SOURCE:Ray C. Anderson Foundation

SUMMARY:

Allie Kelly, executive director of The Ray will be one of the panelists for AIA New York Chapter's "Viral Voices VI - Virtual Displacement" on Thursday, March 30th at the AIA Center for Architecture.

DESCRIPTION:

Allie Kelly, executive director of The Ray will be one of the panelists for AIA New York Chapter's "Viral Voices VI - Virtual Displacement" on Thursday, March 30th at the AIA Center for Architecture.

As the digital revolution continues to affect our everyday lives, counterintuitively, many new processes born in the digital realm are now finding the need to become physical and geofixed. Once ephemeral, only existing online, new media companies have begun to invest in the design and production of physical retail environments, vehicles, kiosks, and other public interfaces, adding new variables to the built environment and forcing an evolution in long-standing conceptions of urban placemaking. What had once been described as the accelerating process by which “all that was solid will melt into air” may also set into motion countervailing effects by which what “was air now turns back into solid” – as digital practices and firms that once existed bring their data, media, and products back into the physical world.

Click here for more information.

Tweet me:.@allienkelly of @TheRayHighway will speak in AIA NY's "Viral Voices VI-Virtual Displacement" 3/30 @CenterForArch http://bit.ly/2mjn2RI

Contact Info:

Valerie Bennett
Ray C. Anderson Foundation
+1 (770) 317-5858
valerie@raycandersonfoundation.org

Anna Cullen
The Ray
+1 (404) 485-2685
anna@theray.org

KEYWORDS: Events, Conferences & Webinars, Business & Trade, Ray C. Anderson Foundation, The Ray, sustainable highway, sustainable transportation, AIA

SOURCE:Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

New York, March 13, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership and Governance & Accountability Institute are partnering to offer the Spring 2017 CSR Certificate Program for corporate managers, not-for-profit and foundation managers, and others interested in career opportunities and advancement in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Citizenship, Corporate Sustainability, Philanthropy, Risk Management, Ethics and related positions.

The two-day sessions will be held on Wednesday, May  16 and Thursday, May 17, 2017, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Rutgers University campus in downtown Newark, New Jersey, a convenient 20 minutes by public transportation from New York City.  On Tuesday evening there is a special networking dinner with guest speaker John Wilson, Head of Governance, Engagement and Research, Cornerstone Capital Inc.

THE MAY 2017 PROGRAM OFFERING
The May program is designed for 21st Century executives and their teams to develop the knowledge that is needed to create impactful change in companies in a way that adds value, improves reputations, increases resiliency, decreases risk, identifies new opportunities, and differentiates to out-compete and out-impact competitors. The course offering is a combination of keynote speakers, panel sessions, interactive class projects, and other types of group sessions during the two days. Topics to be covered include:

• The Ethics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR);
• Responsible Supply Chain Management - Lessons Learned;
• Introduction to the Importance of Materiality in CSR - the Focus on Strategic ESG Issues;
• Corporate Sustainability / CSR Reporting: Shared Experience of Sustainability Leaders;
• Understanding Industry-Specific Metrics and Measurements;
• CSR Trends -- What is Happening at the Local, National and Global Level;
• CSR Through the Investor Lens - What Investors Expect from CSR Efforts.

Faculty  and guests include professionals from Cornerstone Capital; EcoVadis; CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project); and representatives of Prudential; Johnson & Johnson; PepsiCo; Tessy Plastic; NJPAC; Rutgers University; Governance & Accountability Institute.

The two-day, "deep dive" into CSR and related fields of philanthropy including corporate foundation work, corporate sustainability, risk management, and ethics.

The partnering organizations note: "Executives in both for-profit and not-for-profit fields and their teams need to develop the skill sets, networks, and ever-increasing expertise to achieve their CSR goals, and deliver value to their organization. This certificate program will be presented over two days with an outstanding faculty of speakers who are real-world experts in their fields."

Confirmed faculty and guest presenters to date include:

• John Wilson, Head of Governance, Engagement, and Research, Cornerstone Capital Inc. (evening keynote speaker);
• Mary O'Malley, VP-Corporate Governance, Prudential Financial, Inc;
• Theresa Ragozine, VP-Global Procurement, Johnson & Johnson;
• Cindy Bush, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Tessy Plastics;
• Peter Hansen, Senior Advisor, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC); Principal, Hansen Philanthropic Solutions, New Jersey;
• Toby Simpson, Program Manager, EcoVadis;
• Hank Boerner, Chairman, and Co-Founder, Governance & Accountability Institute;
• Louis Coppola, EVP & Co-Founder, Governance & Accountability Institute;  
• Judith Young, Executive Director, Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership;
• James Abruzzo, Co-Director, and Co-Founder, Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership.

Location:  15 Washington Place, in Newark New Jersey, easily reached by train from Newark's Penn Station (with frequent service from New York City and Philadelphia). The business school urban campus is convenient to Newark International Airport, and numerous nearby hotels. Participants will have Wi-Fi access. Refreshments and food will be supplied throughout the course and a networking dinner with drinks will be provided on the first night of the course.

Early bird pricing is in effect through March 15, 2017. Click here to register.

ABOUT GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY INSTITUTE
Governance & Accountability Institute is a New York City-based research, consulting and educational services company working with corporate sector and investment community clients. Typical engagements include preparation of sustainability, CSR, and citizenship reports; peer benchmarking; customized ESG research (environmental, social and governance performance); investor relations; corporate communications; and third party engagements. The company is the exclusive Data Partner for the Global Reporting Initiative (GI) for the USA, UK and the Republic of Ireland.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
The Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership works with the business sector, the public sector, not-for-profits and other organizations in the social sector, and within Rutgers University, to provide leaders and future leaders with education and training, and critical thinking tools, needed to make ethical decisions. Program offerings include Ethical Leadership Conferences; Cultural and Ethnic Arts Executive Leadership; Collaborative Action Newark; Speakers Series; and certificate programs in a number of areas, including most recently, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Institute's mission is to strengthen ethical leadership to enhance civil society. Judy Young, MBA, is the Executive Director of the Institute.

