Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation Announce a Commitment of $200,000 for California Wildfire Relief

Jul 31, 2018 7:40 PM ET

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have made a commitment to provide support through cash and product donations of $200,000 to organizations in response to the severe wildfires that are impacting California. As part of this commitment, Walmart is working closely with local officials and governmental entities to help meet the needs of those affected.

Sustainable Development Goals

Delivering Shared Value With Rapid Diagnostics

Jul 31, 2018 6:30 PM ET

Despite health improvements made across Africa in recent years, significant health challenges remain for 1.2 billion people living across the continent. The region shoulders some of the world's heaviest infectious disease burdens: 90 percent of the world’s malaria cases and nearly 70 percent of the 36.7 million HIV cases worldwide. Adding further complication, healthcare access for those living in rural sub-Saharan Africa is limited. This is where Abbott's life-changing technologies, and a commitment to pioneering collaboration, are making a difference.

Events, Media & Communications

Social Value Canada Fall 2018 SROI Training

Jul 31, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Fall dates have been announced for SROI Accreditation and SROI Introductory Training. Also, a new course is offered for those interested in techniques to maximize social impact: Maximize. Manage. Measure.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi Included in the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Top 30 Index and FTSE4Good Index Series

Jul 31, 2018 5:30 PM ET

Sappi Limited, the leading global producer of dissolving wood pulp, specialities and packaging papers, printing and writing papers as well as biomaterials and biochemicals, is pleased to announce its inclusion in the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Top 30 index.

Education

VIDEO | Discover Data Program Aims to Ignite Interest in Data Among Middle School Students

Jul 31, 2018 5:10 PM ET

The Nielsen Foundation recently launched Discover Data, a signature education initiative in collaboration with Discovery Education and The Afterschool Alliance. The program provides resources to students ages 11 to 14 that create excitement about the power of data analysis. The initiative includes student activities and career profiles.

Innovation & Technology

Meet the 2018 Cisco GPS Challenge First Runner-Up: Jara

Jul 31, 2018 5:05 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Team ScottsMiracle-Gro is Ready to Ride Through Central Ohio

Jul 31, 2018 4:45 PM ET

ScottsMiracle-Gro associates are participating in Pelotonia’s 10th anniversary ride.

Green Infrastructure

Brand Renovations: A Tree Grows in Manhattan

Jul 31, 2018 4:40 PM ET

Sustainability and wellness have become a cornerstone of the Mohawk brand, so it was obvious that the New York flagship showroom should likewise highlight the importance for designers to take these characteristics into consideration in their own designs. “We’re leveraging our sustainability acumen as well,” explained Bandy, “and creating a ceiling for people to think about how they eat, how they exercise, how they come to work, how they do that as a part of the culture – not separate from it.”

Energy

Energy Storage: Taking Care of Customers Throughout the Energy Project Lifespan

Jul 31, 2018 4:00 PM ET

At ENGIE Storage, we’re committed to our customers’ success, and have people and processes in place to ensure they are taken care of throughout the life of their energy project. One of the key features of an energy storage engagement is the 10-year contract term, which is quite a long time in our fast-changing industry. We sat down with Michael Laine, Client Relationship Director at ENGIE Storage, to explore the questions that commercial and industrial (C&I) facility energy managers might have.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi Recognized for Investments at Cloquet, MN Mill and Surrounding Community

Jul 31, 2018 3:35 PM ET

In September 2017, Sappi North America received an award from the governor’s offi ce under the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in recognition of its investment and innovative technologies at the Cloquet Mill.

Education

"Old Dogs" And New Tablets: Verizon Changes How Teachers Approach Tech

Jul 31, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Teachers in 26 schools in eight states are in training with Verizon Innovative Learning, a program that harnesses the power of technology to transform learning. They’ll join 74 schools in 12 states already participating in the initiative, which gives free technology, free internet access and an innovative tech-based curriculum to under-resourced schools.

Education

Partnering to Build Communities Beyond the Classroom

Jul 31, 2018 2:55 PM ET

The core of the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) is a unique partnership between scientists and teachers. Amgen scientists contribute their expertise in cutting-edge research and desire to empower students in STEM, while teachers contribute their expertise in how to interest and motivate students and their desire to connect STEM to the real-world.

Environment

Dell Looks at Earth Overshoot Day

Jul 31, 2018 2:35 PM ET

This coming Wednesday (August 1), humanity will hit Earth Overshoot Day – the day when we have used more resources than Planet Earth can regenerate. Every day from now until the end of the year, we are spending past our limit. Thankfully, the planet has a buffer (a natural bank account, if you will) to pay those bills. But we are carrying a balance, and that balance is getting bigger and bigger.

Energy

Despite Progress, Northeast not on Track for Carbon Emissions Goals

Jul 31, 2018 2:35 PM ET

Energy

UPS to Test New Electric Vehicle

Jul 31, 2018 2:20 PM ET

UPS is excited to be bringing a new class six vehicle into its rolling lab of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. The new fully electric vehicle from Thor Trucks, Inc. will be road tested in Los Angeles, California later this year.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainability & ESG Trends in View

Jul 31, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Every week G&A Institute assembles the value-added content that our team gathers for you as we closely monitor trends and developments in corporate sustainability, corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, sustainable investing, and related topics and issues. Our Editor-in-Chief Ken Cynar leads the daily effort and you see the results of his work in each issue of Highlights (note we are on #406 this week). We hope that you benefit from this effort, part of our information-sharing and educational mission.

Environment

The Recycling Partnership and the PepsiCo Foundation Launch Largest-Ever Industry Challenge to Boost Residential Recycling for 25 Million U.S. Families and Support a Circular Economy

Jul 31, 2018 12:30 PM ET

The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, and national nonprofit The Recycling Partnership today announced the launch of "All In On Recycling," the largest ever industry-wide residential recycling challenge to make recycling easier for 25 million families across the country – providing them with the resources they need to recycle more and recycle better.

Environment

Practitioner Spotlight--Debbie Ferguson

Jul 31, 2018 11:55 AM ET

Learn about Debbie Ferguson, Antea Group's event and field marketing manager.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Talk Nerdy to Me

Jul 31, 2018 11:45 AM ET

History is littered with examples of corporations that have harmed the environment in the name of earning a profit. Wouldn’t it be nice if a corporation could simultaneously seek a profit while balancing that goal with environmental and social concerns?

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Growing in the Hospitality Industry at Las Vegas Sands

Jul 31, 2018 10:40 AM ET

As soon as guests check-in, their experience at a Las Vegas Sands Integrated Resort might begin at the front desk. Team Members check-in and greet more than 35,000 guests a month, just at The Venetian Las Vegas. Behind those desks once stood Jaime Miranda, who served as front desk manager in 2005. She had the privilege and responsibility to welcome each guest and set the tone for their stay.

Education

Teachers Learn How to Spark Early Interest in STEM Careers

Jul 31, 2018 10:35 AM ET

To help fill a pipeline of future scientists and engineers, many teachers in the St. Louis area are “stemitizing” — integrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts into all school subjects.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Launching Investing in Society, a Sector-Wide Insights Collection

Jul 31, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Companies issue an annual report every year but where can you find information about the corporate sector as a whole? Sure, indices can tell you lots about stock price, market cap, and EBITDA. In this modern age, expectations of companies go much further beyond financial performance. CECP is thrilled to launch Investing in Society, a digital collection that endeavors to focus on the most crucial insights of how the sector is faring beyond where the Dow closes.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Nestlé’s Day of Service Shows How Passion Feeds Purpose

Jul 31, 2018 10:05 AM ET

As a leader at the world’s largest food and beverage company, I know that no single person, company, or organization can solve hunger, but our collective efforts can change lives.

I’m proud to say that Nestlé and our employees across the country take enormous pride in the role we play in working toward a solution. For 2018, Nestlé’s annual Day of Service in the U.S. will focus on combating hunger in our communities. Our employees will work at more than 75 events across the country, doing everything from preparing meals for families here in Northern Virginia, to serving at a Cleveland food bank, to leading a food drive in Oakland, California. These are only a few of the volunteer efforts organized across our factories, distribution centers, headquarters, and many locations in between.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Closed Loop Launches Circulate Capital to Take on Ocean Plastics in Asia

Jul 31, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Closed Loop Partners today is announcing a new venture, Circulate Capital, to invest in companies, innovations and projects that prevent marine plastic waste originating in Asia.

Sustainable Development Goals

Driving Progress Towards Achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Jul 31, 2018 9:35 AM ET

In collaboration with the United Nations Foundation, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and companies like Nestle and Novozymes, Essity invited experts and executives from the UN, government, business and non- governmental organizations to discuss the relationship between policy and investments that drive progress toward SDG implementation.