Walking the Talk
These companies have moved beyond pledges and are making good on their commitments to pursuing a purpose beyond profit.
Practicing Purpose: How to Turn Social Purpose Into Growth
Launched during SB’17 Detroit, the Practice of Purpose Project seeks to drive the widespread adoption of social purpose by identifying the differences between traditional marketing and marketing based on purpose-drive brand strategies.
SB'17 Copenhagen, Day 1: Redefining the Good Life Through Brands, B Corps, Burgers and … Poetry?
As we continue to explore our global theme of "Redefining the Good Life," we kicked off our second annual Copenhagen conference with fresh perspectives from a host of Scandinavian and European innovators leading the charge — and the change — in this part of the world. Max Burger: Redefining the Cheese Burger by Melanie Vella
Unilever, L’Oréal Raise the Bar on Corporate Climate Action, Topping CDP's A-List
Global environmental disclosure platform CDP has released the results of its annual tracker of how the largest, most environmentally impactful companies are responding to climate change.
3 Key Takeaways from Engaging an Industry in Sustainability
The vinyl industry recently marked its first “sustainability community anniversary” — that moment where industry leaders came together to pledge to embark on our sustainability journey. In the year since, we’ve adopted common sustainability positioning focused on doing more with less, agreed on a purpose-driven continuous improvement path forward, formed the Vinyl Business and Sustainability Council (VBSC), and initiated an industry-wide materiality assessment. There’s still much work to do.
Liverpool FC Comes Under Fire for Controversial Deal with Tibet Water Resources
Liverpool Football Club’s latest sponsorship deal, with Tibet Water Resources Limited — a company committing ongoing human rights and environmental atrocities in the region — is a case example of the kind of partnership brands just cannot make in today's world if they are striving for sustainability. This matters because England-based Liverpool FC is a widely recognized sports brand. According to Forbes, the team is worth $1.49 billion, making it the eighth most valuable soccer club in the world.
Radley Yeldar Tackles 10 Myths in Its 'Reality Check' on Purpose
‘Purpose’ is not a buzzword, a strapline, a communications campaign, or repackaged CSR – nor is it a recruitment tool for millennials or only suited for worthy businesses, asserts independent marketing and communications agency Radley Yeldar (RY), which has released qualitative research on how purpose has transformed some of the world’s largest brands, from the people who work there and make it happen.
Apparel, Textile Industry Giants Unite Around SDGs at 2017 Textile Sustainability Conference
Big news has been rolling out of the Textile Exchange 2017 Textile Sustainability Conference near Washington, D.C. this week, providing evidence of the major paradigm shift taking place in the apparel and textile industry.
Trending: Stella McCartney, Patagonia, Target Deliver Big Wins for Ethical, Sustainable Fashion
While faced by a myriad of social and environmental challenges, the fashion and textile industries continue to edge ever-closer to a more sustainable, equitable and circular future thanks to the innovative thinking of industry leaders.
Survey: Corporations Expected to Contribute to Social, Environmental Health of Communities
I recently moderated an enlightening panel discussion — between Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman, San Francisco Travel President & CEO Joe D’Alessandro, and Oakland Zoo President & CEO Dr. Joel Parrott — on why the new California Trail development, an $80 million expansion project at the Oakland Zoo, matters to the people who live, play, work and visit the Bay Area.
Redefining Ethical Business, Education, Activism, Customer Experiences All Key to 'The Good Life'
Last week, at the third and final SB Buenos Aires event of 2017, perspectives from the worlds of arts, finance, education, big business, healthcare, urban planning, consumers, activist brands and more provided a 360-degree look at how organizations around the world are working to manifest our changing vision of “The Good Life” – and highlighted the amount of work yet to be done.
Trending: New Tools Provide Businesses with Roadmap to Deliver on SDGs
Following through on the commitments outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals is one of the best shots companies have to maintain a competitive advantage and future-proof their businesses, but progress has thus far been lacking.
HP Inc. Launches HP School Cloud to Improve Education Access in Developing World
As part of a $20 million learning investment, HP Inc. has announced the new HP School Cloud, featuring the HP Open Learning Platform, during Global Citizen Week. HP School Cloud will provide access to educational materials and apps to students, teachers and adult learners in rural and poor communities around the world.
CVS, Levi Strauss, Nike Among Latest US Companies to Commit to Science-Based Emissions Targets
Ahead of Climate Week NYC 2017, which runs from September 18–24, a surge of global companies announced their commitment to the Science Based Targets Initiative, driving the number of businesses committed to setting science-based emissions reductions targets upwards of 300. This year, more than 90 new companies have joined, demonstrating the private sector's commitment to aligning its efforts to tackle climate change with the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
Trending: Auto, Mobility Giants Roll Out Ambitious New EV Initiatives
Air pollution has become a hot button issue for the UK ever since London surpassed its air pollution limits just five days into 2017, leading both the public and private sector to leap into action to reduce emissions.
MARS Commits $1B to New Sustainability Plan, Launches Climate-Focused Campaign
While it has widely been accepted that business-as-usual practices are not synonymous with a sustainable future, business still needs a nudge in the right direction, according to MARS CEO Grant F. Reid, who has called out the need for transformational, cross-industry collaboration to tackle the most pressing social and environmental challenges.
New Ford Sustainability Report Reveals Progress on Water Stewardship Goals
The Ford Motor Company has released its 18th annual Sustainability report detailing its environmental progress across the world and commitment to continued sustainability actions in the future. Coinciding with the release is a short film highlighting key milestones the company has achieved on its journey towards sustainability.
Joan Antoni Melé: Human Dignity Is Fundamental to a New, Better Economy
Translated from Spanish — view original interview here.
White Supremacy: What’s a CEO to Do?
If you’re a U.S. business leader, this week likely threw you into a professional conundrum: Should you take a public stand against white supremacy knowing you’ll jump into treacherous political waters?
Paradox Sports, The North Face Helping Adaptive Climbers Reach New Heights
Athletes previously inactive in the climbing community are now looking at more widespread climbing and adventure opportunities, thanks to new sponsorship from The North Face. The outdoor apparel retailer has teamed up with the non-profit Paradox Sports to expand access to indoor climbing facilities for para-athletes across the United States.
A Common Thread: Timberland on Its Company-Wide Culture of Sustainability
News Deeply, in partnership with Sustainable Brands, has produced a series of profiles looking at how brands are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. The goal is to examine trends and gather insights from a new wave of corporate citizenship – in an era when the private sector is increasingly expected to play a positive role in improving our lives and societies. This is the 11th article in the series.