SOURCE: PepsiCo

DESCRIPTION:

For a company like PepsiCo, which oversees more than 20 brands and hundreds of different products around the world, calculating the carbon footprint of just one of its products can take weeks, and at a significant cost to the company. To save time and money, PepsiCo teamed up with researchers from Columbia University’s Earth Institute to create a tool that can measure the carbon footprint of thousands of products all at once.

The calculator, which lacks an official name, can calculate the carbon emissions of different materials and activities in a company’s supply chain and operations, and within minutes pinpoint which of these carries the largest carbon footprint.

“The objective was to give companies several capabilities at once with only a single effort,” said Christoph Meinrenken, the tool’s lead researcher and associate research scientist at the Earth Institute.

The calculator was developed to follow publicly known carbon footprinting standards such as the GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) standard and PAS20:2011. The methodology and software helps businesses identify which materials or activities in their supply chain and operations have the biggest effect on the total carbon footprint of one of their products, product lines, brands or regions. The calculator also reveals the accuracy of this information and how this accuracy can be improved so a company can make better business decisions.

Read more about PepsiCo's Facebook-inspired carbon calculator on GreenBiz

*This article originally appeared on GreenBiz.

Tweet me: .@PepsiCo launches new Facebook-inspired carbon calculator http://bit.ly/PUMLic

KEYWORDS: Energy, Marketing, Media & Communications, Technology. Innovation & Solutions, Facebook, Pepsico, Carbon, carbon footprint, carbon calculator

Health and Wellness Experts gather in Toronto at the 26th annual Whole Life Expo

SOURCE: Green Living Enterprises

DESCRIPTION:

October 26, 2012 /3BL Media/ - At this popular event, Whole Life Expo will once again offer attendees the latest research on disease prevention and recovery through natural healthcare solutions as presented by leading experts from Canada and the United States. This year's event returns with its biggest showcase ever--featuring more than 200 exhibits and 65+ presentations over three days – November 9-11, 2012. Visitors will have access to an impressive variety of experts and health professionals who will empower them to take an active role in managing their own personal health care and improve their overall well-being.

The following speaker descriptions are just a sample of the topics to be covered over the course of three days.

• The New Science of Anti-Aging Medicine with Dr. Randy Knipping, Bsc, MD, CCFP. Dr. Knipping will discuss the latest anti-aging strategies including: telomerase activators, supplements that target inflammation, bioidentical HRT, strategic fitness, stress reduction, and more.

• The Body Shape Diet – Secret to Perfect Health with Dr. Cass Ingram will discuss eating right for your body shape. Dr Cass believes that your ideal diet depends on what body type you are.

• Living Foods: Boost Your Body's Healing with Brenda Cobb, Director of the Living Food Institute and cancer survivor. Attendees will learn how organic raw and living foods help the body heal from any disease, no matter how serious, and the five most important things you can do to create good health right now!

• Emergency Beauty: Natural Ayurvedic Solutions for Skin Damage with Kristen Ma, Ayurvedic skin expert and Toronto's “Best Facialist in the City” as named by Toronto Life. What natural beauty ingredients and treatments are best to help prevent rosacea, pigmentation, premature aging and oxidative stress, while restoring the skin's health?

• Drugs for ADHD? Are You Nuts? With Dr. Zoltan Rona, B.Sc., MD. In Canada, the number of suicides, seizures, addictions and deaths among children are escalating and point to an increase in the prescription of ADHD drugs. Is Health Canada on the hot seat? How can we protect our children from the toxic effects of ADHD drugs? Concerned parents can explore evidence and solutions presented by Dr. Rona.

• Natural Solutions to Inflammation and Pain: Open Forum Expert Panel moderated by author and nutritionist Julie Daniluk, RHN. Zoltan Rona, MD; Joseph Gabriele, PhD; John Dempster, ND; Mike Hannalah, RPh, BSc Phm, FACA. Attendees can hear different points of view on how chronic inflammation harms the body and what a person can do to get relief.  

• Superfoods and Healing Strategies to Slow Aging and Reverse Degeneration. Renita Rietz will discuss the wisdom of our ancestors and how the complexity of indigenous nutrition hold the keys to wellness. This is part of a trend toward looking back to what our ancestors ate, and how they processed their food, for the keys to maximum power, endurance, and vitality.

• Fear Creates Disease – How to Prevent and Reverse it presented by Dr. Brian Clement, author  and  leader in the raw foods movement. Most health professionals focus on the dietary and environmental causes of disease, but the psychological aspect is equally important. Brian will discuss how the mind can actually kill you or cure you, depending on how well you look after it.

• Learn the Secrets to Better Heart Health with David Rowland, PhD, author of The Nutritional Bypass, registered Nutritional Consultant and founder of the Canadian Nutrition Institute.  Learn the secrets to better heart health as David Rowland answers some key questions regarding the nutritional approach to cardiovascular health as an alternative to drugs and surgery.

• Save Your Thyroid – Save Your Life with John Koveos, B.App.Sc, nutritionist. Thyroid dysfunction is a modern epidemic and lack of good nutrition is a major cause. Learn the key nutrition factors that play an important role in healthy thyroid function, as well as the latest breaking research on weight loss, energy and stress support. 

See website www.wholelifeexpo.ca for speaker availability and location after each presentation and throughout the weekend.

