Temperatures plunged across the Midwest this week, and if the bitter cold isn't bad enough, energy costs are rising. Bigger bills are expected to show up in January and already, 90,000 Consumer Energy customers are behind on their heating bill payments.

More than 90,000 fans were gathered yesterday at the Rose Bowl Stadium for the venue’s biggest event of the year. Following the event, the stadium’s concessions partner, SodexoMAGIC, a partnership with Magic Johnson Enterprises and Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, fed hundreds in need when it donated remaining food items to the Pasadena Hot Meal Program just as it has done for the past seven years.

What better way to get into the spirit of the season than by giving a helping hand to those in need? When the Salvation Army reached out to Scotiabank for their assistance with the packaging of groceries for the less fortunate, a number of staff members volunteered to give of their time.

2017 was a record year in many respects, and climate change played a big part in it. We witnessed devastating natural disasters, groundbreaking policy changes and shocking political decisions, which set some of the progress backwards. However, many companies, states, even individuals, continue the fight with determination.

After a challenging year for sustainability, this short series looks back at efforts and achievements in sustainability reporting during 2017. Part 3 focuses on the important work GRI has done with CSR EUrope regarding the new EU regulation, requiring companies to disclose non-financial information on a regular basis.

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, is working directly with the United States Army in support of its highly coveted Training With Industry Program, an initiative developed to create a group of soldiers experienced in higher level managerial techniques and who have an understanding of the relationship of their industry as it relates to specific functions of the Army.

During this season, we like to take time to reflect upon the things we are thankful for, and that includes you. Our goal is always to provide trustworthy, useful information to help you excel in your role and do more with less, and we wish you peace, health, and prosperity in the New Year.

This year has been challenging for sustainability in many respects, but there have also been exciting developments in the sustainability reporting landscape. In part 2 of this short series, GRI looks back at efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals and developments with the investor community.