Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

More Than 100,000 People in Need Helped Through Two VSP Global Partnerships

Mar 6, 2019 5:00 PM ET

As a company with a mission to help people see, VSP Global created Eyes of Hope to increase access to eye care and eyewear for those who may be disadvantaged by income, distance or disaster. Today, VSP announces the completion of two large multi-year initiatives that have helped further that goal.

Education

Lockheed Martin and Central High Students Partner on Top-Secret Project

Mar 6, 2019 4:50 PM ET

Lockheed Martin and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital curriculum resources, digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, surprised students today at Central High School in Bridgeport with a top-secret STEM mission, to create a prototype aircraft out of clay that could serve in a humanitarian aid mission.

Diversity & Inclusion

Visa Launches First Global Competition Focused on Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs

Mar 6, 2019 4:05 PM ET

Calling all women entrepreneurs! In celebration of International Women’s Day, Visa (NYSE: V) today reinforced its dedication to women empowerment with the launch of the first Visa Everywhere Initiative: Women’s Global Edition.

Sustainable Development Goals

Video: WBCSD's Strategic Approach to Business and Sustainability: An Interview With Peter Bakker on CNNMoney Switzerland

Mar 6, 2019 3:30 PM ET

In a conversation with Martina Fuchs from CNNMoney Switzerland, our President and CEO Peter Bakker talks about today’s challenges for business, and how we work together with our members to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world.

Education

VIDEO | How Durkan's dscvr Student Design Competition is Shaping Hospitality Design

Mar 6, 2019 3:05 PM ET

Discover how Durkan and NEWH have partnered together through the dscvr Student Design Competition to help shape the future of hospitality design by identifying and cultivating the next generation of talent. Meg Turner, 2017 grand prize winner, shares how the contest opened her eyes to a career path she hadn't previously considered and led to a job offer as a Durkan field designer.

Environment

U.S. Department of State Awards WEC to Promote Environmental Governance in Morocco and Jordan

Mar 6, 2019 3:00 PM ET

The United States Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs has funded the World Environment Center to promote environmental governance through improved practices and technologies in Morocco and Jordan. The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen environmental governance that will lead to the adoption of improved environmental practices, technologies, and services, particularly in addressing air pollution, water and waste management challenges. WEC has partnered with EDI Consulting in Morocco and Water and Environment Center/Cleaner Production Unit at the Royal Scientific Society in Jordan to provide their on-the-ground knowledge and support to achieve project objectives.

Innovation & Technology

EDF Launches Smart Boat Initiative to Help Recover Global Fisheries

Mar 6, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Today at the World Ocean Summit being held in Abu Dhabi, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced the launch of its Smart Boat Initiative designed to accelerate the exploration and adoption of powerful new technologies to greatly improve sustainability, efficiency and profitability in the fishing sector across the globe.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Tyson Bets on Omnivores With New Alternative Protein Business

Mar 6, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Food giants have been investing increasingly in vegetarian and vegan brands this year, as plant-based food sales grew 20 percent to $3.3 billion in 2018, according to data from Nielsen and the Plant Based Foods Association.

The company hasn’t decided on brand names, whether to target food-service or retail, or what kind of protein it will use. But it says the move is part of a necessity for agriculture to evolve. Agriculture -- as one of the world’s biggest sources of global greenhouse gas emissions -- faces significant supply threats in a warming world.

Sustainable Development Goals

Reducing Emissions at System, Project and Local Levels

Mar 6, 2019 1:50 PM ET

VMware pioneers solutions that help build a low-carbon economy that’s radically more efficient. By creating advanced technology, we break down barriers to enable low-carbon growth with the potential to transform how businesses, governments and communities meet their energy needs. Our long-term focus is changing the world’s relationship with energy and how we use it. That starts with creating solutions that reduce carbon emissions at system, project and local levels and finding ways to bridge all three.

Health & Healthcare

Infographic | Smart Technology for a Safer Workforce

Mar 6, 2019 1:45 PM ET

UPS promotes employee safety using smart vehicle technologies, virtual relaity, and other safety innovations. This commitment enables drivers to reach 25 years with zero accidents and join the UPS Circle of Honor.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Meet Movement Maker Atlanta McIlwraith

Mar 6, 2019 1:30 PM ET

Meet Atlanta McIlwraith, Timberland's Senior Manager of Community Engagement and Communication and one of VF Corporation's Movement Makers.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Agile Social Impact: How to Change the World – Faster and Better

Mar 6, 2019 1:10 PM ET

We certainly don’t need to inform you how great the demand is for corporate giving. Our shared world is rife with want and chaos and emergencies. The need is everywhere. Worthy, urgent causes roar up literally overnight. And thankfully, there’s people like you, and organizations like yours, who jump in and help in big ways. Whether through grantmaking, employee donations or volunteer programs, the challenges are the same. How can you best mobilize your resources, generate maximal impact, and deliver that impact as quickly to the point of need?

