by Victoria Glazar, Verizon Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:Verizon

DESCRIPTION:

At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, people had no idea how machines would change their lives.  Today, as we’re poised at the precipice of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we can relate. The next generation of wireless technology, 5G — with the ability to transmit data at speeds 50 times faster than today — promises to bring seismic change. This technology will enable advances in virtual and augmented reality, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotics and more, creating a future world as astounding to us as our present world would be to someone born 250 years ago.

In the next decade, our lives will change significantly in many ways, including the way we work. A report by the Institute for the Future (IFTF) forecasts that 85 percent of jobs needed as early as 2030 have not been invented yet. Although predictions differ, most experts agree tomorrow’s workers must have a new skill set to thrive.

“Even as a technology company leading the development of 5G, we don’t know the exact requirements for the jobs we’ll need to fill in 10 years. The use of artificial intelligence, robotics, virtualization and automation will definitely change the work environment of the future, including the types of jobs we staff, the tools we use in the workplace, the role of machines versus humans, and much more,” says Karyn Stetz, vice president of Human Resources for Verizon's Global Network and Technology team. “But we do know that the jobs of the future will require employees who are strong problem solvers with technical acumen, effective communication skills and leadership qualities.” 

In the impending era of human-machine partnerships, humans’ contribution will include computational thinking, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a nuanced understanding of culture, society, business and people, according to the IFTF report. The World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs report agrees that similar skills will be needed by future employees: complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.

To instill tomorrow’s workers with these abilities, today’s educators must help students develop them.

 “We can’t continue to do what we’ve always done because the world that we’re preparing kids for is different than the one we grew up in,” says Devin Vodicka, former Superintendent of the Vista Unified School District, who was named California’s top superintendent by the Association of California School Administrators and again by the American Association of School Superintendents.  “The old educational model, where students were passive recipients in the learning experience, just won’t work anymore.”

Vodicka was a pioneer and evangelist for personalized learning at Vista schools. Since May 2017, he’s continued that mission as Chief Impact Officer of AltSchool, an education technology company specializing in personalizing learning. He says the student-driven approach to education is a precursor to how future workers will orchestrate their careers and professional development in the digital economy. “We’re getting away from the concept of one size fits all,” he says. “With a thoughtful approach, we can be learner-centered and create experiences for every student that will help with whole child development. Over time that will help them design their own learning pathways so they can be lifelong learners in the era of adaptive change ahead.”

Early in his tenure at Vista, Vodicka kicked off a personalized learning initiative by entering two middle schools in the Verizon Innovative Learning schools program. The program gave every student and teacher at the middle schools a tablet with data plan to use throughout the school year. Also, the teachers received professional development to integrate technology into the curriculum, facilitated by a Digital Learning Coach, who was assigned to each school to provide individualized support to the teachers. With the tablets, 24/7 access to the internet and innovative curriculum, teachers at the two Vista middle schools began the transformation to a student-driven teaching model that empowers students to drive their own curriculum and focus on creative problem solving.

At another Verizon Innovative Learning school, Bearden Middle School in Knoxville, Tenn., Kayla Canario, a teacher who serves as Digital Learning Coach, explains how the program changes the way students study, helping them develop into lifelong learners. “Our students have more experience facing problems that the teacher doesn't already have an answer to. They are used to designing their own toolboxes and path to their final outcome of learning,” she says. “Being able to think independently and learn without ultimate reliance on the teacher is more easily translated into the workforce than rote memorization.  Technology is the tool that allows us to push their thinking in new ways.”

The program is helping students develop computational thinking skills, a “necessity for fully participating in a computational world,” says Karen Cator, president and CEO of Digital Promise, the national nonprofit that administers the Verizon Innovative Learning schools program in partnership with Verizon. Cator, whose organization is dedicated to closing the digital learning gap in schools, is a leading voice for transforming American education through technology, innovation and research.

“Students certainly need to know how to use technology,” she says. “In fact, many of our middle school students are more proficient at using basic technologies than the adults around them. But more important than basic proficiency is the ability to solve problems and create solutions using technology. Our students need to learn to thrive in a computational world.” Computational thinking is not about learning a particular programming language, but about mastering the principles and logic behind coding. This skill set enables students to understand and employ qualities that are uniquely human and apply concepts across disciplines to analyze and solve complex problems.

Dr. Kemi Ladeji-Osias is another educator using technology to equip students with future-ready skills. “Workers will need to be creative, to process information and solve problems,” says Ladeji-Osias, an Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering at Morgan State University. “They will need to sort through a huge amount of information to glean what’s required for their task. They’ll need the ability to discriminate among websites to understand if there are any biases to the information being presented. And communication skills will continue to be important — the ability to be precise in communication will be even more important as we interact with automated devices.”

Ladeji-Osias directs a summer tech immersion program for minority middle-school-aged young men on campus at Morgan State. She says the program, part of the Verizon Innovative Learning initiative, teaches the young men tech skills, and focuses on so-called “soft” skills, including critical problem solving, collaboration, communication and entrepreneurship. “One of the most important things we’re trying to teach is a love of learning,” she adds. “One thing we know is that change is a constant, and the pace of change will continue to increase. Students will need to be comfortable with continually learning and adapting to new technologies that change the way things are done.”

For students in under-resourced communities, the group on which Verizon Innovative Learning focuses, access to technology and personalized learning are all the more important. According to Dr. Ladeji-Osias, “the lower the socioeconomic status, the less ubiquitous the access to technology, in particular to education that teaches how to create with technology. Research has shown that the way students of color and their teachers interact with technology in the educational environment is more restricted. It’s used more as a tool for drill and practice than for creating new things.”¹

“So,” she adds, “in under-served urban areas and in rural areas, it’s imperative for students to be exposed to technology as a tool for creativity, and to be encouraged to use it creatively.”

Vodicka agrees.  “The learners who benefit the most are those who traditionally struggle in school. We saw similar trends in Vista, a district where, in some schools, 90 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. For the least engaged, personalized learning helped them to feel empowered by being a change maker. We saw dramatic improvements in engagement of families as well as learners. Families who had not been involved became much more connected when they saw their kids were engaged in school.”²

Preparing students from all backgrounds for the future requires a transformation in how students learn today. Like the 18th century textile workers who walked into factories and were challenged about how to make fabrics with spinning machines, today’s students must understand what technology can and cannot do, and why developing problem solving skills is important to their success.

Verizon Innovative Learning

Millions of American students lack the tech access and skills they need to succeed in the digital world.³   Verizon has been working to help solve this problem holistically through a transformative program called Verizon Innovative Learning. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, free internet access, and hands-on learning experiences to help give under-resourced students the education they deserve. Powered by a next-gen, technology-infused curriculum that fundamentally changes the way teachers teach and students learn, Verizon Innovative Learning is giving kids the ability to do more in this world. Students are showing improvement in math and reading, and they’re more engaged in school.

# # #

¹Shifflet, R. & Weilbacher, G. (2015). Teacher Beliefs and Their Influence on Technology Use: A Case Study. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 15(3), 368-394

²https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2018/06/technology-key-boosting-classroom-equity

³Pew Research Center Analysis of 2013 American Community Survey (IPUMS)

Tweet me:If the #jobs of the future don't exist yet, can #students learn the skills they'll need? Yes, say #verizoninnovativelearning, @DigitalPromise, @AltSchool & @MorganStateU http://bit.ly/2lhO65J

KEYWORDS: NYSE:VZ, Verizon, students

SOURCE:Mars, Incorporated

DESCRIPTION:

• Announced Today at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, ‘the Lion’s Share’ Fund Sees Mars Join As the Founding Partner. Project Founded and Initiated by Production Company Finch
• The Fund Aims to Raise $100M a Year Within Three Years
• Call for World’s Biggest Advertisers to Contribute a Small Percentage of Advertising Spend From Advertisements Featuring Animals
• Lion’s Share Special Ambassador, Sir David Attenborough, Urges Companies to ‘step Up’ and Do More to Secure the Health of the Planet

CANNES, June 22, 2018 /3BL Media/ – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), FINCH and founding partner Mars, Incorporated today announced an initiative aimed at transforming the lives of animals across the world by asking advertisers to contribute a percentage of their media spend to conservation and animal welfare projects.

The initiative, a fund called The Lion’s Share, will see partners contribute 0.5 percent of their media spend to the fund for each advertisement they use featuring an animal. Those funds will be used to support animals and their habitats around the world. Mars is the first advertising partner in The Lion’s Share.

“Animals are in 20 percent of all advertisements we see. Yet, they do not always receive the support they deserve. Until now.” said Lion’s Share Special Ambassador Sir David Attenborough. 

“The Lion’s Share shows that by making a small difference today, we have an opportunity to make an unprecedented difference tomorrow,” Sir David added.

The Fund, which will be hosted by UNDP, is seeking to raise $100m a year within three years, with the money being invested in a range of wildlife conservation and animal welfare programs to be implemented by United Nations and civil society organizations. Other partners include advertising network BBDO and leading measurement company Nielsen. 

“Wildlife and their habitats are in crisis right now. We are losing species at an unprecedented rate, estimated to be 1,000 times the natural extinction rate. The Lion’s Share is an idea that is as innovative as it is simple, and which will make a real impact on the future of animals, their habitats and our planet,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.

Andrew Clarke, Chief Marketing and Customer Officer at founding partner Mars, said the fund would be a powerful way for business to leave a lasting legacy. He said: “The Lion’s Share is exactly the sort of ambitious initiative we need to take in order to ensure we foster a healthy planet on which everyone – including animals – can thrive. For Mars, it’s another step in living the commitments of our Sustainable in a Generation plan.”

“We’re passionate about wildlife conservation and maintaining the biodiversity absolutely necessary for our planet. And animals need our help closer to home, too. We urge other companies and brands to join us in The Lion’s Share to help build a movement to tackle these critical issues,” Mr. Clarke added.

Rob Galluzzo, founder of FINCH, who initiated the idea with film director Christopher Nelius, said: “Nine out of the 10 most popular animals we see in commercials are actually endangered or threatened and they do not always receive the support they deserve. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. Christopher had this amazing idea to solve this and we at FINCH set out to make it happen. We have partnered with Clemenger BBDO to bring the concept to life."

The Fund has a joint steering committee that will take decisions on priority programs.

The Lion’s Share will work to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN’s universal call to action to end poverty and protect the planet. Supporting animals and helping to conserve their habitats is key to achieving Goal 14, Life Underwater, and Goal 15, Life on Land.

“It is our responsibility as humans to safeguard all life on our planet,” said actor and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who kicked off The Lion’s Share fund’s launch in Cannes with an on-stage interview with South Africa’s first mostly female anti-poaching unit, the Black Mambas. 

He added: “We cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals launched by the UN and world leaders to protect the future and ensure prosperity for all people without preserving natural habitats for all living beings—from wildlife to marine life.” 

Collette Ngobeni, of the Black Mambas said: “The Lion’s Share is a very exciting initiative because it has huge potential to help grassroots conservation work just like ours. We are working hard every day to prevent poaching and support some of the world’s most endangered species, and look forward to being backed by The Lion’s Share.”

For photos and B-roll including a video message from Sir David Attenborough, please see: bit.ly/lionassets

Contacts:

Adam Cathro, UNDP,  adam.cathro@undp.org
Anjali Kwatra, UNDP,  anjali.kwatra@undp.org
Denise Young, MARS,  denise.young@effem.com
Kimberly West, MARS, kimberly.west@effem.com

Notes to Editors: 

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

For more information on UNDP, visit undp.org.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With more than $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services thatinclude BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About FINCH

FINCH is a production company made of filmmakers, artists, and engineers, working at the crossroads of storytelling, entertainment and technology. They believe in impacting culture through work that makes them proud. Finch has offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. FINCH make documentaries, live experiences, TV commercials, feature films and digital content. They hold more than a dozen patents and actively develop and license products and innovations that push the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Founded in 2011, their work has been recognised with advertising’s top honours including Gold Cannes Lions, a D&AD Black Pencil and several Yellow Pencils.

For more information about FINCH, please visit finchcompany.com. Join us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

ABOUT CLEMENGER BBDO MELBOURNE:

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne is one of Australia’s largest and most creatively awarded agencies, having been named World’s most creative agency at Cannes Lions and D&AD; the region’s most effective agency at the APAC Effies over the past 12 months. A member of the global BBDO network, the agency’s mantra is “The Work. The Work. The Work.”You can find more information on the agency at: www.clemengerbbdo.com.au.

About Nielsen

Nielsen is a global performance management company that provides a comprehensive understanding of what consumers Watch and Buy. By integrating information across our Watch and Buy segments and other data sources, Nielsen provides its clients with both world-class measurement as well as analytics that help improve performance. Nielsen, an S&P 500 company, has operations in over 100 countries that cover more than 90 percent of the world's population.

For more information, visit nielsen.com.

KEYWORDS: Mars Global, The Lion’s Share, Sir David Attenborough., FINCH, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the Black Mambas, United Nations Development Programme, animal welfare

Marina Bay Sands hosts a week of giving for local community

SOURCE:Las Vegas Sands

DESCRIPTION:

Marina Bay Sands (MBS) held its fifth annual Sands for Singapore Charity Festival in 2017 with overall results again surpassing previous years’ efforts. A primary initiative for Sands Cares in Singapore, the week-long festival raised S$3.9 million (USD $2.8 million) for local community charities and welcomed more than 20,000 visitors to its various events. Since 2013, Sands for Singapore has raised more than S$20 million (USD $14.7 million).

Funds raised through the festival were distributed to more than 80 local charities supporting a range of causes. This annual property-wide effort is made possible through the support of Team Members who contributed their time and resources to make it a success – 2,403 Marina Bay Sands Team Members volunteered a cumulative 6,033 hours to make the festival a success.

Highlights from the 2017 Festival

A Melodious Night

The Sands for Singapore Charity Festival opened with a fundraising concert by The Sichuan Orchestra of China, headlined by Grammy-nominated Singaporean music conductor Darrell Ang. Proceeds from the concert’s ticket sales went to Art Outreach’s IMPART Awards scholarship fund to support the development of aspiring young curators and visual artists in Singapore.

Fun Walk for a Good Cause

MBS was also a co-organizer of the Community Chest Heartstrings Walk and Race to the Sky Vertical Marathon. The event drew more than 8,000 participants in the 4K Fun Walk. In an effort to promote inclusivity, the Community Chest Heartstrings Walk featured a Family Carnival in which nearly 60 benefciaries, including people with disabilities, seniors, and at-risk youth, participated as volunteers and game masters to guide the public in various activities. They were also joined by 35 Team Members and other corporate volunteers who assisted during the walk. The event raised more than S$1.77 million (USD $1.3 million) for benefciaries of Community Chest, a fundraising platform that donates funds to more than 80 social service organizations in Singapore.

Playing It Forward

More than 30 adult teams and 21 junior teams spent a morning participating in the signature Play It Forward Charity Challenge. From the Sands SkyPark down to the ArtScience Museum, Play It Forward took players around the integrated resort, completing intellectual and creative challenges to win cash prizes for local charities. The event also featured a Play It Forward junior charity challenge designed for children 7 to 12 years old as a way to start giving back at a young age. The third edition of Play It Forward resulted in S$120,000 (USD $88,624) in cash prizes to local charities.

First-ever Sundown Picnic

The inaugural Sundown Picnic transformed the property’s Event Plaza into a picnic setting, complete with live music and food provided by Marina Bay Sands dining establishments and celebrity-chef restaurants. All proceeds from food and beverage sales during the three-day event were donated to Community Chest.

Las Vegas Sands Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World

Nearly 600 Team Members worked in unison to pack 20,000 hygiene kits for Children International benefciaries in the Philippines. Volunteers were broken into 39 teams racing to be the fastest to pack 500 hygiene kits. The winning team from Banquets was victorious with a time of 10 minutes and 27 seconds.

Grocery Giveback with CPAS

With S$8,000 (USD $5,906) worth of cash vouchers contributed by Team Members through the Service Anniversary initiative, 63 Team Member volunteers joined six student benefciaries from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) to purchase groceries for financially vulnerable families. The groceries were personally delivered to each of the 61 households located across Singapore.

To learn more about CSR programs and initiatives at Las Vegas Sands, including Sands Cares, read the 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Overview.

Tweet me:#SandsForSingapore - A week of giving for local communities http://bit.ly/2JXTE3d @MarinaBaySands #SandsCares #CSR

KEYWORDS: Las Vegas Sands, Marina Bay Sands, Sands Cares, Sands for Singapore

by Anna Gibertini

SOURCE:Mohawk Industries

DESCRIPTION:

The majority of designers and manufacturers recognize the need to incorporate sustainable practices into the way they do business, and many do a commendable job. But there are those who go above and beyond to embrace the strictest policies and accreditations because they know it is difficult but vital work.

At NeoCon, Mohawk Group demonstrated that they continue to be boundary pushers within the sustainability movement, debuting five new commercial flooring products that all achieved Living Product Challenge Petal certificates. Nutopia and Nutopia Matrix carpet plank, Sunweave broadloom and area rugs, and Pivot Point enhanced resilient tile are all Red List–free and satisfy almost all of the Living Product Challenge’s arduous qualifications. 

Continue reading on Interior Design >>>

Tweet me:.@MohawkGroup builds on commitment to #sustainability with new #LivingProducts @NeoCon_Shows http://bit.ly/2tsglT1 via @InteriorDesign

KEYWORDS: NeoCon, mohawk group, interior design magazine, sustainability

Participants can win prizes ranging from a VIP National Park trip to exclusive swag from National Park Foundation partners

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

Washington, DC, June 21, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- A new Instagram contest launched by the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, is inviting park goers – amateur and experienced – to submit pictures of themselves in national parks for the chance to win a variety of prizes. The contest, called Pic Your Park, is open now through September 28.

Participants rack up points by using #PicYourParkContest in their Instagram posts. As people visit more parks, they receive more points, and can gain extra points for posting photos at less-visited parks. All 417 parks in the National Park System are included, as are national trails, national heritage areas, and more. To collect points, and in order to be selected and contacted for prize redemption, all participants must have a public profile on Instagram.

“Up your Instagram game by experiencing your national parks near and far this summer, especially the lesser-known gems,” said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. “You’ll not only have the chance to win great prizes, you’ll also inspire your community to get out there and explore for themselves!”

