Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comcast NBCUniversal Earns No. 7 Spot on DiversityInc’s Top 50 List

May 8, 2018 12:35 PM ET

We are pleased to announce that Comcast NBCUniversal was ranked No. 7 on DiversityInc’s 2018 Top 50 Companies for Diversity List, up 12 spots from 2017.

Thanks to our senior leadership commitment, strong recruitment efforts, and supplier diversity initiatives, this is the fifth consecutive year that our ranking has improved. In particular, DiversityInc attributes Comcast NBCUniversal’s position in the top ten to our significant growth in the number of diverse leaders at every level, as well as our best-in-class commitment to Supplier Diversity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sands Cares Presents INSPIRE

May 8, 2018 12:10 PM ET

INSPIRE, the annual philanthropic celebration benefiting and honoring members of the Sands Cares Accelerator Program has returned. All proceeds from concert ticket sales will be donated to the Marty Hennessy Inspiring Children Foundation and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.

Environment

Gina McCarthy’s Advice for Environmental Champions: Be Persistent

May 8, 2018 12:10 PM ET

Next week former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will keynote a gathering of top corporate environmental leaders as they discuss their work to build business systems that put environmental, health and safety protection at the core. She shared a preview of her remarks with us, along with her advice for those who are making the business case for environmental protection from within companies today.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Giving Back is Part of JetBlue’s DNA

May 8, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Giving back is part of JetBlue’s DNA and is core to our mission of inspiring humanity. At JetBlue our culture IS service. Many crewmembers have shared that opportunities to give back are important to their work/life balance. As such, in addition to the award-winning service we provide to our customers, we regularly try to find ways to work in our local communities by providing opportunities for service. In fact, our corporate responsibility initiatives have been cited as a key recruiting and retention tool for JetBlue.

Last week, our annual “JetBlue For Good” Dinner, hosted by our CEO and executive leadership, celebrated individual and team volunteer accomplishments over the past year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru Ascent Production Begins at Subaru of Indiana Automotive

May 8, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Official production of the Subaru Ascent, a new three-row SUV that will seat up to eight passengers, began at Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant yesterday. To mark the occasion, members of the famous Subaru canine family, The Barkleys, visited SIA to welcome the family vehicle to the Subaru line-up. In addition, SIA presented $8,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations focused on animal welfare: Almost Home Humane Society, Loving Heart Animal Shelter, Natalie’s Second Chance No-Kill Dog Shelter and North Central Indiana Spay & Neuter.

Environment

Keeping Our Commitment to an All-Electric Future

May 8, 2018 12:00 PM ET

General Motors remains steadfast in its vision of an all-electric future. Today, Chairman and CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed the company's stance on vehicle efficiency standards with employees globally.

Events, Media & Communications

On World Press Freedom Day: In Defense of the Media

May 8, 2018 11:15 AM ET

May 3 was World Press Freedom Day, first proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in December 1993 to raise awareness of the importance of a free press and to remind governments of their duty to uphold the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Environment

EHS Leadership in a Changing World: EHSxTech Takes Paris

May 8, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Antea Group gathered some of the biggest names in the tech industry for a 1-day workshop in Paris, hosted by Salesforce. What are the EHS takeaways?

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Join the GRI Standards Governance: Help Shape the Future of Sustainability Reporting

May 8, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Two of GRI's governance bodies closely linked to the standard-setting activities are looking for new members. Find out more and submit your nomination before deadline!

Research, Reports & Publications

AccountAbility Updates Signature Sustainability & Performance Guidance

May 8, 2018 10:30 AM ET

AccountAbility is today releasing its next-generation sustainability management framework and guidance – the 2018 AccountAbility Principles. The AA1000AP (2018) is a timely, informed update to the firm’s internationally accepted, principles-based approach to sustainability management for the 21st century.

Research, Reports & Publications

NEW RESOURCE: Taproot Releases the Pro Bono Sweet Spot

May 8, 2018 10:15 AM ET

We’ve learned a lot over the years about what makes a corporate pro bono program successful, and one thing has been proven true time and again: the most impactful programs are those that are uniquely tailored to fit a given company. With this in mind, we’ve developed a handy framework for helping companies hone in on their own unique opportunities to make an impact in the social sector through pro bono service.

The Pro Bono Sweet Spot is a framework that recognizes that the corporate sector is rich with diversity across a variety of characteristics, such as organizational culture, skills and expertise, attitudes towards volunteering, and more. Long story short, each company is unique, and therefore needs a tailor-made pro bono program in order to maximize its opportunity for impact.

Sustainable Development Goals

A Four-Step Plan for Quickly Building Access to Energy in Remote, Rural Areas

May 8, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Schneider Electric takes its commitment to Access to Energy programs very seriously. By 2020, we are committed to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, of “Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere” and “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all”. Between 2025-2050, we commit to benefitting 50 million additional people with our Access to Energy offers and to training 1,000,000 underprivileged people in energy management.

Education

Big Impact in Bio: Developing Nanomedicine and Mentoring Young Scientists the World-Over

May 8, 2018 10:05 AM ET

When Bronwyn Scott received a Stamps Scholarship a couple years ago, she cited an Amgen Scholar as the person having the greatest impact on her in her college career: “My incredible research mentor Dr. Joy Wolfram had inspired me to work hard, believe in myself, and remain unapologetic for my passion and drive. She continuously pushes me to reach for goals I thought were unattainable.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Humana Included in CR Magazine's 100 Best Corporate Citizens list

May 8, 2018 10:00 AM ET

For the 11th consecutive year, Humana is included on CR Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens list and is one of only two health insurers to make the list. Each year, Corporate Responsibility Magazine (CR Magazine) announces a list of 100 companies with standout corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Humana is No. 69 on the 2018 Best Corporate Citizens list for its efforts, including health and well-being programs, environmental sustainability and a commitment to ethics and governance.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

It’s National Adoption Night at Wendy’s!

May 8, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption thanks The Wendy’s Company for hosting National Adoption Night, tonight May 8, at their stores across the United States. This fun, inspirational night allows Wendy’s customers to learn more about foster care adoption, while enjoying a delicious fresh, never frozen meal at their local Wendy’s.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteers’ Digital Touch Tells Cancer Nonprofit’s Story

May 8, 2018 10:00 AM ET

As a teenager, Michael Sanchez would stand at the bedside of cancer patients as his mother, a hospice nurse, comforted them in their final days. It was something he would never forget.

Research, Reports & Publications

Better Risk Management: It’s About Survival

May 8, 2018 9:55 AM ET

For many risks, like those related to operations or marketing strategies, companies are adept at predicting, understanding and managing their exposure. But for other risks, like emerging risks related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, companies are less equipped - which is becoming a serious problem worldwide.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | How Barclays Is Giving Young People Skills to Rebound and Rise

May 8, 2018 9:50 AM ET

The Rebound Program, supported by Barclays, helps to combat issues related to youth un- and underemployment, financial literacy, and professional development. Since 2014, Barclays has supported nonprofit organisation Good Shepherd Services to help tackle challenges faced by many of New York City families.

Sustainable Development Goals

Out of the Shadows: Shining a Light on Maternal Mental Health

May 8, 2018 9:45 AM ET

In the year or so since ProPublica and NPR published their first article in the “Lost Mothers” series, close to 5,000 Americans have come forward with accounts of how a loved one had died – or they themselves had nearly died – during pregnancy or childbirth.

Green Infrastructure

Secret Cities, 75 Years Later: Bechtel Highlights Future of Los Alamos, Hanford, Oak Ridge

May 8, 2018 9:35 AM ET

A museum exhibit profiling a largely untold aspect of a turning point of the 20th century opened today in the U.S. capital, sponsored in part by Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, procurement, and construction. The new exhibit, called Secret Cities: The Architecture and Planning of the Manhattan Project, examines the innovative design and construction of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Hanford, Washington, and Los Alamos, New Mexico; looks at daily lives within the cities, and addresses each city’s development since the conclusion of the Project.

Innovation & Technology

For Efficiency’s Sake: It’s About More Than Speed, It’s About Sustainability

May 8, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Abbott Named One of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens for 10th Consecutive Year by Corporate Responsibility Magazine

May 7, 2018 7:05 PM ET

Today, Abbott was once again recognized by Corporate Responsibility Magazine on its annual list of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens.

Education

Uplift Scholar Surprised with $25,000 Pizza Hut Life Unboxed Scholarship

May 7, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Over the last few years, Pizza Hut has strengthened our community partnership with Uplift Education, a Dallas-based charter school network dedicated to providing college preparatory education to North Texas students. One component of this partnership is the Pizza Hut Life Unboxed Scholarship, a $25,000 scholarship awarded to one eligible Uplift senior. After receiving many applications and conducting a thorough review process, we narrowed the applicant pool down to one recipient.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Teen Tees It Up With Tiger Woods

May 7, 2018 5:30 PM ET

As the birds chirped from the stately oaks surrounding the golf course, Shahbaz Hashmi, 17, stood on the 11th tee at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. He eyed the ball on the tee, tilting his head slightly to look down the fairway. He could see the bunkers guarding the inside of the dogleg of the par-4. When Hashmi looked down at his ball again, he started his swing.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Hormel Foods Ranked No. 16 on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List

May 7, 2018 4:30 PM ET

Hormel Foods Corporation today announced that it was ranked No. 16 on the 19th annual Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine 100 Best Corporate Citizens List.

This is the 10th consecutive year the company has been on the list and the fourth time the company has been in the top 20. The roster recognizes the standout environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of public companies across the U.S.