Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Clock Is Ticking on a Biodiversity Catastrophe

May 22, 2019 10:15 AM ET

Role of sustainability reporting and corporate transparency in averting a biodiversity catastrophe.

Green Infrastructure

UPS Makes Largest Purchase of Renewable Natural Gas Ever in the U.S.

May 22, 2019 10:15 AM ET

UPS is making the largest purchase ever of renewable natural gas in the U.S. in partnership with Clean Energy Natural Gas. This investment will advance the company’s goal to reduce absolute emissions 12% by 2025 across its global ground operations.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Alliance Data’s Key Indicators as an Ethically Driven Organization

May 22, 2019 10:05 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Innovation Expo at SB’19 Detroit Sets Stage for Global Collaboration

May 22, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands recently revealed the full programming and schedule for the Innovation Expo at SB’19 Detroit, running June 3-6 at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit. The Innovation Expo will be the focal point for networking, collaboration and co-creation at the conference. Nearly 2,500 brand, marketing and sustainability professionals will be in attendance with open eyes towards the breakthrough ideas and technological advances shaping the future of sustainable innovation.

Research, Reports & Publications

TD Releases First Standalone Environmental, Social and Governance Performance Report

May 22, 2019 9:30 AM ET

In a world of rapidly accelerating change and shifting customer expectations, TD believes that it is incumbent on organizations to reimagine responsible business practices to ensure they are helping to make a positive impact on the communities where they do business.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Cash Flow Gets Easier For Small Businesses Thanks To A Partnership With Moody's Corporation and the Foundation for Small Business Development

May 22, 2019 9:30 AM ET

The Foundation for Small Business Development (FFSBD) announced today that it has partnered with the Moody's Corporation, a global provider of credit ratings, research, tools and analysis to collectively provide education, certifications, and cash flow management and forecasting tools to the nation's largest small business assistance network, America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).

Environment

Roger Gottlieb: Philosophy and the Environment

May 22, 2019 9:15 AM ET

When you see someone littering a plastic bag into the street how do you judge that person? What about the person who stands by watching the litterer and does nothing?

Diversity & Inclusion

Salute to Service Members, Spouses and Veterans: Wells Fargo’s Commitment to Financial Readiness

May 22, 2019 9:15 AM ET

In recognition of National Military Appreciation Month, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) just released results from its 2019 Military Financial Readiness Survey, and they were surprising.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

P&G Shiksha's Film Introduces Bittu, 75-Year-Old Man and his Dream of Attending School

May 22, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Energy

SCE | Fighting Climate Change Through Higher Education

May 22, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Koch Industries: How We Think About our Role as a Business in Society

May 22, 2019 9:00 AM ET

In my more than two decades at Koch Industries, I have witnessed—and been part of—remarkable transformations inside the company and the business areas in which we operate. Working at Koch is probably unlike working for most other companies. Spend a few hours at one of our manufacturing facilities or offices across the country, and you might notice the difference, too. It was a privilege to share a slice of that at The Atlantic’s recent Power of Purpose Summit in New York. At Koch, we think about the role of business in society a little differently than others might.

Events, Media & Communications

The Dawn of Full Impact Reporting: ABN AMRO, Siemens, Metro, CDP Share Strategies

May 22, 2019 6:00 AM ET

Ethical Corporation is excited to announce the launch of its new and improved Sustainability Reporting and Communications Summit (16-17 October 2019). Click here to be the first to access the newly released event brochure – containing the full agenda, speaker line-up and exclusive discounts.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Franklin Templeton Joins SASB's Investor Advisory Group

May 22, 2019 2:10 AM ET

Franklin Templeton today announced that it has joined the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Investor Advisory Group (IAG), a group of leading asset owners and managers that are committed to improving sustainability-related disclosures to investors.

Environment

Encouraging the Not-So-Secret Life of Bees

May 21, 2019 4:50 PM ET

As students grow milkweed, sunflowers, asters, parsley and other native plants at six schools in Florida, the gardens will help more than the pollinators that depend on the plants for survival. Without bees, butterflies and other insects, humans won’t survive either. It’s a lesson teachers hope students in Volusia County take with them for life.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

LG Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2030

May 21, 2019 4:05 PM ET

LG Electronics Inc. has launched its aggressive global Zero Carbon 2030 initiative, committing to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its worldwide operations within 12 years. In line with its larger sustainable business strategy, LG plans to reduce carbon emissions from its global operations by 50 percent (compared to a 2017 baseline) by implementing various carbon reduction and renewable energy initiatives. This effort will help bring LG closer to reaching its ultimate goal of carbon neutrality, achieving a net-zero carbon emissions footprint by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal.

