Responsible Production & Consumption

Can Cereal Save the Planet? This Sustainable New Grain May Bowl Over the Industry

May 29, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Several years ago, Maria Carolina Comings, a General Mills executive who presides over the company's organic brands (Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen and Epic) was approached by a professor with the University of Minnesota's Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics about a new grain it was researching and developing. It's a grain that held great promise, he said, and could positively impact the environment.

Research, Reports & Publications

Purpose Messages Evoke Greater Attention, Arousal and Emotion, According to First-of-its-Kind Biometrics Research by Porter Novelli/Cone

May 29, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Americans are more likely to have a positive image of (89%), trust in (86%) and be loyal (83%) to brands that lead with Purpose, according to the 2019 Porter Novelli/Cone Purpose Biometrics Study. This first-of-its-kind biometrics study, examines not only what consumers say they will do to support responsible brands, but also how they feel and physically react when exposed to Purpose-driven messaging.

Innovation & Technology

Arrow Electronics Joins Forces with Apps & Girls to Foster Technology Innovation in East Africa

May 29, 2019 11:25 AM ET

Arrow Electronics has teamed with Apps & Girls to bridge the tech gender gap in East Africa, by helping girls and young women expand their information technology skills. Apps & Girls provides coding training and entrepreneurship skills to girls in secondary schools in Tanzania. The social enterprise also offers mentorships to girls to create tech startups, connects them with jobs and internships and promotes their work to customers, partners and potential funders.

Media & Communications

S&P 500® Index Companies’ ESG/Sustainability, Responsibility Reporting Hits 86% For Year 2018 – Latest G&A Institute Research Results…

May 29, 2019 11:00 AM ET

For the eighth year, the G&A Institute research team has examined the ESG, Sustainability, Responsibility & Citizenship disclosure and reporting practices of the S&P 500® Index companies and determined for year 2018 that 86 percent of the almost 500 public companies were publishing reports in various formats for public viewing.

Responsible Production & Consumption

LG "Making An Eco Friendly Home" on The Lifestyle List

May 29, 2019 10:55 AM ET

ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year LG Electronics USA has joined forces with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the 2019 “Flip Your Fridge” campaign. Replace your old refrigerator with a new LG ENERGY STAR certified model to save energy, save money and help protect the planet. Learn more about the environmental benefits of responsibly recycling and upgrading your refrigerator as a part of the EPA's "Flip Your Fridge" campaign.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Nespresso Unite to Revive Coffee Farming in El Rosario, Nariño

May 29, 2019 10:45 AM ET

The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Nespresso today announced a pilot program to help revitalize coffee production in the municipality of El Rosario, in the Nariño Department of Colombia.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Rational Hope

May 29, 2019 10:30 AM ET

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe understands how important it is to walk the line between knowing the science of climate change and articulating a positive vision for the future, and she does that well. As she said in her TED Talk, “What we need to fix this thing is rational hope.”

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (May 2019)

May 29, 2019 9:15 AM ET

Nearly 40 Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to the 2030 Agenda through a joint communiqué from the Leaders' Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation — calling on all market players to fulfill their corporate social responsibility and follow the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. “We are delighted and encouraged by this endorsement of our Principles from world leaders,” said Lise Kingo. Read more »

Environment

CLP Commits to Converting Car Fleet to Electric Vehicles

May 29, 2019 9:15 AM ET

The CLP Group has committed to transitioning its fleet of more than 1,000 cars to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030 and encouraging more employees to switch to EVs, as the Group has become the first Hong Kong company to join the global EV100 initiative run by the international non-profit organisation The Climate Group. EV100 brings together leading businesses committed to making electric transport “the new normal” by 2030.

Energy

Freight Hauling Just Got Greener in the Golden State

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Hauling freight with big rigs in the Golden State just got greener, thanks to Penske Truck Leasing. The Pennsylvania-based company recently announced the installation of 14 fast charging stations for heavy-duty electric vehicle trucks at four Southern California facilities. Mike Marelli, vice president of Southern California Edison’s Business Customer Division, was on hand at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of the fast chargers at Penske’s La Mirada site.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Partnering for Our Communities: Biogen Foundation and Food for Free

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The Biogen Foundation teams up with Food For Free, a local non-profit based in Cambridge, Mass, to build and provide kitchen space, as well as Biogen employee volunteers to help with the program and make meals.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac Awarded Gold at REGGIE Awards in Brand Purpose category

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

On May 15 in Orlando, Florida, Aflac took home a Gold REGGIE Award from the Association of National Advertisers in the ANA Center for Brand Purpose category. The award entry focused on their childhood cancer campaign initiatives in 2018, largely supported by My Special Aflac Duck®. Nearly 70 awards were presented to top agencies and brands for the best brand activation marketing campaigns of 2018 across more than 20 categories.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pearson Releases 2018 Sustainability Report

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Pearson, the world’s learning company, today publishes its 2018 Sustainability Report, demonstrating ongoing progress in integrating social and environmental issues across the business and advancing equity in education.

