Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Health & Healthcare

Facing Devastating Diagnosis, Georgia Boy's Family Finds Hope

Oct 1, 2018 12:45 PM ET

7-year-old Hagan Hussey is a proud big brother, loves to play golf and has been battling brain cancer for five years.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Grown Respectfully: The Nescafé Plan Helps Coffee Farmers Like Eduardo Thrive

Oct 1, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Several years ago, Eduardo Camarena thought he had lost everything. He no longer had a job, was going through a divorce, and had to move away from his children. He got so low that "even the sun couldn’t warm me".

Shortly afterwards, his grandfather passed away.

But Eduardo had one thing left to cling on to. A promise made to his grandfather that he would look after the family’s coffee plantation and make it successful.

Today, Eduardo runs a thriving coffee farm, is helping raise his children, and is a source of help and advice to other farmers in the region.

How did he turn things around?

By joining the Nescafé Plan, which over the last decade has helped give farmers like Eduardo across the world the support they need to grow more and better coffee, and to do so sustainably.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru of America Helps Animals in Need During October “Subaru Loves Pets” Month

Oct 1, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the return of its Subaru Loves Pets initiative in October to help improve the safety and well-being of animals in communities nationwide.

Environment

You’ve Set Your Sustainability Goals. Now What?

Oct 1, 2018 12:10 PM ET

First, you sign up, feeling that initial rush of “wow, I’m actually doing this” adrenaline. That's followed by everyone's favorite part: telling people. You’re instantly flooded with responses like “Good for you!” and “You’re such an inspiration!”. But then, the glory starts to fade and you realize it’s time for the hard work. Months of training, time and dedication (and probably pain) are needed before you can cross the finish line.

Environment

Stepping Up Our Environmental Focus

Oct 1, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Symantec is proud to be one of the twenty-one technology companies stepping up to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all sectors of society. We’ve joined the Step Up Declaration, a new alliance dedicated to harnessing the power of emerging technologies and the fourth industrial revolution to ensure a climate turning point by 2020.

As part of our commitment to climate action, we focused efforts around energy efficiency in our buildings as electricity use in our data centers, labs and offices account for more than 90 percent of these emissions. Buildings account for around 40 percent of global energy consumption, producing over a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment

Landfill Solutions

Oct 1, 2018 12:00 PM ET

People use multiple adjectives when describing a landfill, and they’re usually not anything related to “community asset.” At Republic, we’re working to change that perception. We want everyone to know that landfills play a fundamental role in protecting our planet and helping communities grow, revitalize and prosper.

Research, Reports & Publications

A Deeper Look at CECP's Investing in Society: Policies

Oct 1, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Investing in Society, CECP’s recently launched compendium of data, research, and case studies illustrates innovations in corporate efforts to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Divided into five sections – Priorities, Performance, People, Planet, and Policies – the collection of insights offers a far-reaching assessment of what leading companies are doing in each of the five focus areas.

In the Policies section, CECP asks, “What are companies doing to promote corporate governance through top-line decisions, such as management responsibilities, internal incentives at the executive level, and employees’ rights?”

Environment

How Nurses and Hospital Staff Can Help HPRC Increase Healthcare Plastics Recycling

Oct 1, 2018 11:50 AM ET

Read of the 4 ways HPRC has devised by which healthcare staff can help a healthcare facility begin or improve upon its plastic waste recycling effort.

Education

PNC: Alliance with Donors Choose Benefits Thousands of Pre-K Children

Oct 1, 2018 11:40 AM ET

After her pre-K students were dismissed for the day, Saphronie Harrell and her fellow pre-K teachers at Barnaby Manor Elementary School in Oxon Hill, MD, were asked to gather for a meeting with the school’s principal. But, when a PNC team arrived in the classroom bringing balloons, flowers, gifts, a photographer and a video crew, shock turned to tears when Ms. Harrell found out she was a PNC Grow Up Great® / DonorsChoose.org “Teacher Hero.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Chronicle of Philanthropy Names Gilead Among America's Big Corporate Givers 2018

Oct 1, 2018 11:30 AM ET

We are honored to be recognized by @Philanthropy as the largest cash donor and 4th overall when including product donations in this year’s list of America’s Big Corporate Givers.

Green Infrastructure

Q&A: Schneider Electric Banking on Science, Smarter Cities to Power a Sustainable Future

Oct 1, 2018 11:15 AM ET

In the past few years, Schneider Electric — a global specialist in energy management and automation — has partnered with its customers around the world in various capacities to co-create smart solutions for a more sustainable future. It focuses its energy on prioritizing resource productivity and management, promoting energy efficiency and rethinking energy consumption. It has also adopted science-based emissions targets and helped its clients set their own.

Social Impact & Volunteering

UPS Employees Advance 2020 Goal to Contribute 20 Million Volunteer Hours of Service in Communities Around the World

Oct 1, 2018 11:05 AM ET

UPS announced today that the company will deploy nearly 40 percent more employees on five continents to contribute to 450 community service projects, in the company’s 16th annual Global Volunteer Month.

