Brands Taking Stands

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Beware the Silent Boycott, Lest It Get Loud

A silent boycott is taking shape against the high-profile automaker Tesla — offering an opportunity to explore why automakers that promote their environmental profile also need to attend to the social aspect of ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles.

Tina Casey

April 3, 2024

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

SEC Climate Disclosure Rule: Let the Lawsuits (and the Decarbonization) Begin

At least two lawsuits were already filed to block the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's climate disclosure rule that was published this month. Meanwhile, a $6 billion program to decarbonize energy-intensive industries is forging ahead regardless.

Tina Casey

March 27, 2024

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Climate Action and the Case for Voter Engagement

Now that communities in many parts of the U.S. are feeling the impacts of climate change firsthand, voting rights supporters have a new opportunity to engage voters and encourage them to choose leadership on climate action.

Tina Casey

March 20, 2024

ECONOMY

Clean Technology Investment Continues to Set Records, Despite Some Blips

High-profile setbacks in the U.S. wind industry and lower-than-expected electric vehicle sales colored the headlines last fall, but it's clear that these were minor hitches in an otherwise strong year for cleantech investment. 

Tina Casey

March 13, 2024

ECONOMY

Do Your Investments Support the U.S. Prison System? It Will Soon Be Easier to Find Out

When most people think about companies profiting from the U.S. criminal justice system, private prisons are likely the first thing that comes to mind, but that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Mary Mazzoni

March 6, 2024

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Some Companies Dig in for the Long Haul on Reproductive Rights, While Those on the Sidelines Face Risk

As cases regarding restrictions on reproductive rights continue to rise in the U.S. court system, business leaders can no longer stay above the fray. CVS and Walgreens are among those taking advantage of a new opportunity to stand up for reproductive rights.

Tina Casey

March 6, 2024

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Sustainable Brands Are Worth $44 Billion to U.S. Consumers, New Study Finds

About a quarter of U.S. consumers stopped doing business with a brand in 2023 because of its social or environmental behavior. And that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the value of sustainability for brands, new TriplePundit research shows.

Mary Mazzoni

February 28, 2024

ENVIRONMENT

Forests, Carbon Offsets and a Clear Path to Decarbonization

Emerging evidence gives brands that engage in forest projects for carbon offsets an opportunity to highlight their support for sustainability, but they should continue paying attention to the impact on communities.

Tina Casey

February 28, 2024

ECONOMY

The U.S. EPA is Set to Distribute $27 Billion to Underserved Communities. Will It Reach Them?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to distribute up to $27 billion through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund in March. But will it really reach the low-income communities it's intended for?

Mary Mazzoni

February 21, 2024

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

DEI is Building Up and Branching Out

Human resources departments are confronted by a wide range of choices when evaluating DEI programs and the impact they have on employees and the company. A combination of data and human insights can point leaders in the right direction.

Tina Casey

February 21, 2024

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Are Still Winning Despite Pushback

It may seem that the corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) movement is retrenching, but regathering is a more accurate assessment. A strong DEI profile is essential for businesses to thrive and grow today.

Tina Casey

February 14, 2024

SOCIETY

All the Brands That Took Stands With Their 2024 Super Bowl Ads

While standard product features with a side of comedy dominated the airwaves at Super Bowl LVII, a number of brands opted to raise awareness for a bigger message.

Mary Mazzoni

February 14, 2024

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

This Tool Helps Brands Measure the Impact of Their Investments in Black Communities

Many brands will mark Black History Month by announcing new investments aimed at supporting Black communities. But how will they measure the results? This tool can help, but few financial companies actually use it. 

Mary Mazzoni

February 7, 2024

ENVIRONMENT

Why Waffle House is a Perfect Place for EV Charging Stations

An unusual experiment is unfolding in Tennessee, where the state’s Department of Transportation allocated the first round of federal funding for new electric vehicle charging stations. Among a string of roadside gas stations soon to receive chargers, a lone Waffle House stands out.

Tina Casey

February 7, 2024

SOCIETY

Book Bans and ESG Backlash: Top Issues Brands Must Address in 2024

Along with another critical year in the fight against climate change, these issues are sure to be at the forefront for brands as we head into the new year. 

Mary Mazzoni

January 24, 2024

ECONOMY

ESG Investing Will Have A Good Year In 2024, Despite Turmoil In The U.S.

Critics have raised plenty of opposition to investments made through the lens of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, but most of that energy has gone to waste. The only clear losers appear to be the very people that anti-ESG legislation ostensibly aims to protect.

Tina Casey

January 24, 2024

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

A Chilling Legal Landscape Has Racial Equity Efforts Under Attack

Advocates warn that lawsuits filed in 2023 add up to a murky legal landscape in which racial equity programming can be labeled discrimination.

Mary Mazzoni

January 17, 2024

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

How the Circular Economy Can Transform Buildings Into 'Material Banks'

Demolishing a building with a carefully planned implosion is a spectacular sight, but the debris typically goes to waste in landfills. A new approach takes all that careful planning and puts it to work in a circular economy model that cuts carbon emissions and conserves resources.

Tina Casey

January 17, 2024

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

How Leading U.S. Businesses Can Find Their Voice on Abortion Rights

Business leaders who support the right to safe, legal abortion risk stepping into a minefield when they speak out. But the opportunity to speak up and unify around common ground exists, and the dating app Bumble is among those showing the way.

Tina Casey

January 10, 2024

Sustainable Habits to Reduce Your Impact in 2024

If adopting some more sustainable habits is on your list of aspirations for 2024, our realistic and evidence-based guide can help you do that. 

Mary Mazzoni

January 3, 2024

SOCIETY

Tips on Buying Secondhand for Your Last-Minute Holiday Gifts

More than 90 percent of Americans say they'd be open to receiving a secondhand gift for the holidays. If you still have a few more names to check off your gifting list before the weekend, consider choosing a secondhand option using our go-to guide.

Mary Mazzoni

December 20, 2023

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community Solar Projects Help Low- and Middle-Income Households: How Business Can Lend a Hand

In recent years, nonprofit organizations and government programs have pushed community solar from a fringe concept into a mainstream movement, and businesses can participate as well.

Tina Casey

December 20, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Carbon Capture and Sequestration in the Spotlight at COP28

The COP28 climate talks cast new attention on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) strategies. Some say CCS will save us from climate change, while others call it a distraction that keeps the world hooked on fossil fuels. Work on nature-based solutions may make both arguments irrelevant.

Tina Casey

December 13, 2023

SOCIETY

Op/Ed: Is Clickbait Hurting Our Chances for Success at COP28?

The use of negative terms that incite anger is proven to draw clicks and traffic for news stories, and there's no shortage of headlines like these when it comes to coverage of the COP28 global climate talks.

Mary Mazzoni

December 6, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Less Talking, More Doing: This $700M Climate Laboratory Shows ESG is Alive and Well

The New York Climate Exchange is a powerful example of how businesses can take meaningful action on climate change, regardless of political headwinds.

Tina Casey

December 6, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Green Chemistry is Growing Up and Branching Out

A new round of green chemistry innovation is going beyond common household products to decarbonize industrial processes, supply chains and fuels.

Tina Casey

November 15, 2023

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Public Transportation Has a Lot of Problems. Can Microtransit Help to Solve Them?

On-demand microtransit systems are popping up around the world as a means to supplement fixed-route buses and other public transportation. So, what is microtransit, and how does it work? The city of Camden, New Jersey, offers a proving ground.

Mary Mazzoni

November 8, 2023

SOCIETY

DEI Lives to Fight Another Day

A new wave of quiet activism is making its way across U.S. workplaces, as employees come together to drive progress on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from the bottom up.

Tina Casey

November 8, 2023

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

This Evidence-Based Solution Could End Global Poverty, But You Probably Haven't Heard of It

The Graduation Approach reached 9 million people across Bangladesh from 2002 to 2021, and it helped 95 percent of those people move out of extreme poverty.

Mary Mazzoni

November 1, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

These Climate Solutions Could Get Us Halfway to Capping Temperature Rise at 1.5 Degrees

And the best news? We already know how to do them, and we have the technology we need to move from ambition to action.

Mary Mazzoni

October 25, 2023

ECONOMY

Inflation Reduction Act Sparks a Clean Energy Boom in the U.S.

The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 set off a flood of multi-megawatt commercial clean energy projects, with provisions to support energy-efficiency improvements among small business, too.

Tina Casey

October 25, 2023

SOCIETY

Book Banners Beware: The Book Business Is Biting Back

New waves of book bans have surged into libraries across the United States in recent months. But stakeholders in the book industry are fighting back in an effort that unites publishers and book sellers with authors, students, teachers, librarians and parents to reclaim the Constitutional right to freedom of expression.

Tina Casey

October 18, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Top Environmental Solutions of the 2010s: Where Are They Now?

These ideas and innovations were touted as "the next big thing." Which ones took off, and which ones faded away?

Mary Mazzoni

October 18, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

As Petroleum Investment Lags, the Value of Nature Takes Center Stage

Investor attention is turning toward the value of protecting natural ecosystems from the harmful impacts of human activity, as a means of fostering a secure and healthy environment for long-term economic growth.

Tina Casey

October 4, 2023

SOCIETY

How Brands Can Help Get Out the Vote in the U.S.

National Voter Registration Day may be over. But with the 2023 midterms approaching and a pivotal presidential election in 2024, this work is just beginning.

Mary Mazzoni

September 27, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

California's Climate Risk Disclosure Rules Are the Talk of Climate Week

World leaders, business executives and activists are back in New York City for Climate Week and the United Nations General Assembly — and everybody's talking about California. 

Mary Mazzoni

September 20, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

The Forest Landscape Restoration Movement Fills the Tree-Planting Pledge Gap

Forestry experts are calling out the shortcomings in conventional tree-planting and advocating for a new approach they say works even better.

Tina Casey

September 20, 2023

SOCIETY

AI for Impact: Skilling Up Nonprofit Leaders for the Latest Generative Technology

Salesforce's AI for Impact accelerator provides funding, technology and coaching to help nonprofits unlock the potential of AI to further their missions.

Mary Mazzoni

September 13, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

U.S. Construction Industry Steps Up the Pace on ESG, Without Saying 'ESG'

The U.S. construction industry provides a good example of how bottom-line interests continue to support ESG, regardless of what words are used. 

Tina Casey

September 13, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

We Need To Talk About the LGBTQ+ Pay Gap

LGBTQ+ workers earn about 10 percent less over their lifetimes compared to straight white men — and LGBTQ+ people of color, transgender people and nonbinary people earn even less. So, what's driving the LGBTQ+ pay gap, and what can be done about it? We spoke with two out and proud leaders to learn more.

Mary Mazzoni

September 6, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

ESG at a Crossroads: Down, But Not Out

With the 2023 proxy season in the rear-view mirror, financial analysts noted a sharp decline in shareholder support for ESG (environmental, social and governance) proposals. However, anti-ESG proposals also failed to stick, and signs of an ESG resurgence are already beginning to emerge.

Tina Casey

September 6, 2023

SOCIETY

Beyond Disney: Government Overreach Threatens Free Speech and Good Business, Executives Say

Business leaders say the conflict between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could dampen free speech — and particularly corporate activism — for years.

Mary Mazzoni

August 30, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Despite Pushback, Evidence Suggests the Global Sanctions Against Russia Are Working

Countries around the world moved to sanction Russia after it invaded Ukraine, while thousands of businesses exited the country. Is it having an impact?

Tina Casey

August 30, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

SAP Leverages Its Massive Network to Uplift Diverse Startup Founders

While the company doesn't fund startups directly, its SAP.iO Foundries initiative arguably offers something even better. The program gives startups an opportunity to integrate within SAP’s technology ecosystem and develop relationships with the company’s vast network of customers, partners and employees. 

Mary Mazzoni

August 23, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

'Abortion-Hushing' Can Restore Some Rights, But More Trouble Looms

Abortion-hushing is the latest way lawmakers and business leaders are looking to restore reproductive rights in U.S. states where they're under attack.

Tina Casey

August 23, 2023

ECONOMY

Busting Myths About ESG and Sustainable Investing

"Anti-ESG" rhetoric on political campaign trails and cable news breeds misinformation and creates misunderstanding about the use of environmental, social and governance factors in business. This week we're breaking down some of the most common myths we see out there about ESG and what it means for businesses and investors.

Mary Mazzoni

August 16, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Follow the Science-Based Targets, And the Offsets May Come

The Science-Based Targets initiative makes the case for direct action on carbon management rather than relying on offsets, and more business leaders are joining the movement. Those left behind may find themselves at risk of reputational damage unless they do their homework and approach carbon offsets with caution.

Tina Casey

August 16, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Skilled Trades Are in Demand: So, Why Aren't More Young People Getting Into Them?

The $50 million Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants program, launched in March, aims to channel 50,000 people into skilled building trades over the next five years with two-year grants for workforce training programs.

Mary Mazzoni

August 9, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Inflation Reduction Act Sparks Clean Energy Manufacturing Boom, But Where are the Workers?

The Inflation Reduction Act created nearly 150,000 new clean energy jobs in just a year, according to estimates. Many of those jobs are in manufacturing, but a looming shortage of skilled factory workers presents a challenge. To stay ahead, companies must embrace (and appeal to) an increasingly diverse workforce.

Tina Casey

August 9, 2023

SOCIETY

Powerful Ways Everyday People Can Counter 'Anti-ESG' Campaigns That Target Sustainable Investing

Those growing tired of the anti-ESG discourse don't have to resign to simply tuning it out. Here are three powerful ways anyone can get involved.

Mary Mazzoni

August 2, 2023

SOCIETY

Heat-Related Illness: Workplace Prevention is Just the Beginning

A summer of prolonged heat waves has renewed awareness about the danger of heat-related illness and death. Both are highly dangerous, but preventable. Refreshing some of the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic can help employers ensure their workers are safe and healthy.

Tina Casey

August 2, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

REI Tackles Racist City Design with 'Outside in 5' Campaign

Around 100 million U.S. residents don't have a public park or outdoor recreation area within a 10-minute walk of their homes. "That isn't a coincidence," says Wilma Wallace of REI Co-op. "It's the result of decades of systemic racism in our society." The new Outside in 5 effort looks to dismantle discriminatory systems that cut people off from the outdoors.

Mary Mazzoni

July 26, 2023

SOCIETY

The 'Barbie' Movie Blows Up the Culture Wars, But Will Barbie Step Up To the Plate?

The Barbie movie could have been just another lighthearted romp through Toyland, starring the best-selling doll in history. Instead, the film challenges extremist politics with a faithful portrayal of the gender-role-bending world of Barbie, plunging the film and toymaker Mattel into the center of today’s culture wars.

Tina Casey

July 26, 2023

SOCIETY

Slack and CodeYourFuture Open-Source a Tech Curriculum for Refugees

Refugees and migrants are more likely to be unemployed and live in poverty, even if they hold professional degrees. But a newly expanded partnership between Slack and the U.K. nonprofit CodeYourFuture could help refugees and displaced people build new careers in the tech sector. 

Mary Mazzoni

July 19, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Companies That Stay in Russia Ignore Warning Signs at Their Own Risk

Hundreds of global businesses quickly cut ties with Russia after it invaded Ukraine last year. Now, some of those that stayed are beginning to risk the consequences of inaction. Their experience underscores the importance of consistent corporate values in the face of threats to global stability.

Tina Casey

July 19, 2023

ENERGY

This Model Makes Energy Storage Accessible for People of All Incomes

Rooftop solar and battery energy storage can help households deal with rising power prices and increasingly frequent outages tied to natural disasters, but solar+storage systems are economically out of reach for many people. Silicon Valley startup Electriq Power is looking to close the gap.

Mary Mazzoni

July 12, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Target Gets a Second Chance on LGBTQ Rights

Leading U.S. retailer Target disappointed human rights organizations earlier this year when it failed to push back against a wave of aggressive anti-LGBTQ behavior related to its Pride Month merchandise. Now Target has another chance to get it right, and the stakes are high.

Tina Casey

July 12, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Corporate Clean Energy Buyers Are Saving the Grid

Evidence is emerging that wind and solar power can buffer the electricity grid from heat waves and other extreme weather events. That provides more support for corporations to continue lobbying for more clean energy, both as a means of climate action and a simple bottom-line matter of keeping the lights on.

Tina Casey

July 5, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

How Companies Can Break Down Barriers and Empower LGBTQ+ Employees

The workplace isn't always the most welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ employees, but companies have the power to do something about it. We spoke with two out and proud leaders about their insights and advice for organizations looking to make their cultures and workplaces more inclusive.

