report Released!

Jun 29, 2017 5:45 PM ET

Explore how companies are embracing the circular economy within our latest case study report, A Circular Vision for Sustainable Growth: How Companies are Building a New 21st Century Economy.

Energy

Massachusetts vs. New York and the Energy Storage Race

Jun 29, 2017 5:00 PM ET

How the competition will play out is still unclear. What is evident is that the state perceived as the winner in this race will likely become a regional hub for energy storage, attracting investment and jobs, while leaving the other state in its shadow. This puts policy makers in the hot seat.

Diversity & Inclusion

Addressing Barriers for Women Leaders: Reducing Gender Bias

Jun 29, 2017 5:00 PM ET

In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global recognition that there are basic inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms that apply to every human being. The Declaration made clear that men and women have the same rights to basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. In the 69 years since then, we’ve made more strides towards gender equality but there is much more work to do in eliminating barriers for women across all aspects of society, including the workplace.

Education

Voya Financial and The American College Announce Second Quarter Veteran Scholarship Recipient

Jun 29, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that it has awarded its second quarter scholarship to financial counselor Desiree Kaul, who is committed to advancing financial literacy in her community. Desiree is married to veteran Army Major Michael Kaul, who transitioned from active duty last year.

Responsible Production & Consumption

What Do Shipping Pallets Have to Do with Reducing Carbon Emissions?

Jun 29, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Yesterday, AT&T launched its 2016 Sustainability Report. This report captures progress toward several initiatives, including our goal to enable carbon reduction 10x the footprint of our operations by 2025.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Don’t Forget: Best Rates for the BSR Conference 2017 Expire June 30

Jun 29, 2017 4:00 PM ET

June 30 is the final day to save up to US$550 on the BSR Conference 2017: How Business Leads.

Health & Healthcare

Experts from Aramark and the American Heart Association Share Their Sizzling Secrets for Healthy Summer Grilling

Jun 29, 2017 3:15 PM ET

Serving more than two billion meals each year, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities and uniforms, and the American Heart Association (AHA), the nation's largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, are sharing tips to make the average summer cookout superb, with secrets straight from the grill.

Environment

JetBlue Supports the Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

Jun 29, 2017 3:00 PM ET

JetBlue today joined more than 100 other companies and business leaders and publicly committed support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). A growing number of investors are demanding more information on how companies are addressing the effects of climate change. JetBlue recognizes the importance of voluntarily disclosing climate-related risks and opportunities and adopting the TCFD recommendations is an important step in preparing business for the long-run.

Research, Reports & Publications

Coca-Cola European Partners Releases 2016 Stakeholder Progress Report

Jun 29, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Coca-Cola European Partners (ticker symbol: CCE) today launched its first Stakeholder Progress Report, outlining key achievements in the company’s sustainability journey in 2016 and providing consolidated sustainability performance data.

Research, Reports & Publications

Nestlé Purina Publishes Creating Shared Value Report for Americas Business

Jun 29, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Nestlé Purina has released its 2016 Creating Shared Value report for the Americas, demonstrating how the company is making a positive impact for pets, people and the planet.

Events, Media & Communications

2017 Net Impact Conference Invites Attendees to Discover Their Path to Purpose

Jun 29, 2017 1:35 PM ET

For 25 years, the Net Impact Conference has guided attendees to careers with purpose and convened the world’s emerging leaders around one unified goal: getting the skills, connections, and inspiration that will allow them to have the greatest impact now and throughout their careers.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Cox and The Trust for Public Land Announce Robert (Bob) Byrnes as California’s 2017 Cox Conserves Hero

Jun 29, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Environment

Collaboration for a Cleaner World

Jun 29, 2017 1:00 PM ET

At UPS, we collaborate with other businesses to maximize results and tap into creative solutions. We’re clear-eyed about challenges and resources – by combining our skills, technology and solutions with other partners’, we make the impossible, possible.

Diversity & Inclusion

Transforming a Business Starts with Employees

Jun 29, 2017 12:45 PM ET

GM’s chief talent officer, Michael Arena, knows the power of culture and employees. In an industry that is poised for radical disruption, like automotive, it is critical to disrupt the way employees work to not only keep pace with start-ups, but to transform veteran companies. Arena’s core objective is to develop a culture where people feel connected and empowered.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Mother Starts Charity to Fulfill Cancer-Survivor Daughter’s Dancing Dreams

Jun 29, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Andrea Rizzo's dream was to become a dance therapist and work with kids with special needs and cancer. On May 19, 2002, she was on her way home from a dance performance and was killed by a drunk driver. Her mother Susan Rizzo was devastated but credits a group of compassionate friends and colleagues for helping her through it. “One of Andrea’s colleagues approached me and said let’s start a foundation in Andrea’s name. She wanted to be a dance therapist, somehow maybe we can provide dance therapy to children,” said Susan.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

2017 Sustainable Spirit Award Recipients

Jun 29, 2017 12:30 PM ET

As one of the more recognizable gin brands around the world, Bombay Sapphire’s sustainable distillery initiative sets a valuable precedent for others brands to follow. Their Laverstoke Mill distillery, where Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Dry, and Star of Bombay gins are made, engages in multiple green practices, such cutting down on its carbon emissions by 38%, recycling multiple forms of biomass, and harvesting rainwater.

Environment

Carney’s CEO Club Gives $3.3 Trillion Muscle to Climate Fight

Jun 29, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said he’s concerned investors aren’t doing enough to assess threats that global warming will have on assets they purchase.

Health & Healthcare

Design for Wellness: Strategies to Unite Health & Design

Jun 29, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Design can be about many things: beauty, symmetry, color - but one of the most powerful elements of building and space design is the opportunity to impact and improve the health and well-being of people. Through thoughtful design choices like strategic placement of drinking water stations, selection of non-toxic materials and lighting that aligns with the body’s circadian rhythms, designers can be ambassadors for public health, a mission that we wholeheartedly believe in.

Innovation & Technology

The Smart City Puzzle: The Role of Utilities in Next-Gen Communities

Jun 29, 2017 12:10 PM ET

The term smart city has become ubiquitous in the technology world, and especially among the energy industry. But what does smart city really mean for utilities? Register for the free webinar.