Sustainable Development Goals

Business Aligns with SDGs: How CEMEX Takes Action to Support SDG 1

Oct 1, 2018 9:25 AM ET

The world’s population is forecast to swell to 9.8 billion people by 2050, and 70 percent will live in urban centers. Unlocking access to affordable housing is key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mexican cement giant CEMEX will talk about its support of the SDGs in the fourth of 3BL Media’s webcast series,

Sustainable Development Goals

How Saipem’s Initiatives on Human Rights and Ethical Supply Chain Create a Healthy, Vibrant Business

Oct 1, 2018 9:25 AM ET

For any company that relies on a network of suppliers and subcontractors, maintaining an ethical supply chain — one that protects human rights and promotes fair labor practices and a safe work environment — is hard work. But the challenge is multiplied when you work globally in over 60 countries across five continents, like Saipem, the Italian energy services giant.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

What If We Could Solve World Hunger?

Oct 1, 2018 9:25 AM ET

As a technologist, I’ve always thought those were the two most important words in our vocabulary. We hear them again and again throughout history. They are the spark that has inspired countless innovations from our earliest days to the present.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Duke Energy Foundation Awards Florida Nonprofits More Than $500,000 in Grants to Enhance Access to the Arts, Promote Diversity

Oct 1, 2018 9:10 AM ET

Strengthening communities by promoting diversity and increasing access to the arts is among the many ways the Duke Energy Foundation proudly supports Florida. Grants totaling $504,568 have been awarded to 55 nonprofit organizations within the company's service territory.

Environment

Mars, Inc Launches New Report That Highlights Its Commitment Towards a Healthy Planet

Oct 1, 2018 9:00 AM ET

When we launched our Sustainable in a Generation Plan just one year ago, we knew it was a critical moment. A range of issues continue to face our global community—including climate change, poverty, obesity and water stress. That’s why we decided to invest more than $1 billion to start tackling them within our own supply chain.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Powerful Backing of American Express: 2017-2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report Highlights its Commitment to Communities

Oct 1, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Today, American Express published its 2017-2018 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, which details the company’s progress to strengthen its backing of all its stakeholders.

American Express’ approach to CSR is an extension of its mission — to become essential to its customers by providing differentiated products and services to help them achieve their aspirations — and its commitment to doing what’s right. The report highlights how the company delivers value for its business as well as its communities by investing financial and human resources in ways that address the social, environmental and economic needs of its communities, customers, employees, shareholders and partners.

Innovation & Technology

White Paper: Harnessing The Power Of Data With AI

Oct 1, 2018 8:20 AM ET

The key to successfully implementing AI is to use it strategically to address clear business needs. The companies that will benefit the most are those that incorporate AI into their data strategies and are thoughtful about how AI can improve their customer experience

Research, Reports & Publications

Tetra Pak Sustainability Reporting Reaches 20-year Landmark

Oct 1, 2018 5:00 AM ET

Tetra Pak has published the company’s 2018 Sustainability Report, along with its first ever report from 1999, marking the company’s 20 years of sustainability reporting.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | Barclays Citizenship Awards: Barclays Switzerland Colleagues Support Clair Bois Foundation

Sep 28, 2018 9:30 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

Orion Assembly Welcomes Back Local-built Bolt Ev for a Special Pitt Stop on Its Way to New York Climate Week

Sep 28, 2018 5:25 PM ET

Employees at General Motors' Orion Assembly plant recently held a homecoming ceremony for a very special Chevrolet Bolt EV. Pun intended, this locally-built EV was charged with traveling cross-country as part of the New American Road Trip, an 11-day, nearly 3,000-mile journey from the San Francisco Global Climate Action Summit to New York’s annual Climate Week.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Caterpillar and Cat Dealer Join Forces With Habitat for Humanity of Wake County

Sep 28, 2018 4:15 PM ET

Employees from Caterpillar’s Building Construction Division (BCP) based in North Carolina and Cat dealer Gregory Poole Equipment Company recently gathered with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County to raise the walls on a home for a deserving family in Southeast Raleigh.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Aramark Volunteers in Chicago and Los Angeles Inspire Families to Lead Healthy Lifestyles

Sep 28, 2018 4:15 PM ET

Aramark volunteers from Chicago and Los Angeles joined more than 12,000 of their colleagues worldwide to bring health and wellness education to the communities where they live and work.

“Every year, thousands of Aramark team members come together to volunteer their time and talent on Aramark Building Community Day,” said Jeff Gilliam, President of Aramark’s Higher Education business. “Our 100 team members at UCAN brought health and wellness education to Chicago families and achieved our goal of creating long-lasting health and wellness programs, here in Chicago.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

AIDA Cruises Receives Renowned Green Cruising Award 2018 for “Green-Cruising” Project

Sep 28, 2018 4:00 PM ET

In the context of the 32rd two-day long Stuttgart Controlling and Management Forum, the Green-Controlling-Award 2018 was granted by the Péter-Horváth foundation on September 19, 2018. This year’s awardee is AIDA Cruises with its “Green Cruising” Project. Senior Vice President & CFO AIDA Cruises and CIO Costa Group Dr. Ali Arnaout accepted the price. He convincingly illustrated the innovative approaches of AIDA Cruises to present the “Green Cruising” strategy as a fundamental part of AIDA’s corporate planning and controlling.