SOURCE:3BL Forum

DESCRIPTION:

THE BIG STORY

Brands Taking Stands™: It’s a Movement, Not a Trend

I have been asked more than once if I thought the topic of brands taking stands on the big issues of the day is a trend that will eventually run out of gas. My answer is always the same: Get used to it. This is a movement, not just a meme of the current overheated political moment.
 
There is, however, no doubt that the in-your-face, stir-it-up tactics of the current administration have heated the concept up to a boil. Companies ranging from multinational corporations to startups are increasingly staking out public positions on hot-button, sociopolitical issues. Overt activism now permeates every level of business, from C-suite to employees. Consumers and markets are evaluating ethics in practices and purposes in strategies from the companies that provide the goods and services they buy. Investors are demanding more and better transparency in governance.
 
Apart from the recurring headlines, new data supports the belief that this idea shows no sign of abating any time soon. This year’s annual Edelman Trust Barometer found that 84% of those polled expect CEOs to inform conversations and policy debates on one or more issues, while 64% thought that CEOs should take the lead on change [my italics] rather than waiting for government to impose it. Another survey, “Brands & Stands: Social Purpose is the New Black” by the Shelton Group, concluded that 86% of consumers believe companies should take a stand on social issues.
 
Now, a just-released report, “CEOs Speaking Out on Social Media,” adds yet more numbers to the argument for brands taking stands, and to the growing assumption that chief executives should take the lead. Authors Ann Charles, founder and CEO of BRANDfog, and Susan McPherson, founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, set out to examine “social media as an effective tool that enables CEOs to amplify their positions on key social issues.”

 Read More >

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Athletes Score Big Social Points
 
Athletes have become the latest occupational category to take leadership on speaking out about social and political issues. With their high visibility and especially their large social media followings, athletes are well positioned to make statements that make news. Perhaps the most well known example in recent years is that of Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback credited with starting player protests across the league in 2016 by kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. Now Nike has named him as one of the faces of its 30thanniversary campaign to commemorate the company’s famous “Just Do It” slogan. The new ad features the message: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." Kaepernick would know well the meaning of that last phrase: He is now suing the NFL for allegedly colluding to prevent him from playing football—he has not played in the NFL since being released in 2017. However, his Nike contract is termed a “star” contract worth millions per year plus royalties. To Nike, Kaepernick is a “star” of principle:  "We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward," Gino Fisanotti, Nike's vice president of brand marketing for North America, told ESPN. Interestingly, Fisanotti also said that this new version of the 30-year old campaign is aimed at 15- to 17-year olds—a big gesture of support to the overt idealism of Gen Z, and a straight-ahead effort to connect the Nike brand with the activism shown by that cohort.

 Read More >

Post-Summer Update on Brands Taking Stands

The dog days of summer saw as much activity by brands taking stands as at any other time in this action-packed year. Here’s some news you may have missed:
 
Band Taking a Stand: Pearl Jam raised $11 million in two concerts. Donations were made to 40 Seattle organizations that address homelessness.

Free Rides to the Voting Booth: Lyft announced that it will offer free and discounted rides on Election Day, November 6, to encourage voters to get to the polls. The ride-hailing firm has an existing free ride program for emergency situations and non-emergency ones involving veterans and job seekers. Now, it’s teaming up with Vote.org, TurboVote and Nonprofit Vote to distribute 50% off promo codes to those who need them. It's also working with nonpartisan and nonprofit orgs, including Voto Latino and Urban League, to provide free rides to underserved communities in an effort to give them a way to exercise their right to vote these midterms, reports engadget.com.

 Read More >

C-SUITE COMMENTS

“As president and CEO of a values-driven company that’s known the world over as a pioneer of the American West and one of the great symbols of American freedom, I take the responsibility of speaking up on the important issues of our day very seriously. We can’t take on every issue. But as business leaders with power in the public and political arenas, we simply cannot stand by silently when it comes to the issues that threaten the very fabric of the communities where we live and work. While taking a stand can be unpopular with some, doing nothing is no longer an option.

That’s why Levi Strauss & Co. is stepping up our support for gun violence prevention. You may wonder why a company that doesn’t manufacture or sell guns is wading into this issue, but for us, it’s simple. Americans shouldn’t have to live in fear of gun violence. It’s an issue that affects all of us—all generations and all walks of life.”

—Chip Bergh, president and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.

Excerpted from Fortune

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Western Union has announced that three executives are serving on non-profit boards to support the company’s local community in Denver. Jacqueline Molnar, chief compliance officer and chair of the Western Union Foundation Board of Directors, has been appointed to serve on Denver Public Schools Foundation Board.  Shannon Corcoran, vice president of business change and transformation, has joined the Mi Casa Resource Board of Directors. Carrie Damon, vice president of business change and transformation, became a board member for the Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain Chapter in 2014. As part of its ongoing commitment to the Denver community, the Western Union Foundation has donated $1 million in contributions to local non-profits and made space available in its new global headquarters for local non-profits and NGOs to host community gatherings.

Want to receive this newsletter by email? Sign up here.

Continue the important conversations on corporate responsibility long after 3BL Forum with the Brands Taking Stands newsletter. Written by veteran journalist, John Howell, this newsletter is published every Wednesday morning.

Tweet me:Read this week's newsletter to see why @BrandsTkgStands says #BrandsTakingStands is a movement, not a meme http://bit.ly/2PGznOS Also: @Kaepernick7 @Nike @lyft @BRANDfog

KEYWORDS: colin Kaepernick, nike, CEO Activism, employee activism, corporate activism, Lyft, election day 2018, Pearl Jam, Levi Strauss, Western Union, CEOs Speaking Out on Social Media, BRANDfog, 3bl Media, 3BL Forum, Brands Taking Stands

SOURCE:Duke Energy

SUMMARY:

• Share the Warmth program has assisted Palmetto State families for more than 30 years
• Funds are available now to qualified customers who apply through local partner agencies

DESCRIPTION:

GREENVILLE, S.C., September 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- For 33 years, Duke Energy has partnered with employees and customers to lend a hand to those struggling to pay their energy bills. The company is reinforcing that commitment with an additional $600,000 contribution to its Share the Warmth program to help South Carolina customers pay their high seasonal energy bills.

"We are committed to providing affordable energy to all of our customers, but we know some struggle to keep their homes warm during the winter and cool during the summer," said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "Traditionally, more customers have sought assistance with high energy bills in the winter, but these funds are being made available now to also assist with high summer energy bills."

The program is administered through local partner agencies in the Duke Energy Carolinas service territory, which primarily serves customers in the Upstate of South Carolina. Since the program's establishment in 1985, it has provided more than $35 million to those in need. Duke Energy offers similar energy assistance programs across all of its service territories.

"We are very thankful for our 30 year partnership with Duke Energy," said Kristi King-Brock, the executive director for AIM, a Share the Warmth partner agency in Anderson, S.C. "Their continued support of our work – and the infusion of these much needed funds – will allow AIM to respond to the basic needs of even more families in our community by providing energy assistance."

"Each winter, families in poverty have to try to balance their meager budgets between feeding their families and keeping them warm as temperatures drop," said Traci Kennedy, director of TOTAL Ministries, a Share the Warmth partner agency in Spartanburg, S.C. "With these funds, Spartanburg families can keep warm and feed their families in the colder months."

About Share the Warmth
Share the Warmth was established to assist Carolinas residents in need with high seasonal energy bills and is funded by its customers, employees and the Duke Energy Foundation. Contributions are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000.

Funding for Share the Warmth comes from our customers, employees and the Duke Energy Foundation. Customers may donate by the postage paid envelope or paperless billing customers may donate online when paying their bill. The Duke Energy Foundation will then match up to $500,000 in customer contributions during the heating season.

The additional funds to the Share the Warmth program were provided following commitments made to South Carolina in briefings to the Public Service Commission and in coordination with the Office of Regulatory Staff within the context of the 2016 Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas merger.

