CSRwire Press Releases, Events and Reports

Consumers Energy Releases 12 Rare Blanding’s Turtles Protected During Natural Gas Pipeline Project

05.17.2019 - 12:10PM

Twelve rare juvenile Blanding’s Turtles hatched from incubated eggs were released today back into a turtle-friendly habitat created for them near Saginaw by Consumers Energy employees.

The eggs, two adults and a juvenile Blanding’s Turtle were rescued in 2018 from along the path of Consumers Energy’s Saginaw Trail Pipeline. The adults were moved to a safe location, where they laid 12 eggs that were incubated, hatched and raised by the company’s contract herpetologist over the winter. The juveniles are now large enough to be released.

“At Consumers Energy we demonstrate our guiding principle of ‘leaving it better than we find it’ every day. The Saginaw Trail Pipeline project and the rescue of these rare turtles reaffirm our commitment to preserving Michigan’s environment as we modernize our gas infrastructure,” said Charles Crews, Consumers Energy’s vice president of gas operations.

“Not only do we seek out endangered reptiles like the Blanding’s Turtle, we have safely relocated thousands of frogs, salamanders, snakes and turtles from the pipeline path and protected, enhanced, or restored more than 750 acres of land across the state last year alone,” he added.

The 12 juvenile turtles were given names suggested by Consumers Energy customers and employees. Over 200 suggestions were provided. Names include: Shelldon, Bubby, MiShell, Restoration, Roscoe, Myrtle, Tina (Turtle), Tommy, Crush, Thor, Taco and Darkhorse.

The Blanding’s Turtle is listed as a Species of Special Concern and is protected by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It is protected across the species range and is currently being considered for federal protection.

While it has a lifespan of over 80 years, the Blanding’s Turtle does not reach sexual maturity until about 20. Hatchling and juvenile turtles suffer very high mortality rates from predators, particularly raccoons. It may take one adult female decades to produce enough turtles to help keep the population stable.

The turtles prefer shrub swamp wetland and open water areas with logs and stumps to bask, so Consumers Energy enhanced the area near where the females were found to give the juvenile turtles a better chance of survival. Felled trees that were removed to safely install the pipeline were strategically placed to create basking/hiding areas.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

# # #

Media Contacts: Debra Dodd, 586-918-0597 or Terry DeDoes, 517-374-2159

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Megatrends: Shaping the CSR Agenda

05.17.2019 - 09:07AM

On June 11, 2019, the BBB Foundation of Metro New York will present its twelfth BBB Forum on Corporate Responsibility, with the theme Megatrends: Shaping the CSR Agenda. This elite half-day program is attended by business leaders and their advisers working in corporate responsibility, sustainability, corporate communications and public affairs, as well as other interested executives. It will take place at Scandinavia House, Victor Borge Hall, 58 Park Avenue at 38^th Street in Manhattan, from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This year’s Forum speakers will discuss how “megatrends” – issues such as plastic waste, water sustainability, human rights issues, consumer purchasing behavior, and ESG goals – shape and drive corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts.

The 2019 BBB Forum is generously supported by Major Sponsor EY; Benefactor Sponsors MLB, Nielsen, and Yext; and Media Supporter 3BL Media.

To kick off the 2019 BBB Forum, keynote speaker Al Iannuzzi, Vice President of Sustainability at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., will speak about Estée Lauder’s sustainability journey.

Following the keynote, a featured panel of CSR trend leaders will discuss corporate responsibility megatrends, sharing insights from their perspectives about how businesses are responding to these trends and shaping their CSR agendas accordingly:

David Korngold, moderator, Director, New York, BSR
Althea Erickson, Head of Advocacy and Impact, Etsy
Andre Fourie, Global Director of Water Sustainability, Anheuser-Busch InBev
Jamie Martin, Executive Director, Global Sustainable Finance, Morgan Stanley

Julia Wilson, Vice President of Global Responsibility & Sustainability at Nielsen, is the Featured Speaker who will follow the panel. She will discuss Nielsen’s research findings concerning consumer purchasing behaviors around sustainability issues.

Two special reports will conclude this half-day event:

Jamie Lee Mattison, Manager of Climate Change and Sustainability Services at EY, will discuss how businesses and consumers are responding to plastic waste issues.
Caroline Rees, President & Co-Founder of Shift Project, Ltd., will deliver a presentation sharing her expertise on human rights issues as they relate to corporate responsibility, with some comments on the impact of AI.

BBB Forum 2019 Event Supporters include: Advertising Self-Regulatory Council, BSR, Council of Better Business Bureaus, CSRHub, Governance & Accountability Institute, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, New York Society of Association Executives, NYCharities.org, Partnership for New York City, Social Accountability International, Sustainability Practice Network, The Robert Zicklin Center for Corporate Integrity – Baruch College, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (list in formation).

Cost to attend:

BBB Accredited, CBBB National Partners, Event Supporter Guests, Nonprofits:
$90 per person until May 31, $125 per person after that.

Non-BBB Accredited:
$160 per person until May 31, $195 per person after that.

Please register in advance. Space is limited. Register now to assure seating.

Details & online registration:

https://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/csr-megatrends/

Registration by phone & more information:
Call: 212-358-2829
Email: mprowse@newyork.bbb.org

About BBB Foundation of Metropolitan New York
Metro New York’s BBB Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1967. It provides educational programs and services for businesses, charities and consumers; encourages informed consumer support of charities; promotes transparency and accountability; conducts research; and provides educational intern opportunities to students who are potential business and charity leaders. It operates the BBB Charity Accountability Program, which publishes BBB Charity Reports on about 770+ Metro New York area charities based on performance against the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. BBB Charity Reports are available online at ny.give.org.

About BBB Serving Metropolitan New York
For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2018, people turned to BBB more than 173 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.4 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. There are over 100 independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico. BBB Serving Metropolitan New York was founded in 1922, and serves New York City, Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson region. Visit BBB.org for more information.

# # #

New Speakers Announced for 18th Annual Employee Engagement Summit

05.17.2019 - 09:00AM

New speakers have just been added to the 18th Annual Charities@Work Employee Engagement Summit June 12-13, 2019 in New York City.

Confirmed speakers to date include:

Gina Rude, US Corporate Citizenship Manager at Accenture
Gary Levante, SVP, Corporate Responsibility & Culture at Berkshire Bank
Tiffany Calderon, Senior Manager at Best Buy
Nneka Norville, Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility & Internal Communications at BET Networks/Viacom
Alex Cunningham, Senior Advisor, Global Social Investment at Chevron
Kevin Clayton, Vice President Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement at Cleveland Cavaliers & Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Lori George Billingsley, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Christine Jereb, Director of Employee Engagement & Volunteerism, Community Impact at Comcast
Jillian Mershon, Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships , Community Impact at Comcast
Nita Kirby, Director, Strategy at Cybergrants
Kevin Martinez, VP of Corporate Citizenship, ESPN
Kristi Thomas, Group Sales
Michael Carren, Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Guardian Life Insurance
Pamela Haas, CSR Manager, IBM
Michael Bzdak, Ph.D., Executive Director, Global Community Impact at Johnson & Johnson
Yezenia Ramos, Senior Manager of Employee Engagement for North America, Global Community Impact at Johnson & Johnson
Erin Gollhofer, Global CSR Consultant at Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Jerome Tennille, Manager, Volunteerism at Marriott International
Shilpa Nadhan, Manager, Social Impact at Marriott International
Matthew Nelson, Corporate Vice President at New York Life Insurance
Dezarie Mayers, Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility at Pfizer
Heather Lofkin Wright, Responsible Business Leadership Director at PwC US
Trina Scott, Vice President at Quicken Loans Family of Companies
Chris Jarvis, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Realized Worth
Angela Parker, Co-Founder and CEO at Realized Worth
Kerry Steib, Director of Social Impact at Spotify
Arlene De La Cruz, Assistant Managing Director, NYC Roastery at Starbucks
Tracey Burton, Senior Director of CSR at Target, and Head of Target Foundation
Peter Dudley, Author, CSR expert, and former SVP at Wells Fargo
Stacey Ullrich, Head of Global Social Responsibility at Under Armour

The Day 1 Preconference includes professional development for emerging leaders and a shark tank for senior leaders to tackle their toughest challenges, followed by a volunteer service activity packing meals with Rise Against Hunger. The Day 2 Summit includes sessions on social impact strategy, integrating CSR and employee engagement, what CSR leaders can learn about diversity and inclusion from professional sports, spotlights on successful programs, such as fighting human trafficking, and more.

Michael Carren of Guardian Life Insurance chairs the Summit’s corporate advisory council of social impact leaders. To learn more or register, visit https://charitiesatwork.org/.

This Summit is made possible thanks to generous sponsors:

The Guardian Life Insurance Company
Best Buy, Comcast, New York Life Insurance, Realized Worth
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Cybergrants, 3BL Media, Group Sales, The Westin New York at Times Square, SafeGuard Global
Care First BCBS, Dippin’ Dots, KIND Snacks, Pfizer, Starbucks

About Charities@Work

Charities@Work (Charities at Work) bridges the corporate and nonprofit sectors to achieve greater social and environmental impact. Charities@Work is an alliance of three nonprofit organizations – Community Health Charities, EarthShare and Global Impact – that collectively represent more than 3,000 of the leading health, environmental, international development, and community nonprofits making a difference in the U.S. and around the world today. These nonprofits exist to facilitate interaction and partnership between charities, companies, and their employees for meaningful outcomes and impact for all.

WEConnect International’s Council Pioneers Research Addressing the Link Between $1.5 Trillion Credit Gap and Access to Markets for Women-Owned Businesses

05.16.2019 - 02:43PM

CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International, Elizabeth A. Vazquez, today announced that WEConnect International’s Council on Scaling Women-Owned Businesses will generate pioneering research on how to connect two critical challenges to growth faced by micro, small, and medium enterprises owned by women—access to capital and access to markets.

Around the world, women’s business enterprises continue to earn less than 1% of the money spent on vendors by large global buyers. Additionally, women business owners face an estimated $1.5 trillion annual credit gap worldwide1. While progress has been made over the past several years to address these challenges independently, an acute lack of data exists on the interconnected relationship between the two elements to support the scalability of women-owned businesses worldwide.

“The pressing need is clear: women-owned businesses must have access to both markets and capital to grow, scale, and contribute to the sustainable prosperity of their communities,” says Vazquez. “However, there has been very little done to address the linkages between these two major growth challenges for women-owned businesses across the globe. The work of this Council will be the first of its kind to bridge this gap and we hope the White Paper will shed some light on what can be done to help women-owned businesses scale.”

This research, underwritten by Moody’s and led by WEConnect International’s Council on Scaling Women-Owned Businesses: How to Connect Access to Markets to Access to Capital, will culminate in a White Paper released in 2020, and be the first of its kind to explore how the linkages between these two issues can support the growth of women-owned businesses holistically.

“I am honored to chair the Council and to join other leaders to help find new ways to address growth challenges for women-owned enterprises,” says Arlene Isaacs-Lowe, Global Head of CSR at Moody’s and Council Chair. “Our partnership with WEConnect International demonstrates Moody’s commitment to empowering people with financial knowledge, with a special focus on entrepreneurs who are women from underserved communities.”

