Quantcast
Channel: Justmeans
Viewing all 19779 articles
Browse latest View live

Fort Wayne Assembly Powered by Wide Array of Renewables

0
0
Truck plant is GM’s 18th facility to use solar power at operations
Jan 7, 2015 12:10 PM ET
Blog

While many spent December putting up lights on Christmas trees, our assembly plant in Indiana was installing an entirely different lighting project: a 100-foot-long, 14.4 kilowatt ground-mounted solar array

Fort Wayne Assembly, which builds the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, finished construction of its first solar array last month.

Though it may seem unusual to install an array at the start of winter, solar panels actually operate just as efficiently in winter than in summer. That’s because solar panels work on light, not heat, so the cooler temperatures do not impact energy production.

Although fewer daylight hours result in a lower production of energy, snow on the ground can provide a temporary boost to electricity production when sunlight reflects onto solar panels, similar to how a skier can still get a sunburn on a sunny winter day from the sun’s reflection. As long as the panels are not covered in snow, they will continue to produce power.

This may be its first solar array, but Fort Wayne Assembly has an impressive track record when it comes to energy use. The plant was named an ENERGY STAR® Certified Facility for energy management, performing in the top 25th percentile of similar facilities nationwide. Additionally, Fort Wayne met ENERGY STAR’s Challenge for Industry by reducing energy intensity by 22 percent in three years.

Solar isn’t the only renewable energy powering the plant. Thirty percent of Fort Wayne’s energy comes from methane gas extracted from a nearby landfill – and none of the facility’s daily waste goes to one either. Fort Wayne was our first assembly plant in the U.S. to go landfill-free.

We now house 46 megawatts of solar power at 18 of our facilities around the world and continue to expand our solar portfolio. By harnessing the power of the sun we can ensure a brighter energy future.


How I Helped Middle School Students Make a Difference in Their Community

0
0
Jan 7, 2015 12:45 PM ET
Blog

This post was written by guest blogger Stephen Liem, IT Director, Global Quality and Support Services

There is no limit to what education can bring. It opens up many opportunities that otherwise may not be available.

In the past 10 weeks I‘ve had the privilege of teaching journalism to the middle school students in Joseph-George School in East Jan Jose, California. Cisco has been partnering with Citizen Schools, a nonprofit organization, to deliver after school educational programs to low-income schools across the country.

Citizen Schools aims to prevent students from dropping out of high school through its Extended Learning Time (ELT) model, which provides after-school mentoring and support to low-performing middle schools. Volunteer professionals, or “Citizen Teachers,” teach 10-week after-school apprenticeships on topics they are passionate about, from blogging to filmmaking to robotics.

On average the schools Citizen Teachers visit do 300 hours less of after school programming compared to their counterparts. In East San Jose, where the graduation rate is at 79%, providing more meaningful educational programs has certainly helped not just the students themselves but also the community.

In my journalism class, students in the sixth grade learned how to interview and collect data, how to write an article well, and how to express and publish their opinions honestly and truthfully. Collectively they decided on the name of the newspaper – the East San Jose News — and the subject of their stories.

The results were both eye opening and touching at the same time.

Erika and Tracy, for example, wrote that while they do not necessarily like to wear a school uniform, nevertheless it is important to wear one, because, “it protects you from gangs!” The story describes the reality they often must face outside of school, a reality that under normal circumstance they should not have to live with. It is a touching statement.

Christopher in the editorial section wrote about the importance of voicing your opinion to make a difference: “School could be cooler if you just speak up and ask for what you want. Sometimes your answer will be ‘no’ or ‘maybe,’ ‘just wait,’ or straight up “yes.’ But you will never find out unless you speak up and make your voice heard.” They may be in sixth grade, but the students absolutely understand that they can contribute to their community and they are ready to make that difference.

I enjoyed every minute I spent with my students. It was an educational process for me, but most important, I believe it was a tremendous educational experience for the students. In our country, where inequality in access to education and income disparity exist, I applaud Cisco and Citizen Schools’ effort to level the playing field for the sake of our future generation. I am glad that through Cisco, I have the opportunity to give back to my community.

Cisco employees are among Citizen Schools’ largest group of Citizen Teachers – 184 employees have taught 89 apprenticeships – and Cisco has provided more than $2 million in cash and product grants to the organization since 2009. Learn more about the partnership between Cisco and Citizen Schools.

Forest City second in “Most Improved Corporate Citizens” Ranking by Corporate Responsibility Magazine

0
0
Jan 7, 2015 4:00 PM ET
Press Release

CLEVELAND, Ohio, January 7, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Forest City Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: FCEA and FCEB) ranked second among “Most Improved Corporate Citizens” in a recently published annual survey by Corporate Responsibility Magazine.  The rankings, which appear in the magazine’s November/December 2014 issue, measure the corporate responsibility (CR) performance of each company in the Russell 1000, based on 298 publicly available data points related to CR.  Forest City moved up 500 places in the 2014 rankings to finish at 320 among the 1000 companies surveyed.

“It’s gratifying that our ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility is being acknowledged,” said Jon Ratner, Forest City vice president of sustainability initiatives.  “Sustainability and stewardship are core values for Forest City, and our commitment to transparency and improved CR performance are a direct extension of those core values.”

Jill Ziegler, director of sustainability and corporate responsibility, added, “Over the past several years, we have significantly increased our external CR reporting, including adopting Global Reporting Initiative standards for our industry. There is more work to be done, but we’re pleased and honored to see our progress to date recognized in this way.”

In introducing the rankings, the magazine noted, “This year, we decided to look at the companies that jumped the most number of places.  That would show a new openness and willingness to be held accountable, and thus a new (or renewed) commitment to CR, sustainability and shared value.  We felt it would be valuable to highlight and congratulate those companies that moved the fastest.”

 

About Forest City
Forest City Enterprises, Inc. is an NYSE-listed national real estate company with $8.2 billion in total assets. The company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, management and acquisition of commercial and residential real estate throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.forestcity.net.  The company annually reports its sustainability goals and performance, along with a wide range of other metrics and activities, in a Corporate Social Responsibility report, available at http://csr.forestcity.net.

Contacts:  Jill Ziegler, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, 216-621-6060, jillziegler@forestcity.net, or Jeff Linton, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Community Relations, 216-621-6060, jefflinton@forestcity.net.

Expert: Parents Have Power to Influence Teen Drivers

0
0
Jan 7, 2015 3:00 PM ET
Article

Younger drivers are often assumed to be the target audience for lectures about distracted driving, but many of them pick up risky habits from their parents, according to Tina Brunetti Sayer, principal engineer for Toyota's Collaborative Safety Research Center in Ann Arbor.

"As a mother of a teenager I often remind myself that the things I do behind the wheel go a long way in setting a powerful example," said Brunetti Sayer, winner of the 2015 Free Press Automotive Leadership Award for Community Involvement.

>>Continue reading original article about Toyota's research on teen drivers at Detroit Free Press

Original source: Detroit Free Press

Photo credit: Toyota Technical Center

Toyota

Hershey Exceeds Sustainable Cocoa Goals in 2014

0
0
Company announces accelerated 50 percent target for certified and sustainable cocoa by end of 2015
Jan 7, 2015 3:15 PM ET
Press Release

HERSHEY, Pa., January 7, 2015 /3BL Media/ - The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced that 30 percent of its globally sourced cocoa was independently certified and verified. This reflects an accelerated pace for achieving its goal of sourcing 100 percent of its cocoa supply from certified and sustainable cocoa farms by 2020. The announcement follows the company’s 2013 achievement of sourcing 18 percent certified cocoa globally, nearly double its original goal of 10 percent for the first year of its 2020 commitment.

Given its accelerated momentum toward 100 percent certified and sustainable cocoa, Hershey also announced a new target to source at least 50 percent certified cocoa by the end of 2015, reaching its 2016 goal of 40 and 50 percent one year ahead of schedule.

“Sourcing sustainable cocoa is a key part of our 21st Century Cocoa Sustainability Strategy, which focuses on programs that improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, their families and cocoa communities around the world,” said Terry O’Day, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. “We are proud of our rapid progress in just two years and our alignment with the industry’s efforts to address the challenges in cocoa growing regions through the CocoaAction initiative led by the World Cocoa Foundation. Together, the cocoa and chocolate industry can bring training that helps improve livelihoods, gender equality and provide health and farm safety programs to benefit these communities.”

Hershey is currently sourcing certified cocoa through three of the world’s largest and most recognized cocoa certifications: UTZ Certified, Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance Certified™. During the past year, Hershey has been expanding its work with industry partners to build sustainable farm training through the Hershey Learn to Grow program in Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. In 2014, the company announced that more than 19,000 cocoa farmers in Cote d’Ivoire will be enrolled in Learn to Grow agricultural and community training programs. These efforts have led to an increase in certified farms and verified sustainable cocoa, which will contribute to Hershey’ sourcing 100 percent cocoa that is certified and originates from sources that have been independently audited and verified for appropriate farming, labor and environmental practices.

Hershey’s 100 percent certified and sustainable cocoa commitment is one part of Hershey’s ongoing commitment to support sustainable cocoa farming through its 21st Century Cocoa Sustainability Strategy. Hershey’s cocoa strategy is part of the broader cocoa-industry efforts through CocoaAction to improve product, family livelihoods and communities across the cocoa-growing sector in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

For more information about Hershey’s 21st Century Cocoa Sustainability Strategy and other ethical cocoa sourcing initiatives, visit Hershey’s corporate website at: www.thehersheycompany.com.

About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY), headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 13,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company, which has more than 80 brands worldwide that drive over $7.1 billion in annual revenues, includes such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey is focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to build its competitive advantage in North America. Additionally, Hershey is poised to expand its portfolio into categories beyond confectionery, finding new ways to bring goodness to people everywhere.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For 120 years, Hershey has been committed to good business by operating fairly, ethically and sustainably to make a positive impact on society. This means contributing to a better life for its employees, consumers, communities, and, ultimately, creating a bright future for children in need. This commitment is exemplified by Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company. The children who attend the school receive education, housing, and medical care — thriving as direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.

Contacts
The Hershey Company
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeff Beckman, 717-534-8090

Webinar GHS: 2 Deadlines Hit in 2015. Are you Ready?

0
0
Event Type: 
Webinar
Event Date: 
January 15, 2015 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: 
Online
Organizer: 
NAEM

Thursday Jan. 15, 2015
1:00 -2:00 p.m.
Register today!

Cost: Member $79, Non-Member $99

This year, in 2015, during a span of just six months, two of OSHA's GHS deadlines are going into effect. With employers still scrambling to meet the compliance obligations laid out by OSHA's first GHS deadline, which went into effect in December 2013, it's important to take action now to understand the full spectrum of GHS requirements. Doing so will help prevent noncompliance with OSHA's 2nd most frequently cited standard, and more importantly protect employees from increased injury and illness risks resulting from a compromised HazCom Program.

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn what OSHA's phased-in GHS deadlines are and what is required to comply with them — two of which, go into effect in 2015
  • Identify what has changed with HazCom as a result of GHS adoption, as well as what hasn't
  • Understand the impact GHS adoption has on MSDS libraries, hazardous chemical inventories, container labels, and employee training programs
  • Learn about the top compliance challenges safety professionals are facing when it comes to managing material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and labels, and how to overcome them
  • Receive actionable steps for preparing workplace for the GHS transition and ensuring compliance with OSHA's series of GHS deadlines

Speaker:

  • Glenn Trout, President & CEO; MSDSonline Inc./ KMI

How Technology Can Transform Workplace Volunteering [Infographic]

0
0
Jan 7, 2015 4:15 PM ET
Multimedia with summary

How Technology Can Transform Workplace Volunteering

In this infographic, learn about the ways that we've seen technology transform workplace volunteering with supporting data from the VolunteerMatch network of employee volunteer programs. This is a great piece to help support internal buy-in for an employee volunteer program management system like VolunteerMatch Solutions.

Download the PDF now.

13 Sustainability Trends for 2015

0
0

Guest Blog by Richard Mazzola, CEO/Founder, KarmaConnect

2015 will be a critical year for the progression of sustainability movements. As the United States prepares for a Presidential election in 2016, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) disseminates their Fifth assessment report and the United Nations urges new austerity measures for emissions we will see a significant shift in the way we talk about sustainability:

1.     The Sustainable Shopper

Over the past 5 years consumers have increasingly become aware of a brand’s sustainability. But rising retail prices, high unemployment and uneasiness over their personal finances have made price point a top purchasing decision. As the US economy continues to rebound and brands begin to use sustainability as a competitive advantage, 2015 will be the year that the sustainability of a product erodes the importance of price point.

2.     The Circular Economy

Pioneered by Ellen Macarthur, the circular economy takes the linear model of ‘take, make, dispose’ and transforms it by allowing retailers and manufactures to retain ownership of their products thus acting as service providers. They then sell the use of their products which allows them to dissemble and refurbish on an ongoing basis. The circular economy will flourish in 2015 as accessible resources needed for a linear model of production become increasingly scarce.

3.     Transparency in Data

Cotton Incorporated states, “The bombardment of "green" marketing terms and products claiming to be organic, environmentally friendly, sustainable and eco-friendly has primed the consumer for disillusionment”. Brands will be pressured to publish raw data to validate their sustainability claims based on increased speculation amongst consumers. GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that specializes in unconditional cash transfers, has pioneered this approach in the social innovation sector.

4.     Sustainability Manager

After a botched Climate Change Convention in 2009 in Copenhagen the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made material progress in 2014 after the release of Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), the most sobering report to date, was released. Expect that global pressure placed on big business in 2015 will result in a booming job market for Sustainability Managers as C – Level executives look to off load the burden.

5.     Value Chain vs. Supply Chain

A supply chain is the sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a Product. A value chain is the process by which a company adds value to that product including advertising, sales, support and maintenance. The main difference between the two is the value added. In 2015 organizations (See Unilever) will look at how they add value to a product or service and whether or not that practice is scalable in the context of sustainability.

6.     Social Responsibility as a Revenue Generator

In a recent study on Global Organizations, Grant Thornton found that 67% of executives stated that the number one reason they are socially and environmentally conscious is for ‘cost management’ reasons. In 2015 executives will use corporate social responsibility programs as a new route to market with the goal of revenue generation. Amazon Smile has made a splash with this strategy in 2014.

7.     Public Awareness

The IPCC report mentioned above states that, “Climate Change is irreversible, even if humans ended CO2 emissions today.” As the reality hits the mainstream population that climate focus is on adaptation of environment rather than prevention of climate warming, expect wide stream awareness of specific data surrounding climate change.

8.     Employee-driven Sustainability  

C level executives are beginning to realize there is a real return on investment from employee driven sustainability causes; from increased retention rates to bottom line growth, top companies will rely on employees to drive the innovation strategy around sustainability in 2015. 

9.      The Sustainable Entrepreneur

As millennial’s begin to graduate business school their dream jobs are no longer in the consulting and banking industries. Social entrepreneurship weaves innovation, technology and sustainability to attract the top academic scholars. 2015 will see social businesses receiving more Venture Capital (VC) funding than ever before.  Learn how Entrepreneurs are turning CO2 into revenue.

