MARKETING AND COMMS -
One major reason that most sustainability writing is bad is that it’s written by a microscopic number of smart people who think and talk the same way,
unintentionally excluding the bulk of audiences that need to be spoken to.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
At SB’s latest Trend Watching event, experts across a variety of fields and industries offered insights into how purpose-driven brands can effectively activate on everything from marketing to effective leadership to climate justice in our post-pandemic world.
WALKING THE TALK -
The disconnect between many companies’ public sustainability ambitions and their non-public lobbying efforts can no longer be excused. The Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce is helping companies connect the dots.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The company’s latest digital learning initiative aims to inspire students and spark critical conversations and learning around race and equity, year-round.
WALKING THE TALK -
If 2020 was the year major corporations pledged to do their part to help end systemic racism and inequities, 2021 will see whether many of them walk their talk. Here is how Apple and Starbucks are attempting to make good on their commitments …
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
The world’s first carbon-removal collective for the travel industry offers climate-clever travelers and small businesses the ability to contribute directly to carbon removal and storage.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
In the aftermath of 2020, the business of sport has been awakened to the fact that in the age of social good, creating positive impact is a growing requirement for any business’s license to operate.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
No offense, 2020 — but it is high time we put you to bed and look toward the future. After the year we’ve had, we all deserve a little pampering — and so do the makers of these thoughtful, ethically made products …
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The food and gardening startup furthers its mission to “undo food” with the release of organic, non-GMO, domestically grown seeds for 92 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers — in packaging made of 100% recyclable materials.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The Toilet Board Coalition’s Women in the Sanitation Economy Innovation Lab has chosen five women-led, early-stage startups focused on women’s reproductive health and hygiene; and improving access to safe, sustainable sanitation options in underserved areas.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The social impact education provider will offer free digital education and tools to close gaps that lead to long-term, systemic inequalities for at-risk students.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Every problem that confronts the US today can be traced back to racist ideology. Businesses cannot survive on just the small percentage of the very wealthy buying goods. Mass incarceration, poverty, healthcare disparities — all of these issues affect your bottom line
and profits.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
This year’s global challenges centered around four themes: Sustainable and Healthy Food for All, Climate Change/Circular Economy, Innovation for Inclusive Trade, and Innovation for Peace and Justice.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The 2020 GlobeScan-Ethical Markets “Beyond GDP” survey finds that an average of 72% of people across 11 countries would prefer to broaden GDP to
incorporate these additional data.
WALKING THE TALK -
We must foster resilient and just societies in order to solve the major challenges that face the world. So, systemic racism and barriers to equity must be embedded into the sustainability equation and conversation.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The travel industry has done a poor job integrating the SDGs into business operations and reporting on them. But the Goals offer guidance on how to develop destinations that can appropriately manage tourism’s footprint and minimize environmental impact while benefiting local communities.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Brands are more willing than ever to take public stands in support of important issues. But while many aren’t much more than social media sound bytes, others go
beyond lip service to action.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The Biomimicry Institute’s third annual Youth Design Challenge engaged 6,000 students across the US; and yielded ingenious designs for solutions to problems in cities and nature alike.
COLLABORATION -
Program will help teachers foster students’ leadership skills, critical thinking and environmental literacy; and provide a Student Innovation Fund for projects that improve schools’ environmental performance.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Finding a job in sustainability or social impact wasn’t easy even before COVID-19 blindsided and bludgeoned the global economy. Your sustainability and social impact job search will be challenging, but if you stay motivated and keep trying, you will eventually find a good fit.