CSRwire Press Releases, Events and Reports

Smithfield Foods Donates Land for Newly Opened Public Boat Ramp on the Pagan River in Smithfield, Virginia

07.19.2019 - 01:35PM

The Town of Smithfield, Virginia announced today the opening of the Clontz Memorial Park Public Boat Ramp on the Pagan River. The new recreational asset was built on 5.7 acres of waterfront land donated by Smithfield Foods, Inc. As the only public boat ramp within Smithfield town limits, the property features floating docks, a 25-foot-wide boat ramp, and parking for 30 vehicles and trailers.

“Smithfield Foods is honored to be part of this celebration for our neighbors here in Smithfield, Virginia,” said Bill Gill, assistant vice president of sustainability for Smithfield Foods. “The banks of the Pagan River have been our home since 1936, and we are pleased to help provide even greater access to this beautiful asset that our community is lucky to have in its back yard.”

Founded in Smithfield, Virginia more than 80 years ago, Smithfield Foods has grown to become a global consumer packaged goods and protein company with more than 54,000 employees. The company remains headquartered in Smithfield, employing more than 3,000 individuals locally. The boat ramp was made possible through Smithfield’s land donation, as well as through contributions from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the State of Virginia, and the Virginia Port Authority.

“This is prime real-estate in our community and we’re very appreciative of Smithfield Foods’ generous land donation,” said Amy Novak, Director of Smithfield Parks and Recreation. “This property will enable our residents and visitors to experience the beauty we enjoy daily living in Smithfield, and we are grateful to our partners who made the Clontz Park Property a reality.”

The Clontz Park Property is located on North Church Street in Smithfield, Virginia and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, visit https://www.smithfieldva.gov.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield^®, Eckrich^®, Nathan’s Famous^®, Farmland^®, Armour^®, Farmer John^®, Kretschmar^®, John Morrell^®, Cook’s^®, Gwaltney^®, Carando^®, Margherita^®, Curly’s^®, Healthy Ones^®, Morliny^®, Krakus^®, and Berlinki^®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Scotiabank Boosting Sustainability Commitment with Closing of Inaugural Green Bond Offering

07.19.2019 - 12:42PM

The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS or the Bank) announced today the closing of its inaugural USD 500 million 3.5-year Green Bond offering (the Green Bonds), boosting its commitment to Sustainable Business and creating a better future for all.

The net proceeds from the Green Bond offering will be used to fund the financing or refinancing, in whole or in part, of eligible green assets, which refer to new or existing assets, businesses or projects that meet the Scotiabank Green Bond Framework Eligibility Criteria, including renewable energy, clean transportation and green buildings. Other areas of investment may include sustainable water and wastewater management, environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land use, energy efficiency, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity conservation, and pollution prevention and control.

"This Green Bond offering marks a major milestone for Scotiabank," said Tom McGuire, Executive Vice President and Group Treasurer at Scotiabank. "It will bring more diversity to our investor base and strengthen our commitment to a sustainable future."

This Green Bond offering is a natural next step in Scotiabank's Sustainable Business strategy, which was launched in March 2018 with the goal of creating economic, social and environmental value for its customers, employees, communities and the planet, while also delivering returns for its shareholders. Other environmental achievements to date include:

Setting a global target to achieve 10% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2021 (based on 2016 levels). To date Scotiabank is 90% of the way towards meeting this target
Implementing an internal carbon price in 2018 ($15/tonne of C02). Scotiabank reinvests that money into energy efficiency initiatives such as HVAC replacement and solar panel installation to help meet GHG reduction targets
Supporting a low-carbon economy through providing financing for the renewable energy sector, increasing from $4.7 billion in 2017 to $8.5 billion in 2018
Reporting sustainability results annually to CDP since 2004
Supporting the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Initial disclosures can be found in Scotiabank's 2018 Annual Report and 2018 Sustainable Business Report.
Participating as a member, signatory or participant of the following: UN Global Compact, UNEP Finance Initiative, Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, Equator Principles, and Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI), amongst others.

BNS launched its Green Bond Framework in June 2019. The framework has received a Second-Party Opinion from Sustainalytics, a global leader in ESG and Corporate Governance research and ratings, and is in line with the four core pillars of the Green Bond Principles as administered by the International Capital Market Association.

"The global green economy is growing," said Bob Nguyen, MD & Head Corporate Fixed Income Origination, Global Banking and Markets at Scotiabank. "Scotiabank's inaugural Green Bond offering will help to meet the growing demand to fund, finance, and build sustainable assets that have positive environmental benefits while matching investors' ever-expanding appetite for green financial products."

"We all have an important role to play in protecting our environment for current and future generations, to ensure that everyone can become better off," said Meigan Terry, Senior Vice President, Global Communications, Sustainability and Social Enterprise at Scotiabank. "This inaugural Green Bond offering helps Scotiabank put into practice the commitments we have made to a sustainable future."

Additional Information

This offering was the first issuance of a Green Bond by the Bank. The Green Bonds will bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.375% and will mature on January 18, 2023. The Green Bonds constitute deposit liabilities of BNS pursuant to the Bank Act (Canada), are unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of the Bank and rank pari passu with all present or future deposit liabilities of the Bank and without any preference amongst themselves (except as otherwise prescribed by law and subject to the exercise of bank resolution powers).
The Green Bonds are bail-inable notes. Bail-inable notes are subject to conversion in whole or in part – by means of a transaction or series of transactions and in one or more steps – into common shares of the Bank or any of its affiliates under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Incorporation Act (CDIC Act) and to variation or extinguishment in consequence, and subject to the application of the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein in respect of the operation of the CDIC Act with respect to the Green Bonds.
The offering was done on a firm commitment basis by a syndicate co-led by Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets. The offering closed on July 18, 2019.
The Bank has filed, in the U.S., a prospectus supplement to its December 26, 2018 base shelf prospectus. A copy of this document as well as the base shelf prospectus can be obtained at www.edgar.com

About Scotiabank

Financial services support economic progress, allow people to pursue ambitions and create more widespread future opportunities. Scotiabank will deliver on this through our focus on Sustainable Business. By paying careful attention to the areas where we feel we can have the biggest impact, we create economic, social and environmental value for our customers, employees, communities and our planet, while also delivering returns for our shareholders. Scotiabank's Sustainable Business strategy highlights four areas where the Bank can make the biggest difference: Trust, Climate Change, Economic Inclusion and Young People. To read more about our Sustainable Business strategy visit www.scotiabank.com/sustainability.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 99,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at April 30, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

Investor Relations
(416) 775-0798
investor.relations@scotiabank.com

For media enquiries only
Annie Cuerrier
Global Communications
416-775-0828
Annie.cuerrier@scotiabank.com

DICK'S Sporting Goods and the DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Pledge to Provide Access to Sports for One Million Young Athletes Nationwide by 2024

07.19.2019 - 11:30AM

Today, DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation announced at its Sports Matter panel event – moderated by Gruden along with Advisory Board Members Fitzgerald and Rose as well as U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team star Alex Morgan, DICK’S Chairman & CEO Ed Stack, Women’s Sports Foundation Senior Director of Research and Programs Dr. Marjorie Snyder and Harlem Lacrosse Alumni Jordany Baltazar – a pledge to provide access to sports for one million youth athletes over the next five years. As part of this effort, DICK’S also announced it will match up to $1 million in donations made by customers to The DICK’S Foundation at DICK’S store checkouts or at SportsMatter.org from July 14 through September 13, 2019.

“Since 2014, DICK’S and The DICK’S Foundation have helped more than one million young athletes across the country play sports; however, new research we commissioned confirms there is still significant challenges impeding access to sports for many kids”, said Stack. “That is why we announced today our goal to provide access to sports for another one million young athletes over the next five years.”

DICK’S latest philanthropic commitment was informed by two studies recently commissioned by The DICK’S Foundation – one conducted by the RAND Institute and another by Women’s Sports Foundation. The studies provided actionable insights regarding the barriers to youth sports participation, and the benefits for kids who play. Additionally, to expand on the data surrounding girls’ sports participation, DICK’S announced today it will continue to partner with the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) to conduct additional research on youth entry, participation and retention, in sports.

A sampling of key findings from the studies included:

State of Youth Sports:

63% OF SCHOOL SPORTS BUDGETS ARE STAGNANT OR DECREASING¹
24% OF HIGH SCHOOLS DON’T OFFER SPORTS²
HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS OFFER 1/3 FEWER SPORTS & SPORTS TEAMS THAN LOW POVERTY SCHOOLS²
58% OF COMMUNITY-BASED SPORTS FEES ARE RISING¹
42% OF FAMILIES OF MIDDLE AND HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS BUT ARE INTERESTED IN DOING SO CITE COST AS THE MAIN REASON¹
56% OF TEEN GIRLS DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS COMPARED TO 48% OF TEEN BOYS²

Benefits of Youth Sports:

STUDENT ATHLETES ARE LESS LIKELY THAN NON-ATHLETES TO BE DEPRESSED²
STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM²
STUDENT ATHLETES ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET HIGHER GRADES AND ASPIRE TO ATTEND COLLEGE²

To further support its mission, The DICK’S Foundation created its first-ever Sports MatterAdvisory Board centered on the impact that sports had on each of the influential sports figures as well as the current challenges that face youth sports. In addition to Gruden, Fitzgerald and Rose, beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings, LPGA champion Annika Sorenstam, skiing gold medalist Lindsey Vonn, and LeBron James’ long-time business partner Maverick Carter all serve as Sports Matter Advisory Board members and have partnered with The DICK’S Foundation to provide additional opportunities to young athletes in their respective sport or local community.

This year alone, DICK’S and its Foundation have provided over $20 million in grants and sponsorships to support deserving schools and organizations, including $1 million to help build a new gym for students at LeBron James’ I PROMISE School in Akron, Ohio; $265,000 to the Beyond Sports Foundation for its Sport for Reduced Inequalities Collective Impact Award; and over $780,000 to Girls on the Run to expand their mission to inspire and encourage young girls to be healthy and confident.

For more information on Sports Matter, visit SportsMatter.org.

###

About The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is an exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. as a private corporate foundation to support DICK’S charitable and philanthropic activities.

Contact DICK’S Sporting Goods: press@dcsg.com

¹RAND Corporation: Who Plays, Who Pays? Funding for and Access to Youth Sports, July 2019; data based on survey samples of parents of kids in grades 6-12, middle and high school administrators, and community organization sports leaders. Samples are not nationally representative.

²Women’s Sport Foundation: The State of High School Sports in America, July 2019

Calor Publishes 2018 Responsible Business Review

07.19.2019 - 08:00AM

Business and Inclusive Growth: Lessons From Israel

07.18.2019 - 08:20AM

All over the world, the exclusion of large segments of society from the fruits of economic growth is driving political and social disruption. Inclusive growth – economic growth that enables all segments of society to enjoy its fruits and opportunities – unearths a balance between economic and sustainable development, and seeks to address such systemic social gaps and inequalities. Businesses can, and must be, be a part of the solution.

Maala, Israel’s leading non-profit organization advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in Israel, and Prof. David Grayson, a leading global writer, speaker and opinion leader on Responsible business and sustainability, are collaborating on a publication that will draw lessons for positive business impact on inclusive growth. The publication will focus on an adaptation of a highly regarded model of positive business impact on inclusive growth, which was developed by Morgan Stanley in collaboration with BSR, the U.S. non-profit leader in the field. The adapted model points to four tracks in which businesses can impact inclusive growth:

Workplace
Marketplace (Products and services, Responsible Advertising)
Supply-chain
Business and society(eg. community investment)

The publication will feature case studies of Israeli businesses, highlighting their distinctive contribution to inclusive growth. It will also offer insights relevant to the global discourse on the potential of businesses contributing to inclusive growth.

A global advisory board comprised of leaders in the field is assisting the work on the publication. The publication will be launched at the Maala international conference, December 4^th, 2019, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

If you're interested in the issue, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic as we progress with this publication. Please contact us at elisha@maala.org.il

Maala is a non-profit corporate membership organization promoting sustainability and corporate responsibility in Israel. Founded in 1998, Maala is considered as the Israeli standards-setting organization, annually publishing the Maala ESG Indices on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Maala also serves as a ‘hub’ of the Israeli CSR community within Israel and in representing Israel within global CSR and sustainability networks.

