The August issue of the GRI newsletter is full of practical examples and tools that can help you as the new reporting cycle begins for many report preparers.

Those who know the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) registry know it is one of the best indicators of sustainably produced electronics. The Green Electronics Council is expanding their registry to include a new server category, and customers can find multiple Dell EMC PowerEdge servers from the start.

World energy use has increased by 50% over the last 25 years, and yet two million people on our planet still lack access to reliable electricity. Add to that the forecast that energy demand will increase by almost another 50% by 2050. In addition, we know that 85% of CO2 emissions are linked to energy use and that industries use one third of worldwide energy. And we know that there will be a gap of 40% between the supply of, and the demand for, clean water by 2030.

The result is that we must cut emissions in half to avoid significant and irreversible damage to our planet.

There is no doubt that the easiest, cheapest, fastest, and most profitable way to embrace green energy is to save energy and to consume it smarter.

As a working mother, I often have to multi-task. Recently, as I watched my toddler push his food around his plate, I caught up on last week’s news that Fortune had released its annual “Change the World” list of top companies using the profit motive to help the planet and tackle social problems.

Sysco is committed to supplying products responsibly by improving animal welfare in the foodservice industry; minimizing negative environmental, social or ethical impacts when sourcing products; and ensuring that human rights are respected in the company’s operations, as well as the global supply chain.

You’ve heard about ecosystems: the way all living things in a given area interact with each other and their environment. There’s a similar concept in sustainability called “industrial ecology,” which is the notion that industrial processes benefit from mimicking the closed-loop efficiency, or circular economy, of a natural ecosystem

I believe that success in the workplace is when a workforce is engaged and feels “connected” to their organization. Connected employees care about their company’s success, and they truly believe their company cares about them.

Success in the workplace is where diverse groups of people are always challenged yet choose to step up and work together to find great solutions. It is where every employee sees a path for themselves to learn and grow, is motivated to contribute at a high level, feels valued and appreciated as well as feel they are part of something bigger than themselves.

At Abbott, our goal is not just to help people live their best lives through life-changing technology – it's also to make this important work sustainable for the future.

For us, sustainability is about applying the power of our business to drive positive economic, social and environmental impact – making sure that the work we do helps people live healthier and better, both today and for generations to come.

Around the world, employers are seeking to enlist workers with relevant skills for existing and emerging roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. According to the CECP 2017 Giving in Numbers report, workforce development and education, particularly as related to STEM, are two of the largest focal areas for corporate and foundation giving. These are also two of the largest mission focus areas for nonprofits. In spite of such determined investment and effort, gaps persist, leaving employers and students without the critical thinking and applied skills needed to propel our evolving global economy.

This is the quarterly newsletter for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, a private family foundation that seeks to promote a sustainable society by supporting and funding educational and project-based initiatives that advance knowledge and innovation in sustainability.