CSRwire Press Releases, Events and Reports

Gildan Reaches Leadership Level in CDP's 2019 Scores for Corporate Transparency and Action on Climate Change

01.23.2020 - 02:00PM

Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) is pleased to have been included in the leadership band in CDP’s 2019 scores for corporate transparency and action on climate change. Companies scoring within the leadership band are recognized for their transparent and comprehensive disclosure of climate data, thorough awareness of climate risks, demonstration of strong governance and management of climate risks and demonstration of market-leading practices. Gildan received an A- placing it in the leadership level, well above the Apparel design sector average and the North America and Global averages of C. Gildan has been reporting its environmental performance and climate change impact through CDP’s platform since 2008.

“Our business model of owning and operating the facilities that produce the vast majority of our products allows us to have direct control over the manufacturing process and ensure that responsible and sustainable practices are deployed throughout the complete value chain,” said Claudia Sandoval, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship at Gildan. “We look forward to continuing the journey towards conservation of the environment and remain fully committed in driving environmental performance improvement as one of our main goals throughout 2020 and beyond.”

CDP is a global non-profit that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests.

About Gildan

Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel which markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands, including Gildan®, American Apparel®, Comfort Colors®, Gildan® Hammer™, Prim + Preux®, Gold Toe®, Anvil®, Alstyle®, Secret®, Silks®, Kushyfoot®, Secret Silky®, Therapy Plus™, Peds® and MediPeds®, and under the Under Armour® brand through a sock licensing agreement providing exclusive distribution rights in the United States and Canada. Our product offering includes activewear, underwear, socks, hosiery, and legwear products sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms, and to global lifestyle brand companies.

Gildan owns and operates vertically-integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean Basin, North America, and Bangladesh. With approximately 53,000 employees worldwide Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour and environmental practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive Genuine Responsibility™ program embedded in the Company's long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its corporate citizenship practices and initiatives can be found at www.gildancorp.com and www.genuineresponsibility.com, respectively.

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Benevity Announces Finalists for the 2020 Corporate Goodness Awards

01.23.2020 - 08:30AM

Benevity, Inc., the global leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee engagement software, today announced the list of finalists for the 2020 Corporate Goodness Awards (aka: The Goodies), which recognize progressive companies harnessing the power of Goodness through a modern approach to corporate philanthropy, social responsibility and employee engagement. Now in its 3rd year, The Goodies celebrate the bold, innovative and creative ways that Benevity clients are making a difference in the world and inspiring their people through purpose.

“In the face of increasingly grave environmental and social challenges, it is inspiring to see our clients and their people catalyzing positive impact within their workplaces, their communities and around the world,” said Bryan de Lottinville, Benevity Founder and CEO. “The Goodies are our way of recognizing the companies and individuals who are leading the charge in pursuing purpose, meaning and impact as part of their culture and identity.”

This year, Benevity received more nominations for The Goodies than ever before — double the number submitted for 2019 — which is a testament to the many noteworthy ways that companies are making measurable and meaningful impact and inspiring Goodness. The finalists in each Goodies category are as follows:

The Bestie Award – For best-in-class approach and overall impact:

Genworth Financial, Inc.
Levi Strauss & Co.
Rothschild & Co.
Splunk
Voya Financial

The People Power Award – For promoting purpose through people’s passions:

Adobe Inc.
Equinix
F5 Networks
Okta
TripAdvisor

The Community Hero Award – For best-in-class approach to community investment:

Albertsons Companies/Albertsons Companies Foundation
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Levi Strauss & Co
Genworth Financial, Inc.
Suncor Energy Inc.

The Moonshot Award – For boldness and creativity:

Indeed
Lamb Weston
Splunk
T-Mobile
Total Quality Logistics

The BeCause Award – For dedication to causes:

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
HP, Inc.
Intel Corporation
Meridian
The Honest Company

The Buzz Award – For catalyzing purpose through communications & storytelling:

Lush Cosmetics
Macquarie Group
TELUS
SAP
Silicon Valley Bank

The NewB Award – For most transformative approach:

Arm
Cenovus Energy Inc.
PlayStation - Sony Interactive Entertainment
Rothschild & Co.
Voya Financial

Last year’s Goodies Award winners included Micron Technology, TC Energy, MUFG Union Bank, LinkedIn, Accenture Canada, Jennifer Mitchell of PlayStation and Tiana Austel of Illumina.

“At MUFG Union Bank, we really care about giving back to our community and engaging our employees in the process, so it was just phenomenal to be recognized for the impact we are making through our grants program, along with so many innovative companies. I know it has really inspired our team to keep up the good work,” said JR Raines, VP and Senior Foundation Manager at MUFG Union Bank Foundation.

The 2020 Goodies Award winners will be announced at Benevity’s annual Goodness Matters client conference, being held Feb. 25-27 in Palm Springs. Every year, Goodness Matters brings together hundreds of CSR and employee engagement professionals from the world’s most progressive companies to discuss trends, connect with peers in other companies, learn best practices, and get inspired to infuse purpose into their corporate cultures. This year’s participants include leaders from Apple, Microsoft, Nike and more.

About Benevity

Benevity, Inc., a certified B Corporation, is the global leader in corporate social responsibility and employee engagement software, including online giving, matching, volunteering, community investment and purpose driven actions. Many of the world’s most iconic brands rely on Benevity’s award-winning cloud solutions to power corporate “Goodness” programs that attract, retain and engage today’s diverse workforce by connecting people to the causes that matter to them. With software that is available in 17 languages, to an employee base of 12 million users around the world, Benevity has processed more than 4 billion dollars in donations and 23 million hours of volunteering time to 200,000 charities worldwide.

Media Contact
Amanda Orr
Kickstart for Benevity
1.323.601.5734
press@benevity.com

U.S. Gain Purchases Another Digester at Wisconsin Dairy

01.23.2020 - 08:00AM

U.S. Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas for the transportation and energy markets, announces the purchase of another anaerobic digester – this one located at Deer Run Dairy, LLC in Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

U.S. Gain is currently coordinating the installation of biogas clean-up equipment at Deer Run Dairy, LLC to strip the impurities from the biogas. Next, U.S. Gain will lead project certification efforts through established relationships with both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB). Once certified, the gas will be injected into the natural gas pipeline and distributed throughout their GAIN Clean Fuel® network, private natural gas fueling stations and other non-transportation outlets.

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is methane captured from the decomposition of organic materials, cleaned and conditioned, then injected into the natural gas pipeline and used by companies as a renewable fuel and renewable energy solution. RNG is not a fossil fuel but has the luxury of being used interchangeably with traditional natural gas. Dairy-based RNG features some of the lowest carbon intensity scores because of its upstream emission savings, through capture of methane that otherwise would have been released into the atmosphere.

“Organizations continue to demand renewables as part of their sustainability strategies,” says Mike Koel, president of U.S. Gain. “Renewable natural gas provides companies across industries a clean and fast pathway to combat their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.”

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About U.S. Gain

U.S. Gain is a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable and compressed natural gas for the transportation and energy segments.

Over the course of 10 years U.S. Gain has diversified throughout the renewable natural gas supply chain – investing and managing renewable natural gas development projects at dairies, landfills and wastewater treatment plants; generating, trading and monetizing clean fuel credits; designing, building and operating natural gas fueling stations – both private and a public GAIN Clean Fuel® network. This vertical integration allows companies access to the cleanest fuel and energy at the best value.

As a part of U.S. Venture, Inc., a family-owned, Wisconsin-based company, U.S. Gain is committed to finding a better way for companies to succeed – both economically and environmentally. With experience you need and ethics you value, U.S. Gain is the partner you’ll be proud to work with. Learn more at https://www.usgain.com/.

Funding Opportunity: Healthy Relationships Community Grants

01.22.2020 - 12:37PM

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) today announced a $3 million commitment to the “Healthy Relationships Community Grant,” a joint initiative to provide funding in 2020 and 2021 to organizations that advocate for positive relationship practices through critical services for vulnerable populations and those affected by domestic violence, including relationship management skills for the next generation, programs focused on mental health resiliency among vulnerable populations, and critical career & personal services to survivors of domestic violence.

U.S.-based nonprofit and global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can apply for localized support at MLB.com/HealthyRelationships and MLBPLAYERS.com/HealthyRelationships throughout the year, with proposals reviewed on a quarterly grant cycle. Nonprofits and NGOs may apply for grants of up to $50,000 for general operating or programmatic funding for one or more of the following categories: Healthy Relationship Practices/Education, Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence, and/or Mental Health Resiliency. Grant applications will be evaluated quarterly based on assessment of the population served, organization strength, impact, partnerships, sustainability of the programs, and more. Additionally, MLB Club charities and Major League Players are encouraged to apply for up to $25,000 as part of a gift matching component of the initiative, with grant evaluations based on documentation of direct funding and commitment to the issue.

“This program will support deserving organizations working to build and improve the mental health resiliency and relationship skills of those they serve, with a particular focus on youth, and to provide critical services to help domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives,” said Melanie LeGrande, Vice President of Social Responsibility, Major League Baseball. “This effort reflects Baseball’s desire to invest in strategies that can help change the statistics and norms around domestic violence as well as support those who need help and assistance today.”

“Our players are committed to supporting and promoting healthy relationships,” said Leonor Colón, the MLBPA’s Senior Director of International and Domestic Player Operations. “This initiative will allow us to support organizations that raise awareness of domestic violence, assist survivors and promote mental wellness.”

Empowering the next generation to understand the components of a healthy relationship is intended as a prevention strategy through this initiative. Organizational efforts supported by grant funding may include public education, with a preference for youth populations, on the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships as it relates to interpersonal violence (e.g., intimate partner, family or teen dating). Examples of education efforts include creating, producing & distributing public service announcements with relevant content and call to action as well as conferences or events focusing on awareness. Funding can also go toward supporting existing, or introducing new, programming on how to break the cycle of violence.

