Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

MetLife Foundation to support Access Academy Program at Asian University for Women

May 9, 2016 1:00 PM ET

The Asian University for Women (AUW) and MetLife Foundation announced today that MetLife Foundation will support AUW’s collegiate bridge-year program – Access Academy. This one-year flagship program helps prepare students for AUW’s rigorous, American-style undergraduate studies and also aims to recruit talented women who may have had limited access to high quality education.

Environment

Ceres Statement on the Occidental Shareholder Vote

May 9, 2016 12:45 PM ET

Momentum is building in the U.S. for better climate disclosure. Investors and analysts continue to send strong signals that Paris marked a turning point on climate action. On Friday, Occidental Petroleum announced the results of voting on a 2 degree stress testing resolution at its annual meeting, and yet again the votes represented a high-water mark on investor support for climate risk reporting in the U.S. reaching 48.99% of votes cast.

Health & Healthcare

Companies Provide Pro Bono Support to Improve Health in Ghana

May 9, 2016 12:00 PM ET

They come from companies around the world with two things in common: extensive business and operational experience and a desire to make the world a better, healthier place. Employees from PIMCO, The Dow Chemical Company, and PricewaterhouseCoopers will be among the first Global Health Corporate Champions, embarking on a month long service learning adventure to help improve the quality of public health in Accra, Ghana, in support of the Global Health Fellows Program II (GHFP-II), a USAID program implemented by the Public Health Institute and PYXERA Global.

Innovation & Technology

UPS Creates Global Partnership with Zipline and Gavi to Transform Delivery of Humanitarian Aid and Life-Saving Vaccines with Drones

May 9, 2016 11:45 AM ET

The UPS Foundation (NYSE: UPS) today announced a partnership with Zipline, a California­-based robotics company, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to explore using drones to transform the way life-saving medicines like blood and vaccines are delivered across the world.

Events, Media & Communications

PYXERA Global will Moderate Discussions on the Circular Economy at the 2016 Sustainability Forum

May 9, 2016 11:30 AM ET

PYXERA Global is a proud partner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2016 Sustainability Forum. The Forum will convene tri-sector thought leaders and practitioners to share best practices for unlocking the business value of the circular economy. Laura Asiala, Vice President of Public Affairs and Client Relations, PYXERA Global, will speak on a panel and co-facilitate a working session during the Forum.

Innovation & Technology

Forest Gardens in Senegal Help Subsistence Farmers Thrive

May 9, 2016 11:25 AM ET

After decades of backbreaking subsistence farming, Malik Ndao faced a bleak future. Despite years of work cultivating his fields, Malik could barely grow enough crops in Senegal’s barren land and arid soil to feed his family, much less make a living. He was often forced to leave his wife and five children for months in search of additional work to support the family. “I used to leave my mother and wife for the entire dry season, and still I struggled to bring home $20,” Malik recalls from years earning tips pushing wheelbarrows and carrying boxes. Hunger drove him to scavenge the local forest for wood and fruit, where he gathered anything he could eat or sell. Barely surviving, he could only dream of a better life.

Environment

General Mills Creates Bee-Friendly Habitats in Supply Chain

May 9, 2016 11:15 AM ET

Education

AT&T Kicks Off Aspire Accelerator With 6 Leading Ed-Tech Startups

May 9, 2016 11:05 AM ET

AT&T is working with 6 innovative ed-tech startups for the 2016 AT&T Aspire Accelerator class. The program is in its second year and is part of our $350 million commitment to help students succeed in school and beyond. The Accelerator supports for- and non-profit organizations driving student success and career readiness. The primary measure of success for the Aspire Accelerator is societal impact that the participating organizations create.

Social Impact & Volunteering

How a Service Dog Buys Socks

May 9, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Did you know service dogs can make purchases? SSD Colorado, one of Susquehanna Service Dogs’ service dogs in training, is practicing how to make purchases at Foot Locker in Capital City Mall in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Louisiana Clean Fuel Leader Award Winners Announced

May 9, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) announced the winners of the Louisiana Clean Fuel Leader Awards on Apr. 14 during the organization’s annual conference and expo at the Lafayette Cajundome. LCF, a designated US DOE Clean Cities Coalition, awards the top alternative fuel users in the organization’s territory each year. This year’s event hosted over 100 attendees.