The Council was formally announced at WEConnect International’s 10th Anniversary Gala in April. Subject matter experts confirmed to serve on the Council represent the following organizations: Absa, Access Bank, American Express, BDC, Citi, Global Banking Alliance for Women, Goldman Sachs, International Finance Corporation, JP Morgan Chase, Mastercard, Moody’s, NatWest, OPIC 2X Women’s Initiative, TD Bank Group, Turkish Economy Bank, WEConnect International, Westpac, and Women’s World Banking.

About WEConnect International

WEConnect International helps women-owned businesses succeed in global value chains. It identifies, educates, and certifies women's business enterprises based outside of the U.S. that are at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by one or more women, and then connects them with qualified member buyers. WEConnect International members represent over US$1 trillion in annual purchasing power and a commitment to supplier development and inclusive sourcing. The result is a network of corporate buyers working with women business owners based in over 100 countries that are learning, collaborating and winning new business.\

About Moody’s CSR

Moody’s believes in a world where more people have access to opportunity, and where everyone has what they need to grow and thrive. We are committed to opening the door to a better future through our global corporate social responsibility programs empowering people around the world with the knowledge, resources and confidence they need to succeed. For more information visit moodys.com/csr.

Contacts
LARA JOSEPH
Corporate Communications
Moody's
49.697.073.0809
lara.joseph@moodys.com

Emily Coccia
VP of Development
WEConnect International
ecoccia@weconnectinternational.org

1. International Finance Corporation, 2013.

ESG Investments. The New Investment Mainstream?

05.16.2019 - 09:38AM

Global climate change, the binding international goal for a transition to a low carbon economy under 2 degrees, the recent new EU Sustainable Investment Disclosure Rules, the new EU Directive for Non-Financial Reporting, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the market driven self-regulation initiatives such as TCFD, the market proof as well as studies that show, that on ESG KPIs reduce risks and identify opportunities, the demand from institutional and retail investors for more ESG relevant products, the demand from clients and society for more transparency in investments and more sustainable brands, the weak corporate governance and recent scandals due to it, water scarcity, community conflicts, resource depletion, supply chain breakdowns, worker well-being, economic & gender inequality etc. can all present material risks and opportunities to businesses.

ESG Investments become an imperative for successful corporations, asset owners and asset managers. ESG market growth trends figures & trends, outperformance of ESG indices & funds VS Mainstream Indices & funds as well as relevant ESG studies, confirm, that companies and investors with strong sustainability cultures & good ESG KPIs, outperform their laggard peers. The business case for integrating ESG factors into mainstream investment practices has never been stronger.

-ESG Investments, the new investment mainstream? Why to integrate ESG factors into the investment strategy and why most mainstream market players internationally not only offer already a variety of ESG products/funds but also promote them in an active way.

ESG Market in terms of total ESG assets under management, new ESG products/funds, number of new ESG players, which turn from mainstream to ESG, which offer also ESG products, number of PRI Members, all are growing rapidly and there is an ongoing positive trend, especially in Europe after the new relevant EU Sustainable Investment Disclosure Rules.
ESG funds perform in general well and in some cases outperform in comparison to mainstream funds, especially during turbulent times and on midterm – long term timeframe.
The policy at EU level (EU Sustainable Investment Disclosure Rules since March 2019) but also national initiatives (Initiatives in France, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Germany, UK etc.) encourage ESG investing.
The materiality of ESG factors on financial performance and risk evaluation is becoming a mainstream.
Institutional Investors ask for Investment strategies with ESG factors.
NGOs & Society put pressure for more ESG Investments & for brands with sustainable approach.
ESG Metrics give the possibility to investors to identify gaps in corporate governance, regulatory, reputation, environmental, social, operational, market, sectoral risks, which the financial KPIs do not show.
ESG give you the chance to evaluate & analyze the non-financial KPIs & how sophisticated is the company’s strategy.

The new EU regulation on Sustainable Investment Disclosure Rules sets out how financial market participants and financial advisors must integrate environmental, social or governance (ESG) risks and opportunities in their processes, as part of their duty to act in the best interest of clients. It also sets uniform rules on how those financial market participants should inform investors about their compliance with the integration of ESG risks and opportunities. Following are the main pillars of the Regulation as they are stated and expressed by the European Commission.

Elimination of Greenwashing (unsubstantiated or misleading claims about sustainability characteristics and benefits of an investment product) and an increase of market awareness on sustainability matters;
Regulatory Neutrality: the rules introduce a disclosure toolbox to be applied in the same manner by different financial market operators. The three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs), and in particular the Joint Committee of the Authorities, will ensure further convergence and harmonisation of disclosures in all the sectors concerned.
Level playing Field: the regulation covers the following financial services sectors: (i) investment funds; (ii) insurance based investment products (life insurance products with investment components available as individual retail life policies as well as group life policies); (iii) private and occupational pensions, (iv) individual portfolio management; and (v) both insurance and investment advice.

-Following are the main commonly recognized ESG Strategies to follow:

Negative – Exclusionary Screening: The exclusion from a fund or portfolio of certain sectors, companies or practices based on specific ESG criteria (e.g. alcohol, gambling, tobacco, weapons, fossil fuels etc.).
Positive – Best in Class Screening: Investment in sectors, companies or projects selected for positive ESG performance relative to industry peers (electromobility, renewables, innovative technologies etc.).
Norms based screening: Screening of investments against minimum standards of business practice based on international norms (e.g. the company to publish GRI Report, incorporate UN SDGs etc.).
Integration of ESG factors: The systematic and explicit inclusion and integration into investment strategy by investment managers of environmental, social and governance factors into financial analysis (Perhaps the most sophisticated strategy).
Sustainability themed Investing: Investment in themes or assets specifically related to sustainability (for example wind energy, electric cars company or sustainable agriculture).
Corporate Engagement and Shareholder Action: The use of shareholder power to influence corporate behavior, including through direct corporate engagement (i.e., communicating with senior management and/or boards of companies), filing or co-filing shareholder proposals, and proxy voting that is guided by comprehensive ESG guidelines.
Impact Investing (a separate unique category): Targeted investments, typically made in private markets, aimed at solving social or environmental problems, and including community investing, where capital is specifically directed to traditionally underserved individuals or communities, as well as financing that is provided to businesses with a clear social or environmental purpose (The investment should have a substantial social impact).

-The Dialogue Process at the different phases of Investing Process, must take a more structured process both at ESG & Mainstream Investing. Why the development of a structured dialogue process (stakeholder engagement process with concrete phases) by every investor -ESG & Mainstream- (institutional, retail, asset manager etc.) with the equities, which holds in its portfolio can prevent him from unforeseen investment risks as well as help him identify new investment opportunities. Perhaps this is one of the best reasons, why ESG is the new Mainstream. The main elements of such a necessary structured stakeholder process:

Research as Investor the companies in your portfolio on relevant new ESG topics per company.
Set short-term, mid-term and long-term ESG Goals per company according to company’s profile and ESG principles.
Inform and update companies on ESG/Sustainability Developments, and hold a series of meetings with companies per year to keep update and help them to improve ESG scores & performance.
Identify the right contact person for ESG/Sustainability/Investor Relations issues in company and build relations.
Define roles in the team for this work either per company or per portfolio.
Initiate the contact to the company for ESG material issues and raise the issue and the cause/purpose with different ways, formats (e.g. Email, official letter, meeting, raising the seniority of contacting per timeline phase etc.) in a diplomatic way.
Request for a meeting with Senior Management & then with Executive Management & BoD.
Escalate the issue in different ways and at different levels of seniority, in different format and with different ways (e.g. position the topic also on media if necessary in order to put pressure).
Reminders techniques-formats.
Follow up techniques-formats on topic, in case the company will not adopt the request.

-Four main trends in ESG in the coming years:

More new ESG Market Players: It is estimated that ESG Market, both in terms of assets under management as well as number of ESG market players, will grow further in the next years and ESG will become the new mainstream.
From exclusion to greater ESG Integration. Investors are moving to adopt ESG across the entire portfolio, from ESG-focused funds to products such as green bonds and impact investing.
Greater Engagement. Asset managers plan on working more closely with shareholders, such as in filing/co-filing resolutions, and with corporate leaders, to accelerate action.
More Sophisticated & ESG relevant Reporting. The driver for greater transparency and accountability, means investors expect greater demand not just to report on their actions, but also on impact and outcomes.
More divestments in specific sectors. Especially on nuclear weapons, tobacco, coal etc.

-The Challenges in ESG. We need common international ESG Standards. The ESG market practice, the positive trend, many studies and various surveys confirm a gap between intention and action by many investors and asset managers in ESG. While the vast majority of professional asset management firms apply at least one form of the recognized ESG strategies, the number of the ones, which apply more ESG strategies consistently or a combination of them and with transparency across portfolios is still small, but it is growing.

The recent relevant EU Regulation is contributing in that direction, but there is a need for adoption of ESG common international standards like we have the international accounting standards. It must be also discussed and clarified which of the existing and applied ESG relevant investment strategies, all of them or only some of them are accepted and recognized all as equally ESG relevant, since not all are the same complex, not all follow the same ESG criteria and processes and not all lead to same results. For e.g. The ESG integration is much more complex and sophisticated investment strategy in comparison to the exclusion, which is a relative simple strategy, that ESG beginners follow.

All above if not confirm, at least are good indicators, that ESG Investments is turning from a niche trend to the new mainstream.

Global Sustain GmbH part of Global Sustain Group (https://globalsustaingroup.com/) is organizing for 4th consecutive year in cooperation with Forum for Responsible Investment (FNG) & SEB AB Frankfurt the 4^th ESG Responsible Investments & Sustainable Finance Forum 2019 (http://esgconference.com/) in Frankfurt on 21.5.2018 at the Conference Center of SEB AB Frankfurt. For more information & forum registration please visit http://esgconference.com/.

Humana Spotlights Commitment to Addressing Social Determinants of Health in 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

05.16.2019 - 09:30AM

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, today released its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report. In the comprehensive report, Humana details its continuing commitment to helping the individuals and communities it serves live their best lives by expanding and improving access to affordable healthcare.

“At Humana, we see firsthand the impact that access to quality, affordable care has on our members and employees,” said Bruce D. Broussard, Humana’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Throughout our 2018 CSR Report, we’ve highlighted many of the ways we’re working to improve the ‘health of care’ – from our focus on integrated care delivery, to our work in value-based care, to our companywide efforts to address social determinants of health that impact the health and lives of the people we serve.”

In 2018, Humana heightened its focus on initiatives targeting social determinants of health – conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play, such as social isolation, food insecurity, and lack of transportation access – that can often result in roadblocks to good health. Humana’s wide-ranging capabilities uniquely position the company to address health outside of the doctor’s office – and deliver integrated care that can improve people’s health and quality of life.