Efforts toward building and improving mental health resiliency for vulnerable populations may include providing greater access to (a) quality mental health services and wellness programs; (b) preventative programs designed to reduce suicide, suicidal ideations and self-harm; (c) training programs for mental health professionals; or (d) school or community-based interventions.

Strengthening and providing services to survivors of domestic violence is of critical importance to this grant initiative. Efforts may include (a) capacity building in support of the organizational mission of the nonprofit or NGO; (b) mental health support; (c) professional and life skills workshops as well as additional education and materials to improve employee readiness and workplace development; or (d) advocacy efforts to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The joint donation for the “Healthy Relationships Community Grant” represents an ongoing commitment by MLB and the MLBPA to provide support to causes that assist vulnerable populations, which has historically included financial assistance toward disaster relief and recovery as well as human trafficking prevention.

# # #

Contact:
Steve Arocho or Kerline Batista, Major League Baseball
(212) 931-7878
mlbpressbox.com
@MLB_PR

Anthony Solis, Major League Baseball Players Association
(212) 826-0808
mlbplayers.com
@MLB_PLAYERS

Ørsted, Recently Named the Most Sustainable Company in the World, Forms New Research Partnerships to Advance Technology for Protection and Conservation of Right Whales

01.22.2020 - 08:00AM

Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind is proud to announce an exciting and innovative partnership with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the University of Rhode Island (URI), and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to launch the Ecosystem and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (ECO-PAM) project. Ørsted signed an initial memorandum of understanding with Rutgers University in May 2019 to support academic research activities related to offshore wind. The ECO-PAM project will be in addition to this initial funding agreement.

The company plans to apply the project’s learnings to develop tailored processes and procedures to better protect the North Atlantic right whale during survey, construction and operation phases of their U.S. offshore wind farm portfolio. The ECO-PAM project will ensure the company can act to solve the global climate crisis, while preserving local ecosystems.

The goal of this unique academic partnership is to better understand the habitat as well as the presence, distribution and seasonality of the endangered North Atlantic right whale within Ørsted lease areas. A secondary and added benefit of the partnership will enable coastal communities to utilize the oceanographic data gathered to help with weather forecasting and predicting severe storms.

“This unique project unites business and academia, allowing some of the greatest minds to work together to study and deploy new, advanced technology that will enable us to work toward the goal of helping to protect and conserve the right whale,” said Sophie Hartfield Lewis, Ørsted Head of U.S. Permitting. “It is imperative that Ørsted take a leadership role in this given our offshore presence along the eastern coastline.”

The three-year project will rely on data collected from two, near real-time sound detection buoys deployed by WHOI and one experimental buoy deployed by URI. WHOI and URI will take the lead on advancing localization and detection distance methods for fixed buoy systems.

“The technology exists now to acoustically detect and track marine mammals such as the North Atlantic right whale with fixed and mobile systems and this project will demonstrate this technology,” said James H. Miller, Professor of Ocean Engineering and Oceanography, University of Rhode Island.

The project will also feature the use of an unmanned glider that will be led by Rutgers to telemeter to shore in near real-time oceanographic data and detections of marine mammal vocalizations. The glider, a first for Ørsted, will provide a persistent presence within and surrounding the Ørsted lease areas in New Jersey. The project will share oceanographic data via the regional ocean observing data portals such as Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System. The information gathered will not only improve oceanographic models and characterization of the regional habitat, but it will also be leveraged via the participation in the established ocean observing systems to improve weather and storm forecasts of benefit to coastal communities.

“The environmental variables collected on these glider missions will be fed directly into national data systems that provide vital ocean information for improving the prediction of marine-driven weather, such as coastal storms,” said Joseph F. Brodie, Director of Atmospheric Research, Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership.

One final element of the project will be the inclusion of acoustic receivers on the glider and buoys. This data will be shared with networks such as the Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System, which was established to monitor for fish tagged by multiple researchers in the region. Data collected by the receivers will contribute to furthering the understanding of movement patterns of a range of species included those of importance to the fishing industry.

“Our project will help to minimize the impact of wind farm construction and operation on whales so that both we and the whales can reap the long-term benefits of clean energy,” said Mark Baumgartner, Senior Scientist, Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

About Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind
Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind delivers clean, renewable energy along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. It operates the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm, and has been awarded over 2,900 megawatts of capacity through six projects. It is jointly headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island and employs more than 150 people.

About Ørsted

The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted develops, constructs and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, bioenergy plants and provides energy products to its customers. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs 6,300 people. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Ørsted). In 2018, the group’s revenue was DKK 76.9 billion (EUR 10.3 billion). For more information on Ørsted, visit Ørsted.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.

Media Contact

Cam Stoker

Ørsted U.S. Offshore

857-332-6215

casto@orsted.com

Fairtrade International and U.S. Chapter Fairtrade America Named Top Certification in Its Category

01.22.2020 - 07:32AM

Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification, was recognized as the gold standard for fairtrade certification by a recent analysis of fair trade labels conducted by Fair World Project, an independent advocacy group promoting fair trade for small-scale producers and labor justice for workers around the world.

The new report, entitled International Guide to Fair Trade Labels, scored eight fair trade and ethical labels on their effectiveness in order to help consumers and companies navigate the increasingly cluttered world of sustainability and ethical certifications. Fairtrade earned top marks in 31 out of 45 categories – more than any other global label.

Fairtrade International, including its U.S. chapter, Fairtrade America, received high scores in many categories, including the organization’s key areas of impact – protecting the environment via energy, waste and water management; strengthening workers’ rights and prevention of forced labor; advocating for gender equality and rights for disadvantaged, minority and indigenous groups; and fighting poverty through its unique premium payment structure that enables democratic decision making in Small Producer Organizations and Hired Labor Organizations.

“Fairtrade International is the oldest and globally best known fair trade label,” the report states. “Despite the development of new labels, it remains the primary actor in the sector acting as the main point of reference (many fair trade labels use or reference Fairtrade minimum prices)…[The Fairtrade marker is] an ever-evolving label that reinvents itself to address contemporary challenges.”

Fairtrade was also praised for new, stronger standards on the prevention of deforestation and adaptation to climate change. The report specifically singled out Fairtrade’s textile standard for empowering workers through leadership opportunities, representation, collective bargaining and living wages. Furthermore, the report points out that Fairtrade is 50 percent owned and run by the producers themselves, and notes the organization’s commitment to wide consultation with stakeholders.

“We are honored that Fairtrade International continues to be recognized as a global leader in sustainability and ethical standards,” said Dario Soto Abril, CEO of Fairtrade International. “But we’re never complacent. We know there is still much more to do before we achieve trade justice, including decent incomes for workers and producers, which we are actively working to achieve.”

Overall trust and recognition of the Fairtrade mark in the U.S. is on the rise. A recent Globescan study conducted by Fairtrade America to measure consumer awareness revealed that 76% of U.S. consumers would view a brand they already buy more favorably if it carried a fair trade label. In the U.S., Fairtrade America works with 60 brands, and the Fairtrade label appears on more than 5,000 products. For more information on Fairtrade America, visit www.fairtradeamerica.org.

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America betters the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries by inspiring businesses to implement ethical production practices and assisting shoppers in making informed purchasing decisions. Fairtrade America is the US chapter of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with over 30 years of experience working to make trade fair, with headquarters in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is the world's largest and most recognized fair trade system—part of a global movement for change. Learn more at www.fairtradeamerica.org.

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New Ecolabel for PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam

01.22.2020 - 12:01AM

As global concerns grow around the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—known as the ‘forever chemicals’ because they can persist for thousands of years in the environment—Clean Production Action today released GreenScreen Certified™ Firefighting Foam, the first ecolabel for PFAS-free* firefighting foam products. “Until today no certification existed for PFAS-free firefighting foam products, or that evaluated all chemicals used in these products for their human and environmental health hazards,” highlighted Dr. Mark S. Rossi, Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Clean Production Action.

For decades, chemical manufacturers have manufactured PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) and firefighters have unknowingly been exposed to them during use in petroleum-based fires, training, and testing of equipment. PFAS use in firefighting foam has contaminated drinking water for millions of people across the planet. Today nearly every US resident and place in the world is contaminated with PFAS chemicals. Exposure to PFAS is associated with cancer, developmental toxicity, immune suppression, high cholesterol, and other health effects, with firefighters at particular risk from their increased and ongoing exposure to PFAS through their work. The number one cause of line-of-duty death for firefighters is cancer. Increased regulation and liability of using PFAS-containing foams, along with increasing environmental and health concerns across the globe, have created demand for PFAS-free firefighting foams.

“GreenScreen Certified makes it simpler for purchasers to identify safer firefighting foams by certifying that they meet rigorous environmental and health criteria,” explained Jen Jackson with the San Francisco Department of the Environment. “As more PFAS-free firefighting foams become available we need to ensure these alternative products are not equally hazardous to firefighting personnel or the environment.”

“The release of the GreenScreen Certified™ Firefighting Foam standard comes at a critical time when more and more state governments in the US and Congress are banning toxic PFAS firefighting foams,” stated Laurie Valeriano, Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Toxic-Free Future. “After Washington State banned PFAS foams, Colorado, New Hampshire, New York and even Congress followed. It is important for companies to certify the foams they make so that firefighters can be assured they aren’t being unnecessarily exposed to other cancer-causing or other harmful chemicals that are replacing PFAS.”

The first four companies with certified products are Angus Fire Ltd, BIOEX, National Foam Inc., and Verde Environmental, Inc. See list of GreenScreen Certified firefighting foam products and download the certification criteria at https://www.greenscreenchemicals.org/certified. Register for the February 25, 2020 webinar at
https://www.greenscreenchemicals.org/resources/entry/webinar-gsc-fff.

*PFAS-free is defined as less than 1 part per million (ppm) total organic fluorine as measured by combustion ion chromatography.