Duke Energy Carolinas
Duke Energy Carolinas owns nuclear, coal, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 19,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to about 2.5 million customers in a 24,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy Carolinas is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK).

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: 
Ryan Mosier
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

Tweet me:.@DukeEnergy reinforces commitment to Share the Warmth in South Carolina, helping families pay seasonal heating bills. http://bit.ly/2Nh9BTH #financialassistance #CSR

KEYWORDS: Duke Energy, Share The Warmth, South Carolina, financial assistance

SOURCE:JetBlue Airways

SUMMARY:

-- BlueBud Provides Innovative Companies with a Chance to Learn What It Takes to Get Their Products Onboard Commercial Aircraft Directly from JetBlue Leaders --

-- Applications Currently Being Accepted from Small Businesses in New York and Boston --

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, September 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ – JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced the opening of the application period for the next round of its BlueBud business mentoring program. BlueBud offers innovative environmentally and socially responsible companies a unique opportunity for business mentorship and access to JetBlue’s senior leaders and unique product development culture. Applications are currently being accepted here through September 30, 2018.

As New York’s Hometown Airline^®, JetBlue’s BlueBud program has historically focused on sustainable and pioneering food brands based in New York. However, as the largest carrier in Boston, JetBlue is extending the opportunity to small businesses in the greater Boston area for the program’s fourth year. JetBlue is also extending the focus beyond just budding food and beverage brands. This year, the program is open to other categories and products that can potentially be used onboard a commercial aircraft.

“We’re breaking the chicken and egg cycle between better-for-the world products, cost, and volume,” said Sophia Mendelsohn, head of sustainability and environmental, social governance, JetBlue. “BlueBud has provided invaluable advice to food and beverage companies. This year, we’re extending it to onboard products with responsible business practices. Although products aren’t guaranteed to go onboard, BlueBud helps expand our supplier pipeline with more diverse options.”

The BlueBud Program Mentorship:

The companies selected for this year’s BlueBud mentoring program will participate in an extensive business mentorship that will include:

• A tour of JetBlue’s Long Island City, NY Support Center, JetBlue’s home terminal – T5 at JFK Airport, and an airline catering station to understand how food gets onboard
• A trip to JetBlue’s orientation in Orlando to understand JetBlue’s culture and values
• Access to JetBlue teams including Strategic Sourcing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, Corporate Communications and Marketing, Brand and Onboard Product
• Travel to/from New York City for sessions with JetBlue leaders and business partners

Last year’s winners all focused on social impact and environmental innovation. Click to view stories about Luv Michael, 1857 Spirits and Toast Ale.

• Luv Michael - Their organic, gluten-free, and nut-free granola is made without harmful chemicals or toxic allergens. Luv Michael is focused on providing job training and opening up employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum, which now impacts approximately one in 68 children.”The granola crafted by Luv Michael can be purchased in more than 30 stores in the New York area.
• Barber’s Farm Distillery - Since 1857, the Barber family has farmed produce and dairy in Schoharie Valley, NY. Built on family and homegrown, high quality produce, Barber’s Farm Distillery brings a new facet to an already distinctive brand with its naturally gluten-free, farm-to-bottle 1857 Vodka. Barber’s Farm is one of the only distilleries in America growing its own potatoes and using its own spring water.
• Toast Ale - Focused on reducing wasted food, Toast Ale uses unsold loaves of bread from local bakeries to brew beer. Since Toast Ale first opened, 2,325 gallons of beer have been brewed using 1,375 pounds of bread that otherwise would have gone to waste. All of the company’s profits go to Feedback, a non-profit focused on anti-waste campaigns.

Application Criteria:

Applications are being accepted from New York City and Boston based companies with focuses in any or all of the following categories:

• Responsible businesses: Businesses focusing on making positive environmental and social impact.
• Intelligent businesses: Businesses making exemplary products focused on targeted needs.
• Informed businesses: Businesses that are innovative, diverse, and part of a curated experience.
• Homegrown businesses: Companies that support their communities and have Boston or New York as their hometowns.

Although participation in BlueBud does not guarantee that products will be offered onboard, JetBlue does look to welcome brands into the airline’s family in a variety of ways, when possible. Previous BlueBud participant Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce is available in JetBlue’s home terminal - T5 - in the New York Minute shop, a concept store that offers New York-produced products.  Also, after a year of mentorship Hot Bread Kitchen learned what it takes to partner with an airline, and then pitched their product. JetBlue was so impressed, the airline offered the bakery’s challah rolls on its Mint brunch menu for several seasons. Luv Michael has also partnered with JetBlue to provide snacks and information on job opportunities for those on the autism spectrum during a recent Blue Horizons for Autism airport rehearsal event hosted by JetBlue at New York’s JFK Airport.

JetBlue's supplier diversity initiative provides a wide range of business partners with equal access to opportunities. BlueBud is an example of the airline's inclusive mindset -- impacting people, planet and profits. The airline's hope is to create greater access to JetBlue opportunities one BlueBud at a time. For more information or to apply for the BlueBud program visit jetblue.com/sustainability.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 40 million customers a year to 103 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 1,000 daily flights. For more information please visit www.jetblue.com.

Tweet me:.@JetBlue accepting applications for #BlueBud business mentoring program to help burgeoning brands take flight http://bit.ly/2PFGIhH

Contact Info:

JetBlue Corporate Communications
+1 (718) 709-3089
corpcomm@jetblue.com

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:JBLU, Jetblue, BlueBud, mentorship

SOURCE:PepsiCo

DESCRIPTION:

PURCHASE, N.Y., September 6, 2018 /3BL Media/ - PepsiCo announced today the launch of its Nutrition Greenhouse accelerator program in North America, an innovation initiative designed to discover and support emerging brands in the food and beverage sector. The North American program follows the launch of PepsiCo's Nutrition Greenhouse in Europe, now in its second year. In 2017, eight start-ups in the European program delivered an estimated combined sales growth of over €10 million – a fourfold increase throughout the duration of the 6-month program.   

"Nutrition Greenhouse is part of our commitment to open innovation and collaborating with the changemakers of the future," said Jim Andrew, PepsiCo Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Venturing Officer. "In line with our Performance with Purpose vision, we want to find and support entrepreneurs who are helping transform the food and beverage industry with nutritious, natural and sustainable products. We're very excited to bring this program to the U.S. and Canada and hope to expand it throughout the rest of the world."

PepsiCo is seeking 10 start-ups based in the U.S. or Canada that are helping transform the food and beverage industry and whose values are consistent with PepsiCo's Performance with Purpose vision. The selected start-ups are guaranteed $20,000 in grant funding and will participate in a 6-month business optimization program designed to accelerate growth. The program includes personalized mentorship with experts from some of PepsiCo's leading and emerging brands, including Quaker, Naked, KeVita, Stacy's, Red Rock Deli and Off the Eaten Path. At the end of the program, one start-up will be awarded an additional $100,000 in funding to continue its expansion, and an opportunity to continue partnering with PepsiCo to further their growth.

"The program helped us grow our business and expand into the U.S. market," said Irina Turcan, Founder of Erbology and winner of the 2017 European Nutrition Greenhouse. "It was more than the prize money – our mentor gave us valuable insights on retail and consumer marketing as we extended our 'powerful plants' concept into a unique range of snacks. As a result, our revenues grew over four times last year and we launched Erbology in U.S. retailers in June this year."

This year's participating PepsiCo executives and brand accelerator experts are eager to help start-ups address critical early-stage business operations like strategic planning, corporate structuring, and fundraising to help emerging brands reach their market potential. Guidance on brand optimization, product development, supply chain management, customer acquisition and distribution will also be provided. 

Brands with a demonstrated consumer sales track record but no more than $5 million are invited to apply at www.nutritiongreenhouse.com/northamerica by October 12, 2018.

Read the press release on PepsiCo.com here. 

Tweet me:.@PepsiCo's #NutritionGreenhouse program is launching in North America. They’re looking for 10 breakthrough brands focused on nutrition, performance, lifestyle and purpose to join their accelerator program. Read more: http://bit.ly/2M3SYWQ

KEYWORDS: NYSE:PEP, Pepsico

SOURCE:Sysco

DESCRIPTION:

By 2025, we will source 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources. One of the ways we will achieve this is with our multi-site solar garden project, which will support approximately 10 percent of Sysco’s electricity usage.

For more information on Sysco’s 2025 Responsibility Goals, visit www.Sysco.com/2025Goals.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 67,000 associates, the company operates approximately 330 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 600,000 customer locations. For fiscal 2018 that ended June 30, 2018, the company generated sales of more than $58 billion.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoCorporation or Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sysco. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. Investors should also follow us at www.twitter.com/SyscoStock and download the Sysco IR App, available on the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Market. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

Tweet me:By 2025, @Sysco will source 20% of electricity from renewable sources, including a multi-site solar garden project http://bit.ly/2PkKnBm #DeliveringABetterTomorrow #RenewableEnergy

KEYWORDS: NYSE:SYY, Sysco

SOURCE:GRI

DESCRIPTION:

Businesses have a direct influence on the production of their goods and play a major role in reducing waste generation. Updating the GRI disclosures on waste will emphasize ‘prevent’ over ‘treat’.

Waste is a major contributor to climate change through methane from landfills and carbon emissions from incineration. Poor waste management leads to wide-spread pollution and land use disruption. It also puts food and resource security at risk and has direct impacts on public health. At the same time, the rising global middle class means more consumers that contribute to the current equation of the ‘take-make-waste’ linear industrial model. 

To address the global challenge of sustainable consumption and production, the Global Standards Sustainability Board (GSSB) initiated a project to review waste disclosures in the GRI 306: Effluents and Waste standard. A group of experts from civil society, investment institutions, and business began the standard revision this week.  

In the past decade, there has been a significant paradigm shift in resource use and management, particularly with the rise of the circular economy. Currently, GRI’s waste disclosures largely address treating waste after it has been created, whereas the latest developments in waste and resource management focus on preventing the generation of waste. 

It is estimated that prevention of waste can lead to a 15-20% reduction in GHG emissions. This new paradigm has been well reflected in international legislation and policy. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) feature waste management, explicitly or implicitly, in nearly half of the 17 goals. Goal 12, for instance, aims to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”. Target 12.5 explicitly identifies prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse as the levers to reduce waste generation by 2030. 

The Project Working Group to review GRI’s waste disclosures will conduct a fundamental revision of what should be considered waste. The review will include introducing the principles of the circular economy and improving disclosure on critical waste streams like plastic, e-waste, food waste and hazardous waste, as well as waste management in the value chain. You can visit the project webpage for more information about the project schedule, the expert group, and to sign up for updates. 

Would you like to receive updates from GRI in your inbox? Sign up here. 

Tweet me:From treatment to prevention - shifting the focus of #reporting on #waste. The Global Sustainability Standards Board of @GRI_Secretariat is kicking off a project today to update its disclosures on waste. Read more: http://bit.ly/2PIwc9h

KEYWORDS: GRI, Global Sustainability Standards Board, sustainability reporting, waste management

The winners of the final HP Mars Home Planet challenge create utopian visions of the Red Planet.

SOURCE:HP, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

An urban utopia on Mars might be closer than you think.

For the past year, creative professionals, students, space geeks—even families—have been creating their visions for a metropolis on the fourth planet from the sun. The final winners of the HP Mars Home Planet challenge were announced by HP and unveiled in a VR experience at SIGGRAPH 2018, an annual computer graphics convention, in Vancouver.

“The amazing entries from the HP Mars Home Planet challenge give us a virtual window into what life on Mars could be like for a million members of humanity,” says judge Dr. Darlene Lim, a geobiologist and principal investigator, NASA Biologic Analog Science. “Technological advancement is being met by a broad array of foundational space science and planetary research—a confluence that will optimistically serve to accelerate our path toward human exploration and settlement of Mars.”

The red planet re-imagined

Freezing cold and with an atmosphere 100 times thinner than Earth’s, Mars is a hostile environment for life as we know it. How do you protect people and plants from lethal radiation rays or vicious sand storms? What kind of transport can move people and supplies around in Mars’ weak gravity? How will energy be created — not to mention enough oxygen to sustain humans? What will be done with waste? Imaginative and clever enthusiasts from Earth rolled up their sleeves and committed months of personal time to their ideas on how humans could flourish on the Red Planet.

The year-long competition exceeded expectations and inspired more than 87,000 creative pros, students, scientists and space fans from over 150 countries to imagine how life would work for an established colony of one million people. The public challenge was made up of three competitions: Concept, 3D Modeling and Rendering. (Read about the previous two rounds here and here.)

All the submissions had to consider the physical constraints of the alien environment. In the concept phase of the contest, close to 500 entries were evaluated for potential to sustain a meaningful life for a million humans. For the 3D modeling phase, a new set of teams and individuals submitted more than 330 designs and 3D models. All participants used 40 square km of actual Mars terrain developed by Fusion for its Mars 2030 game, based on NASA research and high-resolution photograph.

In the final phase, a fresh group of visionaries and explorers-at-heart created renderings of what life in Mawrth Vallis (Mars Valley)—a NASA-identified landing site—could look and feel like for one million inhabitants. Nearly 180 still, animated, real-time or VR renderings addressed two main categories: architecture/civil engineering and vehicles/mechanical engineering.

Tweet me:Final winners of the HP Mars Home Planet challenge were announced by HP and unveiled in a VR experience at SIGGRAPH 2018, an annual computer graphics convention, in Vancouver. http://bit.ly/2MHkCgP @HPSustainable

KEYWORDS: city on mars, HP, sustainable cities, sustainability, VR experience at SIGGRAPH 2018, computer graphics

SOURCE:Taproot Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

Preparing for future crises now

From massive natural disasters to complex and escalating conflicts, communities around the world experienced unprecedented incidences of crises requiring emergency response last year. The global cost for natural disasters in 2017 alone totaled $330 billion. In the wake of disasters, many companies mobilize to offer volunteers for on-the-ground rapid response activities and to provide financial assistance, often spending significant portions of their philanthropic budget on disaster relief. But, is there room for more to be done?

While disaster relief is critical, current risk trends indicate the need to start preparing for future crises now. For companies seeking to do more, investing in supporting nonprofits to prepare for these events can maximize the impact of their philanthropic dollars. In fact, a recent study by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) found that every $1 invested in disaster preparedness and mitigation saves $6 on average in future costs. However, only 4% of all disaster spending is currently focused on preparedness. This represents a huge opportunity for companies to strategically direct their resources to meet a critical need nonprofits face in disaster preparedness, and pro bono service is a powerful tool to do so.

Leverage your company’s vast expertise

Through pro bono service, companies can leverage their vast expertise to equip nonprofit and humanitarian organizations with strong foundations to respond as efficiently as possible when future crises strike.

What can your company do to help nonprofits prepare for disasters? 

Read the full blog to see how Deloitte, IBM, UPS, and Allstate are supporting important disaster preparenedness initiatives around the globe. 

Tweet me:Pro bono service is a powerful tool in building more resilient communities. @TaprootFound highlights four companies that are engaging their employees to support nonprofits preparing for future crises ---> http://bit.ly/2wKj5xu #csr #ProBono #DisasterPreparedness

KEYWORDS: Taproot Foundation

At Scotts, corporate responsibility includes taking care of our associates

SOURCE:ScottsMiracle-Gro

DESCRIPTION:

The LiveTotal Health program, established in 2005, provides a comprehensive wellness approach to help our associates and their families achieve physical, financial and personal health. This unique program goes beyond benefits to include access to experts available to coach associates on subjects ranging from work-life balance to debt and taxes. LiveTotal Health promotes physical activity and healthy eating through educational initiatives. The Company also offers adoption assistance, investment education and help to quit using tobacco products.

