FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
In this excerpt from his bestselling book, "Decolonizing Wealth," award-winning author and philanthropic advisor Edgar Villanueva provides a glimpse into how money can help to disrupt some of the deep, systemic inequities in this country, instead of continuing to feed them.
WALKING THE TALK -
As governments and public entities remain slow-moving, companies backing their values with action matters more than ever. But for those unsure how to respond to shifting expectations, how do they know they’re leading in a responsible way?
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Many people are becoming more aware of their environmental footprint and the impact they have on people and the planet. This awareness can be harnessed by the tourism industry to shift passive sea-and-sun tourists into more conscientious, actively engaged travelers.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Whether in our personal lives or in business, doing only what is required or expected is generally unsatisfying. If your plan of action means doing the bare minimum, the status quo is the likely result.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
As the latest company to use its size and scale to help equip the next generation of workers, SBD’s ‘Empower Makers’ grants aim to advance and accelerate vocational skills training programs in the next five years — and change misconceptions that these careers are not financially rewarding.
WALKING THE TALK -
HP, HPE, Intel and Microsoft are launching the HBCU Technology Conference, to equip students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to excel in tech careers; while Apple has expanded its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative with $30M worth of new programs.
FROM PURPOSE TO ACTION: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER -
Although progress is being made to advance a circular economy, converting difficult-to-recycle flexible plastics and films, such as plastic bags, into new products has largely been untouched by recycling innovators. Dow,
Circulate Capital and Lucro Plast-e-cycle are partnering to change that.
WALKING THE TALK -
These forward-thinking companies' efforts show that committing to education as part of a brand’s CSR strategy is, truly, a commitment — but one that can pay dividends both to society and the company itself.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Nestlé hopes that a new interactive platform, Beneath the Surface, will give viewers better insight into the complexity of palm oil supply chains and insight into how choices they make under different scenarios can lead to a range of outcomes and consequences.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Taking advantage of the forced pandemic pause and building off the momentum of a less extractive tourism model already taking shape in the country’s Bay of
Plenty, the online program provided a foundation for shaping thriving host communities rooted in local context and culture.
WALKING THE TALK -
AT&T committed $10M to respond to the need for increased at-home connectivity for students during the pandemic, and worked with Connected Nation to make it happen. The 124 awardees in the program represent 81 schools and 43 nonprofits spanning 26 states.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
After an unprecedented year, Keurig Dr Pepper’s 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report reveals how partnerships, innovation, transparency and investment allowed the company to achieve goals and launch industry-first new commitments.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The initiative will promote destinations and experiences
outside the traditional tourist circuit — engaging local tourist communities, integrating the creative and cultural sector into local tourism value chains, and contributing to the development of responsible tourism.
WALKING THE TALK -
Reversing ingrained social inequities is critical to achieving the UN SDGs and averting catastrophic climate change. The pandemic has laid bare the many costs of inequality — now is the time for brands to make good on their promises to address this global issue.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
With shifting food habits, supply chains and levels of access to new information, today’s consumers recognize the urgent need to change how they eat.
In order to meet the urgency of this moment, the new BBMG/GlobeScan report, “Radically Better Food,” outlines four imperatives for regenerative food brands.
WALKING THE TALK -
Regenerative practice starts and continues with personal development. It is not a tool but a practice of conscious participation and co-creation. Working regeneratively is about revealing potential, rather than disappearing down rabbit holes of solving problems in isolation.
COLLABORATION -
Companies including HP, IKEA, Kimberly-Clark, Lowe’s and Williams-Sonoma are working with WWF to create lasting change that makes tangible differences in people’s lives and the health of our natural world.
COLLABORATION -
This year’s International Forum on SDGs for Regional Revitalization examined the
acceleration of sustainable development initiatives in and outside Japan, through corporate and government cooperation, and the positive ripple effects on communities around the world.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
There’s been some skepticism regarding the announcements of big corporate
investments in CDFIs and minority deposit institutions — are these one-offs just to generate a press release or first steps on long-term commitments?