The grand prize winner will be selected based on the highest number of points at the conclusion of the contest and notified in mid-October via direct message on Instagram. A full list of prizes, rules, a leaderboard, and instructions about how to participate is available online at findyourpark.com/pic-your-park.

The Pic Your Park Instagram contest is hosted by the National Park Foundation and is a great example of the countless ways to #FindYourPark. Launched in March 2015, Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque inspires people from all backgrounds to connect with, celebrate, and support America’s national parks and community-based programs. #FindYourPark invites people to discover and share their own unique connections to the country’s natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history.

The National Park Foundation wishes to thank the following Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque partners for their support of the Pic Your Park Instagram contest: HanesBrands, Nature Valley, Subaru of America, and The Coca-Cola Company.

About the National Park Foundation

Celebrating 50 years, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and ENGAGE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks, a comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

Media Contact

Alanna Sobel, National Park Foundation
202-796-2538
asobel@nationalparks.org

Tweet me:Participate in the National Park Foundation's Pic Your Park @Instagram contest and win exclusive swag, or a VIP National Park trip! http://bit.ly/2IbUWmf @Subaru_USA @GoParks #FindYourPark

KEYWORDS: subaru, National Parks Foundation, Pic Your Park Instagram Contest, land conservation

By Daniel Partin, Luke Sawitsky, and Allison Ward. This case was written under the supervision of Andrew Hoffman and Ravi Anupindi.

SOURCE:University of Michigan: Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability

DESCRIPTION:

This case focuses on Dell’s efforts to develop an open-source, scalable, and cost-effective supply chain capable of delivering ocean plastics waste to its production facilities, and potentially to those of partnering companies through a consortium. Piyush Bhargava, vice president of global operations at Dell and leader of Dell’s Ocean Plastics Initiative, must deliver a strategic plan for how to proceed with the initiative but has three primary challenges: (1) how to deliver “additionality”, (2) how to operationalize an ocean plastics supply chain at scale, and (3) how Dell should approach developing a consortium to ensure meaningful demand for the material.

The case presents scientific information on the causes, scale, and impact of the ocean plastics problem and provides background on Dell’s involvement in other sustainable packaging initiatives. Students will learn why Dell chose this cause and how it came to be a leading initiative within the company. The case is based on a 2017 Tauber Institute for Global Operations (University of Michigan) summer internship project.

Teaching Objectives
After reading and discussing the material, students should:

• Describe the nature of the ocean plastics crisis.
• Explain Dell’s strategy to tackle the ocean plastics crisis.
• Frame how Dell will apply circularity to this supply chain: the steps, the value proposition, and the associated risks and costs.
• Express how Dell’s circular approaches deliver value, including additionality.
• Describe the reason for creating a consortium, and explain the risks and benefits of doing so.
   

Download the full report here

Interested in having your company  featured in a case study? A successful case study requires three key components: at topic that fits the pedagogy of a business school classroom, a protagonist around which the story centers and a central tension or question to focus discussion. Once these components have been established, faculty and select students will work with the company to develop the storyline and the necessary data. Please contact the Erb Institute for more information.

Tweet me:NEW! CASE STUDY: How does @Dell lead a consortium committed to #upcycling #oceanplastic using a cost-effective #supplychain?http://myumi.ch/LBXGj @erbinstitute #sustainablebusiness

KEYWORDS: Erb Institute, university of michigan, Dell, ocean plastic, Conservation

By: Samantha Joseph, Account Manager

SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

I was standing in the medical container of the refugee camp in Greece where I was volunteering when all the sudden, I heard shouting and saw dozens of people running towards me. In the chaos, it was very difficult to tell what had happened and who was hurt. Two children were passed to our nurses and I could see they were severely burned. A woman was laid down at our door unconscious, a man was screaming. Someone finally translated – a gas cooker had exploded inside of a tent where a mother, father and two of their three children were sitting. In their pursuit of safety, this family, like so many, was left with life-changing injuries. This story and so many others highlight why World Refugee Day is so important. According to the UN, we have never had more displaced persons worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecution. During these arduous journeys, thousands don’t even survive.

The numbers

·         Every day, 28,300 people are forced to leave their homes because of conflict and persecution.

·         There are 22.5 million refugees, half of which are under the age of 18.

·         In total, there are 65.6 million people displaced around the world.

·         Only 189,300 refugees were resettled in 2016 worldwide.

Standing with #WithRefugees

In 2016, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) launched a #WithRefugees campaign and petition and to date, almost two million people have pledged their support. With World Refugee Day this month, the UNHCR hopes to continue to build momentum for this petition, which encourages decision makers to ensure three basic goals: that every refugee child gets an education, has somewhere safe to live, and can work or learn new skills to support their families.

In addition to many NGO and nonprofit partners, major brands have joined the #WithRefugees coalition including Airbnb, Ben & Jerry’s, Expedia, H&M, IKEA, Microsoft, Orange, and WeWork, among others. For World Refugee Day, there are many examples of these companies and others demonstrating their strong commitments to this crisis, here are just a few:

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:#WorldRefugeeDay: an opportunity to change the narrative http://bit.ly/2Kb7QTm

KEYWORDS: World Refugee Day, Stand with refugees, Cone Communications

SOURCE:Monsanto

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:If you eat, you need bees. Check out what the agricultural community is doing to protect these pollinators. #PollinatorWeek https://monsanto.info/2K1OWif

KEYWORDS: bees, pollinators, agriculture, NYSE:MON, Monsanto, Honey Bee Health Coalition

SOURCE:General Motors

DESCRIPTION:

Over the last several years, General Motors has made considerable progress towards realizing our vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Those efforts were advanced recently with three key announcements over a brief, seven-day period:

• On May 31, we announced that the SoftBank Vision fund would invest $2.25 billion in GM Cruise Holdings LLC (GM Cruise) to further strengthen the company’s plans to commercialize autonomous vehicle technology at large scale. Said Michael Ronen, managing partner, SoftBank Investment Advisers: “We are very impressed by the advances made by the Cruise and GM teams, and are thrilled to help them lead a historic transformation of the automobile industry.”
• On June 6, Our Cadillac brand announced plans to expand the rollout of SuperCruise, the world’s first true hands-free driver assistance feature for the freeway. SuperCruise will be available on all Cadillac models, with the rollout beginning in 2020.
• On June 7, General Motors and Honda announced an agreement for new advanced chemistry battery components, including the cell and module, to accelerate both companies’ plans for all-electric vehicles. Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate based on GM’s next generation battery system with the intent for Honda to source the battery modules from General Motors.

Taken together, these actions demonstrate our commitment to safely and quickly bring innovative transportation solutions to more customers, and help solve the societal and environmental challenges associated with the freedom of mobility.

For more information, see the links below:

SoftBank Vision Fund to Invest $2.25 Billion in GM Cruise

Honda Partners on General Motors’ Next Gen Battery Development

Cadillac to Expand Super Cruise Across Entire Lineup

2018 Self-Driving Safety Report and Appendix

Tweet me:.@GM Moves Quickly, Safely to Lead in Future of Personal Mobility #autonomousvehicles https://bit.ly/1MTdV4o

KEYWORDS: General Motors, autonomous vehicles, cruise, AV, EV, softbank, Cadillac, Super Cruise, NYSE:GM

SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

The topic of immigration proved to be a hot-button issue in early 2017 when protests broke out at airports across the country decrying the Muslim Ban. This week, the immigration policy has once again dominated the media and divided the country as stories and images of families being separated at the U.S.-Mexico border surfaced. However, despite the controversy, brands were prepared to take a vocal stand and support the #FamiliesBelongTogether outcry in a variety of ways that align with their company values and missions:

• Rescinding services: Multiple airlines including Frontier, United and American Airlines have requested the government stop using their services to fly migrant children who have been separated from their families. American shared the following statement on Twitter: “The family separation process that has been widely publicized is not at all aligned with the values of American Airlines — we bring families together, not apart.” Others made similar statements which emphasized how the policy conflicts with brands’ mission and values.
• CEOs speak out: Dozens of CEOs from major brands including Goldman Sachs, Apple, Airbnb, Chobani and Cisco took to Twitter to condemn the policy. Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of Chobani and an immigrant himself, tweeted that, “Separating a child from a mother or father is not political. It is inhumane. It is against everything this country stands for.” Jeff Lawson, CEO of Twilio urged others to speak up saying, “As a tech leader and public CEO, I’m often advised to stay apolitical. But this isn’t politics, I believe this is a matter of objective right and wrong. Staying silent doesn’t feel like leadership to me. I encourage other leaders to consider the cost of silence."

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:Brands Align Values with #FamiliesBelongTogether http://bit.ly/2KbhgkV

KEYWORDS: #FamaliesBelongTogether, migrant children, family separation, Cone Communications, immigration policy, Frontier, United, American Airlines, CEOs

G&A's Sustainability Highlights (06.21.2018)

SOURCE:Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

– Morningstar Has Added This To Its Widely-Used Information & Advice Platform – Some Practical Advice Offered to Investors…

Mutual Funds:  They are there in your individual or institutional portfolio, right? This should be of interest to most:

The 20th Century concept of “mutual funds” investment debuted before the stock market crash of October 1929; in 1924 the Massachusetts Investors’ Trust in Boston was created with State Street Investors’ Trust as the custodian.  That fund opened to public investment in 1928.  That same year the Wellington Fund (offering both bonds and equity) opened for business.

When the dramatic market crash occurred there were 19 open-ended funds for investors. The 1929 crash diminished individual investors’ appetite for equities for most of the following decade.  And, most Americans had little money to invest during the Great Depression (one of four households were unemployed).

But by 1940, as investors “recovered” and gained some confidence in the market, and the national economy improved with preparation for WW II, there were enough mutual funds for the Congress to pass the Investment Company Act of 1940 to regulate mutual funds and protect investors.

The first index funds came along in 1971 (a Wells Fargo offering); The Vanguard Group’s legendary investor John Bogle would use the concept (he embraced while a college student) to build the giant mutual fund enterprise.

By the end of 2016, Statista was charting 9,500-plus funds with US$16 trillion in AUM in operation.  There are also Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) now with at least $3 trillion in AUM as of October 2017 according to Global X.

Of course, as investors embrace the concept of sustainable or ESG investing, both mutual fund and ETFs offerings have been coming to market to add to the long-available funds offered by Domini, Trillium, MSCI, Pax, Calvert, Zevin, and other SRI advisory firms (the newer funds du jour have such titles as Fossil Free, Green Future, Sustainable Investing, Green Bonds, Low Carbon, Socially Responsible, etc.).

And, of course, sustainability-focused ratings/scores/rankings/best for mutual funds and ETFs quickly followed here in the 21st Century as “sustainable” funds expanded. The popular Morningstar platform offers information on “Socially Responsible Funds” – any fund investing according to non-economic guidelines (issues include environmental responsibility, human rights, religious views, etc.)  Morningstar also offers Sustainability Ratings for “Sustainable Investing” funds and tools such as the Portfolio Carbon Risk Score™.

Janet Brown, a contributor to Forbes’ “Intelligent Investing,” offers her perspectives on ratings and rankings in this issue’s Top Story.  She begins with: between two funds with the same returns, many people invest in the one with companies with good ESG practices or commitment to data security and privacy.  Do sustainable ratings of the funds make a difference?

There are four factors she and the team at her company (Fund X Investment Group) and Morningstar recommend considering: (1) Cost of Ratings (free or not); (2) What do sustainability ratings measure?; (3) How to use these ratings to find suitable funds; (4) How do the ratings fit into your investing strategy?

The narrative captures highlights of a recent webinar by Fund X and Morningstar and explains some of the latter’s approach to the new Sustainable Funds ratings for you.

This is just the introduction of G&A's Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Tweet me:Sustainable Mutual Funds Investing Ratings http://bit.ly/2K9bdu6

KEYWORDS: business & trade, Corporate Social Responsibility, GRI, Governance & Accountability Institute, socially responsible investing, Sovereign Wealth Funds, sustainability, Corporate Citizenship, esg

SOURCE:SiMPACT Strategy Group

DESCRIPTION:

50% of LBG Canada companies predict an increased community investment budget in 2018.

Greater appreciation of the value of community investment (23%) and increased employee interest (38%) are cited as influencing factors.

To learn more about what LBG Canada companies are doing in the community, visit: https://www.lbg-canada.ca/blog/category/data-stories/

To learn more about the LBG Canada program, visit: https://www.lbg-canada.ca/benefits/tell-a-better-story/

-30-

About LBG Canada

LBG Canada is a network of corporate community investment professionals from many of Canada's leading companies, who work together to apply, develop and enhance the use of the LBG Model and measurement framework in Canada. Participation in LBG Canada encourages companies to focus on strategy, measurement and reporting to demonstrate the business value achieved through investment in community. LBG Canada is facilitated by SiMPACT Strategy Group. For more information, please visit: https://www.lbg-canada.ca

Tweet me:#LBGCanada companies predict 2018 community budget increases http://bit.ly/2lvf7To #CIMatters

KEYWORDS: LBG Canada, Community Investment, Budget Increases, employee volunteering, employee giving, Employee Engagement, Simpact strategy group

SOURCE:FCA US LLC

SUMMARY:

• Awards bring total number of silver plants in North America to nine
• Designation recognizes continued progress toward becoming World Class

DESCRIPTION:

Auburn Hills, Mich., June 25, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Two FCA US facilities have joined the ranks of silver designated plants in the Company’s World Class Manufacturing (WCM) methodology. Toledo (Ohio) Machining and Sterling Stamping (Sterling Heights, Michigan) were recognized for their efforts in expanding the implementation of WCM principles, becoming the eighth and ninth plants, respectively, to reach this milestone.
 
WCM, the FCA production methodology that focuses on eliminating waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety in a systematic and organized way, was first implemented by Fiat in 2006 and introduced to Chrysler Group as part of the alliance between the two companies in June 2009. WCM principles are applied to all aspects of the plant organization, from quality to maintenance, cost control to logistics, all with the goal of continuous improvement. WCM also engages the workforce to provide and implement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their plants, promoting a sense of ownership.
 
Toledo Machining and Sterling Stamping were awarded silver following two-day audits last week during which they earned a minimum of 60 points in 10 technical and 10 managerial pillars. Employees at both plants demonstrated clear WCM know-how and competence through employee-conducted pillar presentations and a review of projects that have been expanded across the shop floor.
 
“I want to congratulate the 3,400 employees at Toledo Machining and Sterling Stamping for working tirelessly to achieve silver status,” said Brian Harlow, Vice President – Manufacturing, FCA North America. “Becoming a silver plant requires extraordinary commitment, endless dedication and a laser focus. These employees faced the demands and rigors of WCM head on, using the tools and the knowledge they have gained to implement the changes that make their facilities deserving of the silver designation. These two awards demonstrate that the pace toward becoming world class across our North American manufacturing footprint is accelerating.”
 
The achievement of WCM award levels, as confirmed through independent audits, recognizes the long-term commitment of the workforce to making significant changes that can secure the future of a facility. Awarded plants also have a role in accelerating the implementation of WCM throughout the organization as coaches and mentors.

During an audit, zero to five points are awarded for each of the 10 technical pillars, which include safety, workplace organization, logistics and the environment, and for each of the 10 managerial pillars, such as management commitment, clarity of objectives, allocation of people, motivation of operators and commitment of the organization. A score of 80 would indicate World Class.
 
Along with Toledo Machining and Sterling Stamping, seven other FCA North American facilities have been designated silver plants. They are Windsor (Ontario) Assembly Plant, Dundee (Michigan) Engine Plant, Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Complex, Saltillo (Mexico) South Engine Plant, Mack Avenue (Detroit) Engine Plant, Saltillo (Mexico) Van Assembly Plant and Warren (Michigan) Stamping. Windsor Assembly was the first plant to reach silver status, an honor they received in March 2014.
 
In addition to the nine silver plants, there are currently 11 facilities that hold the WCM bronze designation:

• Saltillo (Mexico) Truck Assembly
• Trenton (Michigan) Engine Complex
• Indiana Transmission Plant II (Kokomo, Indiana)
• Kokomo (Indiana) Transmission Plant
• Kokomo (Indiana) Casting
• Toluca (Mexico) Assembly  
• Brampton (Ontario) Assembly  
• Tipton (Indiana) Transmission
• Belvidere (Illinois) Assembly Plant
• Indiana Transmission Plant I (Kokomo, Indiana)
• Warren (Michigan) Truck

About Toledo Machining Plant
Awarded bronze status in September 2016, the 1.2 million square-foot facility in Perrysburg, Ohio, has been making automotive components since 1966. Currently, Toledo Machining produces steering columns for a variety of FCA vehicles and torque converters for the four-, five-, six-, eight- and nine-speed transmissions. Since 2011, the Company has invested more than $90 million to upgrade the plant. Toledo Machining employs nearly 900 people. The plant was awarded bronze status in September 2016.

About Sterling Stamping
The largest stamping plant in the world, Sterling Stamping ships to customers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The plant provides stampings and assemblies, including hoods, roofs, liftgates, side apertures, fenders and floor pans for the Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Durango, Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Jeep Cherokee, and Ram Truck. In July 2015, the Company invested $166 million to add three new press lines to support increased product demand, bringing the total number of major stamping press lines to 26. In operation since 1965, the plant employs nearly 2,300 people.
 
About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs, manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli. FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA).

FCA is an international automotive group listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FCAU” and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol “FCA.”

Follow FCA US news and video on:
Company blog: blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter (Spanish): www.twitter.com/fcausespanol
YouTube: www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica
Media website: media.fcanorthamerica.com

-###-

For more information, please visit the FCA US LLC media site at http://media.fcanorthamerica.com.

Tweet me:.@FiatChrysler_NA Toledo (Ohio) Machining and Sterling Stamping (Sterling Heights, Michigan) plants have joined the ranks of silver designated plants in the company’s World Class Manufacturing methodology. http://bit.ly/2K5sFn6

KEYWORDS: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

SOURCE:Legg Mason

DESCRIPTION:

Legg Mason today issued its Annual Report for the fiscal year 2018 ¹, highlighting our strategy for achieving the Company’s mission of Investing to Improve Lives™ with a focus on responsible investing. How quickly Legg Mason adapts to the changing industry dynamics will drive our ability to serve investors and reward shareholders.

“Most every force reshaping our industry in 2018—more empowered clients, growing regulatory burdens, the globalization of investing and preeminence of technology—requires asset managers to have the scale, skillset, capacity for innovation and track record possessed by precious few companies. Legg Mason has it,” said Joe Sullivan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Legg Mason. “Several developments—in the markets, in our industry and within Legg Mason—provide our company with unique opportunity to deliver significant growth for years to come. We are positioning Legg Mason to thrive in the face of these changes, particularly as they relate to technology and changing client expectations.”

Integral to our mission of Investing to Improve Lives™ is ensuring that our clients can be confident that we have their best interests at heart. One of the ways we fulfill that mission is in finding high-quality, long-term investments that have the potential to positively impact society. We also believe those investments can provide superior clients outcomes over the long term.

More than ever, investors are seeking the use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors to identify strong, sustainable companies. As part of our CSR efforts, we are proud to announce that this year’s annual report will only be published digitally. This reflects our commitment to have a positive impact on the world in ways both large and small, and something Legg Mason will continue to do in the following years.

Prominent highlights from fiscal year 2018 include:

• $754 Billion Assets Under Management (AUM).

• $3.1 Billion Operating revenue for fiscal year 2018.

• Eight of nine affiliates are signatories to the United Nations-sponsored PRI.

• As of March 31, 2018, approximately $183 billion of long-term AUM is in investment strategies that utilize ESG factors, up 15 percent over the previous year.

To view the full Annual Report for the fiscal year 2018, visit https://www.leggmason.com/annualreport.  

###

About Legg Mason

Guided by a mission of Investing to Improve Lives^TM,  Legg Mason helps investors globally achieve better financial outcomes by expanding choice across investment strategies, vehicles and investor access through independent investment managers with diverse expertise in equity, fixed income, alternative and liquidity investments.  Legg Mason’s assets under management are $747 billion as of May 31, 2018.  To learn more, visit our web site, our newsroom, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

©2018 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC. Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC is a subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc.

All investing involves risk. Any information, statement or opinion set forth herein is general in nature, is not directed to or based on the financial situation or needs of any particular investor, and does not constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or a recommendation with respect to any particular security or investment strategy or type of retirement account. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies should consult their financial professional.

Tweet me:With a focus on #ResponsibleInvesting, @LeggMason issues the 2018 Annual Report. See what Investing to Improve Lives means for their clients, shareholders, and employees. http://bit.ly/2tuMfPr

KEYWORDS: esg, NYSE:LM, legg mason, investors, Shareholders

by Kyle Alspach

SOURCE:HP, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

Reaching Environmental Goals

HP Inc. doesn't consider sustainability tangential to corporate goals -- it's actually at the heart of the company's continued reinvention efforts, according to Nate Hurst (pictured), chief sustainability and social impact officer at HP. On Tuesday, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based maker of PCs and printers released its 2017 Sustainable Impact Report to highlight its progress toward limiting environmental impacts and climate change. Significantly, the report shows that a growing number of customers are requiring HP and its channel partners to include sustainability measures as a component in deals, Hurst said. "Sustainable impact can be a big differentiator between our product portfolio and others," Hurst said in an interview with CRN. "I think the important thing to know about HP is that we look at [sustainability] comprehensively -- we're looking at these issues across supply chain, our own operations and our products and solutions."

What follows are five key things that partners should know from HP's 2017 Sustainable Impact Report.

Click here to continue reading on CRN.com>>>

Tweet me:READ: The 5 things you should know from @HP's #SustainableImpact Report? http://bit.ly/2lAB57u via @CRN @HPSustainable #sustainability #socialimpact #CSR #supplychain

KEYWORDS: CRN, HP Inc, Nate Hurst

SOURCE:CLP Group

DESCRIPTION:

The CLP Group has been participating in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Leadership Program, an intensive year-long executive education initiative which prepares leaders for sustainability challenges and opportunities, since 2004.

This year, Kit Fong Law, Manager - Group Sustainability from CLP, is joining the program to navigate how to better communicate sustainable development and report to stakeholders. “Communication is an important element of sustainable development because advances in technologies enable news – both good and bad – to travel further and faster than ever. This provides opportunities but also creates risks that never existed before,” she said.

In the second part of the three-module program, held in partnership with Yale University, 45 participants from 31 companies gathered in London in May to exchange their learning and gain new insights from industry experts and academics from Lancaster University, University of Oxford, University of London and the Islamic Reporting Initiative.

Panels throughout a week, as Ms Law shared, illustrated that corporates need to walk the talk to avoid the pitfall of greenwashing. Furthermore, as businesses have impact beyond financial success, the participants debated how sustainability success should be measured.

“We learned that some companies see financial success as fundamental – and that managing social and environmental impact helps companies manage risks in a complex operating environment. Others see the need for a holistic measurement of business success to take into account non-financial impact,” she said.

As a forward-looking power company, CLP understands the importance of sustainability to the next generation and to the long-term growth of its business. It has hence supported professionals working in different fields – from sustainability to finance and human resources – to take part in the leadership program with the aim of building their aspiration and capability to drive sustainable development together with the international community.

The scheme, formerly called the Future Leaders Program, has over the years contributed to research into various topics, including integrating strategic sustainability into business decision-making, strategy and innovation, and scaling up business actions on climate change and improving the business case.

Check out more of Ms Law’s perspectives on the recent session here and previous research reports here.

Tweet me:Connecting to people plays an important role in #SustainableDevelopment. #CLPGroup joins @wbcsd Leadership Program to boost #CLPsustainability communication and collaborate with international peers http://bit.ly/2tru5OF

KEYWORDS: Oxford, CLP Group, WBCSD, yale, Lancaster University

Retired Major General brings decades of infrastructure, threat management experience to global government services group

SOURCE:Black & Veatch

DESCRIPTION:

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 25, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Randy Castro, former Deputy Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency,Corps of Engineers leader and retired U.S. Army major general has been named President of Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp., the company’s Federal business. With more than 35 years of experience in government service, infrastructure development and project management, Castro will oversee an organization that traces its roots to the construction of Camp Pike, an early military facility tied to United States preparation for World War I.

