SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

Marks & Spencer has sold over a billion items that have some form of sustainability credential in a year. Initial accounting through Plan A, the company’s sustainability strategy, shows that 35 percent of its products now have an eco or ethical feature that goes beyond the market norm.

Business4Better has issued an open call for presenters at its 2013 Conference and Expo, scheduled for May 1-2 in Anaheim. Individuals with knowledge of and passion for corporate community engagement, CSR, skilled and pro-bono employee volunteering, and business-nonprofit partnerships can apply to present at its inaugural event. The deadline to submit is Friday, December 14^th.

Asry has won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the Seatrade Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent Awards 2012, the region’s leading honor in the shipping industry. Asry was cited for its comprehensive employee welfare, training initiatives, and environmental programs.

For more information on these and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Source: Marks & Spencer Sells 1B Sustainable Products; Business4Better Calls for Conference Presenters; Asry Wins Mideast CSR Shipping Industry Award

Tweet me:.@marksandspencer sells 1 billion #sustainable products http://3bl.me/6arsd8 @Business4Better calls for presenters, #Asry wins award

KEYWORDS: Seatrade Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent Awards 2012, Marks & Spencer, sustainable products, business4better, Asry, 3bl Media, csr, CSR Minute

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

Energy ministers from the 27 member states of the European Union have asked the European Commission, the organization’s executive arm, to review programs for green fuel subsidies as it considers new targets for 2030. The ministers want the new energy savings goals to include guidance on investment and support that does not cause inefficiencies in cross-border trade of electricity. The European Renewable Energy Council, the umbrella organization for European green energy, has called for a goal of drawing 45 percent of EU energy from renewable sources by 2030.

A new report from Ernst & Young says that China remains the best place to undertake renewable energy projects like solar or wind. While China remained at the top of Ernst & Young’s All Renewables Index (ARI), it dropped a point in the solar index, where the U.S. topped the list. The report finds the overall attractiveness of the U.S. for renewables fell also, largely because of political uncertainty during the election season and the lack of a long-term policy plan. The report, which looks at how countries are making their policies attractive for solar and wind projects, also finds that emerging markets are becoming a bigger factor.

For more information on these and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Source: EU Energy Ministers Debate Energy Savings Goals for 2030; New Report by Ernst & Young Says China is the Best Country for Renewable Energy Projects

Tweet me:.@EU Energy Ministers debate energy savings http://3bl.me/xkmcby #Ernst&Young report says China best country for #renewableenergy projects

KEYWORDS: European Union, European Commission, European Renewable Energy Council, Ernst & Young, All Renewables Index (ARI), 3bl Media, Energy, Energy Minute

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

Zara, the world’s largest clothing retailer, has agreed to eliminate the use and emission of certain hazardous chemicals in the making of its products by 2020. The company has committed to removing PFCs, environmental contaminants that have been linked to immunity problems in children, from its manufacturing process by 2015. Greenpeace challenged Zara to make the move after an investigation found the company to be using cancer-causing chemicals.

Dannon’s annual benchmarking survey finds that 93 percent of respondents link digestive health to overall well being although some may not know simple steps to keep their system on track. The survey also shows that 68 percent believe probiotics help regulate the digestive system, but one-third admit they don’t get enough in their daily diet. Dannon partnered with noted dietitian Keri Glassman for this year’s report.

For more information on these and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Source: Zara Agrees to Eliminate Hazardous Chemicals From Apparel Manufacturing Process; Dannon’s Annual Survey Finds Respondents Link Digestive Health to Overall Well Being

Tweet me:@ZARA to eliminate hazardous chemicals from manufacturing process http://3bl.me/v7wyr4 @Dannon survey links digestive #health to well-being

KEYWORDS: zara, hazardous chemical elimination, Dannon, Greenpeace, digestive health, Health, Health Minute, 3bl Media

Pride, patriotism and performance in honoring the military heroes in our community

SOURCE:Avista Utilities

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:Flag pole dedication @AvistaUtilities Lewiston/Clarkston construction office honors veterans. #USA #patriots http://3bl.me/c2cbgf

KEYWORDS: csr, Shared Value, patriotism, Veterans, Avista Utilities, Flag Pole Dedication, The Lewis Clark Valley Veterans Council

The Kashi REAL Project’s Latest Campaign Supports Spoons Across America®

SOURCE:Kashi

SUMMARY:

Highlights

• The Kashi REAL Project has donated more than $700,000 to support select nonprofits that are helping more people enjoy real food.  

DESCRIPTION:

LA JOLLA, Calif., December 7, 2012 /3BL Media/ — Kashi, the premier natural food and lifestyle company, has launched its latest Facebook campaign with Spoons Across America, the source for children’s culinary education, dedicated to educating children, teachers and families about the benefits of healthy eating. The campaign is part of a long-term initiative, the Kashi REAL Project^™, which champions the work of nonprofits that help more people enjoy real food through greater access and education. Through Dec. 20, 2012, for each person who helps share Spoons Across America’s message via Kashi’s Facebook page, Kashi will donate $10 to the organization, up to $35,000^*.  

Spoons Across America offers food- and nutrition-based educational programs for elementary and middle school students to inspire healthy eating and help them learn about the origin of their food. In one program, The Dinner Party Project, elementary students learn about nutrition, local and seasonal eating, cooking skills, and the importance of sharing family meals, all while producing a dinner party for their families.

“Helping more people enjoy real food is a mission that inspired us over 25 years ago, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting organizations like Spoons Across America that are making a difference in their communities,” said Lara Gish, Ambassador of REAL Goodwill at Kashi. “While overcoming the Real Food Deficit is a huge challenge, these nonprofits are making great progress and we’re deeply committed to the mission we share with them.”

Kashi’s 2012 Featured Organizations

The Kashi REAL Project has also championed seven additional nonprofits this year throughout the country. By featuring the organizations on its cereal boxes and supporting them with $700,000 in donations to date, primarily through Facebook campaigns, Kashi is helping to support the following activities:

• Common Vision: Planting approximately 35 orchards in California schools and community centers, which will provide thousands of pounds of free, fresh fruit in the years ahead
• Cooking Matters Colorado^®: Providing 1,000 people with the skills and resources they need to prepare healthy meals on a limited budget
• Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen: Awarding Junior Leagues in 30 communities with grants ranging between $2,500 and $5,000 to support their program which provides nutrition education and hands-on cooking activities to help kids and families lead healthier lifestyles
• Just Food: Offering more than 7,000 New Yorkers more fresh produce and cooking classes through its “Fresh Food For All” program
• Solid Ground: Introducing hands-on gardening, nutrition and cooking classes for more than 150 kids and families in Seattle
• Wholesome Wave: Assisting with their Double-Value Coupon program which allows more than 39,000 families in need to have greater access to local, affordable, fresh produce by doubling the value of federal assistance or food stamps at more than 300 farmers markets across the country.

In support of the nonprofit HealthCorps^®, the program recently helped provide more than 14,000 students with nutrition, culinary and gardening lessons at 66 schools across the country to help them realize the importance of making healthy choices. 

“Kashi and HealthCorps share a vision for healthy living. Through the Kashi REAL Project, we’ve been able to help more high school students and faculty members make positive, lifelong changes by sharing the importance of making healthier choices,” said Michelle Bouchard, president of HealthCorps.  “As we strive to reach our goal of empowering high schools in all 50 states with our mission, we’re grateful for Kashi’s continued dedication to our cause.”

About Kashi Company

Founded in 1984, Kashi dreams of a world where everyone embraces natural health. As a natural lifestyle pioneer, Kashi is passionate about and committed to improving the health of people and our planet. By providing great tasting, nutritious and innovative foods, Kashi enables people to achieve optimal health and wellness, while also leading them on a path toward embracing a natural lifestyle. Kashi also champions non-profit organizations working to keep real food in the minds and hands of communities across the country through the Kashi REAL Project. To learn more about 25 years of Kashi’s mission, sustainable efforts, values and roots, visit Kashi.com.

Kashi’s products are natural, minimally processed and free of highly refined sugars, artificial additives and preservatives. Kashi^® brands and foods include: GOLEAN^® cereals and bars; Kashi^® Heart to Heart^® cereal, instant oatmeal and whole grain crackers; Kashi^® 7 Whole Grain Puffs, Honey Puffs, Nuggets and Flakes cereals; Kashi^® Good Friends^® cereal; Kashi^®Autumn Wheat^®, Cinnamon Harvest^®, Island Vanilla^®, Strawberry Fields^®Simply Maize^® and Indigo Morning^® (organic) cereals; Kashi^®Honey Sunshine^® and Berry Blossoms^® cereals; Kashi^® Black Currant Walnut cereal; Kashi^® chewy and crunchy granola bars, layered granola bars, soft-baked cereal bars, soft ‘n chewy bars and soft-baked squares; Kashi^® snack crackers, pita crisps and cookies; Kashi^® all natural frozen waffles, entrées, steam meals and pizzas; and Kashi^® 7 Whole Grain Pilaf. 

Join the Kashi community online at www.kashi.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kashi and visit us on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/user/KashiCompany.

*For every LIKE, the statement related to the Real Food Deficit will be shared on the user’s Facebook page and Kashi will donate $10 dollars, up to a maximum of $35,000 to Spoons Across America. The donation status will be updated every 24 hours. Limit one LIKE per statement per Facebook account. There is a strict limit of one entry per person. If it becomes apparent that a participant is using a computer(s) to circumvent this rule or any other automated or programmed means, any donation will be void. The program will begin at 12:00am ET 11/29/12 and ends at 11:59 pm ET 12/20/12 or until the maximum donation is reached. Spoons Across America will receive a minimum donation of $10,000. Must be a registered Facebook user to participate. This application is published by Kashi, which is solely responsible for its content. This program is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. 

Tweet me:Kashi's latest campaign will donate $10 to @SpoonsAAmerica if you share a message via http://on.fb.me/L55RcR (up to 35k) #KashiREALProject

Contact Info:

April Reading
Formula
+1 (619) 234-0345
reading@formulapr.com

KEYWORDS: Health and Wellness, Kashi, REAL Project, Spoons Across America, food, community, csr, sustainability

SOURCE:BSR

DESCRIPTION:

Nina Jatana, Communications Manager, Asia

The Hong Kong government just announced a war on food waste—vowing to reduce it by 10 percent by 2015. As BSR’s "Waste Not Want Not: An Overview of Food Waste" report highlights that in Hong Kong and around the world, food waste occurs across the many aspects of the food chain—from farm to fork. The Hong Kong government has announced a series of actions, which include a focus on influencing consumers to change behaviors. Changing the entrenched practices and norms of food consumers is not easy, but adjusting our habits is important in reducing the growing amounts of waste.

In a city where food waste makes up one-third of all solid waste, the government’s plan is designed to have a direct impact on the volume of waste that goes into landfill. According to the NGO Feeding Hong Kong, 3,500 tons of food are sent to landfill every day. The volume of food waste has doubled in the past five years, and if this continues, all of Hong Kong’s landfills will reach capacity in 2018.

The Hong Kong government's announcement is a hopeful sign of a new importance placed on environmental policies in Hong Kong, which have traditionally been low on the political agenda. Wong Kam-sing, the brains behind the waste plan, is Hong Kong’s Secretary for the Environment—a green architect by trade, he is expected to be a real force for environmental change. He is joined by Under Secretary for the Environment Christine Loh, former CEO of environmental think tankCivic Exchange, who brings formidable experience in lobbying and advocacy to the task at hand.

