By Sophia Mendelsohn

SOURCE:CSRwire

DESCRIPTION:

There’s currently a debate brewing among sustainability and corporate responsibility professionals about the best way to report CSR and environmental information. Is a sustainability report the proper time for storytelling or do readers just want the facts? Truth is, we are often trying to reach multiple (and different audiences) with one report. This year, JetBlue decided to revisit how we report our environmental, social and purpose-driven initiatives. 

Questions always come up as we compile our annual environmental and responsibility report about investors vs. customers and communities. Are investors really looking at or interested in the “feel good” CSR report? Do they care about how we are inspiring humanity as much as they care about cost-cutting initiatives?

Tweet me:.@SophiaLeonoraM shares @JetBlue's philosophy for creating engagement with its #CSR reporting http://bit.ly/2qJXbWC via @CSRwire

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Jetblue, Reporting, CSRwire

SOURCE:Taproot Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

Tuesday, May 23 at 10 AM PT / 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET

REGISTER HERE

Planning and executing a successful crowdfunding campaign can be daunting. You need a compelling promo video, inviting graphics, simple yet informative communications, an engaging email strategy, and stand-out social media. Don’t panic: all this is achievable even without a budget or in-house expertise. This webinar will teach you how to harness the expertise of marketing, graphic design, videography, and communications professionals who want to volunteer to help your cause.

You’ll learn:

• Which parts of a crowdfunding campaign can be done by skilled volunteers
• Four screening tests to identify and create clear project asks for those parts
• The simplest way to find the right skilled volunteer for the job 

In short, you’ll have access to the pro bono expertise you need to build a successful crowdfunding campaign from start to finish.

REGISTER HERE

This free webinar is hosted by Bre DiGiammarino from Indiegogo and Kristin Teti from Taproot Foundation.

Tweet me:WEBINAR How to Launch a Successful #Crowdfunding Campaign w/out a Budget 5/23 http://bit.ly/2qiwuv3 feat @gogobre @indiegogo @taprootfound

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Social Impact & Volunteering, Taproot Foundation, indiegogo, Taproot+, Crowdfunding

From JetBlue's Diversity and Inclusion section of the Responsibility Report

SOURCE:JetBlue Airways

DESCRIPTION:

In 2016, Crewmember Resource Groups (CRGs) – JetPride, Women in Flight, Vets in Blue, and Blue Conexión – deepened relationships with co-workers and the community.

In March, Women in Flight held their second annual Fly Like a Girl event. Crewmembers invited the young girls in their lives to learn about careers in aviation.

JetPride marched with partners, including the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, at a poignant NYC Pride parade just days after the Orlando nightclub shooting in June. Strong emotions were channeled into practical advice for senior leadership team members who were planning JetBlue’s rapid response.

Blue Conexión cosponsored with the Diversity & Inclusion team multiple Cuba awareness events.

Vets in Blue participated for the first time in the Americas Parade, as well as flying their third Honoring Our Heroes Veterans Day flight.

For the first time, all of our CRGs worked with the Talent Management team to host a "Know Your Career" career development workshop for its members. They also partnered in support of local nonprofit organizations, such as Materials for the Arts.

“Our 20,000 diverse crewmembers help us inspire humanity every day in our communities and in the skies and remind us every day that our people are our greatest asset.” — Robin Hayes, President & CEO, JetBlue

To learn more about JetBlue’s long-term responsibility platform and to view the full report, visit responsibilityreport.jetblue.com/2016

Tweet me:JetPride, Women in Flight, Vets in Blue, and Blue Conexión http://bit.ly/2qhBKz8 all @JetBlue crewmember resource groups

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Jetblue, Crewmember Resource Groups, Employee Engagement, JetPride, Women in Flight, Vets in Blue

SOURCE:Duke Energy

DESCRIPTION:

Duke Energy is proud to be named to Forbe’s list of “America’s Best Employers.” We are passionate about what we do because we make a difference for millions of people every day. At Duke Energy, we offer a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for our employees’ hard work, competitive pay and benefits and a commitment to community service. Learn more about what makes Duke Energy a great place to work.

Tweet me:.@DukeEnergy ranks among America's Best Employers 2017 http://bit.ly/2qoo45m @Forbes

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Best Companies to Work For, Duke Energy, Forbes, America's Best Employers

SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

Thrilled to announce USA TODAY Network as our media partner for the 2017 Corporate Citizenship Awards! Submit a nomination before June 23 to be recognized for the impact your organization makes in communities around the world.

We're thrilled to announce this year's Corporate Citizenship Awards media partner, USA TODAY Network! For 18 years, the Citizens Awards have recognized the most accomplished social and community initiatives within the business community. Learn more about the Citizens Awards and start your nomination today! 

Awards will be given in eight categories. Six will honor businesses for specific strategic initiatives:

• Best Commitment to Education Program
• Best Community Improvement Program
• Best Disaster Response and Community Resilience Program
• Best Economic Empowerment Program
• Best Environmental Stewardship Program 
• Best Health and Wellness Program

Additionally, the Foundation will award two Best Corporate Steward awards. These awards honor a business for its exceptional overall corporate citizenship portfolio.

