Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Arbor Day Foundation Recognizes Duke Energy Florida As Tree Line USA Utility for 13th Consecutive Year

May 3, 2019 12:00 PM ET

For the 13th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Duke Energy Florida as a Tree Line USA utility, highlighting its efforts in tree care.

Research, Reports & Publications

Energy & Sustainability Goal Setting: Climate Action

May 3, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Launched in 2015, the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) champions science-based carbon reduction target setting.
Science-based targets (SBTs) specify how much and how quickly companies need to reduce GHG emissions to avoid a global
temperature increase when compared to pre-industrial levels. The SBTI framework is the most comprehensive and rigorous
available to companies seeking to rapidly decarbonize, and the SBTI also offers resources, workshops and guidance to reduce
barriers to sustainable action.

Education

Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem - JetBlue Scholars

May 3, 2019 11:15 AM ET

The US Department of Education’s Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem Challenge #EDU2030 Challenge set out to match big thinking with actionable projects. JetBlue and its employer-sponsored college degree program – JetBlue Scholars – was recently named a winner of this challenge. Last fall the US Department of Education called upon educators, students, policymakers, industry leaders, technology developers, and the public to develop bold ideas to reimagine what the higher education ecosystem will look like in 2030, and to identify concrete actions. These ideas would ensure all learners, regardless of background, could acquire the skills needed to find meaningful work and live fulfilling, economically stable lives.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Freeport-McMoRan Foundation in Chile Equips Community Center in Ollagüe

May 3, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Minera El Abra, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan, provided the nearby town of Ollagüe over $22,000 to furnish a community center with technological equipment, kitchenware and office furniture. This contribution will help facilitate meetings, training sessions and community gatherings.

Sustainable Development Goals

Construction Practices For A Sustainable Future

May 3, 2019 11:00 AM ET

The inputs into major projects are as important as the output. In other words, the “how” we build is as important as “what” we build. A full spectrum analysis of inputs like the materials, personnel, and equipment for a major project is an essential step toward identifying new opportunities to drive sustainability, reduce costs, and improve quality. The industry is already embracing innovation like design thinking, testing, and deploying enhanced processes and new technologies. For example, supply chain innovations such as 3-D printing or additive manufacturing could yield significant savings by reducing the need for excessive procurement of material and moving manufacturing on-site.

Media & Communications

Open Call for GRI Standards Governance Bodies

May 3, 2019 9:30 AM ET

Nominations are being welcomed for membership of two governance bodies that are critical to the delivery of the GRI Standards - the Global Sustainability Standards Board and the Due Process Oversight Committee.

Energy

Mars, Incorporated Goes 100% Wind for All Mexican Operations

May 3, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Mars, Incorporated announced today that it will source all electricity for its Mexico operations from a new wind farm in Dzilam Bravo, Yucatan, moving the company’s energy consumption to 100 percent renewables in Mexico.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Recognizing and Honoring the Sacrifices of Firefighters

May 2, 2019 6:10 PM ET

Firefighters selflessly dedicate their time to protecting our lives and property, and sometimes they make the ultimate sacrifice while risking their lives to save others.

On May 4th – International Firefighters’ Day – we invite you to recognize and honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible, and to thank current and past firefighters for their contributions.

Diversity & Inclusion

From Milking Cows to Research

May 2, 2019 5:30 PM ET

For this blog post, we reached out to Franciele Caixeta, who puts her agricultural knowledge growing up on a dairy farm to work as a research and development commodities coordinator at our Cambará, Brazil, plant where our Yoki brand of popcorn, tea, snack food and side dishes are produced.

Green Infrastructure

Living Building Challenge 4.0 Meets Market Demand for Increased Scalability and Accessibility

May 2, 2019 4:50 PM ET

The International Living Future Institute announced today the release of Living Building Challenge 4.0 (LBC 4.0), which meets demand from the marketplace for increased scale and accessibility. Google and King County committed to test the new standard in their construction, among others.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Rebuilding Communities and Restoring Hope: Sparking Opportunities for Learning in Puerto Rico

May 2, 2019 4:05 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

By Any Measure: How Small Improvements Lead to Big Gains in Efficiency

May 2, 2019 3:50 PM ET

As agriculture has become more digital, what used to be measured in acres, bushels, gallons, and tons is now quantified on a considerably smaller scale—even down to individual raindrops. As a result, the conclusions we can draw from those detailed measurements have become more accurate and useful, helping farmers save money and reduce their environmental impact. Farmers have always accumulated knowledge by interacting with their fields, but today they are using data to deepen that understanding.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

