Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

The Real Price of Madagascar’s Vanilla Boom

Jun 11, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In the humid Sava region of northern Madagascar, where vanilla vines grow in the shaded canopy of the jungle, villagers guard their crop as though it were a precious metal. Well they might. Strong demand for natural vanilla, speculation, bad harvests and money laundering have driven prices as high as silver. Farmers often awake to find their vines stripped bare, carried off in the night by gangs of thieves filling orders for buyers in the far-off capital of Antananarivo, who in turn supply the markets of western Europe, the US and Asia. In some parts of Sava, say non-governmental organisations working in the region, vigilante groups have sprung up to mete out summary justice to the vanilla snatchers.

Media & Communications

#AskTt Twitter Chat: Building Resilience Through Integrated Programming

Jun 11, 2018 6:00 AM ET

Join @TetraTechIntDev and @Climatelinks on June 13, 2018, at 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT for an #AskTt Twitter Chat on Building Resilience through Integrated Programming, hosted by Tetra Tech International Development Services and Climatelinks, and co-hosted by the USAID Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research and Economic Development (PREPARED) Program.

Research, Reports & Publications

Dow Generated More Than $100 Million From Valuing Nature Projects and Engaged With Nearly 400,000 Students in 2017

Jun 11, 2018 5:00 AM ET

The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) released its 2017 Sustainability Report, detailing its progress against its 2025 Sustainability Goals and how Dow employees are helping drive value and deliver transformative and more sustainable ways to do business.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

GLAM4GOOD Hosts Inspiring Mentoring Initiative With #VISIONQUEST Panel Discussion and #SHOPPINGSPREE4FREE for NYC High School Students

Jun 8, 2018 2:40 PM ET

GLAM4GOOD, the award-winning empowerment platform and non-profit organization, in partnership with Nine West Eyewear hosted 150+ students at New York City’s High School of Fashion Industries on Wednesday, June 6th with an inspiring panel discussion and mentoring initiative focused on preparing students for college, job interviews and presentations.

Environment

World Oceans Day at Aramark

Jun 8, 2018 2:00 PM ET

June 8, 2018 is World Oceans Day, a day to celebrate what the oceans mean to our planet and our health, and how we can continue to be good stewards from sea to shining sea. At Aramark, we support our oceans on two main fronts—by watching what goes into the water and what comes out of it.

Environment

Gavin Newsom: Time Waits for No One

Jun 8, 2018 1:55 PM ET

This being primary election week in California and seven other states, we thought it an appropriate time to revisit our discussion with California gubernatorial candidate, Gavin Newsom. In our discussion, which was on the heels of the election of Donald Trump in late 2016, Newsom delved into a number of important environmental policy issues ranging from California’s clean energy plan, to the Delta tunnels project, to the future of nuclear energy in the state.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Launches New Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business and Development

Jun 8, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Friday, on World Oceans Day, the United Nations Global Compact launched the newly formed Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform — a three-year global programme bringing together business, civil society, the UN and Governments to advance the ocean economy and sustainable development.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Highlights From the Corporate Convening at the U.S. Pro Bono Summit

Jun 8, 2018 1:15 PM ET

The Taproot Foundation’s U.S. Pro Bono Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from across sectors and industries with a shared vision to make the talents and skills of the business community accessible to social change organizations. At this year's Corporate Convening, atteendees engaged in a full day of sessions designed to help them maximize the impact potential of pro bono programming at their companies.

Environment

Dell Pledges to Eliminate Plastic Straws This World Oceans Day

Jun 8, 2018 1:05 PM ET

Single-use plastics (including straws, cutlery and containers) are contributing to the overall threat our oceans are facing. Every year, more than 8 million tons of plastic enter the seas. And no, this is not plastic that fell off a boat. It came from the land via river systems. It was carelessly littered, improperly disposed of, or escaped from our global waste management systems.

Diversity & Inclusion

FCA US and FIAT Brand Lead the Motor City Pride Parade

Jun 8, 2018 12:55 PM ET

Detroit will again be blanketed in colors of the rainbow this weekend (June 9-10) celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) culture at Motor City Pride, an annual two-day festival and parade that is the largest LGBTQ gathering in Michigan.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Duke Energy Offers Free Life Jackets on Rivers and Lakes in the Carolinas

Jun 8, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Tech Is Driving a Fourth Wave of Environmentalism

Jun 8, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Learn about the technology and purpose driving environmental innovation according to top executives as discovered by the Environmental Defense Fund.

