Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

EAT Club Raises $30M Series C to Accelerate Expansion

May 23, 2017 3:30 PM ET

EAT Club, the fastest-growing provider of corporate lunch programs, announced today that it raised a $30 million Series C round, led by a strategic investor, Sodexo, the worldwide leader in Quality of Life Services, with participation from existing investors August Capital and Trinity Ventures.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Coming Soon: “A Day in the Life of an Action Team Captain”

May 23, 2017 3:30 PM ET

Hundreds of high school students from Maine to Maui are helping Major League baseball players and Volunteers of America train and inspire the next generation of volunteers through the Action Team national youth volunteer program. These teens – Action Team Captains – in turn, plan, organize and participate in volunteer activities of their choosing that support causes important to their individual communities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Volkswagen of America, Inc. Recognized for Distinction in Corporate Service by the Trust for the National Mall

May 23, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Trust for the National Mall, the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service, has honored the company with its Distinction in Corporate Service Award. The accolade recognizes Volkswagen’s commitment to preserving the National Mall’s rich history and improving the visitor experience.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Group, Inc. Named to LinkedIn Top Companies List

May 23, 2017 2:15 PM ET

CBRE Group, Inc. announced that it has been named to LinkedIn’s Top Companies list for 2017. At #18, CBRE is the top-ranked real estate services and investment firm on the list of the most sought-after companies for job seekers today.

Diversity & Inclusion

Military Veterans Bring Unique Skills to Medtronic

May 23, 2017 2:05 PM ET

When Medtronic patients call with questions about their medical devices, they’re in steady hands when they reach Steve Kregel. Kregel knows all about handling handle medical emergencies. As a Navy medic, he served for 10 months in Iraq. He says the military helped him develop skills that would benefit any employer.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Enjoying the Career Journey While Keeping an Eye on the Summit

May 23, 2017 1:30 PM ET

In 2006 Sophia Danenberg, a corporate EHS leader and recreational mountaineer, became the first African-American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. For this edition of CSRwire’s Talkback, we spoke with her about how her experiences in the mountains have influenced her career path and how she approaches her work.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Amgen Staff in Turkey Give Back on National Children's Day

May 23, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Amgen employees in Turkey organized a community service initiative to mark the country’s annual National Children’s Day (April 23rd). Amgen staff donated barrels of toys, backpacks, shoes and clothing for needy children, which was distributed to 150 children in poor, rural communities.

Research, Reports & Publications

Corporate Innovation Extends to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategies; Companies Find New Ways to Deploy Resources for Societal Benefit

May 23, 2017 1:15 PM ET

A new study released by CECP: The CEO Force for Good, supported by USAA, found that large companies are implementing new ways to make a positive difference for people and communities beyond traditional corporate philanthropy and volunteering. The groundbreaking pilot study, What Counts: The “S” in ESG, catalogues the practices of companies working on these innovative initiatives that address the social side of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) business practices.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

New Issue of Supply Chain Navigator from Avnet Celebrates Disruptive Innovation

May 23, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Avnet, a leading global technology distributor, today released the May 2017 issue of Supply Chain Navigator, the award-winning journal dedicated to supply chain thought leadership. This special edition examines how industry leaders including Cisco, General Electric, Nestle, Nike and Puma are reimagining their businesses and their supply networks to keep pace with the leapfrog advances in the “golden triangle” - people, processes and technology - that are radically transforming the global manufacturing sector.

Innovation & Technology

FedEx Helps Make the Impossible Possible

May 23, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Find out how FedEx and International Medical Corps collaborate to rapidly deploy a portable hospital when disaster strikes.

Environment

U.S. Chamber Foundation, The Sustainability Consortium, and the Retail Industry Leaders Association Launch Circular Economy Toolbox

May 23, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Corporate Citizenship Center, in partnership with The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), today launched the Circular Economy Toolbox, an online platform to help companies incorporate more sustainable business practices that eliminate waste and increase efficiency.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

#CleanAirMonth: 5 Interesting Facts About Cox Enterprises’ New River Clean Energy Facility

May 23, 2017 11:30 AM ET

This year, Cox Enterprises announced the completion of the New River Energy Facility in Beckley, W. Va. The New River Energy Facility is part of the company’s Cox Conserves sustainability program, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The company seeks to send zero waste to landfill by 2024 and become carbon and water neutral by 2044.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Carnival Corporation Rated Among America’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens

May 23, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest leisure travel company, has been named one of the top 100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2017 by Corporate Responsibility Magazine (CRM).

