Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest news from 3BL’s clients.







Editors Pick

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

'Giving Back' Can Build Stronger Customer Ties

Say the words “corporate social responsibility,” or CSR, and what may come to mind are multinational corporations taking action on global issues like climate change or public health. While that is certainly part of what is happening under the larger CSR umbrella today, businesses of all sizes are increasingly embracing good corporate citizenship as part of their standard operating procedure and discovering ways to do good within their own communities and professional networks.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

What Larry Fink’s 2019 Letter Means for the Future of Business

Here are our four main takeaways from this year's letter from BlackRock's Larry Fink to CEOs.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Paradise Not Lost: Wells Fargo Grant Helps California Communities Rebuild After Camp Fire

Six years after opening his auto repair shop in Paradise, California, Brad Jenks II felt like life was good. Business was steady, and he and his wife Julie could clearly see a future with fewer long hours and more family vacations.

Then the Camp Fire roared into town and tore through Northern California. Visit Wells Fargo Stories to watch the video.: https://stories.wf.com/paradise-not-lost-wells-fargo-grant-helps-california-communities-rebuild-camp-fire.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Deloitte Podcast: Episode 3: Learning in the Flow of Work

It may be time to rethink everything you thought you knew about corporate learning.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

U.S. Conference of Mayors, Wells Fargo Announce 2019 CommunityWINS® Grant Program

The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wells Fargo today announced the 2019 CommunityWINS® grant program, aimed at accelerating neighborhood revitalization, economic development and job creation in municipalities across the U.S.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland, Journeys, and the Student Conservation Association Take Urban Greening to Los Angeles

On the third and final stop of Timberland’s three-city 2018 urban greening tour, close to 100 volunteers transformed a vacant lot in Los Angeles into a resident-driven urban farm to benefit the local homeless population. Volunteers from Timberland, Journeys, members of the local community and the Student Conservation Association joined efforts to bring green space to this urban area.

Responsible Production & Consumption

How General Mills Sustainably Sources Food Ingredients From Around the World

To produce enough food to feed an increasingly hungry world, we must take care of the people who are raising the crops as well as the land, water and air needed for them to thrive. As a global food company that relies on ingredients from around the world, we pay careful attention to the impact of agriculture on our environment and the ability of farmers to be successful.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

It’s Time to Take Control of Your Data: 3 Easy Ways to Own Your Online Presence

You might be asking yourself what ‘taking control of your data’ really means or why it’s important. As the COO of Norton LifeLock, I often hear “I’ve got nothing to hide on my phone” and “I don’t care who sees my browser history.” I quickly point to the 143 million Americans who were affected by cybercrime in 2017; that’s more than half of the U.S. adult online population.

Diversity & Inclusion

Interview with Sami Ayass, Landfill Gas Project Manager

Sami Ayass is a project manager based in Tetra Tech’s Diamond Bar, California, office and is part of the company’s Waste Management Practice, focusing on methane gas services. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and is a self-taught and certified Civil Professional Engineer in California and Texas.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Secures $37.1 Million in Combined Financing for Multifamily Workforce Property in Orlando

KeyBank announced today $37.1 million in total combined financing to support the refinancing of Castilian Apartments in Orlando, FL by Dominium, one of the largest affordable housing development and management companies in the United States.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Closes $24.5 Million in Financing for the Renovation of 647 Affordable Housing Units in the Bronx

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) recently closed $24.5 million in total financing for the Gilbane Development Company’s acquisition and renovation of two New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties, Highbridge Franklin and Twin Parks West, to preserve 647 units of permanent affordable housing in the Bronx, NY.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $70 Million in Combined Financing for 241 Units of Affordable Seniors Housing in Lacey, WA

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) provided $70 million in combined construction and permanent loan financing to AVS Communities for the Reserve at Lacey, a 241-unit affordable housing property serving seniors aged 55 or older who earn 60% of the area median income (AMI). Reserve at Lacey is in Lacey, WA.

Diversity & Inclusion

Celebrating International Day of Education Focused on Inclusion and the Future of Work

January 24, 2019, marks the first International Day of Education. The United Nations established this global day to acknowledge the essential role quality education plays in advancing the Sustainable Development agenda and in building sustainable and resilient societies. Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all is not only one of the 17 Global Goals (SDG 4)—it is a catalyst for the success of the other 16 SDGs.

Innovation & Technology

Johnson & Johnson Announces Research Study with Apple Watch to Help Improve AFib Outcomes Including Stroke Prevention

Johnson & Johnson to collaborate with Apple to assess impact of wearable technology on earlier detection of AFib, improved diagnosis and patient outcomes

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Nonprofit Board Service Builds More Effective Business Leaders

Alice Korngold, President and CEO of Korngold Consulting LLC, has recently released the results of her study 2018 Nonprofit Board Leadership Study in partnership with IMPACT2030, a private sector collaboration with the United Nations, corporations and nonprofit organizations.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tyson Foods to Deliver 85 Tons of Food – More Than 685,000 Meals – to Help Federal Workers

Tyson Foods, Inc. plans to donate more than 85 tons of food – or more than 685,000 meals – to the Washington, D.C. area to help those in need, including federal workers affected by the partial government shutdown. Social service agencies are experiencing increased demand for assistance in the weeks after the government shutdown, so the company is making deliveries to a food bank, a community kitchen and a non-profit group that supports military service members and their families.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

eBay’s Retail Revival Expands to Canada

eBay, together with the Halifax Regional Municipality, announced the launch of Retail Revival, a program designed to help small and medium-sized retailers harness the power of ecommerce and global trade. This eBay program, the first of its kind in Canada, is supported by all three levels of government.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Launches Recovery and Rebuilding Effort in Paradise, California, and Surrounding Towns

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced that the company will provide an additional $3.25 million in financial resources to residents, small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Butte County, California, to address critical housing and economic challenges that remain after devastating wildfires spread across the county last year.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Consumers Energy Offers Assistance for Federal Employees in Michigan Impacted by Government Shutdown

Consumers Energy is committed to helping Michigan residents stay safe and warm this winter which includes assisting federal government employees in Michigan who are affected by the ongoing shutdown. The company is encouraging customers who face hardship due to this ongoing shutdown to contact Consumers Energy immediately for assistance – which may include flexible payment arrangements or extensions that provide more time to pay a bill.

Education

The American Heart Association and the National Football League Work With Discovery Education to Take Students on a Virtual Field Trip Inspired by Super Bowl LIII

Getting 60 minutes of physical activity a day through moderate-to-vigorous and bone strengthening exercise is what is recommended for school-aged kids according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

The Best 2018 Sustainability Articles From UPS Longitudes

Diversification was the sustainability story of 2018 according to the UPS thought leadership blog Longitudes. Catch up with the top five sustainability articles from last year to see why we’re so excited by progress in the sustainability movement – and the innovations yet to come.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Whirlpool Corporation Named a Best Employer for Diversity in 2019

Whirlpool Corporation has been named a Best Employer for Diversity 2019 by Forbes. The list recognizes companies that embrace diversity and inclusion and the valuable role it plays in attracting talented employees and building strong business.

Environment

High Value Found in Small Changes

Small changes can add up to big savings and Bristol-Myers Squibb knows that very well. Since 2015, the company has identified hundreds of opportunities to reduce emissions and energy and water consumption, equating to more than $11 million in cost savings.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Nine Signs You Need to Refresh Your Social Impact Approach

Few companies of any size would let marketing or operations coast for a year or two without strategic review. A lack of regular planning is an equally big risk when it comes to social impact initiatives. And, considering brands with a high sense of purpose have experienced a brand valuation of 175% over the past 12 years, failure to keep up could put you at a significant disadvantage.

Whether you’re a leader in fast-growing company, a corporation, or nonprofit, here are telltale signs you should refresh your social impact initiative.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Xylem Supported Safe Water Project Earns Top Ranking in Manchester City’s Annual Cityzens Giving Campaign with More Than 450,000 Votes

Xylem announced that the Safe Water project it is supporting in Bangalore garnered more than 450,000 votes from players, partners and football fans around the world – earning top ranking in Cityzens Giving’s fifth annual campaign. Cityzens Giving is the global community initiative of Premier League champion football team and Xylem partner, Manchester City. This year’s campaign distributed £400,000 donated by City Football Group, parent of Manchester City, and its partners to six urban football projects run by young people, for young people. Fans around the world voted for how the funding should be divided between the six projects. Bangalore’s Safe Water Project, Water Goals, which focuses on improving access to safe, clean water for over 5,000 children in the area, was the most popular.

Latest Campaigns

  1. AEG's Commitment to Social Impact and Volunteerism
    AEG embraces its responsibility to enrich the lives of people in the communities around the world where we do business, and to use business to create...
  2. Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)
    The business landscape is reorienting itself and you can almost hear priorities shifting toward change-readiness and the bigger picture. And in this...
  3. Social Progress
    Social engagement has always been an integral part of our sense of responsibility as a company. We care and we act to do our part to improve the...
  4. Accelerating access to healthcare technology
    We believe technology can help close the world’s health gaps. By putting people first, we find new ways to advance health while reducing costs. And...
  5. Innovation Spotlight: Duke Energy
    At Duke Energy, we’re always improving operations and finding smart, safe and innovative ways to power the communities we serve. We’re embracing new...
  6. Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)
    The business landscape is reorienting itself and you can almost hear priorities shifting toward change-readiness and the bigger picture. And in this...
  7. Leading ESG & Sustainability Stewardship
    The new CNH continues on its longstanding path of excellence in sustainability, which is recognized by the foremost authorities.
  8. Subaru Love Promise: Community
    Subaru is dedicated to supporting those who need it the most in our communities. From donating food to Feeding America, providing essential items to...
  9. CARE Corporate Partnerships
    CARE works with corporate partners globally to invest in innovative, scalable, impactful, community-based solutions.
  10. AEG's Commitment to Sustainable Operations
    AEG's sustainability initiatives are designed to reduce our consumption of the planet’s limited resources. Through our comprehensive sustainability...
  11. KeyBank Foundation: Helping Communities Thrive through Education, Workforce Development, and Service
    KeyBank Foundation helps build thriving communities by supporting organizations and programs that foster thriving students and a thriving workforce...
  12. LG Air Conditioning Solutions
    About LG Conditioning Technologies The LG Electronics USA Air Conditioning Technologies business is based in Alpharetta, Ga. LG is a leading player in...
  13. Profiles of Good Character and Inspiring Innovation
    There are two pillars to CACl’s culture: character – our commitment to ethics and integrity in all we do, and innovation – our dedication to...
  14. Profiles of Good Character and Inspiring Innovation
    There are two pillars to CACl’s culture: character – our commitment to ethics and integrity in all we do, and innovation – our dedication to...
  15. Food Systems and Livelihoods
    Illustrate how resilient food systems and economic empowerment enable long-term food security. Cover climate-smart agriculture, local market access...