Events, Media & Communications

VIDEO | Be a Global Problem Solver at Cisco Live US 2018

Jun 8, 2018 11:45 AM ET

We’re just days away from the start of Cisco Live US 2018, with plenty planned for on-site attendees and those following along from home! This year’s event asks people to imagine the possibilities of a world with intuitive IT, where technology has the power to make anything possible.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Burbank YMCA Reveals Mural “For All”

Jun 8, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Nickelodeon, as part of a philanthropy project their interns undertake every semester, has provided the Burbank YMCA with a colorful and large mural that decorates the west side of their building facing the parking lot.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Shire Facility in Georgia Wins Green Building Award

Jun 8, 2018 11:20 AM ET

Shire's Georgia manufacturing facility near Covington has been nationally recognized as a green building for its energy and water efficiency and the healthy building practices that were incorporated into its design. The facility received three Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative, a nonprofit organization with a nationally recognized green rating assessment, guidance and certification program that seeks to promote best practices in sustainable design, construction, and building operations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Venetian and The Palazzo Team Member Attends 2018 Amnesty International’s Annual General Meeting

Jun 8, 2018 11:10 AM ET

The Venetian and The Palazzo Team Member Biar Atem recently attended Amnesty International USA’s Annual General Meeting in Washington, DC as a “Build Bridges” panel member to empower Amnesty members to advocate for refugees and human rights.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FCA US Mopar Parts Distribution Center Honored With Prestigious LEED Gold Environmental Award

Jun 8, 2018 10:55 AM ET

The FCA US LLC Mopar Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Romulus, Michigan, has been honored with the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold award for achieving excellence in green building standards. Administered by the United States Green Building Council, the PDC is the fourth FCA US facility to receive the elite designation.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Jubilant Life Sciences: Using GRI Reporting to Build a Sustainable Future for the Business

Jun 8, 2018 10:30 AM ET

GRI Impact Stories present companies that are using the GRI reporting framework to create tangible benefits for their business and stakeholders. Jubilant Life Sciences, an Indian pharmaceutical company, states that reporting has contributed in their overall improved sustainability performance. Read more about the benefits in this interview.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Students Step Into the Curiosity Cube

Jun 8, 2018 10:15 AM ET

For two years, MilliporeSigma has taken the teaching container around the country to elementary and middle schools free of charge with the goal of inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Events, Media & Communications

The Future Is Living Products at NeoCon 2018

Jun 8, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Environment

The Global Climate Action Summit: How Business Can Turn Up Climate Ambition

Jun 8, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Here are all the ways your company can get involved in the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco this September and contribute to a thriving, low-carbon economy.

Energy

World’s Longest Undersea Tunnel Stays Cool and Reduces Environmental Impact

Jun 8, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Eurotunnel today released official data demonstrating energy savings of 33 percent after the first season of operating a new cooling system for maintaining requisite temperatures in the landmark Channel Tunnel. The operator saved 4.8 GWh and approximately €500,000 in 2017 courtesy of the new cooling system – equivalent to saving enough electricity to run 1,000 households.

Environment

VIDEO | International Water Prize Competitors Complete Cold-Climate Testing in Race to Solve Algal Bloom Crisis

Jun 8, 2018 9:45 AM ET

May marked the final month of pilot stage testing for the top 9 George Barley Water Prize contestant teams. This international $10 million grand prize competition aims to find a lasting solution to the problem of harmful algal blooms fed by excess phosphorus. Begun in 2016 with more than 100 contestant teams, the competition’s latest stage challenged teams to test their innovations in real-world, cold-climate conditions. The winning team will demonstrate a cost-effective, scalable solution to remove and repurpose phosphorus from freshwater.

Environment

WATCH: Nestlé Waters to Certify All Sites with Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard by 2025

Jun 8, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Nestlé Waters is extending its commitment to water stewardship by certifying all of its sites to the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by 2025.

The global standard promotes responsible water use that benefits local communities socially and economically, while ensuring environmental sustainability of watersheds - all priorities for Nestlé.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

What Corporate Leaders Are Saying About the Business of Gender Equity

Jun 8, 2018 9:35 AM ET

We had several illuminating conversations about the intersection of gender equity and shared value recently at the Shared Value Leadership Summit. The Summit brings together approximately 400 global leaders every year in New York to explore opportunities for shared value across industries and geographies.