Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How the GRI Standards Exam Will Benefit Sustainability Professionals: An Interview with Tim Lo

Aug 25, 2017 10:00 AM ET

GRI recently launched a new online platform for people to test and demonstrate their knowledge on the GRI Standards, launched in October 2016. We asked Tim Lo, the first successful GRI Standards Exam taker, about his exam experience and how it adds value to his career as a sustainability professional.

Health & Healthcare

Aramark Launches New Plant-Based Culinary Training Curriculum with The Humane Society of the United States

Aug 25, 2017 9:50 AM ET

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities and uniforms, announced today that it will partner with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to conduct a series of plant-based culinary trainings over the next six months as part of its ongoing efforts to develop strategies that increase plant-based food offerings for consumers. Currently, as part of its Healthy for Life 20 By 20 commitment with the American Heart Association, 30 percent of the main dishes Aramark serves across its dining operations in Healthcare, Higher Education and Business Dining are vegan or vegetarian, and 10 percent feature whole grains as their main ingredient.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

4 Innovative Projects from Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists

Aug 25, 2017 9:45 AM ET

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize brings together young innovators from around the world who have created new solutions to growing water challenges. This year, a record 33 countries have participated, presenting new solutions for water treatment, agriculture and water reuse.

Every year, the competition draws more than 10,000 entries. Each country selects one finalist to attend Stockholm World Water Week, where the winner will be announced on August 29. Xylem continues their support of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize as the Founding Global Sponsor.

Health & Healthcare

New Merck for Mothers Blog: The Host Shining a Light on Maternal Health Around the World

Aug 25, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Ivy Prosper is a television host, producer and speaker. She's also an advocate for the empowerment of women and for their maternal health rights. She currently works as a producer on documentary projects telling stories in Africa. She is also developing a line of handbags and accessories where a portion of sales go towards maternal health needs in Ghana.

Innovation & Technology

Unreasonable Impact | Innovation: Sexy, But Not Always Right

Aug 25, 2017 9:35 AM ET

For much of the past 25 years, I’ve dedicated my time to figuring out how mobile technology might help support positive social and environmental change in the developing world. During that time, I created FrontlineSMS, an open source software for grassroots organizations to distribute and collect information via text messages, and it was built from the ground up to reach global scale. Along the way, I spent time living and working in many communities where I both led and witnessed development projects firsthand. I’ve seen attempts at innovation go well, and I’ve seen others crash and burn.

Sustainable Development Goals

Schneider Electric CEO: Regarding Climate, I Am Neither Optimistic Nor Pessimistic; I Am An Activist

Aug 25, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The big picture is clear. It is our corporate duty to fight climate change brought on by carbon emissions. But we are running against the clock and we must act now. As the Paris climate agreement maps out, we must limit global warming to 2°C above preindustrial levels. Globally, that means cutting emissions in half by 2050.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | Progressive and Forward-looking, Energy-intensive Companies are Looking to Technology to Make Them Compliant with the Paris Agreement

Aug 25, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Managing Director of WBCSD’s Natural Capital Area, Maria Mendiluce, speaks to We Mean Business about the Paris Agreement and what companies are doing to take action.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Power of Companies to Influence Social Norms

Aug 25, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Companies are uniquely positioned to drive change around social norms by using their brand credibility, marketing expertise, reach, and access to key influencers, among other assets. Companies can create significant, lasting social change by shifting harmful social norms. But why should companies invest in changing social norms, and what are the practical steps to starting this process?

Environment

The Right Tree for the Right Place

Aug 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Trees offer so much to home landscapes and benefit homeowners and the communities they live in whether it’s shade, beauty, privacy, windbreak, or higher property values. But these benefits are only enjoyed when you plant the right tree in the right place.

Social Impact & Volunteering

LA Galaxy to Partner with Los Angeles Police Department to Host Youth Community Clinic at 109th Street Recreation Center

Aug 24, 2017 8:45 PM ET

As part of AEG’s LA Galaxy Community Clinic Series, LA Galaxy coaches will provide free soccer lessons and lead local youth through soccer drills and scrimmages alongside Los Angeles Police Department Southeast division officers at the 109th Street Recreation Center on Saturday, Aug. 26. Youth to participate in the clinic have been invited by the LAPD Southeast division.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage (Imperative!)

Aug 24, 2017 7:30 PM ET

VMworld US is just days away, and there is a new track that you need to check out: AnchorEmerging Technologies and Trends! With a focus on how your business can best navigate this era of digital transformation, the Office of the CTO (OCTO) will look at the global context for the challenges of digital transformation, and will introduce how IT plays an increasingly important role in delivering innovative solutions that not only solve complex problems but help address broader imperatives.

Events, Media & Communications

Major Leaguers to Shine a Light on Others During First-Ever Players Weekend

Aug 24, 2017 7:00 PM ET

Players will wear customized gear and colorful, non-traditional uniforms inspired by youth league uniforms during the three-day event, which was conceived in large part by the Players and the MLBPA as a way to allow players and young fans to connect through the sharing of their interests and cultures while bringing attention to causes they support.

