Today, the United Nations Global Compact is pleased to announce the businesses that have been recognized as Global Compact LEAD companies for demonstrating ongoing commitment to the UN Global Compact and its Ten Principles for responsible business.

Announced at UN Headquarters in New York during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2018, these companies were identified as being among the most engaged participants of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. The 34 Global Compact LEAD companies recognized today represent every region of the world and 19 sectors.

Albertsons, which operates its namesake groceries and supermarkets under 20 banners such as Safeway and Vons, is steering the business so that its stores are an authentic extension of its pharmacy arm to become a “true health-and-wellness destination for the communities we serve,

The Allstate Foundation announced today the expansion of The Allstate Foundation Nonprofit Leadership Center, an online and in-person nonprofit leadership development program offering free curriculum for all nonprofit professionals. The curriculum, developed by the Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management at Northwestern University, covers topics including leadership, management and stakeholder engagement.

One in every nine people in the world – or roughly 815 million people – are undernourished, according to the United Nations. This sobering statistic has prompted the UN to launch its Zero Hunger initiative, which aims to end hunger through indoor farming solutions, a now viable means for achieving sustainable food production.

The goal is simple: Ensure everyone has access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food by 2030.

Bechtel has a long history of making the world a safer and cleaner place by helping clean up after the Cold War. We have nearly 40 years of experience in environmental cleanup and management at more than 500 contaminated sites across the world.

One of Bechtel’s historically significant contributions is our service to the national program to clean up waste left over from the production of U.S. nuclear weapons. Our contributions include removing and remediating contaminated soil and groundwater, demolishing decommissioned nuclear reactors and processing facilities, and treating tens of millions of gallons of liquid radioactive waste stored in underground tanks.

New statistics released today by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and TRAFFIC revealed that China’s ivory trade ban has had positive effects since coming into force at the beginning of 2018, but further action is needed to influence key segments of society.

An African proverb states: If you want to go fast; go alone. If you want to go far; go together. But to help solve the most critical challenges facing mankind today, fast and far are both required. One of those challenges is ensuring a sustainable global food supply.

I had the opportunity to join some of the most passionate and committed advocates for environmental sustainability – primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall; government leaders representing countries, states, and cities around the globe; business leaders from top companies including Apple, Bank of America, L’Oreal, Nike, Starbucks, and Salesforce; as well as representatives from the entertainment industry such as Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin.

The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, chaired by Mike Bloomberg, published its first Status Report providing an overview of current disclosure practices and their alignment with the core elements of the TCFD recommendations.