“It’s a holistic and comprehensive approach to wellness,” says Mike Lukemire, Chief Operating Officer. “LiveTotal Health provides our associates and their families with the resources and support to thrive, whether it’s through healthy lifestyles, financial peace of mind or opportunities to give back.”

Justin Farmer, Operator, Marysville Plant

“I was 5 feet 9 inches tall and carrying around 255 pounds. My blood pressure was 149/90, and my cholesterol was 249,” says Justin. “My wife and I had a baby on the way, and we also had a 10-year-old daughter, who I barely had enough energy to play with.”

Justin took advantage of health and wellness services offered to associates in Marysville, including gym workouts with a personal trainer and meetings with a registered dietitian. As a result, he lost 70 pounds in one year. His blood pressure lowered to 118/78 and his total cholesterol was down to 133. He continues his healthy lifestyle today and has become an inspiration and resource to others.

“My friends and my coworkers ask me for advice on eating healthy or working out,” he says. “I have new goals now, and I owe a great deal of my success to Scotts for all it has provided me.”

Learn more about our commitment to our associates, community and environment by viewing our most recent Corporate Responsibility report here.

Tweet me:Find out how the @Scotts_MGro LiveTotal Health program helped transform one employee's health -- and his life: http://bit.ly/2PLD6Ld #Health #Wellbeing #CSRreport

KEYWORDS: ScottsMiracle-Gro, LiveTotal Health

From joining the Alternative Apparel team as its fifth employee, CEO Evan Toporek has seen the brand evolve into what it is today.

SOURCE:HanesBrands

DESCRIPTION:

By Laurel Mintz, Founder and CEO, Elevate My Brand

From industrial engineering to consulting, Alternative Apparel's CEO, Evan Toporek, talks about making the move to Alternative Apparel to satisfy his entrepreneurial spirit. After 20 years, the brand has seen many milestones, including the most recent, joining the Hanesbrands family.

LM: Talk to us about your commitment to sustainability.

ET:  In 2004, long before sustainability was a buzzword in the fashion industry, we launched Alternative Earth, our eco-friendly line. That sub-brand dissolved when we simply took its elements (organic cotton, recycled polyester, low impact dyes) and applied it across our entire range including packaging (100% recycled boxes and biodegradable bags).  But to us, sustainability stands for more than just eco-friendly manufacturing. We ensure the highest standards of social compliance as well. For example, over 90% of our production, and growing, flows through WRAP certified factories. We have also joined the Fashion Revolution movement bringing transparency to our factories and their social compliance.

LM:Alternative Apparel was recently acquired by Hanesbrands. What does this mean for the brand?

ET:  First off, it was extremely gratifying to be acquired by Hanesbrands. In many ways, they pioneered the market segment we participate within. When we did our due diligence on Hanes, what we discovered was very familiar, only on a far larger global scale: commitment to sustainability, sales in similar channels, and a "good people" culture that just felt right. So far, we have discovered so much more depth to the company and its capabilities, and I believe they have found the same with us. Beyond growing Alternative, we are getting to work on other projects across the Hanes and Champion brands. The acquisition seems to be bringing more to all involved. That's the goal, right?

Click here to read the full interview on Inc. 

Tweet me:Read this great interview of Evan Toporek, #CEO of @AlternativeApp on #sustainability and being acquired by Hanesbrands http://bit.ly/2oMoEa7 via @Inc + @LaurelJMintz

KEYWORDS: HanesBrands, inc. magazine, Alternative Apparel, Evan Toporek, Elevate My Brand, Laurel Mintz

Nine design projects receive funds to implement campaigns for social good with print

SOURCE:Sappi North America

DESCRIPTION:

BOSTON, September 6, 2018 /3BL Media/ –  Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the recipients of its 19th annual Ideas that Matter grant program, which provides funds to support the production and distribution of printed social impact projects proposed by designer applicants.

This year’s jury of leading designers selected nine creative projects that highlight how print design can make an important contribution to solving social issues. Using paper, print, integrated digital and social media, as well as exhibitions and events, the winning grants address a wide range of topics.

The proposed projects will encourage youth literacy, sustainability and waste reduction and nutrition education. Others include prevention campaigns addressing disaster preparedness and sexual harassment. Additional projects will develop education and outreach campaigns to tackle key challenges in the design community — inspiring a diverse workforce and tracking outcomes and impact for social design initiatives.

“Sappi actively supports the pressing social needs of individuals, communities and our environment through the Ideas that Matter program,” said Patti Groh, director of marketing communications, Sappi North America. "Not only are we honored to have helped so many social impact projects come to life, but we are proud to have played an important role in the design for social good movement. As we enter the 20^th year of this program, we look forward to working with the community as a beacon for support, education and inspiration in design for social good.”

Ideas that Matter will celebrate 20 years of success in 2019 and continues to be a cornerstone of Sappi’s corporate social responsibility platform. Since the program’s inception, Sappi has made global contributions totaling more than $13 million and has funded more than 500 projects. The program is open to North American designers, design firms and students who are partnered with a nonprofit organization and have developed a communication campaign that is ready for implementation.

Selection Criteria

Ideas that Matter proposals are evaluated on creativity, plans for implementation and potential impact by an independent panel of judges who are selected annually and are recognized for their commitment to design for social impact. The 2018 judges were Justin Ahrens, Principal and Creative Director, Rule29; Terry Marks, Principal, tmarks; Jacinda Walker, Founder, designExplorr; Maurice Woods, Senior Experience Design Microsoft and Inneract Project Founder; and Julia Zeltser, Creative Director and Principal, Hyperakt.

The 2018 Ideas that Matter Recipients:

For more information about Sappi's 2018 Ideas that Matter grant recipients in North America, please visit our website. The Call for Entries for next year's Ideas that Matter program will be announced in the Spring of 2019.

About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our four diversified businesses – high quality Coated Printing Papers, Specialised Cellulose, Release Papers and Specialty Packaging – is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high quality Coated Printing Papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Specialised Cellulose used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods, and one of the world's leading suppliers of Release Papers with our Ultracast, PolyEX, Classics and Neoterix lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Our Specialty Packaging products, such as LusterPrint and LusterCote, represent an important asset in the food packaging and labeling industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit.

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi at: www.sappi.com.

Tweet me:.@SappiNA announces the winners of its 2018 #IdeasthatMatter grant program: http://bit.ly/2M7b2PY

KEYWORDS: Sappi, Ideas that Matter, print, paper, Social Good, design for good, grant, Graphic Design, non profit, JSE:SAP

SOURCE:Verizon

DESCRIPTION:

“I read somewhere that for every one girl that’s in a STEM career, there’s like five boys,” says sixth grader Danielle, looking around the classroom with eyes filled with wonder. “To see that there are 50 girls who want to partake in this is just crazy.”

Seated in the 3D printing lab at the Patrick Henry Community College Thomas P. Dalton IDEA Center, Danielle is busy collaborating with other girls on 3D-printed designs for their upcoming STEM project presentations. Working in small teams, the girls create solutions to issues in their community and present them to their parents and others as the culminating event of this Verizon Innovative Learning three-week STEM immersion experience.

Now in its second summer at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, VA, the program is one of 16 around the country focused on getting middle school girls in rural communities excited about careers in STEM. Between summer intensives, the students meet monthly for field trips and to hone their skills. It’s all part of the Verizon Innovative Learning mission to provide free technology, free internet access and hands-on learning experiences to help underserved students get the education they deserve. The girls learn 3D printing and vinyl cutting, use littleBits electronic building blocks to master coding techniques, and create augmented and virtual reality experiences they then view through AR and VR goggles. They also build VR goggles out of cardboard to take home.

Girl power reigns strong

It’s not just STEM skills that the girls get out of the program. The students say they love being in an all-girls environment. They feel they learn more this way, but also that they understand and support each other. While watching morning talks from local, professional women, they see it’s cool to be smart and passionate about math and science and to dream big. Recently, several students shared their stories of transformation.

