Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Employee Volunteerism Dividend: How Volunteering Can Foster Talent Development

Apr 12, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Employee volunteer programs are often seen as a great way to promote social good, while increasing employees’ sense of connection with their company’s mission and purpose, thereby driving engagement. But there’s another dimension to company-sponsored volunteerism that may be just as powerful in energizing your workforce – it can provide employees with a meaningful and effective way to develop their talents and build their careers.

Environment

Sustainable Agriculture Standard Stakeholder Comment Period Announced

Apr 12, 2016 10:30 AM ET

SCS announces 60-day stakeholder comment period for its Sustainably Grown Standard V2.0, the updated version of its well-regarded Sustainable Agriculture Standard.

Education

Meet the Scientist: Margaret Chu-Moyer’s Unexpected Path to Biotech

Apr 12, 2016 10:20 AM ET

This profile is a part of the Amgen Foundation’s “Meet the Scientists” series, where we invite students and teachers to learn more about a scientist at Amgen and the work they do to create lifesaving medicines. Join the conversation by sharing your own experiences with @AmgenFoundation and @Amgen.

Environment

The World Environment Center and Coca-Cola FEMSA Co-Host Mexico Roundtable on UN SDGs

Apr 12, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Historical Introduction

Apr 12, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Creating Impact Through Corporate Volunteering - What's Holding You Back?

Apr 12, 2016 10:00 AM ET

LBG Canada Founder, Stephanie Robertson, explains how to remove barriers to creating impact through corporate volunteering.

Innovation & Technology

Innovations with a Lifecycle Perspective

Apr 12, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

AmCham ScholaRun 2016: NetSuite Employees Run for a Cause – the Second Time Around

Apr 12, 2016 8:00 AM ET

NetSuite has always been ahead in ensuring that its employees are enjoying a balance of work and leisure. Through various company-sponsored activities, such as charity races, NetSuite employees are able to enjoy a refreshing break from their hectic schedules while still maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Engage Your People in Meaningful Volunteerism

Apr 11, 2016 8:20 PM ET

Happily for society, the clarion call of volunteerism is echoing across the business world, and National Volunteer Week (April 10-16, 2016) is expected to have more of an impact this year than ever. Initiated by Points of Light in the United States (the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service), the week is about “inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage their communities.” It’s also the ideal time for companies to spearhead workplace programs that respond to the growing interest in volunteer opportunities in ways that both business and community impact.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Bechtel Among Experts Speaking on Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure

Apr 11, 2016 5:35 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Major Leaguers Shine a Spotlight on Action Team Captains During National Volunteer Week by Awarding $40,000 in College Scholarships to High School Student Volunteers

Apr 11, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Major League baseball players will award $2,000 college scholarships to 20 outstanding high school students in recognition of their dedication to community service and tireless efforts to encourage others to get involved with causes they believe in, it was announced today by the Major League Baseball Players Trust. Each scholarship recipient is a member of the Action Team® national youth volunteer program created and administered by the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America.

Health & Healthcare

Spring Awakening: Refresh Your Workplace

Apr 11, 2016 3:45 PM ET

After the doldrums of winter, spring is a time for change and renewal. That’s why it’s this time of year when many of us think about spring cleaning — getting rid of the old to make way for the new.

Energy

National Grid Launches Energy eBook

Apr 11, 2016 3:25 PM ET

How can consumers and local communities move to a clean energy supply chain while maintaining healthy local economies and solving for climate change? Today, National Grid's US President Dean Seavers launched, "The Democratization of Energy: Climate Change, Renewables, and Advancing the American Dream," an eBook that discusses the ways in which we can transition our nation to a decarbonized economy while ensuring delivery of reliable and affordable energy.