Research, Reports & Publications

Smithfield Foods Showcases Continued Leadership and Transparency in New Sustainability Report, Launches Unique Tool for Today’s Conscious Consumer

May 21, 2019 3:10 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its 2018 Sustainability Report, highlighting key milestones and ongoing efforts to feed the world’s growing population in a responsible way. Smithfield’s robust sustainability program drives all aspects of its business, creating value in the following areas: animal care, environment, food safety and quality, helping communities, and people.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

3 Ways to Honor Memorial Day Through Corporate Philanthropy

May 21, 2019 3:05 PM ET

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the US military. Originating during the Civil War, Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971. While businesses across the nation are closed, giving their employees the three-day weekend start to summer, it doesn’t mean you can’t observe and incorporate this day into your total CSR strategy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

HP and Smile Direct Club Collaborate on Largest Multi Jet Fusion 3D Production Factory in the U.S.

May 21, 2019 3:00 PM ET

At Rapid 2019, North America’s largest 3D printing conference, HP Inc. and SmileDirectClub, the pioneer of teledentistry and market leader in doctor-directed, remote clear aligner therapy, announced an expanded collaboration to revolutionize the way that millions of people can achieve a straighter smile. SmileDirectClub is powering its digital differentiation and rapid manufacturing expansion of clear aligners with HP’s Jet Fusion 3D printing solutions, making it the largest producer of Multi Jet Fusion 3D printed parts in the country.

Health & Healthcare

New Public-Private Partnership to Strengthen Primary Healthcare in Vietnam

May 21, 2019 1:40 PM ET

A new public-private partnership, comprising the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, and three other founding members, i.e. World Economic Forum (WEF), Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care and Novartis could transform primary healthcare in Vietnam. As announced by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, this innovative public-private partnership will help deliver on the Ministry of Health’s objectives the Vietnamese Ministry of Health by strengthening existing primary care demonstration projects in 30 provinces.

Events, Media & Communications

Calling All Business and Community Leaders: Join Us for a Half-Day on June 7 in Washington, D.C., to Catalyze Social Change and Chart a Course for Collective Impact

May 21, 2019 1:25 PM ET

The America’s Charities Collective Impact Conference is the only event of its kind that brings together private and public sector employers and nonprofits for a rich discussion of what’s new, what’s tried and true, and what is yet to come as it relates to tackling real-world challenges via giving and engagement.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Making a Difference by Sharing Expertise

May 21, 2019 1:15 PM ET

MetLife Foundation focuses on improving the financial health of low-income people. And that can be done in many different ways, including by making a social impact in local communities. Thanks to MetLife volunteers, numerous nonprofit organizations have gained invaluable help and improved their futures – without spending a dollar.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ecolab Event Raises More Than $200,000 for National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships

May 21, 2019 1:00 PM ET

Ecolab Inc., a global leader in food safety solutions and expertise, helped raise more than $200,000 for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) during the 17th Annual Ecolab Chairman's Reception, held Sunday, May 19 in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.

Research, Reports & Publications

Consumers Energy Focuses on Providing World Class Performance While Delivering Hometown Service

May 21, 2019 12:30 PM ET

At Consumers Energy, we’re more than pipes, poles and wires. We’re part of Michigan’s landscape. That’s why we’ve worked proudly to maintain the Mitten for more than 130 years. As we reflect on our efforts to pursue our purpose of World Class Performance Delivering Hometown Service, we know our business is about more than profits. It’s about enabling the communities we serve to share in our success. Learn more about Consumers Energy’s commitment to the Triple Bottom Line in their 2019 Sustainability Report.

Events, Media & Communications

Ray of Hope Prize at Circularity 19

May 21, 2019 12:30 PM ET

The 4th Annual Ray of Hope Prize will be awarded Tuesday, June 18th at Circularity 19 in Minneapolis, MN

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Future of Business Sustainability — Extending Inclusiveness to People With Disabilities

May 21, 2019 12:25 PM ET

People with disabilities constitute the largest minority group, at an estimated one in six people globally, but their needs often are overlooked. Businesses and other organizations that aim to be more inclusive might opt to create an environment where these people’s needs are understood. However, it is often difficult to recognize the best way to make changes. To effectively engage people with disabilities, managers need to understand disability and how their products touch disability, and how businesses can use their position to further promote education and advocacy while also building customer and employee relationships.