Natalie, 6^th grade

Before her time with Verizon Innovative Learning last summer, Natalie says she doubted herself. Soft-spoken, and with more poise than most 12-year-olds, Natalie has always been interested in being an engineer and an entrepreneur, but in the face of so many people telling her that “STEM was a boy’s thing,” she was losing confidence in her ability to accomplish her dreams. Now, thanks to her time in the program, “It doesn’t matter what they say. I know I can do it.”

While Natalie couldn’t attend Verizon Innovative Learning this summer, she was excited to be back for a visit and happily wandered the center’s hallways, stopping in the bustling classrooms of the large, high-ceilinged space to hug and say hi to her friends who were busy programming small electric cars out of littleBits kits and creating virtual reality tours to far off locales filled with crystal clear waters and towering skyscrapers.

Being in the program has also brought her closer to her mom. For her STEM project last summer, Natalie created a squeezable sensory toy for people with Autism and other diagnoses helped by objects that promote stress reduction, proudly citing a family friend with Down syndrome who uses it to relax. Natalie wants to continue her business outside of the program and bonds with her mom, a fellow entrepreneur, over developing it -- the two talking often about  the rewards and challenges of running a business. “I think if I didn’t go here, and I didn’t have my experience of building up my self-confidence here,” she says of the program, “I wouldn’t still be doing my own business and helping other people as much as I am.”

Chloe, 7^th grade

“I’ve seen tremendous growth in her,” says instructor Helen Howell of Chloe, citing how the 12-year-old’s writing and public speaking skills have blossomed and how well Chloe did when presenting in front of approximately 50 people a few weeks prior.

Now in her second summer with Verizon Innovative Learning, Chloe took to heart the advice from one of the morning speakers “to never give up.” “When I get frustrated I want to stop sometimes. To know that I shouldn't give up even though it's tough to keep working through it, that's really helped,” she says.

It’s important advice for someone who not only wants to go to Harvard and eventually become a neurosurgeon, but whose favorite part of the program is inventing. Surrounded by the 3D-printed projects that are scattered all over the center--inspiring examples of what the technology can do--she explains her STEM project with a quiet confidence that will serve her well as a surgeon. Her project: a LED-lit spoon for infants who, due to damage to their ocular nerve, can see only light. The lights help define the spoon so infants know to open their mouths to eat, and there’s also “a little section on the spoon [that] has words to tell the parent either the food is too hot, too cold, or [that] they have too much or too little on the spoon,” Chloe says. As far as she knows, nothing like this spoon exists yet, and it’s projects like this that have made her feel “more confident with my inventions and problem solving.”

About the program, she adds, “A really cool thing is being a part of a group of girls that can eventually, or even now, change the world.”

Nayti, 6^th grade

With a bubbling energy and a wide, winning smile, twelve-year-old Nayti thrives on challenges, which is what attracts her to biomedical engineering. She likes that engineering is a field where almost no one gets things right the first time and that you have to be persistent and keep trying.

One of her recent challenges has been raising her hand in class when no one else has their hand up. “I was like, what if everybody just stares at me and then they'll be calling me ‘smarty pants.’ They're going to be calling me names,” she says. But after one of the morning speakers told them, “Don’t be afraid to be smart,” and to raise their hands in class, she decided, “I don't care what anybody thinks about me. I know the answer and I want to be better in math and science. So I'm going to say the answer and I'm going to say it proudly.”

“That's what I see her getting from this [program],” instructor Liz Lynch says about Nayti. “She's getting that smart is cool; that smart can bring you places.”

Nadia, 7th grade

Nadia seems so at ease speaking but Lynch points out that the 13-year-old used to be shy and terrified of public speaking, in part because English is her second language. Nadia is a leader in her middle school’s robotics club, and the STEM project Nadia and her all-girl team presented at a state championship garnered first place, making this the first time Martinsville has won an award at the state level. Their product, Litmus Lipstick, changes colors to indicate whether or not the person wearing it is well hydrated. Nadia’s team is thinking of patenting it and making a face paint version for boys who play sports like football. Lynch, who is also Nadia’s teacher at school, makes a direct connection between Nadia’s win and her time with Verizon Innovative Learning. “She just had that ‘stick-to-it-iveness’ that I know was fostered from this program. I really think [Verizon Innovative Learning] was a springboard for thinking scientifically.”

Nadia wanted to be a doctor before learning how many years she’d have to spend in school, she admits sheepishly; now she wants to be an engineer. “I love building things with new technology,” something she figured out through robotics and being in the program this year. It also helped her improve in math. She puffs with pride as she shares that she went from scoring 80s on tests to now scoring 99s, and that she skipped math 7 this past year to go straight from math 6 to algebra.

On public speaking she says, “I’m always nervous speaking in front of other people,” admitting she was “freaking out” when presenting the lipstick to the judges at states. But, she adds, “I’m getting used to it now that this program is helping me.”

Danielle, 6^th grade

Petite with a charming cuteness about her, it’s easy to see how someone could underestimate how strong and determined Danielle has become. Before starting Verizon Innovative Learning last summer, she thought she’d work in an office somewhere simply to earn enough money to live. But that all changed when the program taught her there were jobs she could do that harnessed her fascination with space. “I never thought that I could be a NASA engineer because that just seemed way too crazy. I’ve always been told, ‘Oh, that’s a boy’s job. You can’t do that.’” Now, she says, “Stuff like that makes me want to do it more so I can prove to people that say that that girls can actually do things that boys can.”

Being in the program has helped her better understand big picture science concepts. She’s connecting the dots on a deeper level, she says, and while she’s always been an A student, her test scores this past year increased from 90s to 100s. Doing things like 3D printing, which she describes as “really crazy to see your ideas come to life,” has improved her math skills too. She lights up as she points to the cones and cylinders that are the building blocks of Tinkercad, a 3D design program, sharing how measuring their radius and diameter has increased her understanding of how these concepts play out in the actual creation of objects.

The confidence and skills she’s gained haven’t only been career changing for her, they’ve been life changing. Before the program, she says, “I wanted to change the world in some way, but I wouldn’t have known how to do it. The [program] showed me that no matter where you came from or what your problems are, you can do anything in this world.”

Helen Howell, Lead Instructor

Helen Howell, a native of Virginia and the head of the local chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, has dedicated a large part of her career to educating and mentoring kids from Martinsville and surrounding communities into pursuing STEM careers and encouraging them to pay it forward when they succeed. In her second summer working with Verizon Innovative Learning, Howell notes how girls from the area are starting to win STEM competitions around Virginia, like the first place at states that Nadia's team earned.

“What I'm seeing from this is they are taking these [competitions] a lot more seriously,’” she says. “With the students that were in the [program], I can see a world of difference. They're more confident and stepping up to the plate and taking on leadership positions.”

Howell credits these wins to the way Verizon Innovative Learning is igniting STEM in the community and teaching girls the skills they need to succeed. 

Tweet me:Five girls share how #VerizonInnovativeLearning made them more confident about themselves and their futures. http://bit.ly/2PSHEjG #STEM #girlpower #girlsinSTEM

KEYWORDS: 3D-printed designs, Verizon, NYSE:VZ

SOURCE:Accenture

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, September 6, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has been named the top company on the Thomson Reuters Diversity & Inclusion Index, which recognizes the 100 most diverse and inclusive companies in the world, according to Thomson Reuters ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) data. The Index, established in 2016, is one of the most comprehensive measures of workplace inclusion and diversity practices.
 
“At Accenture, our commitment starts at the top with our board and extends across every dimension of the company,” said Pierre Nanterme, Accenture’s chairman and CEO. “We embrace our rich diversity as a ‘culture of cultures,’ which is all about our 449,000 people around the world living our shared core values, while bringing our own unique skills and experiences to make the maximum contribution to our clients and our business.”
 
To compile the Index, Thomson Reuters assessed publicly available data for more than 7,000 publicly traded companies around the world. The companies were measured on 24 separate metrics across four key categories: Diversity, Inclusion, People Development and News Controversies. The Index was then calculated by weighing each metric based on importance in the market and how each company compares with its peers.
 