Castro joins Black & Veatch after a career in government service that includes roles as Commanding General of the Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division and Pacific Ocean Division, Commander of the Maneuver Support Center at Fort Leonard Wood and numerous other command and leadership positions. Following his distinguished military career, Castro also worked with AECOM Technical Services, where he held the title of senior vice president, Federal Programs. 

“We are excited to add a leader of the caliber of Randy Castro, who brings extensive military and private sector experience that provides a tremendous understanding of the goals and issues of our federal sector clients,” said Marty Travers, group president of Black & Veatch. “Black & Veatch’s Federal business has a long history of supporting the mission of the United States Government, and Randy’s experience will enhance the benefits and value we provide to our government-sector clients.” 

As a leading engineering, procurement and construction services provider to the power, water and telecommunications industries, Black & Veatch’s Federal team also focuses on a range of government services including resilience preparation, energy mandate compliance and resource efficiencycost savings delivery. Threat monitoring, essential defense technology infrastructure and the application of innovative private sector solutions to government infrastructure programs will also be among the key growth opportunities for the business. 

“Black & Veatch’s vast experience in defense-related program management and the rapidly evolving power and water resilience goals of critical facilities aligns with the mission of the U.S. Government and Department of Defense to improve resource efficiency and sustainability,” said Castro. “From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Missile Defense Agency to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, FEMA and more, Black & Veatch has the experience to provide critical infrastructure protection, threat reduction and resilience-centric services essential to a safer nation. I am so proud to join this high performing Black and Veatch team.”

Editors Notes:

• Castro received a B.S. in General Engineering from the United States Military Academy; a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Stanford University; and a Master of Science in National Security and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College.
• He serves on the Board of Directors for the Army Engineer Association and is a Past Post President of the Society of American Military Engineers.  
• Castro serves on the Board of Flag Directors at Arizona State University
• Please click xxxx to download a high-resolution photograph of Randy Castro.

About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2017 were US$3.4 billion. Follow us at www.bv.com and on social media.

Media Contact Information:

PATRICK MACELROY | +1 646-779-8354 P | +1 516-477-0914 M | macelroyp@bv.com

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

KEYWORDS: federal, threat monitoring, defense technology, infrastructure, Black & Veatch, sustainability

2017 Sustainability Report Now Available Online

SOURCE:Whirlpool Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

After achieving its energy and water intensity goals three years early, Whirlpool Corporation has set significant new Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) goals. The new science-based targets will exceed the original U.S. commitments to the Paris Climate Accord, pledging to reduce 30 percent GHG in operations and products in use by 2025, using a 2005 baseline. The goals are outlined in the 2017 Sustainability Report, which was released this week.

“Whirlpool is continuing its 48-year commitment to sustainability to improve the health, safety and efficiency of our business,” said Ron Voglewede, global director of sustainability. “We’re also setting targets to reduce our carbon footprint through long-term investments, not by purchasing carbon offsets,” he explained. “We believe that building renewable energy, where we can, will maximize our ability to directly use and invest in renewable energy.”

Driving product efficiency, eliminating high-impact greenhouse gases, and improving efficiency throughout operations and the supply chain is not only good for the environment, it’s good for business too. This is why Whirlpool Corporation is one of the largest Fortune 500 consumers of on-site wind energy in the United States. It is also why they’re investing in a more direct path to lower emissions through onsite investments that are “behind the meter.”

For more information about the work Whirlpool Corporation is doing in sustainability, please see the 2017 Sustainability Report.

Tweet me:After achieving its energy and water intensity goals three years early, Whirlpool Corporation has set significant new Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) goals. http://bit.ly/2Isrc4J

KEYWORDS: whirlpool corporation, 2017 Sustainability Report, NYSE:WHR, GHG Emission Targets

"This is a wake-up call," a University of Georgia researcher said, highlighting the need for new ideas on how to handle plastic trash.

SOURCE:Republic Services

DESCRIPTION:

by Jo Ling Kent, Jim Seida and James Rainey

A global crisis over what to do with millions of tons of discarded plastic and other trash is becoming even more difficult after China decided last year to stop importing much of the waste. In some cases, that means used paper and plastic containers that Americans intend to recycle are actually ending up in landfills, waste company managers say.

China has imported 45 percent of the world's plastic refuse since 1992, allowing many other countries, including the United States, to dodge the question of how to process the unwanted material, a recent study found.

But a Jan. 1 ban by the Chinese government on importing nonindustrial plastic waste, as well as stricter standards for the type of paper waste that is accepted, means much of that material now has no place to go.

Continue reading here.

Tweet me:The impact of China's policy changes highlight the need for new ideas on how to handle plastic waste. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2tCsGUx @RepublicService

KEYWORDS: NYSE:RSG, Republic Services, Plastic, Recycling, China, pollution, ocean plastics

SOURCE:Ethical Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

The increasing focus and push towards the UN Global Goals and 2-degree target requires businesses to disclose accurate data to showcase future risks, demonstrate the long-term value of the business and show their impact on the SDGs.  But how do you successfully integrate the SDGs into your reporting process?
 
To help you properly report on the SDGs, 4 senior leaders are ready to share their experiences and strategies live.  Join Ethical Corporation on Thursday, 12th July, at 2pm BST for their free online webinar with:

• Mario Abreu, Vice President Environment, Tetra Pak
• Piet Klop, Senior Advisor Responsible Investment, PGGM
• Michael Dickstein, Group Sustainability Director, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company
• James Gomme, Director, Sustainable Development Goals, WBCSD

In this 1-hour webinar, you will learn how innovative businesses are demonstrating their progress on ambitious targets through SDG focused disclosures.

• Identify what is relevant for SDG reporting
• Map against your operations on a local, national and regional level
• Measure your impacts against the SDGs
• Properly communicate your impacts against the SDGs

Can’t join? Sign up anyway to receive the full post-webinar recordings: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3224734954935976193?source=raweb
 
Media Contact:
Ed Long
Project Director
Ethical Corporation
+44 (0) 207 375 7188

Tweet me:Join @Ethical_corp's free webinar on July 12 on #SDG reporting and learn how #innovative businesses are demonstrating their progress on ambitious targets through SDG focused disclosures http://bit.ly/2tv068r

KEYWORDS: Ethical Corporation, Reporting, SDG Reporting, impact, Innovation, webinar