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Businesses to Step up With Poverty Alleviation

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Discussion paper provides practical assistance to report on poverty

SOURCE:GRI

DESCRIPTION:

In September 2016, GRI embarked on a research project with DFID to review the relationship between corporate sustainability reporting and business action on poverty alleviation, with the aim of identifying how improved data and reporting can optimize business’s contribution to ending poverty. The role of business is essential, and we see corporate sustainability reporting a significant driver of positive social change.

As a follow-up from that report, GRI has now published a discussion paper with practical recommendations for companies to engage better with poverty alleviation as part of their business. Here you can see four areas in which business can help to alleviate poverty through its activities and relationships. Click here to view the full discussion paper Corporate Reporting on Poverty

For more updates from GRI, subscribe to the monthly newsletter. 

Tweet me:Check this infograph to see the most important areas in which business can help to alleviate poverty through its activities and relationships. http://bit.ly/2BugtTS

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals, No Poverty, GRI, global reporting initiative, sustainability reporting, csr reporting, GRI Standards, sustainable development goals, SDGs, Poverty


Cisco Accelerates Global Problem Solving in 2017

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by Austin Belisle

SOURCE:Cisco Systems Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

Our world is more connected than ever before, and these connections are increasing. Research predicts that 500 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2030. Explosive growth and innovations, including augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are also transforming our global landscape in unprecedented ways.

With this huge potential for change comes the need to shape the future responsibly.

Cisco takes that responsibility seriously. This year, we continued to leverage our technology to build a network of global problem solvers; to positively impact people, society, and the planet. Our 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report is a testament to the progress we have made and a reminder of the fantastic opportunities that lie ahead.

Supporting access to economic opportunity: 154 million people positively impacted in FY17

Our nonprofit partners used Cisco Foundation grant investments to positively impact more than 154 million people across the globe. Coupled with our 2015 impact, this puts us at 23% of our goal to reach 1 billion people by 2025. Cisco Foundation cash and in-kind contributions totaled $355 million for the year, up from $309 million in FY16.

These contributions helped our nonprofit partners leverage technology to support underserved communities, provide food, water, and shelter to victims of natural disasters, build a digital foundation to improve education, and drive economic empowerment and an inclusive digital economy.

Protecting the planet: 80% of our worldwide electricity in FY17 came from renewable sources

Solving the world’s most pressing environmental challenges is a business and CSR priority. The earth’s natural cycles— carbon, resource, and biological—are being disrupted. These disruptions impact people, society, the planet, and in turn, our global economy. We are using renewable energy more and more, and in FY17, 80% of our global electricity came from renewable sources.

In FY17, we achieved an important environmental milestone. We met our second, 5-year goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 40% absolute, compared to an FY07 baseline. We’re now focused on our newest goal: reducing these emissions by 60% by FY22.

Our people at their best: Employee volunteering increased 64% in FY17

We want to make the world a better place for our employees and neighbors in the communities where we operate. Our employees made significant contributions of their time and talent in FY17, volunteering more than 358,000 hours for causes they care about.

Employee donations and matching also provided over $15.2 million to nonprofit organizations, and we are currently at 44% employee engagement, with a goal to reach 80% engagement by 2020.

Building a network of digitally savvy problem solvers:  Cisco Networking Academy has reached 7.8 million students since 1997

In FY17, 1.3 million students in 180 countries built their digital skills through Cisco Networking Academy—bringing our cumulative total to 7.8 million students reached since 1997. In FY17, we reached 19% more students, and globally, 24% of our students are female.

Students receive practical, hands-on experience through the program and gain the digital and entrepreneurial skills needed to land a job, earn a promotion, or start their own businesses. Since 2005, 1.6 million participants have reported that completing the program helped them obtain a new job.

Solving threats to species: Rhino poaching reduced by 96% at a South African game reserve

Rhinoceros poaching poses serious economic and ecological problems in Africa, with three rhinos lost per day to poachers seeking rhino horns worth more than their weight in gold. Working with World Wildlife Fund and Dimension Data, the Connected Conservation program uses Cisco surveillance and network technologies to monitor and control the movement of humans in game reserves.

In one pilot, at a private South African game reserve, poaching was reduced 96% since 2015. More pilots are planned in larger parks and game reserves to understand scaling challenges.

The future is ours to build, and we have the capability to shape it responsibly. We look forward to another year of applying our technology, skills, and passion to help make progress on some of the world’s most challenging problems.

To learn more about the progress we’re making to positively impact people, society, and the planet, read our 2017 CSR report and share your favorite parts on Twitter (@CiscoCSR) and Facebook. You can learn more about our CSR programs and strategy by visiting https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/csr.html.

We hope you’ll feel inspired to join us in our work.

Tweet me:Read about how @Cisco accelerated #GlobalProblemSolving in 2017 http://bit.ly/2nf2JHH #CRReport @CiscoCSR #SocialImpact

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Education, cisco csr

     

2018: A Year of Living Anxiously

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by Terry F. Yosie, WEC President & CEO

SOURCE:World Environment Center

DESCRIPTION:

2018, like most years, has begun with statements both hopeful and optimistic about what the new year may bring.  And there are many positive developments in global sustainability to acknowledge, including the on-going implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement by many nations; increasing collaboration among business, non-government organizations and other institutions on renewable energy, food waste and other issues; the expanding human rights agenda; women’s empowerment; and accelerating investor interest in sustainability. So far…so good.

Such optimism (even cautious optimism), however, needs to be tested against deeper structural obstacles that have the potential to slow down and possibly reverse more positive sustainability trends of recent years. Read the full article on GreenBiz.

Tweet me:@WorldEnvCenter @TerryYosie provides four practical and thoughtful suggestions to maintain momentum for #sustainabilityinitiatives #Sustainability https://tinyurl.com/y9go5hvh @GreenBiz

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, sustainability, World Environment Center (WEC), Innovation & Technology, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, thought leadership, #Leadership

Nepal Makes Progress Towards a National Agroforestry Policy

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The landlocked mountainous nation will become the second country in the world to have a national agroforestry policy, with support from the World Agroforestry Centre and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)

SOURCE:World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

DESCRIPTION:

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is assisting with the development of a national agroforestry policy for Nepal along with the Climate Technology Centre and Network.