10.   Innovation in the Aviation Industry

Inhabitat.com estimates that the aviation industry creates somewhere between 2% and 2.5% of the world’s carbon emissions, and those figures are expected to increase substantially over the next few decades. Airlines will invest heavily in R&D in 2015 to solve this, as the first carrier to do so stands to make a lot of money (and positive press).

11.  Voters Decide What’s Important (2016 election)

Politicians will be forced to cater to voter preference with the upcoming 2016 election. It will be up to each and every citizen to make their voice heard and decide how important sustainability is to them, and what candidate is doing the most to support it. Remember, the future’s the only place we all have to live.

12.   The CFO’s Role in Sustainability

As shareholders begin to connect a company’s financial performance to its social and environmental impact the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will growingly become involved in the measurement and management of sustainability programs.

13.   Communication of  Sustainability Strategy

Organizations will be expected to define, communicate and execute a sustainability strategy just as they would a product development strategy in a new fiscal year. This shift will represent consumer’s holding companies more accountable for their claims and achievements in sustainability.

Richard Mazzola is the CEO and Founder of KarmaConnect, a platform that rewards individuals who volunteer with discounts on major brands' goods and services.  

 

 

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - 4:00pm

2015 NAEM Annual Membership Meeting

0
0
Event Type: 
webinar
Event Date: 
January 22, 2015 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: 
online
Organizer: 
NAEM

As an NAEM member in good standing you are invited to our annual 2015 Member Meeting, which will take place on Thursday January 22, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via web conference and is a great opportunity to hear what initiatives NAEM is working on to bring additional value to your membership.

The agenda will include:

There is no fee for this meeting, but please register here to let us know you will be attending. If you require assistance, contact Briana Warner at briana@naem.org or (202) 986-6616 x103.

Thank you again for your membership in NAEM. We look forward to connecting with you in 2015!

Building Standard of Practice in SROI

0
0
Jan 8, 2015 12:00 PM ET
Blog

In November 2014, the Social Return on Investment (SROI) International Network merged with Social Impact Analysts Association (SIAA) to form Social Value International (SVI). This is an exciting development as the two organizations had strong visions of putting social value on the agendas of government, corporate, and social profit worlds internationally. It is also exciting because part of SVI’s vision is to have broad and rich conversations of how to value social outcomes, communicate that value to key stakeholders, and integrate that value into organizations.

That said, one challenge of any emerging management discipline is the need to uphold standards of practice while methodologies are still in development. For example, the field of accounting dates back centuries, but it’s only been in the past 50 years that there’s been a consensus emerging around an international standards. However, even today, many in the accounting world say that there is room for improvement. From SiMPACT’s perspective, the need for standard of practice in the use of SROI methodology is becoming more apparent. In Canada alone, SROI is being used in many provinces and territories, at the federal level, and in both small and large organizations.

Ensuring clients are aware of SROI methodology is the first step towards building an international standard of practice. One thought for consideration for clients of SROI practitioners, would be to ask their consultants how they plan to uphold the seven principles of the SROI methodology. While there is a need for flexibility in ones approach in SROI, based on the audience we are trying to engage, it is essential that the seven principles are upheld. For example, it’s vital to take steps to avoid over claiming as you focus on the most material outcomes experienced by stakeholders. It’s also essential to ask stakeholders what the most important outcomes are from their perspective, unless that stakeholder is unavailable.

SiMPACT looks to 2015 as a year where the SROI Canada Network will grow its database of practitioners seeking to provide a higher quality of service to interest in valuing their social outcome. For a full list of practitioners known to SROI Canada, click here. For individuals interested in learning more about SROI, join us at our next Introduction to SROI training session on January 22, 2015 in Calgary, and January 28, 2015 in Toronto.

Industry Leaders Set to Speak at the 14th Annual Charities@Work Best Practices Summit on Employee Engagement in Corporate Citizenship Presented by Wells Fargo

0
0
Jan 8, 2015 2:00 PM ET
Press Release

Washington, DC, January 8, 2015 /3BL Media/ - Charities@Work is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of industry leaders to speak at this year’s 14th Annual Best Practices Summit on Employee Engagement in Corporate Citizenship presented by Wells Fargo on March 23 -25, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel in New York City.

