Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

How Future Scenario Planning Can Guide Your Sustainability Strategy in the Face of Business Uncertainty

Nov 30, 2017 12:00 PM ET

In today’s rapidly changing world, the uncertainty change brings can be nerve-racking for companies of all sizes—especially when it comes to sustainability. From resource scarcity to changes in policy, there are a myriad of unknown possibilities that could impact the vitality of businesses, communities and ecosystems.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Invests $2 Million to Boost South Dakota Homeownership

Nov 30, 2017 11:45 AM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), NeighborWorks® America and its network member, GROW South Dakota, today announced the NeighborhoodLIFT® program is coming to South Dakota with a $2 million commitment by Wells Fargo to boost homeownership for eligible homebuyers across the state’s 66 counties. This will be Wells Fargo’s 56th LIFT program and second-statewide effort in the U.S.

Environment

LG and Hilton Join Forces for Forward-Thinking Hotel TV Recycling Program

Nov 30, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Goal: Hilton Hotels sought to establish a corporate-wide recycling program to responsibly dispose of older hotel TVs, while upgrading to innovative new energy-efficient television sets to heighten the in-room guest experience and reduce energy costs.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Epsilon and Conversant Invest $250,000 in Chicagoland Nonprofits

Nov 30, 2017 10:55 AM ET

For the second year in a row, Epsilon and Conversant made investments in the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Off the Street Club. With more than $800,000 invested in these Chicago-area nonprofits, Epsilon and Conversant continue their commitment to their Chicago community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Finding Their 'Forever Homes': Louisiana Sets Record for Adoptions as More Families Take in Siblings, Multiple Children

Nov 30, 2017 10:10 AM ET

For the first time at Bradley Lirette’s Thanksgiving table, he was surrounded by his five children — none of whom he could call his own just four years ago. Lirette adopted three children — a set of siblings 12, 13 and 18 years old — from foster care in 2016, adding to his already growing family. Three years earlier, he had adopted a pair of siblings, who are now 12 and 17 years old.

Energy

Green-e Certification Standard for Singapore Released by Center for Resource Solutions

Nov 30, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The NGO Center for Resource Solutions ("CRS") today announced the release of the Green-e Renewable Energy Standard for Singapore ("Standard for Singapore"), which details the requirements and standards for Green-e certification of renewable electricity sales and consumption in Singapore. The new standard defines eligible renewable resources, requirements for customer disclosure and transparency, and use of renewable energy tracking systems. With the release of this standard, large buyers and clean energy sellers in Singapore can apply for Green-e certification of their retail renewable electricity and energy attribute certificates ("EACs").

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tackling Poverty in Appalachia

Nov 30, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Those living in poverty in Eastern Kentucky, and Central Appalachia generally, deal with chronic and serious challenges. Much progress has been made in tackling poverty in Appalachia over the past 50 years, but pockets of severe rural poverty remain, particularly in Eastern Kentucky. While the average poverty rate in the 54 counties of Appalachian Kentucky fell from 60% in 1960 to 26% in 2010, rates are still high compared to the national average of 16%. Rates exceed 30% in more than a dozen counties, including those served by Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) programs.

Health & Healthcare

Hospice: The Best Kept Secret in American Healthcare

Nov 30, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Since our founding in 1977, Capital Caring’s mission has been to simply improve care for the more than 1,200 people living with advanced illness that we care for each day via our world-class hospice and palliative care programs. While we focus on alleviating pain, anxiety, breathlessness, and all causes of distress, we also equip families and loved with the tools they need to feel confident in their own ability to comfort their loved ones.

With a service area that extends from Prince George’s County, Maryland to Loudoun County, Virginia, and from Washington, DC, all the way to the North Carolina border, Capital Caring covers more than 11,500 square miles (larger than the entire state of Massachusetts!)

Diversity & Inclusion

Embracing the Diversity of People in Society and Within Our Organization

Nov 30, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The LIXIL Group is committed to enhancing quality of life and wellbeing for everyone in society, including the elderly and the physically disabled, through LIXIL products and services. In addition, we are harnessing the intelligence and perspectives of LIXIL’s diverse workforce as an engine for growth and innovation.

Environment

Infographic | European Parliament Recognizes Essity for Unique Recycling Service

Nov 30, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Tork PaperCircle, from Essity and its global brand in professional hygiene, Tork, is the world’s first recycling service for paper hand towels.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

This 23-Year-Old Tunisian Woman Opened the First Podiatry Practice in Her City

Nov 30, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Born and raised in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, Safa Zideni studied at the University of Science and Technology of Health in Sousse, where she graduated top of her class in 2014. Specializing in podiatry, the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of feet diseases and injuries, she also gained her license to practice from the university.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Building Stronger Communities

Nov 30, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Republic Services is dedicated to being a good neighbor in the communities in which we live and work, and we are committed to building strong communities by supporting the people, businesses and organizations that call these communities home. This includes investing in our communities through customer engagement, philanthropic giving, volunteerism, environmentally responsible infrastructure and operating at the highest standards.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals: Are Corporates Stepping up to the Responsibility?

