Brands Taking Stands

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

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

AAPI Heritage Month Brings Millions of New Investment to Asian American Communities

The start of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month brought with it new investments that are set to have a major impact on Asian American communities and causes. We took a closer look at two of these new initiatives, the impact they can have on AAPI communities, and how more companies can get involved. 

Mary Mazzoni

May 10, 2023

Green Bonds are Ready For a Comeback

Assets in global sustainable and green bonds reached $516 billion at the end of 2022, an elevenfold increase over the past decade, according to a recent analysis from Morningstar. Like the broader bond market, they saw loss of inflows last year, but some analysts say they're ready for a comeback.

Tina Casey

May 10, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

New Roadmap Aims to Drive Second Chance Hiring in the U.S.

Many business leaders say they face barriers that make it more difficult to hire people with certain or any criminal justice involvement. The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice published research that explores these challenges further and sets out a roadmap for employers to further embrace second chance hiring. 

Mary Mazzoni

May 3, 2023

SOCIETY

400 Drug Company CEOs Stand Up for Mifepristone

Last month, a federal judge overturned the Food and Drug Administration's authority to approve the drug mifepristone for abortions. The reaction from the pharmaceutical and biotech industries was forceful and united, but the sector has much more work to do.

Tina Casey

May 3, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Companies Leading the Way on Second Chance Hiring

Second chance hiring is based on the simple principle that a person's past does not define them, and those who have served their time should have a fair shot at employment and a place in their communities. Here are some other companies that are leading the way on the practice as it begins to take hold across the private sector. 

Mary Mazzoni

April 26, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

With Public Opinion on Their Side, Corporations Begin to Fight for ESG

The state-level movement against environmental, social and governance principles in businesses is beginning to run out of steam. Business leaders are pushing back, and a new study from Rokk Solutions indicates that voters on both sides of the political divide are siding with them.

Tina Casey

April 26, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Anti-Woke, Who?: Employees and Customers Want to See Companies Speak Out

Given rising political pushback against environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies in business, many corporate leaders are staying mum about their non-financial programming. But research indicates such a strategy hardly sets companies up for success. 

Mary Mazzoni

April 19, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

New Federal Climate Laws Are Bringing U.S. Manufacturing Back

The Joe Biden administration fought tooth and nail to pass new laws that transform the carbon-heavy U.S. economy into a climate action hero. The results are beginning to show.

Tina Casey

April 19, 2023

SOCIETY

Consumers Vote With Their Wallets as Secondhand Apparel Sales Boom

One in every three apparel items purchased in the U.S. last year was secondhand, according to new research. This burgeoning secondhand apparel boom comes as more and more people say they're concerned about environmental issues and are willing to change their daily lives to make a difference. 

Mary Mazzoni

April 12, 2023

SOCIETY

How Brands Can Support Transgender Rights in the Age of Influencer Marketing

With thousands of influencers to choose from, brands can build on longstanding engagement efforts and connect with groups that might otherwise fly under their radar. Last week’s right-wing firestorm over Bud Light and the transgender TikTok star, actor and activist Dylan Mulvaney is a case in point.

Tina Casey

April 12, 2023

ECONOMY

The Business Case for Second Chances

Second Chance Month is observed nationally every April, with successive White House proclamations over the past six years. So, what are second chance hiring, housing and finance policies, and why are they necessary? Let's take a closer look and explore how major U.S. businesses are getting involved. 

Mary Mazzoni

April 5, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

New SEC Climate Rule Faces Pushback, But Climate Reporting is Here to Stay

Some have criticized the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for moving to mandate climate risk disclosures. Meanwhile, many companies already disclose their climate risk, and investors say they want more of this information, not less.

Tina Casey

April 5, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

'Anti-Woke' Campaigns Aren't Pushing the Public Away From DEI

Rising backlash against "woke" policies and ideologies has spread into corporate America over recent months, as a subset of right-wing politicians and pundits set their sights on environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in business. But recent research indicates their efforts aren't exactly catching on among the public.

Mary Mazzoni

March 29, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

A New Corporate Push for LGBTQ+ Rights, Starting in Florida

The Walt Disney Co. plans to host a major LGBTQ+ rights conference in central Florida this September, and dozens of high-profile U.S. brands are expected to attend — from Apple and Amazon to Uber and Walmart. 

Tina Casey

March 29, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Workforce Diversity Disclosures Hit An All-Time High

While some corporate commitments related to racial equity have failed to fully materialize, the area of diversity disclosures in particular is one where companies are stepping up in a big way, with record levels of best-practice disclosure spreading across the world's largest public firms. 

Mary Mazzoni

March 22, 2023

SOCIETY

Brands Have Grown Silent on Police Violence: How Can They Do Better?

Despite increased attention on the issue — and the rollout of piecemeal reform policies in some cities — data indicates police violence in the U.S. is actually getting worse. So why have brands gone silent on the issue, and how can they do better?

Mary Mazzoni

March 15, 2023

SOCIETY

Pharmacy Fallout Over Medication Abortion Continues

Anti-abortion politicians in the U.S. are targeting the legal status of mifepristone, causing confusion and public relations headaches for pharmacy companies. In situations like these, taking an informed and definitive stance — and communicating it quickly and clearly — is critical.

Tina Casey

March 15, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

3 Meaningful Ways to Advance Gender Equity in the Workplace

What are some measurable steps that global businesses can take to push toward gender parity in the workplace? Let's look at a few that are backed up by research and supported by working women and advocates worldwide. 

Mary Mazzoni

March 8, 2023

SOCIETY

Walgreens Claps Back at Medication Abortion Foes, But Not Really

The legal status of mifepristone is under attack by anti-abortion factions affiliated with religious extremism. Walgreens and other pharmacies will be forced to take a stand on their own principles until the legal clouds part – if they ever do.

Tina Casey

March 8, 2023

ENERGY

Community-Driven Solar Investments Bring Clean Power to Underserved Neighborhoods

Investments in community solar and solarizing nonprofits look to boost clean power access and energy savings in underserved neighborhoods across the U.S.

Mary Mazzoni

March 1, 2023

SOCIETY

One Year Later, One Way for Businesses to Help End Russia’s War in Ukraine

U.S. businesses provided a significant measure of support for government sanctions as they voluntarily withdrew from Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. But there's more that brands can do to take action today and push to end the war.

Tina Casey

February 28, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Climate Justice Innovators Get $27 Billion Boost From the EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund forward and making good on its recently renewed commitments to environmental and climate justice.

Mary Mazzoni

February 22, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Red Flag for DEI: Transgender Repression is Insurrection in Disguise

Business leaders who profess to take diversity and inclusion principles seriously need to recognize the real threats facing American democracy today — and rising transgender repression is the latest reason why.

Tina Casey

February 22, 2023

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

$1.45 Billion 'Project Black' Fund Aims to Scale Diverse Suppliers

Top companies from Target to Sephora have pledged to increase their spend with minority-owned businesses. Now, a fund aimed at helping midsize businesses scale up and work with Fortune 500 companies has reached $1.45 billion and promises to bolster the supplier pipeline. 

Mary Mazzoni

February 15, 2023

Top U.S. Businesses Love Clean Power

Executives are making a fact-based, bottom-line case for clean power: Despite economic shakeups, long-term clean power purchase agreements increased by 18 percent last year, as CFOs looked to leverage renewables to mitigate risk.

Tina Casey

February 15, 2023

ECONOMY

Black-Owned Businesses Are Outperforming, But They Need More Support

The broader business community has an opportunity to offer their support to amplify the impact Black-owned businesses have in local communities and the economy. 

Mary Mazzoni

February 8, 2023

SOCIETY

Black-Owned Whiskey Brand Raises a Glass to HBCUs

The HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey aims to raise $1 million for historically Black colleges and universities and boost awareness about the role HBCUs play in workforce diversity and economic mobility.

Gary E. Frank

February 8, 2023

SOCIETY

CVS Took on Big Tobacco Nine Years Ago: Is Big Religion Next?

CVS has taken some steps to accommodate religious beliefs in the past, but now the company has been pushed into a corner and it may just come out swinging.

Tina Casey

February 8, 2023

SOCIETY

Brands, Don't Make These Mistakes During Black History Month (and What To Do Instead)

If you're planning to add a kente avatar on social media or pen a generic letter to employees, please do us all a favor and stop right now. Business leaders can — and should — do better.

Mary Mazzoni

February 1, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

GM, Ford Seek to Scale Up Virtual Power Plants

Despite the red-hot rhetoric about the evils of “woke capitalism," leading U.S. businesses continue to promote clean power. The latest effort involves GM, Ford and other leading stakeholders in an effort to grow the market for virtual power plants.

Tina Casey

February 1, 2023

SOCIETY

Scientists Take a Stand for Environmental Justice Targets

Last week at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, researchers announced what they call the first quantitative, science-based attempt to factor justice into the way we understand the environment and act to protect it. 

Mary Mazzoni

January 25, 2023

ECONOMY

Municipal Green Bonds: The Next ESG Battleground

The municipal green bond market could help ensure economic health and resiliency in the era of climate change. But city taxpayers are set to miss out as red-state policymakers continue to wage war against ESG (environment, social and governance) investing.

Tina Casey

January 25, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

CEOs Know 'Business-As-Usual' Isn't Working, But Many Are Too Tapped Out to Change

We've heard it for years — "business-as-usual isn't working" — and the annual PwC CEO Survey indicates executives are well aware. Nearly 40 percent of more than 4,000 responding global CEOs think their companies will no longer be economically viable in a decade if they continue down their current path. 

Mary Mazzoni

January 18, 2023

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

The Real Facts About 'Anti-Woke' Legislation

Legislators in some U.S. states have been rushing to protect fossil energy stakeholders with new laws under the guise of safeguarding worker pensions. However, these new “anti-woke” actions are already on track to backfire, according to new predictions.

Tina Casey

January 18, 2023

The Brazil Factor: Another Red Flag for Corporate Social Responsibility

The violence in the capital of Brazil over the weekend should be a reminder to U.S. companies that threats to democracy are still clear and present.

Tina Casey

January 11, 2023

Banning the Non-Compete Clause Would Be a Win for Everyone

About 15 percent of U.S. workers who make less than $40,000 a year have signed a non-compete clause, but that will change if the FTC has its way.

Leon Kaye

January 11, 2023

How BlackRock and Ukraine are Ending the Anti-ESG Movement

Ukraine has enlisted BlackRock to help steer its reconstruction plans, a decision that could become a huge step forward for the ESG movement.

Tina Casey

January 4, 2023

Will 2023 Be the Year Greenhushing Becomes a Thing?

During 2023, expect to hear more about greenhushing — as in saying little about their sustainability work over fears of being accused of greenwashing.

Leon Kaye

January 4, 2023

Follow the Demographics: Why ESG Investing Wins

ESG investing is still a solid long-term bet, as today's workforce is turning away from industries that put their health, safety, the planet at risk.

Tina Casey

December 14, 2022

Sportswashing Has Long Been with Us — Qatar’s World Cup is the Latest Chapter

This year’s World Cup, critics say, is the latest chapter of sportswashing — the use of sports events to burnish a nation's, or company's, reputation.

Leon Kaye

December 14, 2022

Be Careful What You Wish For: ESG Investigations in Congress Will Backfire

GOP members of Congress can make good on their promise to hold public hearings on ESG, but public sentiment suggest such a move could backfire in 2024.

Tina Casey

December 7, 2022

Latina Equal Pay Day — Why Its Occurrence on Dec. 8 Makes ‘Cents’

Latina Equal Pay Day shines light on the fact that in the U.S., Latinas earn about 55 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.

Leon Kaye

December 7, 2022

It’s Official: Anti-ESG Office Holders Join Forces with Religious Extremism

Though business leaders have the data on their side, the forces fomenting backlash against ESG won't back down; they can be categorized into three groups.

Tina Casey

November 30, 2022

Allegedly Fired for Taking LSD, Former Silicon Valley CEO Now Suing Company for Racial Discrimination

At the time, the story was about him "micro-dosing' on the job: now, this ex-CEO says he was actually fired because of racial discrimination.

Leon Kaye

November 30, 2022

Yes, Black CEOs Now Command a Big Paycheck. Yes, There’s Still a Problem.

It turns out the six Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies on average are paid more than their white peers; that doesn't necessarily mean progress, however.

Leon Kaye

November 16, 2022

When Boycotts Work: Advertisers Flee Twitter

Brands are pushing back against Twitter that can only end in one of two ways: Either its new owner changes his behavior, or the platform goes down.

Tina Casey

November 16, 2022

We’ve Got the Chance to Win Consumers Over on ESG — But We’re Not Communicating It Right

Companies still have a huge opportunity to win over consumers with their ESG work — largely because for many people, ESG is still undefined.

Leon Kaye

November 9, 2022

Doing Better to Meet the Needs of Women Veterans in Business

Companies that already advocate for veterans can learn from other organizations' work on this front as women veterans seek new opportunities in business.

Tina Casey

November 9, 2022

It's Time Corporations Expose the ‘Voter Mirage’ After Election Day 2022

CEOs have a chance to stop the lies about elections cold, and reaffirm that every vote counts equally in U.S. elections — starting with the "voter mirage" canard.

Tina Casey

November 2, 2022

Underemployment Still a Huge Challenge Veterans Face in Their Post-Military Lives

Underemployment is a stubborn problem affecting U.S. veterans of all ages; the private sector could do more to transition them into civilian life.

Leon Kaye

November 1, 2022

The U.S. ESG Movement May Need to Reboot After the Midterm Elections

Even as the impact of climate change takes hold, standards for ESG reporting and transparency are still in flux — and partisan state policies are creating new roadblocks.