The emcee of this year’s Best Practices Summit will be Chris Jarvis, Co-Founder and Partner of Realized Worth, a leading consulting firm specializing in employee volunteering and workplace giving programs.  In addition, Charities@Work is in the process of putting together a comprehensive agenda including expert speakers - Derrick Feldmann and Carol Cone. 

Derrick currently leads the research team on the Millenial Impact Project– the most comprehensive research initiative to understand how the millennial generation connects, involves, and gives. Derrick also coauthored – Cause for Change: The Why and How of Nonprofit Millennial Engagement published by Jossey Bass/ Wiley.  Carol Cone is the Global Practice Chair, Business + Social Purpose for Edelman and leads their CSR, sustainability and citizenship offering, a team of more than 100 worldwide. When she is not giving speeches to business groups, MBA’s and NGO’s, she rolls up her sleeves to work with clients on purpose initiatives which have included the American Lung Association, Bezos Family Foundation Dove, HP, Microsoft, PNC, Samsung, Southwest Airlines, and Unilever.

2015 Summit Theme: Empowering Transformation

This year’s summit theme will be “Empowering Transformation” which will provide attendees with the tools to set strong foundations for their programs in order to enable transformation within the ever-changing environment of social responsibility today.

Topics will include:

  • How millennials are impacting and effecting change in CSR
  • What’s new and what’s next: technology and other emerging innovations
  • The future of employee engagement: a seamless component of the everyday corporate job
  • Corporate investments in performance and accountability

This premier and intimate networking event focuses on the trends, best practices and innovations in a variety of employee engagement programs including volunteerism, matching gift, and annual giving programs. Participants have the opportunity to share ideas and network with other professionals while staying current on the trends, hot topics and best models of employee engagement initiatives.

The Charities@Work Summit will also honor and recognize those companies, teams and individuals for their “best in class” and innovative practices.  More information on the nomination process will be coming soon at charitiesatwork.org.

Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor – Wells Fargo; Platinum Sponsors – Microsoft, Prudential; Gold Sponsors – New York Life, 3BL and UnitedHealth Group; and Premium Exhibitors – Benevity, CauseCast, DoTopia and MicroEdge.

To find out more information about this year’s Charities@Work Best Practices Summit or how to register including early bird registration discounts, visit charitiesatwork.org.  For information on sponsorship, please contact Lynne Filderman at lfilderman@charities.org.

About Charities@Work

Charities@Work is an alliance of four national nonprofit organizations - America’s Charities, Community Health Charities, EarthShare and Global Impact - that serves as the cooperative voice for more than 2,000 premier health, human service, environmental, and international development charities.

Angela Murray
+1 (908) 280-8089

States Work to Meet 2015 Renewable Energy Standards - The Minute

0
0
Jan 8, 2015 4:00 PM ET
Multimedia with summary

Around the country, investor-owned utilities are working to meet new renewable energy standards that have kicked in at the start of 2015. Thirty states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories have set mandated standards for the increased use of renewable energy during the past 10 years. Some have set specific goals. They range from New York state’s 29 percent of total energy output, one of the highest in the country, to New Mexico’s 15 percent, up from last year’s 10 percent. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, managed by the Department of Energy, most states are on track to meet their standards.

There have been some speed bumps on the road to renewables. Diversity requirements that call for certain percentages to come specifically from solar, wind, or other sources have proven to be a sourcing challenge for some utilities. And there are various issues about keeping costs down, from surcharges for solar customers to maintain the grid to limits on net metering, the sale of unused solar power back to utilities. But overall, the future for renewable energy in 2015 looks like one of continuing progress toward the use of more sustainable sources.

I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.

Video Source: States Work to Meet 2015 Renewable Energy Standards

Watch the Video on Whirlpool® Connect to care™ Program at CES 2015

0
0
The first app that combines charity and home appliances.
Jan 8, 2015 5:30 PM ET
Multimedia with summary

What if every load of laundry you did could help build a house for a family in need? Introducing Connect to care™ program: The first app that combines charity and home appliances to help every family thrive. The new Connect to Care™ mobile app, a component of The Whirlpool® Smart Top Load Washer and Dryer, includes an automated giving feature that allows users to convert each load of laundry into a donation to Habitat for Humanity.

Facebook: http://ow.ly/GK6xs
Twitter: @WhirlpoolUSA
Instagram: @WhirlpoolUSA
Website: ces.whirlpool.com

NAEM's 2015 EHS and Sustainability Software Conference

0
0
Event Type: 
Conference
Event Date: 
February 24, 2015 - 8:00am to February 25, 2015 - 5:00pm
Location: 
Tampa, FL
Organizer: 
NAEM

Join your professional peers at the 2015 EHS and Sustainability Software conference to learns how your peer companies are using data management systems to track compliance metrics, mitigate business risk and report sustainability results externally. Since 2001, NAEM’s EHS & Sustainability Software Conference has been the premier software event designed to meet the needs of corporate EHS and sustainability leaders. NAEM’s software event is the best opportunity to meet with the leading solution providers in one place and to hear from fellow users who have implemented these systems.

 

Discover more reasons why the 2015 EHS and Sustainability software conference will help you find a solution.

 

NAEM's 2015 EHS and Sustainability Software Conference

0
0
Event Type: 
Conference
Event Date: 
February 24, 2015 - 8:00am to February 25, 2015 - 5:00pm
Location: 
Tampa, FL
Organizer: 
NAEM

Join your professional peers at the 2015 EHS and Sustainability Software conference to learns how your peer companies are using data management systems to track compliance metrics, mitigate business risk and report sustainability results externally. Since 2001, NAEM’s EHS & Sustainability Software Conference has been the premier software event designed to meet the needs of corporate EHS and sustainability leaders. NAEM’s software event is the best opportunity to meet with the leading solution providers in one place and to hear from fellow users who have implemented these systems.

 

Discover more reasons why the 2015 EHS and Sustainability software conference will help you find a solution.

 


NAEM's Women's EHS Sustainability Leadership Roundtable

0
0
Event Type: 
Conference
Event Date: 
April 14, 2015 - 7:00pm to April 16, 2015 - 4:00pm
Location: 
San Antonio, TX
Organizer: 
NAEM

NAEM's Women's EHS Sustainability Leadership Roundtable gives corporate EHS&S leaders the opportunity to Connect, Share and Grow.  Attendees will meet and network, hear practical and actionable insights from the foremost women in the field, and participate in an interactive idea exchange on current issues facing women in the EHS&S discipline.

 

NAEM limits attendance to ensure deep network-building and learning, so register now to secure your spot.

 

Schedule

  • Tuesday, April 14: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Evening Welcome Reception
  • Wednesday, April 15: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Conference Sessions
  • Thursday, April 16: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Conference Sessions

Visit http://womensleadership.naem.org/index.php to learn more about this event!

RSF Winter Quarterly: Can Learning Transform Society?

0
0
Jan 8, 2015 3:30 PM ET
Blog

The transformative quality of learning is top of mind in the latest issue of the RSF Quarterly. Joan Caldarera, Director of the Rudolf Steiner College, San Francisco, offers a reconsideration of the purpose and framework for the future of education. Learn how RSF borrower Foundation For the Challenged empowers the developmentally disabled to lead a full life by providing them with dignity, stability, and independence. RSF Senior Director of Lending, Ted Levinson, gives an update on our campaign to find the next 25 social enterprise stars, and highlights current RSF borrowers doing groundbreaking work in the field of arts and education.

To download an electronic copy of the Quarterlyclick here.

