In this new blog series, the Chief Executive of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reflects upon his experiences at the Davos Annual Meeting, its connection to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and developing ESG disclosure in order to create a shared narrative between companies and investors.

The quality of life for the New Mexico State University (NMSU) campus community just got better. NMSU Auxiliary Services and Sodexo, our food services and facilities management service provider, announced a new initiative today that will offer hospitality services for students, faculty and staff, including an onsite concierge team, a 24-hour call center, enhanced student living and meeting and conference planning assistance.

During the recent holiday season and extreme winter weather, the CITGO Lemont Refinery generously supported employee-led initiatives to provide food, clothing and toys to local families. Refinery employees lead an annual food drive prior to Thanksgiving to help local organizations fill their shelves before the holidays. This year, employees donated approximately 40 grocery bags and 30 large bins of food and delivered them to six area food pantries including, Bethany Food Pantry, Day Break Shelter, DuPage Township Pantry, Fairmont Food Pantry and Romeoville Community Pantry.

Hormel Foods Corporation announced that it has partnered with Operation Gratitude and set a goal to send 52,000 letters of thanks to active duty service members overseas.

Through its sponsorship with the Super Bowl Host Committee, Hormel Foods is using its activation space at Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon to have attendees write letters of appreciation to deployed troops. The thank you letters will accompany 52,000 care packages sent to active duty service members by Operation Gratitude.

Disruption – disaster or opportunity? The 2008 global recession was a milestone, profoundly affecting every aspect of the economy, with repercussions extending to the present. The military term “VUCA” sums up the situation: “volatile, uncertain, complicated, and ambiguous.” Sodexo was no exception; it was clear that we needed to reassess, innovate, and deliver new service solutions to help our clients cope with the new reality.

Traceability in the procurement stage of manufacturing process is being critically and thoroughly examined by companies as the requirement to be environmentally compliant is taking center stage.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF) (Euronext Paris:IFF), a leading innovator of sensory experiences that move the world, has announced its new diversity and inclusion (D&I) vision and mission. Created by an empowered global employee resource group (ERG), the Company’s statements reflect the values and priorities of both the employee base, as well as its leadership. Simultaneously, IFF CEO and Chairman Andreas Fibig has signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

According to a new Global Opportunity Report from DNV GL, Sustainia and the United Nations Global Compact, renewed efforts are required to ensure four of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals do not miss their 2030 targets. The Global Goals addressed in the report are Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 13: Climate Action and Goal 14: Life Below Water.

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided a $3 million construction loan with 9% LIHTC financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Peterson Park, an existing 39-unit USDA Rural Development affordable housing property, located in Ammon, ID, that will add one additional unit upon renovation. The property is comprised of five, two-story buildings, with units reserved for tenants earning between 30-60% area median income (AMI). The project will benefit from a Rental Assistance Contract for all 40 units.

Aramark is teaming with the NFL and PepsiCo, along with U.S. Bank Stadium partners, for a landmark sustainability project at Super Bowl LII – Rush2Recycle -- aimed to recover more than 90% -- more than 40 tons -- of stadium waste on game day. The project is part of the NFL’s initiative to reduce the environmental impact of Super Bowl LII activities and leave a “green” legacy throughout the area.