Pipeline Foods Launches Sustainability Program

07.18.2019 - 08:00AM

Pipeline Foods LLC (https://www.pipelinefoods.com/), the first U.S.-based supply chain solutions company focused exclusively on non-GMO, organic, and regenerative food and feed, has announced the rollout of its corporate sustainability program, known as IMPACT. As part of the rollout, Pipeline Foods has published baseline metrics to kick off ongoing sustainability reporting.

“At Pipeline Foods, we want to elevate the organic industry by putting IMPACT at the center of all we do,” said Erin Heitkamp, senior vice president of agriculture and public affairs. “This means we are always working to influence outcomes on the issues that are most important to our stakeholders and our business, and tracking and reporting on progress we’ve made.”

The Pipeline Foods IMPACT Program aligns with the company’s core values: Sustainability, Integrity and Collaboration. In partnership with its investor partner AMERRA Capital, Pipeline Foods conducted its first materiality assessment in 2018 to identify key stakeholder environmental, social, and economic priorities and determine how to most effectively impact those key areas. Through this process, Pipeline Foods identified a broad range of relevant topics to the food and agriculture industry and to the health and well-being of society at large, and engaged with key stakeholder groups to prioritize issues material to its business.

“We believe that by focusing on sustainability, integrity and collaboration – within our business and across the whole industry – we can foster a regenerative agricultural system that’s better for farmers, food consumers, and the earth,” said Heitkamp.

Pipeline Foods considered industry-leading sustainability and reporting frameworks in building its program, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The IMPACT Program identifies key performance indicators around 11 material issues:

Organic Integrity
Economic Performance & Profitability
Traceability & Transparency
Farmer Livelihood
Soil Health
Clean Label Market Growth
Food Safety
Occupational Health & Safety
Financial Implications of Risk Management
Local, Regional, or National Product Sourcing/Origination
Regulatory Compliance

“We started Pipeline Foods as a mission-driven organization to support the growth and success of regenerative agriculture,” said Eric Jackson, founder and chairman. “Reporting on these issues is our way of ensuring that we are taking into account the topics that our stakeholders value most, and that our good work is having the greatest impact at all levels of the supply chain. We know that sharing our story - both successes and failures - with the world is imperative to fulfilling our commitments. We welcome everyone to follow our journey.”

The Pipeline Foods IMPACT Program and reporting framework were developed in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) G4 core guidelines. A complete GRI content index is available at https://www.pipelinefoods.com/gri-standards-content-index.

For more information about Pipeline Foods’ IMPACT Program, and to see the details of and stories behind each material issue, visit: https://www.pipelinefoods.com/impact.

###

About Pipeline Foods

With headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn., Pipeline Foods is accelerating the availability and reliability of non-GMO, organic and regeneratively grown food. We bring transparent, sustainable supply chain solutions to connect the dots for our farming partners and end users of organic grains and ingredients. Find us at https://www.pipelinefoods.com/, on Twitter @PipelineFoods and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pipelinefoods/.

Smithfield Foods Contributes $60,000 to Bladen County Read and Feed Program

07.17.2019 - 04:00PM

The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc., announced today a donation of $60,000 to Bladen County Schools Foundation to fund the purchase of a new mobile van for the district’s “Read and Feed” program. The new mobile unit will deliver to more than 4,000 students throughout Bladen County to ensure they have access to free meals and literacy programs that would otherwise be unavailable during summer months.

“Bladen County Schools is dedicated to supporting our students and providing each individual with the best learning environment possible,” said Robert Taylor, Superintendent for Bladen County Schools. “This generous donation from Smithfield Foods enables us to provide not only summer meals but learning opportunities to students who often do not have access while school is out.”

Nutrition is shown to have a direct impact on students’ academic performance. While more than 4,000 students throughout Bladen County receive free and reduced lunches during the school year, they also lack regular exposure to 21^stcentury career pathways. The summer Read and Feed program encourages students to develop academically, while simultaneously providing nutritious meals to those who need it most once school ends.

“At Smithfield Foods, we are extremely passionate about ensuring students in our local community have access year-round to educational resources and wholesome meals,” said Donovan Owens, manager of Smithfield Foods’ Tar Heel, North Carolina plant. “With more than 4,500 local employees, and 10,000 across the state, we are eager to support and serve Bladen County students and families through this Read and Feed program sponsorship.”

The Bladen County School Foundation’s mobile Read and Feed unit, sponsored by Smithfield, will deliver hot and cold meals to designated meal sites and eligible K-12 students across Bladen County from June 24 – August 23. For more information on Smithfield’s commitment to helping communities, visit www.SmithfieldFoods.com/sustainability/report/2018/helping-communities.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield^®, Eckrich^®, Nathan’s Famous^®, Farmland^®, Armour^®, Farmer John^®, Kretschmar^®, John Morrell^®, Cook’s^®, Gwaltney^®, Carando^®, Margherita^®, Curly’s^®, Healthy Ones^®, Morliny^®, Krakus^®, and Berlinki^®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Bladen County Schools Foundation

The Bladen County Schools Educational Foundation supports programs and activities to enhance the excellence in the learning environment in partnership with the schools, recognize distinction in public education, and to strengthen positive community relations. The Foundation serves as the vehicle by which Bladen County’s residents and businesses can contribute to Bladen County’s public schools by funding educational opportunities for students and teachers that fall outside the school system’s operating budget.

The Mission of the Educational Foundation is to raise funds and promote educational programs for the district via donations from businesses, organizations, corporations, individuals and foundations; to act as a fiscal agent for donors who wish to sponsor projects and/or improvements for the Bladen County Schools, its teachers and students; and receive and disburse funds, property and gifts of any kind exclusively for the educational benefits of the students.

The organization is a public, not-for-profit 501(c)3 exclusively for charitable and educational purposes dedicated to improving education for the students of Bladen County public schools.

Soil Health Institute Releases Comprehensive Strategy for Soil Health

07.17.2019 - 03:00PM

The Soil Health Institute today released its comprehensive strategy for enhancing soil health at the 4^th Annual Meeting of the Soil Health Institute in Sacramento, Calif.

An abundance of research shows that practices designed to improve soil health also reduce nutrient loss to waterways, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, increase biodiversity, and provide many other benefits.

“To achieve such goals at scale, we must provide our land managers, primarily farmers and ranchers, with the information they need when deciding whether to adopt soil health-promoting practices,” said Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, CEO of the Soil Health Institute. “That means a key component of our strategy is to assess the impacts of soil health adoption on profitability and economic risk. Another is to identify the most effective measurements for soil health because farmers cannot be expected to manage what they cannot measure. We then need to provide workshops on locally-relevant management practices proven by other farmers to work for them,” Honeycutt says. In addition, Honeycutt described how information must be supported by a strong research and development program that producers, policy analysts, and society can trust.

“Once adoption is achieved, the work does not end there,” Honeycutt adds. “It is important that we assess the impacts of adoption on productivity and profitability because that supports the business case. We also need to quantify effects on the environment because this supports well-informed policies and provides the evidence needed for educating consumers about the environmental benefits of soil health systems. Such information can help create more market demand for food and fiber grown using soil health practices so that the entire system becomes self-sustaining and does not depend on government assistance.”

The Soil Health Institute’s strategy is summarized in a short (less than 5 minutes in length) video, provided here.

For further information, visit www.soilhealthinstitute.org.

###

About the Soil Health Institute

The Soil Health Institute (www.soilhealthinstitute.org) is a non-profit whose mission is to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and advancement. The Institute works with its many stakeholders to identify gaps in research and adoption; develop strategies, networks and funding to address those gaps; and ensure beneficial impact of those investments to agriculture, the environment and society.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) holds second Environment, Social and Governance market briefing last month

07.17.2019 - 02:00PM

Sodexo Recognized as One of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion for the 5th Consecutive Year

07.17.2019 - 01:54PM

Sodexo, a food and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today that it has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index (DEI) -- a joint initiative between the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) to recognize organizations who promote diversity and disability inclusion in the workplace. Sodexo received a score of 90 percent and was a top scorer among 180 other businesses.

“Sodexo is proud to be recognized for the fifth year as one of the ‘Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion,” said Rohini Anand, PhD, SVP, Corporate Responsibility & Global Chief Diversity Officer, Sodexo. “This award reinforces our commitment to diversity and inclusion and our intentionality around integrating people with disabilities into our workforce, which we know enhances our business and culture.”

Sodexo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been consistently recognized by external organizations and notable diversity publications. In January, Sodexo was recognized on Bloomberg’s 2019 Gender Equality Index and FORTUNE’S 2019 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. In 2018, Sodexo was ranked in the top 10 of DiversityInc magazine's 'Top 50 Companies for Diversity' list for the 9th consecutive year and inducted into DiversityInc’s Top 50 Hall of Fame.

The DEI serves as the nation’s most comprehensive annual benchmarking tool allowing America’s leading corporations to self-report their disability policies and practices. This evolving index objectively scores each corporation on a scale from 0 to 100—100 representing the most inclusive.

About the Disability Equality Index (DEI)

The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN. Developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates, the DEI is a national, transparent, annual benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to receive an objective score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, on their disability inclusion policies and practices.

The DEI is an aspirational, educational, recognition tool that is intended to help companies identify opportunities for continued improvement and help build a company’s reputation as an employer of choice.

The Disability Equality Index (DEI) brings together AAPD, the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the leading national business-to-business network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complimentary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporate America and the disability community.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

AAPD is a convener, connecter, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As one of the leading national cross-disability civil rights organizations, AAPD advocates for the full recognition of rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.

About Disability:IN

Disability:IN, formerly known as the US Business Leadership Network, is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Partnering with more than 180 corporations, Disability:IN expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. The organization and 50 affiliates raise a collective voice of positive change for people with disabilities in business. Through its programs and services, Disability:IN empowers businesses to achieve disability inclusion and equality, with the goal of advancing inclusion to the point when the organization is no longer necessary.

About Sodexo North America

Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 72 countries. Sodexo is a leading provider of integrated food, facilities management and other services that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate, education, healthcare, senior living, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. The company employs 160,000 people at 13,000 sites in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $19 billion in goods and services from small to large businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., in 2018, Sodexo contributed over 159,500 in volunteer hours, and since 1996, the Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed nearly $34.5 million to help feed children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo, visit SodexoUSA.com, SodexoInsights.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

CONTACT

Heidi Bullman

Heidi.Bullman@sodexo.com

Sodexo, Inc.

Since 2015, Wells Fargo Has Donated $100 Million to Nonprofits Serving People with Disabilities

07.17.2019 - 11:05AM

In honor of the 29^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) announced the Wells Fargo Foundation has donated more than $100 million since 2015 to nonprofits that serve people with disabilities.

“The U.S. has made a lot of progress since the enactment of the ADA in 1990, but there still is a lot of work to do,” said Kathy Martinez, head of Disability and Accessibility Strategy at Wells Fargo. “The company is committed to serving and supporting customers and team members with disabilities through accessible properties and services, career opportunities and accommodations, and strategic nonprofit donations.”

Highlights of Wells Fargo’s efforts since 2015 include:

Nonprofits

Wells Fargo donated to more than 15,000 nonprofits that serve people with disabilities, ranging from organizations focusing on community development to those providing health and human services. The company’s national grants focus on financial education and employment for people with disabilities, including National Disability Institute, National Federation of the Blind’s BELL Academy, and Communications Services for the Deaf’s financial education in American Sign Language.

Careers

Beyond philanthropic support, Wells Fargo is committed to recruiting, retaining and advancing people with disabilities, and providing work accommodations when needed. To date, the company employs more than 8,000 team members who self-identify as having a disability. Wells Fargo raises awareness of the company’s recruitment, retention and advancement initiatives through impactful hiring events, the company’s People with Diverse Abilities Leaders Program, the No Barriers Summit sponsorship and internal and external storytelling.

Financial health

In the U.S., only 20.6% of people with disabilities are working, and many live on a limited budget. Through the Hands on Banking® program and alliances with nonprofits, Wells Fargo provides financial education to thousands of students and adults with disabilities. Available in both English and Spanish, the free Hands on Banking program teaches people in all stages of life about the basics of responsible money management, including how to create a budget, save and invest, borrow responsibly, buy a home and establish a small business.

