Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

7 Basic Steps for Conducting a Successful Materiality Assessment

Oct 25, 2017 11:05 AM ET

Materiality is a hot topic in the corporate sustainability world, with CSR teams working hard to meaningfully convey the opportunities and successes of their initiatives to both internal and external stakeholders.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Dreaming Big

Oct 25, 2017 11:00 AM ET

So how about you? Do you have an idea for a biomimetic innovation that could help solve our next challenge of climate change? If so, we’d love to see you enter the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Mike Bloomberg Is Our Saint of Rational Self-Interest

Oct 25, 2017 11:00 AM ET

“The world is turned upside down,” says Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire businessman, UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, three-term former New York City mayor, public health and immigrant champion, lover of cities and enemy of gun violence, climate quant, and sugar daddy many times over to his philanthropic causes.… It’s hard to succinctly describe what Bloomberg does. I counted, with absolutely no confidence that I was even skimming the surface, more than 20 organizations and initiatives he is currently engaged with as founder, chair, or major funder.

Energy

Major Businesses Call on International Trade Commission to Reconsider Solar Tariff

Oct 25, 2017 10:50 AM ET

In a letter sent today, major businesses are calling on the head of the International Trade Commission to reconsider its recommendation to impose a tariff or trade restrictions on imported solar products, citing the potential impacts on U.S. businesses and homeowners.

Responsible Production & Consumption

General Mills Works to Make the Cocoa Sector More Sustainable

Oct 25, 2017 10:30 AM ET

General Mills is working to make the cocoa sector more sustainable and to reduce child labor. In 2013, the company made a commitment to sustainably source its ingredients, with the goal to sustainably source 100 percent of its top 10 ingredients by 2020. Those top 10 ingredients include cocoa, oats, wheat, corn, dairy, fiber packaging, vanilla, palm oil, sugar cane and sugar beets, which represent over 50 percent of its annual raw material purchases.

Environment

VIDEO | Glasgow, VA Is Buzzing With New Pollinators at Mohawk Plant

Oct 25, 2017 10:20 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How to Make the Business Case for Pro Bono at Your Company

Oct 25, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Those of us who have experienced pro bono service understand that it is a powerful way to drive social change. Pro bono can equip social good organizations with the expertise and support they need to serve more beneficiaries, become more efficient, and deliver on their missions more effectively.

Sustainable Development Goals

Bringing Transparency to Climate Change Actions

Oct 25, 2017 10:10 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Congrats to the Best Environmental Stewardship Finalists!

Oct 25, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Congratulations to the 2017 Best Environmental Stewardship Finalists! The Best Environmental Stewardship Corporate Citizenship Award recognizes businesses that innovate and help create a more sustainable future. Read on to learn more about the significant, positive impacts these businesses have had in communities, locally and globally.

Media & Communications

The Power of She: The Fair Trade Difference

Oct 25, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Most of the people who make Athleta clothes are women. Which is kind of fitting when you think about it. It’s also what drove us, back in January, to partner with Fair Trade USA to create more than 40 Fair Trade Certified styles. Because our mission is to empower women and girls to achieve their limitless potential.

Innovation & Technology

Black & Veatch, Renewable Energy Test Center Launch Solar Industry’s First Bifacial Module Ranking

Oct 25, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Black & Veatch, a leading engineering, construction and consulting company and Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC), a world-class engineering services and certification testing provider for photovoltaic and renewable energy products, will launch the first bifacial photovoltaic (PV) module ranking in the solar industry.

Research, Reports & Publications

Stella McCartney Backs First Life Cycle Assessment for Man Made Cellulosic Fibers

Oct 25, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney will be able to better map the environmental impacts of its raw materials, after commissioning the first ever Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for man-made cellulose fiber (MMCF) used in production.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fresh Start Supports CARE Complex's Mission to Help Homeless Build New Lives

Oct 25, 2017 9:15 AM ET

One of Las Vegas Sands’ community partners in bringing Fresh Start Mobile Showers to people in need is CARE Complex. Dedicated to the elimination of homelessness in downtown Las Vegas, CARE Complex works to help clients achieve self-reliance and successfully transition out of homelessness.