Humana’s 2018 CSR Report highlights the company’s commitment to providing whole-person healthcare, investments in supporting healthy communities, and dedication to achieving sustainable growth through responsible business practices and environmental stewardship. The report features several examples of how Humana is inspiring health and well-being:

For Each Person:

Humana Employees: In 2018, Humana achieved its employee Bold Goal, increasing employees’ Healthy Days by 20 percent, as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Days tool. Since 2012, Humana employees have gained 2.3 million more Healthy Days, or roughly an extra week of better days per year for each employee. The company set a new goal to achieve 500,000 more Healthy Days for employees by the end of 2022, using 2018 as a baseline.
Integrated Care: Humana teamed up with Walgreens to provide easier access to primary care and other services for seniors in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Two newly established Partners in Primary Care clinics at Walgreens stores in the region combine primary care, pharmacy, in-person health plan support and other services for Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, through completing its minority ownership acquisitions of Kindred at Home and Curo Health, Humana began testing and learning new care and payment models in five communities – to improve health outcomes of members with multiple chronic conditions.
Opioid Addiction: As part of the national effort to combat opioid overuse, Humana set a goal to reduce the number of members receiving opioid prescriptions greater than 100 morphine milligram equivalent (MME), a dosage that raises the risks of opioid overdose, by 40 percent. In 2018, Humana closed in on its goal, reducing the number of members receiving prescriptions greater than 100 MME by 36 percent.

For Each Community:

Bold Goal: From 2015 to 2018, Humana Medicare Advantage members in Humana’s original seven Bold Goal communities, places where Humana is working to achieve its goal of helping people improve their health 20 percent by 2020, experienced a 2.7 percent improvement in their Healthy Days. Meanwhile, Humana seniors in San Antonio improved their Healthy Days by 9.8 percent, marking the halfway point toward their Bold Goal. The company screened more than 500,000 people for social determinants of health needs in these Bold Goal communities and developed toolkits to help physicians screen for and address social isolation, loneliness, and food insecurity in patients.
The Humana Foundation: In 2018, the Humana Foundation invested $7.4 million in nine organizations located in Bold Goal communities as part of its new community investment strategy focused on creating sustainable results addressing social determinants of health. (See video links below.) The Foundation aims to co-create communities where leadership, culture and systems work to improve and sustain long-term positive health outcomes.

For the Future:

Environmental Goals: In 2018, Humana set new environmental targets for greenhouse gas emissions and waste, using a 2017 baseline, with a goal to reach or exceed the targets by the end of 2022.
- Humana set a new goal of 2.1 percent year-over-year greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and exceeded the 2.1 percent reduction in 2018. The goal covers Humana’s portfolio of owned and leased properties under direct company control. Sustainability-investment projects and building-optimization changes have made most of the impact.
- The waste goal was set at 60 percent waste diversion. By recycling and reusing more, and sending less waste to landfills, Humana is currently ahead of its waste-diversion goal – achieving a rate of 60.3 percent at the sites where Humana and its vendors manage waste and recycling services.
Inclusion & Diversity: In 2018, Humana formed GenUs, a multigenerational network resource group (NRG) that helps employees create and celebrate intergenerational connections. The company also established nine new Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Councils to foster employee inclusion and belonging within the changing landscape of the workforce.

CSR Report Videos

To learn about the Humana Foundation’s collaboration with nonprofits in the strategic investment program’s first year, view these videos featuring San Antonio partner organizations:

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) received an investment to address social isolation. The Senior Planet San Antonio program reduces isolation and loneliness and increases social connections by engaging seniors through free access to internet-connected technology and training courses.
San Antonio Food Bank received an investment to impact food insecurity and social isolation by creating a Senior Wellness Intervention Model program. The program assists seniors who screen positive for food insecurity and social isolation with comprehensive services that stabilize their household and address prevalent health issues.

CSR Report Materiality Assessment & Reporting Standard

In the fall of 2018, Humana completed a third-party materiality assessment – including interviews and surveys with more than 1,000 stakeholders from across the country in an effort to learn what corporate responsibility topics are of the greatest significance to them. The assessment engaged employees, members, healthcare providers, suppliers and community partners. Details of this materiality assessment are included in the CSR Report.

Humana collected and reported its 2018 CSR Report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the world’s most recognized standards for environmental, social and governance reporting. GRI is an independent international organization that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate the impact of business on critical sustainability issues.

To learn more about Humana’s accomplishments and continuing work to inspire health and well-being, read the full 2018 CSR Report (www.humanacsrreport.com).

About Humana

Humana Inc. is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

To accomplish that, we support physicians and other healthcare professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience that makes healthcare easier to navigate and more effective.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com, including copies of:

Annual reports to stockholders
Securities and Exchange Commission filings
Most recent investor conference presentations
Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls
Calendar of events
Corporate Governance information

###

BAE Systems Publishes 2018 Annual Report and Corporate Responsibility Summary

05.16.2019 - 04:00AM

Smithfield Foods Senior Director of Smithfield Renewables Honored for Environmental Efforts

05.15.2019 - 04:40PM

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Environment and Energy Leaders Institute recognized Kraig Westerbeek, senior director of Smithfield Renewables and hog production environmental affairs, as an Environment + Energy 100 honoree. Environment + Energy 100 is a program that honors individuals for their leadership of environmental, energy, and sustainability initiatives at their companies.

“Sustainability is ingrained in our company’s culture and that’s evident by the dedication of our people to doing business the right way,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “Kraig plays a leading role in ensuring Smithfield will reach its industry-leading commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2025. It’s an ambitious goal, and Kraig’s passion and innovative thinking will help us hit our mark.”

Westerbeek leads Smithfield Renewables, the company’s platform to unify and accelerate its carbon reduction and renewable energy efforts to help meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal. In this role, he is responsible for developing companywide strategies and initiatives for renewable energy production and energy efficiency efforts at Smithfield’s farms and facilities across the U.S.

As part of his efforts for Smithfield, Westerbeek played an instrumental role in helping the company engage 80% of its grain supply chain in efficient fertilizer and soil health practices, exceeding the original goal. This program zeros-in on Smithfield’s grain supply, the first step in the company’s vertically integrated supply chain. In addition to reducing Smithfield’s GHG emissions, it helps farmers improve their yields, optimize fertilizer usage, and reduce runoff.

“Kraig’s leadership in our renewable energy efforts is a key factor in meeting our sustainability goals at Smithfield,” said Bill Gill, assistant vice president of sustainability for Smithfield Foods. “We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and look forward to the groundbreaking projects that lay ahead for Kraig and Smithfield Renewables, keeping Smithfield at the forefront of the industry in sustainability and renewable energy.”

Recently, Westerbeek led the nationwide expansion of Smithfield’s “manure-to-energy” projects to further reduce the company’s GHG emissions and produce clean, renewable energy. As a result of this expansion, Smithfield will implement projects across nearly all of its hog finishing spaces in Missouri and 90% of its hog finishing spaces in North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. Several of these projects are part of a joint venture with Dominion Energy called Align Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)^SM. In Missouri, Westerbeek also oversees the reestablishment of native grasslands, prairie, and milkweed to create habitat for monarch butterflies and provide biomass for methane generation in renewable natural gas projects, which is a project in partnership with Roeslein Alternative Energy.

Westerbeek and other Environment + Energy Leader 100 honorees were recognized today at the 4^thAnnual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference (ELEMCON) at the Denver Marriott Tech Center.

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.

‘Can a Tobacco Company Be Sustainable?’ Philip Morris International Says ‘Absolutely,’ and Outlines Clear Progress Toward a Sustainable, Smoke-Free Future

05.15.2019 - 02:00PM

HACR Announces the 2019 Class of the HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers™

05.15.2019 - 11:31AM

The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) is pleased to announce its 2019 class of the HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers™ (YHCA). These forty leaders were selected through a competitive nominations process and participated in a five-day leadership training program from May 3-7, 2019, at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami. On May 7, the HACR YHCA Class of 2019 was recognized at the HACR Awards and Recognition Dinner, sponsored by Altria, Carnival Corporation & plc, MGM Resorts International, and Nationwide. Altria was the Host Sponsor of the HACR YHCA.

“Building and training a robust pipeline of diverse talent is going to be crucial for the future success of Corporate America,” said HACR President & CEO, Cid Wilson. “The HACR YHCA program not only helps companies identify their high potential talent, but gives that talent the necessary skills to take their companies to the next level and further elevate the power of Hispanic inclusion.”

Now in its 13th year, the HACR YHCA program was created to recognize young Hispanic executives in Corporate America who have shown leadership qualities at their respective companies along with a proven commitment to the Hispanic community, and are leading the way in establishing a new standard of excellence in Corporate America.

“This never gets old! Every year, I look forward to the HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers™ awards, which highlight the abundance of Latino talent in Corporate America,” said Claudia Baltazar Mills, 2016 HACR YHCA Alum and senior manager in Transformation for Altria. “Altria is proud to sponsor the HACR YHCA program and its effort to develop the next generation of Hispanic leaders.”

To qualify for the HACR YHCA program, candidates must be of Hispanic origin, between the ages of 25-40 at the time the award is received, and must also be employed at Fortune 500 and/or HACR Corporate Member company.

The 2019 HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers™ are:

Jose Aguayo, UPS

Alejandro Arango-Escalante, American Family Insurance

Jon Barragan, Altria

Fred Bendaña, Express Scripts Company

Milinda Julia Benitez Rose, Kroger

Dominic Bueno, Leidos, Inc.

Milton Cardoso, Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Harold Castro, Walmart

Margarita Conry, Wells Fargo

Yuri Cuervo, Johnson & Johnson

Desiree Dare, Walmart

Omar De Leon, ExxonMobil Corporation

Norma Dominguez, Wells Fargo

Juan Fiallo, ManpowerGroup

Elena Finnegan, General Electric

Tomas Flier, Google

Carla Freitas Renfield-Miller, Citibank

Anselmo Gallegos, General Motors

Carlos Gonzalez Jr., Chevron Corporation

Anthony Grose, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

John Hernandez, Hormel Foods

Nicole Herrera, Google

Jessica Hitt, TIAA

Janine Jansen, S&P Global

Milton Martinez, General Motors

Diego Martinez, Microsoft

Rita Mas Ramirez, Boston Scientific

Beatris Mendez-Gandica, Microsoft

Andrea Mon, Rockwell Automation

Andres Moreno, Capital One

Jason Padua, SunTrust

Pepe Palafox, GE Aviation

Violeta Perez, Intel Corporation

Abner Rodriguez, Ally Bank

Andres Romero, Campbell Soup Company

Mayra Romero, McDonald's

Esteban Sanchez, Johnson & Johnson

Jasdomin Santana, JPMorgan Chase

Mauricio Sousa, Intel Corporation

Misty Starr Fernandez, Georgia Power Company

To learn more about the HACR YHCA program, please click here.

About HACR

Founded in 1986, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) is one of the most influential advocacy organizations in the nation representing 14 national Hispanic organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Our mission is to advance the inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America at a level commensurate with our economic contributions. To that end, HACR focuses on four areas of corporate social responsibility and market reciprocity: Employment, Procurement, Philanthropy, and Governance.

