Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Aflac, Astellas and Carnival Balance Social Action With Their Core Business Messages

Mar 21, 2018 12:40 PM ET

Not long ago, companies were counseled to stay out of politics and social causes; “stick to business and you won’t offend customers or potential customers,” was thought to be the best route. Things have changed, partly owing to the millennial generation’s preference to buy from and work at companies that are responsible (see tables below). With millennials comprising 40% of the workforce by 2020, brands are correct to heed their voice.

Research, Reports & Publications

Delos-Commissioned Research Underscores Effectiveness of Naava Green Wall Air Purification Technology

Mar 21, 2018 12:25 PM ET

The future of office design has begun to turn “outside-in” as the best of the natural world begins to infiltrate our interior environments. From Amazon’s recently opened plant-filled office in Seattle, WA to Google’s biophilic Chicago headquarters, this movement is taking shape in some of the most innovative organizations and offices in the world. Leading this charge is Finnish health technology company Naava, a global pioneer in botanic indoor air purification.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge to Benefit 14 Nonprofit Organizations in U.S. and UK

Mar 21, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced the launch of the 10th annual U.S. Strategy Challenge, the Firm’s signature skills-based pro bono volunteer program. The Strategy Challenge is in its fifth year in London. Over the next 10 weeks, teams of Morgan Stanley employees in New York and London will work with leadership teams at 14 nonprofit organizations to provide strategic recommendations to address their mission-critical challenges.

Environment

Autonomous Vehicles at a Crossroads

Mar 21, 2018 12:10 PM ET

The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. There are vast resources currently being spent to transform it into something more efficient, greener, and safer. Many think that the technology behind autonomous, self-driving vehicles, will be a key piece to how we get around in the not-so-distant future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Donates $100,000 for Birmingham Revitalization Efforts

Mar 21, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo will donate $100,000 to two local nonprofits to help revitalize Birmingham neighborhoods through the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT® program.

Energy

SCE Puerto Rico Power Restoration Effort Expands

Mar 21, 2018 12:00 PM ET

As other utilities complete their power restoration assignments and leave Puerto Rico, Southern California Edison’s work on the island has expanded to include new territory.

Health & Healthcare

Aramark Hits it Out of the Park with New Vegetarian and Vegan Ballpark Eats

Mar 21, 2018 11:35 AM ET

Before the first pitch is thrown on Opening Day, baseball fans will be delighted to know a new lineup of distinctive and flavorful menu options awaits them at their favorite ballpark.

Aramark, the award-winning food and beverage partner of eight Major League Baseball teams, spent the off-season reviewing consumer insights and exploring local food trends, to identify the foods and flavors fans are craving. With even more vegan and vegetarian options, Aramark is offering elevated ballpark menus that are sure to be a hit with many fans.

As part of Aramark’s Healthy for Life 20 By 20 initiative, and ongoing commitment to providing fans with greater variety, choice and access to healthier menu options, Aramark continues to expand vegan and vegetarian options in the ballparks it serves.

Sustainable Development Goals

LBG Canada Companies Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals

Mar 21, 2018 11:30 AM ET

LBG Canada companies are doing their part to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

In fiscal 2016, LBG Canada companies supported the SDGs through their investments in community.

20% of LBG Canada companies invested in sustainable cities and communities, 24% in quality education, and 30% in good health and well-being.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the SDGs, register for LBG Canada's upcoming webinar, "Community Investment & the SDGs".

Events, Media & Communications

Companies Taking a Stand for STEM Education at SXSW EDU

Mar 21, 2018 11:15 AM ET

In early March, educators, administrators, decision-makers and corporate representatives descended upon Austin, Texas for the eight annual SXSW EDU conference to discuss the current state of education, uncover gaps in the system and identify opportunities to solve some of its most pressing challenges.

Diversity & Inclusion

Las Vegas Sands Honors International Women's Day

Mar 21, 2018 11:15 AM ET

In honor of International Women’s Day, Las Vegas Sands has chosen to highlight female Team Members, in all of the regions in which we operate, who have initiated change in their communities and the workplace. The company supports all its Team Members in their efforts to make their departments better and their efforts in volunteering in the community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Donation Helps Fund the Development of Life-Saving Technology

Mar 21, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc., is pleased to announce a $75,000 challenge grant to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to fund a proof of concept phase for UNOS’ Timely Donor Referralsm technology pilot. Smithfield will match dollar-for-dollar all donations made to UNOS for the program, up to $75,000.

UNOS serves as the nation’s organ transplant system, matching donated organs with the more than 100,000 men, women, and children awaiting lifesaving organ transplants. UNOS members encompass every transplant hospital, tissue-matching laboratory, and organ procurement organization in the United States, as well as voluntary health and professional societies, ethicists, transplant patients, and organ donor advocates.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

This Chart Created by Merck's CEO Helps the Pharma Giant Set Its Long-term Strategy

Mar 21, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Merck & Co. CEO Kenneth Frazier spoke at the CECP's CEO Investor Forum in February, stressing the importance of creating long-term value. He said this comes from considering the desires of all stakeholders, not just investors. He oversaw the creation of a corporate responsibility matrix of these desires and their potential impact on success, and has used it to help guide big-picture strategy.

