CSRWire News

A New York federal judge long accused of bias against Ecuadorian rainforest residents over a $19B pollution case is continuing to allow Chevron to “systematically harass” two victims of its toxic pollution and their long-time New York lawyer, according to new motions filed in recent days.

The lawyer, Steven R. Donziger, asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to grant a three-month stay to prevent the case from degenerating into a “mockery” where unrepresented defendants are fighting hundreds of Chevron lawyers and are barred by the court from mounting a basic defense using evidence of Chevron’s pollution and corrupt acts in Ecuador. The motion is available here.

“This is an extraordinary situation where the evidence suggests that a federal judge is allowing a major oil company to crush its critics by denying them a defense and overwhelming them with abusive legal tactics to drive up their costs, making it virtually impossible for them to obtain counsel,” said Donziger.

“Judge Kaplan is now allowing Chevron to pursue litigation over litigation over litigation,” said Donziger. “It’s unprecedented and offensive.”

In the motion seeking the stay, Donziger outlined for Judge Kaplan how he is now litigating alone (pro se) against at least 114 lawyers from Chevron’s lead outside firm in a case with millions of pages of discovery documents, a privilege log that is 15,000 pages long, and close to 1,200 docket entries. Chevron also disclosed that it has well over 100 private investigators working on the case, some of who have conducted secret surveillance of the plaintiffs and their lawyers to intimidate them, said Donziger.

Despite the request for a stay, Judge Kaplan is allowing 14 depositions in three weeks, with the first starting tomorrow and the last – of Chevron’s CEO, John Watson – scheduled for June 27. Kaplan also is allowing Chevron to depose Donziger for another two days on top of the 16 days he already testified in 2010 and 2011.

“This compressed schedule is a per se violation of my due process rights,” said Donziger. “There is simply not enough time to adequately prepare to take depositions, to defend myself in my own deposition, review millions of pages of discovery, and also search for substitute counsel,” he said.

Chevron previously identified roughly 2,000 legal personnel and 60 law firms who have worked on the case. An affidavit from a former FBI agent describing some of the surveillance of Donziger can be found here. Kaplan is also allowing Chevron to hide the identities of three Ecuadorian witnesses against the Ecuadorians and Donziger, a blatant violation of their due process rights that a prior lawyer likened to tactics used by courts in the Spanish Inquisition.

In his papers, Donziger said that he has never tried a federal case and that he needed time to procure a new lawyer in the face of a “concerted effort” by Chevron to interfere with his right to counsel.

He disclosed evidence that Chevron has now filed civil suits against four different law firms and one funder who have supported the Ecuadorians, falsely claiming they are part of a “conspiracy” to extort money. Donziger also took aim at Randy Mastro, Chevron’s lead lawyer from Gibson Dunn, for making false public statements to the media about the case to “scare off” supporters. (For background on how Mastro and Gibson Dunn have committed ethical violations behalf of Chevron, see here.)

Donziger’s former counsel, famed San Francisco-based trial lawyer John Keker, withdrew from the case two weeks ago because Donziger could not pay his fees. On his way out, Keker took the unusual step of publicly criticizing Judge Kaplan for letting the case degenerate into a “Dickensian farce” due to Chevron’s abusive litigation tactics.

“Through scorched earth litigation, executed by its army of hundreds of lawyers, Chevron is using its limitless resources to crush defendants and win this case though might rather than merit,” Keker said in his motion to withdraw. “Encouraged by this court’s implacable hostility toward Donziger, Chevron will file any motion, however meritless, in the hope that the Court will use it to hurt Donziger.”

Keker also said his firm “would be proud” to represent Donziger at trial if it could get the resources. “We are confident that were we to do so, we would prevail,” Keker said.

Donziger also called on Judge Kaplan to allow him and the Ecuadorians sufficient latitude to develop a defense via questioning of key Chevron witnesses, including CEO Watson, Deputy General Counsel Edward Scott, and Rhonda Zyglocki, who used to head Chevron’s lobbying and governmental affairs division. All are scheduled to be deposed this month.

Judge Kaplan also appointed – over the objection of Donziger – his former law partner, Max Gitter, as a Special Master to make rulings during depositions. Gitter, who has a history of bias against the Ecuadorians and Donziger, works at a large corporate law firm in New York City and bills at his standard hourly rates, which include $630 per hour for an associate to assist him.

Nestle Waters North America’s (NWNA) third Creating Shared Value Report highlights the company’s philosophy and approach to citizenship – to create shared value by focusing on business activities that bring value both to society and shareholders through responsible water stewardship, building community vitality and efforts to lead the industry in packaging responsibility. Among other updates, the report focuses on:

• What the company is doing to advance recycling in the U.S.
• The company’s path to achieving a zero-waste future
• Its continued efforts to be the most efficient user of water within the beverage industry.

This year, NWNA will hold a live Twitter chat to offer you the opportunity to hear about the new report featuring EVP of Corporate Affairs Heidi Paul, in conversation with CSRwire's Editorial Director Aman Singh and Triple Pundit's Publisher Nick Aster.

The live Twitter chat will focus on key areas from NWNA’s 2012 Creating Shared Value Report and provide an opportunity for journalists, bloggers, industry analysts and other interested parties to learn about NWNA’s sustainability strategy and discuss pressing topics like recycling for consumer packaging.

Questions will include:

• What is the largest bottled water company in North America by volume doing regarding the use of plastic + recycling?
• What are the top roadblocks in modernizing our recycling infrastructure?
• How is the company promoting "collaborative problem solving?"
• What are the challenges the company is facing in building a resilient chain of resources?
• What role is/can the consumer play?
• How does the company respond to critics who think Nestle Waters North America's business model is unsustainable and call for boycotting bottled water?
• What does NWNA consider its top sustainability challenge going forward?

How does it work?

Log on to your Twitter account and search for the hash tag #SharedValue.

The chat will begin with a Q&A with Heidi Paul followed by questions from the audience. You can sit back and read along, or engage with the panel by tweeting your question(s) and response(s). We’ll also follow up with a full synopsis of the chat the next day.

Details:

Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Time: 1:00-2:15 p.m. EDT
Where: To register, send an email to aman@csrwire.com and join us on Twitter at #SharedValue

Accounts to follow: @NestleWatersNA @triplepundit @CSRwire @AmanSinghCSR @NickAster

EuroCharity is pleased to announce the global presentation of its 6th international publication, EuroCharity Yearbook 2012/13 - Innovation for Excellence, in two special events in Brussels and Athens.

The presentation in Brussels will take place at the European Parliament, on June 26, between 09:00-12:00. The presentation in Athens will take place at PLOTO, Marina Flisvos on July 3, between 19:00-22:00.

This year, more than 40 world renowned authors and CEOs from all around the world share their views, vision and case studies regarding innovation, with a global audience. Among guest authors are: Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, Lars Rasmussen, Chair, Global Green Growth Institute, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, Magdalena Álvarez Arza, Vice-President, European Investment Bank and others.

All the EuroCharity Yearbook 2012/13 - Innovation for Excellence participants will be given the opportunity to present their book contribution at these inaugural events, which will also be attended by invited guests, business leaders, MEPs, European Commission officials, top experts, the media and other key stakeholders.

The MEP who will officially host the EuroCharity Yearbook presentation at the European Parliament is Mr. Spyros Danellis (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament).

MBA International is the official supporter of the event while among communication sponsors are: Naftemporiki, CSR Review, Direction Publishing Group, Marketing Week, Daily Fax, Plant Management, Energy World, Think+, naftemporiki.gr, CSRnews.gr, energyonline.gr and CSRwire.com.

Participation in these invitation-only events is free of charge. However, early registration is strongly recommended due to limited seating and for security reasons. For further information please visit www.eurocharity.eu/en/story/9229.

RSVP: info@eurocharity.org
Tel.: +30 210 927 1110

About EuroCharity Yearbook
After five years of publishing success, EuroCharity is once again paving the way for constructive dialogue among key stakeholders regarding a highly important and global issue. This year, EuroCharity chose for its 6th Yearbook the theme "Innovation for Excellence," because more than ever today's local and global challenges call for innovative solutions in technological, social and sustainable issues. The publication will be showcasing pioneering corporations, organisations and CEOs who have embraced innovation and explore new, more effective and sustainable ways of growth that lead to excellence.

By embracing innovation, corporations lower costs, become more competitive, generate better products and services, gaining at the same time competitive advantage. Without doubt, innovation can contribute to a better world by turning new and creative ideas into real life solutions for a sustainable future.

The 6th EuroCharity Yearbook will profile leading CEOs, corporations and organisations that are leading the way when it comes to innovation. It will also future leading decision-makers, visionary entrepreneurs, Nobel Laureates, top university professors, scientists, gurus and other specialists to share their views in this 164-page album, along with extensive research and photographic material.

Some of the confirmed international guest authors and organisations to date include:

• Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment
• Lars Rasmussen, Chair, Global Green Growth Institute, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark
• BP Agrawal, Founder & President, Sustainable Innovations
• Bruce Piasecki, Founder & President, AHC Group, Inc. & Author
• Dr. Bettina von Stamm, FRSA, Director & Catalyst, Innovation Leadership Forum & Author
• Marc Amblard, CEO, European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM)
• Matt Rogers, Director, McKinsey & Company
• Rowan Gibson, Co-Founder, www.innovationexcellence.com - the online home of the global innovation community & Author
• Dr. Anne-Laure Mention, Head of Research Unit, Public Research Centre Henri Tudor
• Dimitrios G. Salampasis,  Researcher, Public Research Centre Henri Tudor
• Calvin Hodock, Founder and Former Chairman of the Board, Edison Awards, American Marketing Association
• Fabrizio Sestini, Scientific Officer, European Commission, DG Information Society
• Prof. Vassilios Makios, Executive Director, Dr. Jorge-A. Sanchez-P. Executive Director, Dr. Nikos Vogiatzis, Executive Director, Corallia Clusters Initiative
• Annie Pearce, Associate Professor Department of Building Construction, Virginia Tech
• Paul Druckman, CEO, International Integrated Reporting Council
• Magdalena Álvarez Arza, Vice-President, European Investment Bank
• José Manuel Leceta, Director, European Institute of Innovation & Technology
• Linda Rottenberg, CEO & Co-founder, Endeavor
• Wayne Visser, Founder & Director of the think-tank CSR International and consultancy Kaleidoscope Futures Ltd
• Joel Makower, Chairman and Executive, GreenBiz Group Inc.
• Naveen Jain, Founder, World Innovation Institute, Moon Express, Intelius, InfoSpace
• Litsa Panayotopoulos, Chair of the Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship Committee, American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce

Greek companies that participate in the forthcoming publication and present their innovation strategy and best practices are: AB Vassilopoulos/Delhaize Group, Air France | KLM, Alpha Bank, Halyps Building Materials/Italcementi Group, INTERAMERICAN Group/Part of ACHMEA, ICAP Group, National Bank of Greece, OTE/COSMOTE and Pharmathen. Moreover, EuroCharity in collaboration with ICAP Group present a special survey regarding innovation and Greek entrepreneurship.

About EuroCharity - The reference point for sustainability
Established in 2006, EuroCharity maintains offices in Athens and Brussels. It is a rapidly-expanding family of members and offers innovative on-line and off-line services to 470+ members from the corporate, financial, public, third and academic sectors. The firm owns and daily updates the carbon neutral Web portal (www.eurocharity.eu) that acts as a reference point for sustainability. EuroCharity also publishes a multi-stakeholder Yearbook, two comprehensive fortnightly e-newsletters, facilitates networking among members (M2M), organises events and the Sustainability Forum, a training, networking and professional development event.
www.eurocharity.eu | @EuroCharityEU

Hilton Worldwide is partnering with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the King Khalid Foundation to launch Passport to Success® in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The program, which aims to engage and develop Saudi youth for future careers in the hospitality industry, will equip participants with technical and practical knowledge, as well as the employability, confidence-building and life skills required in the work environment.

Passport to Success®, a global life skills initiative developed by IYF, will focus on four core areas: personal development, problem-solving skills, healthy lifestyles and workplace success. The range of training is designed to develop youth participants to become self-motivated, reliable, productive and confident in their decision making.

Mahmoud Mokhtar, vice president, Operations, Saudi Arabia, said: “In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia we are in a unique and compelling position to take the industry lead with this program for a number of reasons. First, we want to play our part in supporting the government’s Saudization policy to assist and promote the employment of local youth in the private sector. In addition, the importance of travel and tourism is now widely recognized as a key driver in boosting and diversifying the Saudi economy.

“As the fastest growing hospitality company in the country, Hilton Worldwide is fully aware of the growing prominence of the hotel industry to the flourishing travel and tourism sector and, to that end, we believe that we are in a position to empower ambitious young Saudis with the know-how and expertise to pursue a career in hospitality with the most recognized hotel company in the world.”

Hilton Worldwide’s collaboration with IYF was launched globally earlier this year by Hilton Worldwide CEO, Chris Nassetta, as the company seeks to champion youth development on a worldwide scale and to leverage insights offered through its partnership with the Foundation.

In Riyadh for the launch, Bill Reese, President and CEO of the International Youth Foundation, said: “I am delighted the Passport to Success® program is making its debut in Saudi Arabia with support from two widely respected, high profile partners. To ensure we can engage different types of learners and put students in charge of their own learning, the training is based on experiential instructional methods rather than a traditional lecture-based style and promotes a combination of interactive learning strategies.

“Our approach is also to adapt the current Passport to Success® curriculum to ensure it is culturally relevant. To achieve this, we are developing in-house trainers to offer the programme within the hotels and provide the curriculum and trainers to other Saudi institutions, such as universities and vocational centres that work with young people who can potentially enter the sector.”

Speaking on behalf of the King Khalid Foundation, Her Royal Highness Princess Banderi bint Abdulrahman AlFaisal, said: “Educators, employers and policy-makers are finding that for young people to succeed they need an educational foundation which, in addition to technical skills, includes life and employability skills as a way to prepare them to be motivated and confident decision makers, who can overcome adversity and realize their potential. The introduction of this initiative to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a very positive step and one that will not only make a great difference to young Saudis but also to our society as a whole.”