“We believe that diversity is a source of innovation, creativity and competitive advantage and creates a workplace where everyone feels equally accepted with a real sense of belonging,” said Ellyn Shook, Accenture’s chief leadership and human resources officer. "Our commitment is unwavering and a testament to our people, who truly own our inclusion and diversity agenda through their actions every single day. This collaboration among our people, clients and communities continues to accelerate progress and foster a culture of equality where everyone can grow and thrive.”
 
Among the actions Accenture has taken to further its progress toward a more inclusive and diverse workplace, which Thomson Reuters considered in the Index, are:

• Creating a diverse board of directors. Accenture’s board of directors is diverse in terms of its geographic and gender representation, with people from six countries across four continents and four women, including its lead director.
• Advancing workplace equality. The company set a goal of having women comprise 50 percent of its global workforce by 2025. Today, women comprise 41 percent of the company’s workforce and 45 percent of new hires.  
• Developing talent. The company invested US$935 million in learning and professional development last year, including substantial investments in re-skilling to help its people stay relevant in key areas such as cloud, artificial intelligence and robotics.
• Committing to transparency. The company provides its workforce data in many countries. For example, Accenture was the first professional services company to voluntarily publish comprehensive workforce demographics – including gender, ethnicity, persons with disabilities and veterans – in the United States.

“At Thomson Reuters, we understand that focusing on total societal impact is fundamental to driving long-term financial success,” said Patsy Doerr, global head of corporate responsibility and inclusion at Thomson Reuters. “Creating the workforce of the future means building diverse teams which attract the best and brightest from around the world. The Diversity & Inclusion Index helps investors and analysts identify the companies that are getting this right, helping them to make investment decisions that align with their values and the bottom line.”

The Thomson Reuters ranking is the latest in a series of inclusion and diversity recognitions for Accenture, which is committed to ensuring that all of its people – regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion or sexual orientation – have the opportunity to succeed. Among the dozens of lists on which the company has been included in the past year are: Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens globally; the Disability Equality Index in the U.S.; DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity in the U.S.; the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index; Nikkei Top 100 Companies for Women in Japan; The Times Top 50 Employers for Women in the UK; and Working Mother & AVTAR’s 100 Best Companies for Women in India.
 
To learn more about inclusion and diversity at Accenture, visit www.accenture.com/diversity.
 
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 449,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Tweet me:Accenture ranks number 1 on Thomson Reuters Index of World’s Most Diverse and Inclusive Companies! @Accenture http://bit.ly/2MPJVhA

KEYWORDS: Accenture, Thompson Reuters, NYSE:ACN, Transparency

by Dave Armon, CMO, 3BL Media

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

The Great Recession a decade ago was generally a pretty turbulent period for American businesses, workers and consumers.

There is one thing I miss dearly, though, and it’s top of mind as I return to the office the day after a long Labor Day holiday to plan my fall travel schedule.

JetBlue knew that sales of airline seats plummet each year between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, with a little upsurge for the three-day Columbus Day weekend and the Jewish High Holidays. Otherwise, the fall is crickets for the U.S. airline industry.

With this in mind, JetBlue in 2009 introduced the All You Can Jet pass for $599, offering a month of unlimited air travel. Alas, the deal is no longer offered, but I remember fondly kissing my wife and kids goodbye and hitting the road that year to visit clients, conferences, partners, and everyone else that budgets had prevented us from meeting except by telephone.

Still, even in 2018, autumn travel is a bargain, especially with a week or two notice. It’s also the time when corporate responsibility (CR) and sustainability professionals gather for some of the most impactful conferences of the year. As I put my schedule together, here are some picks to consider as you decide how and where to meet new partners and update your knowledge base.

The top choice is an event that our team at 3BL Media has proudly developed over the last two years. 3BL Forum, October 23-25, at MGM National Harbor, just outside Washington, D.C., is themed Brands Taking Stands – The Long View to look at corporate activism alongside a new emphasis on sustainability among investors.

Queued up to speak at 3BL Forum next month are 60+ A-list speakers and eight CEOs, including José Andrés (pictured above), celebrity chef, humanitarian and founder of World Central Kitchen, who fed millions in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. (Note: we are donating 10% of your 3BL Forum fee to World Central Kitchen when you use the code JOSE2018VIP at http://3blforum.com/registration.)

A town hall focused on the Brands Taking Stands movement – including athletes and activism – will include NPR anchor Louise Schiavone, White House correspondent Eli Stokols of the Los Angeles Times and MSNBC, National Basketball Players Association Foundation Executive Director Sherrie Deans, and MSL U.S. CEO Ron Guirguis.

Ten “issue tables” allow CR, sustainability and communications professionals to engage in informal roundtable discussions on topics such as connecting procurement to sustainability, risks/rewards of brands taking stands, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and relevance to your reporting, connecting employee activism to corporate strategies, planning ahead before the disaster and more.

Two pre-conference workshops are slated for October 23 to provide focused discussion pertinent to corporate CR and sustainability work. “The New Normal: Unlocking Long-Term Value Through A Long-Term Lens” is presented by CECP and will feature best-in-class solutions and actual experiences of bridging the divide between investor relations and CR. It will feature presentations on how companies changed their approach to quarterly earnings calls and provide an inside perspective on the decision-making to focus on the long-term, challenges and barriers and transformative opportunities. “Strengthen Your Materiality Assessment and Maximize Its Value for Your Company” is presented by GRI and will examine materiality, the importance of stakeholder engagement and the value of boundary setting.

Those attending 3BL Forum will also hear new research on trends in sustainability communications and engage with C-suite executives as they are recognized at the CR Magazine Responsible CEO awards dinner.

Other upcoming 2018 events that also merit your attention are:

Social Good Summit, September 23, 92nd Street Y, New York City – Scheduled to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, this event has star power. Whoopie Goldberg and the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir spoke last year. This year’s theme is #2030Now to emphasize the due date for the SDGs.

Global Engagement Forum: Live, October 10-11, Silver Spring Civic Center, Silver Springs, MD, includes both presentations and extended workshops on the theme “Solving the Solvable.” Among the subjects in scope at this PYXERA Global event are reducing post-harvest loss, ending energy poverty and eliminating marine debris.

Verge, October 15-18, Oakland Convention Center, Oakland, CA, is an exposition alongside a professional development conference featuring renewables, power grids and other green innovations. “Where technology meets sustainability,” is the tagline given to Verge by its operator, GreenBiz.

EHS&S Management Forum, October 23-26, Louisville Downtown Marriott, Louisville, KY, is NAEM’s annual conference for EHS and sustainability managers, directors and vice presidents.

Net Impact Annual Conference, October 25-28, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, is the annual gathering of purpose-driven university students and the organizations seeking to harness their talents after graduation. This year’s theme is “outside the lines.

New Metrics, October 29-31, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, is a geek fest for those steeped in the monitoring, measurement and reporting functions surrounding sustainability. The goal of the event, is to “translate social and environmental impact into corporate financial performance indicators,” according to Sustainable Brands.

BSR Conference, November 6-8, Grand Hyatt, New York City, routinely pulls in CEOs and government leaders to address, as the convener’s name implies, the Business of Social Responsibility. The 2018 theme is “a new blueprint for business.”

Corporate Citizens Conference, November 14-15, Four Seasons, Washington, is the annual conference and awards gala run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Center for Corporate Citizenship. In recent years, speakers have included U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and FUBU CEO and Shark Tank investor Daymond John.

Companies vs Climate Change, November 28-29, Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami, looks at environmental and social aspects of the warming planet while highlighting partnerships and solutions.

Join us at 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands – The Long View, just outside Washington, D.C. on October 23-25, 2018. Over three fast-paced and dynamic days, the conference will showcase corporate voices on bridging the divide between investor relations and corporate responsibility, the “why” and “how” behind corporate decision-making on corporate responsibility, sustainability and when to take a stand. Receive a 15% discount using this code TRIPLE2018VIP when you register here.