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup Launches With Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful and Local Partners

Mar 6, 2019 11:45 AM ET

This March, Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTNRB) will launch the "Tennessee River Grand Slam Cleanup," bringing four major cleanups spanning 400-plus river miles in four weeks.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Moody's: Skills-Based Volunteer Efforts

Mar 6, 2019 11:20 AM ET

Environment

Tier II Reporting Season Is Closing Quickly

Mar 6, 2019 10:40 AM ET

Tier II Reports are due by March 1. Don’t wait until the last week of February to start, read Antea Group’s tips and get a jump start.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

eBay Celebrates International Women’s Day, Partners with Dress for Success for #YourHourHerPower Campaign

Mar 6, 2019 10:20 AM ET

Through March 13th, shoppers can visit eBay.com/IWD with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Dress for Success and their mission to advance economic independence for women everywhere.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

You Are Never Too Old for Family. How Adopting a Teenager Can Change a Life

Mar 6, 2019 10:00 AM ET

"To anyone considering foster care adoption, a teenager can bring out the most love and hope a person can have in their heart." Sadie and Cody Corley, of Louisiana, adopted Latrell through the Foundation's Wendy's Wonderful Kids program. Latrell says he is now "living his best life."

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Real-World Impact of Employee Giving Programs

Mar 6, 2019 10:00 AM ET

We all want to make a difference in our communities, and the wider world around us. We see daily evidence of the real and insidious problems that we face as a society. Hunger. Poverty. Homelessness. Civil rights violations and abuses. Health crises. Ever-diminishing natural resources. This can be a very depressing list so I won’t make it exhaustive. Yet in the face of this much turmoil, when I think of problems our society faces, I’m not disheartened. In fact, I am hopeful.

Diversity & Inclusion

Nestlé Accelerates Efforts to Increase the Number of Women in Senior Executive Positions by 2022

Mar 6, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Nestlé today laid out an action plan to increase the number of women in senior executive positions globally. This underscores Nestlé’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for everyone at the company.

Energy

Ecocentricity Blog: Tower of Power

Mar 6, 2019 9:30 AM ET

As the automated crane arms lower the blocks to the ground, they release their gravitational potential energy in the form of kinetic energy, which is captured by the system and converted into electricity on the grid. In other words, it’s a massive battery.

Health & Healthcare

Bringing Medical Treatment to Neonatal Patients Across Africa

Mar 6, 2019 9:15 AM ET

Medical devices designer and manufacturer Medical Technology Transfer and Services (MTTS) has answered the Business Call to Action (BCtA), as the social enterprise commits to delivering access to neonatal treatment for 495,000 low income patients in 10 African countries through the delivery of devices to 200 hospitals. MTTS aims to meet their goal by 2022.

Green Infrastructure

Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator Announces $1 Million in Awards to Address Gaps in Cleantech Development and Commercialization

Mar 6, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) today announced it has awarded $1 million in grants to support 13 projects that address gaps in the development and commercialization of clean energy (cleantech) and agriculture technology (agtech). All 13 projects are affiliated with IN2 Channel Partners, a network of incubators, accelerators and university programs that refer start-up companies to IN2 and are critical players in IN2’s efforts to advance a robust cleantech ecosystem.

Environment

General Mills Has a Plan to Regenerate 1 Million Acres of Farmland

Mar 6, 2019 9:00 AM ET

In 2014, the United Nations issued a warning to farmers: If they don’t change their agricultural practices, most of the soil they rely on to sustain their livelihoods will disappear within 60 years. Industrial-scale agricultural practices lean on polluting machinery and chemicals, which contaminate farmland. Insistence on monoculture–growing a single crop on the same patch of land–saps the soil of nutrients that more diverse crops deliver. And aggressive tilling breaks down soil structure and makes it harder for healthy land to regenerate.

Events, Media & Communications

Press Passes Available for Living Future unConference 2019

Mar 6, 2019 8:30 AM ET

Media Credentials are now available for 2019 Living Future unConference! This event gathers 1,200+ green building industry leaders to set the "North Star" for the building sector. Join us April 30 - May 3 in downtown Seattle at the Hyatt Regency. Contact media@living-future.org with interest and for more information.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Recognized as One of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises

Mar 6, 2019 8:10 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today that it has been named to Women’s Business Enterprise National Council's (WBENC) 19th annual list of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs). This is the only national award honoring corporations for world-class supplier diversity programs that reduce barriers and drive growth for women-owned businesses.