With ambitious growth and expansion plans in Saudi Arabia over the next few years, Hilton Worldwide is preparing to hire over 10,000 qualified personnel to meet its growing workforce needs in the Saudi market. The company will continue to invest in creating opportunities for careers in hospitality through scholarships and youth apprentice programs, which offer basic education and advanced life skills training, providing a pathway for economic opportunities among key communities.

 Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) today announced the renewal of its partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of Wisconsin with a donation of $1.5 million over three years to support and expand the JA Kohl’s Education Center. The additional funding will allow Junior Achievement to increase the use of technology in the JA Kohl’s Education Center to offer more unique opportunities for local schools and teachers to combine classroom learning with real-world situations, providing hands-on activities and full simulation experiences to enhance what students learn in a classroom. The program offers Milwaukee-area fourth through twelfth graders a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The donation comes from Kohl’s philanthropic program, Kohl’s Cares®, which sells special merchandise, including plush toys and books, and donates 100 percent of the net profit to benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Junior Achievement and facilitate the growth of the JA Kohl’s Education Center,” said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Kohl’s applauds Junior Achievement’s commitment to providing excellent educational experiences that empower students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world, and Kohl’s is proud to be in a position to support such a valuable program for local students.”

Kohl’s $1.5 million donation will help fund the following program enhancements over the next three years:

• The addition of Tablet Technology will incorporate social media by allowing students to tweet their thoughts to guided questions in real-time through the simulation. This enhancement will also allow teachers to incorporate these tweets into post-visit classroom discussions.
• The addition of Electronic Debit Cards into the students’ shopping experience will expand students’ ability to manage their purchasing experience and allows them to learn more about the purpose and services of financial institutions.
• The addition of a Digital Shopping Kiosk will introduce students to the e-commerce experience and is reflective of real world purchasing options. With a digital shopping kiosk, students will be able to purchase an item “online” which will be delivered to the student later in the simulation. Junior Achievement of Wisconsin will be the first program in the country to expand learning through the introduction of kiosk shopping technology into its simulation.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Kohl’s as it will enhance the learning applications offered to local students through the JA Kohl’s Education Center,” said Tim Greinert, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin’s president. “Financial literacy and work readiness are crucial life skills and, through this best-in-class programming in the JA Kohl’s Education Center, we’re able to engage students early on in meaningful and memorable ways to arm them with the skills they need as adults.”

Through an initial $3 million donation from Kohl’s Cares in 2010, Junior Achievement created the JA Kohl’s Education Center, a one-of-a-kind facility providing Milwaukee-area fourth through twelfth grade students with unique, hands-on opportunities to learn real-world budgeting, financial literacy skills and entrepreneurship through two age-specific learning labs:

• JA BizTown™: Created for fourth through sixth grade - connects education to the workforce when students run a “real” city economy as workers, consumers, and government officials. This program includes a Kohl’s branded store where students act as consumers and producers as part of their hands-on learning experience.
• JA Finance Park™: Created for seventh through twelfth grade - is a financial literacy program where students complete personal finance transactions and create long term financial plans. Upon arrival at JA Finance Park, students are given a specific simulated life story which includes age, family information, occupation and income. They then must navigate through the park and its storefronts managing their finances and constructing a workable household budget.

Since 2000, Kohl’s Department Stores together with Kohl's Cares have combined to give more than $55 million to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area, including more than $4.5 million to Junior Achievement to help provide unique educational opportunities for Wisconsin’s children. To date, the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide.

For more information on Kohl’s philanthropic efforts, visit www.kohls.com/cares. For more information on the JA Kohl’s Education Center and JA Capstone Programs, visit wisconsin.ja.org.

About Kohl’s
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, join the discussion on Facebook (facebook.com/kohls) or Twitter (twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (pinterest.com/kohls) and Instagram (instagram.com/kohls).

About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement of Wisconsin is dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. The organization prepares young people for the real world, showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, create jobs which make their communities more robust, and apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Over 165,000 students in the state of Wisconsin put these lessons into action every year and learn the value of contributing to their communities. To become involved, please visit wisconsin.ja.org or call (414) 577-3800.

On Friday, June 7, AstraZeneca Canada employees will roll up their sleeves at 18 local Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada and take on facility improvement projects as part of their annual Community Connection Day. 

Now in its third year, this company-wide initiative enables AstraZeneca Canada employees to undertake projects such as landscaping, cleaning, painting, building and gardening at their local Boys and Girls Club, while spending the day learning more about the Club’s services and the young people they serve.   

Since Community Connection Day’s inception, AstraZeneca employees have contributed over 4,000 volunteer hours to Boys and Girls Clubs, representing an in-kind donation of almost $200,000 with local Boys and Girls Clubs in Canadian communities.* In addition to their volunteer workforce, the company has provided close to $100,000 in financial funding to Boys and Girls Clubs to cover the cost of materials and event organization.

The annual Community Connection Day is linked to AstraZeneca’s Young Health Program (www.younghealth.ca), of which Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a proud national partner.

“AstraZeneca Canada’s commitment to young people is truly remarkable,” said Pam Jolliffe, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada President and CEO. “Through their Young Health Program, they are committed towards working collaboratively to design programs that help youth strengthen their mental and emotional resilience. This expansion of our partnership, beyond the direct Young Health Program delivery, by providing this opportunity for their employees to dedicate a full work day toward improving our Clubs and communities reflects a great commitment to improving the lives of the young people we serve.”

Together, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, AstraZeneca Canada and its dedicated employees are making a significant impact in the lives of young people across the country and building stronger local communities in the process.

“Community Connection Day is something our employees look forward to each year.  The day offers an opportunity for employees to work closely with their local Boys and Girls Club and deepen their understanding of the programs and services they provide,” says Elaine Campbell, President, AstraZeneca Canada.

“Last year, I spent Community Connection Day painting the upper deck of a swimming pool at a Club in West Scarborough alongside my colleagues,” Elaine continues. “It was hard work.  It also reinforced a belief we have at AstraZeneca:  we need to work closely with our community -with Canadians - to understand the challenges and perspectives they have and how we can combine our skills, our strengths and our resources to build a healthier and more connected world.”

* AstraZeneca Canada’s community investment contributions, both monetary and non-monetary, are audited and verified by LBG Canada.

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is dedicated to supporting and encouraging children and youth as they grow and develop. We are a national charity serving 200,000 young people in more than 650 locations across Canada. We listen to their opinions and ideas, applaud their accomplishments, lend support during their struggles and provide ways to explore their interests and talents.  With this encouragement they develop the confidence and sense of belonging that helps them succeed in school, form positive relationships and mature into responsible, caring adults. For over 110 years we have welcomed children, youth and their families into clubs that reflect the diversity of Canada in small and large cities, rural communities and First Nations Reserves. Visit www.bgccan.com and follow us at www.facebook.com/bgccan and www.twitter.com/bgccan.

About AstraZeneca Canada

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. AstraZeneca’s Canadian headquarters are located in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.astrazeneca.ca.

 – Sustainable Brands® 7th annual community gathering begins today with Sustainable Brands 2013 (SB’13) kicking off in San Diego, CA at Paradise Point Resort & Spa. Presented by BMW i, over 2,000 community members from around the globe are participating in the conference, expo and live stream feed from the event. This year’s conference theme, From Revolution to Renaissance, focuses on positive shifts currently taking place in business and society and provides examples of purpose-driven brand innovation that are reinvigorating global and local economies.

“Sustainable Brands was founded on the belief that unleashing the best of our human ingenuity and innovation can change the shape of business, and with it, the world,” states KoAnn Skrzyniarz, founder of Sustainable Brands. “We see a continued emergence of creativity and innovation driven by environmental and social entrepreneurs as well as global brands who are together working to create and tap in to the next era of economic and human prosperity. This week’s conference, one of three held on three continents this past month brings together the largest gathering of brand innovators and enablers committed to realizing success by leading the way to a flourishing future. ”

Taking place today through June 6th, the event features over 180 speakers tackling the very latest triumphs and challenges at the intersection of corporate sustainability and brand innovation, with on-site announcements from the following companies:

BMW i showcases electric mobility in combination with a holistic sustainable approach in regards to the value chain of all related products. Heart of the all-electric BMW i3 is the innovative eDrive technology. A powerful lithium-ion cell battery with integrated liquid cooling system and first-ever use of carbon-fiber components in the manufacturing process form the basis of BMW i’s next generation of automobiles. Conference and Expo attendees are able to test drive the 100% electric, high-performance ActiveE vehicle which serves as the test bed for the soon to be released BMW i3 model. Uwe Dreher, Head of Marketing for BMW i, speaks during a morning plenary session on Tuesday, June 4th about the company-wide initiative to holistically improve sustainability in the future of automobile design.

CSRHub in partnership with Brand Finance releases results of a linear regression study across a broad range of global companies showing the correlation between brand strength and perceived sustainability performance over a five year period. Data from more than 200 sources was used to track 12 different measures of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Cynthia Figge, Co-Founder of CSRHub speaks during a morning plenary session on Tuesday, June 4th and shares results of the study.

GRI Focal Point USA debuts as the official “Local Launch of G4 in the United States” by offering the two Master Classes on G4 during a Monday morning workshop session. The session, held yesterday, was organized by GRI and featured GRI Sector Leaders. GRI Certified Training Partners leading the Master Classes include Environmental Resources Management and Boston College.

LaborVoices announces a partnership with Walmart that will provide visibility into the retailer's supply chain through real-time, anonymous worker feedback. This will assist Walmart in ensuring safe factory working conditions throughout their supply chain. Kohl Gill, CEO of LaborVoices, participates in a related panel discussion examining the effects of recent events in Bangladesh and other developing economies on manufacturing and supply chain strategies, taking place Wednesday afternoon, June 5th.

Cone Communications announces insights from its Global CSR Study in partnership with Echo Research. The study focuses on the willingness of consumers to engage in a company’s CSR efforts, the gap between consumer intent and action and the extent to which consumers feel personally accountable for responsible purchases and actions. Liz Gorman participated in a Monday morning Research Roundtable workshop along with speakers from BBMG, GlobeScan, Shelton Group, MPG/Havas Media and Edelman, among others, sharing the latest in consumer insights.

Sustainable Brands® in partnership with Three Squares Inc. demonstrates environmental leadership by implementing a comprehensive event sustainability management process aligned with ISO 20121 Standard. As the first event organizer in North America to achieve conformity to the ISO 21021 Standard, Three Squares Inc. worked closely with the SB'13 event planning team to deploy a comprehensive event sustainability management system and will be auditing the event to document ISO 20121 compliance. In addition, Paradise Point Resort & Spa receives approval by the City of San Diego and Waste Management for a Composting and Food Scraps program for SB’13 putting the venue at the forefront of commercial waste diversion in San Diego.

Free Conference Live Stream

Once again, Sustainable Brands offers free access to 3 full days of live stream broadcast from the conference for those unable to attend. After registering, live stream viewers will receive access to the live simulcast of conference plenary sessions on Tuesday – Thursday mornings beginning a 9am PST. Interested viewers can learn more and register at www.SustainableBrands13.com/live/register.

The Solutions Expo

Running concurrently with SB’13 at Paradise Point, the Solutions Expo features an array of new tools, innovative product ideas and resources that are driving brand innovation for sustainability. Nearly 80 exhibiting companies and cause-related organizations are showcasing knowledge and resources needed to fuel sustainable product development, manage and measure environmental impacts and create shared value within the supply chain. A selection of exhibitors and cause-related organizations includes: Ecopia, Cradle to Cradle, Energy Points, SAP, Futerra, Ecologic Brands, The Nature Conservancy, WWF, 1% for the Planet, plus many more. Registration remains open and admission is free. The Solutions Expo is open to the public Tuesday, June 4th and Wednesday, June 5th from noon until 5pm. Thursday, June 6th from noon until 4pm. Additional activities open to public Expo-only attendees include movie screenings of “Chasing Ice” and “The Naked Brand” on Tuesday evening beginning at 9pm.

The Sustainable Brands 2013 Conference and Solutions Expo is presented by BMW i with additional support from other leading sponsors including: BASF, Citizen Group, Saatchi & Saatchi S, Target, Coca-Cola, Earth 911 and Vertigent. High level supporting media partners include Guardian Sustainable Business and Mother Nature Network. Cross-functional teams plus SB Corporate Members attending include: Target, 3M, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Hilton Worldwide, Johnson & Johnson, Life Technologies, Nordstrom, among others. For a list of attendees and a complete list of sponsors and speakers, please visit the conference website at www.SustainableBrands13.com.

About Sustainable Brands

Sustainable Brands® is the premier global community of brand innovators who are shaping the future of commerce worldwide. Since 2006, our mission has been to inspire, engage and equip today’s business and brand leaders to prosper for the near and long term by leading the way to a better future. Digitally published news articles and issues-focused conversation topics, internationally known conferences and regional events, a robust e-learning library and peer-to-peer membership groups all facilitate community learning and engagement throughout the year. Sustainable Brands is hosted by Sustainable Brands Worldwide, a division of Sustainable Life Media headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Date: June 26, 2013 (Wednesday)
Language: English
Cost: No Charge

The objectives of this one hour complimentary webinar are to outline and explain the key changes to the GRI framework for sustainability reporting found in the latest version (G4) published in May 2013 and to consider the implications for organizations using these guidelines.

1. What is GRI G4? – A basic outline
2. What motivates companies to use GRI and in particular the new G4 version?
3. What are the big changes?
4. How can companies make sure they are in a position to use GRI G4?

This complimentary webinar is aimed at social responsibility and sustainability practitioners at strategic and operational levels – especially those involved directly in sustainability reporting and communications. It will be of particular value to corporate communications professionals working in investor relations, company secretaries, corporate affairs and internal communications. Those involved in designing and writing sustainability reports based on the GRI framework will benefit from this latest insight.

For more information, visit our Sustainability Communications – Understanding GRI G4 Webinar website.

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The 122,000-square-foot PV array consists of a 1,015-kW system, built with 4,228 panels.  IKEA Charlotte’s program will produce approximately 1,330,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 938 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 195 cars or powering 140 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

This installation represents the 39TH completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S., the last one that had been planned and underway, making the total U.S. solar presence of IKEA nearly 90% of its locations (39 of 44 buildings), with a total generation goal of 38 MW.  IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015.  This investment reinforces the long-term commitment of IKEA to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology.  Consistent with the company’s goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 250,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns/operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe.

For the development, design and installation of the Charlotte store’s customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp., part of Gehrlicher AG, one of the world's ten largest independent PV project developers and system integrators.

“The installation of solar panels at IKEA Charlotte is another way we can build upon our ongoing commitment to sustainability,” said Richard Castanon, IKEA Charlotte store manager.  “At IKEA, we believe in creating a better every life for the many people, so investing in renewable energy accomplishes helps contributes to that goal.  We appreciate the support of the City of Charlotte, Duke Energy, and Gehrlicher Solar, our partners in this project.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and aims to minimize impacts on the environment.  Globally, IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution.  Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include:  recycling waste material; incorporating environmental measures into the actual buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, phasing-out the sale of incandescent light bulbs, facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs, and by 2016 selling and using only L.E.D. bulbs.  IKEA also has installed electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores in the Western U.S.

Located on 25 acres in the University City area at the northeast corner of I-85 and City Boulevard, the 356,000-s.f. IKEA Charlotte opened February 2009.  In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, this IKEA store presents 48 different room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 450-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties as well as American dishes.  Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. 

About IKEA

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them.  There are currently more than 340 IKEA stores in 41 countries, including 38 in the U.S.  IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment.  For more information, see IKEA-USA.com, facebook.com/IKEAUSA, @DesignByIKEA, and http://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA/. 

(Marketwired) -  Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced that it will participate in the following event with the financial community during the month of June. The event will be webcast. Interested parties can view this event on Cisco's Investor Relations website at investor.cisco.com.

BAML
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2013 Technology Conference
June 4, 2013
San Francisco, CA
1:00 pm PT; 4:00 pm ET
Frank Calderoni, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

RSS Feed for Cisco: http://newsroom.cisco.com/rss-feeds

Woonsocket, R.I. – June 3, 2013 – CVS/pharmacy has launched its annual in-store Advancing Medical Research fundraising campaign to support medical research and help improve the quality of life for those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Funds raised through the campaign will benefit the ALS Therapy Alliance (ATA), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ALS research. Supporters of the 2013 campaign can donate $1 or $3 at the register in CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide and online at www.cvs.com/als through June 29. ALS is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive degeneration of motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord, typically leading to paralysis and death within four to six years. There is no known cause or cure for ALS, which affects approximately 30,000 Americans, with 5,600 new cases diagnosed nationwide each year.

But a new research grant, funded by CVS/pharmacy, is exploring gene silencing therapies that aim to end the progression of ALS in patients and provide new leads for solving other degenerative disorders. 

“CVS/pharmacy and its Advancing Medical Research campaign have helped us realize critical advancements in ALS research, including our new research project on gene silencing therapies,” said Dr. Robert H. Brown, Jr., president of ALS Therapy Alliance.

“Many of the ALS cases that we understand at the molecular level arise because a ‘sick’ gene makes a toxic protein that kills a cell, but if we can turn off the gene, then the toxicity is ameliorated,” Dr. Brown explained.

“We hope that this important research will yield results in the near term and move us toward therapies for human use,” continued Dr. Brown. “And we know that we’re closer than ever before to finding a cure for ALS through the support we receive from CVS/pharmacy and the annual in-store campaign.”

CVS/pharmacy has raised more than $30 million in support of ALS research over the past 11 years. Through the Advancing Medical Research campaign, CVS/pharmacy will continue to help ATA drive medical research, including the development of groundbreaking gene silencing therapies, with the goal to end ALS.

“As a pharmacy innovation company that is committed to helping people on their path to better health, CVS Caremark supports organizations and medical research that address important health care issues,” said Jon Roberts, Executive Vice President for CVS Caremark and honorary chair of the Advancing Medical Research Campaign. "For the past 11 years, we’ve been able to make a significant impact in advancing ALS research with support from our colleagues and customers. Through the Advancing Medical Research campaign, we continue to make a difference in the lives of those who are living with ALS and support groundbreaking developments to help bring us one step closer to ending this devastating disease.”

To learn more about the Advancing Medical Research campaign or make a donation, please visit www.cvs.com/als.

About ALS Therapy Alliance (ATA)
ALS Therapy Alliance was founded in 2000 to facilitate ALS research projects and collaborations among a diverse group of scientists and clinicians. The scientists involved in the ATA are affiliated with some of the best universities and medical centers, including, among others, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard College, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, and Boston University. ATA's board is comprised of outstanding clinicians, scientists and business associates including two Nobel Prize Laureates, H. Robert Horvitz, Ph.D. and Craig C. Mello, Ph.D., who are committed to the organization's mission. CVS Caremark is the largest corporate donor to ALS research. For more information, please visit www.alstherapyalliance.org.

About CVS/pharmacy
CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,400 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores. CVS/pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://info.cvscaremark.com.

Thirty-one Union Bank, N.A. retail branches throughout California have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR™ Certification, the national symbol for energy efficiency, saving money, preventing the release of greenhouse gases, and protecting the environment.  Union Bank has one of the largest concentrations of branches earning this distinction among financial institutions in the state in 2012.

“Union Bank is committed to operating a responsible and environmentally sustainable business,” said Vice President and Environmental Specialist of Union Bank’s Environmental Stewardship Department Kim Luu. “The Energy Star designation serves as a national mark of excellence in energy performance.  We are pleased to be recognized for our company’s commitment to the environment as we identify more ways to extend our commitment in the communities that we serve.”

The EPA’s Energy Star program evaluates actual whole building energy data and normalizes for building use characteristics such as its age, size, location, number of occupants, number of personal computers, etc., to determine a 1-100 score for certain space types.  To qualify for the ENERGY STAR Certification, a building must have a score of 75 or higher, indicating that a building is performing better than the 75th percentile of its peer buildings. 

“We are honored to receive the Energy Star distinction for our community bank branches in recognition of our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Union Bank Executive Vice President Michael Feldman, head of Branch Banking.  “Union Bank strives to help build healthy communities through our bank operations as well as the products and services that we provide to our customers.” 

The 31 Union Bank branches improved their energy performance by managing energy strategically across their entire organizations and making cost-effective improvements to their buildings. 

Union Bank Branches receiving Energy Star certification:

Apple Valley
Barstow
Bayside (Newport Beach)
Carlsbad
Cerritos Center (Artesia)
City Heights
Coronado
Eastlake (Chula Vista)
East Village (San Diego)
Fallbrook
Foothill Ranch
Fountain Valley
Fourth & Laurel (San Diego)
Garden Grove
Glen Avon (Riverside)
Glendora

Hesperia
La Habra
Manhattan Beach
National City
Oceanside
Phelan
Poway
Riverside Downtown
San Bernardino
Santee
Sorrento Valley (San Diego)
South Bay (Torrance)
South Gardena
Tustin
West Hollywood

To learn more about Union Bank’s commitment to the environment visit https://www.unionbank.com/global/about/environment/index.jsp.

About UnionBanCal Corporation & Union Bank, N.A.
Headquartered in San Francisco, UnionBanCal Corporation is a financial holding company with assets of $97 billion at March 31, 2013. Its primary subsidiary, Union Bank, N.A., is a full-service commercial bank providing an array of financial services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, and major corporations. The bank operated 443 branches in California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Illinois, and New York as well as two international offices, on March 31, 2013. UnionBanCal Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG, NYSE:MTU), one of the world's largest financial organizations. Visit http://www.unionbank.com  for more information.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficient specifications set by the government. In 2006, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $16 billion on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles.

Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada's Export Credit Agency, today issued its Annual Report on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

The report chronicles EDC’s CSR activities in 2012, outlining how the Corporation has adapted to the new reality of international business, where global integration into emerging markets continues to increase. 

The report also captures EDC’s CSR key achievements this past year in both practice and policy, and presents important updates surrounding issues that impact key stakeholders including clients, employees and the public. 

“Without a doubt, the international trade environment today has become more integrated and complex than ever as companies look to find meaningful ways to grow in a still-sluggish global economy,” said Signi Schneider, Vice-President, CSR, EDC.  “That deepening integration also means that applying meaningful and relevant CSR analysis has also become equally complex for international financiers like EDC.”

The 2012 CSR report provides an overview of EDC’s financial transactions around the world and how EDC applied its CSR due diligence, including EDC’s first major project financing in India.

“Most organizations tend to link their CSR policies to compliance to international standards, but many are now recognizing that a compliance-based approach is often not up to the task,” added Ms. Schneider. “EDC has evolved beyond compliance in many areas of CSR to a more principles-based philosophy, because today there are no simple recipes when every situation is different.”

Also included in the report are concrete achievements and future commitments through a CSR Scorecard. Case studies and customer videos on managing the risk of corruption in international business offer meaningful insights through the experiences of Canadian companies that have faced these challenges.

Highlights of the 2012 report include:

• Updates to the corporate Code of Business Ethics and the employee Code of Conduct
• Signature of our first large Indian infrastructure project finance deal, working closely with the project sponsor to ensure that it satisfied international CSR standards
• An updated and improved process for human rights assessments and increased efforts to raise awareness with customers of the risks of bribery and corruption
• Assistance to Canada’s cleantech sector as a business priority, engaging more than 60 leading clean technology companies in 2012
• EDC’s head office in Ottawa was granted LEED for Core and Shell Gold certification by the Canadian Green Building Council.

To contribute to the reduction of EDC’s operational footprint, the 2012 report is available online.  View EDC’s 2012 CSR Annual Report here: www.edc.ca/csrreport.

EDC is Canada’s export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC’s knowledge and partnerships are used by more than 7,400 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially self-sustaining and a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis.

On the heels of National Cancer Survivors Day, Lee Jeans is proud to name Amy, a Kansas City resident currently fighting breast cancer, the 2013 Lee National Denim Day ambassador. On Friday, October 4, millions will join the Lee National Denim Day movement by putting on their jeans and donating $5 to raise millions of dollars for the American Cancer Society’s programs that help women like Amy rise above the disease.

Courageous and empowered, Amy is currently battling breast cancer. As an avid runner and triathlete, Amy was stunned when she was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer at the age of 40. Beginning chemotherapy in February of 2013, Amy continues to fight valiantly with the daily encouragement of her friends. Though she’s powerful enough to complete an Iron Man competition, Amy attributes her persistence in her battle with breast cancer to her resilient team of supporters.

“When I first found out I had breast cancer, the first thing I did was turn to my friends and family for support. It’s the little things they do, like helping me run errands, that keep me going,“ said Slater. “By joining together on Lee National Denim Day, we can all be a part of a nationwide support team to ensure no woman fights this disease alone.”

The beneficiary for the 2013 Lee National Denim Day is the American Cancer Society®, the largest voluntary health organization in the United States and the leader in the fight to end breast cancer – and all cancers. The Society works to create a world without breast cancer by combining relentless passion with the wisdom of a century of experience in saving lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. This year, Lee National Denim Day hopes to contribute millions to the American Cancer Society as they celebrate their 100th birthday and pledge to finish the fight against cancer.

Net proceeds raised from Lee National Denim Day will benefit the Society’s community-based programs, including lifesaving screenings and a free place to stay when breast cancer patients and their caregivers have to travel away from home for treatment.

Proceeds will also help fund the American Cancer Society’s national research grants ongoing work to find new ways to find, prevent and treat breast cancer. The organization has contributed to nearly every cancer breakthrough in recent history. Their funded researchers have helped develop the drugs to treat advanced breast cancer and have shown that mammograms are the most effective form of detection. Today, one in every two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reaches out to the American Cancer Society for help and support.

“Amy’s fighting spirit is an inspiration to all who are touched by breast cancer,” said Liz Cahill, vice president of marketing at Lee. “We are thrilled to partner with the American Cancer Society for the second year and stimulate millions into action to help forward our shared goal to help aid and empower those affected by the disease.”

Starting today, groups and individuals can donate and sign up as a team by visiting Denimday.com or by calling 1.800.521.5533. To learn more about Lee National Denim Day, visit Denimday.com. To learn more about Lee National Denim Day’s beneficiary, the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org.

About Lee Jeans
Lee® Jeans is a division of VF Corporation. (NYSE: VFC). Headquartered in Merriam, Kan., Lee manufactures and markets brand denim, casual pants, shirts, fleece and knit apparel. A brand committed to the community, Lee Jeans founded Lee National Denim Day®, one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer. For more information about Lee, visit www.lee.com.

 Tripos Software, a leading provider of sustainability software and learning solutions, announced today that the US Postal Service (USPS) is using the company’s role-based online sustainability learning solutions to engage and mobilize more employees to support the agency’s strategic sustainability objectives. The new USPS online sustainability training program is available to 15,000 employees across multiple job functions.

The new program is designed to build upon the successful accomplishments by the USPS Office of Sustainability to date, where they have spearheaded a number of initiatives to address national sustainability goals in waste reduction, energy conservation, fleet fuel reduction, recycling, water use, and consumables spending. USPS will use the Sustainability In Practice™ (SIP) library from Tripos Software to expand employee knowledge, awareness and participation.

The decision to expand the SIP program for another two years to reach more employees was based on the successful outcomes of a first phase program conducted in the Fall of 2012 and supported by a cross-functional team of operational managers, training experts, supply management professionals, marketing professionals, and lean green team members.

“The US Postal Service has been an exemplary industry innovator in leading the charge for widespread employee engagement among many different job functions, operating divisions and regions across the country,” said Grant Ricketts, CEO and Co-founder for Tripos Software. “We’re proud that our solutions have worked well for such a progressively minded organization and we look forward to continuing our work with them in future years.”

Postal Service employee groups include executives, plant managers, fleet operators, procurement professionals, marketing professionals, maintenance managers, and postmasters. Providing targeted learning solutions helps employees understand how key sustainability principles apply to their specific job role. Using the SIP library also helps build cross-functional skills among green team members.

Supporting Resources:

• Visit Sustainability In Practice: www.SustainabilityInPractice.com
• Visit the USPS Sustainability site: www.usps.com/green

About Tripos Software
Tripos Software (www.TriposSoftware.com) provides solutions for sustainability-minded organizations who want to drive improved results through broadened employee participation and engagement. Tripos offers content, software tools, and services to educate people and build awareness about sustainable business practices, engage people in sustainability initiatives, build sustainability centers of excellence, and provide visibility into sustainability performance.