To learn more about Wells Fargo’s commitment to people with disabilities, please visit www.wellsfargo.com/about/diversity/accessibility/.

About Wells Fargo
Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,700 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com). With approximately 262,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. With its corporate philanthropy, Wells Fargo aims to pave a path to stability and financial success for underserved communities by applying a problem-solving mindset to housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health, among other local community needs. In 2018, Wells Fargo donated $444 million to nearly 11,000 nonprofits. For 10 consecutive years, Wells Fargo has held the honor of No. 1 in workplace giving by United Way Worldwide. Wells Fargo team members also actively support communities by donating more than 2 million hours of volunteer time in the last year. News, insights and more information on the company’s overall corporate responsibility are available at Wells Fargo Stories and www.wellsfargo.com/impact.

Media

Lisa Westermann, 415-845-7759
Lisa.b.Westermann@wellsfargo.com
@LWestermannWF

Claudia Huizar, 619-535-5346
Claudia.Huizar@wellsfargo.com
@ClaudiaHuizarWF

Teck Releases 2018 Economic Contribution Report

07.17.2019 - 04:00AM

Bayer Expands Industry-leading Digital Farming Platform in Argentina

07.16.2019 - 12:15PM

The agriculture industry’s leading digital farming platform, Climate FieldView, has commercially launched in Argentina for the upcoming growing season. Already widely adopted globally, FieldView™ is transforming the way farmers manage their operations with data-driven, digital tools. The platform arrives in Argentina for the upcoming growing season to help farmers get the most out of each hectare.

Developed and delivered by The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Bayer and a leader in digital innovation for agriculture, FieldView is the most complete digital farming platform on the market. It helps farmers gain a deeper understanding of their fields year-round with tools that allow them to easily collect and store data, optimize management decisions quickly and efficiently, and help reach their yield potential while minimizing application of crop inputs.

“Digital technologies are helping more farmers around the world gain a deeper understanding of their fields through easy-to-use tools that are enhancing their operations,” said Mike Stern, CEO of The Climate Corporation and Head of Digital Farming at Bayer. “Accessing data in real time provides personalized field insights to make critical management decisions and enables more precise field management, helping preserve natural resources and crop inputs. Ultimately, these tools will help contribute to Bayer’s commitments to reduce environmental impact by delivering breakthrough, innovative solutions for more efficient crop production.”

The platform is already revolutionizing the way Argentine farmers manage their crops and make data-driven decisions. Over the last two years, more than 200 farmers from different regions of Argentina tested FieldView on more than 250,000 hectares of corn, soybean, wheat and sunflower crops.

“The FieldView launch is a significant advancement for Argentine agriculture, providing farmers easy access to the data they need right in the field to help them make important operating decisions with increased confidence,” said Matias Corradi, Climate Business Lead in Argentina for The Climate Corporation. "Farmer evaluations of FieldView have been extremely positive in Argentina. With field maps and real-time reports, farmers feel they were able to solve problems more efficiently, implement more tests of different seed varieties and densities, and able to easily and quickly analyze the results.”

FieldView in Argentina will integrate data on planting, spraying, harvesting, monitoring, and soil in a single, connected digital ag platform and is compatible with the main Argentine agricultural machinery companies, including the three leading equipment companies in the country, Abelardo Cuffia, TIM and Metalfor. The field data collected with FieldView is accessible from a mobile phone, tablet device or computer, helping farmers manage their operations more efficiently. Farmers will be able to obtain and manage crop information through the automatic generation of field maps, planting and harvest reports, and will also have access to satellite imagery tools to help identify potential threats before yield is impacted.

The Climate Corporation’s mission is to help all the world’s farmers sustainably increase their productivity through the use of digital tools. First launched in the United States in 2015, the company’s FieldView platform gives farmers a deeper understanding of their fields so they can make more informed operating decisions to optimize yields, maximize efficiency and reduce risk. FieldView is currently on more than 60 million paid acres across the United States, Canada, Brazil and Europe, and on track to achieve more than 90 million paid acres globally in 2019. It has quickly become the most broadly connected platform in the industry and will continue to expand into other global regions over the next few years. For more information, visit www.climate.com.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2018, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of 39.6 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.6 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Orion Engineered Carbons Publishes Its First Sustainability Report

07.16.2019 - 09:00AM

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (NYSE: OEC) (the “Company” or “Orion”), a worldwide supplier of specialty and high-performance Carbon Black, today announced the inclusion of Sustainability to the charter of the Board of Directors’ Nominating, Sustainability, and Governance Committee. This is to establish the governance structure that embeds sustainability into the Company’s core management framework. Orion also announced the publication of its 2018 Sustainability Report, which outlines the Company’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (the “ESG”) initiatives. These significant actions reflect our commitment to sustainability while maintaining our focus on underlying financial and operational performance. The report provides specific emissions reduction targets and embraces many of the values exemplified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“There is an inherent alignment between our sustainability agenda and our strategic and operational goals. Our business is about extracting carbon from hydrocarbon based feedstock. The better we are at extracting carbon from these feedstocks the less carbon dioxide (CO₂) is emitted. The more we reduce greenhouse gas emissions the more profitable we are. We also engineer our Carbon Blacks to enhance the performance and product life of our customers’ products, improving sustainability across the value chain. Our 2018 Sustainability Report is a manifesto of our ESG initiatives and their incorporation into Orion’s management framework,” said Corning Painter, Orion’s Chief Executive Officer, who also added that, “Sustainability is a core part of our values.”

A copy of Orion’s 2018 Sustainability Report can be found on the Company’s website at investor.orioncarbons.com

About Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.

Orion is a worldwide supplier of Carbon Black. Orion group produces a broad range of Carbon Blacks that include high-performance Specialty Gas Blacks, Acetylene Blacks, Furnace Blacks, Lamp Blacks, Thermal Blacks and other Carbon Blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, tires, and mechanical rubber goods such as automotive belts and hoses. Orion runs 14 global production sites. The group has approximately 1,450 employees worldwide. For more information please visit the Orion website www.orioncarbons.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information, other than as required by applicable law.

Scotiabank, MD Financial Management, and the Canadian Medical Association Announce $3.58 Million to Support Family Medicine

07.15.2019 - 03:38PM

Today, Scotiabank and MD Financial Management Inc. (MD), in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), are announcing a $3.58 million investment to support professional development for family doctors across the country as well as awards and scholarships for medical students and family medicine residents. Scotiabank and MD have also signed a five-year agreement with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and its Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine (FAFM) to support the next generation of family doctors. Representing nearly half of all physicians in Canada, the CFPC is an important body whose work touches the lives of all Canadians.

The $3.58 million in funding, to be distributed over five years, is the latest in a series of contributions Scotiabank is making to Canada's medical profession as part of its 10-year, $115-million affinity agreement with the CMA. The funds will include annual investments for:

student and family medicine resident scholarships and awards, including funds dedicated to Indigenous students and residents;
the CFPC's Family Medicine Forum, Canada's largest gathering of family physicians for professional development, networking and celebrating the outstanding achievements of family physicians including the Family Physician of the Year awards;
international fellowships in family medicine to support advancing primary care globally; and
family medicine interest groups at medical schools across Canada to inspire students to pursue rewarding careers in family medicine.

The announcement comes just after the CFPC celebrated the anniversary of its founding in June 1954. Leveraging a combined 115 years of experience serving the best interest of physicians, MD, Scotiabank, CFPC and FAFM will work together to explore ways to develop new initiatives to support family physicians in Canada.

"For 50 years, MD has invested in physicians and the issues most important to them and their communities," said Brian Peters, President and CEO of MD Financial Management. "This new sponsorship illustrates our ongoing commitment."

"Scotiabank recognizes the crucial role of family physicians in communities across Canada and is proud to support them through this collaboration with the CFPC, working together to recognize family doctors, provide scholarships to medical students and family medicine residents, and connect the best of family medicine to the international community," said Glen Gowland, Executive Vice President, Global Wealth Management at Scotiabank.

"We are so pleased to support the CFPC through this financial contribution. Family medicine is the backbone of primary care in Canada, and we must seize every opportunity to connect the profession, celebrate its contribution to patient care, and enable professional development," stated Dr. Gigi Osler, CMA President.

"For 65 years and counting, the CFPC remains dedicated to the training, certification and lifelong learning of family doctors," said CFPC President Dr. Paul Sawchuk. "We are very grateful for the generous support from Scotiabank and MD that will help us further enhance this important work, create new opportunities to celebrate outstanding achievements, and encourage a strong future in family medicine for the people in Canada."

About Affinity Contributions

Scotiabank, MD Financial Management (MD) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) together are firmly committed to supporting the medical profession and advancing health in Canada. As proof of this commitment, and in collaboration with the CMA and MD, Scotiabank will invest $115 million over the next 10 years to support physicians and the communities they serve across Canada. Additional announcements for the physician community are forthcoming, recognizing that such collaborations are essential to support the profession and effect meaningful change.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 99,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at April 30, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

About MD Financial Management Inc.

With 50 years of physician-focused experience, MD has one main goal: to help Canada's physicians achieve financial well-being. MD had $50 billion in assets under administration as of July 5, 2019 and is dedicated to serving Canada's physicians and their families. MD provides financial products and services, the MD Family of Funds and investment counselling services through the MD Group of Companies. For a detailed list of these companies, visit md.ca.

About the College of Family Physicians of Canada

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is the professional organization that represents more than 38,000 members across the country. The College establishes the standards for and accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada's 17 medical schools. It reviews and certifies continuing professional development programs and materials that enable family physicians to meet certification and licensing requirements. The CFPC provides high-quality services, supports family medicine teaching and research, and advocates on behalf of the specialty of family medicine, family physicians, and the patients they serve.

About the Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine

The CFPC's Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine (FAFM), formerly known as the Research and Education Foundation, was established in 1994 to provide leadership in family medicine through philanthropy. The FAFM funds programs and projects in family medicine and supports numerous research grants, scholarships, and awards that recognize the achievements of clinicians, teachers, researchers, family medicine residents, and medical students. Our funding priorities (family medicine research and family medicine education, the Patient's Medical Home, and global health care via the Besrour Centre) recognize our most important initiatives and have a meaningful impact on improving patient care in Canada and around the world. https://fafm.cfpc.ca.

About the Canadian Medical Association

Since 1867, the Canadian Medical Association has been the national voice of Canada's medical profession. We work with physicians, residents and medical students on issues that matter to the profession and the health of Canadians. We advocate for policy and programs that drive meaningful change for physicians and their patients.

Media Contacts
Scotiabank
Adam Miller
Adam.miller@scotiabank.com
416-620-7536

MD, Yali N'Diaye
yali.ndiaye@md.ca
613 813-7361

College of Family Physicians of Canada
Susan Monic
smonic@cfpc.ca
905-629-0900 ext. 432

Freeport-McMoRan Invests in Indigenous-Owned Organic Coffee Cooperative

07.15.2019 - 03:35PM

For nearly 20 years, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), a Freeport-McMoRan company, has sponsored a coffee farmer collective in Papua, Indonesia. Known as Amungme Gold, the coffee has been farmed and processed by indigenous Amungme farmers under the guidance of Freeport-McMoRan’s entrepreneur business program to meet growing demand from consumers.

PTFI, through its Community Affairs Department, has a Highland Agriculture Development program through which the Amungme Gold Cooperative is managed. The organic coffee beans are cultivated using chemical-free fertilizers. Once the beans are harvested in the mountainous Highlands of Papua, they are flown to the Lowlands for processing. Harvest yields have been increasing annually: in 2014 harvests amounted to 1,278 kilograms; in 2016 they had increased to 3,478 kilograms; and by 2018 they surged to 5.6 tons. Monthly revenue is also steadily rising.

The cooperative increases the income and welfare of its members and provides low-interest loans, financial education and management skills to coffee farmers and processors. The coffee is marketed and sold in Papua, Indonesia.

Amungme Gold coffee is now a member of All-Indonesia Coffee Association.

To learn more about how Freeport-McMoRan supports the communities in which it operates, please visit fcx.com.

Please see the 2018 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report for more information on all of their social, economic and environmental efforts.