Social Impact & Volunteering

Walmart Expands Military Leave of Absence Policy for its Associates, Removing Barriers to Service

May 23, 2017 11:05 AM ET

Today, Walmart announced expansions to its military leave of absence policy, offering differential pay to all eligible military associates taking on assignments lasting more than three days and through the duration of leave – including basic training. Walmart has offered differential pay since 2008.

Environment

Tactics of Diversion: Measuring and Reporting Zero Waste Targets

May 23, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Waste implies squandered resources, be they time, money or materials. Managing money and time are core competencies of any successful business. But somehow, trash and garbage have gotten a free pass. Fortunately, that is changing. As companies embrace one form or other of “zero waste” commitments, the business case for efficient and sustainable resource flow management is catching on.

Environment

HP Joins Other Leading Companies in Support of BSR's Sustainable Fuel Buyers' Principles

May 23, 2017 10:05 AM ET

HP is committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable, low-carbon fuel and related technologies for road freight. We join with other leading companies, like Walmart Stores, UPS and IKEA, in supporting BSR's Sustainable Fuel Buyers' Principles.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy and Southern New Hampshire University Expand Relationship to Focus On Giving Back to Los Angeles Community

May 23, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The LA Galaxy and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a private non-profit university and the exclusive education partner of the club and Major League Soccer, are expanding their relationship to focus on giving back and supporting the Los Angeles community. As a part of the expansion, SNHU is partnering with The LA Galaxy Foundation to participate in three community initiatives during the course of the 2017 season.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Q&A with Mike Lyons Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking

May 23, 2017 9:45 AM ET

We know that corporate responsibility will continue to grow in importance, especially as technology and environmental issues evolve. Therefore, we will continue to learn and make thoughtful decisions as we go, and we will continue to engage with our constituents to better understand what’s most important to them.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sands ECO360 Launches Annual Global Clean Plate Challenge

May 23, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Las Vegas Sands’ Team Members around the world are taking part in the annual Sands ECO360 Clean Plate Challenge, a global campaign designed to reduce food waste and to improve the company’s worldwide waste diversion rate.

Research, Reports & Publications

Empowering an Industry Responsive Computer Science Education

May 23, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

MetLife Foundation Annual Report 2016 | Our Approach

May 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

MetLife Foundation designed its financial inclusion strategy after extensive consultation with global leaders in the industry. We wanted to ensure that our work built on, rather than duplicated, efforts already underway.

Events, Media & Communications

Community Engagement Professionals Gather to Learn from and Celebrate Bold Leaders Making Brave Moves in the Field of Corporate Societal Engagement

May 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good will convene the 2017 CECP Summit: Brave Leaders. Bold Moves May 23-24, 2017 in NYC, bringing together 250 corporate leaders who drive societal investment strategies at the world’s largest companies. Attendees will learn and connect with the trailblazers making big, bold moves in a complex business climate – those who are taking charge and re-defining ‘purpose’ and success for themselves. CECP is a coalition of more than 200 companies and CEOs that believes that a company’s social strategy--how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers--determines company success.

Events, Media & Communications

Community Engagement Professionals Gather to Learn from and Celebrate Bold Leaders Making Brave Moves in the Field of Corporate Societal Engagement

May 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good will convene the 2017 CECP Summit: Brave Leaders. Bold Moves May 23-24, 2017 in NYC, bringing together 250 corporate leaders who drive societal investment strategies at the world’s largest companies. Attendees will learn and connect with the trailblazers making big, bold moves in a complex business climate – those who are taking charge and re-defining ‘purpose’ and success for themselves. CECP is a coalition of more than 200 companies and CEOs that believes that a company’s social strategy--how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers--determines company success.

Research, Reports & Publications

Charting a New Course in Sustainability Reporting

May 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

There’s currently a debate brewing among sustainability and corporate responsibility professionals about the best way to report CSR and environmental information. Is a sustainability report the proper time for storytelling or do readers just want the facts? Truth is, we are often trying to reach multiple (and different audiences) with one report. This year, JetBlue decided to revisit how we report our environmental, social and purpose-driven initiatives.

Environment

Sustaining Natural Resources, One Project at a Time

May 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Imagine a world where trees, wildlife and open spaces weren’t on the decline. A world where we all made a conscious effort to preserve natural habitats. By conserving communities and educating future generations, we can bring a greener earth from imagination to reality.