Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Hawai‘i Convention Center Launches Industry-Leading Conservation Program with LEED Gold Certification and American Dental Association Annual Meeting

Oct 3, 2018 11:00 AM ET

To mark its 20th year of operations, the Hawai‘i Convention Center is launching the Hoʻomaluō Program, a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability with the goal of enhancing the guest, planner, staff and community meetings and events experience.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Duke Energy Donates $100,000 to NC Farm Bureau Disaster Relief Fund in Aftermath of Hurricane Florence

Oct 3, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Duke Energy today announced a $100,000 donation to support long-term relief for North Carolina farmers affected by Hurricane Florence, particularly in the state's hard-hit eastern region where devastating flooding caused extensive, widespread damage.

Environment

Showcasing New Ways to Solve Climate Change, Inspired by Nature

Oct 3, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Find out who will win the $100,000 Ray of Hope Prize® as Biomimicry Launchpad entrepreneurs share their nature-inspired climate change solutions at the National Bioneers Conference.

Innovation & Technology

How Do We Shape the Workforce of the Future? Ask a Kid.

Oct 3, 2018 10:50 AM ET

Environment

Keep America Beautiful and Anheuser-Busch Announce National Watershed Grant Program

Oct 3, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, is partnering with Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) to bring high impact, public space community watershed restoration projects to 10 communities through the 2018 Keep America Beautiful/Anheuser-Busch Watershed Grant Program.

Environment

Foundation-Funded Program Equips Students to Preserve Long Island’s Water Resources

Oct 3, 2018 10:05 AM ET

ScottsMiracle-Gro is deeply invested in the future of Long Island and its water resources. The Long Island Water Education Program, run by the North Shore Land Alliance and funded by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, connects area students with the water resources under their feet.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kohler Co. Honored With 2018 ACLCA Corporate LCA Leadership Award

Oct 3, 2018 10:05 AM ET

On September 26th, The American Center for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA) honored individuals and companies advancing the application of life cycle assessment and innovation in environmental sustainability at LCA XVIII during the Annual Awards Dinner in Fort Collins, Colorado. Kohler Co. received the 2018 Corporate LCA Leadership Award.

Environment

The “Buy Clean California” Act Requires Increased Environmental Transparency From Building Product Manufacturers

Oct 3, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Beginning in January 2019, manufacturers in four building material sectors –carbon steel rebar, structural steel, flat glass, and mineral wool insulation board –will be asked to submit Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) as part of their bids for work on California infrastructure construction and improvement projects.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Allstate Foundation Debuts Public Service Announcement Featuring Serena Williams to Urge Action to End Domestic Abuse

Oct 3, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Allstate Foundation, today debuted a public service announcement featuring tennis champion, philanthropist and Allstate Foundation Purple Purse program ambassador Serena Williams. Titled “Invisible Weapon,” the new video aims to bring awareness to financial abuse, a controlling tactic frequently used by domestic violence abusers and one of the primary reasons victims stay in or return to abusive relationships. The urgent call for support for domestic violence survivors coincides with the start of the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® Challenge, which takes place Oct. 2 – 31.

Research, Reports & Publications

Non-Traditional Third-Party Clients Impact Energy Distribution

Oct 3, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Maturing technologies and a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability are leading organizations to manage more DER than in the past. Bolstered by more financial and mechanical flexibility behind the meter, companies are becoming increasingly energy independent and investing more in alternative generation, storage and energy efficiency.

Events, Media & Communications

3BL Forum | The Pulse of Corporate Influencers: A Roundtable Discussion

Oct 3, 2018 9:35 AM ET

On Thursday, Oct. 25, these authentic influencers will draw a roadmap for how to navigate social media and social networks to advance a company’s corporate responsibility reputation or protect its brand while simultaneously seeking to engage or activate audiences. You identify the problem and they will share unique solutions to these new rules of the road.

Energy

How to Balance Energy Efficiency With Design

Oct 3, 2018 9:10 AM ET

Pella’s director of strategic innovation discusses how to balance sustainability and energy efficiency while working to inspire architects, designers, and homeowners.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

NVIDIA Ranks #1 on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List

Oct 3, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption today released its 12th annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list recognizing organizations with the most robust adoption benefit programs. The list compares financial reimbursement and paid leave offered to parents who adopt, based on surveys of organizations across the United States. NVIDIA is new atop the 2018 list.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Arbor Day Foundation and Texas Roadhouse Partner to Green Up Louisville

Oct 3, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Friday, October 5, The Arbor Day Foundation and Texas Roadhouse will plant trees in Beckley Creek Park and distribute free trees to Jefferson Country residents to plant in their yards.

Research, Reports & Publications

Have You Benchmarked the Size and Structure of Your EHS & Sustainability Department?

Oct 3, 2018 9:00 AM ET

NAEM's EHS & Sustainability Staffing, Structure and Budgets report allows you to benchmark the design of your company's staffing and structure based on industry, revenue, head count and risk profile. It also provides detailed information on the scope of EHS & Sustainability responsibilities, including the areas where the EHS and Sustainability function is most often collaborative within companies today.