Nov 30, 2017 8:25 AM ET

Since 2015, Corporate Citizenship has been sharing insights on the SDGs and their implications for business. Now in its third year, our annual practitioner study shows some alarming trends in how action on the Global Goals is evolving.

Environment

Agroforestry to Meet the Paris Agreement

Nov 30, 2017 8:25 AM ET

In a groundbreaking—though long overdue—decision, national delegates at the Twenty-third Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 23), held 6–17 November 2017 in Bonn, Germany, agreed on a framework for addressing agriculture’s impact on climate.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Why The World's Largest Pork Producer Is Breaking New Sustainability Barriers

Nov 30, 2017 8:05 AM ET

As head of the Smithfield Foods’ sustainability program, Stewart Leeth focuses on animal welfare, employee relations, environmental stewardship, food safety and quality, and community development.

Diversity & Inclusion

Wells Fargo Launches Enterprise Accessibility Program Office

Nov 30, 2017 8:00 AM ET

In honor of the International Day of People with Disabilities, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is announcing the launch of the company’s Enterprise Accessibility Program Office. The office will coordinate and advocate for accessibility initiatives throughout the company to help deliver a positive and consistent team member and customer experience.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Infographic: NBCUniversal Kicks off 9th Annual “Green Is Universal” Holiday Campaign in Partnership With Arbor Day Foundation

Nov 30, 2017 8:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation is partnering with NBCUniversal for the ninth annual "Green Is Universal" holiday campaign. NBCUniversal will support tree-planting efforts to promote recovery in disaster-stricken areas brought on by the 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays Accelerator | Gamechangers: Ernit

Nov 30, 2017 6:45 AM ET

We joined the Barclays Accelerator programme because we knew we could learn so much from them. There was no point just staying on our start-up island, and dreaming up fancy visions, we needed to get out of our comfort zone and engage with the big players in the market. It was important to us that we had our methods challenged by the bank. That’s how we created the magic.

Media & Communications

Asdrúbal Chávez Appointed Acting President and CEO of CITGO Petroleum Corporation

Nov 29, 2017 7:45 PM ET

Mr. Chávez comes to CITGO with more than 30 years of industry experience. A chemical engineer graduating from the Universidad de los Andes in 1979, Chávez began his career at the El Palito Refinery in the state of Carabobo, Venezuela, working in the areas of industrial services, distillation and specialties, conversion and treatment, crude and products movement, programming and economics and process engineering. After a one-year assignment with Union Pacific Oil in the United States, Chávez returned to the El Palito Refinery where he managed several expansion and organization projects throughout the 1990s.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Bank Branches Become Holiday Food Banks

Nov 29, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo is doubling as a food bank this holiday season in a joint effort with United Way to fight hunger. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 30, approximately 5,900 Wells Fargo branches will serve as food donation centers, collecting nonperishable foods in specially marked bins as part of the Wells Fargo Holiday Food Bank.

Education

As Demand for Tech Skills Surges, Is College Really Right for All?

Nov 29, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Solving the National Affordable Housing Crisis With Mercy Housing

Nov 29, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Every day, millions of Americans have to sacrifice food, education, and healthcare because the cost of housing is so high. The numbers are grim: only one out of every four households who needs housing assistance gets it; more than one in four renters pays more than half of their income on housing costs; and nationwide waiting lists for affordable housing are years long. Many lists aren’t even open to new applicants because the backlog is so enormous.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Commits $50 Million to American Indian/Alaska Native Communities

Nov 29, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Wells Fargo has committed $50 million over the next five years to help address the economic, social, and environmental needs of American Indian/Alaska Native communities. The company will expand philanthropy programs, work to improve products and services that meet the financial and banking needs of American Indian/Alaska Native communities, award grants to national nonprofits serving these communities, and help create a greater awareness of their culture, history, and contributions.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Value in Connecting Your Business Strategies Back to Business Objectives

Nov 29, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Join thinkPARALLAX and Qualcomm™ Wireless Reach®, on Wednesday, December 7 at 10 AM PST, to learn how a social impact program can benefit both business objectives and communities.

Education

Why I Traveled Almost 6,000 Miles to Attend the Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility

Nov 29, 2017 2:15 PM ET

The Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility recently celebrated the graduation of their fourth class. Since the launch of the Institute in 2014, the program has attracted CSR professionals from around the region and across the country. Recently, we have seen interest from the international community. Sunday Kubba Hassan with Central Bank of Nigeria is the first international graduate from the Institute. Below, Sunday reflects on why his company decided to send him to the Institute and how he has used the knowledge he gained since graduating in 2016.