Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Fix (Don't Flush) the Estate Tax

Nov 3, 2017 12:30 PM ET

The Estate Tax is on the chopping block in this second Gilded Age, yet there is probably no aspect of the U.S. tax code more aligned with the values that the Founding Fathers risked their lives for than the law taxing inherited wealth. Recirculating this wealth, either voluntarily or through taxation is fundamental to a healthy economic metabolism, as we know from the study of all regenerative systems. It’s not ideological.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Delta Reaches 250th Home Build with Habitat for Humanity and Aeroméxico

Nov 3, 2017 11:45 AM ET

Wrapping up this week, Delta and Aeroméxico volunteers built the 250th home in Mexico as a part of the 14th Global Build with long-standing partner Habitat for Humanity. A supporter of local Habitat organizations since 1995, Delta became a national partner in 2006. Through the national partnership, Delta volunteers have helped build or rehabilitate a total of 253 homes in 12 countries around the world.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Nestlé to Source Only Cage-Free Eggs by 2025

Nov 3, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Our purpose is to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. This includes ensuring decent welfare standards for animals that are reared for the ingredients used in our products.

To help drive welfare improvements for egg-laying hens, our goal is to use only cage-free eggs for all of our food products globally by 2025. This includes all shell eggs and egg products (e.g. whole egg powder and liquid, egg white powder and liquid) directly sourced as ingredients by Nestlé.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Creating World-Changing Brands with Humanity at the Center

Nov 3, 2017 11:15 AM ET

BBMG is thrilled to welcome Samantha Wilson as Managing Partner! Sam joins BBMG after 23-years at Wolff Olins, where she most recently served as a Global Principal and helped re-imagine some of the world’s most iconic brands from GE to Spotify to Product (RED).

A “world traveler, sous chef, ‘zoo keeper,’ city dweller and tomato farmer,” Sam is on a mission to redefine what successful business looks like by designing brands with humanity at the center.

Social Impact & Volunteering

What Does Pro Bono Mean for Leadership Development?

Nov 3, 2017 11:05 AM ET

At Taproot Foundation’s leadership convening Leading the Way, participants across the corporate, philanthropic, and social sector dug into how to use pro bono as a leadership development strategy. Whether it’s practicing intelligent risk-taking, increasing effective communication, or deepening an organization’s inclusivity, pro bono strengthens leaders and their organizations.

Environment

GRI November Podcast Out

Nov 3, 2017 11:00 AM ET

With the UN Climate Change Conference COP23 taking place in Germany early November, this month's GRI podcast features an interview with Munich Airport telling about their innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also have a report from our Regional Hub China, and a round-up of the latest sustainability news.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

General Motors Sustainability Newsletter - November 2017

Nov 3, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Managing company water in a sustainable way can drive both business and community value. CDP, a nonprofit global environmental disclosure platform, listed GM on its Water A-List for effective water management practices implemented around the world.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Utilizes Simulation to Reduce Paint Waste

Nov 3, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Puerto Rico Native Organizes Hurricane Relief Effort for Residents of His Former Island Home

Nov 3, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Raised by parents who were heavily involved in the nonprofit sector, Rafael Babilonia learned early on the power of volunteerism and civic engagement. So it is no surprise that, as Hurricanes Irma and Maria threatened the Caribbean, the Puerto Rico native wasted no time in stepping up to help. He knew the devastation to the island he once called home would be substantial, so he began large-scale relief efforts before the storms had even passed.

Diversity & Inclusion

CBRE Appoints Karen Ellzey Co-Executive Sponsor of LGBT & Allies

Nov 3, 2017 10:45 AM ET

CBRE announced that Karen Ellzey, CBRE Executive Managing Director, Global Workplace Solutions (GWS), has taken a leadership role for LGBT & Allies. Ms. Ellzey will serve as the Co-Executive Sponsor of the company’s employee network group.

Founded in 2009, LGBT & Allies is a group dedicated to supporting our LGBT community while influencing CBRE diversity and inclusion practices. Since launching the group, LGBT & Allies has grown to 300 employees.

Diversity & Inclusion

Viacom’s Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program Grad Ceremony Inspires Teen Coders, Employees and Company Executives

Nov 3, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Each year since 2015, Viacom Headquarters has opened its doors to a group of teenagers, letting them loose on the floors of our tech department and off-site broadcasting control rooms.

Sound hectic? Well, it’s part of Girls Who Code, a nationally-renowned nonprofit initiative which aims to increase the number of women in computer science. It teaches young girls computer programming skills, which they can use towards a future career in tech, or any number of jobs where this knowledge is essential.

Viacom provides expert mentors from various fields in the company to teach the girls what it takes to become a force in any industry they pursue.

Environment

VIDEO | Schneider Electric and Whirlpool: Five Years’ Cooperation Demonstrates How to Become Champion of Sustainability, From Factory to Home

Nov 3, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world. In their Ohio plant, they had more than 20 million pounds of corrugated cardboard waste, and are anticipated saving more than $1 million over the next three years. The passion around sustainability is being able to see the impact and being able to go home and tell your children what you do.

Events, Media & Communications

WBCSD’s Launches Its Panorama Podcast!

Nov 3, 2017 10:05 AM ET

A President’s perspective from Felipe Calderón: Renewable energy in the United States, sustainable cities and the just transition.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Housing + Education = Success! How ACH Is Building Bright Futures for Children

Nov 3, 2017 10:00 AM ET

AHC Inc. has been building quality affordable housing communities for low and very-low income families since 1975. Every time AHC builds a community, the non-profit not only provide roofs overhead – it helps families build strong foundations. Onsite year-round educational programs are available for children living at AHC’s properties in Arlington, including After-School literacy activities, one-on-one Teen Tutoring, College & Career Readiness, and a Summer Camp to prevent learning loss.

Diversity & Inclusion

De Beers Draughtswoman Ruusa Emvula Urges Women To 'Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone'.

Nov 3, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Draughtswoman Ruusa Emvula has drawn up some clear plans for her role as a woman in the mining industry.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Freeport-McMoRan Named Most Community-Minded by the Civic 50

Nov 3, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Congratulations to Freeport-McMoRan for being recognized as the most community-minded company in the materials sector!

For the fifth consecutive year, Freeport-McMoRan has been named as a Civic 50 winner. Freeport-McMoRan is the top company in the materials sector, largely due to their community and stakeholder engagement programs, and their mining education initiatives.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tricia Dent, MetLife | 2017 Working Mother of the Year

Nov 3, 2017 9:15 AM ET

As a single mother of two children, the founding member of a women’s networking organization, an active contributor to her community and a full-time professional, MetLife’s Tricia Dent personifies the passion, caring and adaptability that successful working mothers can bring to their families, their communities and the workplace.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Barclays | Changing Lives: Honoring Smart Works Charity

Nov 3, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Samantha Cameron was a guest of honour at a recent event hosted by the Barclays Win Gender Network in honour of the charity Smart Works. The wife of the former Prime Minister describes her experiences volunteering for the “brilliant” organisation – while a recipient tells how it changed her life for the better.

Health & Healthcare

Saving Lives Is Focus of Michigan Carbon Monoxide Safety and Awareness Week

Nov 3, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In an effort to increase awareness around the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) – an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas – Gov. Rick Snyder, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Consumers Energy and DTE Energy have collaborated to designate Oct. 30-Nov. 5 as Michigan Carbon Monoxide Safety and Awareness Week.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Volunteers Conduct Water Filtration and Testing with St. Cassian’s Students

Nov 3, 2017 9:00 AM ET

As part of Xylem Watermark’s second annual Global Month of Service, a group of volunteers from Xylem’s headquarters in Rye Brook, NY visited St. Cassian School in Montclair, NJ to help educate students about the importance of clean water.

Innovation & Technology

Arrow Electronics Technology Makes Historic Race Possible

Nov 3, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Racing legend Mario Andretti went head-to-head with former Indy Racing League driver and current Verizon IndyCar Series team co-owner Sam Schmidt in the world’s first semi-autonomous vehicle demonstration race at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May.

Health & Healthcare

Whole Kids Foundation and Farm to Cafeteria Canada Announce Largest Federally Supported Multi-sector Investment in National School Food Program

Nov 3, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Whole Kids Foundation and Farm to Cafeteria Canada announce the largest federally supported multi-sector investment in a national school food program. More than $3.1 million will be invested in children’s nutrition over the next three years. An investment of $1.03 million provided by Whole Kids Foundation served as a catalyst for additional NGO grants and earned matching funds from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Innovation & Technology

Sechelt Water Resource Centre | Implementing an Innovative Water Reuse Facility in British Columbia

Nov 3, 2017 6:00 AM ET

Tetra Tech provided owner’s engineer services for a cutting-edge water reuse plant in British Columbia that serves as a model for sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective wastewater treatment in small communities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Honored with Global Conservation Hero Award

Nov 3, 2017 12:55 AM ET

SC Johnson today announced it has received Conservation International’s most prestigious award: the Global Conservation Hero award. Conservation International (CI) presents this award to remarkable individuals and organizations whose environmental commitment and actions have had a transformative impact for the good of the planet and its people.

Diversity & Inclusion

Fox’s ‘Hidden Figures’ Inspires Historic State Department Program to Support Women in STEM Around the World

Nov 2, 2017 8:45 PM ET

As part of an ongoing effort to encourage women and girls to pursue careers in the STEM fields, 21st Century Fox worked with the U.S. Department of State on a unique educational exchange program inspired by the Fox 2000 film Hidden Figures. The program, Hidden No More, brought 48 women from 48 different countries, each of whom are STEM leaders in their home countries, to the United States this October for a three-week tour of American organizations making strides to support women in STEM. Hidden No More marks the first time in the history of the State Department that a Hollywood movie has led to the creation of a publicly funded education exchange program.