Clear leadership by government and public bodies is valuable, but effective change requires a collaborative approach, as mentioned in our recent article, "Sustainable Urban Growth: Is Hong Kong a Model for China?" Initiatives that harness the power and influence of public, private, and civil society sectors are the most likely to gain traction.

If Hong Kong meets its food waste reduction goal, it would equate to a 350-ton decline in food sent to landfill every day; viewed another way that represents 642,000 meals (assuming the average person consumes 1.2 pounds per meal). Reaching this goal will require a collective change in practices by a range of businesses, from wholesalers and retailers to the food service industry, in addition to consumers doing their part.

Our "Waste Not Want Not" report outlines a series of actions for businesses including training food service staff, reducing store-level food losses through improved ordering and recovery programs, and establishing and enhancing food redistribution programs. Companies are also taking steps around the world to help individuals reduce waste, which we will explore in a brief later this month.

Tweet me:‘War on Waste’ in #Hong #Kong. New @BSRnews blog on #food #waste regulations http://ow.ly/fVqOD

KEYWORDS: Food Waste, Hong Kong, BSR, Wong Kam-sing

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

Proserv has developed a green tool for oil and gas well operations. Its Energy Efficient Wellhead Control Panel offers significant reductions in environmental waste, energy usage, and carbon emissions: up to 20 percent savings on environmental impact, according to TUV Rheinland Group, a certification firm. Proserv’s engineering team in the Middle East and North Africa developed the solar-powered panel which includes a reduced battery size with the capability for providing all the power required to operate for three days continuously in the event of “no-sun” days. The panel uses biodegradable hydraulic oil, a reduced electrical load requirement, and takes less time to manufacture. Proserv is an energy production technology services company that focuses on innovative solutions for the energy industry that use a renewable source of energy.

The WindMade organization has unveiled a new consumer label for companies and products made using renewable energy. The new label will reference a variety of renewable energy sources, including solar, geothermal, hydro power, and biomass as well as wind, to offer flexibility to companies that use multiple energy technologies. Windmade was launched in 2011 as the first global consumer label for companies powered with wind energy. Bloomberg, Motorola, and Deutsche Bank are among the companies who have already adopted the WindMade mark. The new label is supported by the UN Global Compact, WWF, Vestas Wind Systems, and the Global Wind Energy Council, the partners behind the WindMade eco-label.

For more information on these and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Sources: Proserv Offers Renewable Energy Tool for Oil and Gas Well Operations; New WindMade Label Includes All Renewable Sources

Tweet me:.@Proserv offers #renewableenergy tool for oil and gas operations http://3bl.me/2y9a8c @WindMade_NGO Label includes all renewable sources

KEYWORDS: Bloomberg, Motorola, Proserv, Energy Efficient Wellhead Control Panel, WindMade, Deutsche Bank, UN Global Compact, WWF, Vestas Wind Systems, Global wind energy council, 3bl Media, Energy Minute, Energy

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

The fourth annual mHealth Summit, just concluded in Washington D.C., brought together 4,000 participants from 50 countries, experts from the private sector, NGOs, governments, and representatives of the tech industry. The attendees discussed how mobile technology is affecting healthcare and the major challenge: integrating an overwhelming stream of continuous information into health systems and patient care. The mHealth Alliance, the Summit organizers, aims to mainstream the use of mobile technologies to address critical health issues.

$8 million—that’s how much Kaiser Permanente saved last year in purchasing and waste disposal costs by using reprocessed medical devices. The healthcare group has also improved sustainability and reduced costs through its electronic health record system, which has decreased the use and cost of paper. Kaiser has set a goal of diverting 40 percent of the company’s waste from landfills by the end of 2015.

Running for health is the point of ING’s Run for Something Better School Awards, now in their fourth year. ING is offering 50 grants of $2,500 each for programs that target K through 8^th grade. The awards support an eight-week, school-based running program that ends with a celebratory running event. Managed in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, the 2013 grant cycle is now accepting applications.

For more information on these and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Source: MHealth Summit Focuses on Mobile Tech for Healthcare; Kaiser Permanente Saves $8M by Recycling Medical Devices; ING Supports Running for Health

Tweet me:.@mhealthsummit focuses on tech for healthcare http://3bl.me/2c4gvm @KPNewscenter saves by #recycling medical devices;@ING supports #running

KEYWORDS: mHealth Summit, mobile technology, mHealth Alliance, Kaiser Permanente, Healthcare, running, ING, Run for Something Better School Awards, 3bl Media, Health, Health Minute

SOURCE:NewPage Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

MIAMISBURG, Ohio, Dec. 10, 2012 /3BL Media/PRNewswire/ -- NewPage Corporation, the leading producer of printing and specialty papers in North America, announced today the release of its 2011-12 Sustainable Development Report, Making a Difference.

"Because our products come from the forest, NewPage has a unique opportunity to make a difference to the world around us by managing and using resources sustainably," said George Martin, president and chief executive officer for NewPage. "At NewPage sustainability means operating in a way that meets our company's need to thrive and grow without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. We know that we need to continuously improve to meet our sustainability goals, and we have a long history of doing this in all aspects of our business."