RSF Social Finance

AIAG 2015 Corporate Responsibility Summit

0
0
Event Type: 
Summit
Event Date: 
April 29, 2015 - 8:00pm to April 30, 2015 - 4:30pm
Location: 
Novi, MI
Organizer: 
AIAG

2015 Corporate Responsibility Summit

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for "Sustainable Best Practices Throughout the Value Chain"

You will hear best practices

  • Societal Connection: Why society cares and how it drives our industry to react
  • Emerging Issues: A look at developments on the horizon that could impact your business
  • Leadership: What are the 'recognized' companies doing to outperform others on CR
  • Global Regulations & Standards: What impacts your responsibilities and your company's ability to import/export
  • Conflict Minerals Reporting: How to conduct Due Diligence and develop a CMR
  • Risk Assessment: How to identify risks
  • Sustainability Self-Assessments: How to improve your company's rating on customer surveys
  • Transparency: How to create a sustainability reporting


This event will benefit manufacturing professions representing OEMs and suppliers of all sizes.

Value vs. Values: What Comes First, Chicken or Egg?

0
0

A real life test case that sets food value (cost of product) against food values (means of production) has just landed in California supermarkets. As of Jan 1, state law requires eggs to come from farms that offer minimum living standards for chickens. The standards, mandating more space in cages for healthier animals, affect the means of production, the laying hens, not the products: eggs. Since California consumes over 30 percent of U.S. egg production, its legal requirements affect farms nationwide. In the short run, the new law will certainly result in reduced supply and higher prices as producers invest in new hen houses. Consumers will finally decide the value in egg supply chain values by voting with their purchases.

John Howell, Editorial Director

Georgia Takes the Lead in US Electric Vehicle Market

0
0

(3BL Media/Justmeans) – When governments, companies, nonprofits, and individuals collaborate to support a green business, the results can surpass all expectations. Georgia has overtaken all other US markets in adopting electric vehicle technology. There are lessons to be learned for other sustainable businesses from the success of the state.

In 2011, if someone wished to buy a zero-tailpipe-emission vehicle in Georgia, they had to go to other states to purchase it. There was zero market for these sustainable vehicles in the state of Georgia. Four years down the road, Georgia has become the largest market for electric vehicles in the US, leaving California behind at the second place.

In 2014, the sales of electric vehicles jumped more than seven-fold in the southeastern state. According to data firm Statista, electric cars in the state account for one of every 60 new cars sold, which is higher than the second-largest market, California, where the figure was one in 70. More than 15,000 drivers in Georgia currently use electric vehicles. The charging network ChargePoint says that Atlanta has become the fastest-growing US market for electric vehicles.

A number of factors have come together for this exemplary growth that has been achieved in the state. Georgia offers a tax incentive of $5,000, which when combined with a federal incentive of up to $7,500, makes the pricing attractive for the buyers. Secondly, the state offers extremely low electricity rates during off-peak hours such as nighttime, when many electric car owners charge their batteries. State utilities charge 1.3 cents/kwh, which is nearly one-tenth of the national average of 12 cents/kwh.

The state offers another key incentive in the form of access to electric vehicle owners in the carpool lanes, saving them a significant amount of time on the road. Analysts say that the region’s educated population, with leading universities such as Emory and Georgia Tech, are also helping to grow the market.

Corporate support is another vital factor driving the growth of this market in Georgia. Tesla has opened two stores and two service centers within a space of one year in the state. Major employers such as Coca-Cola have installed charging stations to encourage employees to use electric vehicles. Coca-Cola and UPS are using electric vehicles in their own fleets as well.

Nonprofits are also playing an important role in terms of educating consumers about new sustainable technologies. Manufacturers of charging stations such as Georgia Power are offering rebates to businesses to encourage them to install charging stations. Collaboration underlines the success of the electric vehicle market in the state, which is something that other sustainable businesses can follow.

Source: The Guardian

Image Credit: Flickr via NRMA

Friday, January 9, 2015 - 11:00am
Viewing all 19779 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images