• Best Corporate Steward, Large Business
• Best Corporate Steward, Small and Middle-Market Business

The Corporate Citizenship Center is honored to be able to recognize companies for the impact they have around the world. 

Have any questions? Check out our FAQs and read these tips on how to craft a winning application from a past awards winner.

Begin your nomination today! Deadline is June 23.

Tweet me:Announcing @USATODAYNETWORK as @USCCFBiz4Good #Citizens2017 media partner! Nominate an exceptional #CSR program here: goo.gl/XlUWVP

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Citizens Awards, Corporate Citizenship Awards, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

Ten years ago today, our company made a bold commitment to minimize our environmental impacts, grow sustainably, and inspire others to take action, with the launch of the Global Energy Initiative.
 
Thanks to the dedication, creativity and passion of colleagues from around the world, we have delivered on that commitment, and improved our business and our communities in the process. Our efforts have reduced our operating costs by hundreds of millions of dollars, built important relationships with partners and audiences, earned recognition for our leadership, and established best practices for the entire entertainment industry.
 
Over the past decade, we have invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency, including the recently completed expansion of solar power systems at our studio lot in LA, and built new offices on three continents—in Mumbai, Los Angeles, and Rio de Janeiro—that have achieved LEED certification, recognizing their green design. In 2010, 21CF became the first global media company to reach a carbon neutral target; since then we’ve developed new targets to drive continued improvement and have made significant progress toward those goals.
 
We have helped lead our industry in environmentally responsible film and television production, most recently with efforts on FX’s Legion, FOX’s The X-Files, and Super Bowl LI, and set new environmental standards for the way we create and deliver our content. On screen, compelling storytelling continues to be our most powerful tool in engaging audiences on environmental issues, with programming such as Avatar, The Simpsons, and Before the Flood entertaining our global viewers while encouraging them to think critically about their own impacts on their communities and the world.
 
Our expanded partnership with National Geographic also speaks to this commitment, with captivating stories that take us to the far reaches of our planet and inspire us to better protect it. National Geographic’s cutting-edge research and exploration help find solutions to our world’s most pressing challenges and give our readers and viewers a front-row seat to the action.

As we mark this milestone and enter the second decade of our sustainability efforts, which continue as part of 21CF Social Impact, we thank our colleagues from every part of the organization who have helped bring us this far.

Tweet me:.@21CF marks 10 years of industry-leading #sustainability effort: http://bit.ly/2qo1iuc @21CF_Impact

KEYWORDS: Responsible Production & Consumption, Environment, 21st century fox

SOURCE:ReportAlert

DESCRIPTION:

John Lewis Partnership has launched an online Corporate Responsibility report and Human Rights and Modern Slavery report to complement its 2017 Annual Report and Accounts.

Report Highlights for 2016/17
Collectively the reports explain how the business is positioning itself for the far-reaching changes happening in society, the workplace and in the retail market through its strategy – ‘It’s Your Business 2028’. This will see the business strengthening its brands and driving new growth, continuing its commitment to ‘better jobs, for better performing Partners on better pay’ and strengthening its financial stability.  

At www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/csr the Partnership reports on how its approach to Corporate Responsibility underpins the strategy and provides an update on its targets, priorities and achievements in 2016/17.  Core to its way of to doing business is its Constitution – a set of Rules and Principles first published in 1928 by its Founder, John Spedan Lewis, who took over the business from his father and transferred ownership of the Company into a trust for the benefit of his staff.  The Constitution covers responsibilities to customers, suppliers, the environment and communities and includes ‘Principle 1’ at its centre – ‘the happiness’ of its employees or ‘Partners’.

Tweet me:John Lewis Partnership launches an online #CR report & Human Rights & Modern Slavery report http://bit.ly/2qnLeZw via @ReportAlert

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Environment, John Lewis Partnership, ReportAlert, Human Rights and Modern Slavery report, It’s Your Business, Corporate Responsibility

De Beers Group increased its investment in local goods and services in South Africa last year and made a major contribution to supporting community development, according to its latest Report to Society.

SOURCE:De Beers Group

DESCRIPTION:

The company spent R6.1 billion (US$414 million) on buying goods and services, a 27 per cent increase on the previous year, and handed out R40 million (US$2.7 million) in funding to communities around its mines.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “We made significant progress in putting the South African supply chain to work in 2016 through our continued focus on procuring goods and services locally.

“Through the range of our community development initiatives, we are fostering the growth of many small businesses, as well as the De Beers supply chain, which delivers significant long-term benefits for both the people and our South African business.

“There is always more we can do and we are focused on further extending these efforts in 2017 to ensure we continue to convert the precious asset below ground into enduring opportunity above ground.”

