Media & Communications

Data science has had a tremendous impact in the private sector and is increasingly being applied in the public sector. The Data for Good Exchange (D4GX) is an annual conference centered on these novel problems and applications. This article describes the history of the conference and introduces a selection of the best papers from the 2017 conference that focus on human services.

Volume & Velocity. Those may well be the key characteristics of developments in corporate sustainability and in sustainable investing in the year 2018.

The outdoor industry has made huge strides to promote and protect the lands we love and play in. From REI’s evolved #OptOutside campaign, North Face’s climate beneficial beanie and Patagonia’s bold response to the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument, outdoor retailers engaged consumers around a passion for nature and the goal of preserving the places we cherish. Now, one organization is creating a united voice from outdoor retailers showcasing how the industry is leading with Purpose- helping consumers better understand and connect with these brands and their efforts.

Citi Community Development announced today a $2.6 million investment to support free tax preparation services for eligible workers in major cities and regions across the country. Launched on National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, the investment will support municipal efforts to expand awareness, access and capacity of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites during the 2018 tax season. Citi Community Development’s investment aims to help local organizations complete over 230,000 tax returns, resulting in approximately $191 million in tax refunds during the 2018 tax season. Citi also announced that volunteers from the bank will serve as tax preparers in VITA sites across the New York City region.

2018, like most years, has begun with statements both hopeful and optimistic about what the new year may bring. And there are many positive developments in global sustainability to acknowledge, including the on-going implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement by many nations; increasing collaboration among business, non-government organizations and other institutions on renewable energy, food waste and other issues; the expanding human rights agenda; women’s empowerment; and accelerating investor interest in sustainability. So far…so good.

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, announced today it ranked #41 on FlexJobs’ Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2018 list. For the third consecutive year, Sodexo was recognized for the number of opportunities available on its job board last year that allowed telecommuting as an option, either full- or part-time.

Sustainable Brands® recently opened general registration for its flagship conference: SB’18 Vancouver. More than 3,000 business leaders are expected to gather June 4-7th at the Vancouver Convention Centre for conversation around how brands are staying relevant and resilient in a challenged world. The conference will showcase brands that are proactively innovating their product and service offerings to align with shifting consumer societal aspirations.

It’s back! Every January, Realized Worth shares a guide of the year’s upcoming CSR and employee volunteering conferences around the world – with a few relevant employee engagement and sustainability events included, too. Based on what we’ve seen, it looks like we’re going into this year with even more of a global focus, and a more visible push to strengthen multi-sector partnerships in the name of social good. Big things are in store for 2018!

Domtar was recently named a sustainability leader by Newsweek, coming in at No. 42 on Newsweek's Green Rankings 2017 list. Find out what else is happening at Domtar by checking out the January 2018 edition of the Domtar Sustainability Monthly Minute.

2017 was marked by devastating forest fires that ravaged large swaths of North America. Millions of acres were scorched, hundreds of thousands of buildings were destroyed, and tens of thousands of people were displaced. Amidst these disconcerting numbers is a debate among ecologists, scientists and forestry experts: Should wildfires be controlled? Or should nature be allowed to take it's course? It's a complex question with many compelling answers.