By purchasing a Lecture Pass, attendees will have full access to lectures, exhibits and stages for all three days, allowing them to make the most of their Whole Life Expo experience. Tickets are available at the door, located in the front lobby of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Admission:

Lecture Pass $15 (Admits One to all Lectures, Exhibits, and Stages all 3 days)

Exhibit Pass $10 (Admits One to All Exhibits and Stages all 3 days)

Whole Life Expo – is Canada’s largest showcase of natural health, alternative medicine, and green living drawing close to 20,000 consumers. They come to sample superfoods, indulge in healing bodywork, meet top health professionals and listen to expert speakers. 

For further media info or to arrange an interview contact either:

Robert Landsmann 647-21-7727 / rlandsmann@green-living.ca

or Annette Borger  / aborger@green-living.ca

Tweet me: #WholeLifeExpo is back in #Toronto Nov. 9-11. Visit http://www.wholelifecanada.com for complete speaker listings.

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Green Business, Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Environment, Events, Conferences & Webinars, Fashion & Apparel, Food & Farming, Health and Wellness, natural health, alternative medicine, eco-friendly lifestlye

Excitement Grows as Corporate Attendees Prepare to Share Best Practices and Learn from CSR Experts

SOURCE: MicroEdge

DESCRIPTION:

New York, October 26, 2012 /3BL Media/ - MicroEdge, LLC, the leading provider of solutions to the giving community worldwide, has announced the debut of a new corporate social responsibility track for the annual MicroEdge Solutions Conference (MESC)—one of the largest gatherings of philanthropic and corporate professionals in the giving community today. Representatives from the corporate giving community have long attended MESC, but 2012 will be the first year for MicroEdge to offer an entire conference track specially tailored to the needs of CSR professionals. This year’s conference will take place from October 14th – 17th in Baltimore, MD.

The CSR track at MESC will allow attendees to participate in a broad spectrum of sessions, hands-on labs and panel discussions, as well as the chance to share best practices with their peers. Attendees will also get the exclusive opportunity to connect with a number of industry experts, including Cynthia Scott, PhD, who has co-authored nine books on organizational development and change, and has pioneered the application of behavioral science research to create business impact. She has consulted with various leaders to improve the quality of organizational environments and leadership performance by using her thought leadership skills in the areas of organizational change and personal performance. Also available for attendees to connect with will be Scott Osman, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Gigunda, with over 25 years of experience working with global brands to establish and implement CSR strategies. Prior to working at Gigunda, Scott was the Global Director of the Brand Purpose Group at Landor Associates, where he focused on enhancing the value and values of companies by speaking with one voice about business, social and environmental sustainability. 

MESC attendees will take part in roundtable discussions and sessions around some of the biggest trends in CSR and employee engagement. Topics will include strategies to ensure a company’s communication plan is effectively and creatively leveraging social media to promote the right parts of a CSR program, how to use effective CSR branding to increase brand recognition and boost internal employee morale, the growing importance of transparency in a company’s CSR strategy, and the incredible value companies derive from creating an engaged, passionate workforce. “Companies that successfully integrate their CSR efforts with their overall business plan are those that make a genuine commitment to making a difference in the world, then communicate that to their employees and motivate them to set further goals,” says Mr. Osman. “This not only enhances the chance of success, it serves as a powerful recruitment and retention tool for the best talent out there.”

The inaugural year of the CSR track at MESC promises to be quite impactful, indeed. “We’re very excited to bring more of our corporate clients into the fold at our annual conference,” says MicroEdge CEO, Preston McKenzie. “They are working tirelessly to make a difference in the world, just like our foundation clients. In fact, the two groups have more in common than first meets the eye, and I’m eager to see the innovative ideas that come forth when they all get together and discuss their respective programs. Plus, it will be great for those corporate representatives to come together and share the CSR best practices that have worked for one another. This is what collaborating for the common good is all about.”

To Learn More

To learn more about the MicroEdge Solutions Conference, call MicroEdge at 646.237.3986 or send an email to solutionsconference@microedge.com . To register for MESC, visit www.microedgeconference.com.

About MicroEdge

Established in 1985, MicroEdge, LLC is the leading provider of software and services to the giving community worldwide. MicroEdge solutions deliver a powerful, integrated, and open framework for efficient and effective charitable giving. The company is committed to providing the best technology toolset for foundations, corporations, government agencies, donors, advisors and financial institutions. Together, these tools help organizations to work with one another to raise, invest, manage and award charitable currency. MicroEdge is headquartered in New York City with regional offices throughout the U.S. and supports thousands of clients worldwide. MicroEdge is part of the Vista Equity Partners portfolio of software and technology-enabled companies. To learn more about Vista Equity Partners, visit www.vistaequitypartners.com. To learn more about MicroEdge, visit www.microedge.com.

Media Contact:

Kathy Krais

800.899.0890 ext. 3966

kkrais@microedge.com

MicroEdge is a trademark and/or service mark of MicroEdge, LLC. All other company names or marks mentioned herein are those of their respective owners.