At the centre of the company’s support for the local economy was its long-running Zimele enterprise development programme, which has supported more than 3,000 jobs and 260 enterprises in South Africa since 2009. Seventy jobs were added through 10 new enterprises supported in 2016.

The emphasis during the year was on providing a link between local enterprises and De Beers’ supply chain to create consistent and reliable business opportunities.

The Group also launched a new beneficiation project to broaden participation in diamond cutting by Historically Disadvantaged South African entrepreneurs. The project involves working with five black-owned diamond companies, the South African Government and the local diamond industry to develop the cutting and polishing sector.

The Report, published on 4 May, highlights that the company spent more than R85 million (US$5.7 million) last year on training for employees and launched a road safety campaign for better pedestrian and vehicle safety around the Venetia mine in the north of Limpopo province.

Publication of the Report came as De Beers Group announced a ground-breaking research project in South Africa to investigate the possibility of carbon-neutral mining through storing large volumes of carbon in kimberlite tailings, the rock material left over after diamonds are liberated from mined ore.

As a result of its improved financial and operating performance, globally the Group returned US$5 billion to stakeholders in 2016 – a 26 per cent increase on 2015 – through taxes, payments and dividends, emphasising the importance of the relationships with stakeholders, including governments, communities, suppliers and joint venture partners in 2016.

The Report to Society 2016 can be viewed online at www.debeersgroup.com/reporttosociety.

About De Beers
De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to ‘Building Forever’ by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

Media Contact 
Press office
Tel +44 (0) 20 7430 3434
pressoffice@debeersgroup.com

Tweet me:.@DeBeersGroup reports a rise in local investment in #SouthAfrica in latest #ReportToSociety https://t.co/0Vw1J7DpLZ

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, De Beers Group

SOURCE:SCA

DESCRIPTION:

What is Composting

Composting is the process of creating a nutrient rich soil from organic materials. By composting you are facilitating the natural decomposition process and reducing unnecessary waste. The resulting soil is so beneficial for gardening that it has a fitting nickname of “Black Gold”.  In addition to dirt compost, commercial systems can also generate biofuel, which can be used to replace fossil fuels. Composting and Recycling are key components in maintaining a circular economy. They can help regenerate resources by re-using waste to become useful again.

Click to continue reading here

Tweet me:Find out how to start #composting in your company: http://bit.ly/2q6oKt5 #ICAW via @Tork_SCA_Brand and @SCA_US

KEYWORDS: Environment, SCA, tork, composting, sustainability, organic materials, Recycling

By Jenna Bieller, Renewable Choice Energy

SOURCE:VMware

DESCRIPTION:

VMware is a pinnacle example of radical scaling of sustainability within a corporation. Their rapid rise to the top of the corporate sustainability ladder sends a message to other companies that it’s never too late to begin your renewable energy journey.

Fast-forward to 2017: VMware has made ambitious public sustainability commitments by pledging to attain carbon neutral emissions by 2020, developing science-based targets in accordance with the Paris Agreement, and executing on a strategy to address electricity use with renewables across their global footprint. Today, the company’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in everything it does—from the products it creates to its everyday operations. For VMware, it’s never been enough to simply ‘do less harm’. As a recognized sustainability leader, their ultimate goal is always to do more good.

“VMware has a cultural legacy of being deeply green. The innovation of virtualization was one that said we can do more with less, in fact, lots more.  Two years ago, we decided to formalize our sustainability work in order to amplify our impact.  Since then, we’ve measured our own carbon footprint, set goals to reduce it and quantified the significant impact that our customers have experienced through our products.”   ~ Nicola Acutt, Vice President, Sustainability Strategy

VMware’s portfolio-based strategy to renewable energy procurement serves as a role model for other companies as a way to leapfrog the competition and rapidly accelerate their environmental stewardship.  To address all aspects of their energy portfolio, VMware employs a roadmap approach that considers three things: how to reduce the total amount of energy they consume, how their products and services themselves can have a positive environmental impact, and how they can use clean technologies to eventually eliminate carbon from their operations.

VMware engages on all fronts of their environmental sustainability portfolio, including:

Energy Efficiency
At VMware, they refer to this step in their sustainability journey as “doing more with less”. Energy efficiency improvements not only decrease the total amount of electricity the company needs to operate at the same level of productivity, but also decrease their energy-related expenses and pollution-causing greenhouse gases. VMware’s more than 100-acre Palo Alto HQ campus includes 9 LEED® certified buildings, and the company boasts over 1 million square feet of LEED® certified space globally. Every year, VMware expands their commitment to energy efficiency with additional green building projects, HVAC enhancements, lighting retrofits, and building management system upgrades. In 2014, the company achieved 100% virtualization of their own IT infrastructure, further reducing their overall energy demand.

Transformative Product
Sustainability underpins VMware’s business—it is baked into the purpose of their products and services. VMware’s virtual technology contributes long-term positive value to the company’s customers and partner ecosystem. Their datacenter and cloud offerings allow organizations to manage IT resources virtually, in place of physical infrastructure, thus reducing IT expenses and total energy consumption. In their Global Impact Report, VMware notes that over the last 13 years, their customers have avoided 340 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by using their virtual servers (see full report). VMware’s operating model relies on doing business in a net-positive way; providing products and services that extend benefits beyond their own operational borders helps ensure that they put back more into society, the environment, and the global economy than they take.

Clean Energy Procurement
VMware strives for radical corporate responsibility, demonstrated by their aggressive pursuit of 100% renewable energy. In 2015, VMware made its first voluntary purchase of green power, purchasing 60,000,000 kWh of American Wind™ RECs via Renewable Choice Energy,  which addressed more than 100% of the company’s U.S. operational load. RECs began as the roots of VMware’s renewable energy journey, and to this day, remain a vital piece in the company’s drive to improve and expand renewable energy markets around the world.

In 2016, the company advanced these efforts by engaging in the EPA’s Green Power Partnership, signing onto the RE100 and the Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles, and reporting emissions data to CDP. For their very first CDP response, VMware earned an impressive score of A-, positioning them at the leadership level. By 2020, the company plans to achieve both carbon neutral emissions for scope 1 and scope 2, as well as 100% renewable-powered operations.

VMware also contributes to the renewable economy by investing in onsite solar at their headquarters location. An onsite solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) provides VMware’s facilities with 965,000 kWh/year of clean energy, equivalent to CO2 emissions that result from burning 719,932 pounds of coal. Additionally, the company empowers its employees to use renewable energy in their lives outside work with various initiatives and programs. One excellent example is SunShares—an employee purchase program that provides group discounts on solar and zero-emissions vehicles.

VMware’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in every facet of the business. Apart from being recognized by the EPA as a leader in green power use within the tech sector, VMware’s rapid ascent to becoming a sustainability leader stands out amongst even the earliest corporate, industrial, and institutional (C&I) renewable energy adopters. While this recognition is exciting, VMware wishes to use their transformation as an example for other companies to follow, to create a legacy of lasting change. Though there is still work to be done, the company has covered an immense amount of ground since they initiated a formal carbon reduction strategy just two years ago. Their inspiring sustainability journey should send a message to other companies debating a carbon reduction strategy: it’s not too late to join the winner’s circle of renewables and sustainability.

Whether your company is completely new to sustainability, or a seasoned expert with new goals, the Renewable Choice-Schneider Electric team meets you wherever you are on your sustainability journey. Get in touch with out Strategic Renewables team to learn how you can advance your goals with clean tech solutions. 

Tweet me:#Sustainability success story: @VMware leads by example, reducing #environmental impact http://bit.ly/2qnAbQe @RenewableChoice

KEYWORDS: Energy, VMware, Renewable Choice Energy, sustainability, Environmental Stewardship, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:Amgen Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

As National Teacher Appreciation Week kicks off today, we would like to thank the many educators that are the backbone of our programs, especially the amazing teachers and mentors involved in the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE), which empowers teachers to bring biotechnology into their high school classrooms. However, we believe that teachers should be celebrated year-round, which is why we were excited to host multiple ABE Teacher Recognition events, in partnership with our global ABE program office at EDC, in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.K., and Ireland over the past year.

“While everyone wants to feel appreciated, the ABE Teacher Recognition program goes deeper than that. The goal of the program is to help us identify, understand and support what teachers value most in order to keep them as partners and contributors to ABE. Teachers are an essential resource for ABE, and one of the main reasons the program works so well across the globe,” said Rebecca Lewis, director for the ABE Program Office.

Each event was customized to fit the interests of local teachers, but elements included networking with educators and Amgen staff, tours, award ceremonies, lab experiences, and more. For example, in January, the ABE U.K. team developed a fun school assembly to highlight local ABE teachers. And in February, we partnered with the ABE Los Angeles team to host an ABE Teacher Retreat at the Amgen headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.

“My favorite part was meeting other teachers and having a chance to network. I would love to attend another event and get more of my colleagues involved in ABE,” said Ava Chiao, an Independence High School science educator. Ava has been an ABE educator for four years and attended her local ABE Teacher Recognition event last fall in San Francisco, California.

Amgen is proud to support thousands of science teachers each year through ABE, which to date, has delivered high-quality biotechnology education to more than half a million students in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.K. and Ireland.

Our mission at the Amgen Foundation is to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators, and teachers are an integral part to accomplish this goal. So this week, and every week, we are grateful to teachers around the world for their tireless work to inspire young minds and expand students’ understanding of the world around them.

Did you have a teacher that made a difference in your life? If so, join the conversation with @AmgenFoundation using #ThankATeacher and #BiotechExperience. Visit www.amgenbiotechexperience.com for more information about ABE.

Tweet me:.@AmgenFoundation shares how they celebrate teachers year-round: http://bit.ly/2pP9McR #TeacherAppreciationWeek

KEYWORDS: Education, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Amgen Foundation, Amgen Biotech Experience, EDC, Teacher, Teacher Appreciation Week, Teacher Appreciation Day, Thank A Teacher, Amgen, Ava Chiao

FedEx Cares Makes a Difference, Community by Community

SOURCE:FedEx Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

THE COMMUNITY INVESTOR

Neil Gibson, FedEx Services

FedEx is passionate about delivering it forward for the people and places where team members live and work. As Vice President of Corporate Communications at FedEx Services, Neil Gibson puts his heart and soul into this life-changing effort. What drives him, and how does he see the company’s role in giving back to society?

“My work is very personal. I’ve always had a passion for giving back to my community. In college I volunteered to build homes, and in the Air Force I delivered Meals on Wheels. Today, I use my leadership skills to answer the call when people ask FedEx for help — whether it’s delivering an airplane full of supplies to earthquake victims in Nepal, or helping women entrepreneurs start their dream business.

Our FedEx Cares strategy is both local and global. We constantly ask ourselves how can we help solve big problems in our own backyard, and on a global scale? And how can we enable our team members to support local causes they are passionate about?

One of the biggest global challenges that has to be addressed community by community is unemployment. Our team members see the impacts on people’s lives in their own communities, and want to help. So helping people to improve their work prospects by learning new skills is one of our main priorities.

For example, team members in Paris, France, wanted to make a difference to the high unemployment rate they see among young people living near our Charles De Gaulle airport hub.

With the local United Way group, FedEx invited junior high school students to spend two days at the hub, learning about the business world and transportation industry.

This simple first step is just one great example among many of how our community investments go back to our purpose statement — connecting people and possibilities.”

To learn more about citizenship efforts at FedEx, visit csr.fedex.com to view the 2017 Global Citizenship Report. Highlights from Charitable Giving include:

• 1,600 requests for help received by FedEx Cares from local and global organizations in FY16
• More than 55% of requests for help approved
• Invested more than $46 million in charitable contributions, benefiting 97 communities toward our commitment to invest $200 million in 200+ global communities by 2020

Tweet me:.@FedEx Cares Makes a Difference, Community by Community http://bit.ly/2r30rwa

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, community giving, FedEx, unemployment, citizenship, Neil Gibson

Coffee as a tool to overcome conflict

SOURCE:Nestlé Nespresso

DESCRIPTION:

May 11, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Nespresso has launched its first Creating Shared Value report based on the Global Reporting Initiative framework. The business reports it is on track to reach its ambitious sustainability targets by 2020 involving ground-breaking work in conflict zones within Africa and Colombia.

The report sets out Nespresso’s commitment to driving sustainable innovation through its Positive Cup strategy – the company’s vision for ensuring that every cup of coffee creates greater value for society and the environment.

Nespresso CEO, Jean-Marc Duvoisin, said: “Sustainability lies at the heart of our business model and brand.  By working directly with farmers and NGOs, we want to tackle some of the big challenges we face as a global society in areas such as South Sudan and Caquetá in Colombia, while ensuring a sustainable supply of the best quality coffee.”

CEO of Techno Serve, William Warshauer said, “Nespresso is one of only a small handful of companies brave enough to go into some of the world’s challenging regions and provide the support these farming communities need to establish as sustainable future.”

Nespresso is focusing on three core areas – coffee sourcing, aluminium and climate. Highlights from the report include:

• Collaboration with some 45 partners ranging from Fair Trade and the Rainforest Alliance to deliver solutions to sustainability challenges
• Since 2014 alone, the investment of CHF 197 million in programs that will impact on 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Supporting the livelihoods of farmers by sourcing 82% of coffee through the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program. Strong progress towards the goal of 100% AAA certified coffee by 2020
• Creation of the Nespresso Sustainability Innovation Fund (NSIF) and the doubling of Nespresso’s initial seed capital to $20 million to support projects like climate-smart agriculture in East Africa with backing from the World Bank BioCarbon Fund
• Pioneering a new standard for sustainable aluminium sourcing as a founding member of what is now the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (www.aluminium-stewardship.org), grouping civil society and key players in the industry to drive a common agenda to protect people and the environment throughout the aluminium value chain – from bauxite mining to finished product
• Significant progress in recycling with more than 100,000 collection points now in place and a number of local authorities accepting capsules in their recycling schemes
• Planting of 1.4 million trees in AAA coffee producing regions over the past two years and on track towards goal of planting 5 million trees by 2020

As the business looks to the next stage in achieving its 2020 goals, it will focus its investments on further actions, such as expanding agroforestry initiatives and working closely with its 300 agronomists to continue the roll out of the AAA program. Nespresso is also planning to expand its recycling collection schemes to make further improvements to the valorization and recycling rate of capsules. The company will also use the Nespresso Sustainability Innovation Fund to accelerate co-financing solutions for proven business models in critical areas such as community milling in coffee growing regions.
 

Additional information for editors

Sourcing high-quality coffee

Nespresso continues to strengthen its unique AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, which focuses on delivering high-quality coffee production as well as improving the livelihoods of farming communities by working directly with farmers.