Sustainable Development Goals

“Companies Are Part of the Solution to the Global Challenge of Climate Change” Mars' Ashley Allen Interviewed at Climate Action Summit

Oct 3, 2018 9:00 AM ET

One year from the launch of our Sustainable in a Generation Plan, our senior leadership team and subject matter experts argue that companies must be part of the solution to the global challenge of climate change while attending the inaugural Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) in San Francisco.

Events, Media & Communications

Greening the Global Shopping Cart: A Webinar Series for Innovation and Best Practices

Oct 3, 2018 8:20 AM ET

EDF+Business is proud to present the Greening the Global Shopping Cart webinar series. Supply chain solutions for our network of business leaders, industry experts and thought leaders.

For 25 years, EDF+Business has combined cutting-edge science, economic expertise and unexpected partnerships to help high-impact companies transform “business as usual” in their products, operations, supply chains and advocacy.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Companies Can Make a BIG Impact This Charitable Season

Oct 2, 2018 7:30 PM ET

Infographic: See how more companies are taking an employee-centric approach to their CSR programs with three key social impact trends in mind. Help engage more people, maximize their impact and foster compelling, purpose-driven workplace cultures this charitable season.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Register for an Introduction to Social Return on Investment Training in Calgary and Toronto!

Oct 2, 2018 6:30 PM ET

SiMPACT builds capacity in social impact and valuation through a variety of courses. These include social return on investment (SROI) training, SROI Accreditation Training, and courses highlighting techniques to maximize impact. One-on-One SROI coaching and customized training courses are also our speciality.

Information about upcoming courses can be found below. Please contact SiMPACT at mary@simpactsg.com to register or for more information.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Shire Employees Circle the Globe 60 Times As Part of the Virgin Pulse Global Challenge

Oct 2, 2018 5:15 PM ET

This summer, over 3,300 Shire colleagues formed teams, set goals and encouraged each other to make healthy choices as part of Shire’s inaugural pilot of the Virgin Pulse Global Challenge. Over the course of the 100-day challenge, Shire colleagues walked over 1.5 million miles collectively, and individually averaged over 14,100 steps daily. That’s the equivalent of walking around the world more than 60 times and burning more than 154 million calories, the equivalent of over 600,000 slices of cake.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sappi Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 22% in 2017

Oct 2, 2018 5:10 PM ET

In terms of total consumption of energy, pulp and paper is third among industrial sectors; only the refi ning and chemical industries consume more. However, environmental impact is affected not just by the amount of energy consumed, but also by the type of energy. On average, US pulp and paper mills derive nearly two-thirds of their energy needs from renewable sources that are considered carbon neutral. Sappi’s mills derive nearly 80 percent of their energy from renewable resources.

Diversity & Inclusion

Pamela Hutchinson Named Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Bloomberg LP

Oct 2, 2018 5:05 PM ET

“Since joining Bloomberg, Pamela has helped us broaden our recruitment efforts while also making our office culture even more inclusive,” Bloomberg wrote in a memo to employees.

“Our diversity – including our openness to people with different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds – helps give us a competitive edge. We are always looking to sharpen that edge and deepen our commitment to an inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respects them as equals,” Bloomberg said.

Environment

The Disney Conservation Fund Awards $5 Million to Conservation Organizations and Names Its 2018 Disney Conservation Heroes

Oct 2, 2018 5:00 PM ET

The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF), continued its more than 20-year commitment to conservation this month by awarding more than $5 million in grants to support 76 organizations working to protect the magic of nature around the world. The fund also recognized 13 people across the globe with the Disney Conservation Hero award, for their tireless efforts to save wildlife, protect habitats and inspire communities to take part in conservation efforts.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sunweave Broadloom Carpet Weaves Textile Heritage with a Sustainable Future

Oct 2, 2018 4:15 PM ET

In addition to checking many design and performance boxes for designers, Sunweave also earns points toward green certifications. The collection is Red List free and designed to achieve the stringent requirements of the Living Product Challenge Petal Certification.

“The Sunweave collection is going to be the first petal certified living product in the broadloom and area rug category,” says Jackie Dettmar, VP of design and product development for Mohawk Group.

Sunweave also contributes to the sustainability of a community. “We were so excited to look at creating a living product out of the Eden, N.C. plant,” Dettmar explains. “We really want to contribute to sustaining that wonderful mill where we’ve got people who have worked there for 40 and almost 50 years."

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Alliance Data Card Services Associates Volunteer at 8th Annual Kootenai Health Triathlon for Kids

Oct 2, 2018 3:35 PM ET

On September 8, 20 associates from Alliance Data’s card services business volunteered at the 8th Annual Kootenai Health Triathlon for Kids. The triathlon is designed for children, ages 4-12, to promote health and fitness to the children in the Coeur d’Alene community. This event is hosted annually by Kootenai Health, with the proceeds going toward their Pediatric Rehabilitation Services mostly to purchase new equipment and toys for patients.