Harry Stevens's blogshttp://www.justmeans.com/editorials/corporatesocialresponsibility/4.htmlWed, 19 Jun 2013 06:16:16 GMThttp://www.justmeans.com en hourly 1http://www.justmeans.com/Ten-U-S--Cities-Pledge-to-Divest-from-Fossil-Fuel-Companies/59033.htmlFri, 26 Apr 2013 13:02:02 GMTHarry Stevens Science academies from Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and several other countries have issued similar consensus statements.The fossil fuel divestment campaign is modeled on the anti-apartheid campaigns of the 1980s that helped end institutional racism in South Africa. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending apartheid, has endorsed 350.org's divestment campaign."The divestment movement played a key role in Read Full Article ]]> Science academies from Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and several other countries have issued similar consensus statements.The fossil fuel divestment campaign is modeled on the anti-apartheid campaigns of the 1980s that helped end institutional racism in South Africa. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending apartheid, has endorsed 350.org's divestment campaign."The divestment movement played a key role in helping liberate South Africa. The corporations understood the logics of money even when they weren't swayed by the dictates of morality," said Tutu. "Climate change is a deeply moral issue too, of course... Once again, we can join together as a world and put pressure where it counts."According to 350.org, divestment petitions are already up and running in 100 other cities across the country."It's so fitting that American cities are taking the lead in the fight to weaken the fossil fuel industry's political power," said Bill McKibben, a prominent environmentalist and founder of 350.org. "Since every city public works department is already spending scads of cash to deal with the gathering storms and rising seas climate change is bringing, it's clear it makes no sense for them to also prop up the industries that make it necessary."In the coming months, 350.org, the Mayors Innovation Project, and other partners will continue to encourage more cities and states across the country join the movement, with the goal of convincing some of the largest pension funds in the United States to divest from the fossil fuel industry.In her email to 350.org's subscribers, Carmona said the divestment campaign "sends an... important message to other cities and institutions: if it's wrong to wreck the planet, then it's also wrong to profit from that wreckage."More information on the divestment campaign can be found at GoFossilFree.org.Image credits: Mayor McGinn, Flickr; Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Flickr.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/DiversityInc-Names-Top-50-Companies-for-Diversity/59024.htmlThu, 25 Apr 2013 14:52:40 GMTHarry Stevens DiversityInc, a publication that covers diversity in the workplace, has released its 14th annual list of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. The list ranks 893 companies based on four key areas of diversity management: CEO Commitment, Human Capital, Corporate and Organization Communications, and Supplier Diversity.Topping the list this year was Sodexo, a leading food services and facilities management company. With 380,000 employees representing 130 nationalities, the French multinational has re Read Full Article ]]> DiversityInc, a publication that covers diversity in the workplace, has released its 14th annual list of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. The list ranks 893 companies based on four key areas of diversity management: CEO Commitment, Human Capital, Corporate and Organization Communications, and Supplier Diversity.Topping the list this year was Sodexo, a leading food services and facilities management company. With 380,000 employees representing 130 nationalities, the French multinational has received the top spot on DiversityInc's list twice in the last four years.DiversityInc CEO Luke Visconti, who writes a column for the magazine called "Ask the White Guy," lauded Sodexo's "unparalleled success as a diversity leader - number one for the second time in four years and the only company to ever be in the top two four years in a row."Sodexo's top level management boasts nearly 30 percent more racial diversity and 38 percent more gender diversity than the average company on the Top 50 list.Visconti attributed Sodexo's success in promoting workplace diversity to "the mutually supportive relationship" between the company's Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Rohini Anand, and George Chavel, the president and CEO for Sodexo North America.Chavel, who also serves as Chief Operating Officer for Sodexo Group and chairs the company's Diversity Leadership Council, said that diversity was increasingly central to the company's business strategy."Each year our commitment to diversity and inclusion becomes stronger and is embedded deeper within our organization and our business strategy," said Chavel. "We recognize the opportunity and responsibility we have to share our best practices to improve the quality of life of the clients we serve and their customers."Coming in at number three on the list was Kaiser Permanente, the only health care company to rank among the top ten. Visconti said that progressive diversity policies will be especially important at health care companies as the Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, takes effect."As the Affordable Care Act becomes reality, the decades-long legacy of inclusion at Kaiser Permanente, both internally and externally, gives it a unique ability to reach members and patients in all demographics," said Visconti.Kaiser Permanante, which has made the top ten every year since 2009, also ranked number one in the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Latinos, number three in the Top 10 Companies for Blacks, and number seven in the Top 10 Companies for People with Disabilities."We are honored to receive recognition from DiversityInc and believe it is important to celebrate our achievements in the continuous pursuit of excellence; however, the genuine value of benchmarking is discovering additional opportunities to improve our performance," said Dr. Ronald Copeland, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Kaiser Permanente.DiversityInc also released a list of 25 Noteworthy Companies, comprised of companies that the senior editorial staff believes have the potential to make The 2014 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list.Included on that list was Chrysler Group LLC, which produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles. The auto company has purchased more than $45 billion from minority-owned suppliers since 1983 and has been recognized six times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country's leading companies supporting diversity and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees."Chrysler Group remains as committed as ever to creating a diverse and sustainable supply base that directly reflects our customers," said Scott Kunselman, senior vice president for purchasing and supplier quality for Chrysler. "We will continue to create opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses because we believe that a diverse supply chain leads to better, more innovative products for our customers."The entire DiversityInc Top 50 List can be found on the publication's website.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/New-York-Senate-Passes-Sweeping-Solar-Legislation-in-Unanimous-Vote/59018.htmlThu, 25 Apr 2013 13:16:16 GMTHarry Stevens The New York State Senate this week passed legislation that solidifies the state's long-term commitment to solar energy. The New York Solar Bill, which received unanimous senatorial support, extends for ten years the NY-Sun Initiative, a public-private partnership designed to encourage growth in New York's solar industry by investing in solar technology and reducing the cost of installing solar panels.Announced during Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2012 State of the State Address, the NY-Sun Initiative Read Full Article ]]> The New York State Senate this week passed legislation that solidifies the state's long-term commitment to solar energy. The New York Solar Bill, which received unanimous senatorial support, extends for ten years the NY-Sun Initiative, a public-private partnership designed to encourage growth in New York's solar industry by investing in solar technology and reducing the cost of installing solar panels.Announced during Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2012 State of the State Address, the NY-Sun Initiative was established to quadruple the amount of customer-sited solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity added between 2011 and 2013. To support the program, the New York Power Authority authorized $30 million over five years for solar PV research in an effort to reduce the cost of the renewable energy resource.The New York Solar Bill, passed with great fanfare to mark the 43rd annual Earth Day, extends the NY-Sun Initiative until 2023 and is expected to encourage the construction of 2,200 megawatts of solar energy, enough to power 400,000 New York homes. The bill should also create thousands of jobs in New York while helping to wean the state off of fossil fuels.The unanimous Senate vote received widespread commendation from solar industry trade associations and environmental groups."The New York Solar Bill will help create new local jobs, modernize our power infrastructure, protect our environment, and put New York at the forefront of our growing clean energy economy," said Carrie Cullen Hitt, senior vice president for state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). "It will drive the kind of private investment that it takes to build a world-class solar market."The Senate's commitment to solar energy also signals a shift towards renewable energy in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the storm that wreaked havoc across the state last year and which many leaders, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, attributed to climate change."In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, New Yorkers understand all too well the urgent need to combat climate change and better prepare for its impacts," said Pierre Bull, policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a leading U.S. environmental nonprofit."Solar power is helping to tackle those challenges head-on," he continued. "This bill-together with reductions in power plant pollution and increased energy efficiency and support for other renewable energy sources, like offshore wind-can help New York build a cleaner, safer and more secure energy future."Solar power is on the upswing countrywide. Installations of solar PV modules in the United States grew by 76 percent in 2012, making solar the country's fastest growing energy source."We've brought more new solar online in 2012 than in the three prior years combined," remarked Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. "This sustained growth is enabling the solar industry to create thousands of good jobs and to provide clean, affordable energy for more families, businesses, utilities, and the military than ever before."Resch attributed the growth to legislation such as the New York Solar Bill. "This growth simply would not have occurred without consistent, long-term policies that have helped to ensure a stable business environment for this country's 5,600 solar companies - many of them small businesses," he said.Several of those businesses, including EDF Renewable Energy, E.ON Climate & Renewables North America, Mainstream Energy Corp., Nexamp, REC Solar, SolarCity, Solar One, SunEdison, Sungevity, SunPower Corp., Sunrun and Trinity Solar, publicly supported the bill.New York currently produces enough solar energy to power 27,000 homes, placing it 12th in the country for total installed solar capacity. In 2012, $257 million was invested in New York to install solar on homes and businesses, representing a 91% increase over the previous year. Investment is expected to further increase this year.Image credit: Alan Wu, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/More-Major-Companies-Embrace-New-Recycling-Label/59006.htmlWed, 24 Apr 2013 11:38:55 GMTHarry Stevens Clorox (NYSE:CLX) has become the latest company to join a new and growing labeling scheme that seeks to help U.S. consumers understand how to properly recycle or dispose of all elements in a product's packaging.Beginning next month, "How2Recycle" labels will be affixed to four Clorox products: Fresh Step and Scoop Away kitty litter cartons, Green Works laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid, and Oxi stain remover.A dozen major U.S. companies, including General Mills (NYSE:GIS), Kellogg's (NYSE Read Full Article ]]> Clorox (NYSE:CLX) has become the latest company to join a new and growing labeling scheme that seeks to help U.S. consumers understand how to properly recycle or dispose of all elements in a product's packaging.Beginning next month, "How2Recycle" labels will be affixed to four Clorox products: Fresh Step and Scoop Away kitty litter cartons, Green Works laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid, and Oxi stain remover.A dozen major U.S. companies, including General Mills (NYSE:GIS), Kellogg's (NYSE:K), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and REI, have already joined the labeling scheme. Since launching last January, How2Recycle has established itself as the only labeling system that convey recyclability across all material types and provides explicit directions to consumers to influence their recycling behavior.Since the ubiquitous three arrow recycling symbol was introduced in 1970, U.S. recycling rates have increased dramatically - from around 6 percent in 1970 to more than 34 percent in 2010, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Still, more than 160 million tons of municipal solid waste wound up in a landfill in 2010, and less than half of all plastic bottles and aluminum cans were recycled."Consumers are faced with a confusing landscape of material and recycling messages that are often inconsistent or misleading. We believe this label will help consumers and companies more effectively communicate recyclability and contribute to more successful resource recovery," said Anne Bedarf, who led the development of the label, at a launch ceremony for How2Recycle last year.In the 15 months that it has adorned product packaging, the label has proven remarkably effective. A recent online survey [PDF] conducted by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition found that a high percentage of consumers who have encountered How2Recycle logos changed their recycling behavior.The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is currently working on expanding the labeling system to Canada and has received interest from Australia. The organization hopes another 15 companies will adopt the labeling system by year's end."Our goal is to be on the majority of consumer products in the next three years - which will really help consumers!" Bedarf told Justmeans in an email. "We soon will have sponsorships available to subsidize the License Fees for plastic film labeling through a partnership with the Flexible Film Recycling Group of the American Chemistry Council."Companies participating in the labeling system have remarked that it has helped consumers understand the specific recyclability of their packaging."Consumers understand the concept of recycling but are frequently confused on what packages can or can't be recycled. They want the process to be easier and we think the recovery label does just that," said Gwen Lorio, who develops sustainable packaging for Clorox."As we enable consumers to recycle correctly, we ensure more quality recycled material is available for us to use, our consumers send less waste to landfill, and we can reduce the energy needed to create new packages," added Lorio, whose company was recently named one of the "Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World" by Corporate Knights.Melissa Craig, manager of packaging engineering for Kellogg, which joined the labeling scheme last month, echoed Lorio's observation."We continually look for ways to educate consumers on the recyclability of our packaging materials," said Craig. "Consumers need clear, concise communication when it comes to recycling, so materials that can be reclaimed don't accidentally end up in landfills."More information on the How2Recycle label can be found at www.how2recycle.info.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/For-Adobe-Systems--Earth-Day-Is-No-Small-Matter/58983.htmlMon, 22 Apr 2013 15:22:46 GMTHarry Stevens "We've achieved many of our outcomes through efforts to better measure, monitor and manage our energy use and reduce our overall energy demand through unique improvements including efficient ventilation systems, electrical timers, and plans to develop a high-efficiency data center," wrote Yates."We've also invested in alternative and renewable energy sources that can generate power directly on-site, including Windspire wind turbines at our San Jose Headquarters, and Bloom Energy fuel cells - Blo Read Full Article ]]> "We've achieved many of our outcomes through efforts to better measure, monitor and manage our energy use and reduce our overall energy demand through unique improvements including efficient ventilation systems, electrical timers, and plans to develop a high-efficiency data center," wrote Yates."We've also invested in alternative and renewable energy sources that can generate power directly on-site, including Windspire wind turbines at our San Jose Headquarters, and Bloom Energy fuel cells - Bloom Boxes - at the San Jose and San Francisco facilities."An important factor in Adobe's CSR success is that it makes sure to offer opportunities for its employees to get involved.The Adobe Green Team, an employee-led sustainability program which the company plans to expand to all 12 of its major sites by 2015, has helped facilitate an ongoing, company-wide discussion about environmental issues. The Green Team also organizes educational programs and volunteer projects for fellow employees.Last year, Adobe galvanized more than 1,200 employees to volunteer in their communities, contributing more than 4,000 hours of community service. This June, Adobe will celebrate "Be Involved Month" with the goal of increasing employee participation in volunteer projects by 20 percent."One of Adobe's values is to be involved in the communities where we work and live, which is why Adobe created Be Involved Month," wrote Yates. "During the month, with support from the Corporate CSR team based in the Bay Area, the 19 CSR Action Teams will lead volunteer and educational activities in three key areas: Community, Adobe Youth Voices and Green."Ultimately, Adobe seems to have managed to find an effective balance between corporate responsibility and profitability. As the company has rapidly expanded its CSR initiatives, its share price has increased around 23 percent in the last five years.To keep its myriad stakeholders up-to-date on its CSR initiatives, Adobe publishes a quarterly CSR Brief, and the company plans to release its first ever CSR report this year.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Corporate-America-Pledges-Major-Support-for-Boston-Marathon-Bombing-Victims/58943.htmlThu, 18 Apr 2013 15:04:37 GMTHarry Stevens Leading U.S. retail pharmacy CVS Caremark also announced that its private foundation will donate $100,000 to the fund."CVS Caremark has deep roots in New England and a strong presence in Boston. We are deeply saddened by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon and its effect on victims and their family members," said Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark.Starting tomorrow, CVS will hold an in-store donation campaign for The One Fund Boston at more than 250 CVS/pharmacy stores in the Greater Read Full Article ]]> Leading U.S. retail pharmacy CVS Caremark also announced that its private foundation will donate $100,000 to the fund."CVS Caremark has deep roots in New England and a strong presence in Boston. We are deeply saddened by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon and its effect on victims and their family members," said Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark.Starting tomorrow, CVS will hold an in-store donation campaign for The One Fund Boston at more than 250 CVS/pharmacy stores in the Greater Boston Area."We have stores only blocks away from the Boston Marathon finish line, so we know how strongly this tragedy has affected our local customers and employees and that there is a strong desire to help," said Mark Cosby, president of CVS/pharmacy. "We wanted to make it easy for our customers to support One Fund Boston by bringing an in-store donation campaign directly to the Boston community."Other individuals and corporations making commitments to The One Fund Boston include Brian Moynihan, president and CEO of Bank of America, Steve Pagliuca, co-owner of the Boston Celtics and Larry Lucchino, CEO of the Boston Red Sox. Boston law firm Goodwin Procter has volunteered to organize The One Fund Boston and is applying for 501(c)(3) status."We are one Boston. We are one community," said Mayor Menino. "As always, we will come together to help those most in need. And in the end, we will all be better for it."Donations to The One Fund Boston can be made at onefundboston.org.Image credits: hahatango, Flickr; Montgomery County Planning Commission, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/New-Framework-for-Corporate-Reporting-to-Integrate-Sustainability-and-Financial-Data/58934.htmlWed, 17 Apr 2013 14:50:36 GMTHarry Stevens A coalition of businesses and investors has called on corporations and financial professionals around the world for input on a draft of a new model for corporate reporting that promises to make sustainability data more relevant to investors.The Consultation Draft of the International Integrated Reporting Framework, released this week by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), will provide a standard for companies seeking to integrate sustainability performance data into their annu Read Full Article ]]> A coalition of businesses and investors has called on corporations and financial professionals around the world for input on a draft of a new model for corporate reporting that promises to make sustainability data more relevant to investors.The Consultation Draft of the International Integrated Reporting Framework, released this week by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), will provide a standard for companies seeking to integrate sustainability performance data into their annual financial reporting.This process, referred to as "integrated reporting," has been heralded as a way to emphasize the interrelationship of sustainability and profitability, further assimilating non-financial performance data into the investment community.IIRC chief executive Paul Druckman called on "businesses, investors, the accounting profession, regulators, standard setters and other interested parties to contribute to the consultation and shape this corporate reporting evolution which matters so much to the future of business and the global economy."The IIRC has launched a 90-day consultation period of the International Integrated Reporting Framework so that relevant stakeholders can read, critique and challenge the Framework. The IIRC has said it will issue the first version of the Framework in December 2013.The last several years have seen a dramatic increase in investor demand for information about companies' sustainability performance after studies repeatedly demonstrated a positive correlation between sustainability performance and profitability. Likewise, publicly traded companies are disclosing their non-financial performance in record numbers - 2011 was the first time that a majority of S&P 500 companies reported on their sustainability performance.Still, the relationship between profitability and sustainability often remains unclear to investors seeking to understand companies' long term risks, in large part because there is no widely accepted standard by which companies can tie their non-financial performance data to more conventional financial metrics.[caption id="attachment_58936" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Paul Druckman, CEO of the IIRC, called integrated reporting a "corporate reporting evolution which matters so much to the future of business and the global economy.""]]]>http://www.justmeans.com/With-New-Commitments--Walmart-Shines-as-Renewable-Energy-Leader/58901.htmlTue, 16 Apr 2013 15:05:00 GMTHarry Stevens As the world's largest retailer with operations that span the globe, Walmart's sustainability efforts have shown companies that going green and raking in the green are far from mutually exclusive."Walmart's new sustainability goals are not only a sign of strong leadership for the company, they can spur others around the world to take action," said Andrew Steer, president and CEO of the World Resources Institute, a nonprofit that has consulted Walmart on its renewable energy strategy."Walmart's c Read Full Article ]]> As the world's largest retailer with operations that span the globe, Walmart's sustainability efforts have shown companies that going green and raking in the green are far from mutually exclusive."Walmart's new sustainability goals are not only a sign of strong leadership for the company, they can spur others around the world to take action," said Andrew Steer, president and CEO of the World Resources Institute, a nonprofit that has consulted Walmart on its renewable energy strategy."Walmart's commitments show that it understands the urgency of embracing renewable energy to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases, while driving business growth that is cleaner and more efficient," Steer added.While emphasizing the environmental benefits of Walmart's renewable energy goals, Duke, the company CEO, was careful to couch the effort in business terms."The math adds up pretty quickly -- when we use less energy that's less energy we have to buy, and that means less waste and more savings," he said."When I look at the future, energy costs may grow as much as twice as fast as our anticipated store and club growth," Duke added. "Finding cleaner and more affordable energy is important to our every day low cost business model and that makes it important to our customers' pocketbooks."Thus far, the plan seems to be working. Since 2005, when the company announced its goals to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy and to create zero waste, Walmart's share price has increased by around 70 percent.Image credit: Sustainability Meeting and Wind Farm by Walmart Corporate, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/AT-amp-T-Earns-Top-Honors-in-CR-Magazine-s-100-Best-Corporate-Citizens-List/58829.htmlFri, 12 Apr 2013 18:52:10 GMTHarry Stevens Corporate Responsibility Magazine announced its 14th annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List this week at the New York Stock Exchange. The list ranks publicly-traded companies based on 298 data points across seven categories: environment, climate change, employee relations, human rights, governance, finance, and philanthropy.Topping the list [PDF] this year was Dallas-based telecommunications firm AT&T, Inc. (NYSE:T), a company which has distinguished itself for its water conservation and energy Read Full Article ]]> Corporate Responsibility Magazine announced its 14th annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List this week at the New York Stock Exchange. The list ranks publicly-traded companies based on 298 data points across seven categories: environment, climate change, employee relations, human rights, governance, finance, and philanthropy.Topping the list [PDF] this year was Dallas-based telecommunications firm AT&T, Inc. (NYSE:T), a company which has distinguished itself for its water conservation and energy efficiency programs, among other sustainability initiatives."We are pleased to honor the companies on this year's Best List, as they represent a tried and true standard of transparency within the Russell 1000," said Dirk Olin, editor-in-chief and publisher of Corporate Responsibility Magazine. "Across environmental, economic, and social values, these firms continue to set the bar high for organizations in the United States."Rounding out the top ten were, in order, Mattel Inc. (NYSE:T), Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY), Eaton Corp. (NYSE:ETN), Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC), Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS), Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), Merck & Co. Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE:CPB), Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:CCE)."The publication of CR Magazine's 14th annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List, shines a spotlight on companies with a strong commitment to transparency and responsible practices," added Elliot Clark, CEO of Corporate Responsibility Magazine. "Each year we are pleased to witness the growing commitment by corporations in an effort to improve their performance.""As part of our commitment, we will be offering advanced workshops on transparency and CR practices at our annual COMMIT!Forum in New York, October 8th and 9th to help ensure continued growth in this area during 2014," said Clark.Last year's COMMIT!Forum brought together hundreds of the brightest lights in the sustainability world and highlighted several trends in the industry, including the Global Reporting Initiative's new G4 guidelines and the growing demand for integrated reporting.The 100 Best Corporate Citizens List also calls attention to those companies who committed serious breaches of responsibility during that past year. Three companies received "yellow cards" and one company, Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN), received a "red card" and was removed from the list.In December, Amgen pleaded guilty in a case brought by the U.S. Justice Department for misbranding Aranesp, the company's anemia treatment product. The Justice Department alleged that the Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based pharmaceutical company was marketing Aranesp and training sales representatives using studies rejected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as insufficient. Amgen agreed to a settlement of $762M.AT&T, the winning company, noted that its employees were instrumental in earning the company top honors this year."When we learned that AT&T was ranked No. 1 on the annual list of the Best Corporate Citizens by CR Magazine, it inspired me to pause and reflect on this great work we've already done this year, and most importantly, the people who have spent years furthering AT&T's sustainability efforts," wrote Beth Shiroishi, vice president of sustainability and philanthropy at AT&T, in a blog post."So a huge thank you to our employees for their tireless efforts and to CR Magazine for this honor," she continued, "now it's time to get back to work!"]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Major-U-S--Companies-Urge-Congressional-Action-on-Climate-Change/58807.htmlWed, 10 Apr 2013 17:59:21 GMTHarry Stevens "Economists have long understood that the key to smart environmental policy is aligning private incentives with true social costs and benefits," said Greg Makiw, economic advisor to President George W. Bush and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, in an interview with Deseret News. "That means putting a price on carbon emissions, so households and firms will have good reason to reduce their use of fossil fuels and to develop alternative energy sources."Sixty percent of the revenue from the Read Full Article ]]> "Economists have long understood that the key to smart environmental policy is aligning private incentives with true social costs and benefits," said Greg Makiw, economic advisor to President George W. Bush and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, in an interview with Deseret News. "That means putting a price on carbon emissions, so households and firms will have good reason to reduce their use of fossil fuels and to develop alternative energy sources."Sixty percent of the revenue from the tax would be returned to consumers as a dividend, with the other money generated from the tax being used to invest in clean, energy-efficient technologies.While the Climate Declaration does not advocate for any specific legislation, it does highlight widespread support for a progressive climate policy among the highest echelons of corporate America, a group historically perceived as an obstacle to passing environmental legislation."When a majority of the world's largest companies are investing in clean energy, you can truly see its value," said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, which has studied the changing corporate attitude towards climate change. "We encourage lawmakers to support policies that help companies meet and strengthen their clean energy goals."The Climate Declaration is available online at BICEP's website.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/UN-Calls-on-Private-Sector-to-Fight-Corruption/58798.htmlWed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:49 GMTHarry Stevens The United Nations Global Compact called upon the private sector to mobilize against corruption at a high-level meeting of business and civic leaders in New Delhi this week.The call to action, the full text of which is available online, asks business leaders to refuse to engage in graft and appeals to governments to adopt anti-corruption policies.Speaking at the meeting, Olajobi Makinwa, head of transparency and anti-corruption initiatives for the UN Global Compact, called corruption "one of the Read Full Article ]]> The United Nations Global Compact called upon the private sector to mobilize against corruption at a high-level meeting of business and civic leaders in New Delhi this week.The call to action, the full text of which is available online, asks business leaders to refuse to engage in graft and appeals to governments to adopt anti-corruption policies.Speaking at the meeting, Olajobi Makinwa, head of transparency and anti-corruption initiatives for the UN Global Compact, called corruption "one of the greatest systemic barriers to healthy societies and economic growth.""Corruption distorts markets, undermines development and makes business unsustainable," said Makinwa. "It is time for businesses to showcase their commitment to bring this critical global challenge into the centre of global development debates."India's capital city was an all-too suitable location for the meeting on corruption, as the country regularly ranks towards the bottom of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. More than half of Indians say they have paid bribes to or engaged in influence peddling with public officials.Officially dubbed the Global Compact's Working Group on the 10th Principle Against Anti-Corruption, the meeting was part of the UN's work to develop a new global development framework as the Millennium Development Goals 2015 deadline approaches.There is broad agreement among business leaders that corruption must be significantly reduced before most, if not all, of the development goals, which include the eradication of poverty, the reduction of child mortality and the promotion of gender equality, can be achieved."The UN Global Compact's Call to Action is an important step in fostering greater public-private collaboration to combat corruption and achieve development goals," said Elaine Dezenski, senior director of the World Economic Forum's Partnering Against Corruption Initiative, which will convene a joint session with the Global Compact during the final day of the meeting this week.The call to action, she added, "underlines not only the crucial role business, government and civil society have to play but how this collective action is critical to the business agenda - when companies collaborate to eliminate corruption and build a more transparent environment for doing business, everyone benefits."Studies have repeatedly shown a negative correlation between corruption levels and economic development. More corrupt countries have difficulty attracting foreign investment and promoting entrepreneurship. It is estimated that corruption cost India the equivalent of $285.5 billion over the past decade.The call to action asks the more than 7,000 Global Compact signatories to work with governments to promote anti-corruption measures, particularly in the area of public procurement. Already, delegates from Egypt, Germany, Nigeria and India - many of which are already engaged in anti-corruption projects - expressed support for the call to action.In September at its triennial Leaders Summit, the Global Compact will publish a complete list of companies and other organizations that have signed on to the call to action. The Global Compact is a UN initiative that seeks to get companies to commit to responsible business practices in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.Image credit: kmillard92, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Treating-the-Indonesian-Diabetes-Pandemic--A-Case-Study-from-Novo-Nordisk/58794.htmlTue, 09 Apr 2013 13:43:16 GMTHarry Stevens Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has released a new case study that examines the challenges for diabetes care in Indonesia. The study reflects the company's work to provide diabetes care across Indonesia, a country where millions of people have diabetes but less than one per cent receives proper treatment."If action is not taken, demand for healthcare will outstrip Indonesia's ability to provide it," said Charlotte Ersbll, a corporate vice president at Novo Nordisk in charge of global Read Full Article ]]> Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has released a new case study that examines the challenges for diabetes care in Indonesia. The study reflects the company's work to provide diabetes care across Indonesia, a country where millions of people have diabetes but less than one per cent receives proper treatment."If action is not taken, demand for healthcare will outstrip Indonesia's ability to provide it," said Charlotte Ersbll, a corporate vice president at Novo Nordisk in charge of global stakeholder engagement. "In the end, it will be people with diabetes and their families that will carry the highest cost."Last year, Novo Nordisk sold more than $60 billion worth of diabetes products worldwide, all while achieving some of the most prestigious corporate social responsibility accolades, including earning the top ranking on Corporate Knight's list of Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations.The case study, published last week as the fifth installment of Novo Nordisk's Blueprint for Change series, examines the barriers that limit the accessibility of quality diabetes care and identifies opportunities to address them.According to the analysis, Indonesia suffers from a lack of awareness about diabetes. Many of the 7.6 million Indonesians who have diabetes are unaware that the disease exists, and 59 percent of cases go undiagnosed. Only one in eight of those suffering from diabetes receive insulin treatment.Indonesia is a country in transition. The economy has grown by nearly 6 percent for the last decade, and economic opportunity is expected to bring some 32 million rural Indonesians to the city by 2030. City life often means less exercise and poorer diet, both of which can contribute to higher rates of diabetes.To meet this challenge, the Novo Nordisk study recommends across-the-board investments in diabetes awareness and training, both for the general population and health care professionals. Novo Nordisk estimates that if its recommendations were adopted, more than 400,000 diabetes-related kidney failures could be prevented and nearly $6 billion USD could be saved in treatment costs."Novo Nordisk is committed to working together with local authorities, investors and NGOs to build trust and confidence among patients, healthcare practitioners and policy makers," said Sandeep Sur, general manager of Novo Nordisk Indonesia. "We must leverage all our joint capabilities and competences if we want to improve knowledge, treatment and better care."To that end, Novo Nordisk launched its INSPIRE program in 2010 to train Indonesian internists about diagnosing and treating diabetes. By the end of 2012, Novo Nordisk trained 1,200 internists, and the company hopes to train another 1,280 during 2013.In 2012, Novo Nordisk expanded its INSPIRE program to begin training general practitioners. The company estimates that the average Indonesian general practitioner receives only two hours of diabetes education during medical training, hardly enough to provide the skills necessary to screen for diabetes, manage its complications, or advise patients on proper nutrition. Novo Nordisk has found that its training of general practitioners has been even more effective than its training of internists.Sidartawan Soegondo, President of the Indonesian Diabetes Association, lauded the investments Novo Nordisk has made to bring diabetes education to his country."Everything started with Novo Nordisk," said Seogondo. "We would not have existed without the partnership from Novo Nordisk. Their first investment was the salary of a nurse, and thereafter the ball got rolling."]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Vaccinations-Not-Linked-to-Autism--Says-New-Study/58678.htmlThu, 04 Apr 2013 13:57:46 GMTHarry Stevens A new study shows that children who receive several vaccines at an early age do not run higher risks of developing autism, a finding that contradicts many of U.S. parents who believe that "too many vaccines too soon" increases the chances their children will develop autism.The study, soon to be released in The Journal of Pediatrics, concludes that children who receive several vaccines on a single day or within the first two years of their lives are just as likely to develop autism as children wh Read Full Article ]]> A new study shows that children who receive several vaccines at an early age do not run higher risks of developing autism, a finding that contradicts many of U.S. parents who believe that "too many vaccines too soon" increases the chances their children will develop autism.The study, soon to be released in The Journal of Pediatrics, concludes that children who receive several vaccines on a single day or within the first two years of their lives are just as likely to develop autism as children who receive fewer vaccines.According to the authors, "The possibility that immunological stimulation from vaccines during the first 1 or 2 years of life could be related to the development of [autism] is not well-supported by what is known about the neurobiology of [autism]." This finding confirms the results of a similar study conducted by the Institute of Medicine in 2004.Despite such evidence, one-third of U.S. parents continue to express concern that vaccines cause autism and nearly one in ten refuse or delay vaccinations for their children.Autism is not the only perceived vaccine safety issue. Parents have expressed fear over links between vaccines and attention deficit disorder, seizures and epilepsy, even though research has failed to confirm any such associations."In fact," reports National Public Radio's Patti Neighmond, "all scientific studies show vaccines to be highly effective and safe, with only rare, moderate, adverse side effects."The risks posed to public health by parents who refuse to vaccinate their children are myriad and severe, not only for unimmunized children, but for more vulnerable sections of society such as the elderly and people living with HIV/AIDS, whose immune systems can crumble upon exposure to even the slightest trace of disease.Take whooping cough, for example, a highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterial disease that health experts once believed had been eradicated from the United States. Since the dawn of the third millennium, whooping cough has re-emerged, killing over one hundred Americans between 2000 and 2005.Dozens of unimmunized infants perished from the disease in 2012. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente's Institute for Health Research recently found that children of parents who refused a whooping cough vaccine are 23 times more likely to contract the disease compared with fully immunized children.Last December, the Examiner reported that cases of whooping cough in the United States were higher in 2012 than any year since 1948. The tragedy of this, of course, is that a highly effective vaccine was not yet widely available in 1948, as it is now."Vaccines are one of the great public health achievements of the last couple of centuries," said Alison Buttenheim, assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, in a recent interview. "They protect us from diseases that used to routinely kill hundreds of thousands of kids in the United States and still kill hundreds of thousands globally."It's not just important for your child to be vaccinated, it's important at a population level to have high rates of coverage."If the results of the upcoming study in The Journal of Pediatrics help reassure parents that their children do not risk developing autism as the result of vaccinations, several lives could be saved.Image credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Sir-Richard-Branson-Provides-South-Africans-with-Free-Hearing-Aids/58664.htmlTue, 02 Apr 2013 14:51:57 GMTHarry Stevens Entrepreneur billionaire Sir Richard Branson has returned from a mission to South Africa, where he and partners at the Starkey Hearing Foundation provided hundreds patients with hearing aids.The mission, held at the Bhubezi Community Health Care Centre, is the latest in a series of annual missions that have been held for several years. This year, 300 people between the ages of 9 and 89 were fitted with free hearing aids.In South Africa, deafness is a virtual guarantee of unemployment, as 93 perc Read Full Article ]]> Entrepreneur billionaire Sir Richard Branson has returned from a mission to South Africa, where he and partners at the Starkey Hearing Foundation provided hundreds patients with hearing aids.The mission, held at the Bhubezi Community Health Care Centre, is the latest in a series of annual missions that have been held for several years. This year, 300 people between the ages of 9 and 89 were fitted with free hearing aids.In South Africa, deafness is a virtual guarantee of unemployment, as 93 percent of the country's estimated four million deaf citizens are out of work.With between 500,000 and 600,000 speakers, South African Sign Language constitutes the country's fifth-largest language community. Still, it is not officially recognized by the government, as it is in a range of countries including Austria, Brazil, Iceland, New Zealand, Uganda and Venezuela."There is an enormous amount of work to be done [for people with hearing problems], and Starkey is leading the way," said Branson of the charitable arm of Starkey Hearing Technologies, a leading hearing aid manufacturer.Bill Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, lauded Branson's partnership with his organization."At the Starkey Hearing Foundation we are only as good as our partners, and we have a great one in Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite," he said. "Together we are reflecting caring to the people of South Africa and have empowered thousands toward a better life through the gift of hearing."Branson and the Virgin Unite team helped build the Bhubezi Center, located in northeastern South Africa, in 2006 to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic the afflicts the region. The project also received millions of dollars in funding from the United States government and Anglo American, a mining conglomerate that created an anti-retroviral program in South Africa in 2002."There was no clinic for people in this area with HIV, so we created one," said Branson. "Thousands of people from the area come here to get their antiretroviral drugs and malaria and tuberculosis tablets."Since opening its doors in April 2007, the clinic has had more than 145,000 patient visits. Bhubezi has put more than 5,900 patients on Anti-Retroviral Treatment, which helps people infected with HIV/AIDS manage the illness and reclaim a better quality of life."Now, thanks to the Starkey Hearing Foundation," added Branson, "there are hundreds of people in this area suffering from hearing loss who are able to hear again."Branson also spoke highly of the partnership between Virgin Unite and the foundation."As an entrepreneur, I partner with people all the time; likewise, so should NGOs partner with each other, like the partnership between the Bhubezi Centre and Starkey," said Branson. "There needs to be more entrepreneurial forces like the Starkey Hearing Foundation."After a record year of fitting more than 131,000 hearing aids to people in need, the Starkey Hearing Foundation is ahead of schedule to fit one million people with hearing aids by the close of the decade. The foundation also set a fundraising record in 2012, raising more than $7.6 million at a single event in August.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Survey-Reveals-Top-Corporate-Supporters-of-Black-Science-and-Engineering-Education/58623.htmlMon, 01 Apr 2013 14:22:54 GMTHarry Stevens A survey published by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine lists the corporations and government organizations that are most supportive of America's historically Black engineering schools.The magazine asked deans of the engineering programs at 14 historically black colleges and universities to list the corporations and government or non-profit organizations that provide the most support to their schools. The survey also received responses from Advancing Minorities' Interest in Eng Read Full Article ]]> A survey published by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine lists the corporations and government organizations that are most supportive of America's historically Black engineering schools.The magazine asked deans of the engineering programs at 14 historically black colleges and universities to list the corporations and government or non-profit organizations that provide the most support to their schools. The survey also received responses from Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering, a corporate-academic alliance."Doing this survey for the eleventh consecutive time, we are consistently finding many organizations that are doing their fair share in building the STEM pipeline," said Tyrone Taborn, editor in chief of US Black Engineer & Information Technology. STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics."Black students and professionals want to know what these organizations are doing for their colleges because they want to work for employers that are committed to their community," added Taborn.The companies and organizations recognized hail from all over the United States. Some of the more well known corporations on the list include Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, Intel Corporation, Johnson Controls, Union Pacific and UPS."On behalf of Chrysler Group, we are honored to be recognized for our commitment to the nation's historically Black colleges and universities as a great source of STEM talent," said Georgette Borrego Dulworth, director of talent acquisition and diversity at the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automobile company."Identifying and recruiting diverse talent with world-class skills is imperative to our company's continued success," Dulworth added.Studies have repeatedly shown that Whites, and particularly White men, occupy a disproportionate percentage of the STEM workforce. Still, enrollments of African American students in graduate science and engineering programs grew by 50 percent in the last decade, compared with 35 percent for the nation as a whole, according to a report by Congressional Research Service.The report also shows that African American students in both the 4th and 8th grades performed better on national mathematics tests in 2011 than they did in 1990.Dr. James Mitchell serves as dean of Howard University's College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science, the program credited with producing the nation's largest number of African American engineers, architects and computer science professionals.In a recent interview with Afro magazine, Dr. Mitchell emphasized the integral role that corporate and government partnerships play in his school's development plan."The plan includes forging partnerships with corporations, government agencies and foundations so we can internally increase funding for research and development," said Dr. Mitchell.With unemployment for African-American men hovering around 50 percent, Dr. Mitchell said a STEM education can provide a huge boon for Blacks seeking work in a difficult and at times discriminatory job market."If you're trained to think analyze, diagnosis, make decisions, and plan to solve problems, you have a higher probability of being employed," he said. "And an education in the STEM fields provides those advantages."The US Black Engineer & Information Technology survey found that the aerospace industry is especially supportive of historically Black colleges and universities. Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Boeing Company received the highest number of votes from the survey committee.Image credit: Steven Depolo, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Electric-Vehicles-to-Help-Reduce-Air-Pollution-in-Hong-Kong/58571.htmlTue, 26 Mar 2013 14:35:08 GMTHarry Stevens FedEx Express, the world's largest transportation company, has introduced ten all-new zero-emissions electric vehicles to its Hong Kong fleet. The vehicles are the company's first fleet of zero-emissions electric delivery trucks in Asia Pacific, joining the more than 650 alternative-energy delivery vehicles already in the FedEx global vehicle fleet.Hong Kong suffers from some of the worst urban pollution in the world. Smog settles heavily on this coastal city of seven million, choking its citize Read Full Article ]]> FedEx Express, the world's largest transportation company, has introduced ten all-new zero-emissions electric vehicles to its Hong Kong fleet. The vehicles are the company's first fleet of zero-emissions electric delivery trucks in Asia Pacific, joining the more than 650 alternative-energy delivery vehicles already in the FedEx global vehicle fleet.Hong Kong suffers from some of the worst urban pollution in the world. Smog settles heavily on this coastal city of seven million, choking its citizens and obscuring its iconic Victoria Harbor from view.The Hong Kong government has instituted some measures to reduce emissions. In January of last year, the government updated its woefully inadequate air quality objectives to encourage pollution reductions. Established in 1987, the air quality objectives did not reflect any objective assessment of how much pollution can be harmful to human health."When you set your own standard, and then say you passed by one or two percent, then you are deceiving yourself," said Professor Wong Tze-wai, of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the Chinese University, in a 2005 interview with the Standard. "It's meaningless."In 2011, Hong Kong instituted a comprehensive program to reduce street-level pollution, which has lowered roadside levels of smog and nitrogen oxides by up to one-third compared with 1999. Hong Kong is also working with neighboring Guangdong province to reduce regional emissions.While governmental measures have begun to mitigate the problem - Hong Kong's carbon emissions per unit of economic output has actually been on the decline since 1999 - voluntary actions from the private sector can prove effective as well.Since 2010, FedEx has operated two hybrid vehicles in Hong Kong, and the introduction of the new zero-emission all-electric vehicles will further decrease the company's environmental impact in the city."This is a milestone for FedEx in Asia Pacific. The deployment of the new zero emission all-electric vehicles demonstrates FedEx commitment to delivering industry-leading innovation, while reducing our environmental impact," said David L. Cunningham Jr., president of FedEx Asia Pacific.FedEx has set a goal of improving the global fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet by 30 percent by 2020."These electric trucks are not only aimed at improving FedEx fleet efficiency in Asia Pacific, but also promoting the development of all-electric trucks among all vehicle users for a more sustainable future," added Cunningham.FedEx has launched other corporate responsibility initiatives in Hong Kong. Its "FedEx We Deliver Green! Classroom" program, a partnership between the company and the Jane Goodall Institute, has helped educate 200 students from several schools about the origins of food, global trade, and the impact of modernization on the environment."The FedEx collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute is an effective platform for us to enlighten the next generation to become successful, responsible individuals in their communities," said Anthony Leung, managing director, FedEx Express Hong Kong and Macau.FedEx also recently sponsored the Junior Achievement 2012 International Trade Challenge, an educational competition that includes students from Hong Kong and other parts of the Asia Pacific region.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Menu-Changes-Serve-Up-a-Healthier-Diet-for-U-S--Military/58566.htmlTue, 26 Mar 2013 14:27:04 GMTHarry Stevens "Although intakes of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains continue to be problematic, reductions in energy and fat intake may prove effective over the long term in combating the obesity problem," he added.Steps are already being taken to improve the nutritional content of military food. First Lady Michelle Obama, who has actively sought corporate support to combat childhood obesity, has turned her attention to the food served in military mess halls. Her efforts have helped bring more fruits, vege Read Full Article ]]> "Although intakes of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains continue to be problematic, reductions in energy and fat intake may prove effective over the long term in combating the obesity problem," he added.Steps are already being taken to improve the nutritional content of military food. First Lady Michelle Obama, who has actively sought corporate support to combat childhood obesity, has turned her attention to the food served in military mess halls. Her efforts have helped bring more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dishes to military cafeterias under the first program in 20 years to improve military nutrition standards."When you make healthy eating a priority in your lives, the rest of us are more likely to make it a priority in our lives," Obama told airmen stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas.Several companies that contract with the Defense Department to supply food, including Shamrock Foods and Food Services, Inc., did not respond to requests to comment for this article.Image credit: 316th ESC, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Largest-U-S--Hotel-Companies-Work-to-Prevent-Human-Trafficking/58562.htmlTue, 26 Mar 2013 14:01:53 GMTHarry Stevens America's largest hospitality companies are training their employees to spot cases of human trafficking at hotels.Last month, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, a law that had expired in 2011 which seeks to prevent human trafficking in the United States. The day before the House vote, Governor Matt Mead signed the first anti-trafficking law in Wyoming, making his state the 50th and final U.S. state to illegalize the trafficking of individuals for commercial s Read Full Article ]]> America's largest hospitality companies are training their employees to spot cases of human trafficking at hotels.Last month, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, a law that had expired in 2011 which seeks to prevent human trafficking in the United States. The day before the House vote, Governor Matt Mead signed the first anti-trafficking law in Wyoming, making his state the 50th and final U.S. state to illegalize the trafficking of individuals for commercial sex or forced labor.Americans tend to link human trafficking with other "third world problems" like genocide and famine, but in 2011 there were 4,239 convictions in human trafficking cases across the country. Each year, between 15,000 and 60,000 individuals are brought into the United States and held against their will as victims of human trafficking.Typical of these cases is the story of Maria, a Filipino woman who paid a large recruitment fee to come to the United States under a guest worker program. Promised housing, transportation and a lucrative job in the hospitality industry, Maria arrived to find no work and squalid living accommodations.Maria's passport was seized and she was prevented from leaving the house. The recruiters, who were eventually indicted by a grand jury for conspiracy to hold workers in a condition of forced labor, fed Maria and the other captives chicken innards and responded to their complaints with threats of deportation.Legislative efforts like the ones passed in Wyoming and at the federal level last month have helped curtail the worst of these abuses, but equally important has been the work of hotel companies that are working to prevent trafficking-related crimes on their properties. The United States hospitality industry has coalesced around an effort by ECPAT USA, short for End Child Prostitution and Trafficking, a nonprofit that introduced the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct in 2004.Carlson, owner of Radisson Hotels and other chains, was the first U.S. travel and hospitality company to sign "the Code," and has since been joined by the Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, the Real Hospitality Group and Hilton Worldwide, among several other U.S. companies."Some girls are tattooed with things like 'Daddy's girl,'" a sign that she may have been branded by her captor, said Brenda Schultz, who oversees Carlson's hotel training program, in an interview with the New York Times. Schultz added that housekeeping staff at Carlson-owned hotels is trained to identify signs of prostitution, like an unusually large number of electronic devices in guest rooms or several condoms in the wastebasket.Hilton Worldwide, which already supported several ECPAT principles before actually signed the Code in 2011, has training programs at both the leadership and department levels to teach hotel employees to identify and recognize illicit activities and better understand the issues surrounding child trafficking.The company has also taken it a step further, working with several nonprofit organizations, including the Somaly Man Foundation, Vital Voices and Room to Read, in order "to bring more resources and opportunities to survivors as well as strengthen organizations that are on the frontlines of fighting child sex trafficking," according to Jennifer Silberman, the company's Vice President of Corporate Responsibility."We decided to sign the ECPAT Code because it was important for us to support the principles that prevent and mitigate child sex trafficking," Silberman told Justmeans in an email. "We support ECPAT-USA's important mission to protect children from sexual exploitation and to bring greater attention to the issues surrounding child trafficking."Jami Day directs the corporate responsibility efforts at the Real Hospitality Group, a hotel management company. Day recently emphasized the importance of EPCAT's work in a panel discussion hosted as part of the 2013 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women."As a leader in the hospitality industry, Real Hospitality Group is proud to use our sphere of influence to do whatever we can to pragmatically impact the issue," said Day, who is a member of the ECPAT Board of Directors. "We are proud to be an ECPAT Code of Conduct signatory, taking a position of protecting those most vulnerable in our communities."More information about ECPAT USA's work is available at the organization's website.Image credit: Michael Gray, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Greening-the-Games--Sochi-Olympics-to-Partner-with-World-s-Second-Largest-Chemical-Company-to-Improve-Sustainability/58500.htmlWed, 20 Mar 2013 13:51:26 GMTHarry Stevens In the latest step on its journey to sustainability, the Olympic Organizing Committee has announced that the Dow Chemical Company will serve as the Official Carbon Partner of the twenty-second Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.Dow will help the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee mitigate the direct carbon footprint associated with the Olympics by implementing energy-efficient technologies that will decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the key areas of infrastructure, industry and agriculture."W Read Full Article ]]> In the latest step on its journey to sustainability, the Olympic Organizing Committee has announced that the Dow Chemical Company will serve as the Official Carbon Partner of the twenty-second Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.Dow will help the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee mitigate the direct carbon footprint associated with the Olympics by implementing energy-efficient technologies that will decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the key areas of infrastructure, industry and agriculture."With its vast experience, world-class leadership in the industry and a wide range of innovative solutions, Dow is the trustworthy partner to help us on our journey to deliver more sustainable and innovative Games," said Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Organizing Committee.The Dow announcement comes just days after the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee crowned the winners of the first-ever "Gateway to the future!" sustainability award. The award honors organizations involved in the preparations for the 2014 Games that have carried out the best ecology, social and economic development projects.Among the winners was the Coca-Cola Company. The Atlanta-based beverage conglomerate received the award for organizing "International Black Sea Day" in the host region of the Games. Under the project, the city's residents participate al volunteers in city-wide environmental initiatives, including clearing the sea coast and river banks, planting trees in areas with new construction tables, and learning about environmental issues."We aim to be the most innovative Olympic Winter Games in history, and our long-lasting positive impact will leave behind an unparalleled heritage not only to Sochi and the Krasnodar Region, but to Russia and its people for generations to come," said Chernyshenko.Dow will help the Organizing Committee implement a number of energy-efficient projects, helping to shrink the carbon footprint of the Games while bringing benefits to Russia's economy. Dow's projects will include upgrades in building infrastructure, optimization of farming practices and improvements to industrial processes."We are very excited with the opportunity to work with Sochi 2014, Dow customers, and Olympic Partners to contribute to the sustainability vision of the first Olympic Winter Games in Russia - a country where Dow will celebrate a 40 year presence in 2014," said George Hamilton, vice president of the company's Olympic Operations.Founded in 1897 in Michigan, Dow has since entered nearly every international market. Dow is the world's second-largest chemical manufacturer. The company claims that its technologies have helped customers avoid more than 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.To measure the efficacy of Dow's contributions, the company is partnering with Offsetter Climate Solutions, the official carbon offsets supplier for the Vancouver Organizing Committee during the 2010 Olympics. Dow will also engage the Russian public and Olympic fans around the need for carbon reduction to reduce human impact on the climate."One of our key goals with this project is to highlight the science behind our solutions to go beyond business as usual and accelerate the adoption of more efficient technologies across Russia," said Peter de Groot, Dow Russia general manager. "Dow's vast portfolio of innovative, technology-based solutions, combined with the highly-valuable contributions from our partners, will enable Sochi 2014 to deliver on its carbon commitments."Image credit: Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Mexico-s-Largest-Cement-Company-Makes-Push-for-Sustainability/58431.htmlThu, 14 Mar 2013 15:49:07 GMTHarry Stevens Luis Farias has an obsession. The vice president for energy and sustainability at CEMEX, the Mexican cement company worth more than $13 billion, is "obsessed" with reducing his company's carbon footprint.For the past several years, CEMEX has been increasingly ramping up its use of alternative fuels, created mostly from refining waste, to power its cement kilns. In 2005, the company was replacing just around 5 percent of its fossil fuel use with renewable fuels.By 2011, behind a $175 million inve Read Full Article ]]> Luis Farias has an obsession. The vice president for energy and sustainability at CEMEX, the Mexican cement company worth more than $13 billion, is "obsessed" with reducing his company's carbon footprint.For the past several years, CEMEX has been increasingly ramping up its use of alternative fuels, created mostly from refining waste, to power its cement kilns. In 2005, the company was replacing just around 5 percent of its fossil fuel use with renewable fuels.By 2011, behind a $175 million investment, that figure had increased to 25 percent, and the company has set a goal of using 35 percent -- more than one-third -- by 2015."We know we can do it because we have the resources, and we have the obsession," said Farias, who holds a PhD in metallurgy from Imperial College and joined CEMEX in 1991.Farias has helped usher in a new era for CEMEX, a company that has become a sustainability leader in an industry responsible for 4 percent of global particulate emissions and more water pollution incidents than any other industry.In January, CEMEX announced its "Water Project," a methodology to standardize water measurement and management across all of the company's operations."Under existing climate change scenarios, it is predicted that almost half of the world's population will live in areas of high water stress by 2030," said Farias. "Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure that efficient water management plays an important role in our business."CEMEX has instituted a three-year partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to work on the improvement and efficiency of water management in the cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates sectors of the building materials industry."In partnering with IUCN, CEMEX is working to achieve improved water management across its operations, maintain access to sustainable sources of water, and reduce risks associated with water for the company," said Dr. James Dalton, who coordinates IUCN's water program across the globe.As one of the world's largest building materials companies, CEMEX is positioned to make a substantial impact with its sustainability efforts. Between 2005 and 2011, the company avoided using the equivalent of 2 million tons of coal and avoided 1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.As part of its efforts to monitor carbon emissions, CEMEX introduced in 2010 a carbon footprint tool - the first of its kind in the building materials industry - that measures the greenhouse gas emissions of its cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates products. As of May of last year, the "CEMEX CO2 Footprint Tool" has now been adopted by 88% of its total cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates facilities.Crucially, top executives at CEMEX have joined Farias's sustainability crusade, including Lorenzo Zambrano, who serves as CEO and chairman of the board."As one of the world's top building materials companies," said Zambrano, "we are looking to be a leader in defining and supporting a truly sustainable construction industry."Image credit: Jean-Pierre, Flickr]]>