A key element of Pearson’s business strategy is to help improve employability prospects through providing products and services that drive better learning outcomes. As sustainability is increasingly integrated into Pearson’s core business, employability for underserved groups and supporting sustainability skills are becoming areas of focus.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tetra Tech Recognized for the Albion Riverside Park Project

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The City of Los Angeles recognized Tetra Tech for its work on the civil engineering design of the Albion Riverside Park in Los Angeles, California. The City presented Tetra Tech’s project team with a certificate of recognition as part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the park in March 2019. Tetra Tech’s work included pre-design, civil engineering design, and construction support services for the project.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Pro Bono Perspectives Podcast: Episode 22 - Susan Portugal, Bank of America

May 29, 2019 7:00 AM ET

Pro Bono Perspectives host and Common Impact CEO Danielle Holly speaks with Susan Portugal, SVP and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Director at Bank of America, who reflects on the challenges and excitement of integrating social purpose into existing business structures.

Research, Reports & Publications

Human Rights Reporting – New Management Briefing

May 29, 2019 6:00 AM ET

There’s increasing focus and attention, from several key stakeholder groups, on the need for greater transparency on human rights. In Ethical Corporation’s newly published management briefing they look at the rising reputational, legal and brand risks, and some of the companies that are leading the way in Human Rights reporting.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CBRE Global Investors & BRE Partner on BREEAM to Drive Sustainability and Performance

May 28, 2019 5:45 PM ET

In a landmark new partnership, CBRE Global Investors (CBRE GI) and BRE will collaborate to implement BREEAM In-Use International 2015 (BIU) across the CBRE GI EMEA portfolio over a five year period. This signature project will be the first of its kind, where BRE and CBRE GI as the client will tender together to the BREEAM Assessor network, issuing a joint Request for Proposals (RFP). This new approach allows the huge volume of assessments to be managed more quickly and efficiently via a panel of assessors, all operating with high levels of experience and at scale.

Research, Reports & Publications

VIDEO | Meet Dr. Mary Battrell, Staff Veterinarian for Smithfield Foods

May 28, 2019 5:15 PM ET

Meet Dr. Mary Battrell, staff veterinarian for Smithfield Foods. Dr. Battrell has spent over 20 years ensuring that Smithfield’s animals are safe, comfortable, and healthy. Her motto is: "Every pig. Every pen. Every day. Food, water, comfort, care."

Innovation & Technology

Can VR Make Climate Change “Real”?

May 28, 2019 4:50 PM ET

From Greenland’s melting glaciers to endangered African elephants to the up-close effects of ocean acidification and dying coral reefs, immersive VR is bringing viewers inside the effects of climate change and closer to the beauty and the beasts of our planet that need saving.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Most Grass-Fed Beef Labeled ‘Product of U.S.A.’ Is Imported

May 28, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Even the impact of well-managed grazing systems is up for debate. On one hand, you have operations such as White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, which focus on regenerative agriculture and a range of crops and animals, including grass-fed beef. White Oak is actually removing 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for every kilogram of beef it produces, according to a life-cycle analysis by Quantis commissioned by General Mills.

Sustainable Development Goals

NRG's Commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

May 28, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Period Poverty Taskforce - Minister Announces Next Steps on Menstrual Hygiene Day

May 28, 2019 3:25 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Partners in Purpose: Symantec Employees Build a Sustainable Business

May 28, 2019 3:15 PM ET

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advises that failing to take urgent action to keep temperature rise below 2°C will result in untold negative impacts. In response, Symantec has set science-based targets, and have engaged their employees to help reduce the company's GHG emissions by at least 2.8% each year through 2033.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Michael Bloomberg Announces New Funding for “America’s Pledge” U.S. Climate Report to Counter Trump Administration’s Failure on Addressing Climate Crisis

May 28, 2019 3:15 PM ET

Today, Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action, is doubling down on his commitment to support ongoing efforts at the state and local levels to combat the climate crisis as the current U.S. administration fails to act. Bloomberg will grant $2.3 million to the University of Maryland’s Center for Global Sustainability and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to evaluate and analyze current U.S. greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Entrepreneurship Education Inspiring Second Chances

May 28, 2019 3:00 PM ET

At the maximum-security El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) in rural El Dorado, Kansas, the prison is experimenting with a unique educational curriculum aimed at doing just that. It’s called Youth Entrepreneurs (YE), a program supported in part by Koch Industries that helps high school students discover their strengths and pursue their dreams. And now it’s poised to do the same for incarcerated adults.