Tweet me:It's #CSR conference time, folks! Here are @3BLMedia's @daveyarmon's top picks for #sustainability professionals http://bit.ly/2wSOEEr #3BLForum @BrandsTkgStands

KEYWORDS: 3bl Media, 3BL Forum, Brands Taking Stands, Jose Andres, Dave Armon, social good summit, Global Engagement Forum: Live, VERGE, EHS&S Management Forum, Net Impact Annual Conference, sustainable brands, new metrics, BSR conference, Corporate Citizens Conference, Companies vs Climate Change

SOURCE:Bacardi Limited

DESCRIPTION:

Bacardi Limited announced the compilation of results of its environmental sustainability goals made in 2014 and expanded its “Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future” environmental initiative to now encompass the company’s entire Corporate Responsibility (CR) platform.

Announced in early 2014, Good Spirited was an ambitious environmental sustainability initiative with specific goals in sourcing, packaging, and operations to be achieved by 2017 and 2022 -- under the vision to return to the environment at least as much as we take away. Significant reductions have been achieved in greenhouse gas emission (GHG) intensity (59%) and water usage (50%), as well as Zero Waste to Landfill targets. In addition, the original sourcing goal to obtain 40% of sustainably sourced sugarcane-derived products used to make BACARDĺ® rums were not only achieved but more than doubled.

To read more about Corporate Responsibility within Bacardi, visit the Corporate Responsibility section at https://www.bacardilimited.com/corporate-responsibility/.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, PATRÓN® tequila, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur, and ERISTOFF® vodka.

Founded more than 156 years ago, in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi currently employs approximately 5,500, operates more than 20 production facilities, including bottling, distilling and manufacturing sites in 11 countries, and sells its brands in more than 170 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow @BacardiLimited.

Tweet me:INFOGRAPHIC: @BacardiLimited's #GoodSpirited initiative has surpassed goals for #GHG reduction, #sustainable sourcing, and more http://bit.ly/2wI5F3Z

KEYWORDS: Bacardi, good spirited, greenhouse gas reduction, Sustainable sourcing, Water Usage

SOURCE:Ingersoll Rand

DESCRIPTION:

SWORDS, Ireland, September 7, 2018 /3BL Media/– Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, has published its eleventh annual sustainability supplement. The supplement is designed to provide a comprehensive update on Ingersoll Rand’s progress on environmental, social and governance issues and how the company transforms everyday life. It can be viewed here. 

“Sustainability in all its forms — business, social and environmental — is central to Ingersoll Rand’s strategy,” said Paul Camuti, senior vice president Innovation and chief technology officer. “Ingersoll Rand continues to build a more sustainable and thriving enterprise and is addressing important global trends like climate change, urbanization and resource scarcity that increasingly affect the way we live, move and work.”

The 2017 Supplement demonstrates Ingersoll Rand’s path to long-term value creation and positive societal impact, and highlights measurable progress toward the company’s sustainability commitments based upon its top material issues. This includes an update on the Ingersoll Rand Climate Commitment, where the company has notably achieved its 2020 target of a 10 percent increase in energy efficiency two years ahead of schedule.

In 2017, Ingersoll Rand also doubled its environmentally-friendly EcoWise™ portfolio of products, attained a 37 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with company operations, and committed to renewable energy programs that equate to taking 800 cars off the road. The report also showcases the company’s preferred and diverse supplier programs and their respective milestones, and underscores Ingersoll Rand’s commitment to creating a more progressive, diverse and inclusive workplace by joining the Paradigm for Parity Coalition and CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion. 

“For over a decade, Ingersoll Rand has been committed to publishing regular updates on our progress in all areas of sustainability, said W. Scott Tew, executive director, Center for Energy Efficiency & Sustainability (CEES) at Ingersoll Rand. “As you will read in the report, Ingersoll Rand continues to take a proactive role in solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges for our customers and the world.”

The report follows the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. For more information on GRI, please visit http://www.globalreporting.org. Ingersoll Rand assures selected environmental, health and safety data with a third-party provider.

# # #

About Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car^®, Ingersoll Rand^®, Thermo King^® and Trane^®— work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $14 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

Tweet me:.@IngersollRand reaffirms commitment to ESG in latest sustainability supplement http://bit.ly/2M2enzL

KEYWORDS: Ingersoll Rand

SOURCE:Nestlé

DESCRIPTION:

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, September 7, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Nespresso announced today a long-term investment plan to revive Zimbabwe’s coffee industry and stimulate the rural economy.

The company will provide training and technical assistance to 400 smallholder coffee farmers over the next five years, with the goal of increasing the country’s production of quality sustainable coffee.

Zimbabwe’s coffee sector is in danger of disappearing as the result of a sharp decline in production over the past 18 years, following a series of economic shocks affecting many of Zimbabwe’s agricultural industries.

Nespresso expects to buy more than 95% of the high quality coffee production of Zimbabwean smallholders this season. The coffee will be available to global consumers in 2019. Nespresso is already working with farmers for the next harvest, where it expects volumes to increase, marking a potential turning point for Zimbabwe’s coffee producers.

“We are investing in reviving coffee farming in different regions of the world, where adverse conditions have impacted the lives of farmers and their ability to grow and nurture their coffee industries. Zimbabwe has a long history of producing beautiful coffees and we are pleased to be working with farmers through our AAA Sustainable Quality Program to help bring this industry back to life,” says Jean-Marc Duvoisin, CEO of Nespresso.

Together with TechnoServe, an international non-profit organization specializing in business solutions to poverty, Nespresso is training farmers to revive their production through climatesmart, sustainable farming practices.

“We are honoured to partner with Nespresso and the farmers of Zimbabwe to help transform one of the country’s most promising sectors and share more of its incredible coffee with the world,” said TechnoServe President and CEO William Warshauer. “In line with TechnoServe’s market-centered approach to reducing poverty, we know that better coffee will lead to better incomes, better lives, and better futures for the hardworking people of Zimbabwe.”

The revival of the Zimbabwean coffee industry is part of Nespresso’s commitment to investing in coffee communities to create sustainable sources of income, preserve the environment and ensure coffee availability for future generations. Nespresso’s investment in Zimbabwe follows similar efforts the company has made to revive coffee production in South Sudan and in former conflict zones of Colombia.

About the AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program

Nespresso works with farmers through its AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, which aims to create long-term, sustainable quality through direct relationships with farmers. Nespresso currently works with more than 75,000 farmers who benefit from hands-on support from agronomists as they learn how to develop their businesses. Working together, the agronomists and farmers look at the best growing and management practices for their crops, including technical assistance in agricultural practices to ensure quality. Through their participation in the AAA Program, the farmers are able to improve their coffee quality and achieve better productivity and standards in environmental and social welfare.

About Nestlé Nespresso SA

Nestlé Nespresso SA is the pioneer and reference for highest-quality portioned coffee. The company works with more than 75,000 farmers in 12 countries through its AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program to embed sustainability practices on farms and the surrounding landscapes. Launched in 2003 in collaboration with The Rainforest Alliance, the program helps to improve the yield and quality of harvests, ensuring a sustainable supply of high quality coffee and improving livelihoods of farmers and their communities.

Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in 76 countries and has 13,500 employees. In 2017, it operated a global retail network of more than 700 boutiques. For more information, visit the Nespresso corporate website: www.nestle-nespresso.com.

Tweet me:.@Nespresso announces long-term investment plan to revive Zimbabwe’s #coffee industry and stimulate the rural economy by providing training and technical assistance to 400 smallholder coffee farmers over the next five years http://bit.ly/2Clz0HE

Contact Info:

Claudia Afonso
Media Relations Manager
claudia.afonso@nespresso.com

KEYWORDS: Nestle, nespresso, zimbabwe, TechnoServe

by Jeffrey Whitford

SOURCE:MilliporeSigma

DESCRIPTION:

I recently had the opportunity to talk about the strange trajectory and nature of my career, and how I went from point A to point L (we’ll save M-Z for when I hit retirement). Here’s the shorthand: I studied advertising at a leading school for the craft and ended up proofreading catalogs as my first job. Of course, I’m using a bit of hyperbole because that’s just the beginning of the story.

