Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

From Drones to Sensors: Innovation Gaining Sway Among Electric Utility Leaders

Nov 28, 2018 9:00 AM ET

With their infrastructure graying and renewable energy posing growing threats to their customer bases and bottom lines, electric utilities are awakening to the power afforded by dynamic advances in construction, from the deployment of drones to innovative construction practices. Amid the prospect of a continued shift to decentralized, digital grids and the broadening appeal of increasingly affordable solar power systems, electricity suppliers no longer have the luxury of resisting change or delaying the adoption of next-generation power delivery.

Sustainable Development Goals

How Mars, Inc. Is Minting a New Legacy

Nov 28, 2018 8:25 AM ET

For the world’s largest food and beverage companies, the push for a more responsible and sustainable supply chain is as much about long-term survival as it is about addressing current concerns expressed by investors and other key stakeholders.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Tetra Tech Employees Cycled More Than 42,000 Kilometers in 2018 for Largest International Bike to Work Week Challenge

Nov 28, 2018 8:00 AM ET

As part of Tetra Tech’s 2018 International Bike to Work Week (BTWW) Challenge, 678 riders from more than 56 teams around the world cycled to work, the highest participation of any BTWW Challenge to date.

Research, Reports & Publications

Flowserve Publishes 2017 Sustainability Report “Living Our Purpose and Values”

Nov 28, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Flowserve Corporation, a leading provider of fluid motion and control products and services, released its 2017 Sustainability Report today.

Education

FCA Community: Helping Students Succeed Through Mentorship

Nov 28, 2018 7:30 AM ET

Steve Hatfield wished he had a mentor program like Winning Futures in his high school when he was preparing for his next steps. Now “Mentor of the Year,” Steve has been volunteering for six years with Winning Futures, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that empowers youth to succeed through mentoring, strategic planning and workforce preparation.

Education

Red Lake Schools Discover the Earth at Close Range

Nov 28, 2018 6:20 AM ET

At Goldcorp, we recognize that our stewardship of the environment is integral to our company’s long-term viability, and we are working on innovative ways for environmental management, always considering the present and future of water, energy and biodiversity.

In October 2018, Red Lake Gold Mines partnered with Earth Rangers, a conservation organization dedicated to educating children and their families about biodiversity, to bring the organization directly to local schools.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Mapping Cross-Sector Solutions to Food Loss

Nov 27, 2018 7:30 PM ET

In the summer of 2018, Taproot Foundation and the Wallace Center undertook the challenge to map the unique needs of NGOs along the food value chain and identify actionable next steps where pro bono service could impact the problem and offer a new solution. Read about this new inroad on SDG2 in a new article from PYXERA Global.

Health & Healthcare

Going the Extra Mile for Patients

Nov 27, 2018 5:40 PM ET

For Darcy Doege, R.N., B.S.N., of the Levine Cancer Institute, finding cancer early in patients means hitting the road. Darcy is the Program Coordinator for the Lung B.A.S.E.S. 4 Life Program for the Charlotte-based cancer center, which launched the first mobile lung screening unit in the U.S. in 2017. This innovative idea was built to increase the early detection of lung cancer for underserved populations across North and South Carolina, thanks to a grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation

Environment

IDEA Public Schools “Flips the Switch” to Go Solar With Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Nov 27, 2018 3:00 PM ET

IDEA Public Schools’ headquarters in Weslaco is one step closer to becoming the first self-sustaining building in South Texas, thanks in part to a $100,000 donation from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Power of Giving at Duke Energy

Nov 27, 2018 2:20 PM ET

Environment

How Do You Restore Land in a Small Country?

Nov 27, 2018 2:15 PM ET

The Government of Rwanda is setting out to increase national tree cover by 30% and to restore 2 million hectares of degraded land to fulfil its commitments to the national Vision 2020, Bonn Challenge and African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative. Owing to the country’s limited land area, 85% of this restored tree cover will be through integration of more trees into farming systems, that is, agroforestry. This commitment, along with other land restoration and conservation initiatives already underway, will help Rwanda reach its ambitious targets, supported by a new project.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Giving Back to the Causes We’re Passionate About

Nov 27, 2018 1:55 PM ET

As the largest food processing company in the U.S., Tyson Foods supports hunger relief in a big way. In 2015, we put a stake in the ground when we pledged $50 million in cash and in-kind donations over a five-year period to fight hunger. That pledge is known as the “50-in-5” commitment.

Three years after we made the commitment, we are less than $5 million away from reaching our goal. As of the end of our 2018 fiscal year, Tyson has donated more than $45,875,000 toward hunger relief in the form of product donations and charitable grants.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Shire’s Fourth Annual Global Days of Service Delivers Impact Around the Globe

Nov 27, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Shire’s 4th annual Global Days of Service, held around the globe throughout September and October to give back to local communities, surpassed previous employee volunteer participation rates. Shire had more than 7,600 employees participate - about 1/3 of the company, who volunteered more than 41,000 hours at more than 240 volunteer sites worldwide.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Nutopia Matrix: Mohawk Group's Latest Carpet Tile Influenced by Biophilia in City Centers

Nov 27, 2018 1:35 PM ET

The Living Product Challenge Petal certified system is manufactured with a mix of heathered and solid Duracolor solution-dyed nylon yarns to emphasize depth of pattern. Carbon-neutral Nutopia Matrix features Mohawk Group’s newest generation of Red List-free carpet tile backing. Using advanced materials and patent-pending engineering, EcoFlex™ Matrix lowers environmental impact without sacrificing performance. The sustainable backing is dematerialized to use fewer raw materials and energy. It also simplifies floor preparation and installation, greatly reduces sub-floor moisture concerns, and is easier to ship and handle.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bacardi Honored with DRiNK Magazine's First-Ever Sustainability Award

Nov 27, 2018 1:15 PM ET

Bacardi sustainability efforts continue to draw attention, this time in China. DRiNK Magazine, Asia’s leading bar industry website, awarded the campaign the first ever Sustainability Award presented at The DRiNK Magazine Bar Awards (DMBA). A panel of 160 judges selected Bacardi as a leader in adopting a sustainable culture as part of day-to-day operations. Earlier this year, Bacardi launched its global movement, in collaboration with Lonely Whale, to eliminate single-use plastic straws in Shanghai with a media event co-hosted with Cachet Hospitably Group. The global campaign asks bars, restaurants and consumers to join a pledge to ensure The Future Doesn’t Suck with the goal to eliminate one billion plastic straws by 2020.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Giving Tuesday: Give the Gift of Safety

Nov 27, 2018 1:10 PM ET

With the holidays underway, many homes are at increased risk of fire caused by candles and decorative lights. Many of our neighbors who are unable to heat their home will be using their oven to stay warm, which can be extremely dangerous! Rebuilding Together’s work saves lives, and so can you!

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Reveals Initial Conference Details for Annual Flagship Conference

Nov 27, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently released the event brochure for its annual flagship conference: SB’19 Detroit. More than 3,000 business leaders are expected to gather June 3-6, 2019 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan to learn how brands can stay relevant by delivering the Good Life consumers seek today, marked by balanced simplicity and connections to family, community and the environment.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Join OneWest Bank to Fight Hunger Across Southern California This Giving Tuesday

Nov 27, 2018 1:00 PM ET

OneWest Bank today announced a new campaign in partnership with Feeding America® inviting customers to help people in need this holiday season.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Surprise! JetBlue Reveals the Location of ‘Destination Good’ and Takes Its Mission of Inspiring Humanity® to New Heights

Nov 27, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Today in celebration of #GivingTuesday and JetBlue’s commitment to volunteerism and community service, the airline flew a plane full of do-gooders to “Destination Good,” the Dominican Republic. Winners of JetBlue’s #CheckInForGood contest were so committed to good, they agreed to join JetBlue on a volunteer trip during JetBlue For Good Month without knowing the destination. Volunteers arrived at New York’s JFK International Airport and were surprised with the reveal of the location just moments before boarding JetBlue’s newest special livery – JetBlue For Good.

Education

Domtar Learning Lounge Opens in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania

Nov 27, 2018 12:05 PM ET

In today’s technology-driven world, we remain committed to the printed page. We also believe in promoting literacy among children. Most recently, our Johnsonburg Mill in Pennsylvania sponsored a new reading room, the Domtar Learning Lounge, to support literacy and learning at the Johnsonburg Area High School. Troy Wilson, the mill’s paper machine manager, approached the school about how the mill could support school programs. On the school’s project wish list was a reading room at the high school level.

Energy

Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods Partner to Transform the Future of Sustainable Energy

Nov 27, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods, Inc. are joining forces in an historic initiative to transform the future of sustainable energy and agriculture, announcing their first projects in North Carolina, Virginia and Utah. The companies are forming a joint venture called Align Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)℠ that will capture methane emissions from hog farms and convert them into clean renewable energy for residential home heating and power for local businesses.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Give the Gift of Light This Giving Tuesday

Nov 27, 2018 11:10 AM ET

The lights donated by Symantec employees have helped numerous children and their families living in remote off-grid communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Only 10 percent of PNG residents are connected to the electricity grid, leaving 7 million people reliant on dangerous kerosene, campfires, and expensive battery operated torches. The donated lights have helped kids complete their homework after dark and enabled their parents to continue working on their small businesses. They’ve also contributed to keeping girls and women safe as they visit the communal latrine and navigate their way around the village after dark.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

eBay Foundation Shapes CircularFutures With Ashoka

Nov 27, 2018 11:05 AM ET

eBay’s Hanne Melin thinks a lot about the future of commerce. In her role as director, eBay Legal Counsel, and a member of eBay’s Public Policy Lab, Hanne focuses on researching, socializing and communicating policy innovations at the intersection of technology, commerce and entrepreneurship.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Join GRI's Live Stream on Meaningful Reporting at the UN Forum on Business & Human Rights

Nov 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET

GRI is hosting a session at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, focusing on meaningful reporting and the challenges associated with it.

Education

Discovery Education Joins Forces with ‘Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse’ to Premiere First-Ever Movie Studio Inspired Virtual Field Trip Experience Launching Students Nationwide into an Immersive STEM and Literacy Journey

Nov 27, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, today announced Discover the Spider-Verse – an action-packed, STEM and literacy Virtual Field Trip experience, created to offer middle and high school students nationwide a sneak peek of the science, technology, engineering and math found in the new Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse movie.