NewPage produces an annual sustainable development report to provide its stakeholders a look at the company's performance and activities designed to improve the way we manage human, natural and financial resources. The company focuses on five key areas of sustainability:

1. Healthy, Safe and Engaged Employees
2. Responsible Sourcing of Raw Materials
3. Efficient and Sustainable Manufacturing
4. Responsible and Safe Products
5. Strong, Viable Communities

Making a Difference provides an overview of the company's performance and latest actions in these five key areas. Highlights from the report include:

• Improved safety performance with a Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) of 2.14 in 2011 compared to 2.65 in 2010.
• Increased chain-of-custody certified product sales to 28 percent of total sales (up two percent from 2010).
• Procured 48 percent of its fiber from certified and recycled sources (down one percent from 2010), and all fiber was procured from North America and in compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Lacey Act and European Union Timber Regulation for legal fiber sources. All NewPage mills also have maintained chain-of-custody systems that are third-party certified to FSC^®, PEFC and SFI standards.
• Met 95% of the pulp needs for our paper products from internal pulp production.
• Fifty-four percent of the total energy used in NewPage operations was produced from biomass fuels, a renewable energy source primarily derived from the company's manufacturing byproducts (up one percent from 2010).
• Achieved a 12 percent reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels, bringing NewPage closer to the company's goal to cut total greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.
• Researched, developed and launched four new products: TrueJet^®, Sterling^® Premium, PointTrac^™ TT and OmniPoint^™ over the past two years.
• Continued to contribute time and financial resources to charitable organizations and strategic partners. Partnerships with nonprofit organizations like World Resources Institute and customers such as L.L.Bean and McGraw-Hill have been formed to help preserve and increased the amount of certified forestland and improve the recycling practices of paper products at the end of their useful life.

"Despite the challenges our company has faced, we made real progress on all fronts in 2011 and 2012. While we had to make many tough decisions, we kept our eyes on our business strategy and focus on our employees and customers.  We drove productivity using Lean Six Sigma and launched a number of important new products to position NewPage for sustainable success," said Martin.

To download a printable PDF of the report, or to learn more about NewPage Corporation, please visit www.NewPageCorp.com/sustainability.

About NewPage
NewPage is the leading producer of printing and specialty papers in North America with $3.5 billion in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011. NewPage is headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, and owns paper mills in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. These mills have a total annual production capacity of approximately 3.5 million tons of paper.

The company's product portfolio is the broadest in North America and includes coated, specialty, supercalendered and uncoated papers. These papers are used in commercial printing to create corporate collateral, magazines, catalogs, books, coupons, inserts and direct mail as well as in specialty paper applications including beverage bottle labels, food and medical packaging, pressure-sensitive labels and release liners.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110217/CL49746LOGO )

Copyright 2012 PR Newswire.  All Rights Reserved

Tweet me:#NewPage Releases 2011-12 Sustainable Development Report http://3bl.me/ybvy2t #csr

KEYWORDS: NewPage, sustainability, employee safety, csr, Health, safety, Engagement, making a difference

Partnership approach will provide market with more socially, environmentally and economically sustainable paper options

SOURCE:Domtar

DESCRIPTION:

Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers and adult incontinence products. The foundation of its business is a network of world class wood fiber converting assets that produce papergrade, fluff and specialty pulps. The majority of its pulp production is consumed internally to manufacture paper and consumer products. Domtar is the largest integrated marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America with recognized brands such as Cougar^®, Lynx^® Opaque Ultra, Husky^® Opaque Offset, First Choice^® and Domtar EarthChoice^®. Domtar is also a leading marketer and producer of a complete line of incontinence care products marketed primarily under the Attends^® brand name. Domtar owns and operates Ariva^®, an extensive network of strategically located paper and printing supplies distribution facilities. In 2011, Domtar had sales of US$5.6 billion from nearly 50 countries. The Company employs approximately 9,300 people. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.

About Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

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Tweet me:.@DomtarCorp congratulates Ashdown team & FSTOA on Group FSC Certification, new model for the South @RnfrstAlliance http://3bl.me/zxkxke

KEYWORDS: Texarkana, Ashdown, Sustainable Forestry, climate, environment, FSC, social responsibility, sustainability, Trees, Domtar

SOURCE:Cisco Systems Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

By Alexis Raymond

For many children, visiting Santa Claus, sitting on his lap, and telling him what they want for Christmas is a highlight of the holiday season. But for a sick, hospitalized child, participating in this tradition can be impossible.

Thanks to Cisco technology and a network of Cisco volunteers, hundreds of hospitalized children in the U.K. have a chance to visit with Santa each year – in the most high-tech way possible.

“Connected Santa” is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility programs Cisco supports to combine the power of human and technology networks to multiply impact.

Through the power of technology like Cisco TelePresence video conferencing solution, hospitalized children in the U.K. can visit Santa Claus at the North Pole — or, more aptly, a studio decorated to look like the North Pole.

In the U.K., Connected Santa has grown from five hospitals in 2009 to 14 in 2012, when we expect Cisco employees there to distribute gifts to more than 400 hospitalized children.

It is no small task. About 150 Cisco U.K. employees volunteered for the 2012 Connected Santa program, including 25 systems engineers, 14 Mrs. Clauses, 80 elves, and 8 Santa Clauses. Employees purchased 440 gifts to distribute to the children--including Lego sets, stuffed animals, racecars, dolls, tea sets, and art supplies-- which is especially important for those children who are too sick to leave the ward to visit Santa.

Visits to hospitals in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland began on December 3 and will conclude on Wednesday, December 12. Each visit requires two systems engineers, one account manager to assist with the set-up of the technology, one Mrs. Claus, and four elves.

“Some of the kids aren’t going to be able to get home for Christmas, and to come here and see their eyes light up with a little present is a very worthwhile exercise to do,” said Cisco elf Elliot Hughes, who participated in a visit to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children on December 3.

Santa himself is situated in a studio at Cisco’s Bedfont Lakes campus in England. He converses with the children in high-definition video via Cisco TelePresence technology.

Cisco elves at the hospital talk to each child to learn their name, age, and what they would like for Christmas. They feed the information back to Santa and his “Santa sitter” helpers via Cisco WebEx technology so they can personalize each visit. For kids too sick to leave their hospital beds, Santa can visit their rooms via a mobile video cart.

Each year, Cisco U.K. employees receive heartfelt thanks from the young patients, their parents, and staff at the hospitals as Connected Santa brightens up the holiday season.

Cisco TelePresence technology is available at many hospitals across the U.K. and is used throughout the year to help improve the speed and quality of patient diagnoses. It is ideal for bringing together patients and specialists regardless of their geographic location and helping improve access to quality patient care.

In the United States, about 30 hospitals will receive virtual visits from Santa between December 4 and 21. Read more about Connected Santa in the U.S.

The Connected Santa program is a perfect example of how Cisco uses its products and expertise to connect the unconnected and make a positive impact on people and communities.

Connect with Connected Santa

• Follow Connected Santa’s virtual sleigh ride on Twitter with hashtag #connectedsanta
• Follow @CiscoCSR and @CiscoUKI on Twitter
• Like CiscoCSR and CiscoUKI on Facebook
• View photos of Connected Santa UK on Flickr

Thanks to these Cisco Connected Santa partners in the UK and Ireland:

• Department store John Lewis, which provides a system for Cisco employees to buy and track gifts
• UCS, which ships gift from Cisco’s Bedfont Lakes headquarters to the hospitals free of charge
• The Print Consultancy

Tweet me:.@CiscoCSR volunteers bring Santa to kids across the UK http://3bl.me/e86e6y #csr #TelePresence

KEYWORDS: Cisco, collaboration, connected santa, csr, Santa, telepresence, UK, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:Leonardo Academy

DESCRIPTION:

Washington, D.C., December 10, 2012 /3BL Media/ – Service Employees International Union headquarters (SEIU), located at 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW in Washington, DC, has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Platinum Certification. In 2007, the building was awarded LEED for New Construction (NC) v2.1 Gold Certification. The 1800 Massachusetts Avenue building was developed in 1979 with a major renovation in 2006 and is currently managed by Akridge. Leonardo Academy was the LEED consultant supporting the successful achievement of Platinum Certification.
 
This certification recognizes that 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW has implemented continuous sustainability improvement measures guided by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EB: O&M) v2009, a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. 

The project team had a goal of LEED-EB Gold Certification and operated within a Gold budget. As the project progressed through the application process, it was apparent based on the building’s performance that LEED-EB Platinum Certification was achievable. LEED-EB Platinum Certification is a prestigious rating given to existing buildings for maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. The 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW LEED project team, in conjunction with ownership and building tenants, implemented many improvements to achieve Platinum Certification, including:

• Added an onsite composting station for all landscape waste.
• Upgraded elevator electrical distribution system and lights to reduce annual energy use by approximately 43,000 kWh. This is equivalent to the average energy consumption of 3.5 homes.
• Diverted 100% of the electronic equipment solid waste from the landfill as part of a comprehensive recycling program.
• Achieved an ENERGY STAR rating of 89 out of a possible 100 points. The 1800 Massachusetts Avenue building has earned the ENERGY STAR Label five times.
• Reduced annual emissions by 3,199 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent through Leonardo Academy’s Cleaner & Greener® Program.  This is the equivalent of removing more than 627 cars from the road annually.
• Developed multiple outreach efforts to educate and motivate building occupants to adopt sustainable practices.
• Documented a remarkable 84% reduction in single occupant commuting trips.
• Recycled 50% of the daily ongoing waste stream.
• Maintained a native and adaptive 12,000 square foot green roof.
• Reduced indoor water use consumption by 31% through the use of low flow plumbing fixtures and hardware, compared to a traditional building.

Todd Anderson, Property Manager at Akridge said, “No matter how sustainable a building is designed and constructed, it will only remain efficient if it is operated and maintained in a similar manner.  For this reason, we are extremely proud to achieve LEED EB Platinum Certification on behalf of SEIU. We are pleased with the accomplishment and look forward to the continued privilege of operating the building as a LEED Platinum facility.”

About Akridge
Akridge is a comprehensive real estate services company that  provides  acquisition, development, construction management, asset management, property management, leasing,  and consulting services. Founded in 1974, the company has acquired or developed more  than  12 million  square  feet of commercial space and  currently manages four  million  square feet throughout the DC area. The industry's foremost benchmarking firm,  CEL  & Associates, has ranked Akridge the number one real estate firm  in the country for Client satisfaction, among firms of similar size, ten times since  1999. Akridge launched "Building Sustainability" to provide a framework for sustainable development and operations, and has been recognized as an Energy Star Top Performer and Partner of the Year.   The company has also been honored with  the National Capital Business Ethics Award, and  has been recognized as the Best Place to Work in Greater Washington by the Washington Business journal. For more information, please visit www.akridge.com.        

About Leonardo Academy
Leonardo Academy is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sustainability by leveraging innovative tools and information to motivate the competitive market  Leonardo Academy works on a broad range of sustainability issues. Our programs and services include: organizational sustainability assessments and implementation; emissions footprints and reduction and offset strategies; sustainable event certification through our Cleaner and Greener® Program; LEED® assessments, implementation and certification application preparation; sustainable land management; sustainability training; and sustainability standards development.

Leonardo Academy has provided LEED for Existing Building certification consulting services for over 23 million square feet of property worldwide.  For more Information about Leonardo Academy visit http://www.leonardoacademy.org/.

Tweet me:LEED®-EB Platinum Certification is Awarded to 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW in DC http://3bl.me/amvkxc

Contact Info:

Jessica Loeper, Project Manager of Sustainable Building Services
Leonardo Academy
+1 (608) 280-0255
jessica@leonardoacademy.org

KEYWORDS: Energy, Akridge, LEED-EB Platinum, 1800 Massachusetts Ave., Leonardo Academy, vegetated green roofs

SOURCE:Justmeans

DESCRIPTION:

ConAgra Foods has awarded 17 of its facilities that have managed to achieve an exceptional environmental milestone by diverting more than 95 percent of solid waste from landfills through recycling and reuse. ConAgra Foods has on the whole achieved a remarkable waste diversion rate of 91 percent in 2012, thanks in large part to these 17 winner facilities.