Tina Casey

October 26, 2022

‘The Great Breakup’ — Companies Won’t Budge, So Women Leaders Are Moving On

It’s time to reframe what many women leaders face: It's not about work-life balance, but what's happening now can be called a life-work-extra work crisis.

Leon Kaye

October 25, 2022

MAGA Movement Tests the Limits of ESG

Many companies continue to support the MAGA movement, even though it's embraced an anti-business platform that threatens the very core of ESG principles.

Tina Casey

October 19, 2022

Big Food and Nutrition: It’s Branding, Not Reality

Many large U.S. food companies tout their commitments to nutrition and public health, but one group found that their deeds were far from matching any words.

Leon Kaye

October 19, 2022

Operationalize Corporate Purpose to Realize Benefits for People and the Brand

The opportunity to operationalize corporate purpose is front and center at next week's 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands, Tuesday, Oct. 25 in New York City.

Dave Armon

October 17, 2022

Levi Strauss Shows How to Lasso the Big Lie

Fact-based corporate get-out-the-vote efforts like those of Levi Strauss can cut through the midterms noise, and they are needed now more than ever before.

Tina Casey

October 12, 2022

Hispanic Workers: Still Overlooked and Undervalued

The U.S. economic system has largely failed in valuing its Hispanic workers, a reality that became even more glaring during the global pandemic.

Leon Kaye

October 12, 2022

Asian American Women Face Far More Than a Glass Ceiling in Corporate America

We asked DEI expert Pam Yang about what employers can do now to ensure that Asian American women feel valued and welcomed in the workplace.

Leon Kaye

October 6, 2022

Corporate Purpose: Can It Deliver More for Brands and Stakeholders? Find out at 3BL Forum, Oct. 25

Corporate purpose will be front and center at 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands, taking place on Tuesday, October 25, at New York City’s Pier Sixty.

3p Editors

October 6, 2022

For Asian American Women, DEI Needs to Be Addressed as a Progression Issue, Not a Pipeline One

Companies have presented DEI as crucial for their “pipeline of talent.” But for Asian American women, this is a progression issue, not about a pipeline.

Leon Kaye

October 5, 2022

How Anti-Science Set the Stage for Dobbs and the End of DEI

In the wake of Dobbs, fact-free thinking now ripples into the very bedrock principles of DEI efforts; companies had better take notice of what's in store.

Tina Casey

October 5, 2022

The ESG Movement Has the Numbers, But ‘Commitment to America’ Might Have the Voters

Among the new “Commitment to America” campaign platform's goals is to intimidate companies so that they pare down their ESG and DEI programs.

Tina Casey

September 28, 2022

New Data Center Offers Policymakers the Tools to Bridge the U.S. Wealth Gap

A new initiative seeks to narrow the U.S. wealth gap by providing nonpartisan, evidence-based information to leaders focused on improving racial equity.

Leon Kaye

September 28, 2022

With Inflation Reduction Act in Hand, Renewable Energy Wins Job Creation Battle

Fossil energy advocates have long used the carrot of job creation — and the stick of job loss — to make their case. But the landscape is changing as the Inflation Reduction Act is set to create more than half a million new jobs in clean energy industries.

Tina Casey

September 21, 2022

Chef José Andrés Joins Former Presidents and Mayors in New Expert Council to Address Climate-Driven Migration

On the sidelines of Climate Week and the U.N. General Assembly, a group of leaders formed a new expert council to address climate-driven migration and put the case of climate refugees on the agenda at the U.N. climate talks this fall. 

Mary Mazzoni

September 21, 2022

Don't Believe the Hype? Most Companies Fall Short of Their Climate-Friendly Claims

While the business community often talks a big game on climate action, recent research indicates they often fail to follow through — and that's a major problem. 

Mary Mazzoni

September 14, 2022

Why is Texas Still Picking on BlackRock Over Fossil Energy?

Texas has become the epicenter of the U.S. energy transition. Yet policymakers have singled out BlackRock for its commitment to clean power. So, what gives?

Tina Casey

September 14, 2022

Caught a Whiff of Quiet Quitting? Your Employee Engagement Strategy is Probably Falling Short

All this ongoing talk about quiet quitting is overlooking one simple fact: This phenomenon is a response to mediocre bosses.

Leon Kaye

September 7, 2022

America’s Racial Disparity Reveals Itself in Traffic Deaths: Can the Private Sector Do Anything?

Traffic deaths for poor and Black Americans is increasing nationwide, with few solutions at hand. Could the private sector offer assistance on this front?

Leon Kaye

August 30, 2022