XXX

Sazerac Partners With Keep America Beautiful to Host Great American Cleanup Events in Massachusetts

05.15.2019 - 09:30AM

Sazerac Company, one of the largest family-owned distilleries in the United States, is partnering with national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful^® and its Keep Massachusetts Beautiful state affiliate on a series of cleanup events in May and June.

Sazerac, Keep America Beautiful, and Keep Massachusetts Beautiful will engage volunteers in Framingham, Salem, and Plymouth in cleanup and green-up initiatives to help promote community vitality. Sazerac is a new national sponsor of the 2019 Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup^®, the nation’s largest community improvement program which hosts community cleanup events from March 20 through June 20. These initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to changing litter behavior across the country.

“As a family-owned business, Sazerac supports a strong ecosystem of organizations and individuals working together to keep our communities environmentally vibrant and healthy,” said Vice President of Government Relations Kellie Duhr. “Sazerac is proud to partner with Keep America Beautiful to empower individuals to care for their communities.”

Groups of volunteers will participate in the following cleanup events across Massachusetts:

Framingham, May 18: Cedar Woods Reservation
Salem, June 1: Downtown Salem
Plymouth, June 15: Center Hill Preserve

For more information about these events and other Keep Massachusetts Beautiful volunteer opportunities, visit www.keepmassbeautiful.org and select the events tab to register for a particular cleanup event.

In Massachusetts and throughout the nation, millions of volunteers are working with Keep America Beautiful on outstanding Great American Cleanup events and experiential environment education programs that are structured to beautify parks, trails and recreation areas; clean shorelines and waterways; reduce waste and improve recycling; remove litter and debris; and plant trees and build community gardens, among other events.

“Our Great American Cleanup programs, designed to end littering, improve recycling and beautify our communities, happen because of our belief in a tri-sector partnership – bringing public, private, and government organizations to the table. We welcome the Sazerac to the Keep America Beautiful family and thank them for their support,” said Helen Lowman, president and CEO, Keep America Beautiful. “We’re thrilled to be working with them and our state affiliate, Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, to support clean and healthy communities.”

“We are thrilled Sazerac has joined Keep America Beautiful and Keep Massachusetts Beautiful to participate in events for the Great American Cleanup,” said Neil Rhein, Executive Director, Keep Massachusetts Beautiful. “These cleanups will not only beautify communities but spread awareness on best practices to dispose of waste.”

In addition to Sazerac, national sponsors of the 2019 Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup include Altria, Dow, The Glad Products Company, Niagara Bottling, Inc., and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

About Sazerac Company
Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland and California.

About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 600 Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

###

FSG Releases New Publication on How Companies and Corporate Foundations Can Elevate CSR Strategy

05.15.2019 - 08:00AM

Corporate leaders are increasingly seeking innovative solutions to social and economic problems—not only do they want to do good, but they also recognize that their stakeholders require and demand it.

To meet this demand, FSG recently released The CSR Strategy Roadmap: A Step-By-Step Guide for CSR and Corporate Foundation Executives to help corporate leaders better deliver on social impact and elevate their company’s CSR platforms.

“I’ve seen CSR portfolios change dramatically in the past five years,” said Co-CEO Greg Hills, who authored the report. “Companies are shifting from broad generosity to helping solve complex problems related to their business, such as the future of work, food insecurity, housing affordability, and social determinants of health. Achieving these aspirations for measureable societal outcomes requires structured strategy approaches as well as a heightened understanding of the root causes of inequities and injustices in our communities,” said Hills.

To create the report, FSG codified its customized strategy tools and client examples from its 20 years of work advising CSR leaders. Having guided over 100 companies through corporate societal impact strategies, FSG offers unmatched pattern recognition in identifying potential breakthrough ideas and avoiding potential obstacles.

The Roadmap offers CSR executives and teams a clear guide for implementing and leading the necessary shift in CSR across three modules—alignment and visioning, strategy development, and measurement and learning—which can be used together for a CSR strategy overhaul, or independently, depending on needs. Case studies are drawn from a variety of clients, including Cargill, Sleep Number, lululemon, and the Toyota Mobility Foundation.

The entire report is available for download here: The CSR Strategy Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Guide for CSR and Corporate Foundation Executives

For more information contact: mark.russell@fsg.org

About FSG
FSG is a mission-driven consulting firm supporting leaders in creating large-scale, lasting social change. Through customized consulting services, innovative thought leadership, and support for learning communities, we help foundations, businesses, nonprofits, and governments around the world accelerate progress by reimagining social change. Learn more at www.fsg.org.

###

Values-Based Banking – Vancity’s Answer in Uncertain Times

05.15.2019 - 08:00AM

CR Magazine Announces 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2019

05.15.2019 - 06:00AM

Corporate Responsibility Magazine (CR Magazine) announced today its 20th annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking, recognizing outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance amongst the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies.

Owens Corning tops the ranking, followed by Intel, General Mills, Campbell Soup and HP Inc. Twenty-seven companies are new to the ranking in 2019 including Allstate, Delta Airlines and Mondelez International. Biggest gainers include Ball Corp., CBRE, Ford and Xylem, Inc.

See the Complete 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2019 Ranking Here

"U.S. corporate leadership matters more than ever to drive progress despite government gridlock around environmental and social topics like climate change,” said Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL Media, which publishes CR Magazine. “CR Magazine is proud to celebrate 20 years of advancing ESG transparency and performance through the 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Each year, we measure the increasingly competitive progress of brands on ESG topics. Transparency and public commitments make corporate responsibility and sustainability programs stronger. We congratulate those honored on this year's ranking for their commitment to the triple bottom line."

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking uses 134 total corporate disclosure and performance factors in seven categories: climate change, employee relations, environment, finance, governance, human rights and stakeholders and society.

100 Best Corporate Citizens rank the Russell 1000 Index and research is conducted by ISS-ESG, the responsible investment research arm of Institutional Shareholder Services. There is no fee for companies to be assessed.

To compile this ranking, information is obtained from publicly available resources only, rather than questionnaires or company submissions. Companies have the option to verify data collected for the ranking at no cost.

“Companies on our 2019 ranking have something in common beyond what they disclose,” explains Mary Mazzoni, managing editor of CR Magazine. “They don’t measure success solely by gallons of water saved or tons of emissions avoided. They’re also leveraging their expertise to help make the world a better place.”

About the 100 Best Corporate Citizens Ranking

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking was first published in 1999 in Business Ethics Magazine and has been managed by CR Magazine since 2007. To compile the ranking, every company in the Russell 1000 is ranked according to 134 total information factors, emphasizing ESG transparency and performance.

About Corporate Responsibility Magazine

3BL Media produces and publishes CR Magazine for CEO interviews, practitioner resources, and our annual ranking of U.S. companies and Responsible CEO of the Year awards. 3BL Media also produces 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands, our annual summit where corporate leaders share their ‘why’ and ‘how’ of sustainable business - held Oct. 29-30, 2019, at MGM National Harbor, outside Washington.

About 3BL Media

3BL Media delivers purpose-driven communications for the world’s leading companies. Our unrivaled distribution, leadership and editorial platforms inspire and support global sustainable business, reaching 10+ million change-makers. Learn more here.

SABIC Releases Sustainability Report 2018

05.15.2019 - 04:00AM

HARC Joins Forces With Green Mountain Energy Sun Club to Support Sustainability Research and Regional Green Building Leadership

05.14.2019 - 04:10PM

HARC and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club leaders celebrated the completion of a sustainability project signifying a major step towards the organization’s goal of achieving a highly regarded net zero energy (NZE) status, which would make the HARC headquarters in The Woodlands the first commercial building in Texas to accomplish the feat. A $136,000 Sun Club grant supported the purchase and installation of additional solar panels on the roof of HARC’s LEED Platinum building. By optimizing energy efficiency and production, HARC’s facility is on track to reach the net zero energy (NZE) designation, positioning the environmental research firm as a regional leader in sustainability solutions.

On Tuesday, May 14, HARC hosted a private “Flip the Switch” event highlighting the contribution from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club to cover the costs of the significantly expanded solar array.

A building classified as NZE is one that consumes less energy over the course of a year than is generated onsite through renewable energy resources. With all systems online, HARC’s 18,600 square feet of space is powered by 88 kilowatts of solar power to achieve net zero energy status.

“Our new headquarters facility is indeed fulfilling our mission to build a sustainable future,” said Lisa Gonzalez, HARC President and CEO. “With this generous grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, we have significantly upgraded our existing onsite renewable power generation and are well on our way to operating at and documenting our net zero energy status. HARC is an organization that researches sustainable solutions and applies them, so others can learn how to deploy them as well.”

“Sun Club is proud to work with HARC to support sustainable research and education for Houston and the world,” said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice-president and general manager. “The HARC building and campus is a testament to what is possible when an organization puts their mission into practice and in doing so, leads the way for other organizations to take the same important steps towards sustainability and clean energy solutions.”

The HARC building and campus grounds in The Woodlands employs several sustainable strategies. The building footprint and impervious paving are minimized, bioswales are designed to retain and filter water onsite to reduce the impact to nearby waterways, and the site’s biodiversity is preserved by protecting and restoring native vegetation. The building is oriented to maximize the daylight reaching the building’s interior spaces and rooftop solar installation.

Other advanced sustainable strategies include low-flow fixtures to conserve water while mechanical systems utilize a geothermal heat exchange system for optimal energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and thermal comfort. An added high-performance building envelope and rain screen performs 2.5 times better than a typical enclosure. Particularly impressive is the facility’s greater than 50 percent energy savings compared to LEED base targets.

###

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing sustainable communities. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Sun Club^® invests in nonprofits and focuses on projects related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation and environmental stewardship. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has donated nearly $7 million to more than 110 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. To learn more about the Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit gmesunclub.org.

About the Houston Advanced Research Center
HARC is a nonprofit research hub providing independent analysis on energy, air, and water issues to people seeking scientific answers. Its research activities support the implementation of policies and technologies that promote sustainability based on scientific principles. HARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization building a sustainable future in which people thrive and nature flourishes. For further information, contact HARC at (281) 364-6000 or visit www.HARCresearch.org. You can also connect with us via Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Like or follow @HARCresearch.

Panalpina’s Sustainability Performance in 2018 Sets New Records

05.14.2019 - 02:00PM

Smithfield Foods Continues Support of James River Association Environmental Clean Up Efforts

05.14.2019 - 11:43AM

Smithfield Foods, Inc., announced today a $10,000 donation to the James River Association to support efforts to restore and protect the future of Virginia’s largest river. To kick-off the continuation of the partnership, Smithfield employees contributed their time with James River Association staff to clean trash from Tyler Beach in Rushmere, Virginia. An important part of the James River watershed, more than 340 pounds of trash were removed from the river’s shores.

“We are extremely grateful for Smithfield’s generous contribution to our environmental clean up efforts,” said Bill Street, CEO of the James River Association. “The James River is an important part of Virginia’s ecosystem, as more than one-third of all Virginians rely on the river and its tributaries for water, commerce, and recreation. It’s encouraging to see such a large company focused on environmental stewardship.”