Originally operating in Latin America and Asia, Nespresso expanded its AAA Program to train 70,000 farmers in 12 countries since 2009. Most recently the program has been extended to east Africa in an area known as the cradle of coffee. In addition, the business has supported the development of coffee communities in regions where there has been conflict. In South Sudan and Colombia, initiatives have revived rare and unique single origin coffees.

Realising the value of aluminium

As one of the founding members of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), Nespresso has pledged to source 100% of its aluminium from ASI certificated sources by 2020 and is working with the group to achieve this ambition.

For 30 years, Nespresso has invested in recycling schemes, offering easy disposal and collection options for consumers. In countries such as Germany, Sweden and Finland, consumers are able to dispose of their capsules through their household recycling bin. Nespresso is working with local authorities and recycling operators in other countries to achieve similar results.

There are more than 100,000 collection options globally in Nespresso boutiques and across various pick-up points and local waste centres. While 18 countries offer a home collection service for consumers. Once collected, the aluminium is recycled to create new everyday objects and coffee grounds are used to produce biofuel and nutrient rich compost.

Increasing resilience to climate change

Further investment is directed toward global action against climate change. Nespresso continues to reduce the carbon footprint of a cup of its coffee, which is now down more than 20% since 2009. By 2020, Nespresso is committed to further reduce the carbon footprint of a cup of coffee to 28% vs. 2009.

Together with the NGO, Pur Project, the company is expanding its innovative carbon in-setting program, which builds resiliency in Nespresso’s own supply chain by planting trees to help protect coffee landscapes against the threat of climate change. Through the agroforestry initiative, Nespresso has planted 1.4 million trees in the coffee-growing regions of Colombia, Guatemala and Ethiopia, taking a holistic approach to tackling both environmental and social challenges. With these extensive in-setting efforts Nespresso has achieved 100% carbon neutral operations.

Tweet me:.@Nespresso on track to reach #sustainability targets by 2020 involving work in conflict zones in Africa, Colombia http://bit.ly/2qrJXka

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals, Supply Chain & the Circular Economy, nespresso, creating shared value, conflict zones, sustainability goals

Sacramento State Demonstrates Sustainability Leadership; Joins National Nonprofit’s Community-Based Affiliate Network

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

STAMFORD, Conn., May 11, 2017 /3BL Media/– Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading nonprofit that envisions a country in which every community is a clean, green and beautiful place to live, today announced Sacramento State has become the national nonprofit’s first collegiate affiliate.

Keep America Beautiful of Sacramento State – known on campus as Sac State Sustainability – joins a powerful and passionate network of more than 620 affiliates nationwide, including 27 state-level affiliates, hundreds of community based affiliates, and a select number of international affiliates.

“Sacramento State has long been recognized as a leader in promoting environmental sustainability, and now the university has added another item to its long list of distinctions: the first college campus in the nation to be an official Keep America Beautiful affiliate,” said Helen Lowman, president and CEO, Keep America Beautiful. “As part of the Keep America Beautiful Affiliate Network, Sac State Sustainability is acting as a catalyst for positive community change, with the goal of improving the quality of life for the university community, including its students, faculty and administrators.”

The formation of Sacramento State as an official Keep America Beautiful Collegiate Affiliate builds upon a partnership with Keep California Beautiful, one of the national nonprofits’ state affiliates. Keep America Beautiful intends to use its formalized partnership with Sacramento State to develop an extensive “campus affiliate” model that can be adopted at colleges and universities across the nation to engage and empower the next generation of community stewards.

“Sac State Sustainability has been a leader in so many different areas, including sustainability and community volunteerism,” said Christine Flowers, an environmental studies lecturer who served as Keep California Beautiful's executive director from 2007 to 2013. “Becoming a Keep America Beautiful affiliate will provide opportunities for the University to engage more directly with the community and other resources in California and nationally,”

Through the partnership, students will continue to have access to volunteer and internship opportunities through Keep California Beautiful and its other partners. The University also will be able to share data from student and faculty research, as well as tap into additional resources such as grants, research and programmatic resources available through Keep America Beautiful.

“We're committed to keeping California beautiful,” said Sacramento State President Robert S. Nelsen. “Whether it's biofuel – if you don't finish something on your plate today, it's going to be gasoline tomorrow in our buses around campus – or whether it's chipping the trees that fall down, or whether it's helping pick up litter, we are here to make certain that we have a sustainable campus and a sustainable world.”

“Keep California Beautiful is thrilled to have helped facilitate Sacramento State’s affiliation with Keep America Beautiful,” said Keep California Beautiful President Ray Scott. “The University has a significant track record in sustainability. We hope this will serve as an example for other colleges and universities to partner with Keep America Beautiful to help make their college communities environmentally healthier, economically stronger, and more socially connected.”

About Keep America Beautiful
At Keep America Beautiful, we want to ensure that beauty is our lasting signature. A leading national nonprofit, Keep America Beautiful inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. We envision a country in which every community is a clean, green, and beautiful place to live. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful provides the expertise, programs and resources to help people End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 620 state and community-based Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the support of corporate partners, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. To donate or take action, visit kab.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like us on Facebook, or view us on YouTube.