For more information, contact:

• Louis D. Coppola, Executive Vice President
  Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.
  Tel 646.430.8230 ext 14, Email lcoppola@ga-institute.com
  Web www.ga-institute.com
   
• Jessica Johnson, Senior Program Coordinator
  Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership
  Tel 973.353.1135, Email jjohnson@business.rutgers.edu
  Web www.business.rutgers.edu/iel

Tweet me:Spring 2-Day Sustainability CSR Certificate Program Offered by @RutgersIEL & @GAInstitute http://bit.ly/2nwzTkx

KEYWORDS: Education, sustainability, certificate program, Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership, Rutgers IEL, G&A Institute, Governance & Accountability Institute, csr, Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR Certificate Program, Corporate Citizenship, corporate foundation, Corporate Sustainability, risk management, Ethics

SOURCE:ReportAlert

DESCRIPTION:

Today, Pfizer launched its 2016 Annual Review, which provides an in-depth look at all of the ways Pfizer is accelerating patient impact and fulfilling its purpose: to make innovative medicines and vaccines that significantly improve people’s lives.
 
Every day we use our knowledge, expertise and resources to find new ways to positively impact public health, which in turn advances other global development objectives. We call this approach to global health “Entrepreneurship for Good,” and we are committed to using this approach to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
In the Annual Review, we share more about our commitment to the UN SDGs. Some of the 2016 achievements include:

• Helping to provide more than 250,000 patients over 1.7 million Pfizer prescriptions for free or at a savings, through Pfizer RxPathways®.* Supporting Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
• Expanding Pfizer’s humanitarian assistance program to enable broader access to its pneumococcal vaccine by offering it at the lowest prevailing price in countries most in need. Supporting Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
• Donating more than 600 million doses of an antibiotic for the treatment of trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, since a partnership with the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) was formed in 1998. In 2016 alone, Pfizer donated and shipped more than 120 million doses. Supporting Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
• Collaborating with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to help broaden access to Pfizer's long-acting injectable contraceptive for women most in need living in some of the world’s poorest countries. Since 2014, over six million doses of its long-acting injectable contraceptive have been shipped to 20 developing countries. Supporting Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
• Providing funding support to the China Tobacco Control Partnership, which provides grants and expert support to five cities in China to help ensure smoking is no longer the norm. Supporting Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
• Working to reduce carbon emissions, increasing water efficiency and looking for ways to minimize waste. Supporting Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. 

Along with these achievements, Pfizer also increased its position on the Access to Medicine Index among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies from position 16 in 2014 to position 14 in 2016. Several factors contributed to our higher score, including structured donation programs, nearly doubling the size of our pipeline through research and development efforts, widespread enhancements of pricing, manufacturing and distribution efforts and strengthening our approach to building supply chains.
 
Learn more about the ways we’re helping all individuals everywhere live healthier lives: www.pfizer.com/annual.

* Data on file. Pfizer Inc., New York, NY.

Media Contact:
Neha Wadhwa
+1 212-733-2835

Read the Report

Tweet me:.@Pfizer highlights commitment to UN #SDGs in 2016 Annual Review http://bit.ly/2m8Li8Z via @ReportAlert

KEYWORDS: Reports, Environment & Climate Change, Pfizer, ReportAlert, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Responsible sourcing and animal welfare commitment to include cage-free eggs worldwide

SOURCE:Aramark

DESCRIPTION:

PHILADELPHIA, March 13, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, announced today the latest step on its journey to become an even more responsible company, focused on supporting its diverse workforce, advancing consumer health and wellness, protecting the environment, and strengthening communities. The company is expanding its commitments to responsible sourcing and animal welfare by extending its 100 percent cage-free egg commitment worldwide by 2025, including liquid and shell eggs. Operating in 19 countries, Aramark purchases over 300 million eggs annually. In the U.S., the company’s largest market, Aramark has been serving 100 percent cage-free shell eggs since 2015 and is transitioning to 100 percent cage-free liquid eggs by 2020.

Aramark’s global cage-free egg commitment builds upon its industry-leading animal welfare policy, established in 2015, requiring suppliers to establish animal welfare protocols that prevents mistreatment from confinement, painful procedures and rapid growth. The company’s cage-free eggs decision follows its industry pioneering move in 2016 to improve the treatment of broiler chickens. All of the company’s policies and decisions reflect insights and expertise from its independent Sustainable Sourcing Advisory Panel, comprised of business experts, suppliers, academia and animal welfare organizations.

“Aramark’s shift to entirely cage-free eggs for its supply chain globally is a significant advancement for the treatment of egg-laying hens,” said Josh Balk, vice president of farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States. “The company’s overall efforts to improve the lives of farm animals makes it a leader in the food industry.”

“Aramark’s announcement to take their cage-free commitment worldwide will impact the lives of almost a million hens each year and illustrates the company’s continued dedication to farm animal welfare,” said Rachel Dreskin, U.S. Head of Food Business, Compassion in World Farming. “It also emphasizes that the tidal wave of change coming for laying hens is not limited by geographical borders.”

Aramark recently published an Animal Welfare Progress Report highlighting the company’s ongoing advancement of responsible sourcing and animal welfare goals, including:

Becoming a first in foodservice committed to the humane treatment of broiler chickens by calling on suppliers to address breed selection, space, enrichments and slaughtering practices by 2024.
Transitioning 30 percent of its U.S. pork purchases to group-housed in 2017, while working with suppliers, industry and animal welfare organizations to increase supplies enabling 100 percent group-housed purchases by 2022.
Incorporating responsible sourcing policies into supplier contracts that feature recognized, third-party certifications from the Global Animal Partnership (GAP), Certified Humane by Humane Farm Animal Care and others.