The James River Association engages community partners and members to protect Virginia’s founding river, and works to inspire individuals through environmental education and community conservation programs. Smithfield’s donation will make a significant contribution towards continued preservation of the James River shoreline that flows across the entire state and enable the organization’s ongoing efforts to protect the river, improve water quality, and enhance community vibrancy and individual health.

“Environmental stewardship is a key focus area for Smithfield as we know our company’s size enables us with opportunities to make positive environmental impacts,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “We are so pleased to once again contribute to the James River Association to support clean up efforts right here at home and engage our employees to be part of that process to improve our community.”

For more information about Smithfield’s commitment to its local communities, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/helpingcommunities or read the company’s 2017 Sustainability Report.

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 the James River Association

The James River Association is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to serve as a guardian and voice for the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000-square mile watershed, the James River Association works toward its vision of a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities. The James River Association believes that “when you change the James, the James changes you". With offices in Lynchburg, Scottsville, Richmond, and Williamsburg, the James River Association is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information visit www.TheJamesRiver.org.

###

Media Contacts:

Dalton Agency for Smithfield Foods
Lauren Homrich
lhomrich@daltonagency.com
(480) 268-3253

James River Association
Christina Bonini
cbonini@thejamesriver.org
(804)788-8811 ext. 211

Addressing Social Sector Needs Through Technology Pro Bono

05.14.2019 - 10:15AM

The social sector continues to lag in the adoption and use of technology due in part to lack of funding and limited staff. How can pro bono service bridge the gap between the needs of the sector and available human and financial resources? On the heels of last week’s Global Pro Bono Summit, Taproot Foundation and VMware are releasing their latest research—a compilation of guides to Transforming Technology Pro Bono—in an effort to support nonprofit organizations in maximizing the impact technology pro bono can have on their mission.

“Technology can be a powerful tool for the social sector as we tackle critical issues facing our communities,” says Lindsay Firestone Gruber, Taproot Foundation’s President and CEO. “Pro bono technology support plays a vital role in ensuring that nonprofits successfully access and use technology in ways that truly transform how they meet the needs of those they serve.”

“At VMware, we share the belief with Taproot that technology pro bono can be a key capacity-building resource for the social sector,” notes Jessamine Chin, Director of VMware Foundation. “Through our collaboration on Transforming Technology Pro Bono, we intend to catalyze more effective and sustainable tech pro bono that addresses the needs of nonprofits.”

Taproot Foundation and VMware Foundation have worked together since 2017 to uncover the challenges facing nonprofits as they take on pro bono tech projects. In that time, the median technology budget for nonprofit organizations has more than doubled to 5.7 percent of an organization’s operating budget (according to NTEN). Yet organizations report not feeling confident that they have the staff or the skills they need to effectively use technology.

Transforming Technology Pro Bono is a practical guide for nonprofits and volunteers that breaks down some of the common barriers to successful tech pro bono projects. In this compilation, new research is combined with the previously released Solution Development Framework to provide a comprehensive approach infused with best practices from the technology sector.

Key highlights from this new compilation include:

Detailed guides to all four phases of the Solution Development Framework—Discover, Design, Implement, and Maintain.
A deeper dive into the Implement and Maintain phases, which covers the integration and regular evaluation of technology solutions.
All resources previously released, including a discovery assessment, job descriptions for the ideal technology volunteers, and more.

Download Transforming Technology Pro Bono here.

Transforming Technology Pro Bono is supported by VMware Foundation and Dell Technologies.

About Taproot Foundation

Taproot Foundation, a national US nonprofit, connects nonprofits and social change organizations with passionate, skilled volunteers who share their expertise pro bono. Taproot is creating a world where organizations dedicated to social change have full access—through pro bono service—to the marketing, strategy, HR, and IT resources they need to be most effective. Since 2001, Taproot’s network of skilled volunteers has served 6,627 social change organizations providing 1.68 million hours of work worth over $193 million in value. Taproot is located in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, and partnered to found a network of global pro bono providers in over 30 countries around the world. www.taprootfoundation.org @taprootfound

###

SustainAccounting Launches World’s First Triple Bottom Line Certification Program

05.14.2019 - 09:00AM

SustainAccounting LLC today announced the launch of its Certified Triple Bottom Line (TBL) program for organizations, Certified TBL Orgs, the world’s first certification program for integrated TBL measurement and reporting.

SustainAccounting’s Certified TBL program differs from all other CSR- / sustainability-related certifications in the following ways:

While comparable to B Corps in terms of its applicability to organizations, the similarity ends there because the Certified TBL program focuses only on performance accounting functions and nothing else.
The standards it relies on to certify TBL accounting in organizations include the requirement that they (1) be context-based as defined by the Global Reporting Initiative in its Sustainability Context principle, and (2) be consistent with best practices in Context-Based Sustainability.
Because of its narrow focus on Triple Bottom Line measurement and reporting, the Certified TBL program is not at all concerned with outcomes in performance. Rather, it is a practice-level-only certification that does not concern itself with Triple Bottom Line results per se.

At the heart of the Certified TBL program is its advocacy of multicapital- and context-based Triple Bottom Line accounting, still new to most organizations but rapidly emerging as the gold standard for measurement and reporting. Indeed, the very purpose of the program is to encourage and reward the adoption of context-based accounting, on the theory that management information itself must be brought up to speed before anyone can expect organizations to function sustainably.

At the heart of the Certified TBL program, then, is its advocacy of the MultiCapital Scorecard method, an open-source, context-based performance accounting tool developed by Martin P. Thomas in the UK, formerly of Unilever, and Mark W. McElroy in the U.S., formerly of Price Waterhouse, KPMG and Deloitte Consulting. Other functionally equivalent methods can be used to qualify under the program as well.

McElroy, who also founded the Center for Sustainable Organizations in 2004 and who currently leads the Certified TBL program at SustainAccounting, had this to say about today‘s announcement: “The Certified TBL program is the world’s first and only certification credential that explicitly targets the management accounting function in organizations, and in particular the degree to which it measures, manages and reports Triple Bottom Line performance. And none too soon, mind you – indeed, how can anyone expect managers operating in today’s new economy to be effective using accounting tools forged in the old one? The Certified TBL program solves this problem by providing managers with exactly the kind of expanded, Triple Bottom Line performance accounting system they need to be successful in today’s world!”

Importantly, the MultiCapital Scorecard method featured in the Certified TBL program has been endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as precisely the kind of performance accounting tool that “all companies” should be using; just as B Lab, creators of the Certified B Corps program, has also endorsed it for reporting in Benefit Corporations. As McElroy points out, “These two programs – B Corps and TBL Orgs – are in no way competitive and indeed are quite complementary. Every Certified B Corp can aspire to become a Certified TBL Org as well, since there can be no better way of fulfilling the measurement and reporting needs of purpose-driven organizations than to use context-based accounting. As an accounting solution for not just profit-oriented companies, but for B Corps, non-profits and other socially committed organizations, too, TBL accounting is uniquely fit for purpose!”

About SustainAccounting LLC

SustainAccounting LLC is a privately held company based in Woodstock, VT with close ties to the non-profit Center for Sustainable Organizations. It is the owner and operator of the Certified TBL Org program which it offers to organizations anywhere in the world.

SustainAccounting is also deeply committed to Context-Based Sustainability and strongly promotes the use of context-based tools, methods and metrics for managing and assessing the performance of organizations and other human social systems. Its advocacy of the use of the MultiCapital Scorecard, in particular, is core to its purpose.

More information about the Certified TBL Org program can be found at SustainAccounting’s website at www.CertifiedTBL.com or by contacting its director, Mark W. McElroy, at mmcelroy@vermontel.net.

Hershey Highlights Progress in Key Areas of Deforestation, Sustainable Cocoa and Human Rights in 2018 Sustainability Report

05.14.2019 - 08:32AM

(GlobeNewswire) – The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today released its latest Shared Goodness Report, highlighting progress made on sustainability issues where Hershey can have an impact. Since announcing its Shared Goodness Promisesustainability strategy last year, the company has made significant strides in areas such as deforestation, sustainable cocoa sourcing and human rights.

In 2018, Hershey announced a number of new initiatives that align with the company’s four key sustainability focus areas: Shared Futures, Shared Communities, Shared Business and Shared Planet. These initiatives include new Human Rights and Environmental policies and The Heartwarming Project, a program to help youth connect with one another and their communities. Progress also includes Hershey’s commitment to zero deforestation in cocoa-growing regions and the expansion of its ViVi nutritional supplement for children into Côte d’Ivoire.

“Hershey has always been a company driven by purpose, and I am excited by the strong start we’ve made on our Shared Goodness Promise, especially in the areas of environmental stewardship and human rights,” said Michele Buck, Hershey’s CEO. “I am honored to lead a company with people who care about one another and their communities, have deep pride in our incredible brands and are committed to helping build a brighter future.”

Notable milestones highlighted in the report include:

Connecting Kids to a Brighter Future – The Hershey Company has continued Milton Hershey’s legacy of helping children succeed and reach their full potential. In 2018, the company nourished 316,837 children, which included producing and providing the vitamin-fortified snack ViVi to 57,700 schoolchildren in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The company also launched The Heartwarming Project to help children create more meaningful connections with each other, reaching more than 6 million children through established partnerships.
Using Scale to Drive Positive Change in Cocoa Growing Communities – The Hershey Company launched its Cocoa For Good strategy last year, a key component of the company’s Shared Business focus area. Hershey is set to meet its goal of 100 percent sustainable cocoa sourcing practices by the end of 2020, with 80 percent of Hershey cocoa certified and sustainably sourced. The company also published a new Human Rights Policy in the first quarter of 2019 outlining its commitment to respect human rights throughout its value chain.
Combating Climate Change – The Hershey Company is working to end deforestation, reduce its carbon footprint and water usage, eliminate waste and address challenges and risks resulting from climate change. Since 2017, the company has added two more zero waste to landfill sites. The Hershey Company announced a new enterprise wide Environmental Policy and committed to setting meaningful and ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction goals as part of the Science Based Targets initiative.
Helping People and Communities Thrive – Through Shared Communities, The Hershey Company focuses on helping communities where employees live and work. In 2018, Hershey pledged $1 million to construct an updated Hershey Community Center that will host youth afterschool programs, activities for seniors and civic programs. Over the last year, Hershey employees volunteered 133,600 hours and donated $10.9 million in cash and $9.7 million in products.
Celebrating our Team of Remarkable People – For 125 years, Hershey employees have been a critical part of the company’s success. The company has peer-leading gender representation and has had a 46 percent increase in the number of diverse professionals in the U.S. since 2012. Across Hershey’s U.S. salaried workforce, women earn $0.99 for every $1.00 men earn, compared to a national average of $0.85. In 2018, Hershey was recognized for its progress, receiving its first ever ranking on DiversityInc’s 2018 Top 50 Companies.

“We are dedicated to doing well by doing good, and through our Shared Goodness Promise we are able to place a stronger focus on areas where we can have the biggest positive impact on consumers, communities and the planet,” said Jeff King, Senior Director of Global Sustainability and Social Impact at Hershey. “Our progress in areas such as responsible cocoa sourcing and human rights shows the power of partnerships with experts and organizations for supporting sustainable change.”

