Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | How Dogs Share the Love

Dec 22, 2017 8:00 AM ET

When these three women rescued their dogs, they had no idea how much their lives would change. Dogs can change how we see the world. They have the power to make us happy, and they teach us to be grateful. Meet Amanda, Vanessa, and Sahar, just three of the many to take part in this year’s Subaru #ShareTheLove campaign.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Medtronic Is Back to Full Production in Puerto Rico

Dec 22, 2017 12:00 AM ET

Every production line, for every product at every Medtronic facility in Puerto Rico is now operating at pre-hurricane levels. Medtronic provided free meals to its 5,000 employees in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and paid their wages even while production was offline. The company also brought in more than one million bottles of water, as well as thousands of boxes of food. And it provided 40,000 gallons of free gasoline, on-site laundromats and day care for employees, along with a variety of other services such as banking and help with FEMA applications.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Take the Social Value Canada Survey

Dec 21, 2017 6:15 PM ET

In late 2016, the SROI Canada network and the Social Impact Analysts Association merged to become Social Value Canada (SVC). SVC is positioning itself to be the national hub for Canadians to connect, learn and exchange ideas about social impact, social value creation and measurement methodologies. SVC is part of an international network of over 45 countries advancing social value measurement as a member of Social Value International.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Albertsons Companies Helps Food Banks Fight Winter Hunger During Holidays and Beyond

Dec 21, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Albertsons Companies this week caps off a successful season of holiday giving campaigns that will help food banks provide emergency food assistance throughout the lean winter months. Fueled by customer generosity, store teams gave more than 20,000 turkeys and hams for holiday din

Social Impact & Volunteering

Major Leaguer Keone Kela Connects With Youth From Around the World

Dec 21, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Major League Baseball pitcher Keone Kela doesn't do anything half-hearted.

So it came as no surprise that the hard-throwing Texas Rangers reliever made it his off-season mission to genuinely connect with young people both in the United States and China.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SCC Honors Republic Services

Dec 21, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Woodland Pond at New Paltz Selects Connected Living, a Sodexo Partner, as the Exclusive Connection Provider for Families, Friends and the Community

Dec 21, 2017 3:55 PM ET

Connected Living, a Sodexo Partner, as the Exclusive Connection Provider for Families, Friends and the Community
Woodland Pond and Connected Living join forces to bring a new communication platform in New Paltz, connecting seniors, employees and families.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

LBG Canada Data Stories: The Use of the LBG Model Internationally

Dec 21, 2017 3:45 PM ET

The LBG Model is used internationally. Canadian companies are using the LBG model to guide community investment in 39 countries around the world. While outside of Canada, the LBG Model is used by companies operating in 171 countries.

Environment

Four Mutual Fund Giants Begin to Address Climate Change Risks in Proxy Votes: How About Your Funds?

Dec 21, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Nearly all climate scientists and every government on earth (except for one) agree that society faces profound risks from human-induced climate change. Does your mutual fund company, investment manager, or 401(k) manager agree that the risks are serious and extend to companies in their portfolios?

For an overview of risks to businesses from climate change and what they should disclose, see reports and recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD), Chaired by Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City. Examples of these risks already translating into impacts include the record-breaking string of Atlantic hurricanes and wildfires in North America.

Environment

10 Sustainability Stories From GM in 2017

Dec 21, 2017 3:30 PM ET

For General Motors, 2017 was a year of both long-term aspirations and short-term progress. The company declared its vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Transformative mobility developments took place in areas such as connectivity, car- and ridesharing, and electric and autonomous vehicles – keys, it believes, to unlocking a more sustainable future.

Research, Reports & Publications

Monsanto Announces Significant Progress on Commitments in 2017 Sustainability Report

Dec 21, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Monsanto Company has released its 2017 Sustainability Report, Growing Better Together. The report demonstrates Monsanto’s commitment to sustainability and details the company’s progress against all of its goals including improving irrigation water efficiency which has the potential to save up to 80 billion gallons of water each year.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

New Investor Toolkit: Investor Voices on Water

Dec 21, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Monika Freyman, Director of Investor Water Engagement shares her insights on the latest interactive web-based resource - “The Investor Water Toolkit” - a comprehensive tool that helps investors become more water aware. The Toolkit closes a critical gap for institutional investors who have long sought a how-to-guide for integrating water risks into portfolio management and decision-making.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Our Community Impact in 2017