Education

Amgen Foundation Expands The Amgen Biotech Experience, Bringing Total Program Reach To 900,000 High School Students By 2020

Aug 24, 2017 5:30 PM ET

The Amgen Foundation today announced it will expand the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) to reach nearly 900,000 high school students by 2020. For nearly 30 years, ABE has empowered high school science teachers to implement real-world biotechnology labs in their classrooms to help their students better understand science and how it influences their daily lives. The three-week in-class lab initiative provides teachers with professional development, teaching materials and research-grade equipment to immerse students in the concepts and techniques scientists use to discover and develop medicines.

Events, Media & Communications

Xylem Joins Water Industry Leaders and Policy Influencers at World Water Week 2017 to Advance Water and Wastewater Management Practices

Aug 24, 2017 5:05 PM ET

At World Water Week 2017 in Stockholm, Xylem, a leading global water technology company, will lead and participate in forums focused on accelerating the smarter management of water and wastewater. Taking place from August 27- September 1, World Water Week will center on the theme of “Water and Waste: Reduce and Reuse” and be attended by more than 3,000 professionals from some 300 businesses, agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Names Winners in Small Business Renovation Contest

Aug 24, 2017 4:20 PM ET

Wells Fargo awards physical makeovers to 20 small businesses in Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Minneapolis

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Leading and Following by Example: Companies Taking a Public Stance on Social Issues

Aug 24, 2017 3:10 PM ET

When it comes to companies speaking out publicly on social issues, events in North Carolina, Indiana, Baltimore, and several Executive Orders drew significant attention from business leaders over the last 12 months. When companies take a position, reactions from consumers can cause whiplash. While some companies advocate forcefully, others don’t, and any approach is subject to public challenge. In an increasingly polarized environment, it’s likely a company will both gain and lose brand supporters, and the loudest advocates or detractors will use social media as their bullhorn.

Events, Media & Communications

UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner: Businesses Must Lead the Fight Against Modern Slavery

Aug 24, 2017 3:10 PM ET

The UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has called upon businesses to take the lead in combatting modern slavery. Speaking to Front Group Ltd about the role of business in eradicating forced labour, Kevin Hyland OBE, said: “The Modern Slavery Act has sparked the beginnings of a much needed cultural shift and increased prioritisation to prevent this abhorrent abuse. Businesses must be at the centre of the fight against modern slavery”.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Wells Fargo Recognized for Disability Inclusion Policies and Practices

Aug 24, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo has received a rating of 100 percent on the national Disability Equality Index® Best Places to Work list — the second time the company has achieved the top score.

Media & Communications

Corporate Competitiveness -- An Important Consideration for Board & C-Suite, Including the CFO -- Here's Important News From Accenture

Aug 24, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Is corporate growth and profitability "hard wired" to sustainability and trust? Important question! The answer (a declarative "yes") was advanced by Mark Pearson and Bill Theofilou, of the Accenture consulting firm, in a recent white paper.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

5 Questions With VH1 Save the Music’s Henry Donahue

Aug 24, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Over the last 20 years, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided millions of dollars in funding to music education programs at more than 2,000 public schools across the U.S.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Corporate Citizenship – Delivering Social Impact and Business Value

Aug 24, 2017 1:05 PM ET

If your Corporate Citizenship efforts have business value, the shareholders will support the efforts, or at least they will be less likely to bring a suit against your CEO.

Diversity & Inclusion

Learning About Leadership In The Great Outdoors

Aug 24, 2017 12:35 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Voya Financial Supports ‘Mansfield Rule’ Initiative to Advance Diversity in Law Firm Leadership

Aug 24, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that it has partnered with Diversity Lab to support the “Mansfield Rule,” an initiative that measures whether law firms are actively considering qualified women and attorneys of color for promotions, senior level hiring and significant leadership roles. The Mansfield rule is inspired by the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which has resulted in a 20 percent increase in the likelihood of a diverse candidate filling a head coach vacancy in the NFL. More than forty leading law firms will pilot the program over the next year with a goal of advancing diverse leadership in the legal profession.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity Receives $300,000 Neighborhood Revitalization Grant from Wells Fargo

Aug 24, 2017 12:30 PM ET

The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation has donated more than $44 million since 2010 to Habitat locally and nationally, of which $14 million has supported national Habitat programs that bring people together to build strength, stability and independence through shelter.

Research, Reports & Publications

DOZN™ - A Quantitative Green Chemistry Evaluator

Aug 24, 2017 12:05 PM ET

MilliporeSigma created a unique, web-based greener alternative scoring matrix, also known as DOZN™: a quantitative green chemistry evaluator based on the 12 principles of green chemistry. The 12 principles of green chemistry provide a framework for learning about green chemistry and designing or improving materials, products, processes and systems. DOZN™ scores products based on metrics for each principle and aggregates the principle scores to derive a final aggregate score. The system calculates scores based on manufacturing inputs, Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information, which provide a green score for each substance. DOZN™ is flexible enough to encompass the diverse portfolio of products, ranging from chemistry to biology-based products.