Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

“Man’s Best Friend” Takes on New Meaning Thanks to the Avalanche Dogs of Wasatch Backcountry Rescue

Dec 19, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Outdoor enthusiasts hold few people in higher regard than the brave men and women who provide medical aid on the slopes – and sometimes these professionals are assisted by another kind of hero, who leads the way and finds the rescue. Thanks to nonprofit Wasatch Backcountry Rescue’s (WBR) International Dog School, dogs around the country receive the intense training required of avalanche rescue dogs.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

She’s Keeping Farming in the Family

Dec 19, 2017 8:00 AM ET

This post is from Rachel Bork, a global process associate manager in the Sourcing division at General Mills. When she’s not working her day job, Bork is involved in the succession planning of her 5th generation family farm in Minnesota. While most farm kids who are in their early 30s are looking to escape the farm, Bork is hoping to ramp up her involvement and someday take over the operation.

Health & Healthcare

The Importance of Partnership in Feeding Our Nation’s Kids

Dec 19, 2017 8:00 AM ET

During the holiday season thoughts often turn to gift giving, decorations and holiday treats. But it’s also a time to think of others, and those who have less. Even in our nation of plenty, 1 in 6 children in the United States struggle with hunger.

The good news is that here at Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, we know that childhood hunger is a solvable problem. Together with partners like Nestlé, we can ensure more kids are getting the nutritious food they need each day.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods and Vons Join Forces to Donate More Than 38,000 Pounds of Protein to Feeding San Diego

Dec 19, 2017 7:55 AM ET

Smithfield and Vons representatives presented the donation to Feeding San Diego at an event that raised awareness of hunger’s impact in the local community. Members from all three organizations discussed the significance of protein donations in helping the nearly 400,000 individu

Sustainable Development Goals

National Geographic Society Board of Trustees Awards Over $4 Million in Grants to Fuel Work of Scientists, Educators, and Explorers

Dec 19, 2017 7:45 AM ET

The National Geographic Society recently approved more than $4 million for 111 grants, further strengthening the 21CF partner’s commitment to investing in science, exploration, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology. These awards complete the annual grants cycle, with over 600 grants totaling nearly $12 million awarded in 2017 to help address the planet’s most critical issues in fighting for a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Green Infrastructure

IWBI™ and APTA VITAE Trust Join Forces to Advance the WELL Building Standard™ in Italy

Dec 19, 2017 7:35 AM ET

The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) and APTA VITAE Trust today announced a collaboration to advance health and wellness in buildings and communities in Italy through the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™). The aim of the collaboration is to foster awareness among Italian and Mediterranean stakeholders of the importance of healthy buildings and to facilitate the adoption of WELL in Italy.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Sustainable Growth: Barclays Launches New Range of Green Finance Products

Dec 19, 2017 7:10 AM ET

Barclays has become the first UK bank to launch a range of green finance products to help its corporate clients fund low-carbon projects and investments.

Media & Communications

NH Liquor Commission & Jack Daniel’s Encourage Customers to Celebrate Responsibly This Holiday Season

Dec 19, 2017 7:00 AM ET

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey are encouraging responsible alcohol consumption and service during the 2017 holiday season through their award-winning Live Free & Host Responsibly campaign.

Events, Media & Communications

Be on Stage at the 2018 Shared Value Leadership Summit!

Dec 19, 2017 6:00 AM ET

It’s that time of year again – the Shared Value Initiative is seeking proposals for the 2018 Shared Value Leadership Summit's popular Storytellers speaking opportunities and the NEW for 2018, Solutions Salons. Each year Summit attendees join over 400 leaders from companies, nonprofits, and governments to start innovating the real business solutions that our world urgently needs.

Events, Media & Communications

Corporate Leadership, Social Progress

Dec 18, 2017 3:30 PM ET

As the wild ride of 2017 comes to an end, we reflect on a year that was replete with loss and pain, but also a year when leading corporations have stepped up on major social issues.

Through CECP’s collaboration with 200+ companies, hundreds of monthly inquiries and discussions, proprietary surveys, and conversations with leading experts and on-the-ground practitioners, we see six trends as companies lead during these uncertain times.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whirlpool Tool Makers Donate Bikes to Needy Children

Dec 18, 2017 2:45 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation employees in Ohio collected enough money to purchase and donate dozens of bikes for children in need this holiday season.

Health & Healthcare

Merck for Mothers 2017: A Year in Review

Dec 18, 2017 12:35 PM ET

As 2017 draws to a close, we wanted to reflect and celebrate the progress we've made – alongside our partners and maternal health champions – toward creating a world where no woman dies while giving life. We can end preventable maternal deaths in our lifetime, but we can't do it alone. We want to thank all who have supported our initiative this year, from championing quality health for mothers across the globe, to partnering together to find inventive solutions to move the needle on this global challenge.