That beginning is important though. I can tell you that proofreading catalogs at a leading life science company was not what I envisioned myself doing after college. I imagined sleek pitches and presentations, and coming up with great ideas that would lead to golden lions. However, that vision was dimmed by an economy still trying to find its footing. Instead, I fully leaned into my “pre-retirement” period — that’s what I called the period from when I graduated until I started working. During this time, I generally hung out, golfed (badly) and binge-watched TV before binge-watching was even a thing. I was watching whatever was on TV without control because dinosaurs were still roaming the earth at that time.

Then, one day, I got a call from someone at a company called Sigma-Aldrich — asking me if I was interested in proofreading catalogs. Little did I know that my aunt had given my resume to one of her friends. Now, here’s what went through my mind:

• What is Sigma-Aldrich?
• Proofreading catalogs? I’d rather watch glue dry.
• No more lazy life?

The next step in my process was to solicit my parent’s opinions. My dad summed it up quite eloquently and, in his typical form, with an engineer’s very dry sense of humor. He said, “Jeffrey, you have two choices — you can ask people if they’d like fries with that or you can go to St. Louis and proofread catalogs.” Anyone who knows me will tell you about my love for a Number Two at the Golden Arches, but that didn’t seem like the right next step so I went east from Warrensburg, Missouri to the “Gateway to the West.”

In this new job, I proofread catalogs for eight hours a day — looking at thousands of pages in multiples languages and currencies. I didn’t understand what I was reading but I quickly got a handle on looking for printing irregularities. I frequently asked if there were other things that I could help with when I finished my pages for the day. If I was going to be there, I was going to give my all. This was the first lesson: be interested and sponge up any and everything you can. That three-month experience led to my next role working with our trade show team, then as a marketing communications coordinator for our corporate communications (think annual reports, shareholders meetings, etc.). That was followed by supervising all of our printing (back to those 3,000-page catalogs) and then the train went off the tracks — or at least that was my perception at the time.

The great recession had set in and we were making changes to weather the storm, one of which included a role change for me into our procurement department. I thought this was the end of everything as I knew it. I was not a happy camper, but the situation was what it was. Thankfully, I was still able to work on a few things that followed me from my previous life, such as our global charitable work that I was fortunate enough to build with our CFO. If you asked my pod mate, she would tell you how much I wasn’t thrilled about wheeling and dealing for chemicals and reagents daily, but then the second lesson came — and it was the most important lesson of my career thus far. Learning how our company does what it does was a game-changing experience for me. Without my stint in procurement, I would never have the intimate knowledge of what differentiates us and our operations from others in our industry. 

About a year into that experience, reprieve came in the form of Global Citizenship. I got back to a place that I felt I could really make an impact, which was then strengthened because I could work on building strategies that took into account not only what some may call “marketing fluff” but also how our business actually works. This helped lay the foundation for groundbreaking tools like DOZN™, the build out of our green chemistry product platform from scratch, and getting the company recognized by CDP, The Global 100, Newsweek Green Rankings, CR Magazine’s Top 100 and many more. We were able to build a culture of credibility because of operational understanding. As both our business and my responsibilities have transformed and grown, I’m able to take that understanding of our operational process and apply it to making changes to the packaging and labeling of all 300,000 of our products that are produced at 60 manufacturing sites around the world…all because of a dreaded career change to procurement.

As I reflected on the unpredictable zigs and zags of my career, I thought back to that very confident (my mother would have said way too confident) and dare I say naive 22-year-old, and I’m still in awe of where I find myself today. My worldview, desire for inclusion and appreciation for experiences have grown. Although, a few things haven’t changed, including my belief that the power of possibility can be limitless, desire to be quicker and an unquenchable thirst for more information to power change. As a friend and colleague recently said to my team during an off-site meeting in York, U.K.: “It’s not just hard work, it’s knowing how our business works that leads to success.” In my mind, truer words have never been spoken, and that all started proofreading catalogs.

Jeffrey Whitford is head of corporate responsibility and branding for MilliporeSigma.

Tweet me:The global head of #CSR at @MilliporeSigma, @SAGlobalCit_JW, shares how his operational understanding laid the foundation for groundbreaking tools, like #DOZN in his latest @moneyinccom article: https://bit.ly/2PD0Q3N

KEYWORDS: Jeffrey Whitford, MilliporeSigma, Money Inc, global citizenship, sigma aldrich, Corporate Social Responsibility

Commercial aviation is one of the world’s more high-profile carbon-intensive industries, but companies like JetBlue are reacting to changing consumer sentiment to create a more efficient, low-carbon future

SOURCE:JetBlue Airways

DESCRIPTION:

Consumer priorities are shifting across a number of industries, and the aviation sector is no exception. In the past, businesses could get away with offering a simple, good-value service, but today’s customers expect airlines to take sustainability as seriously as they do profitability.

One airline looking to integrate long-term environmental planning and corporate social responsibility into its core business strategy is JetBlue. The airline sets goals to meet both short and long-term financial needs, while also fulfilling its commitment to reducing emissions.

Now, as the market evolves beyond sustainability to incorporate more environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, JetBlue is well positioned to lead the aviation sector into a new, more environmentally conscious future. European CEO spoke to Robin Hayes, CEO of JetBlue, to learn how the company is adapting to new environmental and social pressures, while continuing to meet the financial demands of its shareholders.

In terms of ESG, why is transparency so important? 
At JetBlue, we believe in communicating transparently about our plans and achievements. Since 2006, we’ve shared our social and environmental efforts and impacts publicly. Companies report on these topics because customers demand this information – and rightfully so.

ESG itself is focused on the risks that stem from factors relating to larger environmental and social pressures – in this respect, transparency is key. Investors want to see that we have a viable plan to stay profitable long into the future, even when faced with looming environmental and social challenges.

ESG relates to corporate financial reporting, investor relations, enterprise risk management and shareholder engagement. While sustainability is inherently inward-looking and operational, ESG focuses on external forces, planning for scenarios that are likely to arise in the near future.

Click here to read the full interview

Tweet me:Commercial aviation is one of the world’s more high-profile carbon-intensive industries, but companies like @JetBlue are reacting to changing consumer sentiment to create a more efficient, low-carbon future http://bit.ly/2woFLmy via @europeanceo

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:JBLU, Jetblue, Robin Hayes

SOURCE:Merck & Co., Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

A Merck experiment flying drones carrying medicines to remote locations to see if the technology is viable during emergencies may have appeal in disaster situations.

The pilot tests are innovative not just because they involve unmanned aerial vehicles but because of the technology-enabled, real-time, cold-chain monitoring systems on board. In simple terms, a device like a mobile phone sends data from the drone to the ground so engineers can monitor the temperature and therefore verify the stability of the medicines during the flight. 

Read the press release to learn more about the recent test drone flights held in Puerto Rico: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/direct-relief-merck-and-partners-test-temperature-controlled-autonomous-drone-delivery-system-for-medicines-in-puerto-rico-a-year-after-maria-300702117.html

"Merck is pleased to collaborate on this innovative new model for delivering medicines to patients in areas affected by natural disasters," said Brenda Colatrella, executive director, Corporate Responsibility at Merck. "We're proud of our long history of expanding access to our medicines and vaccines, and of working with our partners to provide humanitarian assistance. The successful test flights give us hope that we will be able to provide a reliable supply of our medicines for disaster relief."

Through our disaster relief efforts, Merck aims to respond in a timely, coordinated manner; to meet the immediate needs of affected communities; to provide ongoing assistance through recovery as needed; and to support preparedness efforts. Learn more about Merck’s disaster relief efforts: https://www.merck.com/about/featured-stories/natural-disaster-relief.html

Tweet me:.@Merck emergency #drone delivery experiment supports patients through #disasterrelief http://bit.ly/2NXGMsy

KEYWORDS: Merck, drones, disaster relief, supply chain, natural disasters, access to medicine