Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

MetLife 2018 Global Impact Report: Investing in Our Employees

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

MetLife is committed to supporting employee needs and interests — first and foremost, staying healthy in mind and body. We also organize free activities that encourage good health and well-being. In April 2018, we launched our first annual “Wellness for Life Week” initiative with employees in more than 20 countries taking part. Group activities included fitness programs, community service projects, healthy eating events and mindfulness training. Throughout the year, employees joined more than 500 wellness activities and events through our Wellness for Life program.

Environment

Scotiabank Addresses Climate Change by Establishing an Internal Carbon Price

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

As part of our commitment to the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, we implemented an internal carbon price in 2018. After
consultations with external experts and a thorough peer review, we established an internal tax of CAD$15 per tonne of CO2 for our
global Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This allowed us to fairly compare projects that required higher upfront costs (but delivered longer-term energy savings), with those that were more cost-effective but short-term solutions.

Environment

Boeing Advances Biofuels, Recycling and Conservation

Jun 5, 2019 8:10 AM ET

Boeing is building cleaner, more fuel-efficient airplanes and finding innovative ways to recycle and conserve resources, according to the 2019 Global Environment Report, released on World Environment Day.

Research, Reports & Publications

Barilla “Good for You, Good for the Planet” – 2019 Report

Jun 5, 2019 5:00 AM ET

Barilla Group has released its new Sustainability Report.

It represents the opportunity to share the path taken by the Company with society at large and to give a concrete contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, part of the 2030 Agenda.

Environment

Ramez Naam on the Green New Deal, Pt. 2 + Sunscreen Bans

Jun 4, 2019 6:30 PM ET

If you've been wondering what people mean when they talk about a Green New Deal, today's episode of Sea Change Radio should help. This week we air the second half of our discussion with technologist Ramez Naam.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Fair Trade Certified™ Tea Takes the Stage at World Tea Expo as Demand Brews

Jun 4, 2019 6:00 PM ET

Fair Trade USA®, the leading certifier of fair trade products in North America, recognizes the potential growth in the sustainable tea category, as evidenced by sales that are outpacing the conventional tea market. The nonprofit organization has responded by onboarding additional international field staff and partnership development team members, and increasing outreach to producer communities to ensure the growing demand for high-quality Fair Trade Certified™ tea can be met.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust London Office Hosted a 'Trans Inclusion' Seminar

Jun 4, 2019 4:45 PM ET

The Northern Trust London office hosted a 'trans inclusion' seminar led by Global Butterflies, where attendees learned how to be a good ally to our trans colleagues and clients.

Health & Healthcare

Emerging Neighborhood In Downtown Tampa Is Raising The Bar For Health, Wellness

Jun 4, 2019 4:10 PM ET

Like a flower pushing up through concrete, a unique neighborhood is blossoming in Tampa. Water Street Tampa is undergoing development from the ground up on more than 50 acres in downtown Tampa along the waterfront. The developer, Tampa-based Strategic Property Partners (SPP), is putting health and well-being at the forefront of the transformation with innovative urban planning that provides a blueprint for what a city can be.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Recognized for Professional Excellence by CoreNet Global

Jun 4, 2019 3:30 PM ET

CBRE, Iron Mountain and Redaptive have won the 2019 Professional Excellence Award conferred by CoreNet Global. The combined team was recognized for accelerating environmental improvements and cost reduction via an innovative Efficiency-as-a Service (EaaS) delivery model. CBRE’s energy managers, in collaboration with Iron Mountain’s Global Real Estate and Sustainability leadership, developed a multi-year energy strategy to improve facility efficiency and sustainability.

Research, Reports & Publications

BCE Publishes 26th Corporate Responsibility Report

Jun 4, 2019 3:00 PM ET

BCE Inc. ("Bell Canada” or “Bell”) has released its 26th annual Corporate Responsibility Report, covering the company’s performance in 2018 and progress towards its short- and long-term sustainability goals.

Innovation & Technology

Michelin, GM Take the Air Out of Tires for Passenger Vehicles

Jun 4, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Michelin and General Motors have presented a new generation of airless wheel technology, the MICHELIN Uptis Prototype (or “Unique Puncture-proof Tire System”). GM intends to develop this airless wheel assembly with Michelin and aims to introduce it on passenger vehicles as early as 2024. Later this year, GM will initiate real-world testing and validation of the Uptis Prototype on a Michigan test fleet of Chevrolet Bolt EVs.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

General Mills Honored as 2019 Halo Award Winner

Jun 4, 2019 1:45 PM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

CECP's Strategic Investor Initiative Releases Framework for Companies Seeking to Develop Long-Term Plans

Jun 4, 2019 1:30 PM ET

Wondering how to develop and communicate your company's long-term plan? Building on a significant body of original research and ongoing feedback from institutional investors, CECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) has released a template for companies seeking to develop and communicate effective long-term strategic plans that help inform investment, voting, and engagement decisions. According to buy-side investors, the long-term should be described in terms of goals, metrics, and milestones, to enable a deeper understanding of the strategy and to track progress as it is implemented.