​“We are unwavering in our commitment to work with suppliers and animal welfare organizations to advance responsible sourcing practices across our global supply chain,” said Scott Barnhart, Aramark’s Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Procurement. “We are pleased that Aramark’s cage-free egg learnings in the U.S. are being applied to address the remaining portion of our total egg purchases around the world.”
The Humane Society of the U.S. honored Aramark with the Henry Spira Humane Corporate Progress Award for its commitment to broiler chicken welfare, instituting an Animal Welfare Policy and addressing confinement conditions of farm animals. The company also received the 2016 Good Egg Award from Compassion in World Farming for its commitment to cage-free eggs in the U.S.

Green Thread, the company’s environmental sustainability platform, brings to life Aramark’s commitments and programs focused on sourcing responsibly, minimizing waste, running buildings efficiently and managing its fleet in an effective manner. Learn more here.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world.  Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities.  Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Tweet me:.@Aramark advances sustainability commitments to include worldwide cage-free eggs. http://bit.ly/2lZvFjW

KEYWORDS: Awards & Recognition, Ethical Production & Consumption, Aramark, sustainability, animal welfare, Eggs, cage-free eggs, responsible purchasing

SOURCE:Republic Services

DESCRIPTION:

When setting your clocks forward for Daylight Savings, remember to change those batteries in your smoke detectors and light bulbs that need replacing. 

Daylight Savings is a smart time for businesses to replace batteries in fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as replacing fluorescent light bulbs and lighting ballasts. Republic Services offers two simple solutions for businesses to discard items that contain mercury, lead or other hazardous materials that should not be thrown away with regular waste.

Universal waste items like batteries, light bulbs and lighting ballasts can contain chemicals or potentially harmful materials like lead or mercury. When disposed of improperly, these items can present environmental and human health risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates universal waste items as hazardous waste, and certain state and local governments have additional compliance requirements for the disposal of universal waste items. Because of these regulations and environmental threats, universal waste needs to be managed with care in accordance with government regulations.

Republic Services offers businesses two simple solutions for the responsible management of universal waste items, as well as compliance with regulatory requirements:

Mail Back Kits: designed for businesses with smaller quantities of universal waste items. How it works:

·         Receive prepaid, pre-addressed mail-back kits, government-certified tri-layer packaging to ensure safe shipping;

·         Pack your universal waste items in the provided mail-back kits;

·         Ship back all packed universal waste material; and

·         Receive a Certificate of Recycling to validate regulatory compliance.

Pack-Up & Pick-Up: customized for businesses with larger quantities of universal waste items. How it works:

·         Receive a proposal for approval based on your universal waste generation;

·         Schedule a pickup date and time that’s convenient for you;

·         Prepare and package your universal waste prior to pick up;

·         Load your packaged materials onto our trucks;

·         Your packaged universal waste is transferred to the nearest facility for proper recycling; and

·         Receive a Certificate of Recycling to validate regulatory compliance.

Whenever possible, universal waste items can be repurposed into new materials. According to the EPA, newly manufactured batteries are made from as much as 80 percent recycled materials. In addition, according to Fresh Energy, a Minnesota-based not-for-profit environmental policy organization, more than 95 percent of an LED light bulb can be recycled. 

Learn more about how Republic Services can help your businesses manage its universal waste needs at: https://www.republicservices.com/businesses/universal-waste.

Tweet me:Changing batteries & lightbulbs? These universal waste items can be #recycled safely http://bit.ly/2n0YjGg @RepublicService

KEYWORDS: Environment & Climate Change, Energy, Republic Services, Daylight Savings, waste management, hazardous waste, light bulbs, smoke detectors, batteries

SOURCE:Northern Trust

DESCRIPTION:

CHICAGO, March 13, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Northern Trust announced today that it has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as a 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company® for the fourth consecutive year.

“For more than 125 years, Northern Trust has kept service, expertise and integrity at the core of our business,” Northern Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frederick H. Waddell said. “Maintaining strong ethics within our company begins with our board and senior leadership and is put into action every day by our more than 17,000 employees across the globe. This honor highlights our enduring commitment to our clients and our communities.”

The Ethisphere Institute seeks to define and elevate the standards of ethical business practices.

“Over the last eleven years, we have seen the shift in societal expectations, constant redefinition of law and regulations and the geo-political climate. We have also seen how companies honored as the World’s Most Ethical respond to these challenges. They invest in their local communities around the world, embrace strategies of diversity and inclusion, and focus on long term-ism as a sustainable business advantage,” said Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. “Congratulations to everyone at Northern Trust for being recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company.”

The Ethisphere designation recognizes organizations that demonstrate ethical corporate behavior and leadership based on an evaluation of multiple factors quantitatively calculated by the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient (EQ). Scores for the EQ are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program, corporate citizenship and responsibility, culture of ethics, governance and leadership, innovation and reputation.

“Northern Trust is honored to be included on the World’s Most Ethical Companies list for the fourth consecutive year,” said Connie Lindsey, Northern Trust head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity & Inclusion. “This recognition is indicative of our ongoing commitment to ethical business practices.”

For the full list of the Ethisphere Institute’s 2017 World’s Most Ethical Companies, please visit http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees/.

About the Ethisphere Institute

The Ethisphere® Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA) and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with the publication of Ethisphere Magazine. More information about Ethisphere can be found at: http://ethisphere.com.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has offices in the United States in 19 states and Washington, D.C., and 22 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of December 31, 2016, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$6.7 trillion, and assets under management of US$942 billion. For more than 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Visit northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at https://www.northerntrust.com/disclosures.

Tweet me:.@NorthernTrust named a 2017 #WorldsMostEthicalCompanies via @Ethisphere Institute http://bit.ly/2n2btTc @NTCSR

KEYWORDS: Awards & Recognition, 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company, Ethisphere Institute, Northern Trust, csr

SOURCE:America's Charities

DESCRIPTION:

The 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer—the annual global trust and credibility survey—was recently published and the news isn’t good.

Edelman is calling it a “global implosion of trust” with the crux being that “trust is in crisis around the world.”

They report that trust in four key institutions — business, government, NGOs, and media — has declined broadly, which hasn’t happened since Edelman began tracking trust among these segments in 2012.

As the Edelman report states, “we have moved beyond the point of trust being simply a key factor in product purchase or selection of employment opportunity; it is now the deciding factor in whether a society can function.”

Whether a society can function. These are heady words, and it’s appropriate to be a little shocked and even perhaps a bit scared by these words. I know I felt afraid. So, I’m going to go ahead and give you a moment to let that sink in.…

Done? Good. Because we have a lot to do. And make no mistake: this is not a time for delay or dithering. Now is the time to take action.

Believe it or not, among this scary stuff, is a message of hope. Employers, specifically employee giving engagement leaders, have a real opportunity here. According to Edelman, of the four institutions, “business is viewed as the only one that can make a difference.”

How Businesses Can Act on This Opportunity

What mechanism is in place to do just that? Employee giving and engagement, of course. CSR and workplace giving, of course. Corporate philanthropy, of course. In other words: YOU.

As Edelman reports, “Among those who are uncertain about whether the system is working for them, it is business (58 percent) that they trust most.”

And not only do businesses have a chance – it’s actually an expectation.

“Not only are the stakes high for business, but so are the expectations that it will act. Three out of four general population respondents agree that a company can take actions that both increase profits and improve the economic and social conditions in the community where it operates.”

So how do employers rebuild trust and restore faith in the system? How do we start addressing people’s fears and put people first?

We listen.

Well, we do way more than that, and in another post I’ll tackle that, but right now I want to provide you with a FREE tool to help you listen: the Snapshot 2017 survey. As you may have heard, America’s Charities will be releasing its Snapshot 2017 Report this fall to share employee giving and engagement trends from the donor perspective. Right now, we are asking organizations across the country to distribute the Snapshot 2017 survey to their employees in the hopes of securing as many responses as possible. 

Here's the Best Part:

The Snapshot 2017 survey can act as your employee listening tool. Your staff’s responses can help you:

• better understand what your employees value and how they make decisions about charitable giving and volunteering
• learn which activities provide greatest benefit for and impact on employees and tell a more compelling story about these benefits
• improve your employee giving and engagement over time

And I might add – this survey will help you build that bridge to your employees and gain, or strengthen, that trust. In today’s age of distrust, that is absolutely crucial.

How it Works:

This survey only works as a listening tool if you share it with your employees using a unique survey URL, which we will create just for your organization upon your request. At the conclusion of the survey, we will send you your organization’s full aggregate employee dataset, which will provide an array of actionable intel. You could also use it to benchmark against the other responses, which will be shared when we release the Snapshot 2017 report this fall.

Time Commitment: 10-15 minutes tops

Here’s another great part – it’s not a huge time commitment on your employee’s part, and their responses are anonymous and confidential. The survey is 10 questions, multiple choice, and should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. When it’s all said and done, your employees’ anonymous responses will be aggregated with hundreds of other confidential responses from employees across the country and published into a narrative report in September.

Ready to Get Started? Contact us for Your Unique Survey URL:

If you’d like to listen to your employees, please contact me at Lindsay Nichols at lnichols@charities.org and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, as well as provide you with a unique URL.

I appreciate your consideration, as this will go far in improving the field of employee giving and engagement.

And I truly believe your employees will appreciate it as well. People want to be heard, and your employees are no exception.

Most importantly, the time is ripe to cement your relationship with your employees.

As Edelman states, “With a higher trust score than government, business is, in effect, the last retaining wall, holding back a rising tide of dissatisfaction. If business disappoints, it too will fall victim to the rising tide. Recognizing that the treatment and relationship with employees and customers alike is integral to building trust, business should adopt an ‘inside out’ approach, which begins with listening.”

Additional Information:

• Are you with a nonprofit? Click here to read about how this can be used to listen to your donors.
• Interested in sponsoring this research? Read more about the Snapshot 2017 survey on my earlier blog post.

Tweet me:.@AmerCharities: Trust is in crisis but businesses have a big opportunity w/ employees & #Snapshot2017 can help http://impact.ac/2na3HEh

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Diversity & Human Resources, Edelman Trust Barometer, America's Charities, Employee Engagement, Fundraising, cause marketing, corporate philanthropy, workplace giving, social responsibility, csr

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

The big idea of James Surowiecki’s manifesto, The Wisdom of Crowds, is working its way into business strategy. That book explains how a diverse collection of independent individuals is more likely to make certain types of decisions—and predictions—better than individuals or experts. Its thesis has helped fuel an explosive growth in business partnerships and collaborations, in open competitions and crowdsourcing efforts.

All are aimed at finding better solutions to today’s problems by harnessing collective brainpower. The latest such project is Imagine Chemistry, a program launched by AkzoNobel in conjunction with KPMG, to “solve several real-life chemistry-related challenges.”

The effort includes many references to the model of the collective as its organizational framework: partnership, integrated approach, collaboration, and joint development. Says AkzoNobel, “’Imagine Chemistry’ is the latest example of doing innovation differently.” I'm John Howell for 3BL Media.

Video source: Business Adopts “The Many are Mighty” Model for Innovation

Tweet me:Find out about James Surowiecki's "The Wisdom of Crowds". #CSRminute @3blmedia http://bit.ly/2nxmE2T

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, CSR Minute

SOURCE:Bechtel

DESCRIPTION:

Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, procurement, and construction, in partnership with film producer MacGillivray Freeman Films (MFF) and the American Society of Civil Engineers is supporting a new IMAX 3-D film, DREAM BIG: Engineering Our World. On Feb. 15, Bechtel and its partners hosted a World Premiere at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater in Washington, DC. The film was released on Feb. 17 at movie theaters and science centers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and it is designed to inspire children in grades K-12.

CEO Brendan Bechtel suggested that the project is a “game-changer in the way we promote engineering.” A film can tell “vivid stories about how we use the skills of engineering” to improve the world, he said at the film’s premiere.

Also, Bechtel is working closely with nonprofit partner DiscoverE (formerly known as the National Engineers Week Foundation), to extend science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational opportunities to local communities, teachers and K-12 students. As such, students, teachers, volunteers, and museums can find content to expand the concepts in the film on DiscoverE’s website. Throughout the coming weeks and months, in locations around the world, Bechtel offices will hold film screenings followed by engineering activities and panel discussions with thousands of students, who the company hopes will be inspired to pursue STEM-related careers. 