Green Infrastructure

What You Can’t See Can Hurt You: Improving the Air We Breathe Indoors

Oct 25, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Air quality is no longer something we can judge by our senses alone, especially indoors. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulates, carbon monoxide, and radon are among the chief culprits for poor indoor air quality, along with dust, mold, and bacteria. Building design, interior design, and building maintenance are key factors influencing your “micro-climate” – that is, the space in which you live and work, and specifically, the air you breathe. Optimizing your micro-climate involves smart design, purchasing, and an understanding of the air around you.

Environment

Nestlé Waters Continues to Lead as Sacramento and Livermore Factories Achieve Prestigious Water Conservation Certification

Oct 25, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Nestlé Waters North America announced today that its Sacramento and Livermore, Calif., factories have received certification for meeting the rigorous Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Test Vehicle Washing Helps Save Water

Oct 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Learn more about how the facility in Qingzhou, China, identified a key opportunity to significantly reduce water consumption by redesigning the vehicle washing processes.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Disaster Relief Solutions for the Long Run

Oct 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In the past months, many Benevity clients stepped up their disaster relief efforts to mobilize rapid response from their consumers, vendors, partners, the personal networks of their people and the public at large. These companies raised half a million dollars through the portals in the first two days alone, bringing much-needed funds to communities in distress. As usual, more dollars and hands are required, but where and, perhaps more importantly, when?

Environment

Sugar Maple: a Sweet Reward

Oct 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Europeans were long familiar with the qualities of the maple wood. Species growing in the old world were used for the unpleasantness of pikes and lances. Imagine the happy surprise to find a maple in the New World from which fine furniture could be crafted and from which sugar could be produced in great quantity. So great, in fact, that it became an important commodity to sell or trade for merchandise in the early years of our country.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Home Depot Strengthens Forestry Protection and Improves Chemical Standards in 2017 Responsibility Report

Oct 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Home Depot® is increasing its protection of High Conservation Value Forests and tropical Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) by not accepting any wood products from The Amazon (South America) and Congo (Africa) Basins, unless Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Impact of Pro-Bono Volunteering

Oct 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

“Why not extend the benefit of volunteering to more people?" This question became the spark that inspired the Global Month of Volunteering at GSK, now underway in October. GSK has been working towards democratizing volunteering—by taking it from the 100 or so employees who can participate in PULSE (our three or six month full-time, immersive volunteer program) to our global employee population of 100,000 employees.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Housing Foundation Announces $6 Million in Grants

Oct 25, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced $6 million toward neighborhood revitalization efforts with 47 grants to nonprofits through the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation’s 2017 Priority Markets Program. The 2017 Wells Fargo Housing Foundation Priority Markets Program supports projects, programs and initiatives that help remove barriers to sustainable housing in low- and moderate-income communities.

Social Impact & Volunteering

People Power Sustainability

Oct 25, 2017 6:10 AM ET

During Sustainable September, we spoke with Alicia Procello, VP, Corporate Social Responsibility and President, Avery Dennison Foundation and Janet Sandoval, Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility and the Avery Dennison Foundation. They spoke about their work and how serving as a force for good contributes to a more sustainable future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sodexo Emphasizes the Importance of Childhood Health and Wellness Through Support of Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run

Oct 24, 2017 7:30 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services and a partner to the United States Marine Corps, joined forces with that organization last weekend in support of its annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Kids Run. This event, a one-mile just-for-fun run for kids age 5-12, is an annual lead-up activity to the largest marathon in the world that doesn't offer prize money. Sodexo has sponsored the event since 2003.

Diversity & Inclusion

Sanofi’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Community Continues With the Third Annual Sanofi in Our Communities Event

Oct 24, 2017 7:00 PM ET

Building on a commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Community, Sanofi held its third annual Sanofi in Our Communities, Celebrating Diversity event, demonstrating the company’s support for local Corporate Social Responsibility. As announced at the event, over $700,000 has been awarded in 2017 to select New Jersey-based non-profit organizations focused on enhancing the quality of life in the Garden Sate.

Events, Media & Communications

Aligning Your Volunteer Program With Employee Interests [Webinar]

Oct 24, 2017 6:20 PM ET

Studies show that employees seek out companies that embody socially responsible values and provide an outlet for volunteering. You’ve checked those boxes yet can’t seem to get your employees to participate in your volunteer program. On Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT, we will present solutions to this common, yet solvable, challenge.