Tweet me:.@sacstate demonstrates #sustainability leadership; becomes first @kabtweet Collegiate Affiilate! http://bit.ly/2r33Yui

Contact Info:

Mike Rosen
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3008
mrosen@kab.org
http://www.twitter.com/kabtweet
http://www.facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.instagram.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.youtube.com/kabnetwork

Larry Kaufman
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3014
lkaufman@kab.org

KEYWORDS: Environment, Education, Keep America Beautiful, Sacramento State, Sac State Sustainability, Keep America Beautiful of Sacramento State, Keep California Beautiful, collegiate affiliate

SOURCE:AkzoNobel

DESCRIPTION:

May 11, 2017 /3BL Media/ - AkzoNobel has become a sponsor of Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw, the Royal Concert Hall of the Netherlands, for a period of five years. As part of the collaboration, over the coming years AkzoNobel will help conserve the monumental concert hall in Amsterdam with paint and decorative products from its Sikkens brand.

The unmatched acoustics make the Koninklijk Concertgebouw one of the most important concert halls in the world. With its first concert held in 1888, a great tradition has since been built through legendary concerts of musical magnitude.

"The Koninklijk Concertgebouw is more than just what you see and hear on the stage. It's like a huge Swiss clock which should be perfectly adjusted to suit the concert - including the décor," said Simon Reinink, general director of the Koninklijk Concertgebouw. "We are therefore very excited about this cooperation. We cherish our private character and our building. We want to pass the concert hall on to the next generation in top condition, and AkzoNobel has the expertise and products to make this happen."

"I am extremely proud that we can share our expertise with a world renowned institution like the Koninklijk Concertgebouw, thereby contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage in our country," said Ruud Joosten, member of the AkzoNobel Executive Committee responsible for Decorative Paints. "This year, the frontage will be restored. We are also involved in the painting of the 'Grote Zaal' (Grand Hall). Due to our leading role in innovation, sustainability, technical highlights and color expertise, this unique building will remain beautifully and responsibly preserved for future generations." 

Important contribution to the conservation of cultural heritage

The cooperation of AkzoNobel with the Royal Concertgebouw fits into previous collaborations and partnerships aimed at preserving cultural heritage.

Since 2016, AkzoNobel supports, with its paint and decorative products from Sikkens, the Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation in the maintenance of the nineteen monumental windmills.

Previously, AkzoNobel has collaborated with the Van Gogh Museum in the preservation of the cultural heritage of Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries.

As part of the grand renovation of the Rijksmuseum, AkzoNobel helped restore Pierre Cuypers' original wall and ceiling decorations to their original glory. By analyzing old paint residues, the composition of the original paint has been identified and reproduced in the original colors of 1885. In addition, AkzoNobel sponsors two PhD candidates in the museum's restoration lab.

Additionally, in collaboration with the Scheepvaartmuseum in Amsterdam, AkzoNobel has supported the restoration of the Dutch Royal Barge.

About AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people's lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.

Tweet me:The Koninklijk @Concertgebouw of the Netherlands to be preserved and protected by @AkzoNobel products http://bit.ly/2r1XHix

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Media and Communications, AkzoNobel, Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw, Conservation, Historical conservation

De Beers Group boosted communities near its mines in Canada in 2016 by procuring more goods and services locally and strengthening support for training and development, according to its latest Report to Society.

SOURCE:De Beers Group

DESCRIPTION:

It has invested C$125 million (US$93 million) in local procurement, including awarding its first ‘evergreen’ supply contract to aboriginal-owned business Bouwa Whee Catering at its new Gahcho Kué diamond mine in the Northwest Territories.

De Beers recognised that short-term contracts gave only limited scope for investment and planning, thus reducing job opportunities locally, so it now offers contracts lasting for the duration of the mine. Bouwa Whee Catering, 100 per cent owned by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, is now responsible for catering services at the mine until mining ends.

Kim Truter, CEO, De Beers Canada, said: “Last year marked a milestone for De Beers Canada with the opening of our Gahcho Kué mine, which has already begun delivering additional socio-economic benefits beyond those seen during its construction.

“We understand that the future success of the mine is largely dependent on our continued commitment to maintaining strong relationships with local communities and our supply chain. The new contract with Bouwa Whee Catering is the first of many examples of the partnerships that will help us realise this success.”  

The Report, published on 4 May, shows that the company also supported community development initiatives. Around C$6.6 million (US$4.9 million) was spent on community development initiatives, including teaching local indigenous high-school students about teamwork and the local environment, and distributing books to local schools and homes. It also spent more than C$356,000 (US$267,000) on training for employees.

During the year, De Beers Canada was recognised for its efforts in safety at Victor mine by winning the John T Ryan Award for the safest mine in Canada, and its Gahcho Kué mine won the Workplace Health and Safety Award.