Sustainability In Practice™ is a role-based online learning curriculum designed to help employees understand how key sustainability principles apply to their job so they are better able to see opportunities and take actions that contribute to the overall success of the organization. The programs were developed in collaboration with Natural Logic (www.NatLogic.com) CEO Gil Friend, based on the acclaimed book, The Truth About Green Business. Learning modules focus on product development, operations, supply chains and procurement, buildings, IT and marketing (www.SustainabilityInPractice.com).

The U.S. Postal Service has more than 32,000 facilities, a presence in every community in the country, and one of the largest vehicle fleets in the nation. The agency has activated a wide range of initiatives to engage employees, organize green teams and develop systems infrastructure to help support these programs and achieve these goals. The Postal Service was the first federal agency to publicly report its greenhouse gas emissions and receive third-party verification of the results. For more information about the Postal Service’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.usps.com/green.

For additional information, or to arrange an interactive demo, contact:

Grant Ricketts
CEO and Co-founder
Tripos Software, Inc.
gricketts@TriposSoftware.com
(650) 224-1488
www.TriposSoftware.com

The Aspen Institute announced today that Ruth J. Katz has been appointed director of its Health, Biomedical Science, and Society Initiative. Katz, who is currently chief public health counsel for the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce, will assume the role on November 1, 2013. The initiative serves as a venue for academic, government, and industry leaders to explore critical issues in health care and health policy and how they affect individual health and that of families, communities, nations, and the world.

In accepting this position, Katz said, “I am delighted to be joining the Aspen Institute. This organization's hallmark is bringing thought leaders together to identify and help resolve some of the major public policy issues of the day. I expect this program will continue to make its mark in following that great tradition.”

Elliot Gerson, executive vice president for policy and public programs at the Institute, said, “The Institute stands to benefit from Ruth’s extensive knowledge of, and leadership in, the health field and her experience on the front lines of health care policymaking. She shares our commitment to forging bipartisan networks and other collaborations with the ultimate goal of improving human health.”

In her role as chief public health counsel with the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Katz assumed a lead role in crafting the public health components of the health reform initiative passed by the US House of Representatives in 2009. Prior to that, Katz was both Walter G. Ross Professor of Health Policy and dean of the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University from 2003 to 2008. From 1997 to 2003, she was associate dean for administration at the Yale University School of Medicine where she also held appointments in the departments of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology and Public Health as an Assistant Professor. From 1982 to 1995, she was counsel to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Katz, a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, holds a law degree from Emory University and a masters of public health from Harvard. Katz is a member of the National Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Health & Society Scholars program and has been a member of the board of trustees of Emory University. She has also served as secretary and a member of the board of directors of the CDC Foundation.

The Institute’s Health, Biomedical Science, and Society Initiative was established in 2005 and led by Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, who now serves as associate director for Science at the Food and Drug Administration. Franmarie Kennedy, who has ably led the program since Dr. McMurry-Heath's departure, will remain acting director in the interim.

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

 Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) today published its 2012 Corporate Responsibility Report. Motorola Solutions is dedicated to operating ethically, protecting the environment and supporting the communities where it does business. The 2012 Corporate Responsibility Report highlights the ways Motorola Solutions is working to continue to be a responsible corporate citizen and help people be their best in the moments that matter.

KEY FACTS

• Motorola Solutions helped initiate the Solutions for Hope project, a closed-supply system of mining conflict-free tantalum from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in 2012 helped launch the Conflict-Free Tin Initiative.
• About 22 percent of the electricity Motorola Solutions used globally in 2012 was from renewable sources. The company has set a goal to increase global use of electricity from renewable sources to 30 percent by 2020.
• Motorola Solutions has a goal to reduce global waste by 10 percent from 2011 by 2015 as well as increase its recycling rate to 90 percent by 2015.
• In 2012, Motorola Solutions and the Motorola Solutions Foundation donated more than $17 million in cash and products, focusing the donations on education, public safety and disaster relief.
• In 2012, Motorola Solutions Foundation grants helped more than 700,000 teachers, students, first responders and community members in 37 countries.
• Employees volunteered more than 55,000 hours of their time in 2012 to groups focusing on education, public safety and disaster relief.
• In 2013, Motorola Solutions was named to the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable corporations, ranking No. 59. Motorola Solutions also moved from No. 77 to No. 32 on the CR Magazine 100 Best U.S. Corporate Citizens™ list in 2013.
• In 2012, Newsweek ranked Motorola Solutions No. 20 on its U.S. Green Rankings.
• The company is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and FTSE4Good sustainability index.

SUPPORTING QUOTES
Jodi Shapiro, vice president, Environment, Health and Safety, Motorola Solutions
“Motorola Solutions is proud of its strong environmental performance, and we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made on our corporate responsibility programs. We’ve made great progress with our initiatives to source conflict-free minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo. We continue to identify and implement new ways to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. And we set challenging goals to make sure we continue to be a leader in sustainability.”

Matt Blakely, director, Motorola Solutions Foundation
“Our activities as a global business extend beyond providing innovative communications and technology solutions, and we’re proud of the positive impact we make in our communities. From encouraging the next generation of innovators, to supporting training for first responders, to providing emergency disaster relief, our grants and our employees help make a difference in moments that really matter. We continue to look for ways to make our communities better and safer, and we continue to encourage our employees to be generous with their time and talents.”

SUPPORTING RESOURCES
Website: Corporate Responsibility at Motorola Solutions
Blog: Corporate Responsibility
Twitter: @MotoSolutions

About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions is a leading provider of mission-critical communication solutions and services for enterprise and government customers. Through leading-edge innovation and communications technology, it is a global leader that enables its customers to be their best in the moments that matter. Motorola Solutions trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “MSI.” To learn more, visit www.motorolasolutions.com. For ongoing news, please visit our media center or subscribe to our news feed.

MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2013 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

The H(app)athon Project (www.happathon.com), an organization leveraging emerging technology and global happiness metrics to improve human well-being, announced today a partnership with the city of Somerville, Mass., to build out its sensor-based Happiness survey platform to measure the city residents’ well-being. The partnership will pilot the system with Somerville residents this fall. The city’s existing census questions on happiness will be added to The H(app)athon Project’s survey, making it easy for users to answer these questions on their mobile devices and laptops.

“We’re thrilled to be working with the City of Somerville,” notes John C. Havens, Founder of the H(app)athon Project. “They’re the first city in the US to implement happiness metrics for policy creation, and our goal is to demonstrate how mobile sensors can better help identify and improve the well-being of their citizens.”

Connecting H(app)iness to Action

The pilot test is the first step in reaching H(app)athon’s goal of creating sensor-based technologies that measure happiness and well-being. Leveraging emerging technology and global happiness indicator metrics, The H(app)athon Project aims to develop a technology that combines answers to survey questions with results from physiological sensors. These combined results will then yield a Personal Happiness Indicator (PHI) score that can help users understand what brings them well being and find corresponding resources to help them increase their happiness.

The partnership between Somerville and The H(app)athon Project will be the world’s first government implementation of sensor-based happiness measurements that inform public policy.

“Somerville, Mass., is the first city in the U.S. to track resident’s happiness,” notes Daniel Hadley from the Somerville Mayor’s office. “For the past two years, Somerville has included happiness surveys in their census to measure the happiness and well-being of the city’s residents. Now, users can access the survey through H(app)athon’s survey app.”