Bechtel has a long history of advancing STEM-related opportunities for students through the Bechtel Group Foundation and by increasing its partners’ reach and scale through the volunteer support of thousands of employees.  These efforts include long-term partnerships with Engineers Without Borders, FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), and Junior Achievement Worldwide. 

About Bechtel:
Bechtel is one of the most respected global engineering, construction, and project management companies. Together with our customers, we deliver landmark projects that foster long-term progress and economic growth. Since 1898, we’ve completed more than 25,000 extraordinary projects across 160 countries on all seven continents. We operate through four global businesses: Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals. Our company and our culture are built on more than a century of leadership and a relentless adherence to our values, the core of which are safety, quality, ethics, and integrity. These values are what we believe, what we expect, what we deliver, and what we live. www.bechtel.com

Tweet me:#DreamBigFilm now showing in theaters - inspiring K-12 students in #STEM http://bit.ly/2n5YaBe @Bechtel #BechtelStewardship

KEYWORDS: Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility, Bechtel, dream big movie, STEM, K-12, DiscoverE, Engineers Without Borders, junior achievement

Pledge of ongoing support enables Red Cross to prepare for and respond to disasters

SOURCE:General Motors

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:.@GM recognized for $1 million contribution to the @RedCross Annual Disaster Giving Program http://bit.ly/2n5TQSq

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Community Engagement, General Motors, GM, American Red Cross, Annual Disaster Giving Program, ADGP, Gail McGovern, Red Cross, Jackie Parker, disaster relief, Donation

SOURCE:PYXERA Global

DESCRIPTION:

Finding quality jobs for young people in Latin America, especially jobs outside of the informal sector that provide fair wages and just working conditions, is a growing socioeconomic concern. The United Nations reports that Latin America and the Caribbean are experiencing the largest youth population in history with one in five people between the ages of 15-24. The unemployment rate for this age group is three times higher than for people between the ages of 30-64. For many young people, entrepreneurship has become a survival strategy, demonstrated by the fact that small businesses employ 67 percent of the workforce. However, 90 percent of these small businesses fail within the first two years.

MicroMentor, a social enterprise initiative of Mercy Corps, presents a solution by creating a nexus between budding young entrepreneurs and the resources they need to build sustainable businesses through mentoring. The results thus far have been encouraging. Through the MicroMentor platform, young entrepreneurs who receive mentoring support from professionals in the private and public sectors report increased skills development, increased access to external resources, and overall improved business outcomes. Participating mentors report building their own skills and expertise while their employers find them to be more engaged and productive.

Continue reading at The Global Engagement Forum: Online. 

Tweet me:Mentoring for Youth Entrepreneurship in #LatinAmerica w/ @MicroMentor http://bit.ly/2n5FZLU #mentoring @PYXERAglobal

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, mentorship, MicroMentor, PYXERA Global, Global Engagement Forum: Online, Latin America

SOURCE:Arrow Electronics

DESCRIPTION:

March 14, 2017 /3BL Media/ - About 1 billion people–or 15 percent of the world’s population–live with a physical disability. To serve people with these challenges and make a difference in their lives, Arrow Electronics engages in a continuous stream of innovative projects in countries around the world. Recent examples of how Arrow and its employees are making a difference include:

• U.S.– By integrating electronics in new ways, Arrow’s semi-autonomous motorcar (SAM Car) has enabled quadriplegic racecar driver Sam Schmidt to race again, demonstrating how technology can bring freedom and opportunity to everyone.
• Netherlands– Arrow employees support the annual Maria Auxiliatrix Run, in which motorcyclists and individuals with mental and physical disabilities partner to tour the streets of the city.
• Indonesia– In 2017, Arrow and key partners will deploy 500 “smart” wheelchairs modified with data-logging electronics that measure their use in different situations and terrains. The data will help inform design and development of better wheelchairs to bring new freedom and independence to people with physical disabilities. 

In these, and many other local activities, Arrow’s goal is the same: to share its culture of innovation and collaboration with the broader community. 

To read more about how Arrow’s work helps innovate lives, download our 2016 global Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for more than 125,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 465 locations serving over 90 countries. Learn more at www.fiveyearsout.com

KEYWORDS: Reports, Business & Trade, Arrow Electronics

by Chris Wellise, Sr. Director, Social Innovation and Sustainability

SOURCE:Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

DESCRIPTION:

Though a lot has changed since the garage days of Hewlett-Packard Company, that passionate, persistent, and bold entrepreneurial spirit has remained a core part of our company and culture. And on HPE's Living Progress team, it is with this drive that we create and actively support sustainable solutions for our company, our customers and our world. This week, as we wrap up the Living Progress Challenge, we’re reflecting upon our past year managing this innovative program, and we’re celebrating the creation of four new digital tools that will help make a positive difference in the world.  

If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ve probably seen the updates on the Living Progress Challenge over the past year, such as here and here. We sought to bring HPE expertise and technology to individuals and NGO experts in the field in order to address pressing social and environmental challenges that demand bold action.

Launched in November 2015, the Challenge asked the global community: what digital tools and software applications would you create to improve people’s lives? Our goal: Improve the lives of 1 million people by 2020.

After a highly competitive process with more than 130 proposals submitted from 28 countries around the world:

• 17 proposals were selected and designed into prototypes
• 10 teams pitched live at the Living Progress Challenge Finals pitch event in New York
• 4 innovative solutions were ultimately selected as our final winners

These four solutions span a range of impact areas—from helping rural women save money and gain access to financial tools; to combatting the illegal trade of fisheries products; to connecting youth in Mexico with mentors; and helping the world’s largest volunteer organization transform the way people engage in their communities.

Each are now in final testing phases and will be launching over the coming weeks and months.

These teams reflect that same innovative and entrepreneurial drive that we honor in start-ups, and that we see as core to who we are at HPE. For some of the NGO teams, this was the first time pursuing digital tools into their problem-solving. Teams were courageous, they learned about their user needs and wants, and they iterated to apply new learnings. They were fast and smart, motivated by the profound belief in a vision of what was possible.

The potential for technology to solve challenges in new ways, to enable faster scale, and to invite people around the world into the global economy is limitless. With technological innovation and entrepreneurial resolve we know change is possible. We hope everyone will join us as we track the Living Progress Challenge solutions that will launch over the coming months. We know the deeply exciting advances for the organizations, and the people they serve, lie just ahead.

Tweet me:#Innovation for #SocialImpact: Wrapping-up the First #LivingProgressChallenge http://bit.ly/2nBa3f0 @HPE_LivingProg

KEYWORDS: Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Business & Trade, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HPE, Living Progress Challenge, MENTOR ME, Points of Light, MY WORTH, Detect It: Fish

We are using our 70 years’ experience in antibiotics to tackle resistance.

SOURCE:GSK

DESCRIPTION:

Resistance to antibiotics is a major public health crisis, with 700,000 people dying every year from drug resistant infections. We have 70 years of expertise in antibiotics and we’re committed to continuing our research in this area.

The most advanced antibiotic in our pipeline, gepotidacin, is moving into the final phase of clinical testing and in 2016 was granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product status by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which would expedite review of a future US filing. This novel drug was developed in collaboration with the US government’s Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority.

Our vaccines can also make a key contribution in this area by preventing bacterial and viral infections and averting the need for antibiotics. In addition, we have 15 potential new vaccines in our pipeline, including those targeting diseases like B Streptococcus bacterium.

In 2016, we opened the Institute for Infectious Diseases and Public Health in China to address local health threats posed by antibiotic resistance. We are working with other companies and government organisations to set targets to reduce antibacterial resistance, building on our commitment to the Davos Declaration on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance.

As members of the Innovative Medicines Initiative’s NewDrugs4BadBugs programme, we work in partnership with industry, academia and biotech organisations to combat antibiotic resistance in Europe. 

Read more: Antibiotic resistance

Tweet me:How @GSK is using 70 years’ experience in #antibiotics to tackle resistance. http://bit.ly/2n69cXq

KEYWORDS: Health, Pharma News, Research & Solutions, antibotic resistance, GSK

GSK has a strong commitment to operating responsibly and playing our part in meeting some of society’s biggest healthcare challenges.

SOURCE:GSK

DESCRIPTION:

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company. Our mission is to help people do more, feel better and live longer. We do this by researching and developing medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare products that improve people’s lives. Being commercially successful and operating responsibly allows us to improve people’s health and benefit society, as well as create value for shareholders.

The Responsible Business Supplement provides a performance update on our responsible business commitments across four key focus areas: Health for all, Our behaviour, Our people and Our planet. It is supplemental to the information in GSK’s Annual Report on our approach to responsible business.

“GSK has a strong commitment to operating responsibly and playing our part in meeting some of society’s biggest healthcare challenges. Over the last decade, this has been seen in our commitment to place access to medicines at the centre of our business approach, in our innovation focused on diseases that impact the poorest countries – such as malaria – and in the changes we have made to our commercial model and sales and marketing practices.”
Sir Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, GSK
 

Top ten GSK responsible business highlights in 2016:

• Topped Fortune’s Change the World list and ranked first in the Access to Medicine Index for the fifth consecutive time
• Expanded our graduated approach to filing and enforcing patents to ensure we balance the need to protect our intellectual property with a country’s economic maturity.
• Proposed the creation of a permanent ‘biopreparedness organisation’ to develop vaccines for major global health threats of the future.
• Committed to supply our essential vaccines at our lowest price to internationally recognised civil society organisations supporting refugees in response to the humanitarian crisis
• Continued to use our 70 years’ experience in antibiotics to tackle resistance; opened the Institute for Infectious Diseases and Public Health in China to address local health threats posed by antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases.
• Received confirmation from the World Health Organization that funding has been committed to enable pilot implementation of our RTS,S malaria vaccine in three settings in  sub-Saharan Africa.
• Ensured 1.3 million children received life-saving treatments in 2016 through our pioneering partnership with Save the Children.
• Stopped paying healthcare professionals (HCPs) to speak to other prescribers about our prescription medicines and vaccines, effective January 2016.
• Provided unprecedented access to preventive healthcare to almost 100,000 employees and family members in developing markets through our Partnership for Prevention (P4P) programme.
• Reduced our direct carbon emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 18% since 2010, through a continued focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy and investment in sustainable buildings.

“GSK’s Responsible Business Supplement 2016 is a strong statement of its intentions, actions and achievements. One of its signal accomplishments is the clear link between GSK’s business strategy and the central public health issues the strategy is designed to address.”
Aron Cramer, President and CEO, BSR

Would you like to learn more?

• Review our 2016 Annual Report and Responsible Business Supplement
• Learn more about GSK’s responsible business practices
• Watch our new video series: To Challenge. To Change
• Join the conversation on Twitter

Tweet me:#Top10 #GSK responsible business highlights in 2016 @gsk http://bit.ly/2nAV7gV

KEYWORDS: Health, Diversity & Human Resources, GSK, responsible business supplement

SOURCE:Nestlé in the U.S.

DESCRIPTION:

Paris, France, March 13, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Danone and Nestlé Waters, the world’s two largest bottled water companies, have joined forces with Origin Materials, a startup based in Sacramento, California, to form the NaturALL Bottle Alliance. Together, the three partners aim to develop and launch at commercial scale a PET plastic bottle made from bio-based material, i.e. 100% sustainable and renewable resources. The project uses biomass feedstocks, such as previously used cardboard and sawdust, so it does not divert resources or land from food production for human or animal consumption. The technology represents a scientific breakthrough for the sector, and the Alliance aims to make it available to the entire food and beverage industry.