Tweet me: MicroEdge new corporate social responsibility track at the annual MicroEdge Solutions Conference (MESC) http://3bl.me/b9kc7m #CSR

KEYWORDS: Sustainability Professionals, MicroEdge, Corporate Social Responsibility, MicroEdge Solutions Conference (MESC), corporate giving community, Cynthia Scott, best practices, CSR strategies

SOURCE: Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)

DESCRIPTION:

October 22, 2012— Many companies, and entire industries, are still coming to terms with how they will find, and report on, the presence of “conflict minerals” in their products and supply chains. Due to recently finalized rules from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), hundreds of thousands of companies in numerous industries will need to report on the use of conflict minerals by 2014. The goal is to make sure that these minerals — tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold (“3TG”) — are not financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo or the surrounding countries.

In the automotive industry, where I’ve worked on corporate responsibility issues for more than 12 years, this task is particularly daunting: tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold are used in numerous automotive components and manufacturing processes, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier-1 suppliers can each have thousands of suppliers. Yet like many industries, these supply chains are overlapping and highly interconnected, with only a few companies sometimes supplying a certain product such as resin to the entire industry. Companies in our industry agree that working together on a complex issue such as conflict minerals can yield efficiencies and make things easier for everyone. The challenge is to align the individual corporate styles of industry companies to take unified action with flexibility for implementation.

Continue reading on sustainablebrands.com

Tweet me: Auto Industry Collaboration Key To Addressing Conflict Minerals Challenge http://3bl.me/frz47s #aiag #conflictminerals

KEYWORDS: People, Social Action & Community Engagement, supplychain, Automotive, Collaboration/Partnerships, Commitments & Goals, Data Management/Metrics, Environmental/Social Issues, Impact Reduction, Stakeholder engagement, supplier relations, Conflict Minerals, Corporate Responsibility

SOURCE: BSR

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, October 26, 2012 /3BL Media/ - Tae Yoo, SVP, Corporate Affairs at Cisco sat down for an interview with at the BSR Conference 2012, taking place October 23-26 in New York City.

This year’s 20th anniversary BSR Conference has gathered an estimated 1,000 senior business, civil society, and policy leaders, and features: 

• Global leaders, including Marks & Spencer Chief Executive Marc Bolland, Nobel Laureate José Ramos-Horta, Princeton Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter, EDF President Fred Krupp, and Head of Native Organic Products Leontino Balbo Jr., among others.
• More than 35 interactive sessions on cutting-edge sustainability issues.
• Media briefing on the “State of Sustainable Business”: BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer will be available for media interviews in person at the event: 3-3:45 p.m. Thursday October 25 at the Grand Hyatt New York (Chrysler room, mezzanine level).
• Real-time, online coverage integrating news stories, blog posts, tweets, photos, and videos posted at www.bsr.org/conference; Twitter updates will be available via the hashtag #BSR12.

About BSR

BSR works with its global network of nearly 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, BSR develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Visit www.bsr.org for more information about BSR’s more than 20 years of leadership in sustainability.

Tweet me: Interview with Tae Yoo of #Cisco at #BSR12 http://3bl.me/r2sgn8 via @3BLMedia & @VideoforGood #sustainability #csr

KEYWORDS: BSR, sustainability, Sustainable Business, New York, 3bl Media, Business Leadership, csr, BSR Conference 2012, BSR at 20: Accelerating Progress, video4good, Tae Yoo, Cisco

SOURCE: 3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

IKEA has announced an ambitious sustainable energy strategy, “People and Planet Positive,” for energy independence. The company aims to produce as much energy as it consumes by 2020 through a $2 billion investment in solar and wind projects. The furniture retailer plans to gather 70 percent of its energy demands from renewable sources by 2015, leveraging wind farms in six European countries that generated 152 gigawatt hours of electricity last year, about 12 percent of the total needed for its stores and distribution centers.

PG&E has joined with Habitat for Humanity to help revive neighborhoods in San Francisco, the East Bay, and Bakersfield. The program provides funding and expertise towards weatherization, energy efficiency retrofits, and employee volunteer support of neighborhood improvement projects.

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

Video Surce: IKEA Plans Strategy for Energy Independence; PG&E Works with Habitat for Humanity for Energy Efficiency in Bay Area

Tweet me: #IKEA Plans Strategy for #Energy Independence; PG&E Works w/ @Habitat_org for Energy Efficiency in #Bay Area http://3bl.me/wsbzfd

KEYWORDS: Habitat for Humanity, Ikea, PG&E, Energy, sustainability, wind farms, energy independence, weatherization, energy efficiency, 3bl Media

SOURCE: VolunteerMatch

DESCRIPTION:

On Thursday and Friday governors and mayors were warning local residents in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to get ready for Hurricane Sandy. On Saturday, those calls to action became louder: “This is a very serious storm. People will get hurt.”

By Sunday their message had changed again: “You need to hurry. Soon it will be too late.”

Today, with portions of many communities under siege from a dangerous super-storm, concerned folks from across the nation want to go volunteer and help out. Unfortunately it’s too late for those who want to respond now.

With the crisis at its peak, in most cases disaster response organizations like the American Red Cross are deploying the volunteers that they’ve been training for just this moment. Despite all your best intentions, you’d be worse than useless on the ground in Atlantic City or New York. You’d be in the way, making it harder for trained responders to do their job.

So what can you do if you want to help? There are two things:

1. Donate to an organization like the American Red Cross that is working on the ground to save lives and provide food, clothes, and shelter to those who’ve been affected. Click here to support the American Red Cross.

2. Get training where you live so that if disaster strikes locally you can help. A good place to start is our Disaster Response & Preparedness Map, which tracks such opportunities in real time. Click here to volunteer to get disaster preparedness training. 

What Can Companies Do?

If you’re located in an area that’s being hit by Hurricane Sandy, chances are your office is closed. If you’re out of the disaster zone, you’re still probably riveted to news streams recounting the impact of the storm on friends, family and fellow coworkers in other cities.

As an employer, there are a number of different things you can do to help your employees get involved in disaster response, and to integrate disaster relief and response into the fabric of your company’s CSR program.

Disaster relief and response should encompass more than a donation-matching program – true employee engagement means leveraging the skills and passions of your employees to provide help when it’s needed. Here are some tips from CSR expert Susan McPherson:

Going Beyond Donations and Matching – Engaging Employees in Disaster Relief

Social media has become a key tool for communicating and organizing during disasters  - and for enabling your company and its employees to help out.

The Importance of Social Media Before & After Disasters

Finally, the most effective disaster response is executed in partnership with nonprofit organizations on the ground – and this type of partnership must be built and cultivated before a disaster is ever predicted.

A Best Practice Webinar Recap: Making Disaster Relief Count with Effective Partnerships

Effective disaster relief begins with smart disaster preparedness. Use your money to help out now. Use your time to get the skills you need to help out in the future

What do you think? What are some other ways responsible businesses and your employees can help with responses to Hurricane Sandy and other disasters?

Tweet me: How companies and their employees can help with Hurricane Sandy via @VM_Solutions #CSR #Sandy http://goo.gl/rZggu

Contact Info:

Casey Brennan
VolunteerMatch
+1 (415) 321-3634
Cbrennan@volunteermatch.org

KEYWORDS: Environment, Environmental Business, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Engagement, Social Actions, VolunteerMatch, csr, Hurrican Sandy, Disaster Response, disaster relief

Jones Lang LaSalle's Dan Probst, nominated for a VERGE Award

SOURCE: Jones Lang LaSalle

DESCRIPTION:

By Dan Probst, Chairman of Energy and Sustainability Services, Jones Lang LaSalle

This Spring, I had the privilege of presenting a session on the future of building automation before an audience of leaders in the converging worlds of transportation, information technology, energy and real estate. Called VERGE, the event was part of a series of conferences sponsored by GreenBiz and conducted on four continents as well as virtually.

My talk was on the new generation of smart building systems–such as our IntelliCommand portfolio monitoring and control system powered by Pacific Controls technology—and how innovations like cloud computing and smart grid infrastructure are stepping stones to an energy-efficient, connected future.

In the six months since that VERGE presentation, interest in these leading-edge systems has skyrocketed as building owners see the fast payback via energy savings and the value of potentially heading off shutdowns of critical facilities. And we continue to learn more about the tremendous value of smart grid technology and how intelligent buildings can tap into it.

This is all leading up to the news this week that I have been named a finalist for a new award from VERGE, in the category of Next-Gen Buildings.  The winner will be selected by popular vote, and two of the other finalists are with household-name companies, so this is probably a good time to say it’s an honor just to be nominated. But regardless of my chances, I would like to make a good showing, so if you can vote at this page it would be greatly appreciated.

And since I’m in Chicago, it seems appropriate to note that you can vote more than once. So come back tomorrow and the next day and help us get that total up!

Tweet me: Vote for #JLL Sustainability Leader Dan Probst, creative force behind #IntelliCommand #VERGE Awards @GreenBiz http://3bl.me/e54wkw

KEYWORDS: Jones Lang LaSalle, intellicommand, transportation, information technology, Energy, Real Estate, Pacific Controls technology, sustainability

SOURCE: Network for Good

DESCRIPTION:

Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the East Coast of the United States yesterday, bringing with it powerful winds and pelting rain that caused massive flooding and power outages. Relief organizations are readying and deploying supplies and volunteers to help those who have been or may be affected, including up to 50 million East Coast residents. Network for Good is monitoring the situation and will continue to bring you updates relevant to your company's response effort.

We recommend that you create a disaster page or link to ours to provide timely and relevant resources for your audience. Should you need additional guidance on a corporate disaster response or a hosted campaign page, we're here to help. Our staff is working remotely, due to the storm, but we are available via email (power permitting!). 

We have confirmed the American Red Cross, Americares, Salvation Army, and World Vision are providing disaster relief. World Vision and the American Red Cross have enabled text-to-give for donations. 
 
Our disaster relief page will be updated with additional organizations responding to Hurricane Sandy and further resources as information becomes available.

Follow us on Twitter, and send your disaster relief updates our way: @Companies4Good

Need some tips on how your company can help with disaster relief? Download our FREE eGuide: How to Help: 5 Steps to Effective Corporate Disaster Giving Campaigns.

Image credit: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/10/29/meet_sandy_the_game_cha...

Tweet me: Want to respond to Hurricane #Sandy but don't know how? http://bit.ly/UdSjjz @Companies4Good has tips & resources

KEYWORDS: Corporate Social Responsibility, Network for Good, Hurricane Sandy, disaster relief, disaster giving, eGuide

SOURCE: BSR

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, October 30, 2012 /3BL Media/ - David Arkless, President, Global Corporate and Government Affairs of ManpowerGroup sat down for an interview at the BSR Conference 2012, which took place October 23-26 in New York City.

This year’s 20th anniversary BSR Conference gathered an estimated 1,000 senior business, civil society, and policy leaders, and featured: 

• Global leaders, including Marks & Spencer Chief Executive Marc Bolland, Nobel Laureate José Ramos-Horta, Princeton Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter, EDF President Fred Krupp, and Head of Native Organic Products Leontino Balbo Jr., among others.
• More than 35 interactive sessions on cutting-edge sustainability issues.
• Media briefing on the “State of Sustainable Business”: BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer were available for media interviews in person at the event: 3-3:45 p.m. Thursday October 25 at the Grand Hyatt New York (Chrysler room, mezzanine level).
• Real-time, online coverage integrating news stories, blog posts, tweets, photos, and videos posted at www.bsr.org/conference; Twitter updates were available via the hashtag #BSR12.

About BSR

BSR works with its global network of nearly 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, BSR develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Visit www.bsr.org for more information about BSR’s more than 20 years of leadership in sustainability.

Tweet me: Interview with David Arkless of ManpowerGroup at #BSR12 http://3bl.me/xs8pfv via @3BLMedia & @VideoforGood #sustainability #csr

KEYWORDS: BSR, sustainability, Sustainable Business, New York, 3bl Media, Business Leadership, csr, BSR Conference 2012, BSR at 20: Accelerating Progress, video4good

General Mills investing in pollinator habitats, research

SOURCE: General Mills

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me: #generalmills is helping honey bees http://3bl.me/9zpyvz

KEYWORDS: Environment, Food & Farming, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, General Mills, sustainability, xerces society, carrie raber, marla spivak, university of minnesota, bees, Minnesota, honey nut cheerios, Nature Valley, muir glen, haagen dazs, Green Giant

SOURCE: BSR

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, October 30, 2012 /3BL Media/ - Mats Lederhausen, Founding Partner at BeCause sat down for an interview at the BSR Conference 2012, it took place October 23-26 in New York City.

This year’s 20th anniversary BSR Conference gathered an estimated 1,000 senior business, civil society, and policy leaders, and features: 

• Global leaders, including Marks & Spencer Chief Executive Marc Bolland, Nobel Laureate José Ramos-Horta, Princeton Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter, EDF President Fred Krupp, and Head of Native Organic Products Leontino Balbo Jr., among others.
• More than 35 interactive sessions on cutting-edge sustainability issues.
• Media briefing on the “State of Sustainable Business”: BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer was available for media interviews in person at the event: 3-3:45 p.m. Thursday October 25 at the Grand Hyatt New York (Chrysler room, mezzanine level).
• Real-time, online coverage integrating news stories, blog posts, tweets, photos, and videos posted at www.bsr.org/conference; Twitter updates will be available via the hashtag #BSR12.

About BSR

BSR works with its global network of nearly 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, BSR develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Visit www.bsr.org for more information about BSR’s more than 20 years of leadership in sustainability.  

About Video4Good and 3BL Media

Video4Good is a full-service production company that works with businesses to tell their sustainability stories through video news releases, promotional videos and documentaries. Video4Good's producers have a thorough knowledge of CSR and sustainability communications. Through a partnership with 3BL Media, Video4Good productions are distributed to targeted audiences worldwide.www.video4good.com.  3BL Media is a leading news and content distribution company focused on Sustainability, Health and Energy. Visit http://3blmedia.com

Tweet me: Interview with @matsleder of BeCause at #BSR12 http://3bl.me/c3m2q4 via @3BLMedia & @VideoforGood #sustainability #csr

KEYWORDS: BSR, sustainability, Sustainable Business, New York, 3bl Media, Business Leadership, csr, BSR Conference 2012, BSR at 20: Accelerating Progress, video4good

SOURCE: Leonardo Academy

DESCRIPTION:

MADISON, Wis., October 30, 2012 /3BL Media/ - Through a grant provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Leonardo Academy continues to help reduce emissions from older, less efficient vehicles throughout the country. Partnering with Coca-Cola Refreshments and United Parcel Service (UPS), who contributed over $3.2 million to this project, this award helped fund the replacement of 40 heavy duty diesel delivery trucks. 

Tweet me: Leonardo Academy Partners with UPS and Coca-Cola to Improve Air Quality http://3bl.me/2sbbtf

Contact Info:

Andrea Bachrach, Sustainability Project Manager
Leonardo Academy
+1 (608) 280-0255
andrea@leonardoacademy.org

KEYWORDS: Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Leonardo Academy, UPS, Environmental Protection Agency, Coca-Cola, Reducing emissions, National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program

SOURCE: 3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

As I watch the revealing impact of the storm in the US and the power of nature wreaking havoc on the financial heartland of the US I wonder if we are witnessing the pivotal moment in the US climate change debate?

We cannot not underestimate the impact of an again vulnerable New York,  to overcome stubborn political denial and corporate lobbying. From a detached, long distance perspective I get an uneasy feeling of similarity to watching the initial aftermath of the atrocities of 9/11 as terrorism succeeded in passing the previously impermeable American defences. Their response then was a robust, to say the least, retaliation on those responsible, but who can be blamed for extreme weather in the case of Sandy and what realistic actions can be taken before the next storm? And there will be a next storm, and another.

Sandy has in one weather event demonstrated tangibly that nature inevitably, albeit at a distance for the most part, directs financial institutions,  not the other way around. As extreme weather becomes increasingly regular and grows in intensity as climate models predict, will this week like none before ignite the fuse of US coherent action beyond political differences? I’m an optimist, we have to be. This, like never before in history is an opportunity for a true leader to step forward.

Tweet me: Did Hurricane #Sandy create US #climate hope? http://bit.ly/RnCd6f @davidcoethica

KEYWORDS: climate change, csr, hurricane, New York, Obama, Romney, Sandy, Storm, sustainability, Wall Street

Association of Energy Engineers recognizes ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston and its energy efficiency champion along with two long-time BPA employees

SOURCE: ConAgra Foods Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

ATLANTA, October 30, 2012 /3BL Media/ - The Northwest came up just shy of a sweep as the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) awarded six of its eight awards for regional excellence in energy efficiency to Northwest engineers and organizations. Half of the winners also have ties to Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Energy Smart Industrial (ESI) program.

“These accolades shine a light on the incredible performance of our Energy Smart Industrial program,” said Jennifer Eskil, Industrial Sector Lead at BPA. “It also illustrates how Northwest facilities and electric utilities are collaborating to unlock a tremendous amount of energy savings.”

“We couldn’t be more proud of this recognition, and the results of our efforts to reduce energy use,” said Mike Henderson, Energy and Environmental Engineering Manager, ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston. “We have a great team across Lamb Weston and these accomplishments are the result of many hands, including staff at our ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston plants and our corporate team. We also had great support from our utility suppliers and consulting experts. Together, we were able to move the ball forward and bring our citizenship commitment to life by doing business in a way that’s good for you, good for the community and good for the planet.”

BPA’s ESI program enters its fourth year as a regional clearinghouse for industrial energy efficiency. To date, ESI serves 99 percent of Northwest public power’s industrial load and boasts nearly 370 million kilowatt-hours in verified energy savings from its first two years. Earlier this year, the program was also recognized for “Outstanding Achievement in Program Design & Implementation Non-residential Program” by the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP).

Award recipients include:

Chris Milan, BPA – Energy Engineer of the Year: Milan has worked for BPA on regional industrial energy conservation for the past 22 years. During that time he has supported a diverse range of custom projects across numerous utility territories as well as program development and implementation (most recently BPA's award-winning ESI program). Milan also takes an active leadership role in several other regional and national energy efficiency efforts.

ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston – Corporate Energy Management: By seizing every opportunity to monitor and reduce its energy usage, ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston has proven itself a leader in corporate energy management and corporate responsibility. Within AEE’s Western Region, Lamb Weston’s food plants and coldstorage facilities in the area have partnered with their serving utilities to accomplish significant cost-effective electric energy savings by utilizing nearly every component of BPA’s ESI program.

Mike Henderson, ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston – Energy Manager of the Year: In his role as Energy and Environmental Engineering Manager at Lamb Weston, Henderson supports a broad range of company-wide sustainability programs with a primary focus on energy intensity reduction through conservation and acquisition. Regionally, Henderson serves as the Energy Committee Chair for the Northwest Food Processors Association while providing leadership to a team that manages energy efficiency projects at more than 10 of Lamb Weston’s facilities. With support from BPA ESI and local utilities, he has achieved greater than 20 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) savings in electrical energy in 2010 and 2011.

Todd Amundson, BPA – Energy Professional Development: Through his work at BPA, Amundson is recognized as leader in industrial energy efficiency. He holds a range of responsibilities, including field engineering support for energy efficiency projects at federal facilities and plays a prominent role in the design and implementation of BPA's ESI Program, which acquired more than 250 million kWh in cost-effective energy efficiency resources in 2011. Amundson has also actively contributed to the development of new engineering professionals through his direct support of the Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation's Bioresource Science and Engineering Intern Program.

Through its annual awards program, AEE acknowledges those who have achieved prominence in energy efficiency across five regions of the United States. The Western Region (Region V) covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Awards are given in numerous categories to recognize individuals (Energy Engineer, Energy Manager, Energy Professional Development, Renewable Energy Innovator, Young Energy Professional); corporations (Corporate Energy Management); and projects (Energy Project, Renewable Energy Project).

About BPA ESI
BPA’s Energy Smart Industrial (ESI) program works through its Northwest customer utilities and their industrial facilities through to deliver cost-effective energy savings across a wide variety of industrial markets. ESI provides technical expertise and resources to address energy efficiency opportunities that meet varying industry needs and company budget levels. Learn more at www.EnergySmartIndustrial.com.

About ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston
Lamb Weston makes quality frozen potato, sweet potato and other vegetable products for restaurants, retailers and other foodservice operations throughout the world. Lamb Weston is a brand of ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG), one of North America’s leading food companies, with brands in 97 percent of America’s households. For more information, please visit us at www.lambweston.com.

Tweet me: .@Conagrafoods Lamb Weston and Bonneville Power Honored for #EnergyEfficiency Efforts http://3bl.me/skrv23

Contact Info:

Marti DeMoss
ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston
+1 (208) 424-5459
marti.demoss@conagrafoods.com

KEYWORDS: Energy, Environment, Conagra foods, Association of Energy Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Smart Industrial, energy efficiency

SOURCE: Bombardier Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

31 Octobre 2012 /3BL Media/ - Pour la première fois, Bombardier a été retenue pour faire partie du classement Newsweek Green Rankings 2012, un classement transsectoriel environnemental des 500 plus grandes entreprises ouvertes du monde. Bombardier s’est classée 89^e sur les 500 entreprises et 3^e de son secteur, Aéronautique et défense, composé de 12 entreprises. Sa cote verte globale est de 68,8, la meilleure cote du secteur étant 70.

Établi en 2009 par la revue américaine Newsweek et produit en collaboration avec les organisations de recherche environnementale Trucost et Sustainalytics, le classement Green Rankings compare l’incidence environnementale, les pratiques de gestion et les communications relatives à la durabilité des entreprises évaluées.

Pour consulter la liste Green Rankings 2012, visitez http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/22/newsweek-green-rankings-2012-global-500-list.html

À propos de Bombardier
Bombardier est le seul constructeur au monde à fabriquer à la fois des avions et des trains. Regardant vers l’avenir tout en repoussant les limites du présent, Bombardier fait évoluer la mobilité en répondant à la demande mondiale en moyens de transport plus efficaces, plus durables et plus agréables. Notre leadership résulte d’un vaste éventail de véhicules, de services et, surtout, de nos employés.

Le siège social de Bombardier est situé à Montréal, au Canada. Nos actions (BBD) se négocient à la Bourse de Toronto, et nous sommes l’une des entreprises composant les indices de durabilité Dow Jones Sustainability World et Dow Jones Sustainability North America. Pour l’exercice clos le 31 décembre 2011, nos revenus ont été de 18,3 milliards $ US. Vous trouverez nouvelles et information à l'adresse bombardier.com ou en nous suivant sur Twitter : @Bombardier.

Pour information

Click here to read in English

Tweet me: .@Bombardier retenue pour faire partie du classement Newsweek Green Rankings 2012 http://3bl.me/89k4qv

KEYWORDS: Energy, Environment, Reporting, Ratings & Rankings, Bombardier Inc., Newsweek, Publicly traded companies, green rankings, sustainability

#CBSRchat - November 1st, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST)

SOURCE: Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR)

DESCRIPTION:

October 31, 2012 /3BL Media/ - Join global CSR professionals for CBSR’s inaugural Twitter Chat!

On Thursday, November 1st, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST, CBSR Associate Coro Strandberg will lead a discussion about the future of CSR.  A focal point of the Chat will be to engage the global CSR community in a discussion informed by CBSR’s newest research on the “Qualities of a Transformational Company”. 

The “Qualities of a Transformational Company” are being developed to act as a guide for medium and large companies who recognize the need to scale up their CSR and sustainability efforts in order to address systemic societal risks, challenges and opportunities.  

These qualities are designed to be aspirational and inspirational – to act as a roadmap. For an early look at the research and a preview of the Twitter Chat questions that will be discussed, please visit our LinkedIn page.

Particpants will be encouraged to share their views guided by the following questions:

1. Where do you see CSR going over the next 10 years?
2. Can shareholder corporations ever become truly sustainable? Why or why not?
3. Which Canadian companies are the most transformational or sustainable?
4. What are the barriers preventing Canadian companies from becoming sustainable?
5. What qualities would you look for in a CEO to move his or her company forward on CSR?
6. What are you most optimistic about in terms of CSR?

Tweet me: What is the Future of CSR? Join global #CSR professionals for @CBSRnews Twitter chat - Nov 1, 2PM ET http://bit.ly/QGDEi5 #CBSRChat

Contact Info:

ksenia@cbsr.ca

KEYWORDS: Environment, Events, Conferences & Webinars, Marketing, Media & Communications, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Reporting, Ratings & Rankings, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, #sustainability, transformational, Twitter, twitter chat

SOURCE: Capital One

DESCRIPTION:

MCLEAN, Va., October 31, 2012 /3BL Media/ - Capital One today announced a $1 million commitment to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Capital One’s cash contributions include $200,000 in emergency relief grants and an additional $600,000 to support longer-term recovery efforts and will also match up to $200,000 in contributions made by customers through the Capital One No Hassle Giving site.

Capital One’s commitment includes $200,000 in emergency relief grants to national and local organizations providing immediate on the ground support for relief efforts. The organizations receiving assistance from Capital One include AmeriCares, Global Giving, local NY, NJ and Delaware Red Cross chapters, the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund and the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region. 

Capital One will also provide $600,000 in grants to aid in the longer-term recovery efforts in areas of New York and New Jersey that were devastated by the storm. This will include support for local organizations assisting families, communities and small businesses as they work to rebuild from the devastation caused by this unprecedented event.

“Capital One considers itself a part of many of the communities that were hardest hit by this disaster.  We are grateful to the first responders who have put themselves in harm’s way and our thoughts are with the individuals, families and communities who have been impacted by the storm,” said Michael Slocum, Northeast Regional President, Capital One Bank. “Local non-profits and community based organizations will be providing critical assistance in the coming days, weeks and months, and we are committed to do everything we can to help our customers and local communities recover and rebuild from this devastating event.”

Working in partnership with local non-profit organizations, Capital One associates will also assist in immediate and long-term recovery efforts, through company-matched monetary contributions and donations to area food banks, by providing disaster kits and other assistance to shelters in impacted areas, and volunteer efforts to assist in local clean-up and neighborhood rehabilitation.

Capital One also has assistance and support available to customers affected by the storm and encourages customers who may be experiencing unexpected financial challenges due to the storm to contact the company with any questions or concerns. Capital One customers can call the number on their cards or statements, or reach out to @askcapitalone on Twitter.

Capital One also reminds its credit and debit cardholders that they can contribute to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts by donating through the Capital One No Hassle Giving Site (https://www.capitalone.com/give).  Launched in 2008 in partnership with Network for Good, the site allows Capital One cardholders to donate cash or credit card rewards to more than 1.2 million U.S. charities, including organizations supporting disaster relief efforts.  For all cardholder donations made through the Giving Site, Capital One covers the transaction fees associated with online transactions so that 100% of our cardholders’ donations get to their charity of choice. Through November 9, 2012, Capital One will match gifts made to the American Red Cross and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) through the No Hassle Giving Site up to $200,000.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., and ING Bank, fsb, had $213.3 billion in deposits and $302.0 billion in total assets outstanding as of September 30, 2012. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One and ING Direct offer a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.

Contact: Shelley Solheim

917-589-6203

shelley.solheim@capitalone.com

Tweet me: .@CapitalOne commits $1 Million in support for Hurricane #Sandy relief and recovery efforts http://3bl.me/e2dcav

KEYWORDS: Hurricane Sandy, recovery, relief efforts, capital one, csr

Contributes $1 Million to Aid Those Impacted; Announces Disaster Relief Plan for Customers

SOURCE: Bank of America

DESCRIPTION:

Oct. 31, 2012 /3BL Media/ - The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced it will donate $1 million to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy including $500,000 to the American Red Cross Hurricanes 2012 fund. As relief efforts evolve in the coming weeks, the remaining $500,000 will be directed to national, regional and local nonprofits to support long-term recovery needs.

Over the weekend, Bank of America activated its disaster relief program in all disaster areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For employees, the bank has also taken several precautions, including closing facilities in affected states and asking teammates to work from home as necessary.

“We have customers and employees throughout the hardest hit region and their safety is our main consideration,” said Brian T. Moynihan, chief executive officer of Bank of America. “As we do what we can to help them through this, we also are doing our part to help get relief to communities affected.”

Under the company's disaster relief program, Bank of America customers affected by severe storms and floods in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., may qualify to:

• Receive credit line increases on their existing Bank of America Visa^® card and MasterCard^®.
• Modify or extend payments on loans, credit cards or lines of credit.
• Receive special assistance with lost, missing or late loan or card payments.
• Avoid early withdrawal penalties on bank certificates of deposit (CDs).
• Receive a refund on any overdraft, non-sufficient funds (NSF) and non-Bank of America ATM fees incurred as a result of storm conditions.

Small businesses may also qualify for similar benefits on both business and personal loans.

Customers may access the program at any Bank of America banking center or by calling 1.855.729.1764. All Bank of America call centers, online banking and mobile banking continue to be available.

In addition, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will match employee pledges to relief efforts through the bank’s Matching Gifts program and will not limit its overall relief donation.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 55 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,500 banking centers and approximately 16,300 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active online banking users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to more than 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, visit the Bank of America newsroom.

Tweet me: .@BofA_News will donate $1Million to help support victims #HurricaneSandy; and $500k to the American Red Cross http://3bl.me/e3kpyk #CSR

KEYWORDS: Positive Change, csr, Bank of America, Hurricane Sandy, bank of america charitable foundation, Consumer Banking, corporate philanthropy, In the Community

SOURCE: Global Reporting Initiative

DESCRIPTION:

TORONTO, October 31, 2012 /3BL Media/ - Recently, 3BL Media attended the Canadian GRI conference at the Toronto Stock Exchange and had the opportunity to interview Yolanda Banks, Senior Advisor, Corporate Social Responsibility at Export Development Canada and discuss the latest trends in sustainability reporting and ESG disclosure in the USA and internationally.

In May 2012, GRI’s Focal Point USA hosted its first ever North American Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The Conference, titled Making Sustainability Count: Tracking Progress, Driving Opportunity, brought together leading US and international speakers to explore current knowledge and inspire new thinking about sustainability reporting. 



Following on from the success of the St. Louis Conference, GRI’s Focal Point USA is pleased to be hosting its first Canadian Conference on 16-17 October in Toronto. The Conference, while being educational and driving GRI’s mission of mainstreaming sustainability reporting, will also prepare Canadian stakeholders for the international discussions at GRI’s Global Conference in May 2013. 

GRI provides the world’s most widely-used framework for producing sustainability reports, also known as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reports. The framework enables large and small companies, non-profit organizations and government bodies worldwide to assess their sustainability and disclose the results in a similar way to financial reporting. Transparency through reporting on these factors drives the sustainability of individual organizations and, ultimately, the global economy.

Each of the ‘Big Four’ accounting and professional services firms in the United States – Deloitte, Ernst & Young LLP, KPMG and PwC U.S. – has agreed to provide donations to sponsor GRI’s new Focal Point USA for the first two years.
 
The Conference Board has agreed to host the GRI Focal Point USA on a pro-bono basis during that same period of time.

For more information about the Global Reporting Initiative, please visit http://www.globalreporting.org

Tweet me: Interview with Yolanda Banks of @ExportDevCanada at the #GRI #Canada event http://3bl.me/4srsys #CSR #ESG #Sustainability

KEYWORDS: 3bl Media, Canada, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, Environmental Reporting, Focal Point USA, global reporting initiative, Governance Reporting, GRI, esg, social reporting, sustainability