ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
To truly help individuals and ourselves, we need to bust up the system, swim upstream and avoid the herd mentality. We need to take a step back and truly
understand our own roles in society — and by doing so, to let go of outdated notions.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
The GAF Cool Community Project will assess and mitigate the impacts of the urban heat island effect in landlocked and underserved cities — beginning with the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacoima.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The first national Black farmer co-op since the Reconstruction era is on a mission to revive and support Black farmers — which have dwindled to a mere 1.4% of farmers in the US — and cultivate a national network of growers of regeneratively farmed hemp.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
The United Way Social Purpose Institute offers a free tool to help companies assess and rate the degree to which their purpose is fully embedded across the company and in its relationships. These are the new techniques that purpose players are expected to demonstrate to stay in the ring …
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
Corporate Knights has developed the world’s first rating system to assess companies’ implementation of their social purpose commitments. Its research finds that the gap between ‘say’ and ‘do’ varies from one company to the next.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it seems only fitting to focus on the women working to feed our country. From raising dairy and beef cows to vegetables and other crops — women are slowly becoming the face of the next generation of US farmers.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS -
PMI recently released its 2021 Sustainability Materiality Report, which describes how the company identifies the ESG topics that inform its strategies, goals, and reporting. It’s conducted with full transparency — for stakeholders, and for society.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
MDIs are trusted providers for communities of color and include some of the oldest minority-owned US banks; they play a unique role in increasing access to
financial services for underserved populations.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The rise of company-specific materiality assessments will require companies to undertake substantial organizational and behavioral adjustments, reduce their reliance on standardized metrics, and incent investors to dig more deeply into the inner workings of individual portfolio companies.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
Here, Shaw Industries’ VP of Global Sustainability, Kellie Ballew; and Rachel Hodgdon, CEO of the International WELL Building Institute, discuss game-changing trends in building design — all centered around a new focus on human health and wellbeing.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS -
Except for a clutch of ads for EVs, it seems the climate crisis is not yet a force driving brand messaging at the Super Bowl. But a few brands seized the opportunity to drive adoption of sustainable behaviors at scale.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS -
New platform from Break Free from Plastic explores the hardest-hit frontline communities in the world, from India to Ohio. After hearing each story, viewers can choose to view another location, or take actions designed to make local and global impact.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Far from simply the latest buzzword, regenerative agriculture is an opportunity for brands to invest in a fundamentally different system that drives numerous
benefits for people and the planet — from boosting climate resilience and reversing biodiversity loss to prioritizing justice, equity and sustainable livelihoods.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Through a series of multi-year partnerships with business-focused nonprofits, Umpqua aims to close the opportunity gap in access to capital, resources, and expertise for traditionally underserved innovators.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
At Auburn University’s architectural-training program, “housing is health.” Associate Director Rusty Smith asserts: “As architects, we have a professional responsibility. It's not only an ethical or moral responsibility; it's a professional responsibility, as well, to act when we see people in crisis.”
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
As the traditionally male-dominated chemical industry becomes ever more inclusive, women in leadership roles are joining forces to create camaraderie,
mentorship and opportunities for professional and personal growth.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The multi-year, multimillion-dollar Indigenous Earth Fund initiative will support systemic and policy-change efforts centered around Indigenous leaders and environmental solutions.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
To provide experiences that enrich destination communities and travelers alike, the new initiatives span 16 countries and include activities such as meals at local establishments supporting women, migrants and seniors; and immersive tours preserving Indigenous and ethnic minority legacies.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
The World Economic Forum's annual global survey of experts finds only 1 in 6 are optimistic and only 1 in 10
believe in our ability to implement a stable, sustainable global recovery.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
By unleashing the corporate balance sheet, finance teams can provide resources to nurture local entrepreneurial talent, improve climate resilience and build housing — all with minimal risk.