Teaming up to accelerate development of 100% bio-based bottles

For decades, both Nestlé Waters and Danone have been committed to sustainable business practices, notably by continuously improving their environmental performances and promoting the development of a circular economy. A large part of these efforts has focused on developing innovative packaging solutions that are recyclable and made with renewable resources, as well as the promotion of recycling. After identifying the unique approach of Origin Materials separately, the two companies decided to team up to accelerate development of this promising technology.

“Our goal is to establish a circular economy for packaging by sourcing sustainable materials and creating a second life for all plastics,” declared Frederic Jouin, head of R&D for plastic materials at Danone. “We believe it’s possible to replace traditional fossil materials with bio-based packaging materials. By teaming up and bringing together our complementary expertise and resources, the Alliance can move faster in developing 100% renewable and recyclable PET plastic at commercial scale.”

Danone and Nestlé Waters are providing expertise and teams, as well as financial support, to help Origin Materials make this technology available to the entire food and beverage industry in record time.

This next-generation PET will be as light in weight, transparent, recyclable and protective of the product as today’s PET, while being better for the planet. The exclusive use of renewable feedstocks which do not divert resources or land from food production is the Alliance’s main focus area. The R&D will focus initially on cardboard, sawdust and wood chips but other biomass materials, such as rice hulls, straw and agricultural residue could be explored.

“Current technology on the market makes it possible to have 30% bio-PET,” noted John Bissell, Chief Executive Officer of Origin Materials. “Our breakthrough technology aims to reach 100% bio-based bottles at commercial scale. With the help of our Alliance partners, Origin Materials will be able to scale up a technology which has already been proven at the pilot level.”

A packaging revolution for all

The NaturALL Bottle Alliance partners consider that everyone should benefit from this new material, so the technology will be accessible for the entire beverage industry. This unique approach demonstrates the allies’ commitment to open innovation and sustainable business.

“It’s incredible to think that, in the near future, the industry will be able to use a renewably sourced packaging material, which does not compete with food production and contributes to a better planet,” commented Klaus Hartwig, Head of R&D for Nestlé Waters. “It therefore made perfect sense for us to join forces through this Alliance to develop this innovative technology in a large scale and in the shortest time period possible. This is an exciting journey and we are proud to be part of it.”

A packaging revolution in record time

Origin Materials has already produced samples of 80% bio-based PET in its pilot plant in Sacramento. Construction of a “pioneer plant” will begin in 2017, with production of the first samples of 60+% bio-based PET to start in 2018. The initial volume goal for this first step is to bring 5,000 metric tons of bio-based PET to the market. Thanks to their complementary skills and shared vision, the NaturALL Bottle Alliance aims to develop the process for producing at least 75% bio-based PET plastic bottles at commercial scale as early as in 2020, scaling up to 95% in 2022. The partners will continue to conduct research to increase the level of bio-based content, with the objective of reaching 100%

About Danone - www.danone.com

Dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, Danone is a leading global food company built on four business lines: Fresh Dairy Products, Early Life Nutrition, Waters and Medical Nutrition. Through its mission and dual commitment to business success and social progress, the company aims to build a healthier future, thanks to better health, better lives and a better world, for all its stakeholders—its 100,000 employees, consumers, customers, suppliers, shareholders and all the communities with which it engages.

Present in over 130 markets, Danone generated sales of €21.9 billion in 2016. Danone’s brand portfolio includes both international brands (Activia, Actimel, Danette, Danonino, Danio, evian, Volvic, Nutrilon/Aptamil, Nutricia) and local brands (Oikos, Prostokvashino, Aqua, Bonafont, Mizone, Blédina, Cow & Gate).

Listed on Euronext Paris and on the OTCQX market via an ADR (American Depositary Receipt) program, Danone is a component stock of leading social responsibility indexes including the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, Vigeo, the Ethibel Sustainability Index, MSCI Global Sustainability, MSCI Global SRI Indexes and the FTSE4Good Index.

About Nestlé Waters

Founded in 1992, Nestlé Waters is the water division of the Nestlé Group and the No. 1 bottled water company worldwide (sales of CHF 7.9 billion in 2016).

Nestlé Waters employs more than 31 000 people worldwide. With over 93 production facilities situated in 33 countries around the world, Nestlé Waters has a unique portfolio of more than 50 brands including Nestlé Pure Life, Perrier, S. Pellegrino, Poland Spring, Vittel, Buxton, Erikli …

For more information www.nestle-waters.com

About Origin Materials

Origin Materials is a company based in Sacramento, California. Origin tackles hard problems in materials in service of the world’s great companies. Origin's technology produces bio-based intermediates from lignocellulosic (second generation) raw materials. Origin's intermediates can be used to make new polymers, surfactants, and carbon blacks, each with differentiated performance.

More information about Origin can be found at www.originmaterials.com or info@originmaterials.com

Tweet me:.@Danone and @NestleWatersNA launch NaturALL Bottle Alliance with California startup to create 100% bio-based bottles http://bit.ly/2n1cJpW

KEYWORDS: Ethical Production & Consumption, Green Business, Danone, Nestle, Origin Materials, NaturALL Bottle Alliance, creating shared value

SOURCE:Antea Group

DESCRIPTION:

Picture this: you walk through a site, completing your intended tasks and observing employee activities. Suddenly, you see one employee completing an activity that puts them at risk for an injury, possibly a serious or fatal injury.

So what do you do? The incident might be outside the scope of your current work, or in a department you haven't interacted with. But you realize you cannot, in good conscience, simply ignore the problem.

This is a tricky dilemma, but if you're faced with a situation like this, take a deep breath and gather your thoughts. Then try to keep in mind these recommendations from some our very own Antea Group health and safety professionals over on the Antea Group blog.

About Antea Group

Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. With more than 3,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we serve clients ranging from global energy companies and manufacturers to national governments and local municipalities. Learn more at http://us.anteagroup.com. 