Wine Grounded in Good: Fetzer Vineyards Details Its Regenerative Development Progress

07.15.2019 - 08:00AM

Massachusetts Middle Schooler Wins 2019 Arrow Innovation in Electronics Award

07.12.2019 - 12:50PM

Arrow Electronics presented Massachusetts seventh grader Vikram Anantha with its 2019 Innovation in Electronics Award at the National Invention Convention, a celebration of K-12 inventors and entrepreneurs from across the United States.

The invitation-only event, held at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., drew nearly 500 students who were selected from a pool of more than 100,000. Their inventions spanned the spectrum, from new technologies to clean oil spills, to swim goggles for those with prescription lenses. Anantha was recognized for the Automated Communication Companion, a device that teaches kids with nonverbal autism how to recognize and pronounce the names of words in the world around them.

The ACC is a wearable system that features a camera connected to a credit card-sized computer that tells the user the name of the object they are viewing. The ACC also includes a microphone and speaker to encourage users to practice saying the word they just learned.

“The past three years, the Arrow Innovation in Electronics Award has not only encouraged all students to leverage electronics in their inventions, but has also recognized students like Vikram, who are applying electrical components in particularly inventive ways,” said Nick Briere, co-founder of the National Invention Convention. “We are proud to team with such an innovative and forward-thinking organization in inspiring the next generation of innovators."

The Arrow Innovation in Electronics Award is part of the company’s Innovation in Technology awards, which honor the world’s brightest innovators and emerging technologies, transforming ideas into real and influential achievements that will help people and the communities in which Arrow works.

The National Invention Convention and Invention Convention Worldwide are programs of The Henry Ford.

About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW) guides innovation forward for over 200,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers. With 2018 sales of $30 billion, Arrow develops technology solutions that improve business and daily life. Learn more at FiveYearsOut.com.

About The Henry Ford

The Henry Ford, a nonprofit organization, provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and innovation. Its purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Attracting people from across the United States and around the world, THF hosted nearly 1.8 million visitors in 2018 and over 3.7 million unique visitors to THF’s website. In addition to inspiring millions of guests on-site and online, as well as tens of millions more who watch our nationally broadcast TV program The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation, THF is doing still more to lay the groundwork for a vibrant, vital culture of innovation through ongoing projects and partnerships with educators, policy makers and business leaders across the nation.

AIDA Cruises Presents Latest Sustainability Report: World's First LNGoperated Cruise Ship, AIDAnova, Commissioned in 2018

07.12.2019 - 12:41PM

In the latest edition of “AIDA cares” the company documents further progress on its way to emission-neutral cruising. As early as 2023, 94 percent of all AIDA guests will be sailing on ships that can be fully operated with low-emission liquefied natural gas or, in port, with green shore power.

After ten years of research and development, AIDA Cruises achieved a technological quantum leap with the commissioning of AIDAnova on December 12, 2018, putting the world’s first cruise ship that is fully operated by low-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) into service.

By 2023 two more of these innovative ships will take to the oceans. The company is also retrofitting the ships in the existing fleet on an ongoing basis with state-of-the-art green technology. The use of LNG, shore power from renewable energy sources, the use of modern exhaust gas cleaning systems, the reduction or complete elimination of plastic and disposable products, and the avoidance of food waste on board are key issues that AIDA Cruises is tackling.

“As Germany’s market leader for cruises, we accept the ecological and social challenges that we face both now and in the future, and we are taking responsibility. Today we are already exploring together with our partners the use of fuel cells, batteries or liquefied gas from renewable sources in the cruise industry. We are committed to both the Paris climate targets and those of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Our long-term goal is clear: emission-neutral cruising,” said AIDA President Felix Eichhorn at the launch of “AIDA cares 2019”.

Overview of the key facts:

Use of liquefied natural gas (LNG): AIDA Cruises to commission two more LNG-powered ships with low-emission propulsion by 2023.

AIDA has already been engaging in research into and development of the use of LNG in the cruise industry for over ten years.

With AIDAnova’s launch at the end of 2018, the company commissioned the world’s first cruise ship that can be operated entirely with low-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) both at sea and in port. Two more of these innovative AIDA ships will be commissioned in 2021 and 2023 respectively. Thanks to the use of LNG, emissions of particulates and sulfur oxides are virtually eliminated, while emissions of nitrogen oxides and CO2 are permanently reduced. At present, AIDAnova is sailing in the Western Mediterranean, and is supplied with LNG every 14 days in Barcelona. Previously, AIDAnova had been supplied in Tenerife/Canary Islands, also on a 14-day basis.

Overall the Carnival Corporation – which owns AIDA Cruises – has commissioned eleven LNGpowered ships for four of its cruise brands, which will be put into service by 2025. Like AIDAnova, all of these ships will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg (Germany) and Turku (Finland). The floating engine room units and LNG tanks will be produced at the Meyer Werft shipyard’s Neptun Werft in Rostock-Warnemünde, while the dual-fuel engines will also be built in Rostock-Warnemünde, by Caterpillar.

Use of shore power: All AIDA ships built from 2000 (twelve ships) will be equipped for shore power connection.

On average, an AIDA ship spends 40 percent of its operating time in port. Shore power is therefore an important subject for AIDA Cruises when it comes to retrofitting the ships in the existing fleet with green technology. By using shore power from renewable energy sources while the ships are in port, emissions can be virtually reduced to zero.

As early as 2004, with the commissioning of AIDAdiva, AIDA Cruises was already considering the use of shore power as an option for eco-friendly ship operation when building both AIDAdiva and all further ships. This was ten years before the first plans for a shore power plant for cruise ships started to take shape in Germany. Since 2017 AIDAsol has been using the shore power plant in Hamburg-Altona during regular operations.

Ten ships of the AIDA fleet are currently equipped with a shore power connection or are technically prepared for it. All AIDA ships built from 2000 onwards (twelve ships) will be able to use shore power by the end of 2020.

So that the eco-friendly shore power technology aboard the AIDA ships can be used more extensively in future, port infrastructures need to be developed. In 2018 AIDA Cruises teamed up with the state governments of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, forming partnerships for environmentally-friendly cruise tourism, with the aim of providing shore power for cruise ships at the ports of Kiel and Rostock by 2020. AIDA Cruises is ready to start test operations in both ports in 2020.

Exhaust gas cleaning systems: Nine ships already equipped.

For all AIDA ships that cannot be entirely powered by LNG, the Advanced Air Quality Systems (AAQS) developed by the Carnival Group are currently the most eco-friendly alternative for reducing ship emissions aboard AIDA ships when they are at sea.

In 2013, as part of an investment program, AIDA Cruises had already started to retrofit its fleet with these exhaust gas cleaning systems. Currently nine of twelve AIDA ships have been equipped with them: AIDAprima, AIDAperla, AIDAdiva, AIDAluna, AIDAmar, AIDAvita, AIDAblu, AIDAsol and AIDAbella.

AIDA has set itself the goal of equipping all ships in the existing fleet (except AIDAcara) that cannot be entirely powered by LNG in this way to improve air quality.

Thanks to these systems, emissions of particulates, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides can be significantly reduced. Carbon monoxide emissions can be cut by up to 70 percent, while emissions of unburned hydrocarbons are reduced by up to 85 percent. Where AIDA Cruises is licensed to operate these systems in its global travel regions and/or ports, they are being successfully deployed.

Next technological leap: First practical trial of fuel cells aboard an AIDA ship planned as early as 2021.

AIDA Cruises’ long-term goal is emission-neutral cruising. Together with its partners in the worlds of research, science and business, AIDA Cruises has been doing pioneering work for many years in the area of research into and the use of alternative propulsion technologies and state-of-the-art environmental technology.

As part of its Green Cruising Strategy, for instance, AIDA is exploring the possibility of CO2-free production of liquefied gas from renewable sources (“Power to gas” project) or the use of fuel cells and batteries for cruise ships. Within the scope of the “Pa-X-ell 2” project (promoted by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure), practical trials of fuel cells aboard an AIDA ship are planned as early as 2021 in conjunction with the Meyer Werft shipyard and other partners.

Fuel in use:

The use of low-sulfur fuels has already been a reality in many of AIDA Cruises travel regions for years. In the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, off the coasts of North America and in all other ECA-regions worldwide, we use low-sulfur fuel containing at most 0.1 percent sulfur. In all European ports, the engines of AIDA ships have already been using only fuel containing a maximum of 0.1 percent sulfur for almost a decade now. After ten years of research and development, the exclusive use of lowemission liquefied natural gas (LNG) on a cruise ship became a reality as well, with the launch of AIDAnova at the end of 2018. AIDA Cruises will be putting two more of these innovative ships into service by 2023.

Avoidance of plastic and disposable items:

The reduction and, ideally, complete elimination of plastic and disposable items is a key element of AIDA Cruises’ sustainability strategy. Wherever possible, disposable items have been replaced with reusable ones.

Many beverages are produced directly aboard the AIDA ships and/or are not purchased in bottles but in special large-volume beverage containers. Plastic straws have been replaced aboard AIDA ships with straws made of biodegradable starch. Furthermore, straws are not automatically provided with every beverage but only with cocktails or at the guest’s express request. Wherever disposable cutlery or cocktail sticks remain unavoidable, these are made of wood. Items served with coffee, such as cookies, come without wrapping. AIDA guests enjoy their coffees “to go” from reusable cups rather than disposable plastic cups.

In staterooms and bathrooms, AIDA has dispensed with the use of bags in garbage bins. Laundry bags in the stateroom closets are made of compostable starch, while freshly dry-cleaned items are returned to guests’ staterooms without a plastic cover. AIDA Cruises has already been offering only paper bags in its onboard shops since 2013 and, naturally, all spa and cosmetic items on board are free of microplastics.

With regard to the remaining disposable items such as paper napkins, AIDA Cruises ensures that these are biodegradable wherever possible.

Avoiding food waste:

Thanks to a wide range of initiatives, both large and small-scale, AIDA Cruises is succeeding in reducing food waste on board every year.

Naturally, food is prepared fresh and sustainably aboard all AIDA ships – not only for all guests, but also for the crew. AIDA is eager to ensure that no endangered animal species find their way onto the menu, and that wherever possible foodstuffs should be unprocessed, avoiding convenience products. This alone avoids a huge quantity of packaging waste.

Since the first AIDA ship was commissioned over 20 years ago, AIDA kitchens have already been working with what is known as the “cook and chill” system. This means that prepared food is only delivered to the restaurants if it is actually needed. All other food remains refrigerated. Since 2016 the company’s entire fleet has been working with the so-called buffet runner system where the staff at the buffet restaurants use their mobile end device to place an order directly with the main kitchen. There, only the food that is actually required at that moment is prepared and delivered. This system is also used, incidentally, in the crew restaurants.

Many of the dishes at the buffet restaurants are prepared fresh at live cooking stations or offered in small individual portions. If guests enjoy the dish, they are free to help themselves to more, rather than sending food back. Table beverages are served not in bottles but in glass carafes. As the restaurants come up to closing time, the range of foods available is not reduced, but rather the size of the serving dishes at the buffet stations. All accumulated waste, including food scraps, is regularly measured aboard the AIDA ships, and steps to further reduce it are developed on an ongoing basis.

AIDA Cruises has already been transparently documenting its commitment to the environment and society since 2007 in its annual sustainability report, AIDA cares, which also sets out all of the key environmental figures. AIDA Cruises has published further information about its commitment to the environment and sustainability in its latest sustainability report, AIDA cares 2019, available at www.aida.de/aidacares.

RESOURCES
AIDA Cruises
Carnival Corporation

CONTACT

Claire West

+1 (214) 208-3718

claire@ldwwgroup.com

Smithfield Foods Sponsors Veteran Honor Flight to Nation’s Capital

07.11.2019 - 03:24PM

The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods Inc., announced today a $125,000 donation to the Midwest Honor Flight organization to sponsor 83 World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans for an all-expenses-paid flight to visit the nation’s capital. The sponsored flight in September will allow veterans and guardians to fly to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifice.

“We are thrilled to have Smithfield Foods sponsor a flight in-full for our veterans who are so deserving of this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Aaron Van Beek, Volunteer President and Director of Midwest Honor Flight. “This is a way to show our appreciation and say thank you to those who served, and we are grateful to Smithfield for showing their support and gratitude for military veterans in such a generous way.”