Mary Mazzoni

June 28, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Renewable Energy Investing Gathers Steam as Anti-ESG Movement Falters

Renewable energy crossed partisan boundaries decades ago when red and blue states shared in the hydropower boom of the mid-20th century. More recently, some state officials have tried to push the clean power genie back in the bottle, but investors just can’t resist the opportunities.

Tina Casey

June 28, 2023

SOCIETY

The Body Shop's Pride Month Campaign Engages Drag Performers in Support of the Equality Act

The Body Shop's 2023 Pride Month campaign celebrates drag performers and calls on customers to get involved in supporting the U.S. Equality Act — which, if passed by Congress, would extend anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community across employment, housing, credit and more. 

Mary Mazzoni

June 21, 2023

SOCIETY

The Public is Behind U.S. Corporations That Stand Up for Abortion Rights, Survey Finds

A growing body of polling indicates that the average American consumer is solidly in favor of abortion rights. That provides business leaders with a supportive environment in which to advocate for the ability of women, girls and other pregnancy-capable people to manage their pregnancies under the guidance of medical science, not extremism. 

Tina Casey

June 21, 2023

SOCIETY

A Corporate Strategy for Supporting LGBTQ Rights in the Age of Boycotts

Brands that focus on core values that support all stakeholders — corporate, customer and employee — will be less vulnerable to reputational damage from boycotts and more likely to continue thriving in an increasingly diverse society.

Tina Casey

June 14, 2023

ECONOMY

What Are Anti-ESG Funds, and Should Sustainable Investors Be Worried?

We've read plenty about the burgeoning "anti-ESG" movement, led primarily by a small set of right-wing politicians and pundits. But have you heard of "anti-ESG" investment funds? Yes, such an animal exists, and a Morningstar analysis published last week offers a closer look.

Mary Mazzoni

June 14, 2023

Child Labor in the USA: What Employers Need to Know

Earning money with an after-school or summer job is a critical rite of passage for many children in the U.S., but illegal child labor in dangerous jobs is on the rise — and many states are loosening restrictions around employing kids under 18. Before hiring a child, businesses should take a close look at both the ethical and legal landscapes.

Tina Casey

June 7, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

How Brands Can Step Up to Better Support LGBTQ Employees

This year's Pride celebrations are dampened by a disturbing rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric across the United States. Considering a third of our lives are spent at work, employers have a significant role to play in creating safe and inclusive spaces for people in the community who feel increasingly under attack. 

Mary Mazzoni

June 7, 2023

SOCIETY

Americans Are Ready to Change Their Behavior for the Sake of Sustainability: Are Brands Willing to Help?

We hear it time and time again: People aren't ready, willing or interested in changing their lifestyles for the sake of sustainability. But recent polling from TriplePundit and our parent company, 3BL Media, shows this prevailing narrative isn't representative of how people really feel.

Mary Mazzoni

May 31, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Repressive State Policies Present New Risks: How Business Can Address Them

Attracting and retaining top talent has become more challenging as U.S. states enact new laws that restrict civil liberties such as LGBTQ rights and abortion access. But business leaders have an opportunity to connect with young voters and restore compatibility between public sentiment and public policy. 

Tina Casey

May 31, 2023

SOCIETY

Sustainability Matters: What Consumers Are Saying, and How Business Should Respond

Two-thirds of Americans say they read news about sustainability and social well-being on a regular basis — and most feel business isn't doing enough, according to new research from TriplePundit and our parent company, 3BL Media.

Mary Mazzoni

May 24, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

The Inflation Reduction Act Sparks a Clean Energy Revival for Rural Businesses

From the hydropower dams of the Great Depression to the present day, clean energy has been a running theme in federal efforts to support rural economic development. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's new $11 billion investment takes it to the next level by scaling up zero- and low-carbon technologies.

Tina Casey

May 24, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

By the Community, For the Community: New Startup Accelerator Backs Locally-Led Climate Solutions

This new startup accelerator squares in on the crucial issue of climate justice, with a call for innovators on the front lines of climate change to submit locally-driven solutions for backing from Village Capital. 

Mary Mazzoni

May 17, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Beyond Trees: Using Blue-Green Algae for Natural Carbon Capture and Sequestration

Forestation is an important climate action strategy, but more sophisticated — and potentially more efficient — nature-based alternatives are emerging. One of them involves an environmental two-for-one: capturing carbon by preventing destructive blue-green algae blooms.

Tina Casey

May 17, 2023