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About Clean Production Action

Clean Production Action is an independent, non-profit based in the United States. Our mission is to design and deliver strategic solutions for green chemicals, sustainable materials, and environmentally preferable products. Our core programs are: GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals, BizNGO, the Chemical Footprint Project, and the Investor Environmental Health Network.

About GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals and GreenScreen Certified™

GreenScreen is a globally recognized tool designed to assess and benchmark chemicals based on hazard. Companies and governments use GreenScreen benchmark scores to identify chemicals of concern to human health and the environment, select safer alternatives, and to track and communicate their progress. GreenScreen criteria and guidance are fully transparent and available for anyone to use.

GreenScreen Certified™ is an independent, non-profit certification that promotes the use of inherently safer chemicals in products and manufacturing. Products are certified to Bronze, Silver or Gold using the suite of GreenScreen tools.

CONTACT: Kayla Williams, kayla@cleanproduction.org, 781-391-6743 x120

Scotiabank included in 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index

01.21.2020 - 07:37PM

Scotiabank, a leading bank in the Americas, today announced that it has been included in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), which recognizes companies committed to transparency in gender reporting and gender equality in the workforce. This is the third year in a row that the Bank has been included in the index.

The 2020 GEI comprises 325 companies representing 42 countries and regions across 50 industries including automotive, banking, consumer services, engineering and construction, and retail.

"We believe an inclusive workforce creates opportunities for every future," said Barb Mason, Group Head and Chief Human Resources Officer, Scotiabank. "We've long been a champion for the advancement of women and know how important it is to our customers and employees that we reflect the diverse communities across our global footprint. It's essential to building winning teams and to building a better Bank."

"We're proud to be recognized for our efforts supporting gender equality and the advancement of women in the workforce – we continue this work every day."

Using a standardized reporting framework, the GEI tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency, and measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.

Scotiabank's commitment to prioritize equality and the inclusion of women include:

Building an inclusive workforce where 39 per cent of Vice Presidents and above in Canada, and 35 per cent of Vice Presidents and above globally, are women
Signing onto the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), which offer guidance to businesses on how to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in the workplace
Launching The Scotiabank Women Initiative™, a comprehensive program that supports women-owned, women-led businesses in Canada through Access to Capital, Mentorship and Education – the program has committed to allocate $3 billion in funding over its first three years
Committing to equal access to our financing solutions and to ensure our lending practices are free of bias
Increasing the representation of women on Scotiabank's Board of Directors by 10 per cent since the Bank established a Board Diversity Policy in 2013 – 38 per cent of the directors are women
Being the first Canadian Bank to publicly disclose the gender pay gap analysis for Canadian employees
Introducing mandatory conscious inclusion training to all employees globally

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. We are here for every future. We help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 100,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at October 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

For further information: Media Contacts: Hazel Mistry, Scotiabank, hazel.mistry@scotiabank.com, 416-866-6744

Moody’s Named to 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for First Time

01.21.2020 - 07:35PM

Moody’s Corporation (NYSE: MCO) today announced that it has been named to the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the first time. The GEI tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality. Firms included in the 2020 GEI have provided a comprehensive look at their investment in workplace gender equality and the communities in which they operate.

“Moody’s invests in workplace gender equality to ensure that our company reflects the diverse communities we serve,” said Raymond McDaniel, President and CEO of Moody’s Corporation. “We’re proud to have our efforts recognized and to be included in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the first time.”

Moody’s was included in this year’s index for scoring at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg across the framework’s five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.

“To successfully recruit, retain, and elevate future leaders, it’s paramount for companies to understand the specific needs of one of their largest talent pools – women,” said Melanie Hughes, Chief Human Resources Officer at Moody’s Corporation. “Moody’s commitment to promoting inclusivity is exhibited through the many policies, resources and services we have in place to support women in the workplace.”

Moody’s supports gender equality globally by partnering with community organizations that provide the resources for women and girls to have a better future. Through its signature financial empowerment initiative, Reshape Tomorrow^TM, the company works with WEConnect International to provide women entrepreneurs with credit training to help them access the capital they need to grow their businesses. Moody’s also collaborated with Girls Inc. to develop the Moody’s Generation Giga Girls program that provides girls of high school age with data analytics and critical thinking skills necessary for careers in financial services.

"The 325 companies included in the 2020 GEI have shown their commitment to transparency and demonstrated leadership in gender-related data reporting," said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg. "Disclosure of company statistics and practices is an important first step in supporting gender equality globally."

ABOUT MOODY’S CORPORATION

Moody's is an essential component of the global capital markets, providing credit ratings, research, tools and analysis that contribute to transparent and integrated financial markets. Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) is the parent company of Moody's Investors Service, which provides credit ratings and research covering debt instruments and securities, and Moody's Analytics, which offers leading-edge software, advisory services and research for credit and economic analysis and financial risk management. The corporation, which reported revenue of $4.4 billion in 2018, employs approximately 10,900 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 44 countries. Further information is available at www.moodys.com.

SHIVANI KAK
Investor Relations
212.553.0298
shivani.kak@moodys.com

JORDAN BRUECKNER
Communications
+1 212-553-7931
jordan.brueckner@moodys.com

Source: Moody’s Corporation Investor Relations

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T. Rowe Price Relaunches Money Confident Kids Website With Five-step Program

01.21.2020 - 07:32PM

T. Rowe Price has relaunched its Money Confident Kids^® program, a financial education program teaching basic financial concepts to middle school-age children, as a new five-step program with a refreshed website. The five steps outlined on the new site are designed to build on each other and simplify the process of teaching core financial concepts to kids.

The steps are systematically organized and focus on basic financial concepts of:

Setting a financial goal
Prioritizing spending
Rate of return
Asset allocation
Inflation and time horizon
Diversification

Since the launch of its financial education efforts in 2009, T. Rowe Price continues its mission of promoting financial capabilities and working to build confidence not only in kids, but also in adults who might struggle with how to navigate conversations about finances with kids. T. Rowe Price’s 2019 Parents, Kids & Money Survey found that half of parents have some reluctance to discuss money matters with their kids.

The Money Confident Kids program’s content is intended to be administered by an adult and serves as a turnkey solution for teachers, parents, and volunteers to discuss money matters with kids. By creating a more systematic process for adults, the program offers a shelf-ready approach to teaching financial concepts in the classroom and home. Each step has downloadable lessons and activities for kids. The refreshed site also includes games, tips, and other resources.

Over the past 10 years, T. Rowe Price’s financial education efforts have reached 12 million people.¹

Renee Christoff, head of Global Associate Engagement + Corporate Social Responsibility at T. Rowe Price
“Helping kids develop financial capabilities is the first step toward helping the next generation of adults achieve financial security. Our Money Confident Kids program offers a non-intimidating way to learn—for kids and teachers and parents. We’re excited to offer a new experience for our users and support their continued use of the Money Confident Kids program in the classroom and home.”

About T. Rowe Price
Founded in 1937, Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ-GS: TROW), is a global investment management organization with $1.21 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2019. The organization provides a broad array of mutual funds, subadvisory services, and separate account management for individual and institutional investors, retirement plans, and financial intermediaries. The company also offers a variety of sophisticated investment planning and guidance tools. T. Rowe Price's disciplined, risk-aware investment approach focuses on diversification, style consistency, and fundamental research. For more information, visit troweprice.com or our Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook sites.

¹ Total reach of websites, online games, apps, exhibits, programs with Scholastic and Junior Achievement, and sponsored events.
MONEY CONFIDENT KIDS is a registered trademark of T. Rowe Price, Group, Inc.

Contact Us
Heather McDonold
410-345-6617
heather.mcdonold@troweprice.com

Monique Bosco
410-345-5740
monique.bosco@troweprice.com

CIT Earns Top HRC Corporate Equality Index Score and Named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality

01.21.2020 - 07:30PM

CIT, a leading national bank, today announced it received a score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. As part of the recognition, CIT has also been designated a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

“CIT is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for our employees, where different perspectives are respected, and the highest ethical standards are upheld,” said CIT Chief Human Resources Officer Jim Duffy. “We’re thrilled to receive this recognition and are proud to join the ranks of other leading U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.”

The results of this year’s CEI showcase how 1059 U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and helping advance the cause of LGBTQ inclusion in workplaces abroad. The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria based on five categories: non-discrimination policies, employment benefits, demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion, public commitment to LGBTQ equality, and responsible citizenship.

In 2019, CIT created the Be You diversity and inclusion program to encourage engagement and build a workplace where employees can bring their best selves to work. The program includes an LGBTQ Employee Resource Group dedicated to fostering internal networking, development and community involvement.

About CIT

CIT is a leading national bank focused on empowering businesses and personal savers with the financial agility to navigate their goals. CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) is a financial holding company with over a century of experience and operates a principal bank subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender). The company's commercial banking segment includes commercial financing, community association banking, middle market banking, equipment and vendor financing, factoring, railcar financing, treasury and payments services, and capital markets and asset management. CIT's consumer banking segment includes a national direct bank and regional branch network. Discover more at cit.com/about.

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MEDIA RELATIONS:

Olivia Weiss
212-771-9657
Olivia.Weiss@cit.com

Join the Live Watch Party for “The Promise of Biomimicry” Premiering January 23

01.21.2020 - 07:28PM

Documentary producers Tree Media, who brought feature films like “The 11th Hour” and “Ice on Fire” to viewers worldwide, have created a new short film in partnership with the Biomimicry Institute called “The Promise of Biomimicry.” The 20-minute film premieres this Thursday, January 23 during a live, global watch party at 12pm PT / 3pm ET at biomimicry.org/the-promise-of-biomimicry/. Viewers can also tune in on the Institute’s Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo channels.

The film documents how young entrepreneurs are utilizing biomimicry to solve human sustainability challenges. Janine Benyus, co-founder of the Institute and author of the acclaimed book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, walks viewers through the emerging discipline and highlights how a new generation of innovators can look to the natural world for design and engineering “blueprints.”