For more information on Hershey’s Shared Goodness Promise, read our 2018 Sustainability Report here: https://www.thehersheycompany.com/content/dam/corporate-us/documents/pdf/Hershey-SR-2018.pdf

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company, celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2019, is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 16,500 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.8 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Pirate’s Booty.

For 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com

http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company?trk=top_nav_home
http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany
http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany
http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany

Media Contact:	Jeff Beckman, The Hershey Company
	jbeckman@hersheys.com
	717-534-8090

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f1310c1e-061f-44c4-b27d-0bc026054161

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7697ada-07df-464d-a0cd-2dfdd5764b2b

Working Together Towards Positive Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing

05.14.2019 - 08:29AM

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), Global Business Group on Health (GBGH), and Global Chief Medical Officer Network (GCMON) have today joined forces to respond to the need for increased awareness around issues of mental health in the workplace and the key role that employers can play in the lives of employees with mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. Tackling issues around mental health and wellbeing is no small task. Strengthening collaborations between stakeholders to share knowledge and take joint action towards promoting positive mental health and wellbeing is essential to addressing these pressing issues.

This collaboration is focused on looking into ways to help drive industries forward in a collective effort to help employees around the world pursue healthier lifestyle choices, with an emphasis on the nurturing of employee health and wellbeing. One of the goals of the partnership is to leverage the collective voice of member companies of all organisations to raise awareness and drive positive change. This collaboration marks the first time that the CGF has partnered with industries outside of consumer goods to map out the mental health and wellbeing landscape, ultimately widening the scope.

The Issues of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Issues of mental health are widespread across communities around the globe. While there have been substantial efforts made by some countries and organisations to better the mental health of populations and employees, a significant amount of work remains to be done. The lack of access to mental health care is still an issue for many people suffering from mental disorders who ultimately do not benefit from the available effective prevention and promotion interventions.

It is estimated that approximately 80% of people in low- and middle-income countries and approximately 42% of people in high-income countries do not receive mental health care. In Mexico for example, the number of deaths due to mental disorders increased by 33% between 2008 and 2014, while in Europe it is estimated that one in four people face mental health challenges at least once in their lifetime, with suicide remaining one of the main causes of premature deaths on the continent. There is therefore a need for decisive steps to make mental health and wellbeing a key priority not only at national levels, but also within local communities and in the workplace.

Employee Health and Wellness

There is a clear link between mental health issues and the loss of productive human capital. This leads to increased burdens in the workplace, with considerable costs for employers because of increased absenteeism or higher employee presence for more hours than is required as a result of insecurity about their jobs. Meanwhile employees with mental disorders sometimes bear the brunt of reductions in their earnings as a result of their conditions.

Positive mental health and wellbeing is not only a key factor for social cohesion but is also an essential element for economic and sustainable development. Close to 2 out of 3 of companies worldwide with effective health and productivity programmes in place believe their performance to be better than their competitors. It is therefore in the interest of employers to ensure that employee health and wellness is treated as a priority item, leading to frameworks for action to develop mental health policies.

Taking Action

While much is increasingly known about mental health prevention, care and treatment, a significant challenge remains in implementing this knowledge, especially in communities and in the workplace where mental health awareness and services are limited. Tackling the widespread stigma and prejudice affecting all aspects of mental health continues to be one of the main hurdles. In addition to the social stigma surrounding mental health issues, the lack of trained health-care providers and resources and inaccurate assessments hinders progress within this landscape.

Pauline Harper, Director, Health & Wellness, The Consumer Goods Forum, said, “Through the CGF, GBGH, GCMON collaboration, a toolkit promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace will be developed by the fourth quarter of 2019 to provide companies with a framework to implement employee mental health awareness in their teams. It will aim to give context on how the scale and scope of stigma and access challenges vary by country. The toolkit will be presented at the CGF’s Sustainable Retail Summit in October, where retailers, manufacturers and service providers in the consumer goods industry will unravel key issues and global challenges around health and wellness and sustainability”.

The toolkit will also be presented at the Global Business Group on Health Forum meeting in October, where companies come together quarterly to benchmark and share solutions around the needs of global employees.

Future Ambitions

The global challenges around health and wellbeing in the workplace cannot be tackled alone. Kathleen O’Driscoll of the Global Business Group on Health said, “Mental health remains the primary focus area of GBGH member companies. For global employers looking to implement mental health strategy with locally relevant programs, understanding what is available and effective in-country is challenging. Employers need resources such as those this toolkit will provide to best enable sustainable success.”

The Global Business Group on Health is an organization of the National Business Group on Health (NBGH). GBGH’s partnership with CGF and GCMON is a reflection of NBGH’s commitment in the area of mental health. In a letter to NBGH members, Brian Marcotte, President and CEO of NBGH said, “We hope you will join us in elevating the conversation on mental health”.

Multi-stakeholder collaboration with individuals, employers, communities, policy makers and providers is key for not only knowledge sharing, but also to drive tangible actions in ensuring that the tools for positive mental health and wellbeing are made available and safeguarded. Going forward, the CGF, GBGH and GCMON seek to continue in our efforts to raise awareness around these global issues and drive positive change within this space.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

-- Ends --

About The Consumer Goods Forum

The Consumer Goods Forum (“CGF”) is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 3.5 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com.

About Global Business Group on Health

The Global Business Group on Health (GBGH) is an organization of the National Business Group on Health (NBGH). GBGH regularly convenes its over 80 global member companies, who operate collectively in over 200 countries. Through practical insights, tools, resources, benchmarking and surveys GBGH assists its member companies in navigating the complex global landscape of health, well-being and benefits to enable business results and market change.

For further information on The Consumer Goods Forum:

Pauline Harper
Director, Health & Wellness
The Consumer Goods Forum
hw@theconsumergoodsforum.com

Lee Green
Director, Communications Director
The Consumer Goods Forum
l.green@theconsumergoodsforum.com

For more information on Global Business Group on Health:

Ed Emerman
Eagle Public Relations, Inc.
+1-609-275-5162 (office)
eemerman@eaglepr.com

Catalyzing Action on the SDGs Through Collaboration

05.14.2019 - 08:00AM

Slowly but surely we are seeing pockets of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ten years remain until the 2030 deadline and as the urgency ramps up, so does the commitment of many businesses and swathes of civil society around the world. Still, experts worldwide polled by GlobeScan and SustainAbility continue to view progress on sustainable development as inadequate (particularly the contribution of national governments). The good news is that they are gradually becoming less negative according to the most recent SDG Progress Report.

As part of its own contribution, GlobeScan has now completed the first half of its SDG Leadership Series – a series of online forums on each Global Goal to help engage more stakeholders and catalyze action. During these dynamic and inspiring dialogues, 1,560 people worldwide from businesses, NGOs, and academia have shared over 6,780 ideas, case studies, and comments. Rich discussion on eight different SDGs has been captured in a series of publicly available reports, each of which summarizes the barriers that are holding back progress and constructively advances the discussion with dozens of innovative ideas, examples of solutions, and action frameworks.

At this halfway point in the 17 forums, GlobeScan is reflecting on the conversations so far and we invite you to delve into the insights in the reports published to date to learn from the collective wisdom of the expert contributors.

One recurring theme is central to all these curated discussions so far – the need for radical and unprecedented collaboration.

Fittingly, an introduction by Paul Polman kicked off the series with our first forum on Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), supported by Unilever. Hundreds of inspiring disrupters shared their examples and ideas for new, collaborative models that will positively transform our economy. Together, the forum participants crafted a roadmap for ensuring effective partnerships and navigating the many challenges: from making the business case for financing the SDGs, to finding the right partners and building trust, through to effective execution and impact measurement.

The next discussion centred on Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), hosted alongside Johnson & Johnson. During this forum we focused on augmenting the capacity of frontline health workers. We heard from a diverse set of expert contributors on the need for investment and advocacy to empower women in the healthcare sector. A series of compelling case studies highlighted the opportunities that technology can provide in this area.

The power of technology was central to our forums on Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) convened with 3M, and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) with VMware. The Goal 8discussion highlighted the transformational shift that businesses and employees face across the world as the digital revolution challenges the traditional concept and format of employment. Noting these same systemic shifts, during our discussion on Goal 9there was a collective call to move away from a design that fits existing systems toward innovative solutions that meet real human needs.

An enthusiastic and fast-paced discussion on Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) with C&A Foundation reiterated the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, this time to create networks for circular businesses, collective strategies, and combined workforces for more efficient processes in the fashion sector.

Our forum on Goal 14 Life Below Water exemplified partnership through its co-hosts Nomad Foods and the Marine Stewardship Council. Expert participants agreed that levers to accelerate marine solutions include transboundary action and leadership, long-term goal setting, and creating a central convening space for supply chain cooperation and innovation.

The discussion on Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), in collaboration with TD Bank Group, illustrated the overlaps between the Goals and the need to aim for holistic solutions. Experts shared actionable insights that should be prioritized in overcoming barriers and implementing green infrastructure and inclusive green spaces which included fostering multi-sectoral collaboration and partnerships.

Our most recent discussion on Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) hosted by AB InBev was focused on accelerating action and scaling solutions for shared water security and access to clean water and sanitation. Forum participants agreed that making progress on water issues will require a focus on developing meaningful and impactful partnerships among diverse stakeholder groups.

While each of the conversations had its own intention, they were parts of a larger whole. By connecting experienced and knowledgeable people who are passionate about the SDGs from across sectors, institutions, and geographies, we hope that we have triggered new collaborations, sparked ideas, and ultimately encouraged more action on the ground.

We encourage you to explore and read the SDG Forum summary reports here.

Read Announcement

Sanofi 2018 Integrated Report Presents Its Responsibility for the Future

05.14.2019 - 04:00AM

Smithfield Foods Donates More Than 41,000 Pounds of Protein to Harvesters—the Community Food Network

05.13.2019 - 10:39AM

Smithfield Foods, Inc., in partnership with Price Chopper, donated more than 41,000 pounds of protein to Harvesters—The Community Food Network. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2019 Helping Hungry Homes^® donation tour and provided a generous donation to Harvesters in support of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Helping Hungry Homes^® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. This donation, equivalent to more than 166,000 servings of protein, will help fight summer hunger throughout northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri.

“One in six children in Harvesters’ service area is at risk of hunger,” said Valerie Nicholson-Watson, President and CEO of Harvesters. “This is a critical time of year for families as they struggle to provide additional meals and make ends meet while children are not receiving breakfast and lunch at school. Families turn to our pantries for help, and this donation helps ensure protein will be available to them.”

This is the 24^th large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2019 Helping Hungry Homes^® donation tour. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 130 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.

“Smithfield is proud to make donations of protein to Harvesters throughout the year to support a community so many of our employees call home,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “We understand the increased need experienced this time of year and are honored to help kick-off the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive to ensure children in Kansas City have wholesome meals this summer.”

The public is also welcome to contribute to the Stamp Out Hunger food drive by donating nonperishable food items to Harvesters food barrels at any Price Chopper store or donating online at www.harvesters.org through Monday, May 13, 2019. For more information about Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes^® initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.