P&G Releases Female-Focused Docs on Hulu

May 2, 2019 3:20 PM ET

Environment

What Science-Based Targets Mean for the Sports and Entertainment Sector

May 2, 2019 3:15 PM ET

“We consider it basic corporate responsibility,” John Marler, vice president of energy and environment at AEG, told TriplePundit. “If this is what the science community is calling for, we have to hit that level and we have to do our part.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Gives Kids a Head Start in the Garden

May 2, 2019 3:10 PM ET

Ten Head Start programs across the country will soon be growing something greater this spring thanks to a grant from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association. These ten Head Start programs were awarded monetary funds, product donations and garden kits, along with garden training and curriculum, to build or expand garden programs for their preschool students.

Research, Reports & Publications

Verizon (NYSE:VZ) 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Reveals New Goal to Source Renewable Energy Equivalent to 50 Percent of Total Electricity Usage

May 2, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Verizon’s 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report reveals an ambitious new goal to source renewable energy equivalent to 50 percent of its total electricity usage by 2025, a significant undertaking for a company of Verizon’s size. This is one of several goals Verizon has set to minimize its environmental footprint.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Nike, Bridgestone and a Dozen Others Join Businesses Pushing Back on Controversial Tennessee Bills

May 2, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Locally, the Nashville LGBT Chamber distributed its own letter that was signed by seven of its major corporate members, including Bridgestone Americas Inc., Dell Technologies, Salesforce.com Inc. and Postmates. AllianceBernstein, Curb Records and Warner Music Group also signed on to the chamber's letter, after previously speaking out individually on the bills. Joe Woolley, the chamber's CEO, said in an email that 20 small businesses have also endorsed the letter.

Environment

Cisco Connects to the Conservation Cause

May 2, 2019 2:45 PM ET

In partnership with Dimension Data, Cisco launched Connected Conservation, our joint initiative, in 2015. This was the first solution of its kind to proactively protect rhinos while leaving them to roam freely. While we also look to explore and implement other solutions that track the animal in conjunction with a rich ecosystem of partners, Connected Conservation eliminates human interference.

Health & Healthcare

IWBI Membership Continues to Grow

May 2, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

CIT and Operation HOPE Celebrate National Small Business Week and Introduce Launch and Grow

May 2, 2019 2:00 PM ET

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), in partnership with the nonprofit Operation HOPE, today introduced the next facet of its Launch and Grow initiative, a 12-week HOPE Inside program aimed at empowering women small business owners in New York City and Los Angeles.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bridgestone Group Awards 2019 Recognizes the Best Global Projects

May 2, 2019 1:30 PM ET

Bridgestone Corporation announced the winners of the "Bridgestone Group Awards 2019" at a ceremony held on March 27, 2019. The Bridgestone Group Awards began in 2008 as an annual recognition program open to all employees and organizations of the Bridgestone Group. This recognition program confers the Bridgestone Group’s highest level of awards to promote greater employee awareness and engagement incorporate activities based on the Bridgestone Essence.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Diversity and Inclusion is a Winning Strategy for EHS and Sustainability Teams

May 2, 2019 1:20 PM ET

Diversity and inclusion strategies are the best way to build high-performance teams, improve employee retention and prepare the EHS&S function for a wave of leadership succession, according to a new report published today by NAEM.

NAEM is the National Association for Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) Management.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Academy on the Go Gets a New Set of Wheels

May 2, 2019 12:55 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. is helping the Academy bring its unique museum experience to schools and community centers throughout the greater Philadelphia, South Jersey, Delaware region.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How to Achieve Agile Social Impact Around the World: Global Optimization

May 2, 2019 12:50 PM ET

As more and more of our clients expand their markets overseas, we see a steady incremental increase in global philanthropy as well. Our observations align with industry research. Take a look at CECP’s Giving in Numbers reports over the past six years.

Environment

Nestlé Waters, PepsiCo and Suntory Beverage & Food Europe Join Consortium Founded by Carbios and L’Oréal to Support the World’s First Enzymatic Technology for the Recycling of Plastics

May 2, 2019 12:30 PM ET

On behalf of the Consortium, Carbios, (Euronext Growth Paris: ALCRB), a company pioneering new, bio-industrial solutions to reinvent the lifecycle of plastic and textile polymers,and L’Oréal, worldwide beauty leader, are pleased to announce a major partnership with Nestlé Waters, PepsiCo and Suntory Beverage & Food Europe. Carbios has developed a unique and sustainable technology using highly specific enzymes that can recycle much broader PET plastics and polyester fibers feedstock than other recycling technologies.