Media & Communications

Harvard Business Review – Increased Focus on Corporate Sustainability, Convening CEOs for Critical Conversations on the Theme

Dec 18, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Harvard Business Review is one of the most powerful of external influences for the corporate C-suite. Ideas, concepts and themes appearing in the pages (digital and print) of HBR create important initiatives in American companies. HBR editors are focusing these days on corporate sustainability in various dimensions.

Environment

To Boldly Go to the Next New Frontier, Look Down

Dec 18, 2017 12:00 PM ET

We support the recent Noble Research Institute announcement. To date, General Mills has invested almost $3 million to support soil health research and practices. Together with The Nature Conservancy, Soil Health Partnership, Soil Health Institute and other industry leaders, we are striving to implement practices on more than 50 percent of U.S. farmland.

Innovation & Technology

Podcast | UPS Longitudes Radio: You Want to Return That Bad Gift … What’s Next?

Dec 18, 2017 11:10 AM ET

In this episode of Longitudes Radio, Toby Moore, the leader of Optoro, the reverse logistics company, explains how an innovative returns approach creates return customers. Listen to the podcast, then subscribe to Longitudes Radio so you’ll be among the first to know about new episodes.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Smallholder Farmers Alliance and Timberland Anticipate Haiti’s First Cotton Harvest in 30 Years

Dec 18, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Last August, Haiti’s Smallholder Farmers Alliance and global outdoor lifestyle brand, Timberland, planted cotton seeds at a trial site near Gonaives, with the intention to bring cotton growing back to Haiti after a 30 year hiatus. Four months later, the cotton plants are thriving and at various stages of maturing.

Media & Communications

Jack Daniel's and the Armed Services YMCA Kick Off Seventh Year of "Operation Ride Home"

Dec 18, 2017 11:00 AM ET

For the seventh year, the Jack Daniel Distillery and the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) have kicked off their “Operation Ride Home” campaign that provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military and their families to travel from their place of military service to “home” for the holidays.

Environment

The Importance of EHS & Sustainability Stakeholder Engagement: 3 Insights From the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer Survey

Dec 18, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Antea Group’s insights on the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer Survey as it relates to the success of an organization and its EHS programs

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Northern Trust Employees Volunteer with Sun United Way and The Salvation Army

Dec 18, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Thank you Valley of the Sun United Way and The Salvation Army for allowing us to volunteer for your Christmas Angel program by distributing toys to children and families in need!

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Financial Services for Real People: Using Behavioral Science to Boost Financial Health in Latin America

Dec 18, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Help Us Continue Life-Changing Work

Dec 18, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Emily was adopted from foster care when she was just a year old. Today, she is 6 and thriving as a member of her forever family. Often times, children linger in foster care for years before their forever family is found. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption works each and every day to dramatically increase the number of adoptions from foster care. Our work is changing the attitudes of Americans who are now considering foster care adoption more and more, who believe that every child is worth of a family and love and who believe that children are in foster care through no fault of their own.

Innovation & Technology

Arrow Electronics-Sponsored Student Team Takes 2nd Place at World Robot Olympiad

Dec 18, 2017 9:55 AM ET

A team of two German 15-year-old students sponsored by global technology-solutions provider Arrow Electronics won second place in the Open Junior category at the 2017 World Robot Olympiad (WRO) finals in San Jose, Costa Rica last month.

Research, Reports & Publications

Bechtel Build 100 Blog | Summary of the 2017 Bechtel Sustainability Report

Dec 18, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Bechtel summarizes their 2017 Sustainability Report.

Research, Reports & Publications

VIDEO | Aflac Releases Its 2017 Survey on Corporate Social Responsibility

Dec 18, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Last week, Aflac Chief Brand and Communications Officer Catherine Blades, and Reputation Institution Chief Research Officer Stephen Hahn Griffiths, discussed the findings of Aflac’s 2017 Survey on Corporate Social Responsibility with 31 television and radio stations across the country. This annual, scientific survey collects the thoughts and expectations of 1,000 consumers and investors regarding business ethics and responsibility.

Green Infrastructure

WELL Story: Air at Haworth Kerry Center, Shanghai

Dec 18, 2017 9:10 AM ET

The air we breathe can have a profound effect on our health, wellness and productivity. Air pollution is a growing concern across the world, and as a result it is more important than ever to ensure that our indoor air quality is optimized to support human health. We sat down with the project team that worked on the WELL Certified Haworth Kerry Center in Shanghai to discuss how they implemented design and construction strategies to address the WELL Air concept.