Energy & Infrastructure

Although in the past the Olympics presented an opportunity for companies to share their commitments to society and the environment with a global audience, so far, many have commented on the surprising dearth of campaigns this year. Yet, in the midst of a complex Olympic environment, a few companies have stepped forward to leverage their involvement for social or environmental good in Rio and beyond. Here's a quick snapshot:

Our built environment has a profound impact on our health, well-being, happiness and productivity. It can shape our habits and choices, regulate our sleep-wake cycle, drive us toward healthy and unhealthy choices, and passively influence our health through the quality of our surroundings.

The workplace is in a state of major transition globally, with words like wellness, health, energy efficiency and sustainability now synonymous with the office. Combined with increasing evidence of the benefits of sustainable building design, the goal posts are shifting in office markets worldwide, with energy performance taking precedence as a mainstay in today’s modern cities.

Sustainability is one of our Core Values at Caterpillar.

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest leisure travel company, today released its 2015 sustainability report detailing the progress made in 2015 against its 2020 sustainability performance goals. The report’s details show the company is on track to meet its goals in the next four years, with sustainability efforts highlighted across its 10 cruise line brands.

Ingersoll Rand is again listed on the FTSE4Good Index Series, which measures the performance of companies demonstrating strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

Chevrolet recently sold its 100,000th Volt – America’s first plug-in to reach the milestone. Owners have driven almost 1.5 billion miles in EV mode out of a total 2.5 billion cumulative miles, saving nearly 58 million gallons of fuel. That is enough gasoline to fill more than 87 competition-size swimming pools.

A joint research project conducted by the ASEAN CSR (Association of Southeast Asian Nations Corporate Social Responsibility) Network and the National University of Singapore Business School’s Center for Governance, Institutions and Organization revealed that businesses in Southeast Asia are not doing enough to combat corruption.

Thermal hydrolysis is an advanced wastewater solids conditioning process that boasts both financial and environmental advantages. With the process in wide usage across the UK, it is now starting to gain traction in the U.S., as wastewater utilities analyze whether their facilities would make a good candidate.