Events, Media & Communications

Help Solve Homelessness at Cisco Live US 2019

Jun 4, 2019 1:20 PM ET

Homelessness is an outcome of severe and growing economic inequality, with factors such as slow wage growth, downsizing of some industries, or skyrocketing rents. Anyone is at risk of becoming homeless: your neighbor; your colleague; your friend. While treating homelessness is helpful, Cisco believes that solving homelessness is our responsibility.

Events, Media & Communications

Webinar: Is Your Company Ready for Energy Convergence?

Jun 4, 2019 12:00 PM ET

In this webinar, Schneider Electric’s Bill Brewer will share five keys to energy and sustainability success, and examine how energy convergence is driving market evolution and innovation. Attendees will learn more about how global megatrends influence their choices when it comes to energy procurement, energy management and decarbonization efforts, and the factors to consider when shaping an active energy management strategy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Poland Spring 100% Natural Spring Water to Use 100% Recycled Plastic by 2022

Jun 4, 2019 11:10 AM ET

Poland Spring is on track to be first major bottled water brand in the U.S. to convert its portfolio to recycled plastic.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Future Facing Brands with Ned Duggan of Bacardi Rum

Jun 4, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Ned Duggan, Global SVP of Marketing at Bacardi, talked company culture, the importance of music to Bacardi's brand, and why the company is vowing to eliminate the use of 1 billion single-use plastic straws by 2020.

Environment

VIDEO | Environment: Smithfield Foods Sustainability Report

Jun 4, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Smithfield Foods is reducing its environmental footprint while expanding operations to feed the world’s growing population. Learn more about how Smithfield is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating renewable natural gas on its hog farms, and diverting solid waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill in the company’s 2018 Sustainability Report:

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Convenes Global Brand Leaders at SB’19 Detroit

Jun 4, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® kicks off SB’19 Detroit, its largest community gathering of global brand and sustainability leaders dedicated to advancing social and environmental innovation today at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit. Nearly 2,000 business executives from 35+ countries are attending the conference and Innovation Expo.

Research, Reports & Publications

Black & Veatch: Shift to Digital Water Can Help Overcome Threats to Water Supplies

Jun 4, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Smarter infrastructure, with data at its core, will play a crucial role in overcoming varied threats to our water supply. This year's Strategic Directions: Water Report finds that from precise reads of consumption rates and customer engagement to improved leak detection and climate change planning, a new culture of data science can extend our supply to drive sustainability and resilience.

Environment

NRG's Commitment to be “Conflict-Free”

Jun 4, 2019 9:45 AM ET

Education

CNH Industrial Inaugurates New TechPro2 Youth Training Program in Ethiopia

Jun 4, 2019 9:35 AM ET

Supporting local communities around the world is one of the core areas through which CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI) approaches Sustainability, a field in which it is recognized as a global leader in its industry. One example of this approach is the TechPro2 technical youth training program, which first launched globally within CNH Industrial in 2011. It fosters the professional and social development of young people by providing them with advanced technical training to give them the skills and tools they will need for a bright future.

Events, Media & Communications

Get a Sneak Peek at P&G’s Presence at the Sustainable Brands Detroit Conference

Jun 4, 2019 9:05 AM ET

At P&G, we have a responsibility to make the world better through our products, and through the positive impact we can have in the communities where we live and work worldwide. This week, we’ll share more about how we’re fulfilling that responsibility at Sustainable Brands (SB) Detroit, with presentations from a range of P&G leaders, a Closed Loop Home immersive experience in the Exhibit Hall, and more.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

People Power Microcredit: Whole Planet Foundation’s Daniel Zoltani

Jun 4, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Each month, we will take you behind the scenes to introduce you to the teams that are dedicated to empowering the world’s poorest people to become entrepreneurs. You will meet Field Officers, volunteers, and Whole Planet Foundation staff. Through their stories you will get a glimpse into a day on the job—whether it is in Austin, Texas or Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Transforms Mongolian Desert to a Forest

Jun 4, 2019 9:00 AM ET

On April 22, 140 Timberland employees, business partners, consumers and members of the media spent a memorable Earth Day planting and watering trees in China’s Horqin Desert. I was privileged to pull on my yellow boots alongside these heroes, to step outside, work together, and make it better in this extremely remote area of Inner Mongolia that has a significant environmental impact on the surrounding region.