ConAgra Foods has continued to press forward with its environmental goal of preventing and rescuing food waste. Dr. Al Bolles, executive vice president, Research Quality & Innovation, ConAgra Foods, said: "Keeping food out of landfills is critical to our waste reduction strategy going forward. Our teams are exploring new, creative ways to prevent food from becoming waste and making sure that food gets to the table and not a landfill."

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Vikas is a staff writer for the Sustainable Development news and editorial section on Justmeans. He is an MBA with 20 years of managerial and entrepreneurial experience and global travel. He is the author of "The Power of Money" (Scholars, 2003), a book that presents a revolutionary monetary economic theory on poverty alleviation in the developing world. Vikas is also the official writer for an international social project for developing nations "Decisions for Life" run in collaboration between the ILO, the University of Amsterdam and the Indian Institute of Management.

Tweet me:.@ConAgraFoods achieves remarkable #waste diversion rate of 91% in 2012 http://3bl.me/d3aa44 #sustainability #csr @justmeans

KEYWORDS: Energy, Environment, Green Companies, social innovation, Social investment, Cause Global, best practices

SOURCE:Avista Utilities

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:.@AvistaUtilities hydro plant Cabinet Gorge celebrates 60 years of service http://3bl.me/qvfwaz

KEYWORDS: hydroelectric, Energy, Rebewable, Avista Utilities, Cabinet Gorge, Service

SOURCE:RSF Social Finance

DESCRIPTION:

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10, 2012 /3BL Media/ - RSF Social Finance is pleased to announce a new relationship with the Organic Trade Association (OTA), a membership-based business association that focuses on the organic business community in North America. Founded in 1985, its mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy. OTA is the largest and most recognizable voice for the organic industry in the United States as it represents over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers exporters, consultants, retailers and others. RSF’s line of credit to OTA will be used to bridge short-term cash needs, as necessary, within its fiscal year.

OTA serves its members by helping to shape the regulatory and market environments for organic products. It advances organic standards with input from its diverse membership base, and focuses on demonstrating the benefits of organics to officials and advocating for greater funding for research and organic support programs. Its current priorities include organic research and data collection, organic crop insurance, and organic certification cost-share. The association also helps more growers go organic by providing knowledge and resources and by advocating for assistance for transition farmers.

Fortunately many people are waking up to the importance of organic food—not just because it may be better for them to eat, but also for the healing benefit it brings to farmers and the environment. However, only slightly more than 4% of all sales of food and beverage products in the U.S. are certified organic and less than 1% of all land used for crops and livestock in the U.S. is certified organic.  This represents a tremendous opportunity and challenge in the coming decades, and Organic Trade Association is helping to catalyze the change.

Scott Hackenberg, Lending Manager at RSF, says “Through its advocacy work, public policy activities and educational programs, OTA's staff and the members they serve are addressing some of the world's most pressing social, economic and environmental issues.  RSF's focus on food and agriculture is perfectly aligned with and further defined by the mission of the Organic Trade Association, and we are extremely proud to support their work".

“It is wonderful to work with a company with similar social and environmental values that are in synch with those of OTA and its members,” says Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director and CEO. She noted that many OTA members also work with RSF for financial services.

About RSF Social Finance

Located in San Francisco, CA, RSF Social Finance (RSF) is a financial services organization dedicated to transforming the way the world works with money. Since 1984, the organization has made over $275 million in loans and $100 million in grants to non-profit and for-profit social enterprises working in the areas of Food & Agriculture, Education & the Arts, and Ecological Stewardship.

RSF's lending capital comes primarily from 1,200 individuals who have invested $1,000 or more in the organization's Social Investment Fund. Investors earn a competitive return on their money comparable to a certificate of deposit while their funds are deployed to leading social enterprises. To learn more, visit www.rsfsocialfinance.org.

About Organic Trade Association

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

Contact

Scott Hackenberg, Lending Manager

Scott.Hackenberg@rsfsocialfinance.org

415.561.6173

Jillian McCoy, Senior Associate, Communications

jillian.mccoy@rsfsocialfinance.org

415.561.6156

###

Tweet me:.@rsfsocfinance announces new relationship with #Organic Trade Association http://3bl.me/r496r6 #csr

KEYWORDS: RSF Social Finance, organic trade association, csr, North America, sustainability

SOURCE:QBE

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2012 /3BL Media /PRNewswire/ - QBE has announced the 10 charitable organizations that will receive $600,000 in QBE Foundation grants. They are:

Tweet me:QBE Announces $600,000 in Foundation Grants http://3bl.me/38pca6

KEYWORDS: QBE, Charity, QBE Foundation, Grants, Autism Speaks, Boys and Girl Club of America, Covenant House, Dress for Success, Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity, national multiple sclerosis society, Teach for America, United Way of Dane County, Wisconsin, Wounded Warrior Project

SOURCE:Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

For decades, weather experts and disaster officials had been warning residents living along the heavily-populated Atlantic Ocean coastlines along the Northeastern US states -- and especially those in New Jersey and New York City and suburban Long Island -- that they were overdue for a major hurricane. Unprecedented tidal surge flooding, along with damaging winds and torrential rains, would likely accompany the storm, it was predicted.
And it wasn't a matter of if, but rather just a matter of when (and how big). Well, we now know the date for the "when": October 29, 2012. And the scope of the damage has now come into clear focus.  Huge! is an appropriate description for how big.

Here's the ironic part about the now infamous Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy. When the storm battered the northeast US on that fateful Monday evening, Sandy was barely a Category One hurricane, with sustained winds of 70-75 knots. That's the weakest wind field for a storm to be classified as a hurricane. Yet "Sandy" did more damage than any storm in the recent history of the region. So much for the so-called weakness of a Category One storm!

Weather and insurance experts are still amazed at the events which unfolded that fateful day. "This was one of those cases where you have the worst possible combination of events occurring," explained Dr. Tom Jeffery, chief hazard scientist for CoreLogic, a company that analyzes potential storm surge impacts. Sandy was unique because it didn't weaken upon reaching landfall, Jeffery added in his interview with Insurance and Technology.

The combination of the tropical cyclone with a northeaster created an environment that kept winds churning up water for much longer than the average Category 1."Usually with tropical storms they tend to ramp down very quickly, but when the storm merged with the northeaster it didn't lose any of its strength," he explained. "Even the winds that were trailing maintained more than 70 miles per hour."  A silver lining is that modelers now have more data about the potential effects of this type of storm on the eastern seaboard going forward, Jeffery concluded. (For more information see the interview at the Source: Insurance and Technology)   

That silver lining data bank may be of little comfort to the millions of people who lost their valuables, their homes, and some even their loved ones during this horrific natural disaster. Many NJ, NY and LI residents are without homes, or with badly damaged home and perhaps no electric service. The recovery from the storm will take months and years -- and in some cases, forever.

Repairing or replacing the damaged infrastructure of the region will cost billions' of dollars -- who will pay?  What will be replaced, rebuilt, relocated? What will not be restored or repaired?  There will be lots of news and commentary to follow in the months ahead. 

For that reason, AC editors have launched a new Hot Topic Section: "Sandy: The Aftermath".  In this new section, we will be providing news, commentary, research and other valuable information related to Sandy -- and particularly the manner in which government at all levels is (or is not) responding to the needs of citizens.

In all of the comings and goings in the aftermath we will be looking for elements of the back story -- the accountability of the public and private sectors in the rebuilding, and in the events that left much of the region unprepared for the storm(s) as they collided.  There are sure to be after-action reports flowing from the public sector.

Here's a sample of the types of articles you will read right now in this new Hot Topic Section:

Hurricane Sandy Recovery A Slow Process For Some Survivors In NJ And NY
(Source: Huff Post) It's been more than a month since Sandy, the superstorm combining a hurricane, a nor'easter and surging full-moon tides, tore through the Northeast, leaving billions of dollars in damage in the New Jersey-New York-Connecticut...

U.S. auto sales zoom in the wake of Superstorm Sandy
(Source:  LA Times)  Americans buy more than 1.1 million vehicles in November, up 15% from a year earlier and the highest pace since January 2008. Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and BMW have their best Novembers ever.

New York Grades Insurers on Sandy Claims After Complaints
(Source: Bloomberg) Regulators led by Benjamin Lawksy, head of the New York Department of Financial Services, are publishing the number and size of claims that more than 20 insurers pay as well as the frequency of customer complaints. New York State has also reduced to six business days from 15 days the amount of time insurers have to send adjusters to homes and businesses.

FEMA flood elevations to be upgraded following Sandy
(Source: Asbury Park Press) Federal flood insurance maps for some areas don’t adequately reflect coastal flood risks following superstorm Sandy, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. As a result, FEMA will be posting “Advisory Base Flood Elevations” reflecting current risks next month. In most cases, the new maps will show higher flood elevations than current flood insurance rate maps.

What we know about Superstorm Sandy a month later
(Source: Huffington Post) Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on parts of the U.S. East Coast a month ago after tearing through the Caribbean. This article brings the storm's massive scope into sharper focus.

Climate talks buffeted by the force of Superstorm Sandy
(Source: Los Angeles Times) More than 17,000 people have converged on the Qatari capital for the latest U.N. climate talks, but the most influential presence may be Sandy. The superstorm that ravaged the U.S. Northeast a month ago seared into the American consciousness an apocalyptic vision of what climate change could look like. Sandy's fresh reminder of the potential consequences of global warming has been a dominant theme in the first days of the two-week meeting.

This is just a sampling of the information in our Accountability-Central.com Alert. Go here for the full text of this alert, and more information on Sustainability, and other Accountability related topics

Tweet me:AC Alert for December 10, 2012 Sandy, the "Big One:" Just a Category One Storm? And What Happens Now? The Aftermath... http://3bl.me/q4wp7k

KEYWORDS: Marketing, Media & Communications, Accountability, Accountability-Central.com, weather, hurricane, Sandy, superstorm, climate change, recovery, Governance & Accountability Institute, Hot Topic, G&A Institute, esg, sustainability

SOURCE:Justmeans

DESCRIPTION:

The Jeep® brand is associated with bravery, American heritage and social innovation. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is a founding partner of the first Newsweek & The Daily Beast annual Hero Summit: an event that celebrates America's deep tradition of service and the contributions men and women in uniform make, on and off the battlefield. This two-day inspirational summit took place in November 2012, highlighting stories of sacrifice, heroism and physical courage under fire.

The Jeep brand's roots go back to 1941 when the vehicles made their social innovation debut for military duty. In 1941, the U.S. Army requested a "general purpose" vehicle (GP) and the jeep was born, which was made a real hero by 1943. It was awarded the Purple Heart medal, a decoration given for meritorious achievement, service and wounds received as a result of enemy action in a theatre of combat. The Marine Corps decided to give the heroic Jeep® 4x4 vehicle named "Old Faithful" a medal for meritorious valour and duty in combat during World War II. Jeep clearly shows that a company that stands for values can create value.

Since then, Jeep has been actively involved in supporting and honouring past and present U.S. military troops. The company has donated $50,000 to the Hero Summit. Mike Manley, President and CEOs of the Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC says, "Given the Jeep brand's deep ties to the U.S. military, partnering with the Hero Summit makes perfect sense. It is the right thing to do. We are always very proud and honoured to support those who continue to keep our nation's freedom."