Events, Media & Communications

4 Key Steps to Share Your Brand's Philanthropic Story [Infographic]

Apr 11, 2016 3:15 PM ET

There are a plethora of simple ways to get started via (not only) social media but dedicated web pages, links, videos, and more. Check out the infographic we created to learn how to dive into the world of digital storytelling.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Reverse Logistics for Retail Gain Wider Regulatory Acceptance

Apr 11, 2016 3:15 PM ET

Reverse logistics is a process within the retail community that describes the return of unwanted, damaged, unsold, or dated retail products back to the distribution center, warehouse, supplier or manufacturer, for the purpose of redistribution, recycling, reuse, or disposal. However, retailers can sometimes run afoul of long-standing regulations developed for industrial and manufacturing operations, if items considered hazardous are shipped. Retail employees preparing items for reverse distribution typically lack the extensive training and experience necessary to properly handle hazardous wastes and hazardous materials.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Five Public Schools Using STEM to Make a Difference in Their Communities are Named Winners of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Apr 11, 2016 3:15 PM ET

Comfortable cardboard classroom furniture for special needs students, prosthetic enhancements for veterans and a smartwatch app for pedestrian safety are among the winning projects of this year’s Solve for Tomorrow contest. Five groups of public school students from across the United States have been named Grand Prize Winners, taking home $120,000* in technology for their school.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Banorte, Líder en Estrategias de Sustentabilidad

Apr 11, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Debido a sus estrategias para la gestión de riesgos asociados al cambio climático y a su favorable desempeño ambiental, Grupo Financiero Banorte fue incluido en el Índice STOXX Global Climate Change Leaders, convirtiéndose en la única emisora de Latinoamérica en estar considerada en el mismo.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Banorte, Leader in Sustainability Strategies

Apr 11, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Grupo Financiero Banorte was included in the STOXX Global Climate Change Leaders index as a result of its strategies for managing risks associated with climate change and its favourable environmental performance, becoming the only Latin America issuer in the index.

Environment

Call for Proposals to Conserve the Chesapeake Bay

Apr 11, 2016 2:00 PM ET

As a supporter of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), CSX is encouraging organizations to apply for grants aimed to restore the habitats and water of the Chesapeake Bay.

Events, Media & Communications

Public Voting Period Opens for Hawaii Cleantech Pitch Competition

Apr 11, 2016 1:45 PM ET

The voting period for the VERGE Hawaii Accelerate pitch competition opens today, giving the public the chance to weigh in on which innovative startups will be featured at VERGE Hawaii: Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit, June 21-23, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bechtel Receives Community Service Business Leader Award

Apr 11, 2016 1:40 PM ET

Bechtel, a leading global engineering, procurement and construction company, today announced that it received the 2016 Best of Reston Community Service Award yesterday evening from the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones. Six individual and two corporate honorees were recognized for making a difference in the lives of others in the community.

Social Impact & Volunteering

5 Key Steps to Start an Employee Volunteer and Skills Giving Program

Apr 11, 2016 1:20 PM ET

This week, April 10 through April 16, 2016, is National Volunteer Week, and employees all across the country will be taking a break from their work to give back to their community alongside work colleagues. Volunteerism is increasingly becoming the core around which companies are building employee engagement strategies and programs, and serving as a catalyst for deeper partnerships with nonprofit organizations (Source: America’s Charities Snapshot 2015 report, The New Corporate DNA).

Environment

Easy Ways to Go Green in Your Home - Whirlpool Corp. Institute of Home Science

Apr 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Going green doesn't have to break the bank to make a difference.

Diversity & Inclusion

How I became a techie: Yoona Kim

Apr 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

“I really enjoy learning about new technology before it’s released. It’s always so rewarding.” —Yoona Kim

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Presents 2016 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award to World Environment Center CEO Dr. Terry F. Yosie

Apr 11, 2016 12:55 PM ET

The Alumni Association of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) has announced that Dr. Terry F. Yosie, President & CEO of the World Environment Center, will receive the university’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for 2016. The award recognizes alumni for their achievements in the arts, humanities, business, academia and public service. Dr. Michael A. Driscoll, IUP’s President, will present the award at an Alumni Association Gala on April 16.