Sustainable Development Goals

Warranty Solutions Empowers Consumers to Leave a Greener Footprint

Everything we do releases energy, energy that is converted into carbon dioxide and released back into the atmosphere. Every time you switch on a light, turn on your computer, or drive your car, you’re emitting carbon. It may not seem like much, but collectively we’re leaving a giant carbon footprint, 6-7 billion metric tons of carbon annually to be exact. These emissions contribute to climate change, which is negatively affecting the environment.

Environment

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Named Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid took home two titles from the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) 2018 Drive Revolution green vehicle competition, including the Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year, and for the second year in a row, the Northwest Family-sized Plug-in Hybrid of the Year.

The Rise of the Intelligent Sewer
Kansas City’s Smart Sewer program is the largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history.

The program employs a network of sensors—including sonar and radar technology—to accurately track real-time sewer overflows and optimize the use of its existing sewer system.

Kansas City is among a handful of American cities like Cincinnati and South Bend that are responding to chronic problems with sewer overflows by adopting the latest in smart tech to access real-time data to direct wastewater to existing stations. The new method saves money and protects the major waterways.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sustainable by Design: GM’s Global Design Center Turns Waste into Works of Art

At General Motors, we see waste as simply a resource out of place, and we strive to keep materials in use for as long as possible.

Lunch With Warren Buffett Auctioned Off for $3.3 Million
For the 19th year in a row, the octogenarian CEO of Berkshire Hathawayauctioned off a lunch date to raise money for Glide, an anti-poverty organization in San Francisco, California. When the auction closed late Friday, the winning bid topped $3.3 million according to the online event hosted by eBay for Charity.

Aflac’s CSR Efforts Fit the Bill: How a Duck Helped Strengthen the Company’s Reputation
Aflac's modern brand identity was born after the insurance company’s ad team made a striking discovery nearly two decades ago: The sound “Aflac” resembles “quack quack.” The symbol debuted on Jan. 1, 2000 (yes, Y2K), and the rest is history. Since that time, the Aflac duck has become an advertising icon, signifying the company’s commitment to best business practices, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Using Open Data to Address the World’s Mobility Challenges
The keys to developing smarter transportation infrastructure lie not only in the physical world of roads, rail and bridges, but also in the invisible world of data — specifically, open mobility data, which is the aggregated data that transit agencies make publicly available. This data tracks stoplight timing, traffic patterns and transit routes, and can be used by everyone from transportation officials looking to redesign routes to software companies developing new navigation applications.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac Recognized as One of America's 50 Most Community-Minded Companies Company Honored by Points of Light with Civic 50 Award

Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the worksite in the United States, announced that Points of Light has named Aflac to its 2018 Civic 50 list. According to their website, Points of Light is the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the communities in which they do business. The award recognizes Aflac as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States.

Research, Reports & Publications

Innovative Technologies Driving Sustainability at UPS

UPS’s 16th annual Sustainability Report, published today, highlights the company’s sustainability challenges and accomplishments during 2017, including progress toward its 2020 and 2025 goals in support of the environment, global workforce, and communities around the world.

Impact at Work: An Interview With Tim Smith From The Boston Foundation and Pledge 1% Boston
Another one of our favorite communities of practice is the Pledge 1% initiative, pioneered by Salesforce.com. Pledge 1% is a global movement that encourages and challenges both individuals and companies to Pledge 1% of equity, profit, product, and time for their communities. I had the exciting opportunity to speak with Tim Smith, Head of Pledge 1% Boston and Senior Director at The Boston Foundation to learn about the newest trends in philanthropy and the unique role he plays in driving change in his local community.
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