Learn how the Institute is creating an open access platform for nature-inspired education through AskNature, the curated online library featuring thousands of nature’s strategies and hundreds of bio-inspired applications to practice biomimicry; the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge that offers education through guided practice; the Biomimicry Launchpad fueling startups with tools they need to form a company with a nature-inspired solution; and the Ray of Hope Prize®, where a young company is given a $100,000 investment to commercialize their biomimetic product or service.

“The film touches on the lives of our team members from around the world, what problems they are trying to fix and how biology has led them on a very different path to innovating. The scale of the problems in front of us — from enough food for all to preserving habitat for the other 8.7 million species on the planet — is immense,” said Beth Rattner, Executive Director of the Institute. “But there is tremendous solace in knowing that there is a nature-based function we can learn from. Our free, open access programs give everyone a chance to make a difference.”

A dozen startup companies are featured in the film, working on bringing their biomimetic innovation to market. From a mosquito-control device called UPOD that is inspired by the bladderwort plant to an eco-friendly approach to sewage treatment that mimics a cow’s digestive system by EcoSTP, these teams are looking to biological strategies to create sustainable solutions for a myriad of challenges humans face.

Nucleário, the 2018-19 winner of the Ray of Hope Prize, also introduces its product that enables large-scale ecological restoration of forests. Inspired by bromeliads (think of the tops of pineapples), Nucleário accumulates rainwater, creates a physical barrier against leaf-cutting ants, and reduces the use of herbicides and pesticides. Additional companies featured include Phalanx Insulation, Watchtower Robotics, Aruga Technologies, NexLoop, among several others.

As a practice, biomimicry shows designers how to fit in with the surrounding environment sustainably and offers millions of years of “research and development” to tap into for inspiration. As a movement, it gives people hope, because there is relief in knowing solutions exist.

To see biomimicry in action and further an understanding of this new way of living, join us this Thursday, January 23 at 12p PT / 3p ET for a live watch party of the short film: The Promise of Biomimicry at biomimicry.org/the-promise-of-biomimicry/.

This film was sponsored by Wyncote Foundation and supported by the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. To see the first film about biomimicry directed by Tree Media’s Leila Conners, which was made possible by Leonardo DiCaprio and Executive Producer Oliver Stanton, visit https://www.treemedia.com/biomimicry.

For more information on nature-inspired design, visit biomimicry.org. And to join the movement and solve for a challenge, register for the 2020 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge. The next great idea may be waiting right outside.

About the Biomimicry Institute

The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2006 that offers open access education for nature-inspired solutions. The Institute gives people a way to design for a healthy planet with AskNature.org, a free online resource that contains strategies found in nature and examples of ways they are used in design. It also hosts a Biomimicry Global Design Challenge and Youth Design Challenge to provide project-based education, a Launchpad for entrepreneurship to bring designs to market, and a Global Biomimicry Network to connect innovators. To support its work and get involved in the biomimicry movement, visit biomimicry.org and connect with the team on social media.

RESOURCES

Beth Rattner at Climate One: What Is Biomimicry?

These Students Came up With an Ingenious Way to Keep Buildings Cool

Biomimicry Institute Blog: 10 Finalist Teams Use Nature's Lessons to Create Climate Change Solutions

CONTACT
Valerie Bennett

+1 (770) 317-5858

valerie@raycandersonfoundation.org

Ray C. Anderson Foundation

http://www.raycandersonfoundation.org

Lex Amore

+1 (678) 770-8305

lex.amore@biomimicry.org

Biomimicry Institute

http://www.biomimicry.org

Ingersoll Rand Named One of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE

01.21.2020 - 07:26PM

Ingersoll-Rand plc (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, has been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” by Fortune for the eighth consecutive year.

“It’s an honor to be recognized once again as one of the world’s most admired companies,” said Michael W. Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand and of the future Trane Technologies. “Our dedicated employees around the globe are the driving force behind our winning culture and success. With sustainability embedded in all we do, we have a responsibility to challenge what’s possible. That includes enhancing opportunities for all in our workplace and communities, and innovating for a more sustainable world.”

Developed annually by FORTUNE Magazine and the Korn Ferry Hay Group, the World’s Most Admired Companies list is the definitive report card on corporate reputation.

To determine the best-regarded companies in 52 industries, Korn Ferry asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate enterprises in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent. For the complete rankings, visit www.Fortune.com.

Ingersoll Rand Transaction Announced in April

In April 2019, Ingersoll Rand announced that it would spin off and merge its Industrial segment with Gardner Denver to create a global industrial leader, expected to be called Ingersoll Rand. The remaining company, a global climate innovator, will be named Trane Technologies and is expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “TT.” The transaction is expected to close in early 2020.

Through its strategic brands, Trane® and Thermo King®, and portfolio of climate-focused innovations, Trane Technologies will create efficient and sustainable solutions for buildings, homes and transportation.

Our 2030 Commitments

Ingersoll Rand was the first industrial company to announce its 2030 ESG Commitments upon accepting the World Environment Center's 35^th Annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development in May 2019. These commitments will be pursued by Trane Technologies and include:

The Gigaton Challenge: Meet the challenge of climate change including reducing customer carbon footprint from buildings, homes and transportation by one gigaton CO2e. This is the largest customer climate commitment made by any business-to-business company and is equivalent to approximately 2% of the world’s annual emissions.
Leading by Example: Transform its supply chain and operations to have a restorative impact on the environment including achieving carbon neutral operations and giving back more water than it uses in water-stressed areas.
Opportunity for All: Strengthen economic mobility and bolster quality of life including gender parity in leadership roles, a workforce reflective of its community populations, maintaining livable market-competitive wages and broadening community access to cooling comfort, housing and food.

To learn more, visit www.IngersollRand.com/2030.

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About Ingersoll Rand
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. We are a global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements,” which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to the intent of the Company to change the name of the Company to Trane Technologies plc and our 2030 sustainability targets. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the ability to obtain shareholder approval of the Company’s change of name; global economic conditions, and regulatory developments. Additional factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements also include statements that relate to the proposed Reverse Morris Trust transaction with Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. (GDI).

These forward-looking statements are based on GDI’s and Ingersoll Rand’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from GDI’s and Ingersoll Rand’s current expectations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) that one or more closing conditions to the transaction, including certain regulatory approvals, may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the proposed transaction, may require conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals or that the required approval by the stockholders of GDI may not be obtained; (2) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed on the terms or in the time frame expected by Ingersoll Rand or GDI, or at all, (3) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction, (4) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the combined company following completion of the proposed transaction; (5) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including as a result of delay in completing the proposed transaction or integrating the businesses of GDI and Ingersoll Rand Industrial, or at all, (6) the ability of the combined company to implement its business strategy; (7) difficulties and delays in the combined company and ClimateCo achieving revenue and cost synergies; (8) inability of the combined company and ClimateCo to retain and hire key personnel; (9) the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the proposed transaction; (10) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction or other settlements or investigations may affect the timing or occurrence of the proposed transaction or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability, (11) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (12) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; (13) actions by third parties, including government agencies; and (14) other risk factors detailed from time to time in Ingersoll Rand’s and GDI’s reports filed with the SEC, including Ingersoll Rand’s and GDI’s annual reports on Form 10-K and subsequent 10-Qs. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Black & Veatch: Reliability, Efficiency and Resiliency Drive Utilities’ Grid Modernization Efforts

01.21.2020 - 06:17PM

Data is poised to tell the story of our utility systems. But are we ready to listen?

Advances in technology are pushing critical human infrastructure in exciting new directions, creating both risk and reward for utilities eager to become more sustainable, efficient, reliable and resilient. Black & Veatch’s 2020 Strategic Directions: Smart Utilities Report, released today as a free download, explores the challenges and opportunities ahead for a grid tested simultaneously by climate shocks, aging equipment and the influx of intermittent and often volatile distributed energy resources (DER).

More than 625 industry respondents indicated that data and analytics are increasingly critical to delivering this long-promised grid of the future. These technologies offer new levels of communications and IT/operational technology (OT) convergence with hardware and software innovations, which provides utilities with deeper levels of insight while preparing them to meet the challenges of distributed generation head on — ultimately delivering smarter, faster and more resilient distribution networks.

Get the Report

Built on the expansive responses collected in this year’s annual survey of electric, natural gas and water utility leaders in North America, Black & Veatch explores the advent of the digital grid, the impacts of renewable energy, the complexities of network management and the persistent threat of cyberattacks. These challenges will increasingly require integrated technology solutions that enable networks to talk with each other, share data and give utility leaders actionable information about the health and resilience of their systems.

“Fully integrated communications infrastructure will be critical to support utilities’ smart grid initiatives,” writes John Janchar, president of Black & Veatch’s telecommunications business, in the report’s opening piece. “This means not only upgrading the operational assets — the poles, wires and distribution switches — but also upgrading the communications networks that connect and enable these systems to work together.”

The report finds utilities striving to move forward in a rapidly modernizing world even as they remain challenged by outdated regulatory and business models. Two-thirds of respondents see improved reliability as the largest driver of distribution modernization efforts, followed by improved operational efficiency (43 percent), concerns about aging infrastructure (43 percent), and the promise of increased monitoring, control and automation capabilities (39 percent).

Aging infrastructure and the increasing penetration of DER continue to test grid resilience, even as climate change drives major fluctuations in weather and raises the pressure on aging systems. To boost resilience, the survey finds, utilities are actively embracing data and using it to root out the biggest vulnerabilities while simultaneously strengthening their assets to make them more cost-efficient and sustainable.

Get the Report

Although progress is being made, barriers remain. More than half of survey respondents (54 percent) cited budget constraints as a critical inhibitor of modernization, followed by managing competing priorities (38 percent), regulatory hurdles (37 percent) and a lack of resources and expertise (35 percent). Paying for these upgrades will be the biggest future challenge – not only do utilities have to find the funding, but they must accurately understand and capture the total capital infrastructure investment.

“Truly delivering the grid of the future will require more than simply bolting on new features and technologies,” said John Chevrette, president of Black & Veatch Management Consulting. “It will require a sweeping shift toward digitalization, with utilities embracing and investing in holistic and integrated communications networks that will bring it all together.”

Other key findings include:

One-third of survey respondents plan to spend more than $200 million to modernize their distribution infrastructure over the next three years.
Utilities are actively beefing up cybersecurity, with a combined 84 percent implementing active cybersecurity monitoring and 13 percent planning to do so.
Integrated systems planning will continue to gain in importance, with 80 percent of respondents viewing the integration of its planning functions as “very or extremely important.”
Approximately one in five respondents currently monitor and control – but do not own – third-party owned DER. Thirty-nine percent only monitor while 24 percent are in the planning stages.
Encouraged by promises of upgraded infrastructure, nearly half of respondents see 5G attachment as an opportunity; but 25 percent see it as a challenge and 27 percent view it simply as a requirement.
Respondents ranked OT, IT/communications and security departments as the top three teams to lead distribution automation efforts.
When it comes to non-wire alternatives, one in four respondents consider them as part of their standard operating procedures.

Editor’s Notes:

Black & Veatch’s report is based on a survey of more than 625 qualified utility, municipal, commercial and community stakeholders.
The report includes insights from Black & Veatch’s software subsidiary, Atonix Digital.
A free copy of the report is available to download at www.bv.com/reports.

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About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is an employee-owned engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries by addressing the resilience and reliability of our world's most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2018 were US$3.5 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.

Media Contact Information:

MELINA VISSAT | +1 303-256-4065 P | +1 617-595-8009 M | VissatM@BV.com

24-HOUR MEDIA HOTLINE | +1 866-496-9149

Ecolab Named to Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index

01.21.2020 - 06:14PM

Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, food safety and public health technologies and services, has been named to Bloomberg’s 2020 Gender-Equality Index (GEI). The GEI tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency. Ecolab is one of 325 companies across 50 industries to be included in the 2020 index.

“Our diverse teams are helping us fuel greater innovation, drive stronger performance and accelerate our growth,” said Chairman and CEO Douglas M. Baker, Jr. “We’re working hard to ensure Ecolab is a place where everyone can create, contribute and grow in their careers, and feel respected and valued.”

The GEI measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand. This year, Bloomberg expanded the eligibility for inclusion in the index to nearly 6,000 companies across 84 countries and regions.

About the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index:

The GEI expanded in 2020 to represent 84 countries and regions and a variety of industries, including automotive, banking, consumer services, engineering and construction, and retail. Through disclosure of gender-related metrics using the GEI framework, the firms included in the 2020 GEI have provided a comprehensive look at their investment in workplace gender equality and the communities in which they operate. Ecolab was included in this year’s index for scoring at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect a high level of disclosure and overall performance across the framework’s five pillars.

To learn more, please visit the GEI website at www.bloomberg.com/gei/.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at nearly three million commercial customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in driving business performance while protecting people and vital resources. With annual sales of $15 billion and 50,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions, data-driven insights and personalized service to advance food safety, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. www.ecolab.com

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Contact:

Roman Blahoski
651-250-4385
MediaRelations@Ecolab.com

January 21, 2020

LG Brings Sustainability, Energy Efficiency to 2020 ‘New American Home’ and ‘New American Remodel’

01.21.2020 - 06:12PM

ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year LG Electronics USA was selected by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as Platinum Partner for The New American Home® (TNAH) and The New American Remodel® (TNAR), the official show homes of the 2020 International Builders’ Show® in Las Vegas this week.

Innovative home appliances, consumer electronics, solar panels and HVAC technologies from LG Electronics are delivering energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, connectivity, convenience, performance and energy efficiency to these “Net Zero” homes in the Nevada desert. Both homes were designed to achieve National Green Building Standard “Emerald” certification, ENERGY STAR building certification, and Net Zero status from the U.S. Green Building Council.

TNAH and TNAR are state-of-the-art showcase houses illustrating how any home can be transformed into a high-performance, high-tech space when integrating today’s building and appliance innovations to reduce energy consumption, increase efficiency and enhance daily life.

Advanced Renewable Solar Energy Solutions for Net Zero Homes

Key to TNAH’s and TNAR’s environmental sustainability and aesthetically appealing designs are rooftop installations of high-efficiency solar modules from residential solar energy leader LG Electronics. LG NeON® R 60-cell panels will help power both homes to support their Net Zero designs. LG’s NeON R modules are designed to maximize sunlight absorption, and they can generate the highest possible power output – as much as 26 percent more than other comparably-sized solar panels.

LG modules are among the most popular in the U.S. residential solar market both for new construction and renewable-energy upgrades to existing homes. They feature high power outputs and outstanding durability that perform well in a variety of environments and weather conditions. LG’s solar offerings not only provide a high-performing energy solution, but also fit into a variety of configurations, blending in unobtrusively to the look and feel of the home’s design. They are backed by LG’s strong 25-year product and performance warranty.

Super-Efficient and Sleek Air Conditioning Technologies

Featuring myriad of super-efficient HVAC systems and controls, TNAR embeds sleek ENERGY STAR certified LG air conditioning solutions that complement the home’s unique design characteristics.

To operate the various types of indoor units, TNAR features two award-winning LG Multi V™ S 5-ton Heat Recovery outdoor units. They are connected to 10 indoor units of four different types. LG’s aesthetically pleasing Art Cool™ Gallery and Mirror, High Static Ducted and Vertical Air Handler units all fit seamlessly into the high-end design of the home. Integrated with the home’s smart ecosystem, these customizable and flexible home comfort solutions are easily controlled via wall-mounted controllers or with a smartphone using the LG ThinQ app.

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LG Electronics: Innovation for a Better Life

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $54 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG’s focus on Innovation for a Better Life is exemplified by a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, mobile phones, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, solar energy solutions and vehicle components. The “Life’s Good” marketing theme encompasses how LG is dedicated to people’s happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. LG is a 2019 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. www.LG.com.

The New American Home: Desert Aesthetics Meet Elegance

TNAH 2020, located just outside of Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev., represents current trends towards sleek, clean and simple lines, minimal décor, abundant light, and flat rooflines that match the surrounding foothills. This tranquil sanctuary from the spirited atmosphere of Las Vegas exhibits a combination of earth, natural stone, amid the McCullough mountain ranges to help capture a modern aesthetic in the desert. The one-story, 7,683-square-foot masterpiece built by Sun West Custom Homes features more than 6,400 square feet of living space with the incredible kitchen, four bedrooms, five-plus baths, two showroom garages, a luxurious great room, elegant wine room, multiple water features surrounding the courtyard, beautiful fire features and an outdoor heated entertainment area.

The New American Remodel: Melding Sustainability and Modern Design

TNAR 2020 is a state-of-the-art, modern-day marvel that exhibits a sustainable vision by showcasing innovation, exceptional design, and energy efficiency featuring products and systems that incorporate current trends in the housing industry. Element Building Company and Architecture by Phil Kean transformed this property into a two-story masterpiece totaling 7,523 square feet (4,802 square feet of living space) within a charming, well-established equestrian community in the Las Vegas area. Each year, TNAR program selects an existing home for a comprehensive remodel to demonstrate the very latest in building techniques, concepts, materials, and designs. TNAR 2020 features a sleek and unique chef’s kitchen, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, showroom three-car garage, indoor-outdoor living features in the courtyard, spa, pool, fire features, an elegant wine room, five fireplaces and a rooftop terrace with views of the Las Vegas Strip.

Media Contact:

LG Electronics USA
John I. Taylor
john.taylor@lge.com
+ 202 719 3490

New Report Details Challenges and Solutions to Advancing Frontline Employees of Color

01.21.2020 - 06:09PM

A new report titled “Advancing Frontline Employees of Color: Innovating for Competitive Advantage in America’s Frontline Workforce” was released today as a resource and call to action for employers to support the advancement of frontline employees of color. The report produced in partnership by FSG, a mission-driven consulting firm, and PolicyLink, a national research and action institute, through support from Walmart, shows that companies that are successful in advancing racial equity go beyond traditional diversity and inclusion efforts by shifting their management and HR practices and transforming their company cultures. These leading companies implement evidence-based practices and policies that fall under three strategic opportunity areas: 1)building internal capacity for an inclusive, understanding, and adaptive culture; 2)strengthening management and HR systems, policies, and practices; and 3)intentionally investing in the development of frontline employees of color.

People of color are predicted to be the majority of the U.S. population by 2044, with purchasing power exceeding $3.4 trillion according U.S. Census Bureau and Nielsen projections. Changing demographics, impending automation, and consumer demand for companies to address societal issues create enormous opportunities for employers to generate business value by advancing frontline employees of color. The report reveals that employers who do this experience significant business benefits, including a management talent pipeline that mirrors their evolving customer base; a more productive, loyal workforce that boosts their bottom line; and enhanced brand equity with customers and communities.

“At a time when there are rising societal expectations for companies to embrace a more active role in society and lead with an ambitious corporate purpose, employers of frontline employees of color face an unprecedented opportunity to advance racial equity as a source of competitive advantage by intentionally finding ways to advance the careers and enhance the experience of those employees,” says Fay Hanleybrown, managing director at FSG. “Our goal for this report is to not only demonstrate the business case for strategically supporting the advancement of employees of color, but to provide immediate, actionable steps to reduce the challenges these employees face. ”

“In the US today, there are 100 million people—a majority of whom are people of color—living at or near poverty,” said PolicyLink President and CEO Michael McAfee. “Many in that number are—or could be—frontline workers as well as consumers of products created by businesses like Walmart, Sodexo, and Starbucks. As the nation’s shifting demographics point towards a growing majority people of color,” he continued, “it behooves us to understand how building cultures that value the contributions of all, creating equitable outcomes for everyone, and investing in the development, recognition, and promotion of more frontline employees of color is a foundational step toward creating an equitable economy for everyone.”

The research surfaces 23 evidence-based practices and policies, which, when implemented for all employees, can create a disproportionately positive impact for employees of color and their advancement. These range from evaluating managers on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; extending health insurance to part-time workers; creating flexible scheduling policies; and cross training and reskilling employees to succeed in new roles.

Walmart, Sodexo and Starbucks are employers featured in the report that have successfully implemented a range of these best practices to achieve the desired outcome of increasing the promotion rate for employees of color to management positions.

Working toward greater racial equity is an ongoing and iterative process that requires active commitment and changes in culture and practice. Executives, HR professionals, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leaders, and local managers all play critical roles in the ongoing, evolving process of improving workplace culture and practice toward racial equity. The report also identifies five practical steps companies can take to accelerate meaningful action towards implementing the evidence-based practices:

Develop an understanding of internal and external factors that contribute to historical and present-day race-specific inequity at their organization.
Collect and disaggregate data on employees by race, gender, and other identity factors—both company-wide and at the store/location level—to understand the company’s existing talent base and inequities within it.
Assess the company’s current efforts to uncover and interrupt hidden institutional and individual biases affecting frontline employees of color.
Pilot the evidence-based practices, paying close attention to whether they are meeting the needs of frontline employees of color.
Measure, adapt, and share lessons learned from implementation of these practices.

“At Walmart, we’ve accelerated our enterprise-wide commitment to foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace,” says Ben Hasan, Senior Vice President and Chief Global Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Walmart Inc. “Collectively, we are seeing indications that our strategies and initiatives are resulting in positive change as Walmart realized a 5 percent increase in hourly-to-management promotions for people of color from FY18 to FY19 and saw overall hourly representation for people of color in the U.S. increase from 44.42% to 45.16% over the same period.”

“Over the past two decades Sodexo has continuously adapted and evolved its practices in order to support our Frontline Employees of Colors”, says Gerri Mason Hall, Chief Diversity & Social Responsibility Officer for Sodexo Americas. “By articulating and communicating a clear business case for DEI investments, we have seen a 36% increase in the representation of people of color in manager roles.”

The report findings are based on extensive interviews with companies, experts, and frontline employees of color, a secondary research scan, and a rigorous statistical analysis of HR practices affecting 2.6 million U.S. retail employees over a 30-year time period conducted by experts at Harvard University and Tel Aviv University.

To read the full report, “Advancing Frontline Employees of Color: Innovating for Competitive Advantage in America’s Frontline Workforce,” visit https://www.fsg.org/publications/advancing-frontline-employees-color

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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.

About PolicyLink: PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity by Lifting Up What Works®. Engaging the wisdom, voice, and experience of people in local communities, PolicyLink has found, is essential to finding solutions to the nation’s challenges. Learn more about PolicyLink at www.policylink.org.

UPS Reduces Emissions and Congestion in Denmark and Sweden With New Zero Emission eBikes

01.21.2020 - 06:07PM

UPS announced today that it has deployed five eBikes in Copenhagen, one in Stockholm and one in Aarhus as part of its global effort to improve the sustainability of its deliveries. As a result of these new alternative fuel vehicles being introduced, UPS operates three fewer 7.5-tonne diesel delivery vehicles in Denmark and one less diesel delivery vehicle in Sweden every day.

“By replacing 240 daily stops of fossil fuel vehicles in Copenhagen, 60 in Stockholm and 50 in Aarhus with eBikes, we are helping to reduce emissions and congestion in city centers. Copenhagen and Stockholm plan to be carbon-neutral cities by 2025 and 2040 respectively, and as a company looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint, we are proud to be part of this effort,” said Frank Jørgensen, country manager, UPS Nordics. “UPS has set itself the ambitious goal to reduce the absolute greenhouse gas emissions of its global ground operations by 12% by 2025. Increasing our use of eBikes is an important part of how we plan to achieve this goal”.

Continue reading here: www.pressroom.ups.com/pressroom/ContentDetailsViewer.page?ConceptType=PressReleases&id=1578664722049-431

The UPS Foundation Contributes an Initial $500,000 in Funding and Logistics Support for Relief Efforts in Australia, Puerto Rico and The Philippines

01.21.2020 - 06:04PM

The UPS Foundation, which leads the global citizenship programs for UPS, announced today it is providing support to preeminent relief organizations bringing life-saving supplies and services to areas in Australia, Puerto Rico and the Philippines impacted by wildfires, earthquakes and the eruption of the Taal Volcano.

“Our hearts go out to all the lives being impacted by these terrible disasters,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and UPS chief diversity and inclusion officer. “The scale of devastation is stunning, and each situation is complex in its own way. We’re grateful to be able to engage our relief partner organizations working to bring relief to these areas, and we’re committed to continuing our efforts as recovery begins.”

Continue reading here: www.pressroom.ups.com/pressroom/ContentDetailsViewer.page?ConceptType=PressReleases&id=1579271333431-351

CONTACT
June Holder

+1 (404) 828-4805

jholder@ups.com

UPS

Carnival Corporation, Its Cruise Line Brands and the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation Pledge Over Us$1.25 Million to Australian Bushfire Disaster Recovery

01.21.2020 - 06:02PM

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, recently announced that the corporation's philanthropic arm, Carnival Foundation, and five of its global cruise line brands together with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation have collectively pledged over US$1.25 million to support disaster recovery efforts from raging bushfires causing widespread devastation throughout Australia.

The pledge includes US$1 million from the family foundation of Carnival Corporation's Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine, in addition to US$250,000 (AU$350,000) from Carnival Foundation and five of the company's brands – P&O Cruises (Australia), Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. All five brands have ships based year-round in Australia or homeport seasonally in the country.

Similar to donations following recent hurricanes and typhoons, support is being directed to both immediate and long-term relief efforts. Based on input from local officials and community leaders, the US$1 million donation will be provided to support the most timely and urgent relief needs throughout the country. As previously announced, the US$250,000 donation has been committed to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

"Our cruise lines carried hundreds of thousands of Aussies and international guests on voyages this summer, and this gesture is a sign of our solidarity with the local community," said Sture Myrmell, president of Carnival Australia, which comprises several of the corporation's brands operating in the country. "As a cruise shipping organization with close ties to Australian communities developed over many years, we have been shocked by the devastation from this ongoing disaster. Our cruise lines are contributing to the Australian Red Cross' Disaster Relief and Recovery work because of the organization's experience in dealing with the effects of natural disasters and its national reach."

Added Myrmell: "Communities affected by the bushfire crisis are in immediate need, and we are pleased to be able to contribute in a way that ensures help can be delivered where it is needed most and as quickly as possible. This contribution is being made on behalf of all of our guests who are no doubt equally shocked and concerned at what has happened to their fellow Australians."

The company's commitment follows the combined AU$50,000 donation from P&O Cruises (Australia) and its guests to the St Vincent de Paul Society in late 2019 to support residents of New South Wales and Queensland impacted by the local bushfires at that time.

Information on the Australian Red Cross, its recovery efforts and ways to provide support can be found at https://www.redcross.org.au/.

About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is the world's largest leisure travel company and among the most profitable and financially strong in the cruise and vacation industries, with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Together, the corporation's cruise lines operate 105 ships with 254,000 lower berths visiting over 700 ports around the world, with 16 new ships scheduled to be delivered through 2025. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

With a long history of innovation and providing guests with extraordinary vacation experiences, Carnival Corporation has received thousands of industry awards – including recognition by the Consumer Technology Association™ as a CES® 2019 Innovation Awards Honoree for OceanMedallion™. A revolutionary wearable device that contains a proprietary blend of communication technologies, OceanMedallion enables the world's first interactive guest experience platform transforming vacation travel on a large scale into a highly personalized level of customized service. The prestigious CES Innovation Awards honor outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products.

Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.seabourn.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com and www.cunard.com.

Carnival Corporation Media Contacts: Roger Frizzell, Carnival Corporation, rfrizzell@carnival.com, (305) 406-7862; Mike Flanagan, LDWW, mike@ldwwgroup.com, (727) 452-4538

RESOURCES

Carnival Corporation

Carnival Foundation

Australian Red Cross

CONTACT
Chris Cradduck

+1 (214) 893-9119

chris@ldwwgroup.com

Subaru of America Sponsors the Philadelphia Flower Show With an Emphasis on Sustainability

01.21.2020 - 06:01PM

Today, Subaru of America, Inc. has announced that, for the 19th consecutive year, it will serve as the exclusive sponsor of the Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event. The show, produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), runs from February 29 – March 8, 2020. This year’s theme, “Riviera Holiday,” is inspired by the world’s Mediterranean gardens and will immerse visitors in the sights, scents and tastes of the Mediterranean region’s landscaped gardens and culture.

“We are proud to continue our sponsorship of the Philadelphia Flower Show for the nineteenth consecutive year,” said Thomas J. Doll, President and Chief Executive Officer at Subaru of America, Inc. “At Subaru, we are deeply committed to serving our local community, as well as the environment through our Subaru Loves the Earth initiative. In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, we continue to educate attendees about preservation and how they can be more planet-friendly.”

Main Exhibit: Subaru Zero-Landfill Garden

As the exclusive sponsor, Subaru will celebrate this year’s event with various floral displays that incorporate the “Riviera Holiday” theme, while educating attendees on sustainable gardening and landfill-free design. The all-new 2020 Subaru Outback is integrated into the natural setting to complement the garden display. From a mix of Mediterranean-inspired elements and bold sustainable features, attendees will discover components such as reclaimed cedar slat walls, terracotta roofing, drought tolerant plants, and recirculating fountains made from recycled tiles.