###

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 Price Chopper
Price Chopper’s 52 Kansas City stores are locally owned by the Ball, Cosentino, McKeever, and Queen families, all of whom live in Kansas City and oversee store operations on a daily basis. For 40 years, the owners and employees of Price Chopper have been committed to providing the highest quality products and top-of-the-line customer service to the thousands of customers they serve every day. For more information, please visit www.mypricechopper.com.

About Harvesters—The Community Food Network
Harvesters is a regional food bank and was Feeding America’s 2011 Food Bank of the Year. Serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 760 nonprofit agencies including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, shelters and others. Agencies in Harvesters’ network provide food assistance to as many as 141,500 different people each month. Harvesters, which was founded in 1979, is a certified member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, serving all 50 states. For more information, visit www.harvesters.org.

Thermo King Drives Reduction in Food Waste and Insecurity by Committing Nearly $500,000 in Additional Grants to Food Banks Nationwide

05.13.2019 - 09:27AM

Forty percent, or nearly $200 billion of food in the U.S. goes to waste each year. Making this statistic harder to comprehend, 40 million people struggle with hunger, and 12 million of them are children. To address this sensless epidemic, Thermo King, the leader in transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, has committed nearly $500,000 to expand its social sustainability program, We Move Food™.

This latest commitment catapults the program’s total giving to nearly $750,000 in just two years resulting in more than 5.7 million meals for people in need.

“Thermo King and our entire dealer network are passionate about finding innovative ways where we can do our part in helping to address hunger,“ said Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King. “The We Move Food program helps to build sustainable partnerships with hunger relief organizations enabling us to use our expertise, our time and our technology to build their transport refrigeration capacity so that they can increase the amount of fresh food they deliver, expand the communities that they serve and reach even more families in need.”

More than 23 million people in the United States live in areas where access to affordable and healthy food options is limited or nonexistent. And nearly half of those people are considered low income making it even more challenging to attain the nutrition necessary to live healthy and active lifestyles.

“Transport refrigeration plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity. With the staggering amount of waste each year and the millions who are suffering, we know that producing more food is not the answer. We need to recover what would potentially be wasted and get that fresh food to the people in need. That’s literally what Thermo King and our dealer network does – we move food,” said Pittard.

Ingersoll Rand and Thermo King employees from across the U.S. alongside employees from the Thermo King dealer network, which is nearly 200 strong and located in all major U.S. cities, are volunteering at mobile food pantries and food drives, reclaiming healthy food from retailers and restaurants, and working with community food banks to make their operations run more efficiently and effectively.

Thermo King and Ingersoll Rand have a national relationship with Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks and the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Ingersoll Rand’s roots are grounded in addressing global trends like food stability, that impact the way that we live, work and move. As part of the company’s commitment to sustainability, it has set and is working toward achieving 2020 sustainability goals including supporting food stability and nutritional education to 200,000 children through signature programs like We Move Food. Ingersoll Rand has exceeded the goal, two years ahead of schedule.

# # #

About Ingersoll Rand and Thermo King

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane® — work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. The Ingersoll Rand charitable foundation centers on social and environmental imperatives that create lasting value and improve our communities globally.

Thermo King Corp. was founded in 1938 and manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. We are a $14 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com or www.thermoking.com.

Building a More Sustainable Bank: Santander UK Publishes New Strategy

05.13.2019 - 08:00AM

Hundreds of Global Dolby Laboratories Employees Engage in Their Local Communities Through Annual Dolby Cares Day Campaign

05.10.2019 - 08:51AM

(GlobeNewswire) –Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) employees and community partners participate in the annual Dolby Cares Day - the company's global volunteer effort spanning the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific between April and June. This commitment to service is part of the Dolby Cares program, combining the company's unique intersection of art and science to inspire the next generation of innovators and address communities' most critical needs.

Since launching in 2014, Dolby Cares has experienced exponential growth, with over 5,600 volunteer hours and $3.1M in grants and matching gifts donated in Fiscal Year 2018.

Photos captured here are of some of the volunteer events that have already happened in Wroclaw, Poland, and San Francisco, California.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) is based in San Francisco with offices in over 20 countries around the globe. Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiences. Through innovative research and engineering, we create breakthrough experiences for billions of people worldwide through a collaborative ecosystem spanning artists, businesses, and consumers. The experiences people have - with Dolby Cinema, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice, Dolby Dimension, and Dolby Audio - revolutionize entertainment and communications at the cinema, on the go, in the home, and at work.

Dolby, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, Dolby Cinema, Dolby Dimension, Dolby Vision, Dolby Voice, and the double-D symbol are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

DLB-G

Media Contact:
Tony Carter
Dolby Laboratories
404-316-0201
tony.carter@dolby.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/415613b9-51a9-4f90-8ff5-ce39491bcdac

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/11245c08-44f8-4966-bc63-bfff35976856

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27d45d74-e346-4f30-8f0a-600a308e265a

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c17a356b-26d2-474b-bd9d-1abb0fb689b9

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c2952527-015e-4f07-98ae-6791a1aff80a

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/415d1b30-f281-412b-9b02-32b3cebadb1c

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/28cb1644-6b93-4908-9b33-319ad31fe194

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30491b72-6e30-4220-8919-6c85a4c0c51e

The Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Summit: Industry Comes Together Seeking Growth Through New Retail Models to Satisfy New Consumer Needs

05.10.2019 - 08:22AM

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is delighted to announce a prestigious roster of speakers for its 63^rd Global Summit, to be hosted 11^th-14^th June 2019 in Vancouver, focusing on the theme ‘Growth Through New Retail’.

Peter Freedman, Managing Director, The Consumer Goods Forum: “Our industry continues to face huge disruption, presenting challenges for existing players but also significant opportunities for growth. As part of their response, leading companies are building their strategies around a purpose beyond profit, responding to consumers’ desire to see companies as a force for good. Digital technologies are central to this reinvention of the industry. The Summit will play a key role in bringing together retailers, manufacturers and service providers to discuss these trends, share best practices and collaborate through the CGF’s working groups”.

The Global Summit brings together 1,000+ CEOs and C-level executives from 50+ countries. This year’s flagship, member-exclusive event will feature a packed agenda, where members will be able to hear from renowned experts in the industry. This year, the message is clear: companies need to look for new ways to collaborate, to reach customers and innovate in order to remain successful, relevant and competitive.

The opening keynote speech will be delivered by Canada’s Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, revealing that the challenges the industry faces today are too large for any one company, industry, or government to solve alone. Collaboration is absolutely essential to achieving positive, long-term change at scale, especially in today’s climate where issues such as environmental sustainability and consumer health require immediate action.

FMCG industry leaders - including Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO, L’Oréal; Sarah Davis, President, Loblaw; Alex Gorsky, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Johnson & Johnson; Max Koeune, President and CEO, McCain; Tina Lee, CEO, T&T Supermarket; Judith McKenna, President and CEO, Walmart International; Stefano Pessina, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance; and Mark Schneider CEO, Nestlé -- will be coming together to discuss how ongoing disruption in the consumer goods industry is presenting exciting opportunities for growth. This year’s distinguished list of speakers also includes key players from start-ups and established players, industry outsiders and insiders, from developing and developed regions alike, promising a discussion focused on driving genuine change at every level of every business.

The Global Summit Special Sessions will provide delegates with valuable strategic overviews, trends, and insights on leading challenges facing the industry today. The sessions and speeches will link in with the Global Summit’s overarching theme, ‘Growth Through New Retail’. There are three key messages in particular that will run through the programme this year:

The continuing role of new technologies to rapidly reshape business models, particularly in the new Start-Ups Zone
The power of ‘purpose’ to inspire both consumers and employees
The importance of new forms of collaboration to achieve impact at scale

For the first time, the Global Summit welcomes the introduction of the Start-Ups Zone. Here, The Consumer Goods Forum is showcasing the very best start-ups looking to improve industry efficiency and take the technology world by storm. A few select start-ups - Catchpoint, Maistering, Punchh, TeakOrigin and WhyteSpyder - will present their visions of the future in a specially-designed area within the new and improved I-Zone.

The I-Zone is the place to be to learn more about the latest developments and retail trends. This year, the CGF is demonstrating an all-new, enhanced networking and exhibition area, allowing delegates to meet with fellow peers and to interact with leading companies in an experiential and interactive way.

The Global Summit brings an unparalleled opportunity to network with CEOs from some of the world's most successful companies, and gain insights into the challenges faced by retailers, manufacturers and their service providers in the consumer goods industry. More: www.tcgfsummit.com

ENDS

About The Consumer Goods Forum

For further information, please contact:

Lee Green
Director Communications
The Consumer Goods Forum
l.green@theconsumergoodsforum.com

Grand Opening of Accessible Horticulture and Education Center at Overbrook School for the Blind

05.10.2019 - 08:00AM

Local officials will join Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) students, staff, and Board of Trustees, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the M. Christine Murphy Horticulture and Education Center - a LEED-Silver certified and planned Net Zero Energy greenhouse - on Friday, May 10 at 10 a.m.

The 1,780 square-foot adaptive and accessible building houses OSB’s award-winning Farm to Table program and horticulture therapy activities. The Center is named in memory of the late M. Christine Murphy, who was a former OSB Trustee, neighbor, and longtime friend of Overbrook School for the Blind. Construction, which cost more than $1 million to complete, was made possible in part by a generous memorial contribution from Murphy’s husband, and current OSB Board member, Sid Rosenblatt, as well as a grant of more than $200,000 from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

“The creation of the M. Christine Murphy Horticulture Education Center represents a tremendous opportunity for our students,” said Todd Reeves, Overbrook School for the Blind Executive Director/CEO. “Beyond the gardening, nutrition and health and wellness benefits, this project will no doubt amplify many long-term goals we seek to foster in our students, including vocational experiences, greater independence and the values of lifelong learning.”

“Sid and his family are extraordinarily generous supporters of OSB’s highest priority - our students,” said Warwick S. Wheeler, Overbrook School for the Blind Board President. “We are deeply grateful for Sid’s longtime partnership and his exceptional support of this project.”

“Overbrook was a place in Christine’s heart,” said Sid Rosenblatt, Overbrook School for the Blind Board Member and husband of late M. Christine Murphy. “She was forever telling people to go to campus to see the work that they do at the school. I know that this Center will improve the lives of OSB students in ways - gardening, horticulture therapy, employment training - that would make Christine proud. My family - David, Anna, Ruth and many of Chris’ family and friends - are honored to be able to support this project.”

A grant totaling $201,480 from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club provided the Center with a high-efficiency misting and irrigation system; manual solar shades that will balance the temperature in the greenhouse, and reduce the electric, heating and cooling costs; and a 50-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system which has been installed on the roof of OSB’s Nevil Field House.

“Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is honored to be a part of this project and to support the life-changing work of Overbrook School for the Blind,” said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice-president and general manager. “We seek partners that share our goal of a more sustainable world, both for the environment and the community. Overbrook School for the Blind is one of those special organizations that enhances and educates the lives of the people it serves and makes Philadelphia a better place.”