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Sangeeta Haindl is a staff writer for Justmeans on Social Enterprise. When not writing for Justmeans, Sangeeta wears her other hat as a PR professional. Over the years, she has worked with high-profile organizations within the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors; and won awards from her industry. She now runs her own UK consultancy: Serendipity PR & Media.

Tweet me:Learn how @Jeep is honoring American Service men and women http://3bl.me/8nkzbq #socialinnovation #veterans @Chrysler @justmeans

KEYWORDS: Green Companies, Social Entrepreneurship, nonprofit organizations, social innovation, Social investment, Venture Philanthropy, Cause Global, best practices, funding

Original Multicultural Employee-Based Performance Educates Company’s 50,000+ Workforce on Mission, Core Values, Corporate Responsibility

SOURCE:MGM Resorts International

DESCRIPTION:

LAS VEGAS, December 11 2012 /3BL Media/ – How does a company unite 50,000 employees under one corporate culture? For Las Vegas’ MGM Resorts International, the company that set fountains to music in front of Bellagio and changed the face of entertainment with its Cirque du Soleil partnerships, the decision was easy: a Vegas-sized production.

Taking place December 16 – 18, “Inspiring Our World" is a commitment to its employees by MGM Resorts that features 70 employee-performers. Original music, exotic costumes, dynamic choreography spanning multiple cultures and styles come together in an arena where the likes of Prince, Bob Seger and Bon Jovi have performed. Comprising a 1.5-hour production simultaneously performed in English, Spanish and American Sign Language, and digitally represented in 14 languages, the program seeks to educate employees on the company’s mission, its values and its commitment to being a leader in diversity, philanthropy and sustainability.

“We respect and value our diverse and immensely talented team members as the foundation of our success as a global company,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “By engaging our employees in the core values of our company – from Teamwork, to Integrity to Excellence – we foster a healthy workplace, as well as dynamic and sustainable communities where our employees live and work, and where our guests visit.”

Created for employees by employees, the production complements MGM Resorts’ industry-leading Diversity Champion workshops, serving as a much larger educational platform to deepen corporate culture. The collaborative effort unites team members from MGM Resorts’ family of properties on stage and in the audience, while motivating team members to engage, entertain and inspire the millions of guests who visit its resorts each year.

“Engaged employees are one of the most important components of the guest experience,” Murren said. “Happier employees nurture a higher level of guest satisfaction, providing a competitive edge for the company in the long term.”

Inspiring Our World is an initiative that has been a year in the making. Plans for the program began last winter. In September, auditions attracted more than 200 of the company’s talented staff.

The production draws from employees’ hidden talents such as the Receiving Dock worker who happens to play electric violin or the Purchasing executive who used to be a professional singer. Now, the months of scriptwriting, choreography and rehearsal will culminate as the talented troupe gathers for nine performances at the Mandalay Bay Events Center later this month.

Social responsibility is integral to the company’s core creed and philosophy, which carries through to its relationships with employees, guests, and the communities in which its resorts are located. The company has strategically consolidated its pioneering diversity and inclusion, community engagement and environmental sustainability initiatives into a comprehensive platform to promote greater innovation and synergies. For more information about the company’s social responsibility programs, please visit: www.mgmresorts.com/offers/2012/07_annualcorporatesocialresponsibilityreport/index.html.

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s website at www.mgmresorts.com.

# # #

For More Information Contact:
Natalie Mounier/Kaley Briesmaster
Kirvin Doak Communications
702-737-3100
nmounier@kirvindoak.com/kbriesmaster@kirvindoak.com

Tweet me:MGM Resorts #InspiringOurWorld motivates 50K+ employees engage entertain & inspire guests who visit #Vegas properties http://3bl.me/xvh2kh

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity, Sustainable Living, Events, Conferences & Webinars, Event, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Engagement, Positive Change, Social Development, MGM Resorts International, Inspiring Our World, CEO Jim Murren, las vegas, corporate culture, Employee Engagement, performance, Corporate Responsibility, Mandalay Bay Events Center, Diversity in the workplace, Teamwork, Integrity, excellence, sustainable communities, engage, entertain, inspire

SOURCE:Johnson & Johnson

DESCRIPTION:

By Joy Marini, MS, PA-C, Director, Corporate Contributions, Johnson & Johnson

Joy Marini, Director, Worldwide Corporate Contributions at Johnson & Johnson and her teenage daughter Kendall have signed on to Catapult this holiday season. You can join their team to support women and girls globally--or start a team of your own. You can choose from a variety of causes from girls' education, to prevention of child marriage or enabling access to food and water.

Joy:"Empowering women and girls has long been a passion of mine. I am blessed to be able to work with girls, women and mothers worldwide at Johnson & Johnson. Now that I am the mother of a daughter who is facing the rollercoaster of teenage life, my commitment to the well-being of women and girls has taken on a whole new perspective. As I understand the world of my daughter more and see how she is trying to make a difference in the world, I hope that our story will inspire others to make a difference too. You can get involved in your own community, or support organizations all over the world that are making positive changes in the lives of women and girls. 

Continue reading and comment on the original story from Huffington Post.

Catapult is where you can get involved in empowering women and girls. Launched in October 2012, Catapult is the first online funding site dedicated specifically to advancing gender equality, and already features 70 projects in more than 30 countries.

Catapult and Johnson & Johnson have teamed up to double your impact this giving season. Johnson & Johnson is supporting a matching gifts donation to their partners on Catapult-up to $50,000-from December 6 through January 31.

Tweet me:#JNJ staff & families support women & girls globally and so can you! http://3bl.me/kt2a58 #globalmotherhood @WeCatapult @JNJStories

KEYWORDS: Bblog-Globalmotherhood, Catapult, Empowering Women, Global Motherhood, Johnson and Johnson, Impact News, jnj, we catapult