Tweet me:Breaking the Bad News: How to Effectively Deliver Health and Safety Feedback http://bit.ly/2nAzaic

Contact Info:

Katie Nordenson
katie.nordenson@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Human Resources, antea group, health and safety

SOURCE:Sea Change Radio

DESCRIPTION:

With drought-stricken California enjoying its wettest winter in decades, it can be easy to forget that water scarcity is among the globe's most deadly threats. This week on Sea Change Radio, we discuss groundwater with Bill and Rosemarie Alley, the authors of "High and Dry: Meeting the Challenges of the World’s Growing Dependence on Groundwater." They take us on a journey around the world and back in time to examine how humans scheme for and squander earth's most precious resource. We talk about wildcatting for water in the 19th century, India's water management quandary, and some of Saudi Arabia's more imprudent water policies.

Tweet me:This wk's @SeaChangeRadio "High & Dry: Talking Groundwater" w/authors Bill and Rosemarie Alley http://www.cchange.net/2017/03/14/dry/

KEYWORDS: Environment & Climate Change, sea change radio, talking groundwater, India's water management quandary, Water Policy

SOURCE:Pentair

DESCRIPTION:

LONDON, March 14, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Pentair, a global company dedicated to building a safer, more sustainable world, is pleased to announce that the Pentair Foundation is now accepting applications for its global community giving grant cycle through March 31, 2017.  Since 1998, the Pentair Foundation has donated more than $59 million to philanthropic causes— strengthening communities around the world, increasing access to quality education, and providing safe, clean water to nearly three million people in developing countries.

In 2016 alone, the Pentair Foundation funded programs and partners who collectively served more than 13 million people worldwide. Grants went to organizations working in 40 communities, around the globe including the United States, India, China, Latin America and Africa.

The Pentair Foundation hosts two grant cycles annually and concentrates grant-making in the areas of food, water and education. Organizations working in the following impact areas are encouraged to apply:

FOOD
As the world’s growing population puts increasing demands on global agriculture resources, Pentair focuses on funding innovative solutions in aquaculture and aquaponics as well as agriculture development, education, and research related to water reuse and management in the production of food.

WATER 
At Pentair, we believe safe water is a fundamental human right, and one of the foundations of freedom and economic development. Pentair collaborates with a range of partners, combining our technology, micro-enterprise business models, and scientific research to provide sustainable access to safe water, as well as water conservation and reuse efforts.

EDUCATION
Education is key to economic development and improved living standards. In developing countries, Pentair's efforts focus on increasing opportunities for children to access and attend school; and in developed countries, we focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculum.

Nonprofit organizations helping to meet needs in these areas and working in Pentair communities are eligible to apply online.  Grant request applications may be submitted through March 31, 2017. 

About Pentair
Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR) is a global company dedicated to building a safer, more sustainable world. Pentair delivers industry leading products, services and solutions that help people make the best use of the resources they rely on most. Its technology moves the world forward by ensuring that water is plentiful, useful and pure, and that critical equipment and those near it are protected. With 2016 revenues of $4.9 billion, Pentair employs approximately 26,000 people worldwide. To learn more, visit pentair.com.

Tweet me:The @Pentair FDN is now accepting apps through 3/31 for its global #community giving #grant cycle. Learn more here http://bit.ly/2mFdROY

Contact Info:

Rebecca Osborn
Pentair Communications
+1 (763) 656-5580
rebecca.osborn@pentair.com

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Business & Trade, Pentair, Pentair Foundation

SOURCE:Black & Veatch

DESCRIPTION:

Data collection and the processing power needed to support autonomous driving are huge areas of focus for development. Companies are investing heavily in driverless technologies, evidenced by news that Intel Corp. is acquiring Mobileye, an autonomous driving technology leader whose portfolio includes machine learning, road mapping, sensors, and data analytics among other technologies.

The $15 billion purchase of Mobileye by Intel has enormous implications for automotive chipset integration in the autonomous driving market. For Intel, mapping may be the first application that the chip-maker could commercialize with the Mobileye acquisition. Real-time mapping is a useful component to today’s advanced driving tools, and one that provides an opportunity to integrate chipsets within automotive management systems. These same processors can communicate with vehicle sensors and control systems to provide precise location and relation information. 

Such applications require low-latency, real-time processing. Easing traffic congestion is a key objective of Smart City programs and there is growing interest in improving vehicular movement and optimization of path. Assisted driving will require large volumes of processing support for incident avoidance and emergency braking. 

For more information about the connections between smart cities, smart transportation and data analytics, download Black & Veatch's 2017 Strategic Directions: Smart City/Smart Utility Report

Integration of in-vehicle communications technology is a significant revenue opportunity. Virtually every automotive manufacturer has an initiative focused on assisted or autonomous driving. Intel’s acquisition of Mobileye provides them a path to more rapidly commercialize that technology. In the mid-term, there will be opportunities to provide intelligence to autonomous vehicles like small transit buses traveling along predictable paths. Trials of this technology are already underway in many locations all over the world. In the longer term, full autonomous driving will emerge.

It will be important to consider the implications of data’s role in smarter transportation, especially for cities. Leaders of the smart city movement believe open data architecture will promote growth and development within their urban cores, resulting in an increased economic base. As more devices become chip-enabled, more data is collected and analyzed, with processing taking place at the edge where the device resides, and through communications networks and the cloud to places where the data can be aggregated and analyzed. 

At every stage of this ecosystem there is opportunity for products that include components developed or manufactured by Intel and their competitors. Companies specializing in systems integration can help cities take full advantage of these emerging technologies. Greater volumes of data means increased need for servers and data centers. 

These are all growth opportunities for Intel and other companies seeking to establish beachheads in the market for smart transportation and smart cities. Through targeted acquisitions like Mobileye, Intel may be able to increase the likelihood that it is their chipsets that become part of the foundational architecture of autonomous driving technology. These and other technology companies want to drive further up the stack to ensure their product is at the core. If they can make additional revenue off the applications themselves, they can generate even stronger returns for their shareholders.

Tweet me:.@Intel's @Mobileye purchase a boon for chip integration in driverless tech, paves way for commercial mapping #AI http://bit.ly/2nFdaCP

KEYWORDS: Technology, Business & Trade, autonomous cars, driver-less cars, autonomous driving, self-driving cars, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, IoT, data collection, Data analytics, smart city, Black & Veatch