Dec 21, 2017 1:10 PM ET

This time of year, our thoughts are often full of colorfully-wrapped gift bags or boxes with big bright bows. While the holiday season is a special time for giving, we are thankful as well for the opportunity to strengthen lives and communities all year long. Whether through mentoring students, teaching digital skills that lead to higher-paying jobs, or supporting entrepreneurs working to make a difference in their community, our employees and our thousands of nonprofit partners are improving lives every day.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Simple Joys Are Not a Given for Children in Foster Care. You Can Change That.

Dec 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

It’s what many of us consider a simple rite of passage. Getting your driver’s license. But for teenagers in foster care, it’s not a given. Often times they aren’t in one place long enough to find someone to teach them and if they do get their license, whose car would they drive?

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Welcoming GRI’s New Governance Body Members for 2018

Dec 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

The multi-stakeholder nature and global representation of GRI's governance bodies is one of the key factors in the organization's success. We welcome new members at the start of 2018 in out Board of Directors, Global Sustainability Standards Board, Stakeholder Council and Independent Appointments Committee.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy in Top 15% of Newsweek's 2017 Green Rankings

Dec 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Duke Energy has ranked in the top 25% of Newsweek's 2017 Green Rankings. One of the most recognized environmental performance assessments of the world's largest publically traded companies, the Green Rankings rate the top 500 U.S. companies, top 500 Global, and best in industry.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Cutting Through the Haze of Business and Human Rights in India

Dec 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Arriving in Delhi by night doesn’t give you a true sense of the city’s vastness. The low hum of hundreds of taxis whizzing around the airport terminal and the dirt kicked up from the wheels of 11:00 p.m. traffic blur the senses. But when morning came, and I saw the prim, gleaming hotels and office buildings of Gurgaon rise from a sprawling landscape of poverty and poke through the hazy, brown-grey horizon line, a clearer picture of India emerged.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Arrow Electronics Employees Cycle for a Good Cause

Dec 21, 2017 12:50 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Timberland Employees Across the Country Engage in Holiday Giving

Dec 21, 2017 11:30 AM ET

This holiday season, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland is focused not only on equipping shoppers with the latest in cold weather gear, but also with serving those in the community who are less fortunate. With the message “Made to Give” appearing in stores across the U.S., the brand engaged both employees and consumers in a variety of efforts to support communities in need.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Consumers Energy Named “Business Customer Champion” by Market Strategies International

Dec 21, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Market Strategies International recognized Consumers Energy as one of 18 energy providers in its Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™: Business, a Cogent Reports™ study.

Environment

Advancing Water Security: 5 Tips to Help Food & Beverage Companies Power Up

Dec 21, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Antea Group provides 5 tips on how food and beverage companies can move from water stewardship to water security to strengthen their business.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Families Impacted by California Wildfires Get Help for the Holidays

Dec 21, 2017 9:50 AM ET

A nurse and ten families affected by the recent California Wildfires received a special Christmas surprise, thanks to Walmart and the Today Show.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Supplemental Safety Net: An Innovative Model Paves the Way for Inclusive Insurance in China

Dec 21, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Despite rapid economic growth that has benefited many, hundreds of millions of people in China still remain outside the formal financial system without access to safe and affordable financial products. One of the biggest unmet financial needs is insurance.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Group, Inc. Named to 2018 Military Friendly® Employers List for Seventh Consecutive Year

Dec 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

CBRE Group, Inc. has earned the 2018 Military Friendly® Employer designation by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs® and Military Spouse. This is the seventh year in a row CBRE has been recognized by Victory Media for its military friendly practices.

CBRE earned a bronze status from Military Friendly. The bronze designation is given to companies that have programs that score among the top-ranked institutions.

Sustainable Development Goals

Dole Pineapple Workers Open Community Center Thanks to Fair Trade

Dec 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Dole Food Company and Fair Trade USA jointly announced today the inauguration of two new community centers near Dole’s Muelle and Bosque Farms in Costa Rica, made possible by Fair Trade purchases made at Whole Foods Market stores, which drive additional money to pineapple farmworkers to invest in projects of their choosing.