Inside the main Subaru Zero-Landfill Garden exhibit, the automaker will host several daily gardening workshops known as “Potting Parties” at the semi-private ‘Subaru Outback’ garden exhibit. Hosted by horticulture designer, Tu Bloom, attendees can create their own vibrant container displays and learn about sustainable growing practices along with fun recycling ideas for the garden. Additonal information on Potting Parties can be found here.

Subaru will also sponsor the following Philadelphia Flower Show exhibits and events:

Concourse Exhibit: Subaru Reclamation Station

At the Subaru Reclamation Station, the 2020 Subaru Forester highlights the gardener’s commitment to repurposing materials. Here, attendees will learn how to reclaim household trash normally headed for the local landfill by transforming it into useful, artistic items such as an iron pipe pergola and a PVC pipe wall art/vertical planter.

Visitors will also learn about the year-round Subaru Loves the Earth initiative where, in partnership with TerraCycle®, nearly 600 Subaru retailers across the U.S. collect hard-to-recycle waste products like disposable cups and lids, snack wrappers, etc. The collected trash gets recycled into usable furnishings like park benches, bike racks, and flower pots which are donated to community organizations by Subaru.

Fido Friday

On ‘Fido Friday,’ the evening of March 6th, the orange carpet will be rolled out for both four-legged and two-legged friends to experience the Philadelphia Flower Show together. As part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, this event will feature on-site pet adoptions, photo opportunities, pet-friendly activities and much more.

For Philadelphia Flower Show times and ticket sales, visit: https://theflowershow.com and follow #PhillyFlowerShow.

For information on Subaru’s environmental initiatives, visit: www.subaru.com/content/subaru/en/special-series/LovesTheEarth.html

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $165 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

###

Diane Anton
Subaru of America, Inc.
856-488-5093
danton@subaru.com

MWWPR
Subaru@mww.com

General Motors Appoints Dane Parker as Chief Sustainability Officer

01.21.2020 - 05:59PM

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced it has appointed Dane Parker as the company’s chief sustainability officer, effective Feb. 1, 2020.

Parker, currently vice president of sustainable workplaces, expands his current role with the newly-created position as chief sustainability officer. In this role, he will lead a company-wide sustainability strategy, including integration of the company’s goal to reach a zero emissions future.

“Climate change is real. That is indisputable, and we take the challenges it presents seriously,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “The transportation sector must be part of any credible climate change solution and Dane’s leadership, experience and passion will help us meet these challenges head-on. Our vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion is ambitious and this appointment aligns our organization to accelerate achieving that vision.”

Parker’s organization will ensure the responsible consumption and production of materials, lead GM’s efforts as a global advocate for climate-sensitive manufacturing and mobility operations, and lead the strategic design and implementation infrastructure for electric vehicles at GM facilities.

“Focusing on EVs remains a key measure of our commitment, but it’s also important to recognize the role our facilities play in enabling our vision of zero emissions,” said Barra.

Under Parker’s leadership, GM has reduced its manufacturing carbon intensity by 20 percent – three years ahead of its goal – and is an EPA-recognized leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization, including achieving seven consecutive EPA Energy Star Partner of the Year awards.

Parker’s other global responsibilities include facility design, engineering, construction and operations, energy procurement and efficiency, environmental compliance, real estate and workplace strategy.

GM is on its way to bringing 20 new all-electric models to market by 2023 including a battery

electric truck; recently announced a joint venture with LG Chem to mass-produce battery cells in the Lordstown area of Northeast Ohio; and collaborates with three of the nation’s leading EV charging networks to enable access to the largest collective electric vehicle charging network in the United States, including more than 31,000 charging ports.

Parker joined GM in July 2015 as executive director of global facilities. Prior to joining GM, he was vice president of global real estate, facilities and environment, health and safety for Dell Inc. Parker also spent more than 13 years at Intel Corporation in the technology and manufacturing organization in a variety of operational roles.

CONTACT

Jennifer Korail

+1 (313) 319-0584

jennifer.korail@gm.com

General Motors

http://media.gm.com

FedEx Celebrates the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

01.21.2020 - 05:57PM

FedEx volunteers across 10 cities will team up with Rise Against Hunger to pack over 170,000 meals for those in need in recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

This is the seventh year FedEx has worked with Rise Against Hunger, an organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity and malnutrition around the world. This nationwide event provides employees with an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. FedEx team members will pack meals on Jan. 20 in Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, Newark, Oakland-San Francisco, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. Rise Against Hunger aligns with FedEx Cares 50 by 50, the company’s community engagement initiative to positively impact 50 million people by our 50th Anniversary in April 2023.

“FedEx is proud once again to celebrate the life of Dr. King by supporting an amazing organization,” said Rose Flenorl, FedEx Global Citizenship. “We are honored to be able to assist in helping to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people.”

Rise Against Hunger’s mission is to end hunger by 2030. The meals, consisting of rice, soy protein, dried vegetables and vitamins, are packaged by volunteers and shipped around the globe and distributed to beneficiaries in critical need.

In honor of Dr. King, FedEx will also provide free admission to the following civil rights museums:

National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis – Jan. 20
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Jackson, Mississippi – Jan. 20
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham – Jan. 20
The Legacy Museum, Montgomery, Ala. – Jan. 20
The Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta – Feb. 1

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $69 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 490,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.

About Rise Against Hunger

Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief organization, aims to show the world that it is, in fact, possible to end hunger by the year 2030. With 28 U.S. locations and five international offices, the organization is committed to nourishing lives, providing emergency aid, empowering communities and growing the hunger movement. Rise Against Hunger has facilitated volunteer meal packaging of nearly 500 million meals to be distributed to countries around the world.

# # #

Paypal, Polaris Join Forces to Fight Human Trafficking

01.21.2020 - 05:55PM

Polaris, a leader in combating human trafficking, today announced the creation of a newly formed Financial Intelligence Unit. The Financial Intelligence Unit, which is made possible by financial and subject matter support from PayPal, is designed to leverage intelligence from the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and other sources to interrupt trafficker cash flows and enable prosecutions for financial crimes including money laundering.

Through this initiative, these organizations, each with a long history and unique knowledge and expertise in combatting human trafficking, are teaming up to find new, innovative ways for the anti-money laundering community to recognize financial transactions that are red flags for human trafficking.

“Financial institutions have long been powerful partners in the fight against human trafficking,” said Sara Crowe, director of Polaris’s Strategic Initiative on Financial Systems. “Thanks to our partnership with PayPal, anti-money laundering professionals will have more opportunity than ever to share information, identify new techniques to effectively zero-in on those who profit off of the exploitation of others, and provide actionable information to law enforcement. In doing so, we help bring accountability to those who financially benefit from trafficking and restore freedom to countless thousands of people around the world.”

The concept of the Financial Intelligence Unit grew out of the findings from Polaris’s seminal report, On-Ramps, Intersections, and Exit Routes, which examined the roles of major private and public-sector systems and industries on the sex and labor trafficking ecosystems. Based on the findings of this report, Polaris concluded that the financial services industry, particularly companies like PayPal with global technology and financial services expertise, were best positioned to help solve the problem of human trafficking by making it more difficult for traffickers to move money.

“PayPal and Polaris coming together is a great example of private and non-profit entities joining forces to achieve a positive social impact that neither party could fully realize on their own,” said Aaron Karczmer, Chief Risk Officer and EVP, Risk, Regulatory, and Protection Services of PayPal. “We look forward to advancing new, innovative approaches to combating human trafficking with partners like Polaris, who, like PayPal, strive to create meaningful change on this important issue.”

Leaders in the anti-human trafficking field applauded the announcement. “Human trafficking exists for one simple reason: Profit,” said Luis C. deBaca, who served as Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and as Director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. “As a former prosecutor, I know all too well just how difficult it is to hold people and businesses accountable for modern slavery. Working with financial institutions to understand how traffickers use their services has the potential to dramatically shift the trafficking equation, making exploitation more risky and therefore less profitable. That’s the kind of systems-level work that will make it possible to end this crime once and for all.”

###

People can be connected to help or report a tip of suspected human trafficking by calling the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, texting “BeFree” (233733), or chatting at www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

About PayPal: PayPal has remained at the forefront of the digital payment revolution for more than 20 years. By leveraging technology to make financial services and commerce more convenient, affordable, and secure, the PayPal platform is empowering 300 million consumers and merchants in more than 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit paypal.com.

About Polaris: Polaris works to dismantle the systems that make sex and labor trafficking possible and profitable in North America. For more than a decade, Polaris has provides real-time response to victims and survivors through the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and harnessing what we learn from that experience to help inform, design and implement scaleable, long-term, solutions that leverage the insight of survivors and hold all actors in the human trafficking ecosystem accountable. Learn more at www.polarisproject.org.

Nestlé Creates Market for Food-Grade Recycled Plastics, Launches Fund to Boost Packaging Innovation

01.21.2020 - 05:53PM

Nestlé today announced that it will invest up to CHF 2 billion to lead the shift from virgin plastics to food-grade recycled plastics and to accelerate the development of innovative sustainable packaging solutions.

Building on its 2018 commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, Nestlé will reduce its use of virgin plastics by one third in the same period whilst working with others to advance the circular economy and endeavor to clean up plastic waste from oceans, lakes and rivers.

Food quality and safety are paramount, and packaging plays a major role in assuring this. Most plastics are difficult to recycle for food packaging, leading to a limited supply of food-grade recycled plastics. To create a market, Nestlé is therefore committed to sourcing up to 2 million metric tons of food-grade recycled plastics and allocating more than CHF 1.5 billion to pay a premium for these materials between now and 2025. Nestlé will seek operational efficiencies to keep this initiative earnings neutral.

Packaging innovation, including new materials, refill systems and recycling solutions, is another key challenge on the path towards a waste-free future. In addition to its significant inhouse research through the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences, the company will launch a CHF 250 million sustainable packaging venture fund to invest in start-up companies that focus on these areas.

These two initiatives come in addition to Nestlé’s major ongoing efforts in research, sourcing and manufacturing to make its packaging recyclable or reusable and contribute to its goal to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of the company’s packaging commitment and to increase transparency, Nestlé will continue to outline further initiatives and provide regular progress updates.

"No plastic should end up in landfill or as litter," said Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestlé. "Making recycled plastics safe for food is an enormous challenge for our industry. That is why in addition to minimizing plastics use and collecting waste, we want to close the loop and make more plastics infinitely recyclable. We are taking bold steps to create a wider market for food-grade recycled plastics and boost innovation in the packaging industry. We welcome others to join us on this journey."

"We are pleased to see Nestlé commit a CHF 2 billion investment toward creating a circular economy for plastics, alongside a reduction of its use of virgin plastic in packaging by one third by 2025. By eliminating the plastics we don’t need, innovating in areas like reuse models and new materials, and circulating the plastics we do need — also in more challenging food grade applications — we can create an economy where plastic never becomes waste. Achieving the commitments announced today will significantly contribute towards realizing this vision," said Andrew Morlet, CEO, Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Media contact:

Christoph Meier
Phone: +41 21 924 2200
Email: mediarelations@nestle.com

New BCG Report: Sustainably Securing the Future of Agriculture

12.13.2019 - 08:00AM

Waters Corporation Announces 2025 Sustainability Goals

12.10.2019 - 08:00AM

GreenBiz 20

12.09.2019 - 08:15AM

The sustainability profession is evolving, with new concerns and concepts emerging faster than ever. GreenBiz 20 (Feb. 4-6, Phoenix) is the premier annual event for sustainable business leaders exploring the latest trends, tools and insights.

Attend GreenBiz 20 to network with and learn from this powerful community of more than 1,500 sustainability thought leaders and practitioners from business, government, academia and NGOs. Save 10% with our discount code GB203B. Learn more: http://bit.ly/352SlYc

New BCG Reports: Shrimp Farmers Worldwide Must Adopt Sustainable Practices—or Risk Falling Behind

12.06.2019 - 08:00AM

Schneider Electric's Sustainability Progress and 2020 Goals: Climate, Circular Economy, Health & Equity, Ethics, and Development

11.26.2019 - 08:00AM

ascena retail group, inc. Reports on Progress to Advance Its Commitment to Women and Girls

11.21.2019 - 08:00AM

Flowserve Publishes 2018 Sustainability Report

11.20.2019 - 02:00PM

Aurora Organic Dairy Commits to 100% Carbon-Neutral Energy in Its Fourth Sustainability Report

11.13.2019 - 08:00AM

Marsh & McLennan Releases 2017-2018 Corporate Citizenship Report

11.05.2019 - 08:00AM

Timken Issues CSR Report, Demonstrating Commitment to Move the World Forward, for Good

11.04.2019 - 08:00AM

Symantec Pushes for a Safer Tomorrow, Releases 2019 CR Report

10.23.2019 - 08:00AM

MSD Publishes 2018/2019 Corporate Responsibility Report

10.09.2019 - 02:00PM

Hormel Foods Achieves Nonrenewable Energy Use Reduction Goal and Has Record Year of Giving

10.08.2019 - 04:00AM

2019 Net Impact Conference

10.07.2019 - 06:00PM

When was the last time you gathered under one roof with 1,500 people who care just as deeply as you do about social impact?

At NI19, you will:

Connect to changemakers, innovators, sustainability leaders, activists, influencers, students and companies.
Be inspired to tackle today's biggest challenges.
Learn how to make an impact from where you are.

We're bringing together an inspiring lineup of keynote speakers, social change activists, corporate visionaries, authors and cutting-edge thinkers this year.

Global leaders like Microsoft, International Paper, and TerraCycle will be part of Career Central to talk shop about employment opportunities and the future of your career. Pioneer programs like REDF and Uncommon Schools will inspire you with their untraditional and innovative approaches to tackling social and environmental issues. Top leaders from companies like Intel, Lime, Campbell’s and The Coca-Cola Company will talk openly about CSR, sustainability, and what it’s like to be a woman growing an enterprise. And our fast-paced networking salons will give you the chance to connect with like-minded activists and leaders who care about the same topics you do.

We hope to see you in Detroit!

DXC Technology Announces New Global Environmental Targets in 2019 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report

10.07.2019 - 08:00AM

Strengthening Connections. Fostering Success: PNC Shares CSR Achievements

10.07.2019 - 04:00AM

Visa Details Global Leadership in Latest Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report

10.01.2019 - 08:00AM

SC Johnson on Track to Meet Goals in Tackling Plastic Waste Crisis, Announces Results in New Sustainability Report

09.25.2019 - 04:00AM

American Express Outlines Progress on Social Responsibility Goals, Commits to Further Reducing Environmental Impact in 2018-2019 Corporate Responsibility Report

09.23.2019 - 10:00AM

BCG’s Latest Report on Sustainability: “A Circular Solution to Plastic Waste”

09.18.2019 - 08:00AM

Do You Know What Sustainability Professionals Earn?

09.12.2019 - 02:00PM

Responding to the Bigger Picture: Telstra’s 2019 Sustainability Report

09.12.2019 - 08:00AM

Creating Our Tomorrow, Sustainably Highlights UPS’s Sustainability Progress in Interactive Report

09.10.2019 - 02:00PM

VERGE 2019

09.09.2019 - 12:55PM

The VERGE 19 conference and expo (October 22-24, Oakland) is the platform for accelerating the clean economy. The event convenes more than 3,000 leaders — from the private and public sectors, utilities, solution providers, NGOs and startups — to explore scalable, cross-cutting solutions and to collaborate more effectively to advance them. The event is framed around four key markets driving the transition: clean energy, transportation and mobility, the circular economy and carbon removal.

Securing Opportunities. Adding Value.

09.04.2019 - 06:00PM

Discover the Impact of Our Commitment to Sustainability and Diversity in Our 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

09.04.2019 - 02:00PM

2019 Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability Management Forum

09.04.2019 - 01:31PM

The Forum is the largest annual gathering of Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S) managers, directors and vice presidents.

With four days of networking, peer-led interactive sessions and keynote presentations, this is the premier event dedicated to showcasing best practices in EHS & Sustainability management.

Marathon Oil 2018 Sustainability Report Includes Enhanced Environmental Disclosures

09.04.2019 - 08:00AM

Stockland Releases Flagship Integrated Annual Report

09.03.2019 - 08:00PM

Corporate Philanthropy Conference: Measurement Metrics and Outcomes

08.16.2019 - 11:00AM

Join us as we take a deep dive on building and sustaining a philanthropy strategy that aligns with your organization’s business strategy, culture, and mission. This year’s event will examine the “business” of corporate philanthropy through case studies and real-world scenarios with perspectives from both corporations and beneficiary organizations.

Session topics will cover the decision-making process as it relates to corporate strategy, as well as metrics, measurement, impact, output versus outcome, employee engagement, portfolio analysis, and more. This conference is designed especially for executives with responsibilities in the following areas:

Corporate Philanthropy
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Citizenship
Corporate Foundations
Community Affairs and Community Relations
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
Board Service
Corporate Communications
Public Relations
Legal, Regulatory, and Financial Advisory
Cause Marketing

To Register, download the agenda or learn more, visit us at: www.conferenceboard.org/philanthropy SAVE $100 with Code: CSR100

Sixty Minutes with Hazel Henderson: Transitioning to Science-Based Investing (Security and Sustainability Forum)

08.09.2019 - 12:03PM

Join me and in a sixty minute webinar with Hazel Henderson, world renowned futurist, evolutionary economist, worldwide syndicated columnist, and leader in sustainable development. We will discuss science-based investing, which is the focus of the 2019/20 edition of her Green Transition Scoreboard Report.

Hazel is the founder of Ethical Markets Media, Certified B Corporation and the creator and co-executive Producer of its TV series. She is the author of The Axiom and Nautilus award-winning book Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy (2006) and eight other books. She co-edited, with Harlan Cleveland and Inge Kaul, The UN: Policy and Financing Alternatives, Elsevier Scientific, UK 1995 (US edition, 1996), and co-authored with Japanese Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda, Planetary Citizenship (2004).

Don't miss an opportunity to engage with one of the most transformational economic leaders of our time.

I hope you'll join this course.

Sincerely,

Edward Saltzberg, PhD
Managing Director
Security and Sustainability Forum
www.ssfonline.org
esaltzberg@securityandsustainabilityforum.org

Innovations in Social Impact Measurement Symposium

08.02.2019 - 08:00AM

Your company is dedicating time and resources to be a responsible corporate citizen. Are those efforts working? Are they having an impact? Does anyone care if they are or aren't? How do you communicate the importance of measurement to stakeholders who don't see the value, and how do you communicate your impact to those who do?

We're bringing together corporate social responsibility and social impact measurement experts to grapple with these questions and more at our upcoming Innovations in Social Impact Measurement Symposium in San Francisco. The symposium will consist of a keynote speaker, panel discussions, and a skills development workshop where we will explore simple and effective ways to improve impact measurement for your organization's CSR programming.

Register now to join the discussion and network with fellow corporate responsibility and social impact professionals. We're looking forward to seeing you there! Lunch and mingling provided.

Date and Time
Thu, September 19, 2019
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM PDT

Location
Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel
609 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Early-Bird Registration (available until Aug. 15^th): $95
Standard Registration: $130

Our Innovations in Social Impact Measurement Symposium will include:

Panel Discussions

Our panelists will tackle questions like:

How do you mainstream impact measurement into your business plan?
When in the project life cycle do you begin measurement planning?
What are the current trends in social impact measurement?
What does the future hold in terms of how we measure social impact?

Skills Development Workshop

You will be given tools and learn skills for:

Measuring Social Return on Investment
Pre-Design, Design, and Implementation of Social Impact Measurement
Adapting SIM tools/templates to your needs and projects

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.