In November 2017, an inter-ministerial coordination committee, of which ICRAF is a facilitating member, organized a series of consultations on how the policy could tackle barriers restricting widespread adoption of agroforestry.

The ministries of Agricultural Development, Forest and Soil Conservation, Population and Environment, and Livestock Development are all represented on the committee, along with ICRAF which is providing overall technical support. Participants in the consultations came from Government ministries and departments, research institutes and universities, farmers’ associations and cooperatives, national and international non-governmental organizations and service providers.

According to Dr Yubak Dhoj GC, Secretary, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, the national agroforestry policy is expected to eliminate the barriers faced by farmers in harvesting, transporting and selling their agroforestry products: ‘An integrated and converged approach is required by the relevant ministries to achieve this much-required and long-pending goal’, he said during a consultation.

Dr Javed Rizvi, ICRAF’s regional coordinator for South Asia, agreed, pointing out that, ‘According to an analysis by CGIAR, agroforestry is recognized by about 66 countries  as a tool either for  adaptation or mitigation of climate change. It is a proven intervention to improve food, nutritional and environmental security. Nepal will benefit highly once the policy is approved and implemented’.

Rizvi explained his experience of working with the Government of India on the development of their policy, the first of its kind in the world, and how its realization has enhanced the economy, human health and the environment in a very short period of time. Drawing on this experience, Nepal’s policy will aim to create the enabling conditions to comprehensively implement agroforestry as part of its climate-change adaption and mitigation efforts. The development process will also serve to strengthen the capacity of policy makers, researchers, extension workers, first and end users to implement and sustain the policy.

‘We are confident that the national agroforestry policy will address the serious issue of the abandonment of agricultural land due to migration of youth in search of employment abroad. It will also address the high inputs’ requirement and labour-intensive nature of traditional agriculture currently practised’, said Dr Suroj Pokhrel, Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Development.

Specifically, Nepal’s policy is planned to 1) promote resilient farming systems to minimize risk during extreme weather and incidences of pests and diseases; 2) expand tree plantations to integrate and complement crop and livestock production and support efforts to maintain and increase forest and tree cover to ensure ecological stability; 3) ensure availability of products—such as fuel wood, fodder, timber, fruit, nuts, medicines—to reduce pressure on natural forests; 4) build links between agroforestry farmers and markets, industries, banks and insurance providers; and 5) facilitate investment and funding for agroforestry through the Government, international agencies and the local and regional private sector.

‘Agroforestry will be key to improving the livelihoods of smallholders in Nepal and in enhancing their resilience to climate change’, noted Dr Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary, Ministry of Population and Environment. ‘The country is facing the challenge of emigration of youth, leaving behind the elderly, women and children in villages. Thus, absence of a workforce in rural communities leads to under-utilization of agricultural land resulting in reduced family income. Agroforestry can offer sustainable solutions to such a problem’.

The policy-development process is an outcome of a national  consultation organised jointly by the Government of Nepal and ICRAF involving other groups that had resulted in the 2015 Kathmandu Declaration on Agroforestry and the formation of the inter-ministerial coordination committee to oversee progress. Development of the policy is in line with Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (2016) and Climate Change Policy (2011).

Tweet me:.#Nepal will become the second country in the world to have a national #agroforestry policy, with support from @ICRAF and the Climate Technology Centre and Network http://bit.ly/2rzdD0m @UNFCCC_CTCN

KEYWORDS: Environment, Responsible Production & Consumption, climate change, agroforestry, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), farming, Ecology, Nepal

   

Carnival Corporation Orders Second New Ship for its P&O Cruises Brand

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Vessels with industry-first "green-cruising" design will enter service in 2020 and 2022 with dual-fuel engines utilizing LNG for power in port and at sea, with cleaner air emissions and improved air quality

SOURCE:Carnival Corporation & plc

DESCRIPTION:

January 26, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, announced it has signed a shipbuilding contract for a second next-generation cruise ship for its P&O Cruises brand with leading German shipbuilder Meyer Werft GmbH that is scheduled to be delivered in 2022.

Similar to a fellow P&O Cruises sister ship due for delivery in 2020, this second new vessel will be the largest cruise ship to be built specifically for the British market. It will be 180,000 gross tons and will accommodate approximately 5,200 guests (lower berths). Both new ships will be registered in the UK. 

The new ship is part of Carnival Corporation's ongoing fleet enhancement strategy with 19 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2022 – creating excitement in the vacation market and continuing to exceed guest expectations while accelerating demand for cruising, the fastest growing segment in the vacation industry.

The ship will be built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and feature the corporation’s exclusive “green cruising” design as one of the first generation of cruise ships to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) both while in port and at sea, which will significantly reduce air emissions with the shipping industry’s most advanced fuel technology.

Carnival UK president Josh Weinstein said: “We are seeing the momentum in awareness of cruising both across the media and in our national psyche as ever-increasing numbers of people see first-hand the value for money, unrivalled service and extraordinary onboard experience. These two next-generation ships for delivery in the next four years are real and tangible evidence of our absolute optimism for future growth.”

Added P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow: “We have a bold and ambitious vision for P&O Cruises to become Britain’s number one holiday choice and we can only do that by increasing our fleet. The build for our 2020 ship begins this spring and it will offer all generations of British guests the holiday of a lifetime on the next generation of P&O Cruises ships.

“In four years’ time when her sister ship is launched, adding an additional 22 percent capacity, we will see an even greater rise in the popularity of cruising across all demographics and all age ranges including both Millennials and Generation Xers. Many of them have already learned to appreciate cruising by going on cruises with their families while growing up. Additionally, there are millions more we will attract in the future by retaining the amazing onboard and on-shore experiences and itinerary choices P&O Cruises is known for, while reflecting forward-thinking trends and tastes of British holidaymakers.

“This evolution of the guest experience will be evident over the next few years but will be underpinned throughout with in-depth market insight and feedback we receive from the best source: our current, past and prospective guests.

“The first of our new ships will go on sale in September and we will be announcing key elements of the design and build this year. Our P&O Cruises signature features in dining and entertainment will be across all our ships, but the space and build of the two new ships allows us to have innovative new experiences to create the most memorable holidays.”

Thomas Weigend, managing director of Meyer Werft, added: “We are very happy to continue our excellent partnership with Carnival Corporation and P&O Cruises.”

In total, Carnival Corporation has agreements in place with leading German and Finnish shipbuilders Meyer Werft and Meyer Turku to build eight LNG-powered cruise ships across four of its 10 global cruise brands with delivery dates between 2018 and 2022 – two for AIDA Cruises with expected delivery dates in 2018 and 2021, two for Costa Cruises with expected delivery dates in 2019 and 2021, two for P&O Cruises UK with expected delivery dates in 2020 and 2022 and two for Carnival Cruise Line with expected delivery dates in 2020 and 2022.

About Carnival Corporation
Carnival Corporation & plc is the world's largest leisure travel company and among the most profitable and financially strong in the cruise and vacation industries, with a portfolio of 10 dynamic brands that include nine of the world's leading cruise lines. With operations in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK), as well as Fathom, the corporation's immersion and enrichment experience brand.

Together, these brands operate 103 ships with 231,000 lower berths visiting over 700 ports around the world, with 19 new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2018 and 2022. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only dual listed company in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

In 2017, Fast Company recognized Carnival Corporation as being among the "Top 10 Most Innovative Companies" in both the design and travel categories. Fast Company specifically recognized Carnival Corporation for its work in developing Ocean Medallion™, a high-tech wearable device that enables the world's first interactive guest experience platform capable of transforming vacation travel into a highly personalized and elevated level of customized service.

Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com, www.fathom.org, www.hollandamerica.com, www.princess.com, www.seabourn.com, www.aida.de, www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com, www.pocruises.com.au and www.pocruises.com.

About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises has a fleet of eight ships offering holidays tailored to British tastes combining genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time. Britannia, a design-led 141,000 ton ship, was named by HM The Queen on March 10, 2015. A new 180,000 ton LNG-powered ship is on order for delivery in 2020 and a second similar ship has been confirmed for delivery in 2022.

Carnival Corporation Media Contacts:

Roger Frizzell, Carnival Corporation, rfrizzell@carnival.com, (305) 406-7862

Mike Flanagan, LDWW, mike@ldwwgroup.com, (727) 452-4538

 

P&O Cruises Media Contacts:

Michele Andjel, michele.andjel@carnivalukgroup.com, 023 8065 6653 / 07730 732 072

Jenny Hadley, jenny.hadley@pocruises.com, 023 8065 6650 / 07825 120 088

For images visit: http://www.pocruisespresspictures.com/

Tweet me:.@CarnivalPLC ordered a second new ship for @PandOCruises. It will use dual-fuel engines, including LNG for power both in port and at sea. #green #cruising #travel #LNG http://bit.ly/2n8hNYo

Contact Info:

Ellie Beuerman
LDWWgroup
ellie@ldwwgroup.com

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, Green, sustainability, csr, environmental sustainability, LNG, Liquefied Natural Gas, Clean cruising, cruising, green cruising, Sustainable Travel, sustainable tourism, travel, United Kingdom (UK), Carnival Corporation, Carnival Corporation's Commitment to Sustainability, Emissions, #Environmental Sustainability, environmental responsibility

2018 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prizes Longlist Announced

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AAAS and Subaru of America, Inc. are pleased to announce the titles that have been selected for the longlist for the 2018 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prizes for Excellence in Science Books.

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

AAAS and Subaru of America, Inc. are proud to announce the books that were selected for the longlist of the 2018 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prizes for Excellence in Science Books. The Prizes celebrate outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults and are meant to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all ages. AAAS believes that, through good science books, this generation, and the next, will have a better understanding and appreciation of science.

Read the full article on the AAAS website.

Tweet me:Longlist announced for the 2018 @AAAS / @Subaru_USA SB&F Prizes for Excellence in #Science Books http://bit.ly/2DdXONY #STEM #SubaruLovesLearning

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Education, Subaru of America, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Books & Films (SB&F), 2018 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

The Venetian, the Palazzo & Sands Expo Sustainable Efforts Recognized Amongst ‘Stella Award’ Wins

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SOURCE:Las Vegas Sands

DESCRIPTION:

The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo won six “Stella Awards” for 2017 including the top honor of “Best Hotel/Resort” overall in the Far West region. As we remain committed to our planet to pursue a sustainable lifestyle at all of our properties, outstanding efforts in Green Meetings were also recognized with the “Best Green Initiative” award.

The “Stella Awards” is a new award program by Northstar Meetings Group combined from the long-running Pinnacle Awards (from Successful Meetings), Gold Key Awards (from Meetings & Conventions), and Gold Platter Awards (from Meetings & Conventions). These awards honor excellence in the Meetings Industry for delivering quality service and innovation to meetings and events.

The presentation and quality of services provided to our guests are top priorities in the company, taking pride in being innovative in several aspects within the Integrated Resorts. As the most sustainable leading hospitality company in the world, we take the extra step in offering sustainable options to clients, most notably through our “Green Meetings Concierge.”

The concierges are able to design custom sustainability initiatives to address the unique needs and goals of every meeting or event. From food to wellness or documenting sustainable actions through the “Green Actions Selfie Contest,” clients can collaborate with the Green Meetings Concierge team to collaborate and pilot new ideas. Some of the green meeting clients include IMEX America, Amazon, and EMC.

During IMEX America 2017, attendees were presented with a “Clean Plate Challenge” to encourage students participating in the “Future Leaders Forum” to not waste food during lunch. Prizes were also given in a drawing.

All three properties were awarded for their excellence in the far west category for Best Hotel/Resort, Best Gaming Property, Best Décor/Design Hotel, Best Food and Beverage, Best On-Site Support Staff, and Best Green Initiative. The properties were also finalists for Best Renovation, within the past year.

The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo have been recipients of the “Green Leaders Awards” by Las Vegas Business Press, “Best Recycling Program,” by Las Vegas Business Week, “Water Hero Award” by Southern Nevada Water Authority, and a “Club Ride Program Star Employer Award” by Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. They are also recognized as an APEX/ASTM “Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards, Venue Level Two Certification,” as well as LEED Gold Certified for Sands Expo and Congress Center and LEED Silver Certified for The Palazzo.

Tweet me:.@VenetianVegas, @PalazzoVegas ‏& @SandsExpo #Sustainable efforts recognized amongst #StellaAward Wins http://bit.ly/2B39uRE #NorthstarMeetingsGroup

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, The Venetian, The Palazzo, Las Vegas Sands, Sands Expo, Stella Awards, Green Meetings Concierge

Citi Community Development Announces $2.6 Million Investment in Collaboration with 12 Municipalities and Regions, to Support Free Tax Preparation Services

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Citi’s investment will expand awareness of Earned Income Tax Credits and availability of high quality free tax preparation services in 12 cities and regions across the country

SOURCE:Citi

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, January 26, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- Citi Community Development announced today a $2.6 million investment to support free tax preparation services for eligible workers in major cities and regions across the country. Launched on National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, the investment will support municipal efforts to expand awareness, access and capacity of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites during the 2018 tax season. Citi Community Development’s investment aims to help local organizations complete over 230,000 tax returns, resulting in approximately $191 million in tax refunds during the 2018 tax season. Citi also announced that volunteers from the bank will serve as tax preparers in VITA sites across the New York City region.

“Research has shown that 44 percent of households in the U.S. lack enough savings to cover a $400 emergency expense. This eye-opening statistic illustrates the persistent financial vulnerability millions of Americans still feel despite the growing economy” said Bob Annibale, Global Director of Citi Community Development. “Earned Income Tax Credits are often the largest cash infusion workers will receive all year, providing an essential financial cushion for those households living paycheck-to-paycheck. The investment Citi is making today will ensure that by working with local governments and trusted community organizations, eligible families will have access to free, high quality tax preparation services, and the full roster of tax credits they have earned.”

Citi's investment supports the establishment or expansion of significant EITC Awareness campaigns in 12 cities and regions across the country including: New York City and Long Island, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Miami-Dade County, Florida; the Bay Area region; Fresno, Orange County, San Diego, Sacramento and Los Angeles in California; South Dakota; and Washington, DC.

Initiatives funded in part by Citi Community Development’s investments include notable innovations. In the Bay Area, the cities of Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose will establish a shared branded EITC awareness campaign and tax preparation network, the first time the three local governments have coordinated to create a regional strategy. In Los Angeles, Citi Community Development is collaborating with California State University Northridge, the Department of Veteran Affairs and the City of Los Angeles to support greater EITC take-up among veterans and military families through a peer-to-peer approach where experienced tax preparers will be recruited from the military community.

“The federal Earned Income Tax Credit has been a tried-and-true way to reduce poverty, and our state-level credit supplements the benefit for hundreds of thousands of Californians.  But we must continue to spread the word about these programs, because far too many people are missing out on refunds that they have earned with their hard work,” said Senator Toni Atkins,the incoming President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate.“I am grateful to Citi and its partners throughout the state for helping reduce the amount of money our working families leave on the table.”

“For many working families in Fresno, earned income tax credit programs can be the first step to financial stability,” said FresnoMayor Lee Brand. “I am grateful for partners like Citi and United Way for getting the word out about these state and federal tax credits and facilitating free tax preparation for Fresno families who otherwise wouldn’t get the support they need."

“Working families deserve every opportunity to put money back in their pockets — dollars they can invest in meaningful ways like getting quality childcare for their kids, making home improvements, getting more reliable transportation, and investing in higher education,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.“This partnership will help thousands of Angelenos better understand how to take advantage of tax credits that can help them get ahead.”

“EITC is one of the largest poverty reduction programs in the United States and a vital tax credit that helps working families pay bills and save‎ for their families’ future,” said New York CityDepartment of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “We would like to thank Citi for their long-time support of our tax campaign, and encourage New Yorkers to take advantage of our trusted and professional free tax prep services to ensure that their returns are completed accurately and that they are receiving every credit and deduction available to them, including the EITC.”

“This is a key time for California. As elected leaders work to mitigate the impacts of the statewide housing and cost of living crisis, we have a responsibility to utilize ever tool available to make sure that we aren’t leaving working families behind,” said Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland. “The Earned Income Tax Credit is a proven solution to help prevent hard working families from sinking deeper into debt and poverty, and we are pleased to launch the Earn It Keep It Save It campaign in collaboration with Citi Community Development to help provide an immediate relief for working families and vulnerable residents that need it most.”

“We are thrilled that Citi has made this generous investment in the financial well-being of our City and our region, and we are proud to work with United Way California Capital Region to get the word out about this growth in their truly free tax preparation programs,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “Together we will make sure that many more of our residents can get free tax prep appointments, avoid costly, unnecessary tax products and services, and claim all the credits they’ve earned.”

According to the Internal Revenue Service, in 2017, 26 million people received more than $63 billion in EITC with the average amount received was more than $2,400. Citi’s investment builds on three years of prior investments and pilots targeting EITC utilization, most notably in New York City.

In 2015, Citi joined the City of New York as the sole corporate partner in the largest public education and outreach tax credit campaign in the city’s history. The campaign included more than 2,000 volunteers and the city’s network of VITA sites more than tripled to nearly 200 locations citywide. Research showed that an estimated one-in-five households in New York were eligible for EITC but did not claim it. The campaign increased the number of people utilizing VITA sites from 96,000 to 150,000 people, which meant the city could return $250 million in savings and refunds to low-income New York families. Over the past three years, more than 425,000 New Yorkers have filed with NYC Free Tax Prep and received approximately half a billion dollars in savings and refunds.

Since 2015, Citi has supported New York City in implementing key recommendations from Designing for Financial Empowerment (DFE), a collaborative initiative to build more accessible and effective public services to meet the needs of financially vulnerable residents by using a participatory approach known as “service design” to improve services with the direct involvement of all stakeholders. New York’s Free Tax Prep campaign implemented several new measures developed by DFE to improve take up, including the rollout of new unified brand identity for tax prep services, and a web-based pre-registration portal. 

ABOUT CITI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Citi Community Development leads Citi’s commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment for underserved individuals, families and communities across the U.S. Through innovative collaborations with municipalities, community groups and leading nonprofit organizations, we harness Citi’s expertise, products and services to help expand opportunity for all.

Additional information may be found at http://citicommunitydevelopment.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

Tweet me:#Citi Community Development announces a $2.6 million investment to support free tax prep services and expand access to the #EITC in 12 cities and regions across the US http://bit.ly/2GlYYJc

Contact Info:

Patricia Tuma
Citi
+1 (212) 793-7682
patricia.tuma@citi.com

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Diversity & Inclusion, Citi, economic growth, Earned Income Tax Credit


Want An Innovative Business? Start With Gender Equality.

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by Michelle King

SOURCE:HP, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

"If you don’t have diverse talent within your organization, or if women aren’t playing a key role in driving innovation, you will not keep up with the external pressures and demands of an increasingly diverse and dynamic customer base,” says Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer at HP.

Hurst, who leads the global technology company’s sustainability and social impact work, says the current lack of gender equality worldwide hinders business performance and growth across all industries. This is supported by a 2018 McKinsey Deliver Through Diversity report, which found that increased diversity leads to stronger financial performance.

In this interview, Hurst shares why advancing women in innovation and technology is critical to unlocking business growth and what every leader can do to make this happen.

Michelle King: Why do you think gender equality is a critical business issue?

Nate Hurst: Diversity is really core to innovation. In today’s business environment, true innovation really comes from businesses with a diverse employee base. We rely on top innovation talent to survive. Our diverse group of employees help us to identify opportunities as well as blind spots so we can serve a diverse customer base.  Women make up such a large portion of our customer base now. Having diverse talent just makes our business stronger.

Click here to read the full interview

Tweet me:Innovative businesses start with #GenderEquality, says @HPSustainable's Nate Hurst http://bit.ly/2DBR8t0

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Gender Equality, HP Inc., Nate Hurst

CMT and Country Star Courtney Cole Reveal Dates for Statewide “Empowering Education” Tour in Louisiana

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CMT, LCTCS and Louisiana Calling shine a light on educational opportunities with free concerts throughout state

SOURCE:Viacom

DESCRIPTION:

NASHVILLE, January 26, 2018 /3BL Media/ - CMT and Louisiana’s own country star Courtney Cole will soon rule the road in the first-ever statewide “Empowering Education” tour. CMT revealed dates for a series of eight free concerts today via Facebook, which officially kick off March 5 in Bossier City, La. The “CMT Empowering Education Tour of Louisiana” is hosted in partnership with local education and nonprofit groups Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges System (LCTCS) and Louisiana Calling. The tour was first announced last fall, and is part of a larger initiative that seeks to bring awareness to educational opportunities and increase the number of work-ready residents in the state.

A Louisiana native, singer/songwriter Courtney delivers a spirited live show with authentic lyrics and a hint of her New Orleans roots. She has opened for the biggest names in country music like Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and Thomas Rhett, and was named an artist to watch by Spotify and Huffington Post. She’s a vocal supporter of education, and has been named one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country.” Courtney amassed thousands of streams for her poignant and self-produced documentary, aptly titled “The Rockumentary,” which chronicles the ups and downs of her path to super-stardom. Additionally, her EP “For the Love of Me” is available via digital retailers. For more about Courtney, visit CourtneyColeMusic.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“There’s nothing I love more than being on the road, so to do it in my home state for education is truly incredible,” said Courtney. “If I can inspire just one person to follow their heart and make their world better, then we’ve accomplished what we came here to do.”

Click here to read the full release

Tweet me:.@CMT and country star @TheCourtneyCole reveal dates for “Empowering Education” Tour in Louisiana http://bit.ly/2ncPnMy @CMTempoweringed @golctcs

KEYWORDS: Education, Events, Media & Communications, Viacom, cmt, CMT Empowering Education Tour of Louisiana, Courtney Cole, Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges System, LCTCS, Louisiana Calling

The Outdoor Industry Association Debuts Film Showcasing How an Entire Industry is Leading with Purpose

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SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

The outdoor industry has made huge strides to promote and protect the lands we love and play in. From REI’s evolved #OptOutside campaign, North Face’s climate beneficial beanie and Patagonia’s bold response to the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument, outdoor retailers engaged consumers around a passion for nature and the goal of preserving the places we cherish. Now, one organization is creating a united voice from outdoor retailers showcasing how the industry is leading with Purpose- helping consumers better understand and connect with these brands and their efforts.

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), a group of 1,300 members including ARC’TERYX, Burton, REI, Timberland* and Patagonia, is creating a film series sharing stories of brands that operate with Purpose and environmental consciousness and have a positive impact on the industry and environment. Each episode will take the viewer on a cultural adventure where they will meet athletes, gear designers, brand executives, factory workers and other concerned consumers in order to gain a better understanding of how their gear is made and the footprint it leaves behind. Issues covered in the series include sustainable sourcing, improving factory conditions and supply chains, addressing the use of chemicals and closing the loop. Through the series, OIA hopes to educate consumers and other brands about the collective efforts being made within the industry.

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:The Outdoor Industry Association Debuts Film Showcasing How an Entire Industry is Leading with Purpose http://bit.ly/2DE0Efr

KEYWORDS: Media & Communications, OIA, film, Outdoor Industry Association, Cone Communications

Major League Baseball Players Bring “Baseball Diplomacy” to Nicaragua

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Peloteros por Nicaragua trip is part of Players Trust's growing international goodwill efforts

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

Through the Major League Baseball Players Association’s collective charity, the Players Trust, players have become increasingly active as ambassadors of baseball around the world.  In partnership with the US State Department Sports Envoy program, Major Leaguers Jed Lowrie, John Mayberry, Jr. and JC Ramirez recently visited Nicaragua to help conduct three clinics in four days.  The trip to Nicaragua - dubbed Peloteros por Nicaragua - is part of the Players Trust's growing international efforts to spread goodwill around the world through baseball.

These particular clinics were a bit different than most, combining baseball with education about gender equality.

“Like most clinics, we had stations for infield, outfield, pitching, catching and hitting, but we added another station for a talk about gender-based violence,” said Lowrie, a veteran infielder with the Oakland A’s. “For that 15-minute rotation, a local expert would sit down with the kids to have a discussion about gender-based violence and equality.”

Mayberry, who has known Lowrie since they were roommates at Stanford in the early 2000s, tried to make sure the messaging carried over to the other stations, as well.

“From a practical standpoint, it’s one thing to hear an educational message in a classroom setting, but we were able to bring it to the ball field and communicate in that setting,” Mayberry said. “Even the hitting and fielding stations, we made sure the groups were divided equally with young men and young women and tried to make sure the young women were in the forefront.”

The State Department’s Sports Envoy program seeks to empower young people, with a special emphasis on women and girls, through sports and discussions about the role of women in society, addressing issues such as leadership, health, and women’s well-being. In addition to this month’s trip to Nicaragua from Jan. 5-8, major leaguers have also participated in this unique Players Trust program to support clinics in Ecuador, Nigeria and Romania.

Continue reading at PlayersTrust.org.

Tweet me:.@MLBPlayersTrust teams w/ US State Department's Sports Envoy program to help spread goodwill through baseball. Trust's recent Peloteros por Nicaragua visit features big leaguers Jed Lowrie, John Mayberry, Jr. & JC Ramirez http://bit.ly/2rIjK2d #CareActInspire

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Education, U.S. State Department, Sports Envoys, Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Players Association, MLBPA, Major League Baseball Players Trust, Jed Lowrie, John Mayberry Jr., athletes giving back, goodwill mission

  

Delos | Health Promotion and Financial Investment: Sara Neff, Senior vice President Discusses Sustainability at Kilroy Realty

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SOURCE:Delos

DESCRIPTION:

“More companies are reporting ESG metrics because more and more investors know that these are metrics they should be examining to make the best investment choices”

Sophisticated investors around the world have been using Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance metrics to help them predict the long-term financial performance of companies. But health promotion has largely been overlooked in the various systems used to report ESG metrics. Sara Neff – who was named in Urban Land Institute’s 40 under 40 in 2016 – discusses the current state of ESG and why she thinks health promotion will be an important component to measure in the future.

Delos: We’ve noticed that more and more companies are engaging in ESG reporting – why do you think that is and what issues are they facing?

SN: More companies are reporting ESG metrics because more and more investors know that these are metrics they should be examining to make the best investment choices. However, there is not industry consensus on which metrics are material, and some investors use a bit of everything. Because of that – and the fact that many reporting entities will just give you an ‘F’ rating if you don’t respond – we report to several different sources.

Delos: How are you seeing investors use ESG metrics?

SN: What I am seeing in the investor industry is that the most sophisticated investors in this space have their own proprietary ESG analyses that they’ll use based on available information. For example, some will use systems like GRESB, but they’ll break it down by aspect (management, key performance indicators, etc), slicing and dicing the numbers in their own way. These sophisticated investors really know what they are doing, but then on the flip side – you have other investors that are not as confident on how to effectively use ESG information. In addition, some investors use involuntary rating systems to quickly screen investment opportunities and they won’t invest in anything with the lowest scores.

Delos: Do you think health promotion – and particularly building health – is relevant to ESG reporting?

SN: Given the research that Dr. Joe Allen has done, I am expecting a lot of tenant demand for high health performance in their spaces. I have read his studies and if I were a tenant I would demand those specified healthy levels of CO2 and VOC.

Tenants demand all sorts of stuff from an ESG perspective– for example, requiring an ENERGY STAR or LEED certification in the lease, but the health demands from tenants haven’t yet coalesced around a particular set of parameters. I think as education around healthy buildings grows, however, more tenants will be asking for specific healthy building features in the future.

To learn more about the connection between ESG and health and well-being, read Delos’ latest industry brief Health, Well-being, and the Evolution of ESG.

Tweet me:“More companies are reporting #ESG metrics because more and more #investors know that these are metrics they should be examining to make the best investment choices” @NeffSara, SVP of #Sustainability @kilroyrealty chats with @DelosLiving #builtenvironment #realestate

KEYWORDS: Green Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, Sarah Neff, Real Estate, Delos, Kilroy Realty

After the Gold: Decommissioning and the Cyanide Code

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SOURCE:Goldcorp

SUMMARY:

The International Cyanide Management Code issued the following press release on December 21, 2017. Goldcorp is proud to be an ICMC member

DESCRIPTION:

In 2017, Goldcorp’s Marlin gold mine in Guatemala became the second gold mining operation audited to verify that cyanide facilities had been decommissioned and that the International Cyanide Management Code (Cyanide Code) no longer applies to the operation.  The first, Goldcorp’s El Sauzal mine in Mexico, was decommissioned in 2015.  While the Cyanide Code does not require certified mines to undergo decommissioning or closure audits following the cessation of cyanidation activities, the program’s audit process allows for audits to verify that cyanide and cyanide facilities no longer remain on site and that the mines therefore are no longer subject to the Cyanide Code.

For both the El Sauzal and Marlin mines, an independent third-party auditor evaluated measures implemented by Goldcorp to decommission the mine’s cyanide facilities and remove residual cyanide reagents pursuant to Cyanide Code requirements.  This included evaluating the need to install measures necessary to control or manage surface or ground water, such as surface water diversions and pumping and treatment systems that would operate during the mine’s closure period. Additionally, the auditor evaluated whether cyanide was still being transported to the El Sauzal site, stored on site, or used on site for the recovery of gold. Because the Cyanide Code is only concerned with decommissioning of cyanide facilities, the auditor did not evaluate the need for or performance of any ongoing closure or post-closure facility inspections, maintenance and environmental monitoring programs; or water management activities.

Successful decommissioning of the Marlin mine represents a significant milestone for Goldcorp. The Marlin mine was initially certified in compliance with the Cyanide Code in August 2009 and the operation was audited every three years to evaluate continuing compliance. Responsible storage, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste are central to sound environmental management. Chris Cormier, Goldcorp’s Vice President, Reclamation & Closure said, “We focus first on minimizing the generation of waste and residue at our operations, then on recycling and re-using waste or by-products. When material can’t be recycled, we dispose of it in a responsible way. Formally decommissioning our cyanide process in accordance with the Cyanide Code is an important step to ensure responsible management of our facilities during closure.”

Paul Bateman, president of the Institute said, “We applaud Goldcorp for taking additional steps beyond the Cyanide Code’s strict requirements to demonstrate that it has taken the appropriate measures to safely decommission its cyanide facilities at these mines.  They have demonstrated leadership in this area, and the use of these audits in this innovative fashion is an acknowledgement of the safe management practices in both Goldcorp’s operational and closure processes and accomplishes the Cyanide Code’s end goal to safeguard human health and the environment by promoting the responsible management of cyanide used in gold and silver mining.”

Tweet me:Successful decommissioning of cyanide facilities at Marlin mine represent a significant milestone for Goldcorp. Learn more in Goldcorp's latest Above Ground blog: https://blog.goldcorp.com/2018/01/15/after-the-gold-decommissioning-and-the-cyanide-code/

KEYWORDS: Responsible Production & Consumption, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Goldcorp, Marlin gold mine, Together Creating Sustainable Value, sustainability

Healthy Pigs Improve Pork Sustainability

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SOURCE:Smithfield Foods

SUMMARY:

Global Harvest Initiative discusses how healthy pigs improve pork sustainability, and references Smithfield Foods’ recent sow-housing announcement as an example of how pork production companies are helping drive improvements in animal care systems.

DESCRIPTION:

In 1989 – just 30 years ago – the U.S. had to import pork in order to meet the growing demand from American consumers.  Today, not only are hog farmers producing enough to meet domestic demand, nearly 26 percent of the pork produced in the U.S. is exported to more than 100 countries. [1]

Decades of public agricultural research into animal health, herd management practices and feed grain production has translated into high pork productivity in the U.S.

Today it only takes 5 breeding hogs to produce the same amount of pork from 8 hogs in 1959. [2]

Read the full article here.

Tweet me:.@SmithfieldFoods is working to improve the #animalwelfare of pigs. Read how this initiative could make the pork industry more #sustainable via @Harvest2050 http://bit.ly/2rKzbaa #CSR

KEYWORDS: Responsible Production & Consumption, Environment, Smithfield Foods, sustainability, pork production


Catalyzing Supplier Climate Action in the IT Industry

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SOURCE:Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

DESCRIPTION:

Companies leading on climate action are driving impact beyond their own business operations by leveraging their purchasing power to drive low-carbon strategies and engagement throughout the supply chain. To recognize these global leaders, CDP, the non-profit environmental disclosure platform, has this week released the second annual Supplier Engagement leaderboard.  HPE is proud to rank among the 2% of companies (from over 3,300 assessed) earning a position on this index, demonstrating our strong approach to reducing emissions and lowering climate-related risks in the supply chain.

In 2017, HPE launched an industry-leading program to manage the climate impact of our suppliers. In addition to setting the industry’s first science-based supply chain emissions-reduction target, we are also enabling our suppliers to set science-based targets within their own operations. To create a long-term commercial incentive for our suppliers, we have committed that by 2025 80% of HPE’s manufacturing spend will go to suppliers with science-based targets in place. This will have a considerable impact on our carbon footprint, helping to avoid an estimated 100 million tons of emissions each year.

HPE’s capability-building program will provide suppliers with training on low-carbon strategies, eliminate barriers to participation, and drive greater accountability. It’s our goal that this new standard for supplier emissions engagement and abatement will create a ripple effect that drives action throughout our suppliers, customers, and the world.

Engaging our suppliers on climate action improves our ability to build resilience, address risks, and equates to cost savings not only for the company but also for suppliers and customers. According to CDP data, the average internal rate of return (IRR) for investments on emissions-reduction activities is nearly 40% in the IT sector. As customers increasingly consider environmental and financial externalities in their purchasing decisions, we are seeing suppliers committed to responsible manufacturing gaining the competitive advantage. In fact, performance on CDP criteria is requested by 89 purchasers representing $2.7 trillion in spend.

According to the new CDP report, climate leadership is paying dividends as awareness of climate change-related risks and opportunities is increasing down the supply chain. Yet the number of companies taking significant action on climate change remains far too low. With only 23% of companies analyzed in the research reporting active engagement with their suppliers on climate change, the need to highlight this leadership and showcase supplier engagement is urgent. Members of the CDP supply chain program, including HPE, are already improving transparency by requesting their own manufacturing suppliers disclose their climate strategies and emissions through the CDP system, allowing for the aggregated reporting data presented in this report.

Read CDP’s Global Supply Chain Report 2018 to learn more about how HPE is working with the CDP supply chain program to drive best practice throughout our industry. 

Tweet me:Read how @HPE_LivingProg is leading the way on #climateaction and using their strategy to help their #supplychain have a positive impact on the #environment http://bit.ly/2GpH8oy

KEYWORDS: Supply Chain & the Circular Economy, Environment, Supplier Engagement leaderboard, HPE, Reducing emissions

Insights From Indonesia: Protecting Our Coral Reefs

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By Antha Williams, Head of Environmental Programs, Bloomberg Philanthropies

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

Our oceans program, like all of our work at Bloomberg Philanthropies, aims to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. So it’s good news that the United Nations International Coral Reef Initiative has declared 2018 the International Year of the Reef. Coral reefs are home to one in every four fish in the ocean, and are a critical backbone of ocean ecosystems. Unfortunately, climate change threatens to destroy 90 percent of reefs in the next three decades. And as the demand for fish continues to grow, overfishing and destructive practices, like bottom-trawling and using bombs and cyanide for fishing, are damaging coral reefs.

At Bloomberg Philanthropies, our Vibrant Oceans Initiative is working to replenish fish populations and create a more sustainable and fruitful environment for all fishers. As one of our partners on the initiative, Rare works to protect the environment and public health through community-led conservation. While our partnership focuses on the Philippines and Brazil, Rare also works on small-scale fisheries and coral habitat protection in Indonesia, sharing lessons learned across countries and accelerating coastal fisheries reform.

We recently visited the Rare team in Indonesia and got a firsthand view of their work in the capital city Jakarta, as well as in fish-dependent cities and remote islands.

To read the takeaways of their inspiring work, visit bloomberg.org

 

Tweet me:Insights from Indonesia: Protecting Our Coral Reefs @bloombergdotorg #vibrantoceansinitiative http://bit.ly/2njlwT0

KEYWORDS: Environment, Life Below Water, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies, vibrant ocean initiative, rare

Green Charge Is Now ENGIE Storage

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SOURCE:ENGIE Storage formerly Green Charge

DESCRIPTION:

For years, people have known Green Charge as one of the industry’s most respected energy storage companies. Without much fanfare, we spent years honing our GridSynergy™ energy storage solution to help commercial customers reduce their energy costs, and partnering with solar providers and EV charging companies to power the world more sustainably and efficiently.

As distributed energy resources (DER) became increasingly important to utilities and other grid operators, we aggregated our customer-sited storage systems to help those operators manage the demands of an increasingly complex energy ecosystem.

Industry analysts have taken note of all this, with Navigant naming us the nation’s number one distributed energy storage provider. Energy industry titans have perceived our value as well. In April, 2016, ENGIE, the world’s largest provider of energy and energy services, acquired a majority stake in our company. ENGIE’s financial backing and its undisputed stability gave our customers even greater confidence that we would follow through on our projects, and that we would be around to operate and support their systems for the full term of their contracts.

Today, we have become an integral part of ENGIE North America, and are proud to do business under a new name: ENGIE Storage. The name reflects a new brand positioning, one that helps customers, investors, and the media better understand the range of energy solutions that ENGIE provides.

But a well-respected energy storage company—by any other name—is still a company you can rely on, whether you need energy storage behind the meter or on the grid edge. As ENGIE Storage, we continue to invest in technological, financial, and service innovations to further everyone’s goal of a sustainably power-efficient planet. As part of the ENGIE family of companies, we will also be pleased to have the opportunity to serve you in broader contexts, such as energy efficiency, energy management, and emerging energy-as-a-service solutions.

Please join us in conversation, on our website, on social media, at trade shows, and in other forums. We welcome your questions and input into the role of energy storage—and ENGIE Storage—in your organization’s future.

Tweet me:Green Charge is proud to announce their name change to ENGIE Storage. While their name is changing, their mission to power the world efficiently and sustainably with energy storage is the same, and they think better accomplished as a part of ENGIE. http://bit.ly/2Gu6tgX

KEYWORDS: Energy, Affordable and Clean Energy, ENGIE Storage, ENGIE, battery energy storage

  

Final Week to Save 20% on Registration for IWD 2018!

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SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

Early Bird rates for the 2018 International Women’s Day Forum end this Friday, February 2! Register today and get 20% off your ticket price. Click here to learn more.

Join more than 300 private and public stakeholders March 6—7 in Washington, D.C. to discuss how together, through combining resources, skills, and expertise, we can achieve greater sustainability and impact. Gender equality is in reach, but it can only be realized through collaboration.  

We’re confirming new speakers every day, to include:

  • Carly Fiorina, Founder and Chairman, Unlocking Potential Foundation
  • Lisa Wang, Founder and CEO, SheWorx
  • Anne Doyle, Author, Global Speaker, Journalist, Change Agent
  • Sarah Middleton, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Citizenship, PIMCO; Executive Director of the PIMCO Foundation
  • Bob Moritz, Global Chairman and Senior Partner, PwC
  • Patsy Doerr, Global Head, Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability and Inclusion, Thomson Reuters
  • Henriette Kolb, Head, Gender Secretariat, International Finance Corporation
  • Jenny Abramson, Founder and Managing Partner, Rethink Impact
  • Kate Wilson, CEO, Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), UN Foundation
  • And many more!

So, what are you waiting for? Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the U.S. Department of State for the eighth International Women’s Day Forum, Partner With Purpose: Business for Gender Equality

Early Bird rates end this Friday, so click here to save today!

Tweet me:Join us in DC for International Women’s Day! Register by Friday to save 20% on your registration for Partner With Purpose https://goo.gl/mntgge #USCCFWomen

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Diversity & Inclusion, economic empowerment, International Women's Day, Forum, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Corporate Citizenship Center, business community, Partnerships, Gender Equality, U.S. Department of State

Major League Baseball Players Team With Medicines for Humanity to Distribute Toys in the Dominican Republic

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All-Stars Robinson Cano and Miguel Sano return home to San Pedro de Macoris to distribute thousands of toys to children living in batey areas

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

All-stars Robinson Cano, of the Seattle Mariners, and Miguel Sano, of the Minnesota Twins, recently visited 16 impoverished Dominican Republic communities where they distributed thousands of toys to children.

It was the fourth straight season that Cano, along with his RC22 Foundation, has collaborated on a tour with Medicines for Humanity, a non-profit organization that partners with the Players Trust to provide critically needed health services to at risk children and pregnant women in “batey” communities, which are remote villages that developed around now largely abandoned sugar plantations and have never had adequate infrastructure or health services.

It was the first year that Sano, an upcoming slugger with the Twins, joined the humanitarian mission. The pair of players from San Pedro de Macoris distributed thousands of toys to children in 16 bateys surrounding Quisqueya, San Pedro, as well as in the nearby communities of Los Llanos, Monte Cristi, Aleman, El Soco, and Esperanza.

Poverty, unemployment and infant mortality are high in bateyes and has been exacerbated by the disappearance of the sugar industry. Many of these communities lack infrastructure, including sanitation and health services.

Since 2002, the Players Trust has provided close to $1 million to support Medicines for Humanity initiatives in the Dominican Republic. These funds have been used to purchase medicines that would have cost $7 million if purchased at US average wholesale prices, as well as to support other program initiatives that have included the operation of mobile clinics and training for community health workers. MFH’s primary goal is to reduce child mortality caused by a lack of basic healthcare and medicines. They are focused on sustainable change – educating and empowering individuals in ways that will allow them continued progress.

You can learn more about the partnership between the Players Trust and Medicines for Humanity by visiting PlayersTrust.org.

Tweet me:All-Star @MLB_Players @RobinsonCano @Mariners & @SanoMiguel @Twins return home to San Pedro de Macoris #DominicanRepublic to distribute thousands of toys to children living in batey areas http://bit.ly/2noxzO4 #CareActInspire

KEYWORDS: Education, Health & Healthcare, Robinson Cano, Miguel Sano, athletes giving back, Major League Baseball Players Association, Medicines For Humanity, Major League Baseball Players Trust, MLB, Dominican Republic, sugar cane, bateys

 

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