On March 20, 2013, International Day of Happiness, The H(app)athon Project launched in over nine cities around the world and was featured in Forbes, Mashable and USA Today. More events are currently planned for San Diego, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Dubai. Now, The H(app)athon Project is taking its mission to the next level with its partnership with the city of Somerville.

For more information: The H(app)athon Project, visit www.happathon.com.

About
The H(app)athon Project is Connecting Happiness to Action. By leveraging emerging technology and global happiness indicator metrics, the Project’s goal is to improve human well-being and the way the world measures happiness.

For more information on H(app)athon, visit www.happathon.com, follow them on Twitter at @happathon, or check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/happathon.

On the heels of National Cancer Survivors Day, Lee Jeans is proud to name Amy, a Kansas City resident currently fighting breast cancer, the 2013 Lee National Denim Day ambassador. On Friday, October 4, millions will join the Lee National Denim Day movement by putting on their jeans and donating $5 to raise millions of dollars for the American Cancer Society’s programs that help women like Amy rise above the disease.

Courageous and empowered, Amy is currently battling breast cancer. As an avid runner and triathlete, Amy was stunned when she was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer at the age of 40. Beginning chemotherapy in February of 2013, Amy continues to fight valiantly with the daily encouragement of her friends. Though she’s powerful enough to complete an Iron Man competition, Amy attributes her persistence in her battle with breast cancer to her resilient team of supporters.

“When I first found out I had breast cancer, the first thing I did was turn to my friends and family for support. It’s the little things they do, like helping me run errands, that keep me going,“ said Slater. “By joining together on Lee National Denim Day, we can all be a part of a nationwide support team to ensure no woman fights this disease alone.”

The beneficiary for the 2013 Lee National Denim Day is the American Cancer Society®, the largest voluntary health organization in the United States and the leader in the fight to end breast cancer – and all cancers. The Society works to create a world without breast cancer by combining relentless passion with the wisdom of a century of experience in saving lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.  This year, Lee National Denim Day hopes to contribute millions to the American Cancer Society as they celebrate their 100th birthday and pledge to finish the fight against cancer.

Net proceeds raised from Lee National Denim Day will benefit the Society’s community-based programs, including lifesaving screenings and a free place to stay when breast cancer patients and their caregivers have to travel away from home for treatment.

Proceeds will also help fund the American Cancer Society’s national research grants ongoing work to find new ways to find, prevent and treat breast cancer. The organization has contributed to nearly every cancer breakthrough in recent history. Their funded researchers have helped develop the drugs to treat advanced breast cancer and have shown that mammograms are the most effective form of detection. Today, one in every two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reaches out to the American Cancer Society for help and support.

“Amy’s fighting spirit is an inspiration to all who are touched by breast cancer,” said Liz Cahill, vice president of marketing at Lee. “We are thrilled to partner with the American Cancer Society for the second year and stimulate millions into action to help forward our shared goal to help aid and empower those affected by the disease.”

Starting today, groups and individuals can donate and sign up as a team by visiting Denimday.com or by calling 1.800.521.5533. To learn more about Lee National Denim Day, visit Denimday.com. To learn more about Lee National Denim Day’s beneficiary, the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org.

About Lee Jeans
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Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI has announced the development of an eco-friendly natural dyeing plant in Cambodia, as part as its commitment to the Business Call to Action (BCtA).

The retailer, with international brand presence in nearly 600 stores across Japan, Asia, Europe and the USA, plans to source its products locally and increase the number of local producers, especially women from post-conflict or transitional societies.

MUJI has been promoting eco-friendly dyeing utilizing various natural materials since 2012, and formed its commitment around two projects including the development of a 2,000 m2 eco-friendly dyeing and sewing towel plant in Cambodia to employ over 300 local people by 2015.

MUJI is also planning to plant indigo – a tropical plant cultivated as a source of dark blue dye – around the plant, which will generate 50 new jobs and a new product line of natural Indigo dye products in near future.

Supported by several international organizations and hosted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the BCtA is a global initiative that aims to support the private sector’s efforts to fight poverty through its core business.

“BCTA is delighted to engage with MUJI given their unique brand commitment to problem solving through designs, focusing on materials and simple packaging. The fact that they are investing in least developed countries by employing local people, as well as sourcing from artisans from conflict affected regions is certainly part of what makes this commitment so unique and meaningful,” said Sahba Sobhani, Acting Programme Manager, Business Call to Action.

With the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), MUJI plans to continue sourcing soapstone products from Kenya and wool felt products from Kyrgyzstan. By training local producers and engaging artisan communities in these regions, MUJI continues to develop quality products that meet international standards.

MUJI’s focus on design and efficiency will result in more local jobs and wages for local people. In addition, the company will provide skill development seminars for local producers in Kenya and Kyrgyzstan, including how to manage supply chains, keep high quality standards, and monitor sales trends in international market.

MUJI plans to increase production by 8% in Kenya and Kyrgyzstan by 2015 and 1.3 million dollars revenue is expected that year from the sales of products from Cambodia, Kenya and Kyrgyzstan.

MUJI is known for providing simple, innovative and elegant products which comes from the Japanese notion of ‘Kanso’ that brings a sense of calm into everyday life. Operated by Ryohin Keikaku Co Ltd, MUJI also has committed to buying organic cotton from suppliers who engage in sustainable sourcing practice including small scale farmers from Tanzania, Egypt and India.

“MUJI is very honored to join the unique group of BCtA members in its commitment to use simple, high quality and eco-friendly technologies to develop products that will support local producers in developing counties, more sustainable life for our customers, and doing good to the society“ said Kei Suzuki, Director and General Manager, Household Division of MUJI.

For further information, images or an interview please contact:
Ryohin Keikaku: Mizuki Sakuyama, sakuyama@muji.co.jp Tel: +81.3.3989.4410

BCtA: Karen Newman, karen.newman@undp.org, Tel: +1.212.906.5194

About the Business Call to Action (BCtA)
Business Call to Action is a global initiative that challenges companies to develop inclusive business models that offer the potential for development impact along with commercial success. The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Australian Agency for International Development, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, UK Department for International Development, US Agency for International Development, United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Global Compact, the Clinton Global Initiative, and the International Business Leaders Forum to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Companies report on progress toward commitments on an annual basis. www.businesscalltoaction.org, @BCtAInitiative

Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. operates specialty stores, named MUJI (Mujirushi Ryohin). MUJI was born in 1980 as a private brand of the Seiyu with 40 products, has grown into a brand carrying 7,000 products present day. MUJI provides “lifestyle products of beauty, art and taste,” and aims to offer a "simple, elegant and comfortable lifestyle at reasonable prices." Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd was established in 1989 and is based in Tokyo, Japan. Since its independence from the Seiyu Ltd., the company has been developing and supplying consumer driven daily necessities including clothing, household goods and food. The company’s basic principle is to develop new, simple products at reasonable prices by making the best use of the materials while considering environmental issues. Ryohin Keikaku has been steady developing its design concept, and the popularity of its products sold under the MUJI brand is spreading worldwide as a global trend originating in Japan. The company has nearly 600 stores in 24 countries and areas, including Japan. ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng