Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

General Motors Sustainability Newsletter - July 2017

Jul 7, 2017 12:15 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.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Three Ways to Streamline ESG Reporting: Outcomes from WFE and GRI Roundtable

Jul 7, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Bringing together companies, investors and exchanges from across the world, GRI and the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) co-hosted a round-table discussion to create a better understanding of how ESG reporting can be made more effective.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Antea Group Named 2017 Top Workplace

Jul 7, 2017 11:45 AM ET

Antea Group has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. The Top Workplaces program recognizes the most progressive companies in the state based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Are You Thinking About Impact?

Jul 7, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Maybe I’m being too idealistic—after all, it’s just a paycheck, right? But because of who I am, that’s not how I think about the 40 (who am I kidding, it’s way more than 40) hours that I spend working each week. And what do I work for? To make an impact—one that’s greater than anything I could accomplish as an individual. I start with me, then my team, then how an organization with 19,000 individuals—who are working with more than 1 million customers all around the world to solve some of the toughest problems—how can you not think about impact?

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

My Greatest Challenge Became My Greatest Joy

Jul 7, 2017 11:00 AM ET

In November of 2015, I received a referral for an 18-year-old girl, who also had a one-year-old daughter. I quickly learned that she was not allowed to contact much of her biological family and many of her other family members had extensive criminal backgrounds. I knew immediately that finding Rebecca and her daughter an adoptive home might be the biggest challenge of my career. So let me tell you how I did it.

Energy

Global Action That Matters

Jul 7, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Last month, Ingersoll Rand’s chairman and CEO Michael Lamach reiterated the company’s commitment to climate action. As a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, Trane® aligns with this strategy and seeks to provide a portfolio of solutions that meet customer demands for products as well as efficient, safe, reliable and climate-friendly services.

Research, Reports & Publications

Invigorated by Change

Jul 7, 2017 10:15 AM ET

In financial services, we feel the impact of change acutely. Younger generations have different outlooks on investing. Leaps in technology have conditioned clients to expect exceptional user experiences. More employees want to do purposeful work in modern, flexible, collaborative workplaces. Mounting shareholder concerns about sustainable practices compel us to show we are investing for the future and operating responsibly.

At BNY Mellon, we are invested in change to respond to these challenges and opportunities.

Environment

PepsiCo Challenges Colleges to Commit to Waste Reduction

Jul 7, 2017 10:00 AM ET

PepsiCo has challenged universities and colleges to scheme and hatch innovative sustainability ideas for years. Now, the corporation has taken this focus further by launching Zero Impact Fund.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LISHED De Beers Group's Venetia Mine's Sticker Sales Bring Fundraising Award

Jul 7, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The award from the charity Casual Day was for being the best performing company in the Limpopo Province by raising the most money in sticker donations during 2016.

Sustainable Development Goals

De Beers Group's New Scheme Incubates Wannabe Entrepreneurs

Jul 7, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Thirty-six people from the areas around Voorspoed mine have been identified for the programme, run by TrioPlus Development, a specialist mentoring and training company that focuses on small, micro and medium enterprises.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

'Navabharat' Honors Amway India for CSR Initiatives

Jul 7, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Amway India recently received the CSR Leadership Summit & Award at a ceremony hosted by Navabharat, one of the country’s leading Hindi daily publications. The award highlighted the service Amway India has implemented in the category of “Promoting Employment for Specially Abled.”

Environment

HPE: Inspiring Progress Blog | Our Power is in Collective Action

Jul 7, 2017 9:25 AM ET

The mobilization of businesses, governments, and individuals in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has been heartening and inspiring. Within just days of President Trump’s announcement, businesses contributing $6.2 trillion to the US economy, and states accounting for more than one-third of national GDP, have joined together to declare their intent to continue the path towards a low-carbon economy. But we aren’t just forging ahead because it’s good for the planet, we also understand that it’s good for business.

Innovation & Technology

Unreasonable Impact | This Company’s Unique Technology Will Help Millions Make Safer Food Choices

Jul 7, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Vitargent believes that every person should have the information they need to make informed decisions about the products they purchase and consume. Their technology is not only enabling more widespread access to information, but it’s also pioneering the field of safety testing technology using medaka and zebrafish embryos – making animal testing a thing of the past.

Innovation & Technology

PT Freeport Indonesia, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Completes Construction of Papua Airstrip

Jul 7, 2017 9:20 AM ET

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) invests in the future of the local community where it operates. From 1996 to 2016, the Freeport Partnership Fund for Community Development has invested more than $680 million in the local community. PTFI invests in infrastructure such as roads, a port, an airport, electrification and communications systems, schools, hospitals and community facilities.

Diversity & Inclusion

Logo’s Trailblazer Honorees “Stood On the Shoulders of Giants” to Become Pioneers of Change for This Generation

Jul 7, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Throughout history, art has defended the human spirit. Especially in times of political crisis, art and activism become inextricably related. This was clear after attending Logo’s Trailblazer Honors, which celebrates the work of honorees who have made indelible contributions to LGBT civil rights—through writing, dancing, singing and producing.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How Funders Can Support Immigrant Communities in Today’s Environment

Jul 7, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Green Infrastructure

Using Technology to Power a Sustainable Built Environment

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Nestlé Waters North America Announces Completion of a $79 Million, Two-Year Expansion of its Lehigh Valley Bottling Facility

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Nestlé Waters is also focused on being a good community partner for the long term. In 2016 alone, the company sponsored or hosted water education programs for some 3,000 local students, supported non-profits and community organizations in our spring communities with more than $100,000 in charitable contributions, and donated some 140,000 bottles of water to valuable local partners such as the Allentown Health Bureau’s Fruit & Veggies On The Move Program and the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whole Foods Market Lives Its Core Values, Increases Employee Engagement Through Global Volunteer Program

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

In 2010 I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala for 30 days as part of Whole Foods Market’s Team Member Volunteer Program near Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful yet poorest regions of the country. Whole Foods Market launched its volunteer program in 2007 to give employees (called Team Members) the opportunity to witness the transformative power of microcredit in person and to volunteer alongside the community where Whole Foods Market sources products.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Walking the Tight Rope

Jul 7, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Non-profits often don’t have processes for inquiring about the risks they face, prioritizing those risks, and how to responding to them. For most, risk management begins and ends with insurance, their only safety net.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Arrow Electronics’ Interns Build 32 Wheelchairs for Veterans

Jul 7, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Arrow Electronics summer intern class teamed together last month to build 32 wheelchairs for military veterans in need. The Build-a-Wheelchair® corporate social responsibility team-building event was a part of Arrow’s annual Intern Kickoff event.

Green Infrastructure

Living Shoreline Demonstration Project | Restoring and Preserving the Louisiana Coastline

Jul 7, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Louisiana coastline loses an average of more than 16 square miles of wetlands per year according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana (CPRA) is the single state entity with authority to develop, articulate, implement, and enforce a comprehensive coastal restoration and protection master plan to reduce hurricane storm surge flood impact, restore Louisiana’s bountiful natural resources, build land to protect critical energy infrastructure, and secure Louisiana’s coast now and for future generations.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Watermark Water Challenge Field Testing

Jul 7, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Xylem employees inspire students about science, the environment and water with practical, hands-on field experience.

Innovation & Technology

Going Cashless: The Fast Lane to Payments

Jul 6, 2017 6:35 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

How Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Spooner is Inspiring the Next Generation of Girls

Jul 6, 2017 5:35 PM ET

As a young girl growing up playing hockey, Natalie Spooner felt she didn’t have much to aspire to within the sport of hockey. Now an Olympic gold medalist and Canadian Women’s Hockey League All-Star, she’s inspiring the next generation of girls through initiatives like Project North and Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest.