Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Education

Arrow Electronics Supports Accenture’s “Hour of Code”

Jan 9, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Arrow Electronics’ employees supported an Hour of Code event at Accenture’s Denver office last month that was attended by local students and their families. Arrow provided 20 laptops for the event, and employees volunteered to coach students through the event’s interactive coding modules.

Environment

It's Not Your Imagination, Dallas Is Getting Hotter — And Here's Why

Jan 9, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Traditionally, economic growth and environmental sustainability have been at odds. In Texas, we tend to adopt a "growth first" attitude, and then worry about environmental and lifestyle impacts later. But the 2017 Dallas Urban Heat Island Management Study from the Texas Trees Foundation provides reasons why we need to rethink how we handle the region's growth, building a better balance between the gray and green infrastructures.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Time for an Employee Giving Program Pulse Check

Jan 9, 2018 9:15 AM ET

When it comes to annual check-ups we make it a priority to visit the doctor, dentist or even a vehicle inspection. Although many of us put it off as long as we can, or even avoid it all together. Why? Fear of bad news, fear of being judged, fear of costs, fear of change…the list goes on. But check-ups are necessary and good for us. The same holds true with your employee giving program. No better time than now to get started.

Education

Hands-on Learning Leads to an IT Career

Jan 9, 2018 9:05 AM ET

To prepare for CCNA certification Nurayy Guerler, 32, studied networking hardware with her hands at SFZ Förderzentrum Academy in Chemnitz, Germany, a vocational training center for people with visual impairments. Though Nuray is legally blind, she is now a successful IT trainer at an engineering office.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Essity Inspires Sustainability in Local Communities

Jan 9, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Each year, Essity employees at facilities throughout the United States take time to give back locally – all sites contribute in a way that is special to their own communities. Here are some of the ways different groups took to the streets to connect with communities and celebrate Essity’s commitment to sustainability during the last quarter of 2017:

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bringing Light to People Across the World

Jan 9, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Teachers like Joseph Alter, and their students, are supplying energy to countries without access to electricity, thanks to We Share Solar® Suitcases and support from Wells Fargo.

Innovation & Technology

Robot Duck’s Aim: Helps Kids With Cancer Via Power of Play

Jan 9, 2018 8:45 AM ET

A plush, robotic duck may soon become a fixture in the world of children who have cancer — a social robot that can be silly, happy, angry, scared or sick just like them, and help them cope creatively with their illness through the power of play. The duck, developed by robotics expert Aaron Horowitz and his company, is undergoing testing and is expected to be widely distributed by the end of this year.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

China Can Reduce Air Pollution By Repurposing Leftover Straw

Jan 9, 2018 8:25 AM ET

HP uses shipping materials made from straw to help reduce environmental and health concerns.

Events, Media & Communications

Speaker Proposals Now Being Accepted for COMMIT!Forum 2018: Brands Taking Stands – The Long View, Oct. 23-25 in Washington

Jan 9, 2018 8:05 AM ET

The Corporate Responsibility Association and CR Magazine are now accepting presenter proposals for the 2018 COMMIT!Forum conference to be held at MGM National Harbor Oct. 23-25. Submission deadline is March 15.

Research, Reports & Publications

Financing the SDGs

Jan 9, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

RSPO Announces Formation of the North American Sustainable Palm Oil Network (NASPON)

Jan 9, 2018 7:55 AM ET

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) announces the formation of the North American Sustainable Palm Oil Network (NASPON), today following the 15th Annual Roundtable Meeting in Bali, Indonesia. In an effort to accelerate collaboration within the market, NASPON’s mission is to educate, build momentum and assist North American companies in making and delivering on commitments to source sustainable palm oil.

Environment

Internationally Recognized Sustainability Certifications Extended Into Turkey

Jan 9, 2018 6:00 AM ET

SCS Global Services (SCS) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with DOĞA HSE Group to extend SCS’ internationally recognized sustainability services into Turkey. DOĞA will serve as SCS’ local representative in Turkey, offering a range of sustainability services and certifications for products and manufacturers.

Events, Media & Communications

Share Your Story at the 2018 Shared Value Leadership Summit

Jan 9, 2018 6:00 AM ET

The Shared Value Initiative is seeking proposals for the 2018 Shared Value Leadership Summit's popular Storytellers speaking opportunities and we want the Summit stage to come alive with your story of shared value innovation and inspiration.

Education

Next Generation of Major Leaguers Prepare for the Future

Jan 8, 2018 7:30 PM ET

Baseball's worldwide appeal was on full display from January 4-7 when the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball hosted their annual Rookie Career Development Program (RCDP) at the Landsdowne Conference Center in Leesburg, Va.

Media & Communications

2017’s Top 10 Sustainable Business Stories – HBR Author Andrew Winston Weighs In – What Are Your Top 2017 Stories?

Jan 8, 2018 3:20 PM ET

As we all quickly learned after the January 20 inauguration, the U.S. signaled it would be pulling out of the historic Paris Climate Accord – to become at some point in 2018 probably the ONLY country standing by itself. At least at the [Federal] governmental level.

And so, Trend #1, writes Andrew Winston, is the “Newtonian equal-and-opposite reaction from business, states, and cities – nothing short of amazing – their pushback on policy decisions is my #1 story of 2017.”

Media & Communications

Kroger Expands Fair Trade Certified™ Offerings

Jan 8, 2018 3:15 PM ET

Kroger, in partnership with Fair Trade USA, announced today that its Simple Truth® brand will expand in 2018 to offer more Fair Trade Certified™ products. The Simple Truth® brand’s current portfolio of Fair Trade products spans multiple commodities, including coffee, cocoa, coconut, tea, sugar and agave, and leads the private label grocery industry in Fair Trade offerings.

Environment

CIT To Plant 18,000 Trees Across California And Florida Through Its Gratitude & Growth Project

Jan 8, 2018 1:40 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Glassdoor Celebrates Viacom as “Company We Wished We Worked For”

Jan 8, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Viacom has recently snagged mentions as a company with jaw-dropping workspaces, as one of the top job destinations for working moms, and as one of the top large companies to work for. With such a multidimensional environment that continually cultivates young talent and encourages next-generation development programs such as Girls Who Code, it is fitting that Glassdoor recently named Viacom as one of “11 Companies We Wish We Worked For.”

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

7 Trends to Put on Your Radar

Jan 8, 2018 10:45 AM ET

Large scale disasters, design thinking, and more will affect corporate social responsibility professionals in 2018. Warren Buffet has stated that natural disasters have a greater economic impact than terrorism. As an example, Puerto Rico’s economy is expected to shrink by 8% because of Hurricane Maria, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bombay Sapphire's Laverstoke Mill is a Sustainable Marvel

Jan 8, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Since 2011, Laverstoke Mill has been home to one of the most recognisable of gins, Bombay Sapphire.

Since the gin distillery took up residence, the most striking addition to this quiet Victorian site has been the two intertwining glasshouses, designed by Thomas Heatherwick’s studio. Behind these picturesque scenes though lies the heart of Laverstoke; the ecological and sustainability emphasis that is key to the site. A biomass boiler uses by-products from the distillation to provide heat and hot water; through this, coupled with a photovoltaic array and a hydro-electric turbine on the river, up to 85 per cent of the site’s power is self-generated to reduce its carbon footprint.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Philip Morris Is Giving up Cigarettes – And Asking Consumers to Do the Same

Jan 8, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Although it may seem counterintuitive for a company to discourage consumers from buying its products, we have seen this strategy work in brands’ favors in the past – Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign resulted in an overwhelming positive response from consumers who took extra time to learn about the brand’s mission before making a purchase. Now, one company with a notoriously controversial product is attempting to pivot its business model to be more socially responsible – and marketing directly to consumers during this transition.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Smithfield Foods Achieves Industry-Leading Animal Care Commitment, Unveils New Virtual Reality Video of Its Group Housing Systems

Jan 8, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is proud to announce that it has fulfilled its industry-leading commitment of providing group housing systems for pregnant sows on all company-owned farms in the United States. Smithfield also released a 360-degree, virtual reality video that transports viewers to a company sow farm.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Marina Bay Sands Team Members Share: What Volunteerism Means to Me

Jan 8, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Brandon Cheong, Shift Manager, Loyalty Club at Marina Bay Sands, first started volunteering while still in school at a local animal shelter after being inspired by United Nations Messenger of Peace, Dame Jane Goodall. This sparked a lifelong commitment to volunteerism as he believes in giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. He has devoted time volunteering and fundraising for Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) and Voice for Animals (VFA).

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

WEC and DFGE Expand Their Partnership to Foster Transparent CSR Information

Jan 8, 2018 10:00 AM ET

World Environment Center (WEC) and DFGE Institute for Energy, Ecology and Economy will expand their cooperation to help organizations to better integrate Sustainability Intelligence into companies’ daily business from a corporate as well as from a global perspective. First outcome of the partnership will be another webinar in March 2018 addressing "Climate-related Disclosures and Investment Decisions".

Education

Solving the Immunology Puzzle: A Scholar's Journey From Caltech to Forbes 30 Under 30

Jan 8, 2018 9:15 AM ET

In high school, Marvin Gee was fortunate to get a jump start on his research career, working at the National Cancer Institute. Cancer had been a personal interest of his because of the death of his uncle who battled with the disease. His early exposure to bioscience research helped him realize that biology is like a complicated puzzle. It all eventually fits together to make perfect sense.