Underlining its commitment to the environment, the company developed a seed collection, propagation and planting programme at Victor mine, working with the Attawapiskat community, to help rehabilitate the site.

As a result of its improved financial and operating performance, De Beers Group returned US$5 billion to stakeholders globally in 2016 – a 26 per cent rise on 2015 – through taxes, payments and dividends, emphasising the importance of the relationships with stakeholders, including governments, communities, suppliers and joint venture partners.

The Report to Society 2016 can be viewed online at www.debeersgroup.com/reporttosociety.

About De Beers
De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to ‘Building Forever’ by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

Media Contact 
Press office
Tel +44 (0) 20 7430 3434
pressoffice@debeersgroup.com

Tweet me:.@DeBeersGroup's #ReportToSociety shows how diamonds help communities sparkle in #Canada https://t.co/0Vw1J7DpLZ

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Education, De Beers Group

SOURCE:The Wendy's Company

DESCRIPTION:

The Square Deal Blog

The Wendy’s Family has always felt a responsibility to give back to our communities. Dave Thomas’ vision from day one was a focus on Quality, Doing the Right Thing and Giving Back.  Every day our restaurant teams across the country and the employees at our Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio honor his legacy and strive to make him proud.

We were recently highlighted on WOSU’s show called “Columbus Neighborhoods.”  We must admit, we’re quite proud of our story and how we continue to live Dave’s values.  Check out the segment below and learn a little about Wendy’s history, why we serve square hamburgers and our commitment to creating joy and opportunity.

See more stories like this on the Square Deal Blog

Tweet me:.@WOSU visits @Wendy's Restaurant Support Center http://bit.ly/2r2OYgn @cbusneighbors

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Community Involvement, the wendy's company, the square deal blog, Dave Thomas, Columbus Neighborhoods, WOSU

SOURCE:Viacom

DESCRIPTION:

In an enormous show of support for local communities around the world, more than 4,000 Viacom employees threw themselves into the 21st annual Viacommunity Day last Friday. It was themed as a day of unity, bringing employees from every part of the company together at more than 150 projects sites across the United States and more than a dozen other nations, a collective effort that underscored Viacom’s unwavering dedication to putting our resources, skills, energies and collective will toward improving our communities.

To learn more about the many initiatives undertaken on Viacommunity Day, click here.

About Viacom

Viacom is home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form content, apps, games, consumer products, social media experiences, and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 180 countries. Viacom's media networks, including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Spike, BET, CMT, TV Land, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., Logo, Nicktoons, TeenNick, Channel 5 (UK), Telefe (Argentina) and Paramount Channel, reach over 3.9 billion cumulative television subscribers worldwide. Paramount Pictures is a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.

For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/viacom.

About Viacommunity​

Viacommunity is the umbrella effort representing all of Viacom's social impact programs.

Through the power of entertainment, Viacommunity works to inspire social change hand and hand with the people we serve, the employees we work with, and the communities in which we operate. Some of Viacommunity’s key areas of focus include building diverse and inclusive societies, promoting healthy living, inspiring future generations through education and empowering our employees with the tools, resources and freedom to truly make a difference.

Learn more about Viacommunity here.

Tweet me:Unity spans the globe for @Viacommunity Day’s 21st year http://bit.ly/2qizNlT @Viacom #ViacommunityDay2017

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Viacom, Viacommunity Day, Viacommunity Day 2017

SOURCE:When People Work

DESCRIPTION:

WhenPeopleWork is an online employment matching system that aligns formerly incarcerated men and women—as well as prisoners on track to be released—with employers who already know that their job candidates from our program will be people who have been incarcerated. The "check the box" question about a criminal conviction history is eliminated, as is the stigma attached to it. The result is a fair chance at meaningful employment.

Available free of charge to job seekers and employers, the WhenPeopleWork program uses a sophisticated algorithm to accurately match an individual's skills, education, personal attributes, and experiences with the needs of hiring companies. The system can be customized to meet the specific requirements of state, municipal, and federal governments so that they can directly help to find jobs for people nearing release from their correctional facilities. The system can even be made available in prisons and jails, and the families of prisoners can access the program from their homes. For former prisoners, the program offers training on how to use this unique matching system.

Do something life-changing -- sign up today!

Tweet me:What are the barriers to employment for formerly incarcerated people? http://bit.ly/2r63pA6

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion, When People Work

Goal in first year is to divert 100 tons from landfill, establish project’s practices.

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

by Erika Dahlby

Last year 3.2 million people visited Grand Teton National Park. They left behind over 1,800 tons of trash.

“Most of the people who come and visit the park aren’t necessarily thinking about what happens to their waste after they throw it in the trash bin,” park spokesman Andrew White said.

Tweet me:.@GrandTetonNPS to Set Up #ZeroFoodWaste Plan http://bit.ly/2qsgTsR via @JacksonHoleNews @subaru_usa #ZeroLandfill #DontFeedtheLandfills

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, Zero Landfill Project, Grand Teton National Park, subaru