During annual field visits to our microfinance partners, we often see them searching for better ways to help their clients. Unexpected household shocks can seriously jeopardize the livelihoods of the poorest entrepreneurs and their families. The microfinance sector may be in its infancy in successfully providing access to financial products to buffer the effects of devastating health emergencies, floods, droughts, fires and other disasters, but we have seen innovative approaches from partners all over the world designed to mitigate these unexpected events.

Over the last 30 years, Gildan has grown into a very different apparel company, with close to 90% of its revenues being generated from products manufactured in its company-owned and operated factories.

Alliance for Community Trees, a program of the Arbor Day Foundation encompassing a collective of local tree planting nonprofits, kicks off NeighborWoods Month — the annual celebration of trees and green communities.

Climate change and air pollution are large environmental challenges affecting all of us. At Scotiabank, we recognize that a better future is intrinsically linked to the health of our planet, and we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment.

Our pulp and paper products are derived from renewable resources, made with high levels of renewable energy, and are designed to be reused or recycled. While it is difficult to identify a more sustainable industry than forest products, not all companies perform equally when it comes to operating safely and sustainably.

Republic Services of Oregon is pleased to announce that the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has named Republic’s Pacific Region Compost Facility (PRC) the winner of the Silver Excellence Award in the Composting Systems category. The award was presented at SWANA’s annual conference, WASTECON®, today in Baltimore.

Driving home its commitment to future-ready open platforms for smart appliances, LG Electronics USA today announced that almost 87 Wi-Fi connected LG smart home appliances – including ENERGY STAR® certified washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, vacuums, air purifiers and more – are now compatible with the Google Assistant on Google Home and eligible Android and iOS smartphones.

Leveraging technology and innovation is essential to build capacity, streamline programs, and further impact in successful public-private partnerships (PPPs). Technology can be leveraged in two ways: first through the use of technical tools and platforms, and second through the use of technical knowledge to ensure expertise and innovative practices are applied uniformly and consistently to community investment strategies.

On Wednesday, October 18 the Shared Value Initiative is hosting "Starting Your Journey: Shared Value 101", a 75 minute webinar which will feature an overview of the shared value theory and a candid discussion of how some of the world’s leading companies are implementing it.

During a port call in Antigua, Carnival Fascination dropped off pallets of water, food, and other items to be delivered to Barbuda as part of the island’s recovery and relief efforts. The delivery is part an ongoing initiative by Carnival to bring critical supplies to affected Caribbean islands following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.