Responsible Production & Consumption

“Tin Mountain” Stirs Up Conflict Minerals Conversations in the Congo

May 9, 2016 10:05 AM ET

The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced extreme complications and exploitation via conflict minerals within the last decade. A new tin mine has been discovered by mining company Alphamin. Will things be different for mineral mining in the Congo this time around?

Innovation & Technology

Making the Right Partnership Connections

May 9, 2016 10:05 AM ET

It’s very much a case of chips with everything at ARM, the British semiconductor IP company. It patents and licenses chip technology to manufacturing giants that end up powering everything from our smartphones and household appliances to, more recently, our cars.

Responsible Production & Consumption

EU Commission on Cosmetics Approves Two Previously Restricted Substances For Use

May 9, 2016 10:05 AM ET

This past October, the European Commission on Cosmetics voted to approve the use of two previously restricted substances in products. Starting May 21st, the use of these compounds will be available for use in cosmetics products. This addition will have a tangible impact on the chemical management of many companies looking to, or already doing business in Europe.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Video Produced by MetLife Foundation and WSJ. Custom Studios Wins Three Telly Awards

May 9, 2016 10:00 AM ET

MetLife Foundation today, announced that Dispatch from India, a film co-produced with WSJ. Custom Studios, has won three Bronze Telly Awards. This premier award honors the finest in film and video productions, groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films, outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Emerging Issues, New Formats Keep the Forum Program Fresh

May 9, 2016 10:00 AM ET

One of the hallmarks of NAEM’s annual Forum is the leadership by a committee of peers, who crafts the conference program to showcase real-world solutions to the professional challenges they face. Committee chairman Frank Marino, Sr. Manager of Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability at Raytheon Co. , is heading up this year’s committee. We spoke with him to hear about some of the issues he’s looking forward to discussing this fall.

Health & Healthcare

A Golden Opportunity to Change Diabetes in Johannesburg

May 9, 2016 10:00 AM ET

In 1886 a large gold reef was discovered on a remote African farm setting off a major gold rush that led to the establishment of Johannesburg. As the news spread, the population of the city exploded with people hoping to find the riches and Johannesburg quickly became the largest city in South Africa.1 In fact, the Zulu name for Johannesburg is Egoli which means City of Gold.

Energy

National Grid talks Clean Energy Economic Development

May 9, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Team Behind Domtar’s Award-Winning Sustainability Report Share Best Practices on 3BL Media Webinar, June 21

May 9, 2016 9:15 AM ET

The team that wrote and distributed an award-winning 2015 sustainability report will join 3BL Media’s next “Best Practices” webinar to share their formula for creating unique and engaging content that garnered interest far beyond launch day.

Research, Reports & Publications

Wellness Begins with Safety at Lockheed Martin

May 9, 2016 9:10 AM ET

Energy

Clean Energy (SDG 7) in Focus for Investors; Corporations Taking Action; Identify Trends

May 9, 2016 9:00 AM ET

This week, Global Sourcing Council's 17 Weeks for 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explores SDG 7 with examples of corporate action to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Research, Reports & Publications

Customer Input Shifts Cat® 994K Design Into High Gear

May 9, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Corporate Giving & Engagement: Values Alignment

May 9, 2016 8:35 AM ET

One of the hallmarks of a strategic CSR program is aligning your program with your business values.

Research, Reports & Publications

GRI Podcasts: Beyond Reports - Episode 3, Ernesto Ciorra

May 8, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

GRI Podcasts: Beyond Peports - Episode 2, Dr. Nelmara Arbex

May 7, 2016 1:00 PM ET

This month Nelmara Arbex talks about the initial findings of the Sustainability and Reporting 2025 project in the new GRI publication "The Next Era of Corporate Disclosure: Digital, Responsible, Interactive".

Innovation & Technology

MGMThink – Q+A with Bill Hornbuckle, President of MGM Resorts International

May 6, 2016 6:00 PM ET

The first week of May is National Travel and Tourism Week - America’s annual salute to travel and tourism.

We are pleased to welcome Q+A guest Bill Hornbuckle, President of MGM Resorts International. Bill has worked in hospitality and tourism for more than 40 years.