Education

PANDORA's 12th My School Project

Mar 21, 2018 10:30 AM ET

In some areas of Thailand, especially rural areas, school buildings can ​be run-down and filled with old equipment, which may lower the quality of education. Our ‘My School Project’ gives our colleagues in Thailand a chance to give back to their local communities.

Environment

Cruising Toward a Zero, Zero, Zero Future

Mar 21, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Last week, General Motors announced that it will begin making a production version of the self-driving Cruise AV at its Orion Township assembly plant in Michigan, while roof modules for the vehicles will be assembled at the Brownstone battery plant. The automaker will invest more than $100 million to upgrade both facilities, bringing the company a step closer to its vision for future mobility.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Trends in Corporate Engagement: A Conversation with Jenny Lawson, President of Networks at Points of Light

Mar 21, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Rachel Hutchisson, vice president of Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy at Blackbaud, speaks with Jenny Lawson, president of Networks at Points of Light, about key trends affecting corporate engagement today.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Nestlé Waters Achieves North America’s First and Only Gold Standard Water Stewardship Certification for California Bottling Factory

Mar 21, 2018 10:10 AM ET

Nestlé Waters North America announced today that its Cabazon and Los Angeles, Calif. factories have received certification against the rigorous Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard, with the Cabazon facility achieving an AWS Gold certification – the first facility in North America to do so.

Research, Reports & Publications

Utilities Key to Powering the Future of Mass Transit EVs

Mar 21, 2018 10:00 AM ET

What will mass transit look like in the future? Earlier this year, California announced an ambitious plan to reduce emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, setting the state on a path to achieving 80-percent reduction by 2050. Although satisfying these goals will require contributions from all sectors of the economy, the transition to zero- and near-zero emission vehicles will play an outsized role — particularly when it comes to mass transit.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Seeks Entrepreneurs for Startup Business Competition

Mar 21, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently opened submissions for its internationally recognized startup business competition Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO). Co-sponsored by Makersite and the RISN Incubator at Arizona State University, the competition will culminate at SB’18 Vancouver, June 4-7, with venture finalists presenting their early operational plans to business leaders and investors in the Sustainable Brands community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

You Never Outgrow the Need for Family

Mar 21, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Jessica Phoenix is a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption recruiter in Florida who works every day to find safe, loving families for children waiting in foster care. This past year she adopted Zay, a teen on her caseload who had all but given up hope for a family. His adoption was finalized just days before his 18th birthday.

Innovation & Technology

Cyberheroes: An Opportunity We Can’t Afford to Ignore

Mar 21, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Digital innovation is one of the most exciting opportunities of our time. It seems like the futuristic depictions that once felt fictitious are quickly becoming reality. We can video call on our watches, cars can drive themselves, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) help us find victims amidst fire and rubble, and a virtual global office brings colleagues across the world together in a click.

Education

“This Is My Dream Job”: The Barclays Agricultural Apprentice Programme

Mar 21, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

No Barriers Warriors, Wells Fargo Seek Veterans With Disabilities for Their 2018 Expedition

Mar 21, 2018 9:00 AM ET

No Barriers Warriors and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) are seeking veterans with disabilities for the 2018 #WarriorStrong: The Journey Continues expedition. The expedition is a journey designed to provide rigorous mental and physical challenges that help veterans reflect on their past, recognize where they are now and work toward goals for their future so they may successfully transition to civilian life after military service.

Environment

Protecting Our Blue Planet: Water, Climate, and the AWS

Mar 21, 2018 9:00 AM ET

World Water Day (March 22) provides a stark reminder that fresh water is our most precious natural resource. WWF points out that 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water, 2.7 billion face water scarcity for at least one month of the year, and 2.4 billion are exposed to waterborne illnesses due to inadequate sanitation. The range of threats to groundwater and surface water is mind-numbing – industrial pollution, agricultural run-off, sedimentation, land conversion, to name a few. Now, water security is at even greater risk as a result of climate change. This short article describes this connection, then points to one of the positive developments on the water front – the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), the first comprehensive global benchmark for responsible water stewardship.

Events, Media & Communications

How Dell, Tetra Pak, and the University of Cambridge Integrated the SDGs Into Business Operations

Mar 21, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In a recent ground-breaking webinar on “Activating the SDGs into business operations”, 3 senior leaders from Dell, Tetra Pak, and the University of Cambridge shared their experiences and strategies to successfully integrate the SDGs into business strategy.

Environment

Earth Hour 2018 – a New Generation of Leaders Turn Out to Turn up Climate Action

Mar 21, 2018 8:00 AM ET

This Saturday, March 24th at 8:30pm local time, World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour will sweep the globe. Millions of people, cities and businesses across the world will switch off their lights for one hour to show support for taking action to fight climate change.