During the PV system’s first year of production, it is expected to harness and distribute more than 85,000-kilowatt hours and, in the process, take a step towards the school’s goal of earning a Net Zero Energy Building certification for the Center.

“We are beyond fortunate to call the Sun Club a partner in this project,” said Reeves. “Many projects strive to include sustainable solutions, but often struggle. Thanks to the Sun Club’s generosity, our students will now benefit from hands-on learning experiences that have been infused with energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. While we are striving for a Net Zero Energy Building designation, it is difficult to classify these student impacts as anything other than a net gain.”

Additional key supporters who made the project possible include: the Connelly Foundation, the McLean Contributionship, the Arcadia Foundation, the Jessie G. Roman Charitable Trust, the Philadelphia Foundation and the Howling Beagles Foundation.

About Overbrook School for the Blind
Since 1832, Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) has developed and delivered education that enhances the options available for students with visual impairment and other challenges so that they have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives. Any child with blindness or visual impairment (20/70 or less, as corrected), is under 21 years of age, and is referred by his or her local school district, may be considered for admission to Overbook School for the Blind. In addition to a full academic program, OSB students receive special training and participate in different activities that are important to the development of children who are blind or visually impaired. This includes orientation and mobility, daily living skills, assistive technology, music, art, and a full sports program. Overbrook School for the Blind also serves children with deafblindness in all of its outreach and educational programs. For more information, visit www.obs.org.

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing sustainable communities. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Sun Club® invests in nonprofits and focuses on projects related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation and environmental stewardship. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has donated nearly $7 million to more than 110 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. To learn more about the Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit gmesunclub.org.

###

Press Contacts:
Gloria Yoshioka, Overbrook School for the Blind
Gloria@obs.org, 215-290-6405

Hunter Dodson, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
hunter.dodson@greenmountain.com, 512-448-4950

SC Johnson Applauds Cleanup Efforts to Combat the Plastic Waste Crisis

05.10.2019 - 08:00AM

A concerted cleanup effort among governments, citizens, NGOs and businesses over the past few years is helping to improve waterways and oceans around the world. Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson, recently visited the Philippines and Panama to see firsthand the advancements being made to save the oceans from plastic waste.

“The most important thing we can to do to save our oceans from plastic waste is to address the issue at its root cause by improving waste collection systems and capturing plastic before it gets into the ocean,” Johnson said. “This is why we are partnering with organizations like Conservation International and Plastic Bank – to improve waste removal infrastructure and clean up these waterways. These efforts are a start, but there is more work to be done.”

Positive Developments Across Two Continents

Estero de Magdalena is one of the main estuaries in Manila, Philippines. This waterway flows – and dumps debris – into the Pasig River, which flows out into the South China Sea. Rainy season is an especially challenging time for the region, as plastic waste more easily moves from Estero de Magdalena and other inland waterways to larger bodies of water, like the Pasig River, resulting in large amounts of plastic waste accumulation. However, significant progress has been made in recent years thanks to the installation of strainers in the water that prevent waste from continuing to flow downstream.

“The people of Manila have wanted nothing more than clean waters, free of waste and disease,” said Enrique A. Nunez, Jr., Conservation International’s Philippines Country Director. “By prioritizing education and outreach about the benefits of recycling, we have made a real difference in improving our environment.”

In Panama, the Matías Hernández River has served as an informal dumping ground, accumulating trash from residents that eventually ends up in Panama Bay. The Marea Verde Association, a local NGO, has placed a barrier there to collect this waste, a critical first step in preventing plastic from reaching Panama Bay, and eventually the ocean.

“I hope others will join us in this cause to help ensure the health of our oceans for future generations,” Johnson said. “Hopefully the efforts to clean up these areas will continue and make even more progress. These are significant steps being made in the right direction.”

Commitment to Reducing Waste

The Philippines, along with China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, accounts for nearly 60% of the plastic waste leaking into the ocean, according to a 2015 report by the Ocean Conservancy and the McKinsey Center for Business and Environment. By raising collection rates to an average of roughly 80% across those five countries, plastic-waste leakage into the ocean would be reduced by almost 25%.

To help address this, SC Johnson has partnered with Plastic Bank to open nine collection centers in Indonesia with plans for expansion. Through this partnership, the company has created recycling programs as part of the solution to minimizing plastic waste and addressing poverty. The partnership is transforming lives by providing social and economic benefits in exchange for recycling used or collected plastic waste. It is designed to educate on recycling and get people to live with and use plastic responsibly.

For more information and supporting multimedia assets, visit https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8543451-sc-johnson-plastic-waste-solutions/

###

About SC Johnson

SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care, as well as professional products. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE®, KIWI®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, MR MUSCLE® and RIDSECT®. The 133-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com

The Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA Educational Foundation, and Discovery Education Announce Winners for 2019 ‘Operation Prevention’ Video Challenge

05.09.2019 - 02:15PM

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the DEA Educational Foundation, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, today named four first place 2019 Operation Prevention Video Challenge winners. Dalton Sherrill, Jackson Hamm, Yanely Luna, and Brian Wang of Coffee County Central High School (CCCHS) in Manchester, Tenn., will receive $10,000 for their winning public service announcement (PSA) entitled What Could’ve Been, which highlights the life-altering effects of opioid misuse. The students also received the most votes during the People’s Choice award voting period, earning them a trip for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of DEA training at the DEA’s Training Academy in Quantico, Va.

The challenge invited teens across the nation to submit 30-60 second video public service announcements that capture their unique voice in order to communicate the opioid epidemic as a national crisis. In What Could’ve Been, a teenager’s opioid addiction shortens his life, halting the joys of growing into his adulthood. The character captures the essence of the challenge and encourages teens to research the opioid epidemic to identify its widespread impact on the country.

“Congratulations to the winners from Coffee County Central High School on creating a gripping video message that illustrates the gravity of opioid addiction and how it can devastate lives,” said Sean Fearns, chief of community outreach, DEA. “The role peer-to-peer influence has in preventing opioid misuse before it starts cannot be overstated. We are truly encouraged by the leadership we’ve seen exhibited by our nation’s youth.”

The third annual video challenge is a part of Operation Prevention, a joint nationwide education initiative that aims to educate students about the science behind addiction, and its impact on the brain and body. Available at no-cost, the program’s resources help promote lifesaving discussions at home and in the classroom. The winning video was chosen by a panel of educators and judges from Discovery Education, the DEA, and the DEA Educational Foundation.

Other Operation Prevention Video Challenge winners include:

Second Place: Aria Kydd of Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science
Worcester Polytechnic Institute| Worcester, Mass.
Awarded: $5,000 for her video Think Again

Third Place: Jake Sandvik of Cody High School
Park County School District | Cody, Wyo.
Awarded: $1,000 for his video Wanna

People’s Choice Award: Dalton Sherrill, Jackson Hamm, Yanely Luna, and Brian Wang
Coffee Country Central High School | Coffee County School District | Manchester, Tenn.
Awarded: A trip to Quantico, Va., for an exclusive tour of DEA training for their video What Could’ve Been

“Not only did these students make an impactful and creative PSA, they took time to include community members in it. That choice likely contributed to them winning the ‘People’s Choice Award’; everyone loved seeing the video spread throughout the community,” said Megan Eaves, assistant principal at Coffee Country Central High School. “I think I can speak for all of the administrators and teachers at CCCHS when I say that we are very proud of the work these students put into their video, and we are excited about their win.”

Coffee Country Central High School Career and Technical Education Director Richard Skipper continued, “I say this a lot, every one of our kids will become something great, we just don’t know what! Audio visual production classes at CCCHS provide wonderful opportunities for students to thrive and our newest ‘Operation Prevention Video Challenge’ winners are a powerful example of what is possible.”

First, second, and third place prizes are provided courtesy of the DEA Educational Foundation and the People’s Choice Award prize is made possible by support from the DEA. Winning videos can be viewed at operationprevention.com, and will be featured across DE and DEA digital, including social media platforms. Program resources are accessible for free online and also through Discovery Education Streaming Plus.

“Discovery Education is proud to support the DEA in a critical effort to combat the epidemic of prescription opioid misuse, which is impacting communities nationwide,” said Lori McFarling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Discovery Education. “We’re inspired by the number of young people across the country who are taking action to save lives by participating in the ‘Operation Prevention Video Challenge’. Congratulations to this year’s winners, finalists and participations.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curriculum content and professional development services, visit discoveryeducation.com. Stay connected through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @DiscoveryEd.

###

About the Drug Enforcement Administration:
The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets. The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at justthinktwice.gov, getsmartaboutdrugs.gov and dea.gov.

About the DEA Educational Foundation:
Established in 2001, the DEA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preventing drug abuse. The foundation supports the DEA through advocacy, outreach, and educational programs. Learn more at deaeducationalfoundation.org.

About Discovery Education:
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the U.K. and reach over 5 million educators and 51 million students in more than 90 countries. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts:
Discovery Education
Charmion N. Kinder
CKinder@Discoveryed.com
(240) 274-2173 phone

DEA
National Media Affairs
DEA.Public.Affairs@usdoj.gov
(202) 307-7977 phone

Valvoline Releases Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, ‘Powered by People’

05.09.2019 - 08:00AM

AEP Releases 2019 Corporate Accountability Report

05.09.2019 - 04:00AM

TD Releases First Standalone Environmental, Social and Governance Report

05.08.2019 - 02:00PM

FedEx Multiplies Opportunities Around the World: 2019 Global Citizenship Report

05.08.2019 - 08:00AM

Igniting a World of Opportunity: Moody’s Details Global CSR Accomplishments

05.06.2019 - 08:00AM

Clean Energy to Power Us All.

05.06.2019 - 04:00AM

Verizon (NYSE:VZ) 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Reveals New Goal to Source Renewable Energy Equivalent to 50 Percent of Total Electricity Usage

05.02.2019 - 02:00PM

Re-imagining Olam

04.30.2019 - 08:00AM

Focus on Gas and Petrochemicals in the Transition to Low Carbon Future

04.29.2019 - 08:00AM

Citi Releases 2018 Global Citizenship Report

04.29.2019 - 04:00AM

MetLife Releases Global Impact, the Company’s Sustainability Report on 2018 Performance

04.25.2019 - 08:00AM

Hannon Armstrong’s 2018 ESG Report: Investing in Climate Change Solutions

04.24.2019 - 04:00AM

National Bank of Kuwait Takes Extensive Steps Towards Becoming a Middle East Corporate Sustainability Leader

04.22.2019 - 02:00PM

Open Space, Increased Fleet Efficiency, and Water Education Are Highlights of Connecticut Water Service’s Updated Corporate Sustainability Report

04.22.2019 - 08:00AM

WEC Energy Group Report Details Pathway to Cleaner Energy Future

04.18.2019 - 02:00PM

General Mills Global Responsibility Report Highlights Employee Engagement, Progress Against Planet Commitments, and Food Security

04.18.2019 - 08:00AM

Bechtel Releases 2019 Annual Report Showing Strong Financial and Sustainability Performance

04.17.2019 - 02:00PM

Accenture’s Corporate Citizenship Report 2018: Improving the Way the World Works and Lives

04.17.2019 - 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