Smithfield’s donation will sponsor the fifth-ever flight for the Midwest Honor Flight organization, named “Smithfield Foods Mission 5: 24 SEP 2019,” for veterans located throughout northwest Iowa, South Dakota, and southwest Minnesota. Veterans on the flight will together experience the power and solidary of the Arlington National Cemetery, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the National World War II Memorial.

Smithfield announced the $125,000 donation to charter the honor flight during a press conference at Veterans Memorial Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Vietnam Air Force Veteran Bill Kortemeyer was a featured speaker, sharing his firsthand experience as a Midwest Honor Flight recipient in 2018. Beginning this month in July, Smithfield-sponsored honor flight recipients will be notified to prepare for the tour to Washington, D.C.

“Part of Smithfield’s social purpose is to honor those who have dedicated themselves in service to our country,” said Mark Wiggs, plant manager at Smithfield Foods’ Sioux Falls facility. “We strive to make sure military members and their families are supported, and we’re proud to partner with the Midwest Honor Flight organization to give our veterans this once-in-a-lifetime experience they have undoubtedly earned.”

The Midwest Honor Flight is part of the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization created to transport America’s Veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.

“I will never forget my Honor Flight experience,” said Kortemeyer, a Vietnam War veteran. “It was an emotional reunion with my fellow servicemen; one which I am forever grateful to have had.”

For more information about Smithfield’s commitment to veterans, please visit https://www.smithfieldfoods.com/sustainability/helping-communities.

About Smithfield Foods

About Midwest Honor Flight

The Midwest Honor Flight is a non-profit organization created to honor America’s Veterans for their sacrifices. The organization offers paid transport and tours to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of visiting veterans and those who have perished. The Midwest Honor Flight organization’s service area includes veterans throughout Northwest Iowa, South Dakota, and Southwest Minnesota.

###

CONTACT:

Lauren Homrich

+1 (480) 268-3253

lhomrich@daltonagency.com

Dalton Agency for Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Aaron Van Beek

+1 (712) 463-2020

Midwest Honor Flight

Business and Inclusive Growth at the Upcoming Maala Conference, Tel Aviv

07.11.2019 - 10:15AM

The Maala international conference has positioned itself as a hub for discussing business impact on Inclusive growth, and this year will capture insights from the Israeli market and implications for other markets around the world. The conference serves as a gateway to Israeli CSR for stakeholders, investors, global corporations and multinational companies operating in Israel, the global CSR and sustainability community, and other business partners. The conference will be held on December 4-5, 2019, in the old Tel Aviv port.

Hosting over 750 guests annually, the conference is a very lively, dynamic and energetic event, reflecting the vibrant sustainability community in Israel, and also appreciated for its innovative style of creating dialogue and engagement. The conference offers an immersive experience, both on the first day with power-presentations, 'fire-chats' and multiple dialogue sessions; and on the second day with field tours to corporate innovation sites.

The conference will discuss issues such as – leveraging business impact to address social gaps and inequality, diversity and inclusion in the workforce, social and sustainable innovation, products and services that help people live a better life, ESG investing, and more. The conference will also see the launch of a new publication on lessons from Israel on business impact on inclusive growth. A recent article published on Triple Pundit provides a glimpse into the ongoing work in Israel on that.

The 2018 Maala International Conference featured some 750 participants from Israeli and global businesses, investors, civil society and government agencies. International speakers represented companies including Barclays, MasterCard, Danske Bank, TripAdvisor, and Blackrock; Israeli speakers included Bank Hapoalim, SodaStream, JDC Israel, Strauss Group, and Unilever Israel.

To learn more and take part in the conference, please contact elisha@maala.org.il

Crucial Contribution of Business to Paris Agreement

07.11.2019 - 08:45AM

Policy makers and businesses need to work closer together to ramp up private sector engagement in the climate change commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) set out the efforts by individual countries to cut emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. GRI and CDP have compiled recommendations for both governments and the private sector, to support businesses in understanding, reporting and managing their contribution.

The Engaging business in the NDCs publication gives an analysis of corporate reporting practices through the first round of NDCs, including examples of good practice. It recommends that:

Policy makers include clear targets for the contribution by business, setting up efficient and transparent monitoring and doing more to encourage private sector engagement.

Companies align operations and objectives to the national targets, taking advantage of opportunities to support the NDCs through investments and changes to their operations.

This timely report is published as a review takes place in New York of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will be followed by the UN Climate Action Summit in September, prior to countries submitting their next round of NDCs in 2020.

Peter Paul van de Wijs, GRI’s Chief External Affairs Officer, said:

“To meet the challenging goals in the Paris Agreement, governments alone cannot achieve the changes required. Businesses also have a crucial role, which is why we need clarity on each other’s contribution.

As demonstrated by the UN forum this week - which includes reviewing the SDG for urgent action to combat climate change – international momentum is increasing. So, it’s clear that robust monitoring and reporting by countries of their NDCs progress, including private sector contributions, is a necessity.

Around the world, we are seeing great examples of businesses collaborating in the NDCs and we need this good practice to grow. Our briefing paper will help policy makers and companies focus on where they can do more to work together at the national level, playing their part in securing a global solution.”

Read the Engaging business in the NDCs briefing paper. GRI and CDP thank the Government of Sweden for their financial support for this research project.
The UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development takes place from 9-18 July. This includes reviewing progress against SDG13: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
The UN Climate Change Summit on 23 September will seek to ‘boost ambition and accelerate actions to implement the Paris Agreement’.
By 2020, the 196 parties of the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are requested to submit the next round of NDCs (new or updated).
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the independent international organization – headquartered in Amsterdam with regional offices around the world – that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate their sustainability impacts.
CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

Teva Drives Progress to Address Pressing Global Health Challenges While Maintaining Focus on Compliance

07.11.2019 - 08:00AM

Ecuadorian Plaintiffs End Fraudulent Litigation Against Chevron

07.10.2019 - 02:36PM

A group of Ecuadorian plaintiffs whose litigation against Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) has been exposed as a fraud and bribery scheme by courts in the United States and elsewhere has ended its Canadian lawsuit against the company. Following dismissals of their claims in Argentina and Brazil, findings against them in the United States and Gibraltar, and a ruling in The Hague that the Republic of Ecuador’s failure to prevent the continuation of the fraudulent litigation scheme violated international law, the plaintiffs ended their only remaining lawsuit by dismissing the Canadian case. The plaintiffs further agreed to pay costs to Chevron.

Chevron had recently moved to dismiss the Canadian suit on the grounds that its continuation would be an abuse of the country’s legal system, a waste of its judicial resources, and contrary to international law. The Ecuadorian plaintiffs and their counsel did not oppose Chevron’s motion to dismiss and instead consented to the unconditional and final dismissal of the lawsuit.

“Chevron is pleased that the promoters of the fraudulent scheme have apparently realized that no legitimate court would enforce the judgment that they purchased in Ecuador. Chevron will continue its efforts to hold the lawyers and investors behind this fraudulent scheme accountable,” said R. Hewitt Pate, Chevron’s vice president and general counsel.

Because Chevron never operated in Ecuador or had assets there, those seeking to profit from the corrupt Ecuadorian judgment have unsuccessfully attempted to enforce it in Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Courts in Brazil and Argentina previously rejected enforcement attempts in those countries.

With all attempts to date to enforce the Ecuadorian judgment having been defeated by Chevron, the key remaining proceeding in connection with the dispute is Chevron’s arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador before an international tribunal in The Hague. The tribunal last August held that the Republic of Ecuador had violated its obligations under international law in issuing the corrupt $9.5 billion judgment. Chevron is currently seeking to recover from the Republic of Ecuador costs it has incurred to expose and defend against the fraud perpetrated against it.

Also pending are contempt proceedings brought by Chevron in federal court in New York against adjudicated racketeer and suspended lawyer Steven Donziger, who led the failed efforts to enforce the fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment. Last year, Donziger was suspended from the practice of law after having been found by U.S. federal courts to have violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by engaging in multiple acts of extortion, money laundering, wire fraud, witness tampering, bribery, and obstruction of justice to procure the Ecuadorian judgment. On May 23, 2019, Donziger was held in contempt of court for his breach of the RICO judgment, which prevented him from profiting from the fraud, by selling interests in the Ecuadorian judgment to investors and using a large portion of the proceeds on personal expenses. The court further ordered Donziger to transfer to Chevron profits traceable to the Ecuadorian judgment.

The Canadian decision is the latest in a string of judicial victories in Chevron’s worldwide defense against the Ecuadorian judgment. This past April, the Supreme Courts of two countries – Canada and the Netherlands – ruled in favor of Chevron in related proceedings. On April 4, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal of a decision that had dismissed all claims seeking to enforce the Ecuadorian judgment against an indirect subsidiary of Chevron in Canada. On April 12, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands rejected the Republic of Ecuador’s attempts to nullify decisions of the international tribunal in The Hague that ordered Ecuador to take all steps necessary to prevent enforcement of the Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron anywhere in the world.

Last August, the international tribunal in The Hague also found the Republic of Ecuador liable for violating its obligations under international law. In a unanimous ruling in favor of Chevron, the tribunal – including the arbitrator chosen by the Republic of Ecuador – held that the $9.5 billion judgment rendered against Chevron in Ecuador in 2011 was procured through fraud, bribery, and corruption, and was based on claims that had been already settled and released by the Republic of Ecuador years earlier.

The tribunal, after hearing the testimony of numerous experts about the environmental conditions in Ecuador and visiting the former area of operations, rejected Ecuador’s environmental allegations against Chevron and Texaco Petroleum Co. (TexPet), which became an indirect subsidiary of Chevron following its acquisition of Texaco Inc. in 2001. The tribunal found “TexPet spent approximately $40 million in environmental remediation and community development under the 1995 Settlement Agreement’ carried out by a “well-known engineering firm specializing in environmental remediation” and that Ecuador in 1998 executed a final release agreement “certifying that TexPet had performed all of its obligations under the 1995 Settlement Agreement.” The tribunal found “no cogent evidence” supporting Ecuador’s claim that TexPet failed to comply with the terms of the remediation plan approved by Ecuador.

The tribunal concluded that the Ecuadorian judgment “violates international public policy” and “should not be recognised or enforced by the courts of other States.” The tribunal ordered the Republic of Ecuador to permanently render unenforceable the fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron. The tribunal also ordered Ecuador to compensate Chevron for any damages arising from the fraudulent judgment. A process is under way for the tribunal to determine the amount of the damages owed by Ecuador to Chevron.

The findings of judicial fraud of the international tribunal in The Hague are consistent with findings of U.S. courts that the Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron was the product of fraud and racketeering activity, including extortion, money laundering, wire fraud, witness tampering, judicial bribery, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations and obstruction of justice. U.S. federal courts have prohibited enforcement of the Ecuadorian judgment in the United States and ordered the Ecuadorian plaintiffs and their lawyers to pay back to Chevron any enforcement proceeds they obtain anywhere in the world. That decision – the RICO judgment – was upheld on appeal and is now final, after having been denied review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

As in Canada, the plaintiffs’ other attempts to enforce the fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment in jurisdictions around the globe have also failed:

In November 2017, Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice unanimously rejected the attempt to enforce the Ecuadorian judgment there. Brazil’s Deputy Prosecutor General stated the judgment was “issued in an irregular manner, especially under deplorable acts of corruption.”
The Brazilian decision followed a ruling by a court in Argentina in October 2017, which also denied recognition of the Ecuadorian judgment. The court of appeals upheld this decision in July 2018. An appeal is pending before the Supreme Court of that country.
In December 2015, the Supreme Court of Gibraltar issued a judgment against Amazonia Recovery Ltd., a Gibraltar-based company set up by the plaintiffs’ attorneys and investors to receive and distribute funds resulting from the Ecuadorian judgment, awarding Chevron $28 million in damages. The court also issued a permanent injunction against Amazonia prohibiting the company from assisting or supporting the case against Chevron in any way. The court issued a similar ruling in May 2018 against the directors of Amazonia, Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia, and Ecuadorian attorney Pablo Fajardo for their role in attempting to enforce the fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment, this time awarding $38 million in damages to Chevron.

Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives; generates power; and develops and deploys technologies that enhance business value in every aspect of the company's operations. Chevron is based in San Ramon, California. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

Comcast NBCUniversal Releases 2019 Values in Action Report

07.10.2019 - 12:05PM

Comcast NBCUniversal released its 2019 Values in Action Report today. It covers the following six areas:

Diversity & Inclusion
Community Impact
Digital Connectivity
Sustainability
Military Engagement
Accessibility

To read the full report, click here.

National Grid Celebrates Lineworker Appreciation Day

07.10.2019 - 12:04PM

National Grid’s electricity field force is a special group of people who perform extraordinary work in some of the toughest conditions. Their unwavering level of commitment to our customers – combined with their willingness to go above and beyond – make us proud to once again celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day on July 10.

Every day, thousands of National Grid electricity workers design, build, maintain and repair overhead and underground electricity lines and substations and perform a host of other essential functions that enable 10 million people to power virtually every aspect of their lives. They are central to maintaining over 100,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines across more than 30,000 square miles.

Over the last 16 months alone, seven severe storms battered our service area, damaged our system and left customers without power. As they always do, the men and women who maintain our electricity system headed out into the harshest of weather conditions, and worked nights, weekends and holidays to restore power to 2 million customers. These skilled workers repaired poles, cables and other electricity equipment, all with an eye toward restoring power quickly and as safely as possible for our customers.

As a result of the company’s exceptional performance in restoring power, the Edison Electric Institute recognized National Grid in June with our 21st Emergency Response Award in 15 years.

“National Lineworker Appreciation Day is one way we thank our electricity field force for their valuable expertise and for making sure our customers are taken care of,” said Chris Kelly, National Grid’s Chief Operating Officer – Electric. “Their work is at the heart of meeting our customers’ ever-increasing reliance on electricity. And in emergency situations, they also act as first responders, working hand-in-hand with public safety officials to protect the millions of people we serve. We are proud of the work they deliver today and every day.”

Lineworkers as Life Savers

Some members of our electricity team have found themselves in the right place at the right time, and often have had to make quick, heroic decisions that have meant the difference between life and death:

In Syracuse, one of our substation electricians saved a child from choking.
A Fredonia crew saved a woman trapped in an overturned car.
In Cape Cod, an emergency planner rescued a motorist from a submerged car.

All of these brave workers were recognized with the company’s lifesaving award, which is presented to National Grid staff whose unselfish acts in crisis situations saved others.

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About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. We are the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.

National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Our Northeast 80x50 Pathway is an industry-leading analysis for how to reach that goal in the states we serve, focusing on the power generation, heat, and transportation sectors.

Read more about the innovative projects across our footprint in The Democratization of Energy, aan eBook written by National Grid’s U.S. president, Dean Seavers. For more information please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.

The Alliance to Save Energy Names Four Innovators as 2019 Stars of Energy Efficiency

07.10.2019 - 11:56AM

The Alliance to Save Energy on Wednesday announced it would be awarding Alabama Power, Ingersoll Rand, OhmConnect, and Pepco Holdings its 2019 Stars of Energy Efficiency, celebrating their accomplishments in pioneering new ways to use energy more effectively. The awards reflect a new emphasis on reducing energy use through integrated and automated technologies, on-demand efficiency opportunities that can better balance electrical grid loads, and corporate leadership in speeding the deployment of efficiency solutions.

The prizes will be presented at the Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on September 19, 2019, a gathering of 400 energy efficiency executives, advocates, and government officials.

“Energy efficiency isn’t just about sealing the leaks or replacing old equipment, it’s increasingly about smart systems that work together to maximize savings, help reduce strains on the grid and support the integration of renewable energy sources,” said Jason Hartke, president of the Alliance to Save Energy. “These are companies that are at the forefront of the newest active efficiency technologies and are committing to deliver more energy savings.”

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, will receive the Star of Systems Efficiency Award for developing the 62-home Smart Neighborhood™ in suburban Birmingham featuring emerging energy-efficient technologies and building measures, all connected to the Southeast’s first community-scale microgrid. Homes in the community are around 39 percent more efficient than standard new homes in the area and are equipped with technology to allow residents more control over systems and features, along with increased comfort. Alabama Power is using data from the neighborhood to provide greater understanding of energy management and insights into how homes can be built and function more efficiently.

“We appreciate this great recognition from the Alliance to Save Energy for Smart Neighborhood, which is an important part of Alabama Power’s commitment to find new and better ways to serve our customers,” said Alabama Power CEO Mark Crosswhite. “As we continue to keep customers at the center of everything we do, we’re excited about the opportunities to use technology and innovative solutions to transform our business.”

Ingersoll Rand will be honored with the Star of Doubling Down on Efficiency Award for setting and surpassing bold greenhouse gas reduction goals. Since 2014, the company has reduced the greenhouse gas emissions of its operations by 45% and its energy intensity by 23%. By producing efficient products – including building HVAC and energy management, transport refrigeration, personal transportation vehicles, hand tools, air compressors, fluid pumps, and material handling equipment products – it has also reduced its customers’ GHG footprint by more than half. In May, Ingersoll Rand and its strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King® announced its newest sustainability commitment for 2030 which includes reducing its customers’ GHG footprint by 1 billion metric tons of CO2e, achieving carbon-neutral operations, realizing a 10% reduction in absolute energy consumption and more.

“We’re honored to receive the Star of Doubling Down on Efficiency Award in recognition of our reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensity across our operations and business,” said Michael Lamach, chairman and CEO of Ingersoll Rand and leading brands Trane and Thermo King. “Sustainability is foundational to who we are. In 2014, we set ambitious sustainability targets that transformed the industry and how we serve our customers and communities. Our next generation 2030 targets – which include an ambitious goal to reduce emissions from our products by one gigaton while reducing energy used to produce systems – will continue to lead innovation toward an energy-efficient and cleaner environment.”

OhmConnect will receive a Star of Dynamic Efficiency Award for its innovative energy platform that is reducing strain on the electrical grid and paving the way for everyone to get smarter about their energy usage through gamification. OhmConnect pays its customers to save energy when the grid is stressed. The service, with more than half a million participants in the U.S. and Canada, sells the aggregated reductions of electricity during moments of peak demand as virtual power to the energy markets. The platform encourages participants to make easy, tangible behavioral changes, like turning off lights, as well as automated actions through connected smart devices like thermostats. To date, OhmConnect has offset more than two million pounds of carbon and paid its users more than $10 million, and it is set to expand in the U.S. beyond its California base.

Matt Duesterberg, CEO of OhmConnect, said: “We’re helping people understand and even have fun by being mindful of their energy use to save money – and reduce the need for dirty ‘peaker’ power plants. Using energy more effectively isn’t just about using less, it’s about using it more strategically – at the times when it's the least expensive and better for the planet.”

Pepco Holdings will be presented with the Star of Dynamic Efficiency Award for demand-side management programs at Delmarva Power and Pepco. These programs are leveraging smart thermostats to help customers save money and energy during peak energy usage periods. The Thermostat Optimization Program makes slight temperature setpoint adjustments to participants’ heating and cooling schedules to create approximately 100 kilowatt hours in household energy savings annually – all with minimal impact on their comfort. The Bring Your Own Device Program allows customers to participate in demand response with any eligible thermostat. Participants receive up to $40 in annual bill credits for allowing Delmarva Power or Pepco to reduce air conditioner run times on peak demand days.

“We are committed to providing programs and services that transform the way our customers use energy,” said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power and Pepco. “These important programs are providing all customers with cost-effective, energy saving opportunities for their homes and businesses. We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes just how effective our programs have been at helping customers save money and energy.”

The Charles H. Percy Award and Chairman’s Award will also be presented at the gala; the winners will be announced on a subsequent date. Information about the Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Gala is available at www.ase.org/dinner.

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

SU2C and MLB Launch New PSA - "FOR ALL THE MOMENTS WE STAND UP"

07.09.2019 - 08:00PM

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is set to launch a brand new public service announcement (PSA) campaign in collaboration with founding donor, Major League Baseball (MLB). Embodying the spirit and sense of community synonymous with baseball, the campaign — titled “For All The Moments We Stand Up” — culminates with the now iconic SU2C placard moment when tens of thousands of fans, players, managers and other on-field personnel stand for a moment of silence to support a loved one affected by cancer. The PSA will debut on Tuesday, July 9 during the 2019 MLB All-Star Game Presented by Mastercard.

The new broadcast PSA will center on the lighthearted touchpoints that are iconic to baseball— standing to catch a foul ball, catching a bag of peanuts from a vendor, being featured on the jumbotron— before building up to the moving placard finale, which underscores the remarkable impact of standing together as one powerful, united force. The campaign, launching in July, will come to life across print, digital, radio and out-of-home media, including placements throughout the 2019 World Series presented by YouTubeTV.

The PSA is the latest collaboration between SU2C and MLB, marking MLB’s 11^th year as a supporter of SU2C. To date, MLB has pledged more than $50 million to SU2C’s collaborative cancer research programs, providing invaluable support for research which has helped lead to six FDA approvals for new cancer therapies.

“We are proud that our partnership with Stand Up To Cancer has had a significant impact on cancer research over the last decade,” said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “This year’s campaign is yet another example of our sport’s commitment to raising awareness around this disease until every person who is battling cancer becomes a survivor.”

“The unparalleled support from our founding donor, MLB, has been nothing short of incredible,” said Rusty Robertson, SU2C co-founder. “Each year, the sight of thousands of fans from all walks of life, standing together, holding placards in support and in memory of loved ones, is such a powerful and emotional moment. MLB has amplified SU2C’s rallying cry across the nation, underscoring that almost all of us are touched by cancer in some way and no one is alone in this. We must continue to come together and raise our voices.”

The broadcast and English and Spanish language print PSAs feature Uzo Aduba, Jordana Brewster, Matt Damon, Zachary Levi, Joe Manganiello and Candice Patton, whose lives have all been touched by cancer in some way. The broadcast PSA also includes Connor, an Ewing sarcoma survivor, and Marshella, a breast cancer survivor. The broadcast PSA was developed by SU2C and produced by Shark Pig, an LA-based production company that produces everything from online ads to feature-length documentary films. Jesse Fleece, a Highland Park-based director who blends comedy and drama to tell human stories of love, hope and redemption, directed the PSA. The print campaign was produced by SU2C with photography by photographer Andrew Eccles, and art direction by Paul Moore.

In 2008, Major League Baseball, including its 30 Clubs, became the founding donor of SU2C. Since then, MLB has played a pivotal role in helping to fund groundbreaking research that translates to lifesaving treatments for cancer patients, pledging more than $50 million to support SU2C’s innovative research programs. In 2011, MLB and SU2C created the first-ever “placard moment” at the MLB All-Star Game. The placard moments have been a part of each All-Star Game and World Series, with tens of thousands of fans, players, umpires and stadium staff pausing to honor a loved one affected by cancer.

Over the past 11 years, SU2C’s collaboration with MLB has brought the cause into the homes of millions of baseball fans across the country. In addition to the impactful placard moments, SU2C and MLB have launched numerous campaigns to celebrate their collaboration including past PSAs involving SU2C ambassadors Steve Carell, Jake Gyllenhaal, Colin Hanks and Ken Jeong. MLB has provided a platform to significantly amplify SU2C's mission and make significant strides toward the day when all cancer patients become long-term cancer survivors.

Please visit standuptocancer.org/mlb to learn more about the campaign, and follow us on @SU2C across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.

About Stand Up To Cancer

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about cancer prevention as well as progress being made in the fight against the disease. Under the direction of our Scientific Advisory Committee, led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., SU2C operates rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and ensure collaboration across research programs.

Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, Ellen Ziffren, and Kathleen Lobb. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, has served as SU2C’s president and CEO since 2011.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, please visit StandUpToCancer.org.

About MLB

Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Major League Baseball is the best-attended sport in North America, and since 2004, MLB has enjoyed its best-attended seasons in the history of the game. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB currently features record levels of labor peace, competitive balance and industry revenues, as well as the most comprehensive drug-testing program in American professional sports. MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing and community relations endeavors. With the continued success of MLB Network and MLB digital platforms, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.MLB.com.

Soil Health Institute Releases Progress Report on Adoption of Soil Health Practices

07.09.2019 - 03:31PM

The Soil Health Institute (SHI) has released PROGRESS REPORT: Adoption of Soil Health Systems, based on data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture. The analysis includes a state-by-state breakdown of changes in adoption from 2012 to 2017 for cover crops and no-till production. Cover crop and no-till practices both support biological activity in the soil. Cover crops are particularly effective at protecting water quality, and no-till is particularly effective at increasing carbon sequestration in soils.

The report was developed by Rob Myers, Ph.D., a University of Missouri agronomist and Co-chair of the Soil Health Institute Policy Action Team, and Joe LaRose, a University of Missouri extension associate.

For further information, visit the Soil Health Institute website.

About the Soil Health Institute

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Corporate School Supply Drives Support Millions of U.S. Kids in Need

07.09.2019 - 02:07PM

Even as adults, most of us can remember the feelings around the first day of school: the brilliant sunlight of a fall morning; the crisp, new outfit chosen with care; the sharp points of freshly sharpened pencils; the nerves as the bus rounds the corner. But, does everyone experience this sense of an exciting, fresh beginning?

Unfortunately, for low income and homeless kids the experience is vastly different. Already at a disadvantage in so many ways, these kids face the start of a new school year with apprehension, and with good reason. Kids from low income homes are more likely to:

start school with limited language skills
be chronically absent from school
have less parental support with homework
lack basic necessities like food, clothing, healthcare & housing
are five times more likely to drop out of school than students from higher income families

And, we are talking about lots of kids. The National School Lunch Program provides meals to more than 30 million children on an average day. That’s 30 million children who will start this school year wondering if other kids will notice their lack of school supplies rather than ready to tackle learning.

Think about what it would mean for these kids to start the school year off with the tools they need to succeed in school. Corporations invested in corporate social responsibility are poised to make a big difference in local communities across the country. When employees ban together the impact is exponential. Not sure if a school supply drive is right for your company? For more information, check out the article, Tips for Running a School Supply Drive. And, here’s four good reasons to run a corporate school supply drive:

Grow your CSR program: Employees may struggle to find a personal connection to corporate causes but the vast majority of them will have a very personal connection to local area schools and kids. This relationship typically translates into greater participation and employee satisfaction. And, technology exists to help businesses with their efforts while avoiding the clutter and hassle of collection bins. For example, YouGiveGoods, a free giving platform, enables companies to run their school supply drive online. Shopping is open 24/7 and results can be viewed in real-time. At the end of the drive, supplies can be shipped directly to the school(s) or chosen organization (e.g. Boys & Girls Clubs; Kids In Need Foundation) or they can ship to the corporation for a team-building packing event.
Make a local impact: Do some research into needs in your area. Chances are your corporation alone could supply a number of schools in your district with the supplies they need for their lower income kids. Or, choose to partner with one area school that has an enormous need and plan to support them all year long. While school supply drives are typically run in the summer, kids go through the supplies and replenishments are needed throughout the school year.
Invest in your community: Your school supply drive is a tangible investment in your local community. Establishing your company as a source for good in the community has countless benefits to the business and your employees, not to mention to the children and the community as a whole. In addition to school supplies, your CSR program can expand to support these schools with mentoring programs and more volunteer opportunities for employees.
Make a real difference: There are not many programs you can present to employees that will make such a deep yet immediate difference. Let employees know that their purchases can change the trajectory of the lives of students as starting school with the proper school supplies can:

boost self-esteem
promote learning
improve academic performance
help keep kids in school

Education and poverty are complexly tangled.¹ By giving kids the tools they need to succeed in school your company can keep kids on track to receive the education that can help lift them up. The gift of fully stocked school supplies can give these kids the spark they need to approach school and even their futures with optimism and hope.

¹https://www.stand-together.org/cycle-educational-failure/

About YouGiveGoods

YouGiveGoods, LLC, is an innovative e-commerce company that connects tangible workplace giving to community needs through our free giving platform. YouGiveGoods' technology enables corporations of all sizes to create unique giving experiences with corporate branded drive pages. Customize your workplace giving event and maximize employee engagement with our corporate challenge option, choosing to support one or many charities. Support any cause when you raise food, disaster relief supplies, toys, school supplies, socks, diapers, blankets – any goods your selected charity may need, all brand-new and delivered to their door. A YouGiveGoods online drive is a simple, efficient, measurable activity that makes a real difference in your community.

Prudential Financial Sustainability Report Details Financial Resilience, Responsible Impact

07.09.2019 - 08:00AM

Hess Corporation Shows Continued ESG Commitment and Progress in 2018 Sustainability Report

07.08.2019 - 02:00PM

CBRE Releases 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report

07.01.2019 - 08:00AM

Edmond de Rothschild Makes Progress in Building a Sustainable Future

06.28.2019 - 04:00AM

Unum Shares Its Story of Social Responsibility on New Site

06.27.2019 - 02:00PM

Alliance Data Releases 2018 Sustainability Report Including Updated, Balanced Scorecard

06.27.2019 - 08:00AM

HP Sets Industry-leading Recycled Content Target, Drives Progress to Create Lasting Sustainable Impact

06.26.2019 - 02:00PM

Top Things to Know about Sustainable Innovation at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

06.26.2019 - 04:00AM

Singtel Group Publishes Its Fifth Group Sustainability Report 2019

06.25.2019 - 10:00PM

Making Sustainable Homes a Reality

06.25.2019 - 08:00AM

Experian Social Innovation Has Powered Opportunities for Over 20 Million People

06.21.2019 - 04:00AM

Crestwood Publishes Inaugural 2018 Sustainability Report

06.20.2019 - 02:00PM

Cigna Demonstrates Commitment to Health of People, Communities and Environment

06.20.2019 - 08:00AM

ON Semiconductor’s 2018 Social Responsibility Report Integrates the People, Planet and Profit With the Comprehensive GRI

06.19.2019 - 04:00AM

Our Commitment to Patients and Beyond: Amgen 2018 Responsibility Highlights Report

06.12.2019 - 08:00AM

Landsec Publishes 2019 Sustainability Update

06.10.2019 - 08:00AM

Walmart on Track to Reduce 1 Billion Metric Tons of Emissions From Global Supply Chains by 2030

06.07.2019 - 08:00AM

Vodafone Group Plc Sustainable Business Report 2019

06.06.2019 - 04:00AM

Johnson & Johnson Releases 2018 Health for Humanity Report

06.05.2019 - 02:00PM

Celebrating the World Environment Day - Tetra Pak Sustainability Reporting Reaches 21-Year Landmark

06.05.2019 - 08:00AM

18th Annual Employee Engagement Summit

04.08.2019 - 12:09PM

This two-day peer-to-peer event brings together corporate citizenship and employee engagement professionals to learn and network, share promising practices, discuss the latest trends, and create greater social impact together.

Through interactive sessions and breakouts, the summit provides a forum for learning and effective practice exchange to engage the most pressing challenges facing today’s CSR professionals.

This year’s themes include how to align your corporate brand with social and employee activism, integrating business goals with CSR, measuring and demonstrating impact, the latest trends in employee engagement, the new frontiers of diversity and inclusion, and more.

Innovations in Social Impact Measurement for CSR Symposium

03.29.2019 - 03:43PM

Join us for a two-day symposium on the latest innovations in self-led social impact measurement for corporate social responsibility programs.

We will review how to develop a strategy for identifying and addressing non-technical risks (NTR), proving you’re having a meaningful impact, and learning how to improve. You will be introduced to easy-to-complete impact measurement tools that can be used across the company and allow for a uniform yet flexible approach across all initiatives, no matter the stage of development, type of investment/engagement, or geography.

The event will also review social return on investment (SROI) techniques, strategies for positioning CSR and social impact measurement in your organization, and getting the most out of your impact data.

Charities@Work

03.01.2019 - 02:25PM

“The Charities@Work Summit offers something that CSR professionals cannot find at any other gathering focused on CSR: the ability to connect the issues our companies face with practical, applicable solutions that will make a difference in supporting employees, brand and most importantly culture,” said Michael S. Carren, summit chair and head of corporate social responsibility at The Guardian Life Insurance Company.

“Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned professional, Charities@Work gives you the opportunity to interact with and learn from other leaders in the field. I am proud to have been affiliated with this event for over a decade and have taken so much of what I have learned through the conference back to my professional practice with great results.”

Through interactive sessions and breakouts, the summit provides a forum for learning and effective practice exchange to engage the most pressing challenges facing today’s CSR professionals.

2018 3BL Forum Brands Taking Stands — The Long View

10.03.2018 - 12:31PM

On October 23-25, 2018, 3BL Forum will once again convene a diverse group of business, policy and NGO leaders to share insights, advance best practices and workshop forward-thinking solutions to the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time.

3BL Forum 2018 will feature the same theme as 2017, 'Brands Taking Stands' with a focus on 'The Long View – The Role of the Corporate Responsibility Professional as Companies Build for the Future Amid Pressure to Prioritize Profit Today.'

Total Impact Boston: October 4 & 5

09.26.2018 - 01:30AM

Total Impact is a multi-city convening series providing practical impact education and execution strategies to advisors, investors, family offices, wealth managers, and HNW individuals interested in aligning their investments to their values and mission.

Total Impact travels to Boston on October 4 and 5. Total Impact Boston will feature actionable impact strategies and tools across asset classes for advisors and investors. In addition, in partnership with key Boston stakeholders, we will highlight place-based opportunities and the impact success stories of the greater Boston area.

Receive a $200 discount when you use this code at registration: TI_SUBSCRIBERS

Total Impact conference series is a Good Capital Project initiative.

2018 EHS & Sustainability Management Forum

09.04.2018 - 03:15PM

NAEM's EHS & Sustainability Management Forum is the largest annual gathering of environment, health and safety (EHS) and sustainability decision-makers. Attend this year’s Forum to find answers to some of your toughest EHS and sustainability challenges and network with the best in the industry. This year’s program will include 5 different tracks, over 25 sessions, and will be led by more than 90 EHS and sustainability leaders. Register today before it sells out!

Digital Empowers: Accelerating Innovation for Business and Social Good

04.18.2018 - 03:42PM

Innovative partnerships, where businesses can work with and leverage the assets of governments, NGOs, and civil society can help develop creative, sustainable, and scalable solutions that can create significant impact. The partnerships and the technologies that make this possible is the focus of Digital Empowers: Accelerating Innovation for Business and Social Good, a forum hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

This event will bring together business leaders, technical experts, and on-the-ground partners that are shaping the future of innovation and social impact. Participants will share how their organizations leverage new technologies and digital innovations, including blockchain, design thinking, virtual reality, robotics, data collaboratives, and cloud analytics to increase access and equity to individuals and communities.

Learn more and register here: https://goo.gl/osXZa9

The Future of Sustainability Reporting: Trends to Watch

04.13.2018 - 12:00PM

The Columbia Business School Alumni Club of New York (CBSACNY) is an alumni organization seeking to strengthen alumni networks, support services, professional development, and education opportunities. The Sustainable Business Committee produces events related to green businesses, the environment, sustainability, and pioneering new industry. Visit CBSACNY online at http://www.cbsacny.org.

Hear from expert panelists with diverse experience in CSR and Sustainability Reporting.
Understand key factors and motivations that guide a company’s reporting strategy.
Learn about different reporting methods, frameworks, and standards.
Explore trends in CSR and Sustainability Reporting in the US and around the world.
Get answers to your questions - unique opportunity for open audience Q & A.

As companies strive to protect their reputational assets and earn trust from stakeholders, sustainability reporting and disclosure are no longer reserved solely for “green” or mission-oriented companies. Demand for transparency and disclosure is increasing, and sustainability reporting is becoming mainstream. However, how reporting is done may vary depending on the target audience and purpose of those disclosures. Dominant frameworks such as GRI and SASB, and emerging methods such as Reporting 3.0, Trucost, and <IR>, are evolving to play different parts and complement each other. Our expert panel will discuss best practices employed by companies, and how such practices create value for shareholders and stakeholders. While sustainability reporting remains largely voluntary, our panel will explore legal trends and any potential movement to integrate sustainability and financial disclosures, from a US and global perspective.

Register and learn more: http://www.cbsacny.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1088046

For more information, please contact:
Leila Goldmark, LGoldmark10@gsb.columbia.edu (re event details)
CBSACNY, contactus@cbsacny.org (re event registration and ticketing issues)

Webinar: How to Craft a Winning Citizens Nomination

04.04.2018 - 09:34AM

Every year, hundreds of businesses apply to win a Corporate Citizenship Award, making it one of the most prestigious awards in the field. How can you ensure your nomination stands out from all the rest?

On May 3, join the Chamber Foundation for a webinar that will share tips and strategies for crafting a winning Citizens Awards nomination. The webinar will feature past judges and winners who will highlight ways to strengthen your nomination and best tell your story.

From now until June 29, the U.S. Chamber Foundation is accepting nominations for the 19th Annual Corporate Citizenship Awards. Since 2000, the Citizens Awards have honored the most strategic and innovative corporate citizenship programs from businesses and chambers of all sizes.

Trends in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting

03.23.2018 - 10:25AM

During a recent ReportAlert webinar, an attendee asked about trends in corporate reporting around CR and sustainability.

To answer, we have invited reporting veteran Tim Woodall and training extraordinaire Nancy Mancilla to share their observations on how corporate reporters are gearing up for 2018 and beyond.

Hear whether integrated reporting continues gathering steam, how brands are incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals into their updates, and how the Brands Taking Stands movement is manifesting itself in ESG disclosures.

This presentation will also include a focus on two platforms designed for companies and NGOs to drive awareness of their corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives – 3BL Media and ReportAlert. Dave Armon, CMO of 3BL Media, will moderate the discussion.

2018 Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit

03.19.2018 - 06:20PM

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation May 9—10 in Washington, D.C. for the fourth annual Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit, "Translating Value to Ignite Action."

Gain the practical knowledge, skills, and applications needed to most effectively implement circular economy communication strategies, both within and outside your organization.

Early Bird prices end in less than two weeks, so make sure to register now before it's too late!

For more information, visit: https://goo.gl/UVbR2y

2018 Sustainability Management Conference

03.15.2018 - 02:11PM

Are you responsible for implementing sustainability efforts, or tracking and reporting their results? Is the scope of your sustainability program expanding in all directions?

This conference will offer insights that will help you improve your company’s performance internally and more effectively manage your sustainability data at both ends of the supply chain.

Compliance Management Conference

02.26.2018 - 02:03PM

The basis of an effective EHS program is the strength of its management system and how thoroughly it is integrated into business practices. Focusing on the core of EHS responsibilities, this conference will bring together a diverse group of EHS professionals to discuss the most effective ways to ensure compliance, reduce risk and drive business results. Attend the EHS Compliance Management conference for case studies and interactive dialogue on emerging trends and issues in EHS management including EHS auditing, data management, risk management, and staffing challenges.

Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program, Advanced Edition 2018

01.11.2018 - 09:00AM

This challenging two-day training offered by CSE aims to give you all the latest practical tools and resources required to implement or upscale corporate sustainability in order to drive your initiatives to the next level by generating value and creating effective strategies.

What you will get from the program:

Two days of instruction Become a CMI member for free (Membership cost 200$).
Certified Learning materials (hard copy) and training guide (electronic copy)
Updated case studies from companies such as Apple, Ikea, Unilever and more.
Informative videos from leading sustainable organizations
Sustainability reports related to your sector Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Certification

Leveraging Technology for Financial Wellness

01.10.2018 - 11:08AM

Join us for a webinar hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co., where representatives from University of North Carolina Center for Community Capital and nonprofit Leaders in Financial Technology (nLIFT) will discuss the potential for technology innovation in the financial services sector – fintech – to increase financial inclusion in the United States.

"Leveraging Technology for Financial Wellness" will explore key trends in fintech investment and adoption – including barriers to adoption – among low- and moderate-income consumers, and the roles that financial institutions, fintech companies, and non-profit intermediaries can play in meeting the needs of underserved consumers.

The webinar will also feature new work from nLIFT around nonprofits leadership in fintech innovations to help facilitate financial inclusion. Register for the webinar today!

2018 International Women's Day Forum

01.04.2018 - 01:35PM

Our eighth annual International Women's Day Forum, Partner With Purpose: Business for Gender Equality, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the U.S. Department of State, will gather the business community, civil society, and government representatives to advance women’s and girls’ empowerment around the globe.

Achieving full gender equality means overcoming a host of complex issues, including many institutional and societal barriers that prevent progress. Tackling these challenges will require creativity and innovation from across sectors.

This year’s forum will focus on how private and public stakeholders can combine their resources, skills, and expertise for greater sustainability and impact. Equality is in reach, but will only be realized through collaboration.

Join more than 300 stakeholders March 6-7, 2018 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC and share how you’re working to achieve gender equality in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

This year's annual International Women's Day Forum topics will include:

• Workforce and Skills Development

• Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Entrepreneurship and Value Chain

• STEM

• Women in Tech

• The Digital Divide

• Financial Inclusion and Access to Capital

• Women’s Health

• Girls’ Education

• The Care Economy

• Gender-Based Violence

• Gender Data

• Building Capacity of Displaced Girls and Women

• And more!

Learn more and register with early bird pricing between now and February 2!

Business of Kindness - Washington, D.C. Regional Forum

11.03.2017 - 09:04AM

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Born this Way Foundation, and Deloitte on November 17, to learn from business leaders, academics, and community partners on why they are championing kindness in the workplace and how you can foster it in yours.

Topics to be discussed include:

How do we create a cultural shift towards kindness?
How do we engage employees at every level to empower kindness inside their companies?
What is inclusivity and what are the best practices to achieving it?
How can you make the business case for kindness in your workplace?
How do you create an environment for safe, honest, and meaningful discussions?

Kindness is priceless and it makes a powerful impact—together, we can work to put kindness front and center.

Opportunity Forward: 2017 Corporate Citizenship Conference

11.03.2017 - 09:02AM

At the most basic level—businesses are problem solvers. From providing invaluable services to innovating new products, the private sector—by design—find opportunity and drive solutions. So it only makes sense that leading businesses are turning their problem-solving abilities to the greatest social issues of our time. From water scarcity to disaster relief, businesses are taking the problems we face head-on and building innovative cross-sector solutions that drive us forward.

The theme of the 2017 Corporate Citizenship Conference is Opportunity Forward. The business community is uniquely-suited to see and embrace the opportunities that lie in the most vexing problems we face. Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation on November 14—15 to learn how the business community—together with their partners—are taking action and creating solutions today that build greater opportunities and prosperity for all. Featured Speakers include:

Dr. Jerome Adams, Surgeon General of the United States
The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville
Chieh Huang, Founder and CEO, Boxed
Lisa Tanzer, President, Life is Good
Ambassador James Glassman, Former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy; Chairman, Glassman Advisory
Tae Yoo, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Cisco
Ray Dempsey, Jr., Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, BP America; President, BP Foundation
Katie Beirne Fallon, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Hilton

The challenges of today present opportunities for tomorrow. Join us this November to explore how cross-sector innovation and collaboration can drive us forward.

Brand Authenticity Conference in Berlin

10.20.2017 - 03:58PM

Explore how CSR and sustainability are driving brand value and business results across all industries today at the International Trademark Association’s first Brand Authenticity conference.

As consumers demand that their brands represent their values, being transparent about a commitment to CSR has become a central strategy for many brand owners. Ideal for legal and business professionals, and government relations, advertising and marketing specialists, this two-day conference will focus on how all stakeholders play a role in advancing consumer trust and protecting brand value. In particular, it offers brand counsel the information and tools to be conversant with CSR-related issues and be an even more effective strategic partner for business teams and clients.

The conference program will include keynote speakers, networking opportunities and sessions offering expert insight on timely topics such as:

The value of CSR and sustainability
The intersection of trademark protection and regulatory requirements in the new green landscape
How fighting counterfeiting improves our communities and the environment
Sustainability’s impact on financial ratings and investment decisions
Diversity and inclusion for brands and brand professionals
Update on green-related court decisions in Europe

The expert roster includes speakers from: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (United States); Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. (Belgium); Elipe Limited (United Kingdom); Fjallraven (Sweden); German CSR-Forum (Germany); LEGO System A/S (Denmark); TOMS Shoes Inc. (United States); and others.

To learn more and to register, please visit www.inta.org/2017berlin.

What Works in Employee Financial Wellness Programs

10.10.2017 - 10:53AM

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for a webinar on financial wellness programs (FWP) and learn how your business can benefit by creating or expanding your FWP for your employees.

Nearly a quarter of America’s workers deem their financial stress as high or overwhelming, and about 40 percent of workers report they have more financial strain now, than at the beginning of the Great Recession. Employees’ financial stresses manifest themselves at work, resulting in absenteeism and lower productivity. Employers are recognizing the need to implement a FWP for their workforce and the number and sophistication of workplace FWPs has increased since the Great Recession. Employers now face an abundance of options and little objective guidance on how to choose the right program. This webinar will help employers of ranging industries, sizes, backgrounds and interests to learn about workplace FWPs and receive the tools and resources needed to introduce one to your employees.

Being Fearless Live Online

08.31.2017 - 11:36AM

Race. Climate. Politics. We live in a time of disruption. We need a new way forward. Join us for a 3-day online event, live and on demand, featuring Van Jones, Amy Goodman, Bill Moyers, Opal Tometi, and other courageous voices. With a $5 donation or more, gain insight and tools to navigate these complex times and help open the event to thousands.

Disaster Coordination Call for Hurricane Harvey

08.29.2017 - 09:19AM

Extreme flooding in Texas over the past few days in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey has damaged homes and businesses, displaced families and individuals, and left at least two fatalities in the region. In the wake of disasters such as these, a multi-sector response effort is critical.

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center for a coordination call on the flooding crisis in Texas. On the call, hear from companies, NGOs, and multilateral organizations about the situation on the ground, current humanitarian efforts, and what your company can do to help. Register here: https://goo.gl/2CZ7mH

The 2017 Corporate Philanthropic Practice Conference

08.11.2017 - 08:45AM

This day and a half conference will address new ways of organizing the function of corporate philanthropy professionals and how they are being impacted by new types of skills needed to interact and support nonprofit partners. We will discuss where the corporate philanthropic sector has been, is now, and where it is headed.

As an attendee, you will learn:

• The pros and cons of using an intermediary organization for help with grantmaking
• How to deal with today’s challenging political and social environment
• Innovative best practices for better relationships, strategies and results
• Insights to manage internal and external expectations

Save $200, when you register with code: CSR200

ACCP Contributions Academy Forum

08.03.2017 - 04:35PM

Widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive professional development programs available, the Contributions Academy Forum is an interactive three and a half day program targeted toward corporate citizenship professionals with limited experience.

During this intensive, three and a half day workshop, you will gain understanding of topics such as:

>the strategy of giving
>signature programs
>cause branding & cause marketing
>matching gift campaigns
>employee engagement

You will participate in a hands-on exercise building a contributions program from scratch. You will practice making key decisions about the structure and what to include. You will also receive comprehensive materials covering the basics for planning and managing an effective corporate contributions program. Following rigorous educational sessions, you will have time to relax in the evening at several networking events held at local venues. These events offer you an opportunity to forge long-lasting relationships that continue well beyond the conclusion of the program.

What's Hot - and What's NOT - in Workplace Giving Technology

07.26.2017 - 04:17PM

New research by Deloitte shows that nearly 9 out of 10 working Americans believe that companies that sponsor volunteer activities offer a better overall working environment than those that do not, and 77 percent say that volunteering is essential to employee well-being. But companies by and large are still struggling to get the full benefit from employee volunteering programs. How can we use technology to make it fun, easy and compelling to activate and engage employees in community efforts?

In this 45-minute Q&A format Town Hall, you’ll get a glimpse into what’s happening now in innovative workplace giving technology, plus ask questions and get advice on some of your most pressing technology challenges. You’ll learn:

What’s happening in technology today that promises to make it easier to do more good and seamlessly give to more causes than ever before
Fun ideas for managing volunteers, shift schedules, and pre- and post-event logistics (including those much loved / equally hated post-event surveys!)
How advancements in reporting and events management can save program managers up to 1.5 days a week in administrative time
Why new ways of thinking about systems are making it possible for small businesses to take advantage of workplace giving and volunteering (finally!)

Join Laura Plato, President & COO of Causecast, for an engaging shared learning experience featuring real use cases from customers using Causecast’s Community Impact and Impact AI platforms, listed in “HR Technologies to Watch” in 2016 and 2017.

RSVP here: http://bit.ly/2uyfAtd