Sustainable Development Goals

Georgian Microfinance Lender Brings Innovative Financial Services to Rural Areas

May 29, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Crystal, a leading Georgian microfinance lender, has joined Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a pledge to provide access to finance – including loans and value chain services – to 30,000 new clients in rural areas of Georgia, as well as disperse 1,000 new loans for green/solar solutions and energy efficiency projects by 2020. As part of this commitment, Crystal will continue its record of fostering economic opportunity for farmers, women and micro entrepreneurs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Investing Human Capital: A New Approach to Achieving the SDGs

May 28, 2018 2:00 PM ET

The private sector has direct access to financial and human capital. With the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to provide a shared lexicon and to guide decision-making, the private sector can lead a global social movement ­– and corporations are in a unique position to leverage existing resources to help save the planet. Through IMPACT 2030, which provides the platform for investing these resources, the private sector can collaborate with other investors and measure the long-term return. But, what do we mean by “resources”? And how do we leverage these resources through IMPACT 2030 to get closer to achieving the SDGs?

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bloomberg's Data Center in Upstate NY Has a Rainwater Capture System That Saves Us 5 Million Gallons of Water Annually

May 28, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Bloomberg is always looking for opportunities to reduce water-consumption in our facilities. We used an estimated 122 million gallons of water in 2017, largely driven by our employees and building operations. Accurately quantifying the scale of our global water consumption has proven challenging, but that has not deterred our global water-reduction strategy.

Environment

How EHS + Due Diligence Can Power Up Your Acquisition and Integration Strategy

May 28, 2018 12:20 PM ET

From safeguarding your risk to protecting your brand, Antea Group brings you the benefits of factoring in EHS and due diligence in your transactions.

Education

In Their Own Words: Why Storytelling Is a Powerful Tool for Children

May 28, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Paro, the young daydreamer at the center of a new short film by the same name, can’t help but see stories all around her. She’s constantly writing and drawing — during class and under the covers in bed at night. Her creative passion draws her attention away from schoolwork, leading to a confrontation with her parents and her teacher, who confiscates Paro’s beloved journal.

Responsible Production & Consumption

First Squid Fishery in the World MSC Certified as Sustainable

May 25, 2018 1:00 PM ET

The U.S. Northeastern Longfin Inshore Squid fishery in the Northwest Atlantic is the first squid fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification as a sustainable and well-managed fishery. The certification was awarded on May 22 by independent certifier SCS Global Services following an 11-month long detailed assessment.

Innovation & Technology

New Cameras Installed on SCE Telecom Tower to Monitor Wildfire Activity

May 25, 2018 1:00 PM ET

The Orange County Fire Authority is now part of a growing number of fire agencies that use a high-tech approach to monitor wildfire activity. Recently, six cameras and a weather station were installed on a Southern California Edison telecommunications tower located on Santiago Peak, the highest point in Orange County.

Research, Reports & Publications

E-Buses to Surge Even Faster Than EVs As Conventional Vehicles Fade According to Bloomberg's 2018 EV Outlook

May 25, 2018 12:20 PM ET

The electrification of road transport will move into top gear in the second half of the 2020s, thanks to tumbling battery costs and larger-scale manufacturing, with sales of electric cars racing to 28%, and those of electric buses to 84%, of their respective global markets by 2030.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FCA Foundation Receives the SAE Foundation’s Eighth Annual Gordon Millar Award

May 25, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US LLC, was recognized with the eighth annual SAE Foundation Gordon Millar Award at the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration in Detroit on May 24, 2018. The FCA Foundation provides philanthropic support to SAE’s A World In Motion (AWIM) STEM education program, which gives students from kindergarten through eighth grade the opportunity to develop critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills.

Education

Mobile Science Lab Visits EPiC Elementary School

May 25, 2018 11:10 AM ET

A mobile science lab, called the Curiosity Cube, stopped at EPiC Elementary School on Tuesday. Watch the video online at KMBC.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Activism: Help or Hindrance to Business?

May 25, 2018 11:00 AM ET

For many people, the combination of activists and industry brings to mind images of protestors chanting while marching with signs and banners in front of a company’s store, headquarters or production facility. For others, it suggests the maneuverings of shareholder activists—equity stakeholders using their investments to pressure a company’s management into some form of policy change. What it might not evoke is visions of support, cooperation or collaboration.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

GRI Podcast: Sustainability Ratings

May 25, 2018 10:30 AM ET

What do ratings agencies look at when evaluating companies’ sustainability performance? We asked this from Vigeo Eiris, who also told us about the common challenges businesses face with ESG reporting. Listen to the full interview, alongside the latest sustainability news, in GRI’s newest episode of Beyond Reports.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

SC Johnson Latin America Named Best Multinational Workplace

May 25, 2018 10:30 AM ET

SC Johnson today announced it has been recognized as a 2018 Best Multinational Workplace in Latin America by the Great Place to Work® Institute. This is the 13th time SC Johnson Latin America has been recognized, and the third consecutive year. The organization earned the No. XX spot in the ranking.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

SC Johnson América Latina nombrada el mejor lugar de trabajo multinacional

May 25, 2018 10:30 AM ET

SC Johnson anunció hoy que ha sido reconocida como el mejor lugar de trabajo multinacional 2018 en América Latina por el instituto Great Place to Work®. Esta es la 13.ª vez que SC Johnson América Latina ha sido reconocida y el tercer año consecutivo. La organización logró el puesto n.º XX lugar en la clasificación.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Empowering Entrepreneurs: Interview with Theresa Carrington

May 25, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Theresa is a long-term donor to Whole Planet Foundation and the founder of Ten By Three™ which reduces poverty in developing countries by using its unique Prosperity Wages® model to pay for artisan products. Ten By Three™ is also a community partner of the Whole Foods Market Team Member Volunteer Program in Ghana in west Africa.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE’s Bobby Griffin Named a Top Executive in Corporate Diversity

May 25, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Bobby Griffin, CBRE’s Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion, has been named to the 2018 Black Enterprise list of Top Executives in Corporate Diversity. The annual list honors leading professionals who drive innovation, productivity and profitability by ensuring across-the-board diversity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Retired NFL Player, Matt Wilhelm Joins iCause Advisory Board

May 25, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Matt played college football for Ohio State University where he earned All-American honors. He was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons during the early 2000s and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers and was a member of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV championship team. Matt is currently a football analyst and show host for WKNR AM 850 and WEWS-TV 5 in Cleveland.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

The Road of Change: Circular Economy in the Automotive Industry

May 25, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Energy

Texas A&M International to Save $15 Million Through Energy Efficiency Projects With Schneider Electric

May 25, 2018 9:35 AM ET

On May 16, 2018, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), located in Laredo, Texas, announced it has started construction on a comprehensive set of campus-wide energy efficiency projects that will streamline facility operations, encourage sustainable behavior and improve the quality of life for students and staff. The university is partnering with energy and sustainability expert Schneider Electric on the project, which guarantees nearly $15 million in energy savings over the life of the project.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Multipliers of Prosperity: Simple Solutions for Complicated Lives

May 25, 2018 9:35 AM ET

When MetLife Foundation decided in 2013 to focus on financial inclusion, we had not finalized every detail of our strategy, but we were certain about one overarching principle. Whatever programs or products our grantees designed, we wanted them to be grounded in a real-world understanding of financial behaviors.

Sustainable Development Goals

This Woman Is Building Products to Encourage Tunisians to Use Public Spaces

May 25, 2018 9:15 AM ET

In April 2013, Khouloud Jarraya and her father founded the family business SOTUFER, a company based in Kairouan, Tunisia, that produces a wide range of steel pieces for construction.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Annie Lam Leads Sands China Corporate Social Responsibility Program in Macao

May 25, 2018 9:10 AM ET

Annie Lam has been with Sands China Ltd (SCL) for almost 13 years, joining the company in 2005. Lam started with the company as a Guest Service Supervisor at Sands Macao, managing hotel operations and then two years later, transferred to the Community Affairs department, implementing the company’s CSR program in Macao.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Watermark & Project 24: Malinao, Philippines

May 25, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Malinao is located high on the mountain of Batangas, a region that is nearly impossible to access without a four-wheel-drive truck, especially on slippery slopes during the rainy season. Villagers earn a meager income growing livestock and planting crops. A few families sell wood and charcoal – both valued commodities. Renting motorcycles is expensive, so they typically transport their products by foot to the lowland and make the return walking up the slippery hillside.

Research, Reports & Publications

Canary Wharf Group Commits to 'Making Sustainability Real' With 2030 Vision

May 25, 2018 5:00 AM ET

As Canary Wharf Group marks 30 years, it looks forward to its next 30 years of evolution. As part of this evolution Canary Wharf Group has set out its 2030 vision in its 2017 sustainability report: ’Making Sustainability Real’.

Sustainable Development Goals

CLP Sets 2030 Targets for Priority SDGs

May 24, 2018 9:00 PM ET

Four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will become the CLP Group's target impact areas leading up to 2030. They include climate action (SDG 13), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9).