Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Media & Communications

Voices Carry: The Hidden Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement

Aug 6, 2018 10:05 AM ET

As a global media and technology leader, we embrace the opportunity to educate our audiences and inspire conversations about issues that matter. Our resources and reach also allow us to dig deeper and unearth personal stories that add context and meaning to our understanding of the world. With Voices of the Civil Rights Movement, we’re carrying these stories forward for everyone to hear.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

America's Best Employers for Women 2018

Aug 6, 2018 10:05 AM ET

The nation’s top employers for women know that cultivating a culture that’s beneficial to women is an ongoing process. Even Hallmark—where 83% of employees, 40% of senior managers and 75% of board members are women—must work at it every day.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

It’s Never Too Late to Be Adoption Friendly

Aug 6, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption believes that no matter how families are formed, new parents need time to bond with their children. Through the Foundation’s Adoption-Friendly Workplace program, organizations can find resources to implement adoption-friendly policies.

Innovation & Technology

New Tools for Fundraising and More: iCause Access

Aug 6, 2018 10:00 AM ET

iCause is proud to introduce a new tool specifically designed for nonprofit organizations. iCause Access acts as an organization profile that leverages easy interaction with constituents as well as improving the promotion of fundraisers.

Energy

Grad Student Helps Blue Shield of California Cross the Finish Line on Solar Project

Aug 6, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Local officials and Blue Shield of California employees gathered in El Dorado Hills as CEO Paul Markovich cut the ribbon on the healthcare company’s newest solar power installation. I’m always excited to see companies breaking ground on clean energy projects, but I’m particularly thrilled about this one. That’s because three years ago, I met Radhika Lalit – the grad student who laid the foundation for this project.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Responsible Business Alliance Signs Agreement to Support Bali Process Efforts on Modern Slavery

Aug 6, 2018 9:30 AM ET

The Bali Process Government and Business Forum (Bali Process) Secretariat (Walk Free Foundation) and the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to collaborate on anti-slavery efforts through the Bali Process.

Research, Reports & Publications

GRI Creates Practical Guidelines to Accelerate SDG Progress

Aug 6, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Companies from all industries have turned their attention to addressing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackling a range of issues including climate change, economic inequality, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. However, reports from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network show that in order to meet the ambitious goals set forth in the SDGs, progress must accelerate – and more organizations need to join the movement. Recently, in an effort to help companies better measure and report on their progress, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Global Compact released a “Practical Guide” to help fast-track progress as we move towards 2030.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Digging Into Soil Health Is Good Business

Aug 6, 2018 9:15 AM ET

With its important role in sequestering carbon, soil is gaining recognition as a tool for mitigating the growing threat of climate change. As a result, agriculture-based industries, such as food, textiles and to some extent cosmetics, are digging into the health of soil — the key to sequestration. These industries are engaging with sustainable agricultural practices designed to regenerate and enhance this critical natural resource.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Steady as a Rock: VMware's Pat Gelsinger Leads The CRN 2018 Top 100 Executives Pack

Aug 6, 2018 9:05 AM ET

As VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger prepared last month to raise funds for charity by climbing one of the world's highest peaks, he had already been scaling another mountain of sorts in his efforts over the past two years to transform the company.

Diversity & Inclusion

Mars’ Andrew Clarke on the Genius Behind Skittles’ Spot and Promoting a Culture of Change

Aug 6, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Mars global CMO and chief customer officer Andrew Clarke stopped by Adweek’s Cannes HQ at the JW Marriott for another installment of our Terrace Talk series in collaboration with Mars.

Health & Healthcare

Essity and WSSCC Hygiene and Health Report 2018-2019: Prioritizing Hygiene and Health is Key to Personal Well-Being and Public Progress

Aug 6, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Essity and United Nation’s entity Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) launch the sixth edition of the Hygiene and Health Report. Hygiene and health are critical catalysts for solving several global societal issues stated in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With this report, Essity and WSSCC address opportunities and challenges throughout the human life cycle, highlighting new research, best practices and possible solutions. It shows the societal implications of prioritizing hygiene and health in decision making, whether by a policy maker, a care professional or an individual.

Diversity & Inclusion

FOX Sports Partners With Play Proud During 2018 World Cup to Support Young LGBTQ Athletes

Aug 3, 2018 8:45 PM ET

To celebrate Pride Month and the FIFA World Cup in June, FOX Sports teamed up with Play Proud to share the stories of three remarkable young LGBTQ+ athletes who found support and community through the sport of soccer.

Environment

National Grid's Statement on U.S. Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards

Aug 3, 2018 4:45 PM ET

National Grid issued a statement today responding to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed Safer and Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule.

Environment

WEC and Partners Find Local Solutions That Have the Potential to Foment Sustainable Economic Growth

Aug 3, 2018 4:00 PM ET

People and economies thrive when micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are empowered to reach their full potential. These enterprises create 75% of all jobs in Latin America, but many need better connections to markets, information, and supportive policies. They need support and incentives to access new markets, adopt sustainable practices, and strengthen workers’ rights.

Sustainable Development Goals

Carnival Corporation's AIDA cares 2018: Growth with Responsibility

Aug 3, 2018 3:00 PM ET

In its Sustainability Report AIDA cares 2018, the cruise company publishes current facts and figures on the status of its environmental and sustainability commitment and provides an outlook on further projects.

Environment

4 Reasons Companies from BP America to Unilever are Thanking Rep. Curbelo for Leadership on Climate

Aug 3, 2018 2:55 PM ET

Yesterday, 34 U.S. businesses sent a public letter thanking Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL 26thDistrict) for introducing the MARKET CHOICE Act (H.R. 6463), a bill to fund infrastructure investment while cutting climate pollution. Companies that signed the letter include BP America, Campbell Soup Company, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, General Motors, Ingersoll Rand, Lyft, Inc., IKEA North America Services, LLC, National Grid, PG&E Corporation and Shell. The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, which includes Danone, Mars, Nestle USA and Unilever also sent its own letter of support.

Social Impact & Volunteering

PHOTO: City of Stamford Proclamation for "Nestle Cares" National Day of Service

Aug 3, 2018 2:35 PM ET

August 2, 2018 marked Nestlé's third annual Nestlé Cares day of service, an effort that unites its eight operating companies in 47 states to make a difference through more than 150 events nationwide. This year, Nestlé expanded its work with Feeding America®, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the U.S., to support local food banks and non-profit organizations that provide nutritious foods to families in need.

Sustainable Development Goals

Empowering Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Aug 3, 2018 1:55 PM ET

Christine Fraser, Chief Responsibility Officer at Dell, look at the importance of empowering women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Health & Healthcare

Inside the Beijing 'Office' Inhabited by Human Guinea Pigs

Aug 3, 2018 1:45 PM ET

In the fake offices and homes of the Well Living Lab, scientists monitor volunteers to identify ways to make them healthier and more productive.

Sustainable Development Goals

How General Mills Is Tackling the Global Food Crisis to Reach SDG #2: Zero Hunger

Aug 3, 2018 1:00 PM ET

General Mills’ philanthropy in food security is strongly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 2 of “Zero Hunger”, as well as SDG 12, “Responsible Consumption and Production”. Our approach in food security is to strengthen systems at the local community as well as global levels via targeted investments in three key impact areas.

Social Impact & Volunteering

UPS Assembles 500 Hygiene Kits for Atlanta Homeless Teens Heading Back to School

Aug 3, 2018 12:35 PM ET

Together with the UPS African American Business Resource Group and The UPS Foundation, new UPS CMO Kevin Warren led volunteers to create hygiene kits for Atlanta homeless teens.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Future of Plant Breeding Depends on the Pipeline of Breeders

Aug 3, 2018 12:05 PM ET

On the day that the Bayer acquisition of Monsanto was finalized, I was speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics (PBPG) program – where I earned my M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the 1980s.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Donates $75,000 to Fund Life-Saving Technology

Aug 3, 2018 11:20 AM ET

Energy

Committed Towards Conservation of the Planet

Aug 3, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Venkat Garimella, vice-president, Access to Energy and CSR, Schneider Electric India, shared how the largest nongovernment renewable energy initiative in the Sundarbans came into being.

Environment

Cactus Flats Wind Facility in Texas is Operational

Aug 3, 2018 10:30 AM ET

The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility are being sold under two separate power purchase agreements with General Mills and General Motors. Both companies have the option to keep or sell the associated RECs.

"As we are seeing an increase in renewable energy adoption in the U.S., we saw an opportunity for our commerce to support and enable the greening of the grid," said General Mills EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer John Church. "We see the potential for wind energy to have a positive environmental impact. Cactus Flats is one of many initiatives we have underway to get us closer to reaching our climate commitment."